Small Ways To Make Positive Changes

Small Ways To Make Positive Changes

For someone who likes to blog about 5-7 times a week, taking a long breaks in between can feel very strange. It makes me feel guilty when I don’t update my blog with a new post, it make me feel like I am neglecting something I’ve worked so hard on. 

Two weeks isn’t even that long (12 days to be exact… but who’s counting?!), but in the fast-paced world of digital where you see the daily traffic plummet each day, a fortnight can feel like a lifetime!

After feeling a bit out of sorts lately, I decided that it would be beneficial to step away from the blog for a couple of weeks. When I’m not feeling myself, the last thing I want is to force a half-arsed blogpost about beauty products. 

This is more like putting down in words how I feel and what I’m doing about it, as opposed to tips on you can make positive changes. Although if it helps just one person to take a step in the right direction, then I’m going to be a happy bunny. But more than anything, I wanted to admit to myself that I haven’t been ok but I’m taking things slowly in looking after myself. I’d like to come back to this blogpost at the end of the year and think ‘carry on what you’re doing, you’ve done great, you’re going to be a-ok!‘

For ages, I haven’t felt right and by ignoring it, I lost a sense of who I was. I kept myself busy but when the distractions stops, the thoughts of fear and stress uncontrollably filters into my brain!

Basically, I have figured that working from home and living alone isn’t the healthiest, balanced environment for me at the moment! I haven’t figured out whether I am someone who enjoys her own company, but I like to think that one day that I will look back on this time and envy the freedom and independence I’ve got right now.

The past two months, it has made me feel slightly jittery and I knew that it was time to start making some changes! Let’s call it ‘baby steps’.

Start Exercising

Starting with exercise. I’ve heard that it’s good for ya… so that’s what I’ve started doing more of. I am embarrassed to say that I hadn’t done any proper exercising since PE in secondary school, and I left in 2001… I took up running for a few weeks a few years ago but that was such poor effort so that really doesn’t count.

In the past two weeks, I have taken up adult ballet classes,signed up for weekly Zumba and bootcamp classes. I had put off doing all of these things for so many years not because I was lazy, but because that environment was new and daunting. Would I feel self-conscious? Will they know that I’ve not worked out since 2001? Was I going to stick out like a sore thumb for doing it all wrong? Was it going to be make me feel uncomfortable? And you know what? The answer to all those questions was NO.

I got new gym gear so that I could feel comfortable within myself. Gymwear has come a long way since way back when! I didn’t feel self-conscious, and I did make sooooo many mistakes in class which makes me look stupid but no one points it out. Everyone in class gets on with what they’re doing, and the instructors are so encouraging. I get my heart pumping, blood flowing, and I feel better and healthier!

I promise not to be one of those people who bangs on about the gym all the time. But there might be a gymwear haul coming soon… maybe!

Temporarily Detach On Things That Are Pulling You Down

Even though it may sound like I have thrown myself into trying all these different things at once, I’ve also been doing taking smaller steps at home to change my lifestyle.

I realised how obsessed I am with my phone because of what I do as a full-time blogger, it’s part and parcel of the job. But being on social media constantly isn’t healthy at all, especially when you’re feeling the slightest bit down and all you do is compare your own life with others. *holds megaphone* PUT THE PHONE DOWN.

I just don’t like the fact that I’ve become emotionally attached to my iPhone. I’m not as bad as others and I only use it for work purposes, but now I let it run flat out of battery by the end of the day and leave it far away from me, so I can read, watch a movie, do the chores in the evenings… all without obsessively checking my phone every 2 minutes. But what if someone needs to get in touch with me? Well, they can call my landline phone. I still have one of those (hashtag dark ages). It’s a pretty cool phone and I should use it more!

I’ve also bought a 6 month pass to a beautiful art museum, which I intend to make use of. On the next pay day, I’m going to stock up on books instead of buying clothes. AND I’ve recently considered buying a car so that I can go to places without relying on anyone else. Everyone who knows me knows what a big deal this is. I passed my test 13 years ago but I have always hated driving but maybe that will change. In fact, I know it will. All I need is refresher courses to make me a more confident driver!

Spend More Time With People You Love

Last but definitely not least. Another reason I’ve taken a teeny tiny short break from my blog is because I have recently become an auntie for the first time and I’ve loved visiting my baby niece, Edith (Edie for short)! She is 3 weeks old now and the cutest little human! I’ve loved spending time with her without faffing around capturing every moment on social media. She makes me happy and I love seeing her grow in to a teeny tiny person with her own personality! Edie is AMAZING!

I’ve gained a bit of perspective after putting my laptop and my phone away for a short time. But after putting things on hold for a couple of weeks, I am geared up to blog again SOON! 🙂 Keep your eyes peeled! x