Why does January seem to go on forever? Unlike some, I don't actually mind January, I like to see the whole month as a fresh start (February is a different matter...!) so the longevity doesn't bother me, but once we hit Spring, the months seem to disappear so quickly!
The 'new year' positive vibes have stayed with me this month and I've felt a real shift in my attitude and outlook on life - I'm loving it and if it could stick around that would be great. I've put a lot of time into one particular project the past few weeks and I'm hoping this year will see the results of it... whether they're the ones I intended initially or not.
I'm writing this on the day it'll be published, the last Monday of January and despite the aforementioned 'positive vibes', I'm feeling a little lost today, if I'm honest. A combination of a busy week last week, waiting to hear back about certain things, hormones, wearing comfys, no make up and a frizzy pineapple for a hair-do and a grey, dull day has left me feeling a little 'meh'. However, tomorrow is a new day! I'm going to wear my new polka dot shirt, pop on a red lip, see the sunshine (if the forecast is correct...) and do some life admin and catching up with my best friend. Pretty good medicine if you ask me!
As far as self-care goes, I've taken some baby steps and stuck to them so far! I bought a big water bottle with a straw and have been drinking at least one of those a day, according to my app that's about half the recommended daily amount for my weight and height. I've had a few bubble baths to have some screen-free/destress time and it turns out I enjoy them a lot more than I thought. I've had a lot more awareness of the amount of time I'm spending on my phone and have stayed under my limit on 19 out of 29 days - which I think is good going!
Once hump day is out of the way, so is the month of Jan and we'll be waving hello to February!
As I said I'm going to pep myself up tomorrow and hopefully achieve a little more mental clarity before the week is out... but for now it's time to wrap up my work, clean my room and dance/sing my heart out to The Greatest Showman soundtrack (obsessed).
new new new: I'm going to add a song to every blog post! Music's a big ol' part of my life, so it's only right it sits alongside my blog too.
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One of my favourite posts to write, my little positivity log that makes me take a minute to reflect on the moments, big or little, that made my week a little sweeter.
1. Working hard for something I'd really like to achieve, but also realising the hard work won't be wasted if it's doesn't work out.
2. Daffodils in the shops and little snow drops starting to pop up in patches of woodland. Very early, but hopeful signs of Spring.
3. A chilled weekend after endless weekends of celebrations since November. Called for sleepy mornings, relaxed evenings and comfy clothes.
4. Turning to the last page of my first book of the year.
5. Friends on Netflix. Need I say more?
6. Learning so much on a Jessops photography course on Friday. I left feeling very inspired and excited to see what I could create with my new knowledge. I also love that classes like this bring together the most random group of people, and apart from having photography in common, you end up finding so many things to chat about. We're not as different as we all think!
7. Reaching out to someone I'd love to work with on the off chance they'll agree and getting a YES back!
8. Bubble baths. I could count the amount of baths I've had in the past 5 years on one hand, but this year I realised just how relaxing they are and plan to make time for one each week.
9. A super fun shoot day with Ems for her portfolio. Arctic conditions, sassy snaps and some serious cry laughing.
10. Still feeling the 'new year' positivity vibes.
What's made you happy recently?
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
A huge HEY to 2018 and big welcome to a rather snazzy looking re-designed blog!
I do love a new year. I love that feeling of wiping the slate clean and starting fresh. It's funny how we all wait for a new year to make big changes, to shake things up, when really we could do it any day of the week, it's just that extra boost of motivation. This year though, I really do feel a shift as we've gone into 2018. If you've read my last blog post on my thoughts about 2017, you'll know how I felt about whether I had achieved enough, so going forward I really do want to change.
To build my confidence, to say yes to more things, to just do, see, experience and live a little more.
A lot of my goals for the year go hand in hand. It feels a little strict to refer to them as 'goals' or resolutions', it's more so what I want to focus on to have a healthier and more productive year.
I just need to look after myself a little better. You only get one body and we should all be treating it like a temple! I've got four things I'd really like to focus on this year - to have a better sleep pattern, to drink more water, to move more and find an exercise I enjoy and to be on my phone less.
I spent most of 2017 working for myself... part time. Which meant I was in charge of when I worked, but I didn't need to work all the time. This resulted in little structure, a lot of distraction and hella procrastination! If I continue working for myself this year (who knows!) then I plan to structure my days more. I also hope (read: need) to get more work, so a busier life will naturally leave less time to faff about.
Similarly to above, I just want to invest my time better. Whilst the previous point relates more to work, this is more to my hobbies, interests and skills (which in turn will help my work). I want to learn more about my camera, discover photoshop properly, find out new ways to edit on Final Cut, experiment with my GoPro - to dedicate time to learning, rather than doing it as I go. Inspired by my brothers 12x16 project, I think I'll focus on a different topic monthly/bimonthly so I have a bit of a plan together.
A more personal one, maybe a slightly odd one, but I just think I need to remember I'm an adult. I worry a lot about what people think. I worry about doing the wrong thing and getting in trouble or that I actually have no idea what I'm doing and just blagging my way through, sometimes I just need to sit back and remind myself I've got 23 years of life experience in the bank and I'm no where near as naive or inexperienced as I think I am.
A big goal, but one I feel has to happen, or at least be on the way to happening, this year. Henry and I want to move in together and when our work situation clicks and works the both of us, that'll be our next step. I love living with my Mumma (and will weep when I move out properly!) but I know it's time for me to grow up and get my own little home.
With a fresh new year and a brand new blog design (big thanks to the awesome pipdig for all the help!) I'm switching up my upload schedule too.
There'll be one new blog post every Monday and a new video on my channel every Thursday - with bonus vlogs in between!
Here's to a creative, productive and bad-ass 2018!
Less than 48 hours left of 2017, when did that happen?!
I thought I'd finish off the year with a little reflection on the year and a round up of how I'm feeling going in to 2018.
I have to be completely honest about my year. I know a 'Year in Review' should be positive, but I'm not going to sugarcoat. This year has been a year of ups, downs and, in my opinion, not enough.
I will start with the 'downs and not enough' (let's get the bad stuff out the way, then onto the more positives baby!)
As we got towards the end of the year, at the start of November I was feeling pretty low and one Sunday morning I knew enough was enough and had a big scream-y, ugly cry. I opened up to Henry about feeling lost, uninspired, lazy and unproductive. Put simply, I panicked as I felt I hadn't achieved enough this year. I had such big ideas for my year when I look back at my resolutions, but post University life really isn't plain sailing. Afraid of what the big wide world has to offer me, I spent the year quietly sailing on through, hoping job opportunities might come up, hoping my dream job might just happen, being afraid to commit 'just in case', lacking confidence and at the same time wanting the freedom of my own life, my own home and my own money. No one needs to be told these things don't go hand in hand.
Don't get me wrong, what I have achieved this year, I am really proud of. I didn't do nothing, I just didn't do enough. I'm simply disappointed in myself because I know I could have achieved more.
BUT, onto the positives and how I'm moving forward and learning from a not-so-sweet year!
This year I finally saved enough to buy my first DSLR camera I have wanted for longer than I can remember. I received my first payment from YouTube, a little reward for doing something you love is the best. I filmed my best wedding video yet for one happy happy couple! I uploaded 45 videos on to my YouTube channel and hit 45k views on one. I interned and got the job as a Social Media Assistant for a pretty cool company and learnt a lot. It came to an end through my own decision recently but gave me a confidence boost and knowledge to take into next year and new jobs. I filmed and edited my first ever music video. I had a busy Summer of singing, photography, videography, wedding work, being a receptionist and doing social media work. I spent quality time with my beautiful family. I realised the true importance of your girl-gang and having people you can trust with your deepest, darkest (and certainly most embarrassing) secrets. I celebrated four years with Henry, I don't know what I'd do without his endless support. He puts up with worrying, stress and tearful me a lot, but is always caring, honest and has my best interest at heart.
Moving forward, I don't have any regrets about this year. I worry enough about the things that haven't happened, so there's definitely no point me worrying about what can't be undone.
I'm learning from it. I'm turning negatives into positives and using it as a driving force for 2018.
I'm feeling extremely motivated to learn, hone in on my skill sets and to push myself to think outside the box. I'm putting a little plan together for 2018 to go alongside my New Years Resolutions, just watch this space (and check out my first blog post in Jan)
So, that's a wrap on 2017. Whether you're getting glitzy and sipping many a prosecco or snuggling down in PJ's with pizza this evening, have a good one!
G x
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