This blog post contains an AD.
I finished university a year and a half ago, ever since I've been Self-Employed. With the luxury of living at home I thought I'd see how freelance life was (spoiler. V hard and a little ambitious post uni for me personally... but not out of the question!) Although work is ever changing for me, I have learnt a lot in this time, so I thought I'd share some of my learnings with you!
BUSINESS CARDS
They may seem 'old school' but I can not tell you how many times I've had to give out a business card! Working in music, social media and photography/videography - it's often something people are interested in and might want to know more about - having a business card on you means they've got your name and contact details straight away. If like me, you want something a little more exciting than the usual standard cards, say hello to Basic Invite*!
With a beautiful array of customisable designs and unlimited colours, finding the perfect design for you will be easier than you think. My favourite colour combination is blue and white, so this painted chevron pattern stood out to me straight away and I spent ages picking out the perfect blues. I wanted to have something that looks professional but different that I would be proud to hand over - first impressions are important! The service was simple to use, the cards came quickly and packaged safely and I was very impressed with the service.
Not only are Basic Invite great for Business cards, they also have Custom Made Birthday Invitations, Thank You cards and beautiful customisable stationery.
They ship worldwide and you can get 15% OFF with this code: 15FF5
*I have altered the image of the business card slightly to keep my contact details private.
They ship worldwide and you can get 15% OFF with this code: 15FF5
*I have altered the image of the business card slightly to keep my contact details private.
WHERE YOU WORK IS V. IMPORTANT
I've said it before and I'll say it again, the bed office is not a thing - unless Netflix, naps and online shopping counts as work? Getting up, getting dressed and working at a desk or table will make a huge difference to your productivity levels. Some days I find I need to escape out to a new setting to inspire new ideas and get me out of the house. Find a coffee shop, my favourite one is filled with natural light, has a banging playlist, free wifi and the best coffee and cakes you could ever want. This means I can set myself up for the day and when I shut my laptop and head home, I'll be finished for the day.
TRY NOT TO WORK 24/7
It's important to be aware of how much you are working. One of the benefits of working for yourself means you're your own boss and you can be flexible with your hours. If you're sitting down to work for a 8 hour day, but realistically only working for 4 of those hours, realise that and spend the four hours doing something else productive - don't force yourself to be at your laptop because you 'should' be working a full day. Also, as hard as it is - particularly if you love your job - try and make your weekends remain as weekends!
PLAN AHEAD, SET GOALS
Set yourself goals to help measure your success, they can be as small or as aspirational as you please but it will help you focus on what to work on. I tend to have yearly goals, but I split them into smaller more achievable ones to help me get there. Write them down! Can you actually remember your NY resolutions? It'll be helpful to see them daily as a reminder.
ROUTINE IS KEY
Some days I know I have to wake up and get straight. to. work. and on those days I go in hard on setting myself a routine. I mean, strict timings from getting ready to working hours to tea breaks. This way I've got a structure and it stops me from getting distracted, I know if I work for a solid hour on this job I can stop for a tea and a quick social media scroll and then get back to work after. I write this down in 'notes' on my iPhone before I go to bed, so I know my plan as soon as I'm up the next morning! I first did this when revising for my AS levels years ago and found it was a structure that worked for me when I had various different topics to work on and wasn't spending my time wisely. It sounds a bit strict but when I've gotta get my head down, it works for me.
Being self employed has been one big learning curve for me and I'm grateful I've had the opportunity to try it out before having the full pressure of a home, bills and life on top of me. I basically have no idea what I'm doing, but I'm doing what works for me... like everyone else, right?
What are your tips for working for yourself?
*Big thanks to Basic Invite for sponsoring this blog post. All opinions are my own.
Post a Comment
There are definitely a few things I wish I had know before I started my blog - a few truths about the reality of blogging. There are so many positives and upsides and if you find a passion for it then these things are just part of the package! These are in no way rules or anything set in stone, just something I have learnt from experience and wanted to share.
Make Time - it takes a lot of effort.
Although blogging has lots of lovely benefits, it isn't all swish parties, polished photographs and flat-lays. It's a very time consuming hobby, which is absolutely fine if you love it and are happy to put the time in! Snapping, filming, editing, planning, writing, publishing, posting and sharing content takes a lot of time, so I think it's a good thing to know that before you start - not to put anyone off, just as a little friendly note as I didn't quite realise when I started (luckily I'm now happy to put the time in!)
Things won't happen straight away.
I have been blogging for over three years now and I am a prime example that growth. takes. time. I don't blog for the numbers, they are simply a lovely bonus, but the feeling of your blog, channels and social media growing is great - it means people are interested in what you have to say and have to share with them.
Be creative, be influenced by others, but be you.
A little cliche sounding I know, but it is so important to stay true to yourself on your blog. It is usually plain to see when someone is pretending to be someone they're not or pretending to like things they don't like just because they think it'll go down better with readers. With the 'blog-market' being so saturated now, your unique selling point is... YOU! Be influenced by other bloggers, let their ideas inspire your ideas, but make sure your ideas are your own.
Schedule & Plan - it will help!
Content planning will make your life so much easier! Plan what you are going to post and when you are going to post, so you've got an idea of what is coming up. If you plan a month or so ahead you can be prepared for any specific content that might need to go up at a certain time of year - I always find days like Valentines Day or Bank Holiday Weekends spring up on me and had I realised I would have planned some content around it.
Most importantly, make sure you enjoy it - it's fun, creative and exciting!
Are you starting a blog soon? Or do you have any tips you can share too? Let me know in the comments!
Second term blues getting you down? I feel ya.
HEre's my tips on how to shake that feeling and get back on the motivation train!
xxxx
We all have those days where our make up sits badly on our skin, we feel frumpy in our clothes, we can't seem to get anything right, have bad brain fog and feel pretty down in the dumps about everything, right?
Recently, I've been having far too many of these days. My to-do list is forever growing and never seems to get any shorter and I've got stress coming out of my eyeballs (in the form of tears, of course...) And to be quite honest, I've just about had enough of it. This slump needs to seriously DO ONE.
I thought I'd write a little post about how I'm gonna get my act together (Which means if I've told you, I have to do it, yeah?)
Wake up on time. Stop pressing snooze.
Eat a little bit better. And stop skipping breakfast because you're too lazy to step into the grotty kitchen...
Get a spot of exercise a couple of times a week. Even if it's some squats, crunches and planks on your bedroom floor, or just a power walk along the seafront.
Tidy Room. Tidy Mind. But don't use this to procrastinate...
Stop procrastinating. It's the most unproductive thing you can do.
Stop moaning. It won't make it go away, so just get on with it.
Have a more positive out look on things. Positive Mental Attitude never hurt anybody!
Switch off more. If you don't need to look at a screen, then don't.
Write your To-Do List. Even if it's terrifyingly long.
Take your time to do you skincare routine before bed. You'll thank yourself pre-makeup in the morning.
What do you tell yourself when you're stuck in a rut?
xxx
It may be the end of August, but I'm off to Greece next week so I'm just getting into holiday mode. I really wanted to write a 'packing post', so despite September being just around the corner, I though I'd do it anyway. Lets face it, people travel all year round so it'll hopefully still be useful. This is a checklist of everything I can't forget to take on a beach holiday with me. Let me know if I've missed anything super important!
The things you will definitely need to remember before you jet off on your holiday.
Passport
Changed Up Money
ID
Any Tickets/Hotel Documents
Visa/Esta (If necessary)
European Health Insurance Card (If necessary)
Medication (If necessary)
Have you got all the important documents you need? Any Medication you have to take? Have you changed up your money?
Have you got all the important documents you need? Any Medication you have to take? Have you changed up your money?
H A N D L U G G A G E !
Phone
Purse
Camera
Books/Magazines
Sunglasses
Cardigan/Jumper - Airplanes can get a bit chilly!
Travel Sweets
Anything you would hate to lose in your luggage (Something very expensive/sentimental, important jewellery etc.)
Remember your liquids should be under 100ml & in a clear plastic bag.
S U I T C A S E !
Clothes - plan out your outfits for each day. Remember if you're on a beach holiday then the majority of the day time you'll be in a bikini & a kaftan!
Underwear
Swimwear
Jewellery/Bags/Hats
Shoes
Beach Towel - This one is SO easy to forget!
Toiletries - Don't worry... this has its own category.
Travel Adapters!
T O I L E T R I E S !
Make Up - You won't need 3 different mascaras, 10 different lipsticks and 5 different foundations, so pack when you'll definitely be wanting. Maybe even plan out a few evenings looks before you go.
Sun Cream
After Sun
Shower Gel
Shampoo & Conditioner
Body Scrub/Exfoliating gloves
Razor & Shaving Gel
Hair Products - Sun protection oils are so important on holiday, especially if you're dipping out of pools/the sea all day too.
Insect repellent
Make Up Removers
Face Skincare
Toothbrush
Toothpaste
Perfume
Hair Brush
Deodorant
Nail Varnish & Remover
I also just uploaded a Huge Holiday Haul to my channel, have you seen it yet?
So all in all, us girls have a hell of a lot to pack for a holiday and every reason to be over the luggage limit, right?
It's that time of the year when you've got your results, you've had your big night out to celebrate and now some of you will be heading off to university this September! I'm going into my third year at uni. It's going so quickly but I'm having the most amazing time with the most wonderful people, so although it seems daunting, please don't worry about a thing!
This is obviously my way of raising a glass to you. Well done! A-levels are officially over. It's Uni Time!
Before I went to university, there was a substantial lack of videos about it on YouTube. So I thought I'd make some advice videos myself!
Last year I covered:
This Year I'm Talking About:
You can head over to my channel & watch my University Videos on a Playlist by clicking here or on the links above. Or watch my new ones below!
So if you're off in September, I wish you the best of luck and hope you have a fantastic time! If I have helped at least one of you with my tips, that'd be amazing.
Please share these videos with your friends if you find them helpful!
Great photos are pretty important when it comes to blogging, right? Here are some of my tips to get great blog photos in collaboration with The Bloggers Hub. I'm no expert, but these are ones I would of found helpful.
------
A few extra tips for you (+ some brownie points for also being a reader of my blog!)
- Think about your angles. Straight on? Birds Eye View? There's so many different angles you can take a photo from so play around with it until you get one you like. I love using birds eye view shots when shooting lots of items!
- Take hundreds. End up using three. Although it means lots of deleting has to take place, I prefer to take loads of photos then narrow it down to my favourites - saves any 'none of these photos are right' dilemmas!
- Good things take time. You can't learn something instantly, I'm still learning myself and I'm sure some top notch photographers still find out new things they didn't know too. Find out what an ISO is, or what a shutter speed is, or what settings mean what. (I'm not one to talk on that one though. I still need to read my camera manuals...) Put the time in and you'll reap the benefits!
'Happy & Healthy' is going to be a little different this month. I'm going to have a ramble about someone very motivational...
There's a lady that has inspired me to kick some butt in the gym recently. Her name is Carly Rowena and she is an absolute babe.
There's a lady that has inspired me to kick some butt in the gym recently. Her name is Carly Rowena and she is an absolute babe.
(Credit: This photo belongs to Carly Rowena. Source: http://www.carlyrowena.com)
I hadn't really found any YouTubers that I could relate to when it came to health and fitness. Some I watched and felt completely overwhelmed, some cooked with ingredients that would soak up my student budget in one hit and some I found a little too serious for my liking.
A few months ago I joined the gym and it was around the same time that I discovered Carly's videos. In fact the first day I went, I watched a video where she mentioned that it's okay to feel like a giant penis whilst doing your gym induction. Feeling a little nervous, it was just what I needed to hear, so I stood proud, feeling like a giant willy!
Her videos are informative, fun, colourful and some of them can be pretty hilarious. 'Alternative Uses for Tampons & Pads' with Hollie Wakeham had my housemate and I in tears! Workout routines, 30 Day Challenges, food diaries, meal ideas, fitness tags, workout wardrobes - everything you could want from a fitness guru really! She's a personal trainer, so really does know what she is talking about, but it doesn't come across in a patronising way in the slightest.
(Credit: This photo belongs to Carly Rowena. Source: http://www.carlyrowena.com)
So if you haven't heard of Carly before, go and check out her YouTube Channel via the links below and have a snoop around her blog too!
This won't be the last time you'll see her name pop up on my blog, as I can pretty much assure you I'll be raving about a new video or blog post sometime soon! & who knows? I'll keep working hard and maybe one day I'll be lucky enough to meet, maybe even work out with the lovely lady!
CARLY'S LINKS :: Blog :: YouTube :: Twitter :: Instagram
This won't be the last time you'll see her name pop up on my blog, as I can pretty much assure you I'll be raving about a new video or blog post sometime soon! & who knows? I'll keep working hard and maybe one day I'll be lucky enough to meet, maybe even work out with the lovely lady!
CARLY'S LINKS :: Blog :: YouTube :: Twitter :: Instagram
xxxx
This was meant to be filmed as a Youtube Video, along with my university series, but in an error on my behalf of planning to film when I had actually already moved half my stuff into my flat... that wasn't possible. Not to the standard I wanted it to be anyway!
So, here are my top tips for saving space and making your university bedroom your own!
(I do not own this image. Source Unknown... but how unbelievably cool is this?!)
Pin up!
I lived in a flat, not university halls, so I was allowed to put pin boards up. In halls, I wouldn't put anything up on the walls but most of them already have big pin boards up. If not, have one leaning against the wall on you desk or something. It's lovely to have photos, messages, notes and reminders up!
No monsters under the bed? Then get some storage boxes!
These are great to have if you have space under your bed if your bed base isn't solid. Double check before you buy them though, otherwise they take up a lot of room.
Fairy Lights!
Candles aren't allowed in a lot of student residences, so fairy lights are a lovely alternative. Or you have both, if you're like me!
Hooks!
Radiator hooks & Door hooks will come in very handy for every space to dry clothes, or hang jackets!
Wedge that door!
If you're in halls, keep your door open whilst you're setting up and unpacking. People are then able to stop and say hello, knocking on a door can be a little intimidating!
Tidy room, Tidy mind!
I know I'll be able to think a lot more clearly if my room is tidy. Clutter isn't good for me!
Plants & Flowers
They bring life into a room. If you think you can't keep them alive, get some pretty fake ones for a splash of colour!
Most of all, make it a place where you feel at home and happy to be!
If you want to see my video on Tips for Freshers, University Emergency Kit or Top Tips for Students click here!
xxx
It's results day! What better day to put my 'Tips For Starting University' video live?!
Starting Universtiy is a big, big change and can seem rather scary & daunting.
Hopefully these tips might make things seem a little easier.
Give it a THUMBS UP if you found it helpful.
SUBSCRIBE to my channel for more University Videos to come in the next few weeks!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)