Finding your spark again

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After nearly a month of not blogging; I. Am. Back!

After the highs of the holidays, January hit me with a bit of a low.

My pesky sinus infection has been lingering like the smell of Christmas Day sprouts, going back to work felt heavy like a bad day at the sales and life just felt a bit like I was on a crazy train with no station in sight!

I tell you this, not for your sympathy nor to get it off my chest – but to let you know it happens.

It happened to me.

And it’s okay.

Sometimes we need to retract from daily life, retreat to the comfort of our safe places and bunker in.

When you feel physically unwell you rest, you stay in bed, you eat what little you can making sure you drink plenty of fluids and change your routine to suit your energy levels.

So why not treat your emotional health in the same way?

Here are 5 tips to help you feel a million times better, when you’re feeling a little blue.

Recharge – I cannot rank this high enough. Go to bed early, play with your kids or pets, meditate, read, colour, stare out of the window, have a dance party in your kitchen, take long baths, go for a walk. Do something for yourself simply for pleasure. How you ‘rest’ and recharge will be different to everyone else. Alter the pace you are moving at, mix it up, have some fun! Your brain needs a break from the worries, never ending lists and million and one things you simply have to do today.

Water – again, top priority. We all know we need to drink more water so I’m not going to bang on about it, however in a nutshell if you want to improve your energy levels, skin, digestion and simply have your body working at it’s absolute optimum level – drink more water!

Notice – start reflecting on what areas of your life affect your mood and how. Start to notice when you feel good about yourself and your day. Who supports you and is great to be around? Who are energy vampires and bring you down? What areas of your home need a little love because they stress you out? What activities seem a chore and which ones bring a little magic into your day? What do you absolutely need in your day and what do you look forward to?

Change – choose one thing right now that you can change to improve your mood. Just one. It might be that you set your alarm 15 minutes earlier so you can drink your first coffee in peace. You might decide to tidy that kitchen drawer that stresses you out every time you venture there. How about buying coordinating stationary to help you feel inspired when taking notes at work? You might decide you need some new cushions for your favourite chair to entice you to sit and read. What if you were to explore changing your style and spend hours creating inspirational boards on Pinterest? Don’t look at the bigger picture as it may feel too overwhelming, this is about making one small change that will bring joy into your day.

Do all this with love – it’s not about being hard on yourself because you’re having a bad day. Nor is it about comparing your life to someone else’s. This is about improving your life, your way. A happy life can be created by a series of small moments that make you smile, no matter what your circumstances.

When I teach children strategies to manage their emotions, I tell to them that there are a million ways to enhance your day – but only you know which ones will work for you.

I hope this list is helpful if you’re feeling a little low, have lost your spark or are in need of a little love.

The thing is you’re not alone – we all feel like this from time to time, but there are things you can do to make yourself feel a little better. We just need to start.

What things improve your mood when you’re not feeling at your best? Let me know below.

Warm hugs and calm thoughts

💋 xoxo

A letter to The Universe for 2017

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Dear 2017,

I am ready.

Ready for whatever you decide to throw at me, gift me, allow me to experience.

The good. The bad. The downright ugly.

I am releasing control, going with the flow, allowing life to unfold as The Universe wishes it to.

I am going to take note of the signs, look for the opportunities and trust that my intuition will lead me along the best possible path.

I will stop focusing on the end product and instead enjoy the journey that unfolds before me.

I will choose how I am going to feel and ensure my day is full of experiences that allow me to feel this way.

I will believe I am in control. No victim mentality to be seen here.

I will master my words – both what I say and think to myself deep within and the things that roll off my tongue when I speak to or about others.

I will have some fun along the way, take chances, laugh often – particularly at myself and not take things to heart.

I will see my feelings as a strength, my compassion as a gift and my vibes as a compass pointing out what I need more of.

I will love wholeheartedly, unconditionally and passionately. My family, my friends, my life.

I will protect my boundaries, enhance my authenticity and nourish my soul. All on a daily basis.

I will say no when I need to, stay strong in the face of adversity and never, ever give away my power.

I am ready to live 2017. I am ready to be a badass, a babe and unstoppable.

Are you?

xo

 

Why I Don’t Need a Bucket List

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAI recently tried to write a bucket list. I was unsuccessful.

I’d just read this short, but thought evoking post from Basically Classy entitled before I die.

And felt inspired to think of all the things I’d like to achieve before I kick the bucket.

But try as I might, I couldn’t do it.

And not for the first time I might add.

The internet is full of Things to do before I’m 30/I die/I settle down*…*delete as necessary! However, I have always found this tough to do for some reason.

I found focusing on all the things I have yet to experience quite heartbreaking. Not that I don’t think we should have dreams and set goals – I absolutely do.

But I think that we live in a world of comparison, where it’s totally acceptable to only post the perfect parts of our lives on social media, where people are not content with what they have and a ‘dog eat dog’ mentality has us all working our asses off.

And at times, some of us can feel a little disheartened, as if we don’t meet the standard, insecure or maybe just a little sad.

Bucket lists are in theory a list of wishes, things you dream of doing before you kick the bucket. People make them so their life will have purpose and is full of once in a lifetime experiences.

However, and this is my issue with them…they’re too big!

And I don’t mean they are long – I mean they are full of tasks and experiences that are grandiose, extravagant and ‘once in a lifetime‘.

We don’t all have the health, time or resources to climb mountains, live abroad for a year or maybe even go skydiving. Some of us have commitments, restrictions and maybe even a lack of desire to go on a pilgrimage, be enlightened or change our lives.

And I’m here to tell you, that’s okay.There’s nothing wrong with that.

Nor is it wrong if you do crave, strive and yearn for excitement and experiences that are wild, wonderful and life affirming.

I believe we all have one thing in common.

The desire to have experiences that are memorable.

Whether they are new or familiar, exciting or comfortable. We all desire to create long lasting memories, feel special, connect with others and enjoy life even if it’s right in our own back yards.

So, instead of writing an enormously extravagant list of specifics – how about you create a list of subheadings that loosely define what you want to experience, feel, see or do?

For example – you want to visit new places, but can’t travel abroad right now for whatever reason. How about you make a list of places nearby or easily accessible with a little planning that you could visit? They might be a little closer to home, smaller and more achievable.

That local restaurant you’ve never gotten round to eating at, a walk in the park on your own, a day at the zoo, breakfast in a cafe or coffee shop you’ve never been in before, jump on a train and ride to the last stop – the possibilities are endless.

Okay, it’s not the same as going to a new country or visiting the seven wonders of the world…but maybe you’ll still get to experience the joy of exploring a new area. Maybe you will be inspired to go out regularly and do new things? Maybe you find a new hobby, new friends or simply get a thrill from stepping out of your comfort zone?

I’m not saying don’t do something that’s grand and once in a life time – but what I’m saying is do it because you want to or the opportunity arises – not because you simply want to cross it off your bucket list! Sometimes the most amazing experiences we have, where everything comes together: company, atmosphere, laughter, love – cannot be planned. They just happen.

Here’s another idea – how would you feel about creating a list of things you have done rather than a list of things you wish you could do.

Maybe creating this list will help you live a life of gratitude, become aware of all you have and encourage you to notice the little things in your every day that make you smile.

So here’s my list. It’s not particularly long nor is it particularly astounding – but honestly, I don’t really want for much.

I would like to experience beautiful places – that includes restaurants, hotels and beautiful spaces in nature.

I would like to stay young at heart, have fun and be spontaneous – laugh a lot, not take life too seriously and live a life where I say yes more often!

I would like to have fabulously  authentic relationships – that includes meaningful conversations, friends that lift me up, people I can look up to and learn from, spend time making memories.

I would like to be excited by life – jump out of bed in the morning, feel inspired to try new things, meet new people and stay open to opportunities that come my way.

I would like to become freer, financially secure and work less – less routine, more me time and space to be creative.

I would like to live a life of gratitude and happiness – surrounded by my family and friends, be thankful for what I have, smile lots.

As long as I stay true to what I desire in my life, I believe I will live an authentic, fulfilling life. This list isn’t exhaustable – but these are the things that are important to me regardless of whether they are costly, simple, once in a lifetime or everyday.

I don’t need a bucket list – my dreams and goals are ever changeable. They are presented in opportunities that come my way, the people I meet and the little things I do regularly.

Let me know below, how do you feel about bucket lists?

Goal setting for 2017

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This is NOT a New Years resolution post!

I’ve written before about my hate/hate relationship with New Years resolutions here. In a nutshell I think we put far too much pressure on ourselves to achieve things that are unachievable, unproductive and for all the wrong reasons in a limited time frame.

Having said that – I do set intentions or make plans to have the best year yet. Around the beginning of December I start to ‘notice’ words or phrases that resonate or sit deep in my soul. I start mentally (and sometimes in my journal) exploring what I want from the new year. I ask myself questions such as…

What do I want to do more of this year and how can I achieve this? What will I have to include in my routine to ensure I stay happy? Which people lift me up and add value to my life?

I think about what brings me joy and helps me feel fulfilled. I think about what I enjoy doing, the things that light me up and make me smile.

Then I work out how to incorporate these feelings into my day and what experiences I need to have and do to help me feel this way.

When you’re planning to make this the greatest year yet be realistic, pick things that are easily do-able and regularly achievable. It’s not about the big win win, but a steady series of small events you can do regularly with enthusiasm and smiles!

⭐️ Find your excitement and visualise your best year yet. Reward yourself along the way, visualise yourself already doing that thing and celebrate every small achievement.

⭐️ Find your mantra, intentions or goals and follow your heart, making your soul sing along the way.

⭐️ Find the little things that amplify your wellbeing, the things you need in your life every day that make you come alive.

Do all of the above in 2017 and have a happy year – all of it!

What goals are you planning to explore and how will you ensure you stay on track?

An honest evaluation of my blogging journey so far…

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The New Year seems like a good time to evaluate and reflect on my blogging journey (more like expedition!) over the last 12 months.

Blogging has been a blast! Since publishing my first post back in February I have gained over 700 followers, published 200 posts and connected with so many of you from all corners of the world.

The Highs…

Starting out I had no idea which direction I would go. I had a sassy web address, a desire to write, a passion to be authentic and an insatiable appetite to help others see how fabulous they truly are too. It was exciting and scary and fun and overwhelming all at the same time and I was a total virgin at all of it!

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I started #itsthelittlethings as a way to document the little things that made me smile throughout the week and now it’s become a bit of a catchphrase for when something goods happens around here!

I’ve written some articles that have made my soul sing and they seemed to have deeply resonated with you guys too – Be Your Own Kind of Beautiful was such a pleasure to write and a message I try to live by.

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I’ve talked honestly about myself in the Things You Need to Know About Me series and shared my experiences about how the death of my younger brother completely changed my life and was the motivation to start writing.

In my monthly round up (Monthly Musings) I regularly share new blogs I have stumbled across that I feel are worthy of a look – this has been so successful and something that I enjoy doing so much. Connecting with others is a great bonus that I didn’t expect when I started blogging. I even became pen pals with one of you lovely readers.

The lows…

The last few weeks I have definitely felt a little ‘off my A game’ blogging wise. But hey, it happens to us all I’m sure. The pressure of juggling a full time job (and life) alongside a blog is hard. And whilst it is a great hobby, unfortunately it is the thing that suffers when time isn’t available.

Also as a result of not being around so much lately I have noticed a drop in my monthly stats – despite never being hung up on the numbers previously, it’s hard not to feel like a bit of a failure when they dip.

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Sometimes you have an abundance of ideas. You find inspiration for posts on every corner it seems. Then some days you stare at that blank white screen and…nothing. Just nothing. Even when you do write something, some days you hit that delete button so many times and question the validity and worth of what you have written that you don’t publish it anyway! My post on Why Do I Write When It’s All Be Written Before came from such a moment of unworthiness and thoughts of ‘who am I to even think I can do this’.

Also it seems there’s an unwritten rule, expectation if you like to define your niche and put yourself into a category; lifestyle, food etc. Can I not just be someone who writes to inspire people to find their smile, find what makes their soul sing and help them become the best version of themselves with the occasional lifestyle type post thrown in every now and then?

Final thoughts…

One thing I have learnt about blogging is that there are no hard and fast rules. My blog, my rules. Blogging to me, is about writing and creating content you are passionate about.

It’s about finding your voice, your slant, your style and running with it.

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It’s about sharing your experiences and thoughts and asking others what they think.

It’s about connecting and sharing and reading and creating and not taking it all too seriously!

Can I get a hell yeah?

So keep creating and writing. Stay passionate and authentic. Be true to yourself, be amazing and continue to share the love.

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Merry Christmas you gorgeous people – see you in the new year!

Nicky 💋