May Round-Up

This month has really flown! I feel like time is just sprinting these days. This month has gone so quickly that I really had to think when I was planning this post. As usual, here is my monthly round-up!

E N D   O F   F I R S T   Y E A R

I submitted my final assignment on May 2nd, which officially marked the end of first year. I'm aiming to publish my first year experience post in June.
It was such a strange feeling to actually be done so early. I kind of didn't know what to do with myself.

B A C K   T O   W O R K

Prior to this month, my last shift was New Years day. I was so busy with finishing assignments and doing other things that I had no time to work. As soon as I submitted my last piece, I booked in some shifts and I've been working hard all month. It's been good to be back to work. It's tiring but I definitely need the money if I'm going to have an amazing summer. I've mainly been doing evening shifts and some all day shifts too. I worked at the Take That concert in Milton Keynes which was a pretty fun time actually. I didn't get home until 3:30am but the long hours will all be worth it on Pay Day.

F A M I L Y   T I M E

Since I've had all this time on my hands, I've been spending more time at home with my family. I plan to move out my accommodation in June, but I had so much free time this month that I have been taking regular trips back home and staying for longer periods. My course finished particularly early so all my friends were still revising for exams. I saw that as the perfect opportunity to stay at home for a few extra days.

S U M M E R    S H O P P I N G

I've started shopping for some summer clothes, which has been much needed. I'm going on holiday this summer, which I will shop for closer to the time, however I've been shopping around for clothes I can wear as the weather gets warmer. It has definitely been getting on the warmer side in the UK, so that means it's time to put the hoodies away and pick up a few more t-shirts and play-suits.

C E L E B R A T I O N S

There have been a few birthday's this month, so I've been to a couple parties and nights out. I always enjoy going out when I know I don't have to study the next day, so as you can imagine I've been saying yes to more motives than I did during the year. The only thing that stresses me out about having so many celebrations is that I feel like I constantly have to refresh my wardrobe to avoid too many outfit repeats. For someone who isn't into cut outs, super short length and under boob, it's a STRUGGLE to find cute dresses for a decent price. PrettyLittleThing and MissGuided seems to be everyone's go to but I can never find much for my personal preference. However I recently purchased a few items from Boohoo which I LOVE, so if like me you struggle to find dresses that aren't too "showy", maybe check out Boohoo.

So this is my May Round-Up. Summer is here so the next few Round-Ups are going to be a lot more exciting. If you want a hint into what I'm getting up to, check out my Summer Bucket List. Don't forget to follow my blog  so you don't miss out on any content.

What did you get up to in May? Let me know down in the comments.

Thanks for reading,
Have a great day x

All The Bright Places Book Review [NO SPOILERS]

It has been a while since I have posted a
book review, and that's because it has been a while since I read a book..... I know I'm ashamed. Like I say, doing an English Language degree takes away opportunity to read as much of my own material as I would like. I actually started another book before this but only read about 5 chapters because it wasn't for me. I've given myself a goal to read 4 books this summer, which means AT LEAST 4 book reviews coming your way.

We are kick starting with All The Bright Places by Jennifer Niven. This book was published in 2015 and won goodreads choice that same year. I guess I'm super late reading this one but I'm SO glad I have. 

'The Fault in Our Stars meets Eleanor and Park in this exhilarating and heart-wrenching love story about a girl who learns to live from a boy who intends to die.
Soon to be a major motion picture starring Elle Fanning!

Theodore Finch is fascinated by death, and he constantly thinks of ways he might kill himself. But each time, something good, no matter how small, stops him.

Violet Markey lives for the future, counting the days until graduation, when she can escape her Indiana town and her aching grief in the wake of her sister’s recent death.

When Finch and Violet meet on the ledge of the bell tower at school, it’s unclear who saves whom. And when they pair up on a project to discover the “natural wonders” of their state, both Finch and Violet make more important discoveries: It’s only with Violet that Finch can be himself—a weird, funny, live-out-loud guy who’s not such a freak after all. And it’s only with Finch that Violet can forget to count away the days and start living them. But as Violet’s world grows, Finch’s begins to shrink.'

I finished this book within 10 days, which is quite decent for a 388 page novel. It was certainly a page turner. There were times where I had to force myself to put it down. 

The book is written in two perspectives, which is a really difficult technique to master, but in my opinion Jenifer was successful. I feel that it is very difficult to switch gender perspectives and make it believable as a solo author, however she made it sound authentic. Her perspectives and character development for both Violet and Finch were well put together. I love that we were able to get into the minds of the characters in a very realistic manner. She doesn't try to make it seems as if they fully understand each other's thought process, which I think is a safe route to go. It highlights mental health in the perfect way by operating in this direction. 

I really grew a love for the characters and their stories, which made me root for them throughout the novel. I feel like the development of Violet towards the end could have been done better. It almost leaves you wondering "what next?". If this was the writer's intention, then I suppose she was successful, however I would have liked to know more about her life following the events. Other than that, I enjoyed getting to know the characters. 

This book is centered around themes of mental health and suicide, which are delicate topics, however Niven was very tasteful and sensitive to the matter, whilst going deep into the themes rather than glossing over them. I hate when books highlight these themes, but dance around it. I really respected the author for being consistent and shedding light on such heavy subjects. The book was heart-breaking but enlightening, in the most amazing ways. I had great sympathy for the characters and you definitely get an insight into the painful reality of why suicide victims take the route they do, however it also makes sure to vocalize the effects it has on everyone around you. One thing this book really taught me was that suicide only transfers the pain, it doesn't end it. 

Although this book can get quite heavy, it is also full of love, hope, growth and inspiration. It made me want to explore my city and find little gems that make it special. It made me even more appreciative of my close friends, and it also reminded me to keep moving forward even when life gets tough. It's such a great book to read if you want to LEARN but also if you want to UNDERSTAND. It educated me so much on the struggles of mental health. I'm someone who is very much aware of it already, but I still took so much from the novel, so I can imagine it would teach those who are ignorant to these issues. 

Overall I would give this book 4 out of 5 stars. I really did enjoy it and I always respect a book that teaches me something new. I was definitely teary eyed when reading this so be warned. 

Have you read any books around the theme of mental health? Let me know in the comments.

Thanks for reading, 

Have a great day x

How To: Get Through Anxious Moments

This is a post I planned to get up last week as it was mental health awareness week, however I ended up getting caught up with work and then being way too tired to write when I had time for myself. Mental health is a subject that should be discussed as often as possible, so despite it no longer being mental health awareness week, I wanted to get this post up regardless.

Today I wanted to share some tips that I have used over the years to get me through anxiety attacks and anxious periods. I'm still learning how to cope with it, however these are some steps that have worked for me and will perhaps work for some of you reading this right now.

These tips can be used in combination of each other or on their own. I hope they are some help to you lovely people. Please remember that it is important to talk to those around you when you feel anxious or are in a panic. As hard as it can be, you have to let people in on how you're feeling in order to get the help you need. I bottle my feelings all the time and I'm working on taking this advice but I know the difference it makes when I do open up. Don't be afraid to tell your loved ones. 

#1 Say 3 Things You Are Grateful For Out Loud

Whenever I am feeling anxious, I tend to let whatever it is making me feel that way consume my thoughts. This is the worst thing you can do. Someone once told me to think of three things I am grateful for and say them out loud when I feel trapped. This has been a method I have been using for a long time now and it really does help. It doesn't solve the issue but it makes sure your mind doesn't drift into dark territory. Remembering the people and things I have in my life reminds me not to let the problem defeat me. If you don't want to say it out loud (say you're in public), just keep it in your mind. It really does help to say it out loud though.

#2 Write Down Your Feelings

I actually have a journal now that I use to write down my feelings when I'm anxious. I used to write it on a piece of paper and rip it up, which is still a brilliant method. You feel so much satisfaction when you rip all the negative thoughts up and throw them away. However I now write everything in one journal as I find it nice to read them back sometimes. It's not nice to read the awful feelings I felt, but I love seeing what God has brought me from. It's great to see how the situation has been resolved and where my head is at in comparison. Some people can be triggered by this though, so if you find this is yourself, stick to the paper and tearing method. I promise you, it's so relieving.

#3 Control Your Breathing

This one is more so for if you're having a panic attack or anxiety attack. I'm very fortunate that I can count on one hand how many times I've had a physical anxiety attack but unfortunately there are people who deal with this regularly. Because I haven't had that experience, I can't say this method is 100% effective, however this has helped me in the few situations I have been in.
Close your eyes and take deep and slow breaths. Allow yourself to find a state of peace. It can be a scary time but focus on yourself. Try not to worry about those around you, just focus on clearing your head and regaining your energy.

#4 Push Through The Feelings

This is something I have learnt recently. I used to run away from my feelings and try to keep myself busy in order to avoid them. SOMETIMES, this works but most the time it just delays the feelings. The best thing to do sometimes is to push through the emotions. It's like the old childhood book 'We're going on a bear Hunt'. You can't go over it, you can't go under it. You have to go through it. That's the reality. Sometimes you have to allow yourself to feel and cry. A lot of the time, you feel better once you just let it all happen.

#5 Read Positive Things

EVERYBODY knows somebody who posts depressing quotes back to back when they're annoyed or upset on their Snapchat. Don't be that person. It's OK to post quotes, but don't feed yourself on negative words and then project that to others. Not only does it not help you, but it irritates everyone else. Making yourself more upset by searching for negative words isn't going to stop you feeling the way you do. Instead, read positive quotes and affirmations. I found one on Pinterest this week that made it to my bedroom wall. It was a poster that said 'Remember- The God that created the most beautiful sights on earth also created YOU'. I loved it so much that I have it at my desk on a post it. Read things that tell you how strong you are, how much purpose you have, how much you appreciate your friends and family etc. Don't cut deeper into the wound, start treating it so it can heal.

I hope this was some help. Try to be patient with yourself and allow your mind to reset when it needs to. It is important to look after your mental health.

Thanks for reading,
Have a great day x

Summer Bucket List 2019

And just like that, it's summer!! OK, it's not yet but it is for me. I finished university last week and that means I officially have 4 months break. Honestly that's an insanely long break to have but that's why having a bucket list is never a bad idea. I have been doing these posts every year since I started this blog, so of course it was the first thing I wanted to publish this summer.

Every year I have some things I don't get the chance to complete. Let's hope this is the year that everything is ticked off. So leggooooo

Have a Photo-shoot

Make a Movie

Play Messy Twister 

Go to the Cinema by myself 

Re-learn how to do a Handspring 

Have a Water fight
Prank someone
Read 4 books
Have a sleepover
Have a full pamper day
Bake something
Learn a famous dance routine
Do a 24hr Unplug
Say yes to everything for a day (legal and moral of course)
Explore a new town in my city
Explore a new city
Go for Brunch
Go to a Theme Park
Go summer clothes shopping
Have a picnic
Go on a cocktail date
Go to a BBQ
Do a Snapchat vlog
Go to a Trampoline Park
Make a funny videostar/music video
Catch up with an old friend
Try a completely new look
Have a Disney channel Movie marathon

So this is my summer bucket list for 2019! I will consistently update it when things have been crossed off, so if you want to know if I completed everything, come back to this post or read my monthly round-ups. 

Do you have any summer plans? Let me know in the comments below.

Thanks for reading,

Have a great day x