Lesson 1: Love hard and keep it reckless | January

2018 is nearly over my darlings and what a ride it has been. The drag of every day life is enough to blind your own perception of how well your year has went, my advice? ... don't let it. Whilst this year has see me hit some of my lowest and hardest times, after a little reflection I soon realised it has been one of my favourites. There have been times where I have been absent, stressed and not quite myself. I fell out of love with blogging, gave myself very little headspace, and found my myself constantly seeking an answer ... but you know what? I also cut out the negativity, detached myself from reality and cared a little less.

Here is the low down of some of my favourite moments this year my darlings, and a sweet reminder you are still killing it.

January began in my favourite way, partying through to the New Year in excess, we don't do things by halves. New Year will always be my favourite time of year and I always spend it with my nearest and dearest. 

The birth of two of my absolute favourites baby was the best start to the year. Leo Christopher Atkinson was born on 9th January 2018 and he remains he most precious little boy in the world. The constant snaps of him keep me SANE. 

If you don't have a BFF in your life go find one. This girl dropped everything when I felt reckless one day and booked a trip to Amsterdam. 

This city is everything to us and is our escape whenever we need it.

 

Lesson 1: Love hard, and keep it reckless.

 

... and breathe

Guess who is back my darlings.

It has been a long few months. I feel as though every so often things get that little bit crazier, you find your days are consumed and you begin to lose sight - well at least that's what it feels like! So, why am I writing so late in the evening? The evening is a time of reflection. 

How has my day gone? What will tomorrow bring? What can I do differently? 

Inevitably it is perhaps your only chance in the day to evaluate regardless of whether this is to do with home life, work, relationships and/or everything in-between. Maybe its even viewing the bigger picture ... am I achieving what I desire to achieve? 

It's not always easy to keep on track when you have a lot of different directions but here are a few simple tips in making sure you get your s**t together (as Sarah Knight would put it!). 

Switching off- Be present. I will be the first to admit that I am terrible at this. Sometimes you need to understand that it's ok to take a few hours where you have no worries in the world. Are you glued to your phone? It is back to the good old trait of reading a book, having a chat or embracing a carefree attitude. Do not let things consume you, life is too short. None of us want to get into our later years and say we wasted a minute or a day.

Social media detox- I don't usually check social media until later in the evening right before I go to bed but is that the right thing to do? Are we sending ourselves to sleep by overthinking? Remember social media is not reality. I have been subscribed and notified of most things happening in the world for a good few years now and just last week I turned all my notifications off. I stopped religiously checking apps and have my phone permanently on do not disturb or phone calls only. This places the decision into my own hands. Yes it takes restraint but I am also the only person who is in control of this and it is liberating.

Taking time- We have already discussed switching off but is it easier said than done? Why not plan some time into your day for some 'you time'. After hearing multiple reviews and seeing plenty of adverts I downloaded both that apps 'Calm' and 'Headspace'. Whilst both are very similar they are also effective. These force you to take time out of your day and spend a few minutes doing nothing- with no plans and no worries. Whilst not everyone will believe these exercises are effective they give you something to treasure- time.. so use it wisely.

Countdowns and reality checks-  Are you looking forward to something? If not why not? Give yourself those stepping stones. Whether it is something as extravagant as jetting off on a holiday or maybe a day out with a friend these are the things that keep you going. Don't lose sight of what is important ... YOU. 

Are you realistic with the goals you are setting yourself or are you being too hard on yourself? 

What is the reality? Once you determine this is, only you can decide what you want to do with it.

Remember darlings, it's ok to have some YOU time. It's time to be a little selfish and taking some time out for yourself. What do you want and how are you going to get there? You don't always have to be in control. Sometimes doing nothing is your key to staying happy.

Remember to step back from it all ... and breathe. 

If you are ever in need of a help or advice- 

https://www.mind.org.uk

providing A-Z on 

Mental Health information, support and services.

Down to earth

February is alway the strangest month. Congratulations, you made it through the January blues however know that your Summer vacay is still five months away. The key to keeping yourself motivated over these next few months is keeping it real. Throw yourself into what you are passionate about, work hard and surround yourself by encouragement- trust me you will be thanking yourself before you know it. 

Keep it real: Set yourself realistic goals

Keep your head out the clouds and set the bar but make sure you can get there. Deadlines are everything, if you could do it you should do it.

Keep it real: Plan, but don't overplan

You can't do everything but you can do most things. Keep yourself busy, reconnect and throw yourself into all things that matter. A girl on the go is a girl who is motivated and ready to kill it.

Keep it real: Surround yourself by ambition

Focus on yourself. Be a little selfish. Don't let others put you down. Not everyone will strive for what you desire and thats ok, but don't let it demotivate you. It's easy to be blinded but keep your head down and priorities in check, no one strives to be a people pleaser.

Keep it real: Have a little fun

It's not all work and no play. PLAN your Summer, set yourself something to look forward to. Do not turn boring. Take a break, get scandalous, make a mistake and learn a lesson. Buy those shoes you can't afford, leave that party later than you should, say the things you shouldn't, experiment with your style, be outrageous but keep it real.

Stay down to earth darling, because once you've left no one likes a fall. 

Power players, Rule breakers, Dreamers

Goals.

The dawning of a New Year inevitably triggers thoughts, feelings and curiosity surrounding accomplishment and achievement. Everyone discusses the turbulence the globe suffered last year (no explanation needed), but few mention the many things that 2017 brought to many. 

From the Women's March in January to the passing of gay marriage laws in Australia, weeks ago, we celebrated together and in sync with one another. Last year we saw the many marginalised step through the boundaries and into an arena where voices were heard and listened to. Voices that liberated many, encouraged others and brought cause to the very forefront of discussion. These voices had no set background, they were hidden within the many depths of everyday society.

This was just the start. 

It feels like the bar for 2018 is incredibly low however this statement could not be more wrong. We live in a world that changes by the second. Roles are reversed, dreams are shattered and many feel taken aback by rules that are imposed on them. This is not ok, but what is also not ok is this acceptance. 

To be powerful is to strive for success and drive an attitude into a mindset where one will not stop. There is no story or generic background to the definition of power. 

Rules are imposed to regulate, with the potential of restriction. There is a difference between living in harmony amongst one another and sacrificing fundamental rights.

Dreams are visions that keep your going, a reminder of your existence and a look towards the future. 

There is no world without them.

Every single individual has something to strive for whether this is upon themselves, collectively or in a greater picture. Goals do not need materialism to build their foundations, they need a mindset.

So to the power players, rule breakers and dreamers, this one is on you.

Each and everyone of you. 

This is a reminder to keep fighting for what you believe in, to embrace change, have a voice and stand your ground because whatever you encounter no one, not one single person, can take these from you.

Happy New Year my darlings.

Let's make it count.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

A very special Happy New Year to you my darlings! 

I want to thank you for all your support over the past year and the love and admiration you have provided me with.

Lets make 2016 our best year.

Lets make it powerful.

Lets make it productive.

Lets inspire.

Lets influence.

Lets make a change.

We've got this.

Love and kisses.