Pampas and Pearls

 "The world is a book, and those who do not travel only read a page"  -Saint Augustine. As part of my anxiety I always plan and expect anything and everything to happen so in order to be prepared and help relieve one stress of the say here are 5 essentials to take on a standard day trip:    Water bottle: staying hydrated is important when you're out and about all day. Snacks: pack some healthy snacks like fruit, nuts, or granola bars to keep your energy levels up. Camera or phone for taking pictures: you want to capture the memories. Cash or card: you are probably  going to want to buy a souvenir  or twelve... Weather-appropriate clothing or extra layers: this could be an umbrella or sun cream. Thing you take on a day trip are always tailored to where you are in the world, who you are going with the the place you are going to. Here are a few additional things to consider:   Have a look at the weather forecast for the day you are going out. What are the food facilities lik

 Spring to me is a representation of new beginnings. Coming out of Winter, it’s beautiful to feel the air getting warmer. I also feel different when Spring begins, it makes me feel light, burdenless and motivated to work harder. I’ve noticed I am more excited.  • Daylight savings : Clocks going forward and losing an hour is only hard on the first day, after that there are great things that are noticeable. For example, the sun goes down later which means we have sunlight for longer. I personally love this because I feel more productive and energetic throughout the day, sunlight gives me joy! (The next point will explain more.)   • My seasonal depression goes back into hiding : Seasonal depression mostly occurs in winter, that is true for me too. Winter is a time where although I’m excited about Christmas, the cooler atmosphere takes a lot of energy from me. The cold makes me want to stay cosy in bed, outside looks gloomy most of the time (in UK) which does not motivate me even a litt

"Music is the art which is most nigh to tears and memories." - Oscar Wilde Now we know how important music can be to us, not just for anxiety but for mental health, self care, moods and memories.  The list below contains a range of genres and artists that all help me with a combination of the things mentioned above, some of the tracks bring back memories, make the think of friends, are an outlet for just screaming out lyrics.  Each one of us have different tastes in music that make us feel certain ways so with that being said, here are my top 10 songs that I, in essence, have some form of attachment or feeling towards: 10. How do you love somebody by Why don't we (This is definitely one to scream the lyrics) 9. Voodoo Child by Rogue Traders  (I mean this was iconic to Doctor Who so it's a given) 8. Holy Fvck by Demi Lovato  (I have loved Demi since I was 11 and this brings me right back to where it all began and I fvcking love it!) 7. All for you By Cian Ducrot  (Aga

“Every time I thought I was being rejected from something good, I was actually being re-directed to something better.” – Dr. Steve Maraboli I have been trying to find a new job for some time now but I’ve not been getting any luck, one of the words I see the most when applying for jobs is “unfortunately”. That word alone is so powerful that it makes me feel worthless and as if I can never amount to anything. It’s been a difficult journey and seeing that word puts me down continuously. It has gotten to the point that whenever I do apply for a job I’m expecting the word “unfortunately” and even though I expect it, it still kills me and makes me spiral. However, I’m sick of going through this rut so here are some ways I deal with rejection. 1. Accepting: The first easiest thing to do is distract myself and escape the real world for a little while, whether that be watching a film, gaming or even reading a book. Being put in the shoes of a character momentarily takes away my problems and fe

 

Are you in a rut? Here are some tips to pick yourself back up.  “Self-care is not self-indulgence, it is -self-preservation.” – Audre Lorde   Life can be hard when you’re feeling down. Sometimes I just want to stay in bed and binge watch my favourite shows but I know it’s not always healthy. Here are some ways I bring myself back up.   1. Shopping : Retail therapy is always fun! You can do this alone, online or even with friends. Making a day out of shopping can help you feel excited about all the new purchases. Personally, shopping makes me want to work harder so that I can treat myself.   2. Exercise : That can be going for a walk and observing nature, dancing or lifting weights. Exercising releases endorphins which also makes one feel more positive. I know I’m always more energetic and excited after a good workout. It makes me feel ready to move towards my goals!  3. Meeting friends and family : Positive people around you can make you feel optimistic about life. A lot of times w

“It always seems impossible until it’s done.” – Nelson Mandela  Hello my name is Imaan, I’m one of Katie’s friends and she has kindly asked me to join her on this blogging adventure at Pampas and Pearls. This blog gives us the opportunity to explore so many important things from mental health to self-care, and it’s very important that these topics be discussed.  Let me introduce myself to you a little. I went to university with Katie, that's where we became friends. I am 26 years old and on the path to finding myself. I love fashion, makeup and taking care of myself with skincare, I also enjoy cooking and learning new recipes. I love watching YouTube videos and diving into people's lives as they share their tips and stories. I want to be an authentic influencer much like Katie and create a space of openness, originality and truth. I'm so glad Katie asked me to join because I want to get better at having a social media presence. I look forward to talking about my story a

"Easter is meant to be a symbol of hope, renewal, and new life."  - Janine di Giovanni Easter is a time of hope, renewal, and celebration. Whether you celebrate the religious aspects of the holiday or simply enjoy the fun and festivities that come with it, there are plenty of ways to enjoy this special time of year. From dyeing eggs to enjoying a delicious Easter meal with loved ones, there are many traditions associated with Easter that make it a beloved holiday for many.  As we all know by now one mechanism that reduces my anxiety is planning and yet again here is another planning post...enjoy. So when planning for an enjoyable Easter Sunday I often ask myself...where do I begin? While that is a good question looking at the end goal is also something I like to do. But I often start with the essentials: That is my end goal, well more of an idealised end goal. I know not everything will happen but as they say 'in an ideal world'.... Writing it down or making a note in