Pampas and Pearls

“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 ...

"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...

"Spring is natures way of saying, 'Let's Party'"  - Robin Williams  As they say Spring has Sprung and the flowers are coming up to bloom. With the weather set to be warmer and keeping our fingers crossed that it is going to be warm. Here are ten things to do to create memories in Spring: Number 1: Plant a vegetable garden. Number 2: Go for a hike and enjoy the blooming flowers. Number 3: Take a road trip and explore a new place. Number 4: Have a picnic in the park. Number 5: Visit a local farmers' market. Number 6: Stop and look around, without your phone.  Number 7: Have a back garden campfire. Number 8: Go for a bike ride. Number 9: Take a cooking class. and finally Number 10: Have a BBQ with friends. Happy making memories  Kisses Katie xx

                                      "Adventure is worthwhile in itself" Amelia Earhart This time of year is perfect for short trips, a few days here and there, below is a short list of tips I recommend when planning a short trip.  Before I left I complied a list of things that I planned on taking, below are a few tips and things to take into consideration when travelling or taking a short break this spring/summer.  Tip One-  when and where? So you have decided where you're going and when you're going. In the week before you go check the weather for your destination. Is it going to rain? Will the sun the shining? Knowing what the weather is going to do will help you with what to take.  Tip Two-  Packing?  A travel out, trousers or Jeans? Dresses or shirts? I took one pair of Jeans and two pairs of leggings. The leggings were my travel go to and the Jeans were for...

 "To the world you may be one person: but to one person you may be the world" - Dr Seuss when I refer to mother in this post I want to make it clear I am referring to ANY figure you see in the position of mother to you.  What is a mother? Well that is something up for debate but for me a  mother is someone who is attentive and caring, nurturing and supportive, and puts the needs of her children before her own. She should be patient and understanding, willing to listen and offer guidance and advice. She should be encouraging and positive, and provide a safe and loving environment for her children to grow and learn. A good mother is also a role model, setting a good example for her children and teaching them important life lessons. She should be able to provide discipline when needed, but also show her children unconditional love and acceptance. Ultimately, a good mother is someone who loves and cares for her children and puts their needs first and ultimately tries her best...

 "Only you can control your future" Dr. Seuss In my post last Tuesday I updated you all about my anxiety journey and how I have progressed even with my recent relapses. In this post I'm going to tell you about the steps I try an use to control and manage that anxiety. Everyone is different so these are not steps that will suit everyone but they are definitely a place to start,  so here goes.  If you get anxious about the unknown that is perfectly normal, it happens to everyone. A thing that I find helps me is finding an element of the day you can control. It could be something small like  the time you leave the house. It could be the food you are going to eat or the clothes you're going to wear. while they might sound small and insignificant they will help you take back some element of control.  It might also help looking up any new place you are going to visit and get a feel for the day.   This will help you feel in control. If it's a event ask someon...

 "Having a simplified, uncluttered home is a form of self-care" - Emma Schieb Spring cleaning is a great way to refresh your home and get organised but knowing where to start can be difficult. So here are some tips to make your spring cleaning easier and more efficient: Start with one room at a time. Cleaning one room from top to bottom will help you stay focused and make sure that nothing is missed. Make a plan. Create a list of  small tasks for each room and set a goal for when you want to have it completed. Don’t forget the little things. Don’t forget to dust off the shelves, vacuum the skirting boards, and wipe down the walls if appropriate. Make it fun! Put on your favourite music or podcast to make the time go by faster. Get everyone involved. If you can assign tasks to family members or drag your friends along to help and make it a fun group activity. Donate or discard items you no longer need. This will help keep your home clutter-free and give you a sense of accompli...

 "No need to hurry. No need to sparkle. No need to be anyone but oneself"  -Virginia Woolf There is no right way to begin this story and that's okay. I have told my story before but I feel now is the right time to re-share and update my story, hopefully it will help someone else out there either with anxiety or help someone understand anxiety a little more.  I have suffered with anxiety since I was bullied in primary school by my teacher no less. She terrified every class she had and mine was no exception. My anxiety got to bad I would make myself sick to avoid going to school or I would pace the floor while rubbing my hands together.  One time I sat in the head teachers Office too scared to go to class because I didn't understand the homework and was petrified of being told him. Almost every morning before school I was sick and refused to leave my parents side, keep in mind I was 8-9 years old. It continued throughout primary school especially when it came to SATs i...

"There is no limit to what we, as women, can accomplish"  - Michelle Obama Why I think it is important, now that is a question I have been asking myself a lot lately. Women have achieved a lot over history from the right to vote in 1928 to even right now where women are demanding a voice of the change in law with regards to abortion in varying part of the world. I take being a woman as a symbol of power, a symbol of strength and a symbol of unity.  I love being a woman and I wouldn't change it for the world.  There are many women who inspire me, mostly from modern day but a few from History. Emma Watson inspires me for speaking up in the UN. Adele inspires me for not changing who she is to her very core. Demi Lovato inspires me for trying be to her authentic self. Our late Queen inspired me with her keep carrying on attitude, even when times were tough. Ada Lovelace inspires me with her passion and determination to achieve in times where women scarcely did. Mary Shelley i...

“Nothing is impossible. The word itself says I’m possible” - Audrey Hepburn   So, I am sure we have all been there, being incredibly busy and just putting things here, there and everywhere. Well, this year I am going to try and be proactive and productive and keep tidy. With this in mind here are my top tips to help keep tidy and be more proactive with it. Tip One: Making the bed! Now this might be an obvious one but it definitely helps. However, don’t  make your bed the second you get out of it. This traps in bacteria and could make your sheets dirtier quicker. In fact, you should fold the duvet down and leave it to air for a short period of time. This could be while you get dressed or take a shower! Tip Two: Every little helps! Pop clothes in the basket before they hit the floor, if they aren’t on the floor to begin with then they can’t make a mess. Keep a basket in the places you get dressed and undressed this again reduces your chances of throwing it on the floor. ...

"How lucky am I to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard" - Winnie the Pooh   Before I begin, I just want everyone to know not everything works for everyone, we are all different and cope with grief differently. This is what works best for me and what I have researched. Grief is not always something I deal with well; I am sure it is not something any of us deal with well. Expressing myself is difficult and I prefer to keep it to myself (which is something I am working on for 2023) and then eventually it all boils to the surface, so here are some things I will be trying to use to help with dealing with grief: Number 1: Accept that it has happened. This is the first one and most difficult one, it has happened and unfortunately nothing, and I mean nothing, with change it. This takes the longest the do and processing it is the toughest challenge of all. Number 2: Create a memory book. This can have photos, cards, clothing, any form of memories. Sometimes havi...

                                                                       "I love you"- everyone around the world So Valentine's day is just around the corner and it's typically a day I don't really celebrate or even involve myself with, but this year I am taking myself out and showing myself some love. I am sure you have seen hearts, teddies and chocolates everywhere, you can't get away from them.  Valentines day stereotypically puts pressure on men to spoil their other halves, or for women to put on something sexy and well... you know. But we often forget to show ourselves some love and affection.  Being kind to yourself should happen every day of the year but this year I challenge you to take care of yourself, go somewhere relaxing or out for a fancy dinner, dress up and...

Hello all, as you may be aware I re-launched this blog in January and redefined my niche. As a result of this I will be removing all posts prior to this re-launch. Where a previous post fits in with my current perspective I will be re-uploading it an additional content throughout the month of March.  I Just want to thank you, everyone for supporting me in this journey and hope you enjoy the content that is to come.  Kisses  Katie xx