Getting Back Into The Swing Of Things

With most of us being back at uni/school/work, we're now well and truly into the new year and I know I won't be the only one who is trying really hard to get back in to a good routine.

I ended last term in a bit of a slump. I was seeing a doctor and the NTU wellbeing team, but I knew that nothing would really do the job better than just a few weeks back at home in my comfort zone. But now I am back to uni and it's back to business. Minus depression and anxiety (touch wood).

I mentioned in my last post that I didn't really have any resolutions of such, but I do have some small goals which I'm trying to achieve to get myself back into a routine, as I said at the beginning, and to improve my self esteem. In today's post I'm going to talk to you a little bit about each of these goals, which I think we could all do with. 

Budget

It was inevitable that this was going to come up so I might as well list it first and get it out the way! As well as being a student who sees zero of my student loan, I'm trying to save up for me and Harry to go away for a big celebratory holiday next year, so budgeting is going to be a big task this year. I should probably give myself a reality check though, because I currently have £10 in my bank account and I'm going to Berlin next week, so I think this may have to be something I'll have to start next month!

A Simple Skincare Routine

I was back on the old social media the other night when I saw Glossier's skincare resolutions Instagram story, so I made my own! I've come up with a simple skincare routine, which I've written on a sticky note and stuck on my bathroom door so I remember to do it every night. I also saw a thing on Buzzfeed's Snapchat a few weeks ago, which said that whenever you go and take a sip of water, take 15 sips. I have tried it and it does work! It takes 10 seconds to do and you'll see how much more you've drunk instantly.

Work At My Desk - Not On My Bed

With my desk right next to my bed, it's easy to get a bit lazy and lie on my bed with my laptop. But doing my work on my bed not only makes my back hurt, but I get less done. Even though they're less than a metre away from each other, the environment is completely different and I feel way more focused when I'm sitting at my desk.

A Regular Exercise Routine

Again, cliche. But the lady I met for my wellbeing meeting gave me a really good tip for getting the motivation to exercise. She basically told me to write it down in a calendar and physically make it something that I would put on a to-do list and therefore have to do, rather than something I should do if I get a spare half an hour.  Out of the 3 days I've been back, I've worked out twice which I think is pretty good going. It's small steps at the moment, so only 3-4 times a week, but hopefully I can build that up.

Write A Happiness Diary 

Whenever I've been depressed, I've written my feelings down in a notebook just to get them out of my head because I'm very good at bottling things up. I've been doing this since year 11, but I thought instead of writing loads of negative thoughts, why not try to turn it on it's head and write what's made me feel positive each day. Depression is just like a cloud that creates shade really, so just because I feel low, it doesn't mean that good things aren't there still. I need keep reminding myself of that.

They say that something won't become routine until you do it continuously for 21 days, so I'm going to try my hardest to keep this going for the next three to four weeks and then hopefully I notice a difference in myself!

Zoe London posted her 'Rules To Live By For A Positive, Happy Life' yesterday and something she said at the end really related:

"I have so much work to do myself and sharing it with you makes me feel so much better. I don’t feel alone. You’re never alone in this, self improvement, knowing self worth and inner happiness is something every single person on this planet can relate to. Talk more, be honest, be true. Open up. It’s not a shameful thing to talk, it’s not any detriment to you. It’s a sign of strength, wanting to change, to better yourself. "

I hope your new year goals are all going well, but if you've gone wrong already it doesn't matter! Just keep doing you!

Georgia.xo

The Start of 2018

On the 31st of December, Harry and I travelled up to London to see the new year in. With 2017 not being a year I particularly wanted to hang on to, there seemed no better way than to see it out in the best way possible. 

As you can see in the picture above, we managed to get the perfect spot. We were directly opposite the Eye and the tower block where the countdown is projected on to. You can also probably see the vast numbers of people, which in any other situation would probably have caused me major anxiety, but I am so grateful that I managed to enjoy it all without one single anxious thought. I would like 2018 to continue that way.

If there's one thing I absolutely love, it's fireworks. Every time I watch a fireworks display, big or small, I stand there speechless. Obviously this one was absolutely huge, so I was in complete awe. I would recommend that you go and watch these fireworks at least once in your life; the tickets are only £10 and the atmosphere provides warm feeling of togetherness, wherever you come from.

We spent the night in the Tower Bridge Travelodge, which in hindsight probably wasn't the best location as we were at the opposite end of the embankment to watch the fireworks. However it was really comfortable and gave us the rest we needed after such a long day.

Afresh from the night before, we headed to Trafalgar Square to watch the New Years Day Parade. The parade starts at Piccadilly, by Green Park, and goes down Regent's Street, heading towards Pall Mall. It then goes down Pall Mall into Trafalgar Square (Charing Cross), before going down Whitehall and finishes up at Westminster. Again, I would 100% attending the parade, and if you want guaranteed viewing, try and get there just before it starts (even as late as 5 minutes before), and stand between each "sight", rather than at them. We went to Charing Cross but it was packed, so we walked towards New Zealand House and got right up to the barrier.

This years theme was 'Showtime', and from old cars to stuntmen, and marching bands from US high schools to cultural dancers, there was a whole variety of participants, from all walks of life. 

As we all know, a new year is about putting the past behind you and starting fresh, which feels ever more so poignant with the year starting on a Monday. Other than going to Berlin next week, I don't really having anything planned for 2018, so I'm not going to worry too much about what I want to happen and just let it roll out as it comes, taking each day with fresh eyes.

In terms of goals and resolutions, I just want to improve myself in order to improve my mental health. I'm halfway through my degree now - doesn't time fly?! - so I just need to keep on going. 2019  is going to be a big year, so my main aim this year is to save up enough money for me and Harry to travel to somewhere really nice to celebrate everything that's happening. We would love to go to Mexico, and at this stage it seems unrealistic, but I'm determined not to settle for second best!

Back to this year though! I'm looking forward to it, and I hope it brings you all happiness.

Georgia.xo 

Looking Back Over 2017

Without being too cliche, 2017 has definitely been full of highs and lows. I don't want to remember 2017 for the struggles though, because I've had some amazing opportunities and experiences throughout the year.

Today I'm going to look back over the year and look at all the amazing memories I've made.

In January I went to New York for the first time. If that's not the best way to kick off the new year I don't know what is. It was an amazing opportunity, and despite ringing my parents up halfway through because I didn't take enough money (when was $300 ever going to be enough), I'm so glad I went. I would love to go back, but if I don't get the chance I'm grateful for being able to go this once. 

Easter of this year was a period of time where I was at my happiest. The weather was gorgeous and we spent so much time outdoors, making the most of the beautiful place that I call home. I also applied for, and was given, my summer job, which has been a massive part of my 2017, but we'll touch on that later.

Also this spring, me and Dad went on the British Airways i360 in Brighton. Not only did we get to see some amazing views from an incredible height, but it gave us quality time to spend together and I'm grateful for that. 

I took this amazing human to his favourite place in the world. Seeing the constant smile on Harry's face made the heat stroke, from walking around the Colosseum in the sun for too long, worth it. 

As I said above, my job at Middle Farm has been a massive part of 2017. Not only did it develop my social skills, but I've met a lovely group of people, and I've been able to go back this Christmas. During the summer I got to stand outside in the sun and sell ice cream from an bicycle; for the first time I actually loved my job. 

I ate a lot of good food, especially good Mexican food! 

My little brother had his Year 11 prom and made me feel very old. And by the looks of this picture very short. 

I was lucky enough to have three holidays this year, and going back to Corfu was one of my best memories of 2017. It's my favourite place in the whole world (although I still have a LOT of exploring to do) and being able to take Harry meant so much. 

In the autumn Mr Woo officially became a Hendry. Isn't he the cutest little Shih Tzu you've ever seen?!

The FCP London trip was another highlight. I'd started second year a bit half hearted and was genuinely considering quitting. If I hadn't of gone to London though, I wouldn't have met the girls that are now such a huge part of my life. Within the two/three months of being back at uni I've developed an amazing friendship group and I owe quite a lot to them.

I decided to focus more on my blog after falling out of love with my course, and my '7 Things You Need To Watch On Netflix This Autumn' post has been the most read post since I started my blog all those years ago! Although Blogmas failed a bit, I'm really pleased with what I've achieved with my blog in these last few months and I'm excited for 2018.

The FCP 2 x COW project enabled me to end the year on a high. Originally I was going to bunk of because I "knew" I would hate every minute of it, but in reality I loved every second! And winning was the cherry on top.

Writing this post has made me realise how much the little negative things can shade all of the big positive things, because I've actually had a really good year and I'm so grateful for everything I've been able to do. Next year I want to say yes more, and I want to learn how to control my mental health better. Unlike last year I've got absolutely nothing planned for the year to come, so I'm excited to see how it pans out!

Georgia.xo

Christmas Tag

First and foremost I want to not apologise for my very poor effort with Blogmas over the last few days. On Thursday I forgot to post, on Friday I quickly posted something at about 11pm in a desperate effort not to forget again, but then I forgot again yesterday. Sorry, but I'm not sorry. Working full time and trying to blog full time, whilst trying to catch up with everyone while I'm back, is not the one. I'd got out of my full time work routine, which I had throughout the summer, so for the last few days I've completely crashed out; and my mental health comes first right?

But to ease us in to the big day, tomorrow, I'm going to do a quick Christmas tag!

1. What is your favourite Christmas Movie/s?
Oooh there's so many to choose from. Elf, Deck The Halls, and Love Actually are definitly my top three. But I went to see A Bad Moms Christmas a month or so ago and it was SO good!  

2. Do you open any presents on Christmas Eve?
Every year up until now, me and Harry have given each other one present each on Christmas Eve, because we wouldn't be seeing each other on Christmas Day. This year however, is a different story! How exciting! 

3. Do you have a favourite Christmas memory?
I have quite a few to be honest. There was one year where we went to see Disney's Christmas Carole at the cinema and then we went to Pizza Express. That was one of my favourite Christmas Eve's because it was different to what we'd usually do. Another memory I have is when we spent Christmas in Cumbria and we'd just arrived at the cottage and dad was trying to do the fire, but he just ended up filling the whole room with smoke. There was also one Christmas Eve when Harry came over and he made me watch all of the Twilight films back to back - it's not very Christmassy is it! 

4. Favourite festive food?
I'm such a foodie, the list could go on for miles! My mum owns about 50 million cookbooks and Jamie Oliver magazines and I was going through them the other day and I think she got a bit fed up with me saying "ooh what about this?!" 

Mince Pies are a must. I also really like roasted parsnips, which probably sounds a bit weird but a Christmas dinner isn't a Christmas dinner without parsnips. 

5. Favourite Christmas gift?
I don't really like this question, it makes me feel a bit ungrateful. There was one particular Christmas though; I'd been asking for a green iPod nano (I was very specific in the fact that it had to be green). I didn't think I'd get one because with three kids my parents never really brought us gifts from the likes of Apple. But they did buy it for me! My mum wrapped it up about 20 different times with wrapping paper and boxes so it was really unexpected. 

6. Favourite Christmas scent?
I don't really have one. I'm the worst blogger ever, I know. However, there is a candle in Marks and Spencer's at the moment, which I think is mandarin, clove and cinnamon, and it smells devine. It's not too sweet or overpowering like some Christmas candles can be. 

7. Do you have any Christmas Eve traditions?
As you can probably tell from question three, we tend to get up to different things each Christmas Eve. Although, one thing that is a tradition is that Harry comes to see me. We've always spent Christmas Eve together, even before we were going out. I like to actually go out and do something, like go to the cinema or the pub. 

8. What tops your tree?

It used to be a very wonky angel. But this year we brought a new rose gold star to go with our rose gold theme. That's quite wonky too actually. 

9. How will you be spending Christmas this year?
Just the five of us at home. Nothing better than being able to stay in your pyjamas and not worrying about impressing the relatives. 

10. What's the best part about Christmas for you?
The run up. The last day of school/uni when everyone's excited because you know if you get through this one last day it'll be the Christmas holidays, putting up the Christmas tree, looking for something to eat or drink knowing full well that 95% of the fridge contents is to be saved for the big day, you get my drift. Christmas Day itself goes so so fast, and for the last couple of years I've had to work either Christmas Eve or Boxing Day or both so it doesn't really feel like you're getting time off, so you have to make the most of the whole experience. 

ItsGeorgia.xo

5 Christmas Films You Need To Watch

Working in retail means that I'm not getting much downtime leading up to Christmas, so when I do get the chance to chill out, there's nothing nicer than having a cosy afternoon eating celebrations and watching Christmas films. Today I'm going to share with you my top 5 Christmas films that I completely recommend and will never get old.

1. Love Actually
If you don't watch this at least twice leading up to Christmas you have no heart. It's such a British classic and feel good film, and now it's been uploaded to Netflix so you have absolutely no excuses.

2. The Grinch
Admittedly we never used to watch the Grinch a lot in the Hendry household, but in the last couple of years it's been a must-have for me and Harry. I love his little dog and every time I watch it I still can't believe that little Cindy Lou is Taylor Momsen.

3. Miracle on 34th Street
I've had this sitting in my Netflix saved list for weeks now, but we only got round to watching it the other day and it's become one of my favourite Christmas films. It's a complete classic, set in New York City (is there really anything more Christmassy?) and you will fall in love with Kris Kringle, who's played by Richard Attenborough.

4. Home Alone (1 and 2)
I don't really have to say anything about these films, because if you haven't seen them you've obviously been living under a rock. I know there's a third one but is it really Home Alone without Kevin? Give yourself the afternoon and watch them back to back, and then I promise you will truly be in the Christmas mood.

5. Fred Clause
I wouldn't call it a classic but it is such a good film. I don't think this film is given the recognition it deserves.

6. Elf
Everyone loves a bit of Buddy the Elf. I'm actually watching it as I type this. I hadn't actually watched this until 2 or 3 years ago, but it's definitely a favourite and a must to watch. It's also set in New York so what's not to love.

7. Deck The Halls 
This has been one of my favourites for years and even though the rivalry between Steve and Danny really annoys me, and it's so predictable, I still watch it year after year.

So these are my favourite Christmas films, and I hope that they give you some ideas if you're finding yourself a little undecided about what to watch this weekend!

Georgia.xo