It’s been a full three years now since I finished university. That’s 36 months since we packed up our shot glasses, binned all those piles of notes and said a tearful goodbye. It was a hard goodbye for my group, most of us had been together from the very beginning of first year and we were very close. We shared everything, from drunken nights out, to stresses over exams, to boyfriend troubles and across two houses, we even lived together. There was no escape, and yes we annoyed the hell out of each other at times, but there was also a lot of love there and I knew these girls would always have my back.
Three years on and I was right to think that, because they still have my back and still mean the world to me. I’m lucky to have such a brilliant, beautiful, fun and smart bunch of girls as my friends and I love that no matter how far life takes us away from each other, we always know where to turn when we are in trouble or need advice. These girls have helped me through some of the hardest times, and have celebrated with me through some of the best – but the fact that they have been there throughout is something that means a lot. When you leave university, particularly when you are scattered across the country, it is hard to keep in touch. You all get jobs, have partners, set up new homes and generally live very separate lives. It takes a certain amount of effort in order to maintain the friendship, and yet at the same time, you all have to be happy to often not speak for months and then catch up loads over a weekend. I love that with these girls, we are all so close that when we see each other after a long time has passed, that feels like we have never parted ways.
So why is a friendship forged at university such a different one to those from back home? Well in many ways they are much the same, but the fact that you are thrown in with complete strangers and forced to live together from the start always forges a different kind of intimacy that you often won’t have with those from back home. But what is it about these friendships that make them so long-lasting?
Of course it isn’t all sunshine and roses for everyone, and I know a few people who have hated the “friends” they made in first year. I know of times when people have struggled to make friends because of circumstances or things have turned and they’ve found themselves alone. It is horrible when things like this happen, and knowing these stories makes me all the more grateful that I met such a fantastic bunch of like-minded girls. Yes we all have our similarities, and that is what brought us together, but we also have our differences and I think that is what has made this a lasting friendship. Last weekend, we had our most recent reunion and once again it was like no time had passed. A weekend spent in Camden, where one of the girls is now living, wandering around the market, sitting on a roof terrace and then dancing the night away with plenty of cocktails. Just what we all needed – plenty of chance to catch up on all the amazing things everyone is doing and enough time to plan another meet-up.
Why do you think you have such long-lasting friendships with those you meet at university? And do you still meet up with your pals from uni or have you guys drifted apart?
When it comes to university, I will never write anyone off. Even those who are the least academic people around can find a perfect course for them, perhaps with more practical work, and can find it a fantastic experience. The big question is whether it is in fact a truly valuable experience for the individual, and while I think the life experience you gain is immeasurable, often the money and time involved can mean the experience is worth somewhat less in the long run. For me, university was something I had been set on from a young age. Not because of my education, family or upbringing, but because I wanted to study, I loved to learn and I needed a degree in order to achieve my life goals. Plus I really wanted the experience, I wanted to get away from my town, I wanted to move out and look after myself, to gain independence. This was the perfect opportunity and I know that many who are currently looking, researching and making final choices will feel the same.
What I want to do is to make you aware that university is not a doddle, it is hard work for a minimum of three years of living away from home, working while studying and surviving on meagre loans and it can be lonely at times. But at the same time, you will meet the best friends, have the most bizarre experiences and finally have a chance to follow and indulge your true passions. So many people I know are preparing to sit their exams and are trying to make huge decisions about the next three years of their life and where they want to spend it. For me, I was lucky and this was easy – I walked on the campus and instantly fell in love with it. When I read about the courses and met the professors it only further cemented my decision and I am so glad I stuck with it despite my university asking for the lowest number of UCAS points out of each of my offers.
There is a lot to think about when making your decision and it is easy to be blinded by the thought of parties, living in a city, and studying with or following your friends. By writing this, I hope to give prospective university students into the slightly less exciting and fun sides of university just to try and balance out all the amazing fun you will be hearing about. Don’t by any means take this as a negative view of university because it really was the best three years of my life so far and I would encourage anyone to take the opportunity, I just think it is important to make an informed decision. Here’s what happens when things aren’t all sunshine and roses at university:
Don’t let this put you off – university is amazing. It is so much fun and really does help set you up for life if you make the most of it and grab every opportunity. Just be prepared and aware that it isn’t sunshine and smiles 24/7, and that sometimes you might be homesick and lonely but that is okay. It isn’t right for everyone, but it could also be the best thing you ever do, and it certainly whizzes by in no time at all. I have a friend who studied abroad for a year, left behind her university friends and made a whole load of new ones. She is now travelling the world and staying with all of her international friends along the way. If that doesn’t inspire you, I don’t know what will! Of course, I would never argue that university is the only option and I know that for many it isn’t, but having the opportunity is amazing and making that decision over what is the right choice for you, is one of the biggest decisions of your life at 18.
What was your best university experience? Planning to go, what are you most worried about?
Whether you’re working from home or in an office, we’re all guilty of skipping a lunch break or just wasting the time on social media. I hold my hands up to years of not moving from my desk as I cram a sandwich down my throat and attempt to keep working through emails. I think a lot of it stems from the fact that I entered the workforce when we were already knee-deep in the recession. That time of endless pressure and watching as many took voluntary redundancy around me. While my job may have been safe, it also meant that I was forced to take on the workload of those around me. It wasn’t an unfamiliar story to those first starting out in the industry, but quickly meant a lunch break was a thing of the past.
It was only after around 18 months of doing this non-stop when I finally cracked and realised how unhealthy it was. This mindset of working until you were broken just wasn’t good for the quality of work you produced, or for the staff. Ever since that job, I have placed a real importance on my work/life balance. I refuse to work myself into the ground, and I refuse to work extra hours unless they are compensated in some form. It all comes down to setting boundaries and I think that’s an important skill we learn as we go through life. Being strong enough to draw your limits and enforce them is one of the most valuable skills you can learn.
The big issue I have with this is that what can easily start as a one-off favour, can quickly turn into a pattern of behaviour. I know a lot of people who easily slip into these patterns – and I was once one of these people. Perhaps you have a meeting that overruns, or no time for a proper break between customers, so you sacrifice 10 minutes, then the next day it’s 20 minutes. Before you know it, you’re taking a 10 minute lunch and working an extra 50 minutes per day. when you add that up, you’re working an extra 4 hours per week unpaid. You will never get this time back. By the end of the year, you will have worked an extra 9 days – unpaid and unclaimed.
Don’t forget that in the UK – every worker is entitled to take a 20 minute break for 6 hours of work. Most companies will give a 30 minute/1 hour break for 8 hours of work. Find out exactly what you are entitled to and don’t be afraid to enforce it. If you are being asked by bosses to work through breaks without getting the time back – speak to human resources or to your line manager to discuss the issue.
You will work in one of two types of company:
If you work in the first type of company, it is important that you follow the structure both during working times but also around the breaks. They are there for a reason – it’s not normal to work 8 hours without a break. Humans don’t function properly without a chance to rest and refuel. Don’t think that you are the exception – there’s no such thing. By telling yourself to push through you are simply stepping closer to burnout.
If you get an hour for lunch – take it and enjoy a break to eat, take a walk and get outside. It can be annoying if you are forced to take these breaks and can’t instead take back the time. But if that’s not an option, just enjoy the time instead of slipping into unhealthy patterns.
Those working in the second type of company will have a little more flexibility over working times. For instance, I previously worked with a great German company who were very focused on staff maintaining a good work/life balance. We had the option to work remotely, which I did from the UK for six months and several times while based in Germany also.
We also had a window of working hours – we could start anytime between 8-10am and finish anytime between 5-7pm. As an early riser, I used to come in at 8am and work until 5pm, with an hour for lunch which gave me plenty of time to eat, socialise and go on a long walk. So if you have this option – choose the hours that work best for your lifestyle and arrange your lunch break around that – many people I worked with preferred to start later and take 30 mins for lunch instead.
Working remotely is the way of the future for a lot of people and many companies worldwide are finally catching up with this movement. But as with anything, a new way of working means we have to adapt our habits and mindsets. Working from home takes a great deal of responsibility and accountability. Honestly? Not everyone can do it. But just as it is important to take responsibility for getting your work done, you must take responsibility for closing that laptop when you’re done. It’s 10x harder to not bring your work home when you actually work from home!
As someone who has worked remotely for several years – my best advice is to get yourself a routine. Still get dressed and schedule stuff as though you were in an office. This will encourage you to actually take a break at lunchtime. I always like to throw on some joggers and go for a long walk or run, get some sunshine and fresh air before eating lunch. Usually, I take a minimum of 30 minutes depending on what I’m doing that day/meetings. I usually prefer to take a shorter 30 minute lunch and then work shorter hours overall. Getting out and active helps me to break up the day and gives me something to look forward to.
A big part of this change is shifting your own attitudes towards working. I know that some of my earlier jobs really gave me this mindset that I needed to give 200% and really work myself into the ground until I was exhausted. That was neither healthy, not productive. It meant the quality of work always suffered in the race to get everything done. I have a lot of respect for companies that are changing perspectives and are realising that people need more balance. It took some horrible working conditions to realise this for myself and to change my priorities when it came to my career.
But I’m glad I did this because my last few jobs have been amazing and have really been for companies that have valued me both as a worker and as a person. I’m lucky to have the privilege of being picky about employers – I know many people are not so lucky. But if you are in the same position, I urge you to think carefully about what you expect from an employer. More importantly, about what support you deserve from an employer. It’s that age-old saying – if you don’t ask, you don’t get. So if you don’t raise your standards and expectations, how can you ever expect to get more from your job?
There are countless ways to make the most of that lunch hour, but here are some of the ones that have had the biggest impact on my mental health. Try them and see if they work for you!
If you work in an office – this makes a huge difference. Humans were never meant to be sitting hunched over a computer screen all day long. It’s not healthy or good for you. So give your eyes a break and go for a walk. This is a great time to get some fresh air and refresh your mind after too many emails. I always used to make sure I would go for a good walk around the older part of the town centre and the river – it was great to get out of the office. I would always return feeling refreshed and ready to get back to work. This also works great from home and I still do this daily – I just head to the woods/fields instead.
It’s so easy for us to throw away this time instead of taking the time to slow down, appreciate and savour it. When we’re always in a rush to get on with the next thing, it can suddenly mean hours have escaped us. If there’s one thing that will really make you enjoy life more and feel happier overall – it’s mindfulness. Try leaving the soggy sandwiches and Cuppa Soup behind and instead batch cook some lovely healthy lunches on Sunday. This gives you great food to look forward to and means you are more likely to slow down and enjoy. When eating, think about the food, don’t rush yourself and instead savour the dish. Try using the time to think about what you are grateful for – this has been proven to improve mindset and mood.
If you’re having a busy or tiring week, it could be a great time for some pampering. Perhaps you don’t ever get time to treat yourself, so squeezing a manicure, pedicure or even a hair cut into a lunch break can be a lovely thing to do. I used to squeeze my 45 minute wash, cut and blow dry into my lunch break and would still have time for a sandwich! Plus then you can breeze back to the office feeling super glam.
Depending on where you work – this might be a brisk walk or even a run on your lunch break. Or, if you’re near a gym or somewhere that offers classes, you could pop along for a lunchtime swim or yoga class. I know some bigger offices even offer these in-house which is lovely! I used to do morning yoga classes at one workplace which was great, and sometimes when I work from home I will squeeze in a lunchtime HIIT class. It’s a great way to give yourself an rush of energy and to flood your body with endorphins for the afternoon. Plus then you have a free evening ahead when you don’t need to squeeze in a workout!
If you really don’t feel you need a lunch break and would prefer to work, but aren’t allowed. Why not get productive and use your lunch to tick off some of those to-do’s? I always call these days “life admin” days. When perhaps I have to pop to the bank, or the post office, I have odd jobs that I need to finish off. I used to sometimes use my lunch breaks for creating content for this blog if I was feeling creative. Or you could even do your weekly food shop – whether you’re near a supermarket or you do it online for delivery. It’s a great way to tick off a boring job and to give yourself more free time outside of work.
So much of our shopping is done online these days, but if you fancy a new top, skirt or lipstick, why not pop to the shops? There’s something nice when you usually do everything online about actually shopping for products in-store. You could spend time trying on clothes or testing foundation shades. Or you could even shop for items for your home and pick up some new bits.
If you work nearby your friends, or even work with them, you could plan a friends date! Some of the girls I used to work with in an office would regularly organise a lunch date. We would head to a lovely cafe for cake and to chat about our lives outside the office. It was always so much fun and felt like we’d had double the time away by the time we got back to our desks. Why not plan a coffee date with your bestie or even just browse the shops together. Years ago when we were 16 and poor, my best mate and I used to meet up and eat our sandwiches at the back of the buildings we worked in.
If you’re in a relationship with someone who works different hours to you. It can mean you’re limited on the time you get together. My ex-boyfriend and I had this issue. So we started to organise weekly coffee dates together where we could just spend an hour together. It doesn’t need to be anything fancy, sometimes it’s nice just to catch up on the week. Likewise, if you’re doing long-distance or coffee shop dates aren’t an option, why not schedule a Facetime?
If an hour feels like too long for a lunch break and you want to fill the time – why not try a new skill? I’m currently working on learning Spanish and can easily spend 20-30 minutes practicing each day. Or, in the past some friends and I have learnt to knit thanks to a lovely colleague of ours. You could do this independently, or as a group, and start trying something you’ve always wanted to do. Or just grab a camera or a sketchbook and start teaching yourself new skills. It’s easy to find a how-to guide and a Youtube video online about pretty much every topic so you can always find the basics.
If you like to escape in your own little world and enjoy some time to yourself – this is perfect for you. Why not find yourself a good book, audio-book or a podcast? It will give your eyes a break from the screen and you can escape for a while into another world. If you work somewhere central, you might have access to free museums or local exhibitions. This could be great if you fancy getting out and seeing something new. Cities are great areas for this kind of thing. There is always something going on so always check What’s On Guides.
How do you make the most of your lunch breaks? Have you got any good tips for ways of filling that lunch hour?
One of the hardest things for many long-term travellers is developing healthy eating habits – and maintaining them – while on the road. For many, their weight fluctuates between bloated from too much fried food and cocktails. To super skinny after a bad bout of food poisoning. We’ve all been there – you have all these ideas about being tanned and looking great in a bikini. But when you’re so busy making new friends, trying delicious foods and partying. It can be hard to find time to balance that with exercise. Over the years, I’ve gone from being curvy to skinny and back again. But in my six years of travel, I’ve finally found a balance that works for me. It took nearly 50 countries, but I’ve found a lifestyle that keeps me feeling happy. Now I’m healthy and most of all – strong and ready to take on the world.
Now I’m going to share what works for me. I hope it will help other backpackers and travellers to find a balance that works for them. Every body is different, and I’m not a nutritionist so I can’t offer specific advice. But I will share my tried and tested methods that I have discovered over the years and which have worked well for me. I live a very active lifestyle – walking a lot each day, swimming and hiking regularly. So my diet has to maintain my energy levels. This is very important to me. I also love to enjoy food and dine out, trying different dishes when I travel. Food is a huge part of travel for me. So I don’t believe in restricting your diet in order to stay fit and healthy. Instead I prefer to find a balance of healthy foods and treats.
If you’re someone who lacks routine and regularly flits between timezones – you might find these tips helpful. When I travel, I know the one constant is that I have no real schedule. Some days I go to bed late and sleep in, other days I get up at sunrise and go to bed early. So how I keep on top of this and try to create some schedule for my healthy eating habits is really important to me. Because even if I’m tired, I can still have lots of energy if I eat the right things.
I’ve read a lot about intermittent fasting over the last few years – and it’s funny because it was something I was already doing quite a lot without even realising. Basically the thinking behind it is to take long periods of time where you don’t eat and instead allow the body to use up its reserves of energy. In Western society, we already eat far too much and don’t give our bodies a chance to feel hungry. I don’t do this all the time – but most days I will eat dinner at around 5-7pm and then won’t eat after that until around lunchtime the following day. This includes around 8 hours of sleep (hopefully) and then I will have a late brunch to start the day.
This works really well for me as I often like to exercise in the morning and naturally wouldn’t eat until after I had done that anyway. Instead I stick to water, fruit tea or coffee during these hours. Why do I do this? Because it actually gives me so much more energy and I also find myself eating more consciously.
This naturally leads into another dietary choice I have made. Cutting back on the number of meals in exchange for larger meals and snacks. I find because of my usually busy schedule when travelling it makes sense not to break up activities to cram in another meal. Usually if I find myself hungry, I will get a snack from a street vendor or some fruit – try to focus on healthy snack instead of fried things. Then will wait until later to eat dinner with friends. I love to explore food markets or share a social dinner with friends and usually when travelling I will end up eating later – around 7-8pm sometimes.
I want to make it clear that I don’t cut back on the amount of food I am eating overall – simply the times at which I am eating this food. My goal is not to be skinny, but to be healthy. This routine is one that not only fits well with different timezones and jet lag, but stops you missing meals and gorging yourself on unhealthy foods. Plus I find that when I do eat, I don’t end up bloated or feeling overly-full.
If you’re struggling to get all of your 5 a day into your daily meals, or have limited options for fruit and veggies when you order meals. You could try getting a fresh fruit juice or smoothie each day. In Asia, Central America and South America these are easy and cheap to buy – plus it means you can squeeze 5x fruit/veg into one drink. If you’re on a tight schedule, or simply don’t want to order a healthy dinner that day, it can be a good way to refresh yourself while topping up your vitamins. I know when I was in Central America where the main foods centre around rice, beans, meat and plantain – I was getting a lot of vitamins in juice or smoothie form.
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If you want to know which of these healthy eating habits will have the biggest impact – this is the one. Over the last five years, I’ve gone through phases of cutting out meat, fish, dairy and animal products in varying amounts. I consider myself a flexitarian – I don’t stick to any rules and my diet changes all the time depending on the country I am in and what food is available. But I’ve not eaten meat in several years and have cut most animal products out of my diet. It is one of the best decisions I have ever made – why?
I have more energy than I have ever had, my hair, skin and nails are super strong, I almost never get ill and most of all – I feel great. It makes me happy to know that I am healthy, reducing my carbon footprint and I’m not supporting the meat farming industry. You don’t have to be perfect, you don’t have to do it 24/7 or declare yourself vegan. But cutting back on animal products and meat will help you to feel much healthier. If your motivation is looking good in a bikini, I’m also the leanest and most toned I have ever been since starting to focus on a plant-based diet.
This one is not only super good for your body, but it’s great for your bank balance! When travelling – many of the local cultures around the world focus their diets around basic staples. In Asia, it’s rice, noodles, veggies and spice. Over in Central & South America, it’s rice, beans, plantains. In Europe, it’s potatoes and veggies whether in hearty, warming meals or Mediterranean fare. Or in parts of Africa, it’s rice, lentils, veggies. All of these ingredients make up a plant-based diet which means it’s a diet you can eat anywhere in the world.
It’s simple, cheap and authentic local food which means you can eat the local dishes. But it also means you can eat cheap while staying healthy – most of these foods are widely available from street vendors. In comparison, Westernised food is much more unhealthy and focuses on sugary, doughy and fatty dishes. Nothing wrong with treating yourself and having a cheeky takeaway pizza if you fancy it, but it’s all about balance and finding the right healthy eating habits.
Making sure you are eating a healthy and balanced diet is important whether you eat meat, or are vegan. Don’t forget that just because you’re eating a plat-based diet, you still need to make sure you’re eating a variety of food. One thing I struggled with in Central America was the vegan diet of rice, beans, plantain and avocado – I knew I wasn’t getting enough vitamins and this is why I got sick when I was there. It’s important to eat a range of greens, colourful fruits and veggies, plus lots of fibre and protein. If you’re not getting enough of any of these food groups. It can weaken your immune system and make you more likely to get ill. Always remember to try and eat the rainbow. If you’re not getting enough in restaurants – find a fruit & veg seller and get some snacks!
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This one can have a big impact on what your body does when you travel. Some people drink a lot and end up putting on weight and bloating from the fried food and unhealthy snacks they crave. Others drink a lot and end up losing weight because they don’t get hungry. If you’re partying a lot, it’s important to try and balance this out with what you’re eating. Every traveller goes through phases where they drink more and eat less, or when they stop drinking and eat more.
Find a healthy eating habits balance that works for you and balances out the amount of sugar that you are putting into your body. It also means accounting for your choice of drink – if you prefer beer or sugary cocktails, you are more likely to put on weight and feel bloated or sluggish. If you are drinking wine or spirits, I find you tend to feel the sugar crash less and don’t get the fatty.sugar cravings afterwards. Take these things into account when figuring out a balance.
This is super important if you’re travelling hot countries. If you’re not drinking enough water, thirst can manifest as hunger pangs and confuse the body into thinking you want food. I read somewhere that half the time when we think we’re hungry, we’re actually just thirsty. So make sure you’re drinking plenty of water throughout the day. At least 2 litres and maybe more if you’re walking around a hot country. If you’re getting peckish, have a big drink of water before you eat, to see if that hunger goes away. Likewise – in the heat you can often lose your appetite. So make sure if this happens you are still eating enough.
If you’re terrible at keeping track of what you’re eating and drinking, or find it hard to balance. Why not try getting a Fitbit or food tracking app to log everything you eat and drink, plus your exercise? It might help to educate you on what you are putting in your body and what your exercise is burning off. Again I want to stress this is not about losing weight. More about maintaining a good level that is healthy for your body type and mindset. After all, when we look good, we feel good. Everyone wants that glowing skin and healthy hair, to feel comfortable on the beach. So this is a great way to keep track of yourself and figure out a balance of these healthy eating habits that works.
Make sure you are exercising daily – this makes a huge difference. I like to walk a lot around cities or hike trails – often clocking up 15,000+ steps a day. Plus swimming in the ocean, running or doing yoga. All of these make a big difference to my mindset and when I’m acting healthy, I want to eat healthy. It’s easy to walk a lot when travelling and I see this as my main source of exercise but it’s easy to increase. Start adding small exercises to your daily routine and you will reap the benefits. After all – food can make you gain or lose weight, but exercise will tone, it will build muscle and make you feel confident.
What healthy eating habits help you stay on track when you travel? Do you prefer to focus on food or exercise? How do you maintain a balance?
Isn’t it ironic that as I sat down to rewrite this blog post, I was suddenly overcome by a touch of writer’s block? I can’t help but laugh. After all, I’ve been writing since I was a kid. Whether it was stories, schoolwork, newspaper columns, articles, blogs or website content. I never stopped writing from the day I could pick up a pen. But it doesn’t matter how long you’ve been writing, how experienced you might be – no-one is immune to writer’s block. But when you’re working on a project, perhaps an essay, a blog post or even a book, it can be the most frustrating feeling in the world!
Sat there at the laptop, or with a notebook in front of you, pen poised… But nothing comes out. Your fingers hover above the keyboard but they don’t even twitch with an idea of where to start. It happens to us all. Your medium may not even be writing – it might be painting, drawing, sculpting, music – any creative outlet. We can all feel that familiar freeze wash over us as our brain empties of inspiration and we’re left with nothing but tumbleweeds blowing through the empty crevasse of our mind.
Have you ever felt completely empty and drained? Like you’ve got nothing left to give? This is how it feels when you’re suffering from creative burnout. If you’ve been burning the candle at both ends and are physically exhausted, this can happen quickly and leave you feeling lost. Those creative juices stop flowing, you feel uninspired by everything around you. And worst of all, you can’t seem to write, paint or create an original idea. You can end up feeling like you’re going round in circles. That staring at the page will make it you insane or even that you’re a failure as others go on creating around you. If you work in a creative industry, this can be particularly hard as it this is more than just a hobby, it’s a livelihood.
Writer’s block is kind of like the feeling when you open your mouth but no words come out. You’re struck dumb by your sheer inability to form words on the page and knit them together into a format that makes sense. It’s a stumbling block that can spiral if you don’t take charge of the situation quickly. But the good news is that even when you’re stopped in your tracks by writer’s block, there is always a way to get back to your creative basics. Writing is a skill, but it takes practice and it takes inspiration to help you create something special. Sometimes finding that inspiration might mean stepping back from writing and taking a break to refresh and reset. If writing isn’t your medium – know that these tips also work for various other creative outlets. I’m also a keen photographer and use these tips to inspire my creative work and to enhance my camera skills.
My number one rule is never force creative work. It should flow naturally and come straight from your soul. If you feel like you’re forcing it or trying to push through writer’s block, you will do nothing but create rubbish. Stop. Take a step back and take a break. Don’t let your burnout get worse, instead give your brain, and your hands a break and take some time away. If this is your job – why not reshuffle your schedule and work on some other projects for a while. Or even see if you can take some time off work to refresh? If it’s a hobby, you have the luxury of time and can easily take a break. Sometimes if I’m struggling to write a blog post, I will just leave it in my drafts and will work on something else then return to it later on.
Working on a laptop or computer all the time is not only bad for your eyes, but it’s not great for your brain. It can affect your posture, your sleeping pattern and much more. It’s possible that these factors could also be affecting you creative mindset and could be stunting your flow. If you find you’re suffering a touch of writer’s block – why not take a break from the screen, rest your body and your mind? Taking a full 24 hours off from looking at screens can really work wonders whether it’s a job or hobby. That means turning off your phone, computer, leaving the TV off. Instead get outside, socialise or read a book and see how much better you feel. I always feel inspired after a trip to the ocean.
If you’re struggling to break out of the mindset of being blocked – get a change of scenery and catch up with friends. It’s easy to lose perspective and to feel this creative block taking over. But seeing friends and talking it out could really help. Hearing about what they are doing or any problems they might have can really put things in perspective. They might even inspire your next creative piece! I constantly find myself inspired by friends and family to take on new topics. If nothing else, getting outside and seeing new faces can really give your mind the break it needs – after all we humans are a social bunch and we need variety of people and ways of thinking. Perhaps listening to friends will open your mind to a new way of thinking that will inspire your work.
Routine is a killer. Don’t let it crush your creative talent. Instead, try shaking up your routine and see if that helps. For instance – don’t get up in the morning and head straight to your desk. Why not try exercising – go for a run and get some fresh air, people-watch in the park. The combination of endorphins and changing it up might be just what you need. Try cycling to work instead of driving, get your coffee somewhere different and see who you meet. Or, why not change location? If you’re struggling to write at home, why not work in a café or find a co-working space where you can be around people. You could even change the times that you are working each day – if you’re working remotely, or pursuing this as a hobby, it might be easy to change your schedule.
Sometimes you just need a change of scenery. Maybe changing your routine isn’t enough, maybe you need a fresh start or a clean break. If you haven’t had a genuine break from work or holiday for a while – it could be you’re just exhausted. Without realising you might be a slight workaholic – not because you’re obsessed with work, but because you keep putting off your own time. Realising the value of your downtime is important – especially if you love your work and often let it take over. Getting a complete break is vital to your creativity. If you haven’t had a proper break, why not plan a trip? Take a few days away somewhere – you could even plan a little staycation nearby your home to discover it in a new light. Or, if you budget and time permits, why not plan a holiday to a new country and let your trip inspire you?
If you’re taking a break from writing or creating, why not try something new? It could be the perfect way to overcome writer’s block and get the creative juices flowing again. Take the pressure off yourself and just have fun! Try a new exercise class, cook a new recipe, join a club, go to an event – let the world inspire you. Not only will it distract you from your own problems – but it might help you meet new people while trying something new and exciting. After all, if you’re going to write and create, first you must experience life and taste the inspiration you hope to translate to the page. You never know, it might even push you to take your creative work in a new direction. There are countless writers, artists and musicians who have taken their work in a new direction after trying something new.
Sometimes we’re holding on to baggage that we don’t even realise is weighing us down. Be honest, how many pieces of work have you got “in progress”? How many drafts are sitting in your folder, how many half-finished paintings in your home? Without realising, these half-hearted attempts are putting pressure on us to perform and finish the job. Just as Marie Kondo would encourage you to clear out your home and stop hoarding physical items – I encourage you to clear out your mind of these half-hearted attempts to create. Take some time to go through any half finished pieces and either finish them off, or hit delete. Often I find once started, it’s impossible to return and actually finish a piece. I’m much better off taking a note of any key ideas and starting afresh next time. This way I get to tackle the idea in a brand new way with a fresh mind next time.
When you’re struggling to finish a piece or create something special – it can be easy to slide into negative thinking. Don’t fall into this trap and start to spiral into a web of overthinking. Instead, take back control of your mind and make a conscious decision to step back. Understand that you can do no more while you are in this mindset, and that you have to take steps to bring yourself back to creative health. Don’t over-think, instead slow down and press pause. Get yourself outside, with friends, take a break and consume creativity instead of trying to push yourself to create. Clear your mind with exercise or meditation, stay positive and believe that you will create something great once you are ready.
When I can’t create – I like to focus on consuming creativity. Filling my space with art, my ears with music and podcasts, and reading everything! By consuming a widespread variety of topics and creative mediums, you stand the best chance of finding something to inspire you. One of the best ways to be provoked into creating is to give yourself something to react to. After all, writer’s block is a lack of words or creative expression. But you can’t react without something that challenges your way of thinking. Read blogs, books, newspapers, listen to music, to debates, to podcasts and let yourself feel a response to the questions that arise. Let yourself get annoyed or angry, or emotionally involved in the stories of others. This is what inspires us to write and create our own responses.
Now this one can easily sit on both sides of the fence so take care with implementing it. Sometimes it can be your creative space that is stunting your writing, whether it’s the lack of light or the lack of space. Why not try giving your space a makeover, with some new furniture or paint to brighten the place up? You could get some art or prints for the wall that inspire you and make you feel creative. However, on the flip side of this, it can easily become procrastination if you’re not careful. So don’t let this be a reason to take on a huge job and put off writing for even longer. Look closely at your motivations and whether this is something you actually need or just want as a distraction.
Have you ever been struck down by writer’s block or creative burnout? What did you do to get over it? What would you recommend to try for those who might be struggling?
You may have read about my travel plans for next year in a post I published last week – if not, do check it out by following the link – and after a lot of questions about how I am financing my trip and making my plans I though it was time for another post on the subject.
I am planning to head off early next year for an open-ended trip across South-East Asia (mainly Thailand, with some other stops thrown in) followed by Australia and New Zealand where I hope to work and extend my stay for as long as possible. One thing that I have been repeatedly asked is how I am preparing for this trip, and , well the quick answer is with two main things – a hell of a lot of READING and a hell of a lot of SAVING. Both equally important because you can have all the money in the world but without knowledge this is useless, and vice versa, you can have all the plans in the world but in the end you have to finance it somehow. At the moment I am delving into several guide books and guides for planning a gap year, along with multiple travel blogs and backpacker online guides to really make sure I have all the information I need.
Meanwhile, I am saving, and hard to make sure that I have the money I need and want put aside to keep me travelling for as long as possible before I need to find work – this is important to me because escaping working full time and education is one of the main reasons I am planning to leave. I have been working since I was 14 years old and in education since I was five, now I think it is time for me to have a break and see the world – to get some real education! So, I have been making cutbacks and changes to my lifestyle which, although tricky, will pay off massively next year when I am on a Thai beach sipping cocktails instead of serving the drinks.
Here are the first set of changes I have made, with more yet to come:
I’m always open to any other suggestions and would appreciate any help with finding other ways of saving money and earning a bit extra for my travels. Leave me a comment and tell me how you saved up enough to make your dream come true!
NOTE: I originally wrote this post on what its really like to have a boyfriend at university around 5+ years ago. Fresh from university and part-way through a 9 year relationship. As so much time has passed, and this has become one of my most read posts ever, I wanted to add more details. I hope if you find yourself in the same situation that I was, that you will make the right decision for you. Please do take this post as it was intended. As a record of my own experiences and what worked well for us at the time. Every couple is different and what worked for us might not work for you, but that is up to you to decide.
Heading to university soon? If you’re in a relationship and feel torn over having a boyfriend at university – this is the post for you. This is my way of sharing my own relationship experiences in the hopes it will help others. This is aimed at young couples facing difficult decisions over long-distance relationships or even breaking up. I met my boyfriend when I was 16 years old, he was a year older and the complete opposite of me. While I worked hard, studied all the time and dreamed of escaping to university. He was loud, misbehaved and the teachers hated him.
It was so satisfying to get the results I wanted, and to prove my family, friends and teachers wrong. All were concerned I wasn’t studying hard enough simply because of my boyfriend. When the truth was if anything he encouraged me to study more! Not only did I beat expectations but I got into the university I had set my heart on – University of Hertfordshire. But I had my pick of accommodation, course modules and everything I had been dreaming of. From the second I had walked on campus the year before, I knew this was the university for me. The question was, would my serious relationship survive university?
By the time I left for university, I had been with my boyfriend for around 2 years. We hadn’t even considered breaking up – we were happy and he was supportive of my studies. He had already finished school at this point but had chosen to do an engineering apprenticeship which meant he would be staying in our home town. Throughout the whole three years of my having a boyfriend at university – we stayed together. He lived and worked at home, I studied a few hours away and we saw each other as much as possible. The truth is – it was hard, but I’m glad we did it. It’s now five years on – we eventually stayed together for a total of nine years and we’re still the best of friends now.
Over the years, I’ve been asked so many questions about maintaining a relationship at university. Is it possible? Am I missing out on anything? Should I be single? Can we survive a long-distance relationship? The truth is – I can’t answer any of these questions about your relationship. But what I can do is I can tell you what worked for mine. University will test your relationship, probably beyond anything before at this point in your life. You’re madly in love with your boyfriend, can’t imagine ever being with anyone else. You can’t bear the thought of breaking up, but at the same time are ready for a whole new adventure.
For me, it was simple. I loved my boyfriend and wanted to stay with him regardless – I didn’t see why university would get in the way of that. I wasn’t interested in meeting guys, and we had never stopped partying since we had been together so I knew I wouldn’t feel temptation on nights out. Distance plays a big part in your decision – long-distance relationships are not to be taken lightly. It’s a huge commitment to make sure both partners feel secure and loved, while maintaining your independence. My university choice (which was not influenced at all by my relationship) was just 2.5 hours away, less than 2 hours by train and one or both of us had a car throughout my time there.
We were both always very independent people who had our own groups of friends and our families to keep us busy, we always set aside time for each other. Now I won’t deny that it was hard at times – that we missed each other like crazy. But we were determined to make it work – both of us. So that meant making compromises on our schedules to make time to call each other, but also being understanding when one of us was not available. It meant dedicating certain weekends to nothing but couple time, but also encouraging time apart to build our own lives. It meant a lot of communication. Calling each other just to say hi, thoughtful texts to say how you feel, even flowers to remind the other how much you love them. Having a boyfriend at university only worked because we BOTH made the effort.
Starting university is throwing yourself into new-found independence and freedom. The excitement of making new friends, discovering new passions, keeping up with your course and lots of partying. At first your new schedule will be jam-packed with Fresher’s Week (or month!) and you may have little time for your boyfriend. Remember they might find this difficult to deal with – you’re off having a new adventure and it feels like you’ve forgotten about them.
Make the effort! You wouldn’t like it if they disappeared off for weeks of getting drunk with strangers. Text them updates or email them if your schedules don’t line up enough for a call.
Getting used to your new life and schedule is fun at first, but it can make maintaining your relationship hard work. My university course involved a lot of independent study and very little time in actual classrooms. Naturally, I loved my flexible schedule and it led to a lot of nights out with my mates, and a lot of random study nights in the library. I found that I worked much better at night and the library was much quieter. After a while I felt like I was practically nocturnal which wasn’t great for us keeping in contact. He was working 6am-2pm and I was staying up all night and sleeping all day, or drunk calling him at 2am and waking him up. It takes compromise and you have to find your own balance as a couple.
Don’t let this continue or you’ll both feel neglected. Call your boyfriend and explain your schedule – tell him you’re finding it hard and find a time that works for both of you.
One huge benefit of going to university is having your own space. Perhaps you were both living with parents at home and struggled to get time to yourselves. Suddenly, you have your own room in a block of people that won’t disturb you! Go off for dinner, or cook your own, lay in bed all day and watch movies or do whatever you want. Having a serious boyfriend at university was quite easy for me because my campus was so quite at weekends. Lots of people went home to work in London, so often we would have the whole flat to ourselves. Being just a few hours away, we took it in turns for him to come and visit, and other weekends I would go home and visit my family. Later on I had a car which made it even easier to decide to drive home at a moment’s notice.
Be honest about how often you can see each other. Maybe you can see each other every other weekend, but once a month is also great. Don’t put too much pressure on yourselves or you’re more likely to fail.
This is the biggest question of all about having a boyfriend at university. Put simply – yes, there is a lot of temptation at university. If you like sweaty blokes who are wearing too much aftershave daring their mates to down dirty pints without being sick on themselves. Not really my type thanks. Some might feel left out of all the drunken snogging and sleeping around that comes with Freshers. But real talk – what you’re really missing out is doing the Walk of Shame while dressed as Superwoman, and a whole lotta regret.
It is possible to go to university and not sleep with everyone. It is possible to go on a night out and go home with your girls and a greasy burger. And it is possible to spend a night in your own bed. There are a lot of girls out there who get drunk and just need some affection. This was the tough bit, being drunk and wanting to call your boyfriend because you miss him. But you deal with it and move on. My best advice – if you are tempted, end the relationship before making a big mistake and hurting your partner. Honesty is always the best policy.
Put simply – it is possible to have a happy, loving, long-distance relationship while at university. It isn’t always easy, but in the end it is more valuable than any one night stand. You will have wobbles and strops over seeing each other and missing each other. But you will also have amazing times and you will end up a lot stronger for it. My main advice is to be sure of what you want before you go. But don’t be afraid to change your mind when you actually experience university life. You have to choose what is best for you both. If you think it is worth it, it probably is.
I was two years into my relationship when I went to university and we stayed together for nine years. He’s still a huge part of my life today. It’s not an easy decision, be be assured that whatever you choose will be the right decision for you. Breaking up a relationship can sometimes lead to some of the best moments of your life.
Have you been faced with a big decision over whether to break off a relationship or stay together at university? What did you choose?
Photo by Selina
I spotted a great post by Kettlemag.com the other day about how to get the best work experience in journalism – fantastic advice from Sian Elvin for up-and-coming journalists who don’t know where to begin.
It made me think about work experience and the importance of getting the most out of it while you have the opportunity because quite simply, it can completely change what you want to do with your life. I am a great example of this – I went to university where I studied English Literature and English Language and Communication thinking that I wanted to become a teacher. The summer before my final year at university, out of desperation from working at a terrible milkshake shop and card store, I wrote to the local paper and asked for work experience to save me from insanity and to have something to show for the summer.
Amazingly, they welcomed me in – I was the first person to be given the opportunity in several years because the previous editor didn’t allow it. Sheer luck? Or a great CV? I had previously done an extra course at university on perfecting your CV and highlighting your credentials, so I would like to think this is what secured me the position. I went along, smartly dressed and full of beans for my first day at the paper. I was there for just five days, but in those five days, I wrote every different type of story going, spoke to the public, interviewed, went out with photographers, went to court, inquests and council meetings with another reporter. It gave me a wealth of experience and even led to me securing the front page story for that week. This incredible experience completely changed what I wanted to do with my life and career – deciding there and then that I wanted to go into journalism.
When I left, I was asked to take on a student writing column specifically about my life and adventures at university – I wrote this weekly column throughout my final year at university and loved it. I still get people, including the local MP, talking to me about it now several years on. I also was the paper’s first port of call when two reporters left their jobs quite suddenly and they found themselves short-staffed – they took me on with no qualifications and I worked there for the month before returning to university. It gave me a fantastic opportunity and helped me secure a job and training for when I finished university.
But it has become clear to me over my time working at the newspaper, when I have seen several work experience kids come in of all ages and experiences, that so many just do not have the confidence to make the most of this opportunity. Instead, many prefer to keep their heads down and struggle along instead of asking for help or guidance.
So here are my top tips for getting the most out of work experience:
So there you have it – my top tips for making the most of a placement. Don’t waste the opportunity – they are few and far between in today’s job market and you really can’t afford to not take advantage of the situation. Just be sure to make it work for you as well – don’t be afraid to speak up if you feel you aren’t getting much out of the week, just do it in such a way that you suggest things you could do to help them rather than saying it is rubbish.
Have you got any work experience tips? Share them below.
How crazy that I originally published this “power of positivity” post six years ago! I’ve done a lot of growing up in the last six years and now as I’m revisiting some of my older blog posts. I’m also taking the time to update them and to rewrite some of them to include what I’ve learnt since they were published. This post is such an important one – even more so because as I rewrite this, we are in the grips of the Coronavirus pandemic and positivity is so vital right now. This post wont be pandemic-specific – rather I want it to be a post that is relevant at all times and will be useful no matter when you end up reading this post.
I’ve always been a very positive person. Sometimes that has been to my benefit and sometimes to my downfall. It’s something that I’ve learned a lot about over the years – ways to maintain it and ways to control it and not let it get the better of me. It might sound strange – but being a positive person can be a steep learning curve as you realise that not everyone out there has the same mindset as you. Sadly, there are other people who will try to tear you down because of it. The important thing is to learn strength of character and to be able to maintain your positive mindset. Even in the face of challenges which will no doubt spring up regularly throughout your life.
When I first wrote this post six years ago, I was incredibly naive and young. I’m not afraid to admit that I had no idea the challenges that life can throw at us. But the last six years has really shown me that it’s not always easy to be positive. I’ve faced broken relationships, a complete career change and toxic friends. There’s been infidelity, domestic violence, threats of harm and I even came close to my own death. But what have I learned from these experiences? That staying positive and believing in my abilities to survive everything that came my way was what got me through.
You see, it’s not just about believing you can survive these experiences. It’s about knowing you can thrive no matter what. I’m a big believer in manifestation and speaking your hopes and dreams into the universe. The energy you put out there is what comes back to you. If you’re putting out negativity, stress and worry, the universe will return it to you. Spreading positivity and hope, just brings more of it into your life and I am walking proof. Even if you don’t believe in manifesting your dreams. The power of positivity has a huge impact on your physical health, mental health and those around you. You don’t have to walk around with a big grin on your face 24/7. But having this unshakeable positive mindset can have a huge impact on your life.
The power of positivity isn’t always a benefit to our lives. It can sometimes harm us or make us vulnerable to those who might take advantage of our good will. It’s something we can only learn through experience and I’ve certainly had one hell of an experience the last few years. That’s not to say we should stop in our positivity – just that it is a skill we need to cultivate in order to make it stronger. At times challenges will come along and it’s up to us to learn the lesson and change the choices we make – that’s how we grow as individuals.
This is a hard one and I know I am absolutely guilty of letting the power of positivity overrule that voice in the back of my head. Ignoring my intuition for love, or infatuation with another. All those red flags we ignore, all those uneasy feelings deep in our gut. We’ve all had them and ignored them in the hopes we might be able to change someone, or they might be telling the truth. But sadly the truth is that people can’t be changed, they can only change if they are ready to do the work. If your gut is telling you something, always listen, it’s always right.
This was a tough lesson to learn and one that hit me hard over the last few years. When you’re a positive person – it’s hard to imagine people who are just toxic, broken and narcissistic. It’s hard to imagine people who are just there to hurt, harm or break you because of their own traumas that they have buried deep inside. It’s so sad but there really is nothing you can do for these people but identify them as soon as possible and cut all contact. Toxic people will easily fly under the radar masquerading as sweet and kind friends until they turn and you are left to pick up the pieces. The most important thing to remember – you don’t owe anyone anything in this world. You are well within your rights to cut people out of your life and to remove the toxicity.
Don’t let bad relationships and toxic people stop you from being positive. While these characters will no doubt have an impact on us and shape the version of ourselves we become. It’s important to not let them break your power of positivity. Giving people the benefit of the doubt is important at times – people can surprise you and unless we are willing to let them try, nothing will ever change. However, if you have given someone the benefit of the doubt multiple times and they keep claiming “I can change” or “things will get better” or “I can fix this” – you can be damn sure that they won’t and they are manipulating you. Step away and remember the phrase – fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice, shame on me!
I can honestly say I wouldn’t be here today if it wasn’t for the power of positivity. I’ve had some pretty horrible and scary experiences over the last few years, a few of which have threatened my life. I’m not looking for sympathy – but to show you that staying positive has helped me heal, time and time again. It has built me back up from the depths of despair and has given me a way forward, a way to remain myself even when broken. Positivity spreads easily, so by keeping my positive mindset, I have helped others to do the same and to move onwards and upwards.
On a daily basis – staying positive helps me to get motivated. It gives me the confidence to take risks and it helps me to look after myself so that I am my best self and am able to help and support others. You know that saying, you need to fill up your own cup before helping others? Well it’s true and it’s so important to do this daily – whether it takes the form of yoga and meditation, or simply eating well, exercising and sleeping enough. By doing this daily, you will feel ready and able to support others as they need and to help them with their positivity. But you can’t do this without looking after you first.
When travelling solo, things can quickly become intimidating or scary if you let them. It’s so important, especially when first starting out, to maintain your mindset and to not let things get on top of you. Instead of looking at the big picture, focusing on smaller steps until you’re on your way. Being a positive person also makes you very approachable and open to meeting new people. You will find that positive attracts positive and if you’re putting out good vibes, you will attract great people. Whereas those who are more negative won’t appeal to those looking to make new friends.
Escaping and recovering from domestic violence was without doubt the hardest thing I have ever had to do. I won’t lie, it broke and changed the person I was into the person I am today. For anyone who is going through the same thing, I have written articles on this topic – find the links below. But I want to focus on how my positive mindset really helped me to heal from domestic violence. I forced myself to focus on what I had learnt from the experience. To think about where I was going in the future. And to feel grateful for what a lucky escape I had compared to many who hadn’t managed to get out.
These simple thoughts helped me to stay positive while also going through the negative parts of the healing process. Without both sides of the process, it could have been a very different story for me, but the power of positivity really helped me to get back to myself.
Have you ever wondered why bad things happen to some people and others seem to breeze through life? The truth is – no-one breezes through life, it’s difficult for everyone. We all face our challenges and have curve balls thrown our way unexpectedly. But what sets us apart is how we choose to deal with those situations. Do we let the negativity take over, or do we tackle problems with a smile and refuse to let them slow us down?
One thing you might not even be aware of is how much your attitude affects your life. Think about days when you spring out of bed whistling, chat to the person who makes your coffee, greet everyone with a smile when you get to the office and help a door open for someone. Those positive days have a ripple effect, so saying thank you and chatting to the coffee person puts them in a good mood which they pass on to the next customer. The person you hold a door open for, might help an elderly person with their shopping. Positivity is infectious and it spreads quickly.
Now think about a day when you get up on the wrong side of bed. Maybe you stub your toe on the bathroom door, put shaving gel on your toothbrush instead of toothpaste. Instead of taking a minute to reset your mindset before leaving the house, you take that attitude outside. Honking the horn aggressively at people crossing the road, pushing past people at the door, not holding the elevator for a colleague, telling the coffee person to hurry up and forgetting the thank you. All small things, but they add up and before you know it, you’ve had a crappy day. Not only have you had a bad day, but everyone around you has caught your negativity and spread it further.
Here are five simple changes you can make to your daily routine that will help you implement the power of positivity, and to stave off negative thoughts.
How do you stay positive – what are your best power of positivity tips? What has positivity helped your to survive in your life? Do you have a positivity mantra?
Drunk at a house party with my beaut housemate, Katie, having the time of our lives with no cares at all
Being in your twenties can be pretty stressful. You’ve just graduated from university, you’re finally earning some cash and you’re out from under mum and dad’s roof – in theory it should be the best time ever! But the harsh realities soon hit home, graduating from university throws you out of the safety of student loans and out into a harsh and competitive job market. You may have completed a degree, only to find you are not qualified for your dream job and to be plunged back into a world of coursework, exams and debts. You may be earning, but stuck in a job you can’t stand, far from the dream career you envisioned and often far from the wage you had hoped for. And living out for the first time is a bloody shock to the system – suddenly realising the real cost of living and the sacrifices you have to make in order to gain that most basic freedom.
Wise words from Cheryl, but she wasn’t scared to take a chance!
Times are definitely difficult for the average twenty-something. Despite all this freedom and the options that are available to us which might not have been for our grandparents, we often find that these have created more difficulty, stresses and worries for the future. We have so much more to think about than our grandparents with so much competition for the job and property markets. But it’s time to stop all this – so many of us are worrying unnecessarily thanks to over-dramatic news stories that go on about the tiny job market, rising house prices, decreasing fertility in older women and the rest. Take a deep breath and check out this list of things I don’t think any of us twenty-something’s should be worrying about:
Put simply, don’t let your worries hold you back. Get it all out of your system. Pack a bag and head off to Ibiza to party with your pals, don’t be scared to dump a boyfriend who is holding you back, follow your nose and get that dream job, be cheeky and live at home for free, cut yourself off and travel the world. Just don’t feel like you have to take everything on at once. I’m not saying your twenties are a disposable decade, not by a long shot, but they are the time when it’s okay not to have it all locked down. Don’t feel guilty or embarrassed because your life isn’t perfect and you don’t have everything locked down – the big secret? Nobody does! No matter how old they are!
Me and my besties, Rach and Leanne on holiday in Ibiza
Ben Sutherland
As someone who has suffered from eczema, bizarre allergic reactions and dry patches on my skin all my life, I thought it was about time that I shared the fantastic remedies I have come across over the years that not only have saved me hundreds of pounds but have actually healed these problems far quicker than prescribed treatments. My mum and I have made a bit of a mission out of finding natural alternatives that will help to solve such problems in a way that won’t upset the natural balance of my body and that won’t cause further problems as a result of the harshness of the treatment.
I have never been one of these girls to spend a fortune on a product unless I know that it will work or it is something I really want to try as a treat – often I will turn to my own kitchen cupboards to find unprocessed products that are less likely to irritate the skin in turn. I particularly enjoy simple products and treatments because it can become complicated to work out which ingredient you are allergic to or simply does not agree with your skin type.
Now, these are a mixture of health-related remedies and beauty remedies that will hopefully help to boost your skin and give you the confidence boost you need, because we all know how devastating it can be to get a spot or a red patch on your face before a big night out!
Chandrika Nair
So there you are, just some of the great natural remedies for dealing with acne, eczema, dry patches, red patches and anything else along the way in your quest for glowing skin. It’s important to remember that everything you put in your body you wear on your skin so if you live on a diet of shit, you’re going to look like shit! Main advice is eat healthy, exercise and be happy – if you feel rubbish then often it shows on your face and affects both your skin and hair. If you are run-down, no amount of make-up can hide that, so why not start from the basics and eat more fruit and veg, drink more water and move more? You’ll be amazed at the results.
Have you got any home remedies that you use to keep looking healthy and glowing? Any that have been passed down through the family?
Growing up in the countryside can be a real buzzkill when it comes to making career plans. Don’t get me wrong, I love coming from Norfolk and I’m so proud to call it my home. But when you’re a teenager who is trying to build a future career, it can often seem like it’s holding you back. For many people in the UK, we’re born in quiet countryside towns and sleepy little villages. It’s a great way to grow up, far from the pressures of city life and surrounded by clean country air. But thanks to the UK economy struggling over recent years and post-recession, it can also mean growing up in a town full of betting shops and charity shops.
These school years can be a crucial time in shaping our career plans from what information is available to us. Whether we choose university or an apprenticeship, whether we move away to a city or decide to stay. Perhaps the area might have an abundance of practical learning opportunities, but it’s an academic future you’re truly dreaming of. What about those pressured to university who crave a more practical learning style? It’s so difficult to really strike the right balance and make the right choices. But the important thing to remember is that there really isn’t a right or wrong answer. The only choice to make is the right one for you, and it’s never too late to change your mind.
Read: Why Norfolk holidays should be on your UK bucket list
It’s so easy to grow up with that attitude that your home is a shit-hole. I know from a childhood in Norfolk, all the kids were looking forward to escaping and university was the best way to do that. They craved somewhere busier, but it’s ironic that a few years later so many missed the peace of their homes. So many leave to university and just choose any degree, rather than really being educated on what they will gain from the qualification. They don’t think beyond the degree or make a long-term plan. But it’s understandable why people leave. For those who stay at home and settle down with families young, this is often the main option.
Jobs in the countryside revolve around farming, factory work and labour, or retail, nursing and teaching. These jobs have limited availability because often people move to the area to raise families and work in the same job until retirement. Often these roles will not have much room for you to work your way up to a higher wage or position due to the lower staff turnover. If you have a preference for academic work, there will be very limited availability of roles or work experience for journalists, lawyers or doctors. For graduates who return home post-university, finding work can be tough and they can be forced to take lower paid jobs to make ends meet.
Read: The benefits of moving home after graduation
Living in the countryside doesn’t have to be all negatives for your career. In fact, there are a lot of amazing positives that could really help land your dream job. You may not live in London, but most rural areas have access to other cities where competition could be much less fierce for jobs. For instance, Norfolk has great access to both Norwich and Cambridge. Studying in smaller classes at school gives you the support to really develop your skills early, and to discover talents and passions. City schools often have much larger classes and teachers are able to focus less on the children.
By choosing to follow a career path closer to home, you stand the chance of starting out as a big fish in a small pond. Great for building experience and a portfolio as I did when I started my journalism career. In a short time, I gained invaluable experience that most journalism students don’t learn for several years. You have the opportunity to get work experience or make connections with companies on a personal level, rather than being one of hundreds applying for a role. This is how I managed to become a journalist without even having a qualification! Less competition gives you a real chance to shine and show what you can offer. Then, once you have the basis for a good career, it’s much easier to apply for jobs elsewhere.
Read: How to get the most out of a work experience placement
When I finished school, I went away to study English Language and Communication with Literature at university. I chose not to study in a city, but instead just outside London. My original plan was to become a teacher, but that soon changed and I realised writing was my real passion. I think choosing to study in a place that was more relaxed and less busy, meant I had more time to get writing experience. It meant I started working as a newspaper columnist and a contributor to an online festivals magazine. The summer before my final year, I spent in my home town where I became the first person to get work experience at the local newspaper in a decade.
It would have been really competitive to try and get this experience in a city. So actually going rural really helped me build my experience and got me my first front page within a week. Getting this invaluable experience is what secured me my first job straight out of university as a junior reporter. It led to my becoming editor of the online festivals magazine and also setting up this blog. The skills I learnt in this time were invaluable and have helped me to build a portfolio as a writer and journalist. It has also helped me to build my own brand as a travel blogger working with companies around the world.
The most important thing to remember is that you are a product of your environment. Either use that to your advantage, or change it. Taking control of your career plans is the best way to ensure you are happy with the path you have chosen. Don’t be scared to put yourself out there, and always grab opportunities when they arise. But don’t worry about countryside living putting you a step behind those in the cities. The only limit on your potential is the one you place on yourself.
Are you a country or city person? Do you think where you grew up has affected your career prospects?
