Five Ways To Pick Yourself Up When You're Run Down

I like to call this time of year the lurgy year. There's the coughing and the spluttering as you walk the streets, the domino pattern as the common cold is passed down the family tree, the strenuous mission to get a doctor's appointment and of course the dramatic feeling sorry for ourselves. We're completely entitled to that, though. If it's not the perfect time to appreciate all the times we didn't have a blocked up, stuffy nose and a clear airway, it's time to perk yourself up with a well deserved reflective rest because we all occasionally need it and we're all worthy of a fresh, revitalised positivity boost. Whether you're suffering a bout of the annual winter bug or are feeling generally run down and exhausted about life, here's my top pick me ups to help you fall right back on track.

20 Things You Shouldn't Say To A Chronic Pain Sufferer

When you live with chronic pain, you don't just live with the persistent anguish; you live with the unknown, the looming judgement, the inevitable choice of enjoying yourself to the extreme and suffering vs staying put with no social life to ease the suffering just a smidgen, the false hope of moving forward when you have a good day only to be shattered with an intense bad day the next, the limitations, the loss of control, the disappointment in yourself, and the idea that you constantly have to prove a point, that this invisible torment shredding you of any normality does exist even though it can't be seen hidden behind a giggle and a "yeah I'm good, how are you?". Dealing with an incurable condition that isn't understood from a distance can be isolating and it's tough, very tough. I know from my personal experience I find it hard to trust anyone away from my tight knit, inner circle; like if I express myself too much the guessing will begin - the wrong kind, the presuming kind, the kind that sees straight through the exhaustion, the sickness, the misery and distress and focuses on the outer shell. 

25 Struggles Only People With Long Hair Will Understand

It seems these humorous kind of posts have fast become a favourite of mine to write. Whether it's because I like to pretend I'm funny and have the ability to treat everyday problems with contempt or just because I enjoy switching my serious talk up once in a while. I realise it's probably been done a million times before but I like to put my own twist on things. Albeit I'm not quite buzzfeed or cosmopolitan but I do approach unarmed of insults (or at least I try).

For as long as I can remember, my hair has been uncontrollably long. The first year of my life was spent sporting the bald look but from the age of 3 my locks reached down my back and have failed to formulate a stop sign ever since. I've had many hair styles, cuts and colours over the years but my hair always seems to catch up with me in a way I just can't ignore. It must be something in the genes, but that's probably just my tangled hair...

The Tales Of A Baby Face

Making the transition into responsible adulthood is hard, holding on to your childhood nostalgia makes it easier, but being an expectant grown up with the face of an innocent baby filled with honey sweet expressions is probably the worst combination. I've just gone twenty three yet I struggle to be seen as anything past fifteen, not only from people around me but from myself when I look at the reflection in the mirror and think "how, just how can I pass through my life stages with no significant change?".

20 Simple Ways To Be Kinder

The devastating events happening right now, this moment, whether reported or hidden, is enough to bring the happiest of people down. The breaking news of hatred, violence, prejudice and dehumanising can often get emotionally draining. I know I've gotten to the point where I fear the right to freedom and am constantly reminded of the badness, the senseless acts of tragedy instead of the beauty in the world. It'd be easy for me to focus on the shocking events, to express my deep anger and upset; in fact I was all set on preparing one of my lengthened, ranty Sunday Natter posts (I'm a day late again, give me a telling off for being so useless) but I decided against it last minute. Instead, I thought of turning the tables - taking something bad and making it into a little challenge we can set ourselves to contribute towards adding acceptance, embracing positivity and spreading love across the globe!

20 Problems Bloggers Face On A Daily Basis

As last week's Sunday Natter seemed to be embraced with likeness and was the pinnacle to my ego boost in the recognition that I do have the ability to make at least one person laugh (even if it is the 'silently whilst my face doesn't move' kind) I thought to follow on the light-hearted, witty approach to the cliché stereotypes and general characterizing of bloggers, I'd produce yet another post that is hopefully relatable to this community of influencers that just so happen to have being sucked into this world of strenuous yet rewarding activity. 

Ten Unworldly Blogging Commandments We've All Heard

The curious outsiders really don't understand the inner complex world of blogging, do they? Admittedly I wasn't all that knowledgeable when I was a dummie but once I began to reveal my online secret hiding place to those around me and developed in my learning curve I realised just how many misconceptions there are surrounding the industry that's fast becoming a major passion turned selling point. Of course, people sauntering through average everyday life with absolutely no idea how blogging works, or what the connotations of the word really are, will assume it's all sunshine and rainbows; especially when it's the highs rather than the lows that are explained in the answered question making the notion seem nothing but thrilling ("she gets all sorts sent to her" - thanks for that, mum). 

The Rules On Summer Dressing: Cannot Be Found

I feel us Brits have been spoiled to a great extent with the soaring temperatures and as known to most in relation to house humidity, 'sticky weather' over the past few days, so much so that it's almost guaranteed it won't last and by next week any sign of approaching summer will be restored to winter like hibernation mode. All it takes is some beaming sunshine to bring people out of their lairs, for the ice cream by the lake/booze and burgers on the barbecue insta photos and happy mirrored sunnie selfies but unfortunately, hand in hand with that comes the body police because apparently, we still live in a day and age where moralizing comments spout from the mouths of condescending individuals about the way we choose to dress. 

Blogging vs numbers: the rollercoaster effect

Let's just pretend I didn't put the idea of sleeping soundly before knuckling down into writing my latest disputable vent that was supposed to be posted yesterday for my signature Sunday Natter, or perhaps let's because that's possibly half the reason I'm discussing this subject in the first place *nervous laughter*.

The Sunday Natter: why we need to stop using mental illness as adjectives

I'm strongly passionate about mental health. Whether passionate is the right word to use for a genesis that has the ability to impact on living a happy, healthy life I'm not entirely sure but what I do know is I always tread carefully on the subject that is personally important to me and many others around me. There's already a negative and discriminative stigma surrounding mental health that has a need to be understood to a serious extent so when I hear the classification of an illness that tears apart every inch of your well being used so frivolously, casually and jokey in everyday conversation, I can't help but feel disappointed, victimised, angry and truthfully, hurt.

The Sunday Natter: Do We Need To Strip Naked To Empower Our Bodies?

Tell me this, is there a straight answer to a simple yet elevated question? I personally don't think so. I think there's so many layers to this taboo subject, and so many misunderstood ones at that. The online world went wild when Kim Kardashian posted not one but two photos of her rawly exposed body and of course in true internet frenzy style, there were some awfully harsh, interrogating comments and outdated attitudes to brush past the point of what could have been a strong and powerful message. Ironically, the most objectifying of hurtled insults spouted from middle aged men and women of the same era and status which in a sense can do more damage than good but the mere fact the topic of nudity sparks such interest proves a valid point.

The Sunday Natter: It's Easter, Just Treat Yourself!

Easter Sunday, an excusable time to bombard your body with as much refined sugar as possible in the form of chocolate eggs and bunny shaped candy (also this year a time to complain about the loss of one hour's sleep and rejoice at the lighter nights, but that's a different story). Although I wasn't entirely sure how, I was determined to incorporate the topic of Easter into my blog somehow and as it so happens to fall when I feel the need to up my chatty levels, a general, light-hearted, flippant, and a little bit of a personal chat it will be.

The Twelve Stages Of Shopping In Primark

When I was writing up my Primark haul I had a short brainwave that I just knew I had to act on. It occurred to me that shopping in Primark (or Primarni better known to some) isn't just an ordinary task, it is in fact a wild journey that brings an influx of emotions, thoughts and feelings and although there may have been similar posts that have been done before, I felt it was only necessary to share my take on having an open door to the spellbinding store and the stages we go through when we take a deep breath and head forward - because, let's face it, no matter what our status or how much we're in denial, we're all Primark worshippers at heart.

So, you're a fashion blogger, you must love yourself?

If I had a pound for every time I heard that, I'd be able to jump on the next plane to the Caribbean and avoid any more misinterpretations of this apparent self vanity I possess. The assumption that every blogger who photographs their personal style for the world to see holds this palpable, narcissistic confidence couldn't be further from the truth. Or so I certainly think so in my shoes (no pun intended). 

The Sunday Natter: what does the word mum mean to you?

The Sunday Natter: settling down into adulthood

Ten familiar signs your time of the month is on its way

Periods and PMS, they're not regularly talked about in general conversation but as women, we all have them and unfortunately, they can't be avoided without some kind of doctors visit or a blockage on mother nature. BUT, why shouldn't we be able to involve the subject in general natter? I know I'm not squeamish and sheepish when the topic is brought up. In fact, I'd like to think I'm familiar with my body, so much so that I know the ins and outs of when that dreaded 'time of the month' is creeping upon me. If I forget to keep track of the cycle dates in the diary, it doesn't make any difference; all I know is when I'm abnormally hungry and start to get that annoying over-eye headache, the time is near. Which leads me on to today's post (which should have been posted yesterday but lazy old me didn't have the motivation to type away) and the signs you personally have or can relate to - because bringing humour into a cramp and flood infested environment makes it seem that little more light-hearted. 

The Sunday Natter: Valentine's Day - a celebration or an exploitation?

The Sunday Natter: 20 ways to know you're addicted to a TV show

*just to note although it is pretty entertaining, I'm not referring to Take Me Out, it was just on the tele at the time

As I completely missed out my Sunday Natter writing last week, I didn't want to jump straight in there with another feisty rant, which is why today's post is going to be kicked off with some lighthearted fun (of which deemed appropriate at this time of year when hibernating in front of the box seems appetisingly pleasing).

The Sunday Natter: Sisters Are Doin' It For Themselves

(totally irrelevant picture to topic ratio but you can never go wrong with flowers, right?)

Following on from last week's post; the fury of women being dictated for their vanity choices, I felt it was only right for me to continue my opinionated discussion of something relatively similar to the points I was previously making. Today's Sunday Natter is allll about the assumptions and attitudes revolving around the efforts of a woman and just how irritated it makes me feel when I come across a genuinely believed reference that it's in a woman's nature to think about someone else in order to feel good and look good for themselves. Now, I've got to be extra careful on how I word this so I don't have the issue of offensive statements on my back but it's guaranteed if you ask a member of the public whether they believe what a woman decides is majorly influenced by what's ideal in a man's eyes, the answer will be yes. Without a doubt, society's mentality IS shaped around men's liking and it's really really pitiful.