IT'S OFFICIALLY MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS WEEK?!

As you can tell from the title I'm pretty excited, especially since I thought it was last week. Do America do things different to us? Is that a really dumb question? I'm not sure but I do know one thing! It is mental health awareness week this week & the main focus is anxiety...well I just had to join in & raise as much awareness as I possibly could!

 

 

Anxiety is the reason I started this little blog of mine. It was a place to escape my mind, put pen to paper, put hands to keys & type away. Feel free to browse through my old posts if you like, I don't mind :)

 

I've decided I'm going to give it my best shot to post one post per day for this entire week regarding anxiety, I'm thinking tomorrow will be...what anxiety is like for me.

 

Are you taking part in helping raise awareness? Please do, you can raise awareness in any way. Start off a conversation with a loved one, send a text, send an email, meet up with a friend, send a tweet, retweet a tweet, share your story...absolutely whatever you like! I could go on forever & list ideas but I wont cos I'm sure you lovely bunch will find a way.

 

I'd like to thank Amy for creating this post which then lead me to this post. < click this one to find out more about the week.

 

One thing we can do to help raise awareness & break the stigma is definitely speaking more about mental health. So if you are affected by anything mental health related, I'd love it if you left me a comment below so we can all become friends & be supportive?! Oooh & if you blog too, be sure to leave your link...thank you!

 

Thanks for reading & I hope you pop by again over the week to see what else I have in store, other than tomorrow I've got no idea what I'm gonna blog about. Ooh, so it'll be a surprise for us all! :)

 

- Anna ♥

life is never fully figured out & life is forever changing...

Anyone else agree that you never fully have your life figured out & life is forever changing? I'm starting to realise this more often to be fair & I just had to agree when my friend made the remark to me. How true is the life is forever changing part? I mean come on, relationships change, situations change, circumstances change...a fair few things change to be honest.

My what I thought was Saturday work has come to an end (did I just sound very Miranda Harts mum?), it appears I didn't fully understand it was just casual, as & when. Not every Saturday, oooppsss! & now business is quiet I'm no longer needed. I was pretty upset about this but life isn't always hunky dory & we've just got to keep on going. So now I'm on the hunt for a new adventure, I'm considering going to college. Another part of me wants to send out my CV to organisations I'm interested in & see what comes of that.

Well I think it is safe to say this is probably one of my shortest posts EVER!

Image found on weheartit

Any of you lovely bunch in a similar situation? Surely one of you are...
let me know, let's discuss & let's be friends! :)

As always, thanks for reading...
- Anna ♥

Very Inspiring Blogger Award...nominated by Nichole (upbeat uplifts)

Hello there you, beautiful youuu...is that a song?! *searches mind* hmmm, I don't know...

The last time I uploaded was Monday, which was my first ever 'fashion' post...which I did get pretty great feedback from so thank you very much. I really actually quite enjoyed putting it all together. But since Monday I've posted nothing so I do feel like such a terrible blogger, especially to say last week I created a list of future posts. The list contained FOURTEEN post ideas, yes you read that right! I'm amazed at myself & the list is still on going! But I'm not going to beat myself up about not blogging since Monday, I've already threw the regular 'blogging routine' out the window. Blogging certainly has become a hobby of mine, I love nothing more actually than sitting down infront of my laptop & waffling on & on & on & on....

 

So I just felt the need right now to sit down & blog. I've checked in with my list & have chosen to take part in an award post...drum roll please?! the very inspiring blogger award , the really super sweet Nichole over at upbeat uplifts has ever so kindly nominated me so a massive thank you to you Nichole!
 

 

The rules are as followed...

1. link the person who nominated you, check!

2. list rules & display the award, check!

3. share 7 things/facts about you, almost!

4. nominate 7 3 bloggers who inspire you..

5. let them know you have nominated them..

 

Ok here goes then,

7 things/facts about me

1. I have never been on a plane.

2. I kind of weirdly actually want braces.

3. Since blogging I feel like I've grown as a person.

4. I will always try to look on the positive side of things.

5. Passing my driving test was one of the best things I've ever done.

6. I'm not a big fan of McDonalds.

7. I'm a sucker for nail polish.

 

7 3 bloggers who inspire me

 

Nichole

(there wasn't anywhere in the rules that stated I couldn't reaward it :) ) without a doubt, I absolutely love Nichole's positive vibe & her personality really shines through on her blog. Nichole recently graduated too so pop on over & send her congratulations wishes...is that a real kind of wish? I don't know, but go on over there & be nice...nobody likes a meany! :)

 

♥

 

Michelle

I'm sure Michelle is some kind of super human...or so she very much comes across! She has a family home to run, including herself, her husband (C), her two step daughters (K & R) then her two little pups (Pete & Betty) surely you know Pete & Betty...if you don't, I suggest you get a wiggle on over to Michelle's blog & check out the cuteness! you won't regret it! so not only does she have the family home but she also works (currently done a whole new career change too!) & still manages to find loads of time to blog, Michelle...one question, what is your secret?! & admittedly Michelle is also hilarious in pretty much every flippin post she writes!

 

♥

 

Amy

Amy's identity is still completely unknown to me & her other readers, which slightly scares me but doesn't mean I can't relate to her. Amy blogs mainly about her struggles with anxiety. I know for a fact that blogging & being so open about my struggles has without a doubt helped me to accept who I am today & still live my life. I really hope Amy receives the same response from blogging & grows as a person. If you struggle with anxiety or maybe a loved one does & you want to educate yourself head on over to Amy's blog. She isn't a professional but I think sometimes the best kind of blogs/posts are from ordinary people like you & me, who happen to be dealing with a situation.

 

♥

 

Okay, so is life about breaking the rules...sometimes it's okay surely? I don't have 7 bloggers who I can honestly say inspire me so I'm just keeping it as these 3. Breaking the rules must be better than being fake surely?

 

I'd really love to see your responses even though I know that obviously Nichole has already taken part & so has Michelle...actually come to think of it, I'm pretty sure Amy has too & rightly so too! :) Girls, if you don't want to respond please don't, that is completely fine...cos it would more than likely be a waste of your precious time but I just want you all to know, you inspire me! So please keep doing what you do & being you! :) 

 

♥

 

As always, thanks for reading & I really hope I haven't upset anyone :/ I hope we are all well & enjoy your Saturday night whatever you may be doing! :) I'm going to go cook us (my family, not me & you...sorry about that :) ) a scrummy chicken delight meal, if it turns out good I will be sharing the link with you!

 

- Anna ♥

my first attempt at a 'fashion' post...how I 'style' my dungarees - chilly edition

For starters could the title be any longer? I'm not exactly used to this & I would no way, not a chance call myself a fashion blogger...no sirey! But I thought sometimes we have to step out of our comfort zone & try new things. So here I am, giving a fashion related post a go.

 

Our garden isn't exactly the best places to take some snaps so I decided to ask my godmum if I could use her garden to take my photos. I took a few on self timer sat on the table & then my mum popped by to help. It didn't feel right, the photos were too moody/too posed & I just didn't really like em...I'd like to add aswell I felt a nelly. Here is one from then...

the only photo I kind of 'liked'

The parka I have on there isn't actually for this post, that's for another one I have planned...oh deary me!

♥

 So after that wasn't a success, my friend Tori (hey Tori, if you're reading this :) ) ever so kindly offered for me to use her garden & for her to take the photos too. It was ever so much like a glamorous photo shoot I imagine...I'm kidding! Tori was in her work gear & slippers on her feet haha! Rock n roll lifestyle we lead! :) The whole point of this post was to share how I 'style' my dungarees, basically what I wear them with. So without further ado.. here are my random photos & exactly how I 'style' my dungarees - chilly edition....

I don't do looking at the camera, oppsss!



jumping for joy & for the giggles!

moon walking or avoiding hot lava

'Anna, be cute'

'oh, this is getting far too much'

snap of the giggles

say hello to my little friend

'hello there little dude'

♥

 

Starting from the top, items available & found are linked....

 

Outfit 1

Dungarees - New Look

Grey Top (under the dungarees) - Asos Petite (can't find)

Hoodie - Matalan

Khaki Jacket - Asda (a few years old)

Tights - Matalan (maybe, 200 denier option in store)

Chelsea Boots - Tesco (two years ago)

 

Outfit 2

Dungarees - New Look

Grey Top (under the dungarees) - Asos Petite

Hoodie - Matalan

Khaki Jacket - Asda

Scarf - Independent Store (no brand)

Tights - Matalan

Nike Blazers - JD Sports (not available now)

 

Outfit 3

Dungarees - New Look

White Knitted Jumper - Matalan (recent, can't find online)

Scarf - New Look (a few years old)

Tights - Matalan

Nike Blazers - JD Sports

 

Right, try not to laugh but I've searched on New Look for the dungarees & I'm pretty sure these are my exact ones. The colouring looks completely different, unless you click on the photo up close to the pocket. We've all been there when something online looks completely different to real life, am I right? :)

 

♥

 

So there you have it, my very sorry attempt at a 'fashion' post...hope you enjoyed it & maybe got some inspiration? Or even had a giggle at the photos. Hope you don't think this post is too much of a shambles...I just didn't want to do your typical posed outfit post. Tori just snapped away...we had around 200 photos all together I think, some of them got deleted cos my eyes were shut or I was pulling the most attractive of faces & others I just kept for myself, not to be shared with the internet.

 

If you have read through this all, thank you very much!

- Anna ♥

National Depression & Anxiety Awareness Week?

Right, okay...I was planning on joining in with the whole 'official national depression & anxiety awareness week' but I'm not 100% sure if it actually is this coming week or whenever...does that make sense? I thought about blogging for the entire week to raise more awareness but, 'hello, have you seen the majority of my blog?'. Anxiety certainly isn't something that I shy away from talking about at all. But I changed my mind & decided to create this little post to share two of my favourite places in the cyber world, who also do a fantastic job at raising awareness.

♥

 

'Relief From Anxiety'

the beautiful blog header over on Amy's blog

The ever so kind & in my eyes the ever so relatable Amy, blogs over at Relief From Anxiety. Amy's blog is based only on anxiety, the title might of already made you gather that. Amy did a guest post for me, which can be found here. I highly recommend you head on over there & check her out!

♥
 

Anxiety Support Instagram 



Baylee's Instagram account

The Instagram account 'anxiety support' is run by a girl named Baylee, who lives in Chicago, Illinois (thats what her Instagram told me)! Baylee shares her own little updates with her followers & posts positive & upbeat quotes. As you can tell, she has a large following on Instagram...so what are you waiting for? Go give her a follow & see what you're missing out on...I don't think you'll regret it.

♥

Do you have any similar mental health awareness places you like to go to in the cyber world? Let me know in the comments below, I love discovering new places on the wonderful internet & speaking to new people. :)

As always, thank you very much for reading.
- Anna ♥

learning to not take life too serious, cos nobody gets out alive..

Kind of an obvious quote really 'don't take life too serious, nobody gets out alive' don't cha think? But it really is true. Life really is too short to be filled with worry, what ifs & all that seriousness...of course I'm well aware that seriousness is also part of life too but the fun should still play a part in life. Is seriousness even a real word? :/

I've started to realise that life is too short to worry about what other people think of me. I mean what people think of me as a whole, you know my looks, my fashion sense, my hobbies, my interests, my personality, my actions...I really have got to the point of not giving two hoots, so here...have a little collage of me rocking my rabbit onesie from Matalan, I absolutely LOVE it...soooo fluffy & cosy! Shame it isn't an owl onesie, that would be quite fitting with the whole hoot remark...

 

 

I've also realised that life is too short to be surrounded by negativity & bitter people...don't do it, run for the hills! Ok, maybe not run to the hills (you might get abit hot & bothered) but get away from negativity & bitter people as fast as you can...run, rabbit, run! (Sorry I just couldn't resist that) :P

I believe that when you start taking life really serious that is when the fun gets sucked right out of it! Laughter is the best medicine apparently, do you agree with this? I know I do...I absolutely love giggling, giggling at the tiniest of things most of the time to be honest & sometimes at myself. So laugh, laugh away at yourself, next time you make a mistake (were all human, we all do it) just let out a little giggle, don't stress about it too much (easier said than done)...just let the stress & anger fly away & get on with your day.

Along the subject of not taking life too serious, I was just catching up on blogs on bloglovin' & the lovely Nichole...the girl behind upbeat uplifts (heyyy girl! I know you'll be reading this :) ) has recently done a post called Just Laugh? . I highly recommend checking out this post & just her blog in general. If she didn't live so far away...millions of miles, I'm sure we would actually be real life friends.

 What is your opinion on being positive, not taking life too serious? Let me know in the comments & be sure to send Nichole some love & kindness...we all deserve that! :)

As always, thanks for reading.
- Anna ♥

let's get physical...

Has the song physical popped into anyones head? No, just mine? Swiftly moving on then...

 

I feel so old saying this but this year I will have been left high school for six years...SIX YEARS?! Quite frankily I'm struggling to believe & accept it really. But since leaving school I have done a huge amount very little physical exercise...absolutely nothing, zero, zilch...unless you class chasing a dog maybe or the occasional bike ride or the odd kick about of a football...maybe I should rephrase that...I've done zero planned exercise. But now I have a feeling that is all going to change...

 

I'm getting slightly fed up of feeling slightly pants & sluggish & just so meeeehhh! Meh is totally a word yes? I thought so too...is it in the dictionary yet? Let me know & get back to me? :) cheers!

 

So instead of sitting around & moaning about it, doing nothing to change it. I decided to take it upon myself to go for a new challenge. I'm going to take up....*drum roll*.....running! Wish me luck? I really did used to enjoy PE in school & that was part of my routine but now I have very little I've decided to bring running into it.

 

I've bought myself some new my first ever running shoes, who thought there was so much to research for running shoes...I mean I just thought yeah, I'll find a nice looking pair & let's go! Of course, looks have had to come into the purchasing part...I'm not going to wear really weird ones am I, wanna look cool whilst I'm out running, gracefully panting for breath like a dog!...but I have gone for looks first & then made sure they were comfortable & fit nicely, they do the job all round.

 

So far I have been on ONE...ONE!!!! twenty five minute run/walk..gotta ease yourself into these things. But I mean look above at the photo, I'm ever so glad I choose to get pretty trainers but atleast it shows I've worked hard right? I got down & dirty...no, I really didn't. I went running around country lanes.

 

I started running on my own on Tuesday, I might be being joined by a friend of mine but if not I shall be going it alone. So I downloaded an app on my ipod so I could keep track of it all & actually have a clue what to do. The app was called couch to 5k, there are a few different versions out there but I'm assuming they are all similar (if not the same).

screenshot of the app on my ipod

 

The app basically keeps track of what you have done & guides you on the right track. It guides you all the way through the whole work out & by guide, I do mean it speaks to you too. An electronic voice saying 'okay, speed it up a little into a run'...'okay, slow it down a little into a walk'. Ok, admittedly that might not be a word for word quotation of what it exactly says because another great thing is you can listen to music on your ipod or phone whilst you're working out...winner?! So I don't fully listen to what it is saying if I'm completely honest.

 

I'm gonna be honest the first time was pretty hard since I hadn't been running for a while & I didn't just run around a flat field...oooh no of course not, I decided to do the route I usually dog walk. Which includes two hills, so that was a great start. I did it though, that is the main thing & I'm going at it again. Luckily I didn't bump into anyone on Tuesday so fingers crossed that continues, atleast until I feel more comfortable about it, less red faced & out of breath.

 

 ♥

 

I really hope that running will pick me up, give me focus & make me feel all around better in myself...here is hoping my friends.

 

Do you run? Or do you do any other form of physical exercise, let me know! Share your advice with me & whoever else happens to be reading or in the comments, we are all friends around here! :)

 

As always, thanks for reading.

- Anna ♥