On writing...
It has been a while.
I lost my way with writing, I lost my way with this blog.
I felt as though I'd run out of things to say. I couldn't find words that held value, every sentence felt like too much or too little.
Life got busy. My life changed, transformed, and morphed into something new. Before I knew it I had new routines. A new home to settle into. A relationship that did the job which writing used to do, clearing the dusty corners in my mind. Life felt lighter.
And then it got heavy. In love and living in a happy home. I struggled with anxiety and found my skin angry with eczema flare-ups (severe and covering 90% of my body) making day-to-day tough. Transforming little things feel like big things, and not in a nice way. With that my mind filled with fog, and my priority was navigating each day, with only the energy to binge Netflix shows in my pockets of spare time.
Things have moved forward as they do. And the dust had cleared and now I have space to find words again.
I've wanted to get back into blogging for the longest time. I just no longer knew how to do it. Ideas for blog posts stopped coming to me in the middle of the night. It wasn't until I was reading Jamie Varon's newsletter that I realised why.
She said "I want to outgrow past versions of myself so completely that trying to go back is painful. I don’t want to be who I was."
And it made me so painfully aware, I'd been trying to grow by going backwards.
I was trying to make this website of mine what it used to be. Trying to mould words to sound like a past version of myself. But I'm not her anymore, and there's value in growth. Maybe eyeliner reviews don't spark joy like they used to. The purpose of my writing is not what it once was. I'm no longer trying and failing to create a career out of sharing things I love online. I'm writing to know myself more. Play with words again, build them into stories and wanderings which might provide clarity, provoke thought, or a moment of peace. For myself and maybe for whoever else decides to read.
Now I've learned things are fluid, and there might come a time I want to use this platform to share a really great lipstick, but for now, once a week, I'm going to sit down with my laptop and write what comes to me. I might not share everything, and sometimes there might not be a lot to share, but every week, the intent will be there, and I think that's enough.
I'm ready to write again, and I hope you'll come and read what I've got to say.
Typing feels exciting again, and that's really something.
And although the style might be slightly different, after typing away, I feel light, like I used to.
2022 Word of the Year.
Are you ready for it?!
Creativity.
All of my intentions for the year are fuelled by my desire to be creative.I want to connect with my creative side again and find joy in making things simply for the joy that bring. I want to find that child-like playfulness within the little daily things like getting dressed, and how I spend my evenings. I want to explore the creativity in my 9-5 and the places where I wouldn't normally expect to find it.
To find joy in being creative for the sake of being creative, rather than feeling guilty for not using that time to tick things off that endless to-do list.
I think it's important I rediscover that child-like element of myself. I think that could be a ticket to fulfilment and mindfulness for me.
I want my year to be spent making, painting, and having fun. Creating.
Creating to add some colour to the mundane, creating as an expression of love, creating online, and offline, alone and among others, creating to cut down on buying and creating because I can.
And it's got me excited to feel craft-y again.
Have you set a word for the year?!
2022 Goals
Hello, happy new year. 2022 feels good, doesn't it?
As I do around this time every year, I've been thinking about the person I am, the person I want to be, the things I want to achieve and the kind of life I would like to lead and use this information to set my intentions and goals for the year to come (my blog post on my word of intention for the year is coming soon too, promise).
I know some people don't like thhe practice of create new year goals and resolutions, but I personally find them refreshing and exciting. They add a little extra flavour to the hope I find within a new year beginning.
So without further ado - here are my goals for 2022...
Feel like a writer again - and a blogger for that matter.
I used to feel like a writer. I used to shae poetry on my Instagram despite cringing whilst pressing post. I've written an entire finished draft of a novel, which is simply sitting on the laptop I'm typing on right now, just waiting around for me to make some edits. I used to write for the sake of writing. For how it made me feel.
My life had transformed a lot over the past few years. It's become happier, one I'd wished for, but with that my constant desire to write somewhat faded. It wasn't that I no longer enjoyed it, more that I no longer need to feel the release it provides. I no longer feel so lost that words on the page are the only way I can find myself. But still, I miss writing. I miss the places it takes and the peace it brings me. I miss the thrill of the words just coming to me. The high of feeling like I've explained myself in a way I couldn't out loud. I stopped writing because I didn't feel so sad, so lost that I needed it. But now I'm happy and in the place I want to be and maybe it's worth writing about that too. My happiness is worth writing down, recording on paper.
I miss talking about my blog with pride. I miss showing up, sharing with my tiny part of the internet every week. In 2022, I will find the writer and the blogger within me again.
A long time ago I wrote this blog post. Deep down I'm still that girl who dreams of being a writer. So I'd better get writing again.
Have more fun with fashion.
Complete 5 paintings
Make 5 pieces of clothing that I actually wear.
Actually, start my search for a literary agent and publisher
Go outside every day
This is such a simple thing, that makes all the difference to my mental health. I'm working from home at the moment, and sometimes before I realise it I haven't been outside for a day or two. This year I'm going to make a conscious effort to get outside each day. To breath in the fresh air, and have a moment or two to take in nature.
Have you set yourself any goals for 2022?
I'll be sure to update you on how mine are going as the year progresses!
Let's Catch Up...
Hello, Hi, Hey.
It has been a while, at least it feels that way for me. But for me, it's a sunny Sunday morning, and I found myself thinking nothing would feel quite so satisfying as tapping out a good old fashion, chatty blog post.
I know it's been a while since I've blogged, but rest assured, I have not abandoned ChloeHarriets.com - I was working on stuff behind the scenes, you know, the more boring SEO stuff (pro-tip for any new bloggers: don't wait until you're five years into to learn about SEO), and then I got busy. But today, I fancied showing my face on here and found myself wanting to write for the sake of writing.
If you follow me on Instagram (if you don't you should, you can find me here) you'll know, there have recently been some changes in my life, big and small.
Firstly, a couple of months back I started a new job. My career is something I have struggled with for years. I've been in minimum wage jobs that made me feel so anxious that panic attacks became pretty common for me, I've completed unpaid internships which gave me hope. And I'd been job searching for well over a year, attended endless interviews to hear time and time again I didn't have the experience needed, despite the effort I'd put into building experience when I couldn't find somebody to employ me. But finally, I got a job offer. It's a digital marketing assistant which started a few months ago - so far, I'm really enjoying it. It's challenging in places, but I believe I am more than capable of doing a good job and seeing career growth from here. And there are other aspects of the job I could do with my eyes closed. I get to write blog posts, edit videos, and images and work on social media campaigns - all things which I do for fun in my free time.
I am feeling very happy and grateful. I feel like finally, my career is heading in the direction I've been attempting to steer it in for years.
I still have other dreams, other goals which I'll be working towards. I'm currently completing a life coaching course, as it's something my intuition has just been telling me to do for a while, and having been told by several friends that is something I'd be good at, I've decided to get learning - on completing my course I'll offer some sessions at low rates, or possibly free of charge to get feedback and build confidence.
I've also begun posting to Youtube again. I missed filming longer content. I like being able to chat to a camera and watch my life back, and short content like Reels and TikToks just wasn't cutting it for me anymore. I'm also trying to make my content as helpful as possible, filming sit down video where I share the thing which has to help me head towards are more mindful, fulfilling life.
Beyond work, life lately has also been pretty good. My new job has eased worries and diminished a feeling of purposelessness that I'd been battling for a while.
I have officially moved in with my boyfriend. After one lockdown apart, and one together, we decided we both prefer living together and it works well for both of us. We've done some decorating around the house, so you can expect some interior posts coming soon (if you have a small home, watch this space because I've learnt a thing or two along the way). There are more exciting house things coming, but I will reveal all at a later date.
Lately, life has been busy in a good way. It's felt exciting like things are moving forward in the best possible, way and I can wait to share this journey with you.
5 Activities to Inspire Creativity | Sponsored Post
5 Activities to Inspire Creativity.
1) Painting:
2) Crafting for a get-together:
As lockdown is easing in in the UK, and the sun seems to be shining for us, why not take advantage of this and combo social with creativity. We haven't seen our friends in a while, so even if you're just having two friends over for a BBQ in your garden, why not make the most of it and decorate for the event? It's a fun way to use your creative energy and it will make seeing your pals even more memorable. I personally love the idea of creating a theme and running with it. For a garden event (within the restriction rules), I'd love to go with an insect theme, creating bumblebee bunting throughout the garden, or ladybug cake topper - You can use ladybug clipart, or bumblebee clipart to find the perfect designs, get out your scissors and glue and get creative. When your friends arrive, you can either keep the crafts out and get creative together, or just enjoy a catch-up amongst your bumblebee and ladybug decorated garden.
3) Crochet:
4) Photography:
5) Write:
What's your favourite creative hobby? Let me know if any of these take your fancy.
Yoga with Adriene - 30 Day Journey, 'Breath' Review
In this blog post I wanted to share my review and thoughts on the Yoga with Adriene 30 Day Breath Journey which I completed during January 2021.
So again I rolled out my yoga mat each day for 30 days as I welcomed 2021. As my last yoga journey blogpost was so popular, I thought it would be valuable for me to share my thoughts on completing my second 30 day yoga with Adriene challenge, and the comparison of yoga with Adriene's Breath Journey which I've just finished and the Home journey that I completed a year ago.
As you can imagine the two journeys are pretty similar with the same yoga moves which now feel familiar to me. Through each challenge Adriene offers the same kindness in her voice. She shares alternatives to the different poses making the sessions more accessible. Adriene always encourages you to find what feels good, listen to your body and trust yourself.
The major difference between the two journeys, was the anchor of breath in the 2021 30-day challenge. Throughout the practises, this challenge really focused on the breath, as it's name would suggest. Different breath techniques were taught, and in general the practises felt slightly slower and more meditative. Some practises we're more focused on breath than movement. Last year when completing my first 30 Day yoga challenge I found I enjoyed the practises which felt more like a workout, with the idea of 'the more movement the better', but this time around I found the slower pace refreshing, focusing on the breathwork meant I left the mat feeling in a relaxed haze.
Breath Journey Details
The shortest practise:
The longest practise:
Day 30 - Begin is the longest at 50 minutes and 59 seconds - however being the final day of the challenge, this practice is slightly different from the other, as Adriene turns off her microphone and you complete your own practise alongside her, unguided, using the tools you learned in the previous days.
Day 1 - Invite is also slightly longer at 48 minutes and 12 second.
Averagely the sessions are around 20-25 minutes.
The most movement:
Day 6: Burn is the one to go to if you're in it for the work out. Day 11 - Flow offers pretty continuous movement throughout, as does Day 12 - Drop.
For stillness:
Day 8 - Snuggle... the practise takes places entirely sat or laying on the mat. Day 20 -Pause, also offers exactly what it says in the title.
Pros:
- You can do it from home
- Don't really even need to change your clothes. The practises are fairly gentle, so on the days I was feeling super lazy, rather than change into my yoga clothes, I'd hop straight onto my mat in whatever I was wearing - it just makes it slightly more convenient.
- Alternatives offered so Adriene's teaching is accessible for all different abilities and experience levels.
- You can do it at a time that suit you.
- The videos are also educational teaching different breath techniques and mindfulness practises.
Cons:
- No one to check your poses, or offer personal guidance reassurance.
- It does take commitment. Going into the challenge without fully committing is likely to leave you missing days and feeling guilty.
On showing up.
Personally for me I think carving out the time and showing up matters, more so than perfecting the poses (as I'm sure you can see from the imagery in this blog post, my poses could still use some work).
You won't feel like doing yoga everyday for 30 days, but especially on those days you don't fancy it, afterwards you'll be glad you showed up, and see the value in taking that time for your body and mind.
In my previous yoga challenge review blog post I spoke about how to motivate yourself to show up, so I won't go into too much here, but I will say, I found it much easier to show up everyday this time around, knowing that I had once before found myself capable of dedicating time each day to yoga practise. This year, I went in the yoga journey knowing without a doubt a wouldn't miss a day. That doesn't mean that some days I didn't put it off until the end of the day, and some days I still found my mind distracted when on the mat - which for me only underlined the importance of the mindful practise.
My results:
This year I went into the journey feeling slightly more confident when it came to the yoga poses, having spent more time practising yoga overall.
In general balance is something I struggle with, practically down the left side of my body - however this was an area I saw improvement as the days went on. I became better at using my core, and using that push and pull of energy to create stability where I once would have felt wobbly.
Focusing on and following the breath during this challenge was something which, despite years of meditating, I, at first struggled with. But as the days when on, I found it easier to tune my body to the rhyme of my breathe and breathing through the nose began to feel more natural to me. I still think I could do some work on the breath techniques learnt, but it's set the foundation heading forward.
I complete yoga completely for my mind, but for those curious, I began to see a small amount of toning in my stomach come the end of the challenge. I also noticed I felt stronger, particularly in my arm (maybe from all of those planks)
There are still poses I wish I could do, but I am not there with yet (hello, crow pose) but overall I feel more confident when creating shapes in yoga, and feel much closers to the poses I once thought impossible for me.
More so than last year, I found this journey really helped with my mental health. I talk about it more in this post - but daily yoga is something which has really calmed my mind, and enabled me to manage anxiety and panic attacks.
I'm sure you can tell from the imagery, my poses are far from perfect, but I am always striving for progress over perfection, for me it's about the journey.
Shop this blogpost:
Yoga Mat: John Lewis - Leggings (old similar linked) - Tee: Hush - Sports Bra: Shock Absorber - Grey Blanket (old similar linked) - TV: Samsung Frame TV - TV Stand - Sofa: M&S - Mirror: Made.com