5 Activities to Inspire Creativity | Sponsored Post

Thursday, 22 April 2021

Activities to inspire creativity blog post - paint, art, crochet, writing, flowers

As the world begins to ease back into normality, I've felt uninspired and lacking creativity. Being an introvert, after finally meeting up with friends I've wanted to do nothing but sit alone and play Sim 4, which let's be honest, as fun as Sims is, I don't aspire to be that girl who spends every evening playing computers game (if you do, then you do you). Several years ago, I realised, I'm happiest when I'm creative, so I've decided to make an effort to find time for creativity, and to integrate creativity into my hobbies and day-to-day life.

Finding the right creative hobby for you can be a struggle - so today in this blog post, I thought I'd share some activities that inspire creativity if like me you've been looking for a way to get those post lockdown creative juices flowing.

5 Activities to Inspire Creativity.

1) Painting:

Watercolours, acrylics, oil paint, or just a simple pencil drawing - I love it all. There's something special, and freeing about creating art especially once you let go of the outcome (my friend Stacie is great at talking about this).

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:

Crocheting is something I have spoken about on this blog many times (see posts here and here). It's one of those hobbies, that once you get the hang of it, it feels so natural and eases any tension, plus you get to create something lovely - I'm still chuffed I managed to crochet myself a jumper (you can see it here). Also if you love the look of crocheted bits, but hooks and yarns aren't for you, I often sell crocheted pieces on my Etsy store. Crochet is a great one if you want to be great creative, but you also want to watch your favourite Netflix show - once you get into it, it doesn't feel as though it takes too much time away from you because it's that perfect in front of the TV hobby - I'd definitely recommend picking up a hook and some yarn, popping on a Youtube tutorial and giving it a go.

4) Photography:

A creative hobby I've really been enjoying lately is photography (which has left me obsessed with Instagram all over again, you can find my insta here). Photography is great because it makes you look for the beauty in everyday things. Whether it's phone photography, film photography or you're getting out your fancy DSLR, it all counts.

5) Write:

I've always seen myself as a writer (I wrote about my dreams of being a writer here), I think there's something therapeutic in putting thoughts onto paper, and there's magic in the storytelling aspect of writing. I like to write everything from poetry, to think pieces that share all of my unpopular opinions. I find putting words on paper is a great way to be creative, you can keep what you write to yourself, in your journal if you want to the pressure away from the creative hobby too. It's therapeutic and I find empty my thoughts onto a page, which helps me make room for any other creative hobbies I want to embark on.

What's your favourite creative hobby? Let me know if any of these take your fancy.

Yoga with Adriene - 30 Day Journey, 'Breath' Review

Monday, 15 February 2021

Girl doing at home yoga - Yoga with Adriene 30 Day Breath Challenge 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.

My most popular blog post, is this one I wrote last February sharing my thoughts after completing a Yoga with Adriene 30 Day Challenge. On finishing the January 2020 yoga challenge 'Home' I knew without a doubt it would become a tradition for me to each January to begin the year with 30 days of yoga.

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

Personally, I'd recommend completing the entire journey. For me it felt as though each day led into the next and prepared me for the practises to come. But if you'd like to pick and choose your practise below you can find some of my thoughts, and the facts on the individual sessions.

The shortest practise:

Day 20 - Pause, where you do exactly that. This practise is just 16 minutes and 21 seconds.

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

lifestyle mental health positive living tips wellbeing

How to Improve Your Wellbeing | Little Things That Improved my Mental Health During January 2021.

Monday, 1 February 2021

How to improve your wellbeing - little mental tips blogpost. Blogger girl chloe harriets in pink beret.

Towards the end of 2020 I wasn't having the best time with my mental health, I was having a panic attacks on a pretty regular basis. Going to the new year I decided to make sure I was putting as many little things in place to improve my wellbeing. Those little things have made all the difference. I felt it in myself and others have noticed it in me, my boyfriend and family have all commented on how my I've seemed happier, less anxious and more myself. So in this blogpost I wanted to share those little things I've been doing which have improved my wellbeing.

Simple steps I took to improve my wellbeing:

Getting ready

Lockdown has made me realise two things: Number one, I feel better when I get ready. Number two, getting ready doesn't have to mean a full face of make up and uncomfortable clothes. Sometimes just not wearing what you slept in is enough to get you feeling good, and sometimes a smudge of red lipstick makes you feel like you can take over the world. As I'm not going many places recently (hello lockdown) I've got myself two pairs of slippers, onw for in the day around the house, a cat pair which I think look pretty fancy, and a pair of fluffy boots for when I'm cosying up in my pjs - a pair for day and a pair for evening - I'm surprised how much a different pair is slippers is making me feel less like a slob. Spending a little time in the morning getting ready help me feel in a routine and signals to my brain it's time for the day to start, and reminds me, even if I'm not going anywhere my purpose exists beyond watching Netflix in my jammies.

Asking for help when I want it

I don't mean the big deal help here... not going to a therapist when you're hitting rock bottom (although if you think you might need a therapist, you probably do, and you should look into it...) but the small help. I very easily get overwhelm. For example if I'm cooking dinner as there's too many dishes around, it stresses me out, rather than continue to be stressed about dishes, and desperately searching for the kitchen space I need, I'm simply asking my boyfriend to help clear them up. Hanging the washing is a task I hate but rather than dread it every time, I can ask for a hand and get it done in half the time. It took starting to ask for help with the small things, to make me realise I can ask for help and realise that the majority of time, I only surround myself with people willing to help me.

Daily meditation

One of the new habits I wanted to cultivate in January was more regular meditation practise, and I'm pleased to say I have kept it up everyday through the month, and I feel so much better for it. Those 10 minutes of mindful have impacted my entire day, allowing me to manage anxious thoughts. For those curious, I'm currently using the Calm app, but I have a full blog post here on meditation apps which I love.

Daily yoga

Last year in January I completed a 30 day yoga challenge which I talk more about here, well I've decided to make it a tradition. So this January I completed the Yoga with Adriene 30 day breath challenge and dedicating that time each day to my breath and body has really calmed my mind. It's movement that I enjoy.

Fresh air, spending time in nature.

Getting out and breathing in fresh air makes such a difference to how you feel. Spending time outdoors and feeling gratitude to the trees and the sky makes all the difference to my mood.

Keep track of finances

Not knowing what's going on in my bank account can be major cause for anxiety. Rather than ignoring those numbers and hoping for the best, daily checks in with my online banking keep that anxiety at bay and allow me to plan where to spend and where to save.

Make small steps everyday

When I look at the bigger picture, I tend to get overwhelmed but like most people, I have long term goals. I've tried to more days take steps towards making those goals feel more achievable, it doesn't matter how big the step as long as I'm moving. For example rather than feeling daunted by the huge task for writing a book, I just dedicate half hour to writing that book each day. It's comforting to know, that even if it's a slow process, I'm moving in the right direction.

Taking vitamins

Taking vitamins can actually impact how you feel, your energy levels and overall wellbeing, yet they are so easy to forget about. I got into the habit of taking iron and vitamin D and C each day with my breakfast.

Listening to the good stuff

I've been trying to be more mindful of the content I'm consuming because it affects how I feel. During January I listened to some great podcasts that have brightened my days - you can find out my current favourite listens here.

Making time for loved ones

I know it sounds obvious but I think it was something I wasn't particularly good at until recently when I started making a conscious effort. I'm being sure to actually spend time with my boyfriend when he's home from work, to watch something together, to laugh together and really catch up, rather than finding myself busy elsewhere in the same room at him but actually not spending time with him. The same goes with catch up with family and friends who I can't see because of lockdown, I've been trying hard to put time aside to catch up on those phone calls, and send messages.

Close tabs

It's so simple, but so easy not to do. I always used to keep my tabs open and come back to the chaos (cough *3 ASOS tabs, 2 amazon tabs, an expensive bag, an article I'll probably never read etc). Rather than open my laptop to a fresh start. During January I've been taking those moments to close my tabs, and it feels good to start each day with a clean slate.

Keep things tidy

My environment really impacts how I feel, so the month I have been making extra effort to keep on top of the cleaning and tidying ensuring my home is a nice place to be. 10 minutes before bed to make sure everything is in order downstairs, cleaning up as I go when I cook and Sunday bedding changes make all the difference.

Outfit Details:

*Affiliate links are used in this blog post

Podcast I'm Loving - 2021

Monday, 25 January 2021

2021 Podcasts I'm Loving. At Home With Lily and Anna, Soul Sugar, Charge My Core etc

If you're anything like me, you'll love plugging in your headphones and losing yourself in a good podcast. I've previously shared the podcasts some of my favourite podcasts in this blog post and this blog post. Recently I've found some new ones I'm loving and I have rediscovered some old favourites so I thought it was time for an updated podcast recommendation post.

So without further ado, here are my current favourite podcasts:

Good Influence with Gemma Styles:

Good Influence was a podcast which I immediately fell in love with on my first listen. In this podcast, the host, Gemma interviews guests on subjects that they are knowledgable about, that she believes we should all know more about. The topics have included money, comparison, food waste and more. It's educational and entertaining.

Charge my Core with Susie Bell:

With the tagline, 'more soul, less scroll', Susie's podcast really does charge my core. A little disclaimer, Susie is an IRL and online friend of mine but if she were a complete stranger I know I'd still love this podcast. Susie podcasts either alone or with guests. She delves into deep subjects around digital wellness and self-discovery. It's such a refreshing listen.

The Ravens:

The Ravens is One Tree Hill Podcast (if you read this blog post you'll know I love OTH, and in this post you'll also know I'm also a big fan of the podcast Tree Hill Talk). In this podcast, Dom and Simon watch each episode of One Tree Hill and discuss it. Simon is a long time OTH fan, and Dom has never seen the series. It has timed perfectly with when I wanted to rewatch One Tree Hill (I'm obsessed, as I do with Gilmore Girls, I rewatch OTH every few years). Having listened to Tree Hill Talk (now feeling like I'm best friends with the hosts), I find it so interested to hear the comparison between the opinions of the two British guys who host Ravens and the three American girls who host Tree Hill Talk. (Some very different Peyton & Brooke opinions). I also really appreciate the British sense of humour in this podcast. The majority of the podcasts I listen to have American hosts or a more series subject matter - so the lighthearted, slightly out-there in-jokes in this podcast are much appreciated and always have me laughing along (and wondering if anyone who is not British gets the jokes, because the humour is very British, which makes it feel like home to me). I love to hear Dom's predictions and Simons passion for Lucas Scott. Ravens is a part 10:30 Productions who also have a Prison Break podcast, so if that's your thing you might also wanna give that one a listen.

At Home with Lily and Anna

At Home with Lily and Anna is such a fun listen. The girls reformatted the podcast where they once used to visit guests homes, to a podcast where they chat from there own homes. Although I liked it before, I much prefer it this way. These days I'm enjoying more casual chatting podcasts over interview-style. Lily and Anna just both seem so lovely and genuine. Listening feels like being with friends. They begin by talking through their tops five of the week and in the second half of the podcast delve deeper into a specific subject. The episode on female friendship was one of my favourites. I also really love it when they invite their husbands on as special guests.

Practical Positivity

Practical positivity is hosted by Sophie Cliff (who is also known as The Joyful Coach). Practical Positivity does exactly as it says on the tin - it gives you practical tips on how to live a positive, more joyful life. I find this to be a particularly uplifting listen, and I love that the advice given is always actionable.

Soul Sugar

Now, this podcast did get a mention in my top podcast of 2019, however, I've recently rediscovered it and wanted to give it another shout out. Similar to At Home With Lily and Anna, the format of this podcast has changed. Rather than interviewing guests or chatting alone, Carrie is now joined by her husband Alex who (in this season) is co-hosting the podcast with her. They chat about all different things, but I always find the conversations to be open, vulnerable and insightful. I really enjoy hearing what they have to say.

Total Betty Media

I've spoken about Total Betty Media before in this post when they were It Takes Three Network. I still love their podcasts so I wanted to give them a little shoutout again. They've recently rebranded, but they still podcast about those nostalgic teen drama shows that we all love. They have covered every season of One Tree Hill in Tree Hill Talk which I mentioned earlier, and The OC in Let's Talk OC, they are currently halfway through Gossip Girl for their Three Gossip Girls podcast. They have also announced that A Friday Night Lights Podcast is coming - I've never seen the show so I'm super excited for this one.

What are your favourite podcasts? I'm always looking for some new listens.

2021 lifestyle new year think pieces word of the year

My 2021 Word of the Year - Control.

Monday, 18 January 2021

blogger autumn winter outfit. Fashion blog post. Lifestyle blog post. 2021 word of the year - control.

I originally wasn't going to share this on here, but I've decided sometimes a stream of consciousness post is necessary. It's nice to look back on and in the case, it will be a way to hold myself accountable.

A few years ago, I noticed on Instagram, that when a new year came rolling around, some people choose a word for the year. I liked this idea, I mean, I like words and new year promises, so why wouldn't I? Yet several years passed and I did not choose my word - simply because I could not think of one worthy. I couldn't narrow down my hopes for an entire year into one word.

2020 came to an end, and more than ever I noticed the Instagram posts where people shared their chosen word for the coming year. Words like alignment, growth, trust, health were thrown around. They all sounded great, but none of them felt like the one for me. They didn't quite align with what I was in search of, what I wanted my focus to be over 2021. I began to think maybe it was time to admit defeat, another wordless year as no word felt fitting.

And then as warm water fell on me in the shower one day, a word came to me. I wasn't trying to think of the word at the time, yet there it was, as clear as day. Control.

Why control?

I've become one of those people who things just kind of happened to and don't happen for. It has been a long time since I felt like I've taken control, but in 2021, I'm determined to change that.

I'm not naturally someone who takes control. I'm quite happy to let my friend pick where we're going for dinner (you know, back when we could do that), and my boyfriend can decide what we watch in the evenings (until it's football, and then I spend my evening reading in a different room). Usually, I don't take control, because I don't mind the outcome. But it seems my behaviour has leaked through to areas where the outcome matters to me. Sure, I don't mind whether we eat Italian or Mexican food, but I do mind how I'm spending my life day in, day out. Choosing (or not choosing) where we go for dinner should not feel the same as choosing (or not choosing) how I want to make a living.

I think control is a great word for me because I see two different sides to that coin. Having control can be a good thing, and letting go of control can be a good thing. I feel for years I've held my control in all the wrong places. I'm ambitious when it comes to my career, yet I don't really have one, that's an area where I need to take more control. On the flip side, I've had panic attacks in shops before, because there were too many people and I didn't know my way around - the lack of control overwhelmed me. That's an area where I shouldn't desire that sense of control to the point that I go into panic without it.

I was listening to a podcast recently, and one of the hosts said something along the lines of "there are many things around you that you can't control but the one thing that you always have control over is yourself, you actions and your mindset" and that stuck with me. Accepting I can't control outer factors, but can always control myself gives me hope. It makes me want to take action, rather than accept defeat.

I'm a big believer in manifestation and the law of attraction. I was listening to an audiobook on it recently and it spoke about both taking inspired actions and surrendering your wishes to the universe. Having faith. I like this idea that there's both a push and pull of energy. Places where control needs to taken and places where that control needs to be surrendered.

You can control actions but not the outcomes.

Sometimes control needs to be taken and then surrendered. For examples, I intend to take control of my career for applying for all the right jobs, but once I've completed the applications to the best of my ability, I've done my bit. I can't control what happens next, and I need to trust that the universe is on my side.

During 2021 some ways I will take control include:

- Meditating on a regular basis - it's good for my mindset, and while I can't control my anxiety, I can control how I manage it.

- Doing the things I'm curious about - following my intuition.

- By not giving up on myself.

- Putting my time into making my book the best it can be to up my chances of finding a publisher

- I can control how I spend my time. Less scrolling, more reading, more moving, less lounging, etc

- What I'm putting into my body. I want to eat food which fuels me and leaves me feeling healthy.

- The media I consume.

- The actions I take.

- What I'm spending my money on.

Things I can't control, and how I can reframing negative thoughts:

- Job rejections - rejection is just redirection.

- Political and world news. I can control how much of that media I consume, and what I share myself.

- What other people think of me - and at this point, I don't think I care.

- What the universe has in store for me.

- Other people.

Outfit Details

Coat: M&S - Dress (worn under jumper): Mint Velvet (similar linked) - Jumper: ASOS (similar linked) - Bag: Coach (similar linked) - Headband: Chloe Harriets Creates (my Etsy store)

Do you have a word of the year for 2021?

book bookblogger books reading

Every Book I Read in 2020

Monday, 11 January 2021

As I have done the last couple of years (see my 2018 reads here and 2019 reads here) I wanted to begin the year by sharing a little about every book that I read last year, along with my ratings and links to any more in-depth reviews and thoughts.

★★★★☆

Love, Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli

The second book in the Stargirl series does not feature Leo's character at all, instead, the story is told in letters to him written by Stargirl. Stargirl talks about her life in a new town with new characters. I found this book to be just as enchanting as the first in the series.

★★★★★

Good Vibes, Good Life by Vex King

This is a guide to the importance of living a positive life, using the law of attraction and the importance of your energy. It's a great, easily digestible guide, and is pretty enough to work as a small coffee table book.

★★★★☆

The Midnight Library by Matt Haig

I listened to the audiobook of this, but I loved it so much that I'm considering buying a physical copy so I can read it too. The Midnight Library is the place Nora Seed enters after attempts to take her own life, it is the place between life and death. When Nora is here, she has a chance to relive her life, as it would have panned out if she made different decisions. It's thought-provoking and beautifully written.

★★★★★