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
How to Improve Your Wellbeing | Little Things That Improved my Mental Health During January 2021.
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
Daily yoga
Fresh air, spending time in nature.
Keep track of finances
Make small steps everyday
Taking vitamins
Listening to the good stuff
Making time for loved ones
Close tabs
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
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:
Charge my Core with Susie Bell:
The Ravens:
At Home with Lily and Anna
Practical Positivity
Soul Sugar
Total Betty Media
My 2021 Word of the Year - Control.
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.
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)
Every Book I Read in 2020
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.
So without further ado, here's the lowdown on every book I read in 2020...
An Edited Life by Anna Newton
I loved this guide on home, work and life organisation. I found the tips to be useful and Anna's tone to be relatable. I talk about it more here.
★★★★☆
Good Morning, Good Life by Amy Schmittauer Landino
I listened to the audiobook of this guide on how to make the most of out of your mornings. I found it had some great tips and made me want to spring out of bed in the mornings - however a lot of the tips and content you could get from the author's Youtube Channel.
★★★☆☆
The Best of Me by Nicolas Sparks
Atomic Habits by James Clear
Nothing More by Anna Todd
The Course of Love Alain De Botton
Wild by Cheryl Strayed
My Life in Thirty-Seven Therapies by Kay Hutchinson (*gifted)
In this memoir, the author talks about how she turned to alternative therapies - from yoga to tarot card reading and so much more. I found this lighthearted read really enjoyable. You can read my full review here.
★★★☆☆
The Kissing Booth by Beth Reekles
The Kissing Booth Going the Distance by Beth Reekles
Five Feet Apart by Rachael Lippincott
We of the Forsaken World... by Kiran Bhat (*gifted)
We of the forsaken world tells several stories about the different facets of humanity and environmental impacts. The stories range from the tales of a remote tribe, a town destroyed by an industrial spill and more. It's not my usual style read, but I found this book to be interesting and thought-provoking. I talk about this more here.
★★★☆☆
Find Me by André Aciman
The Map From Here to There by Emery Lord
The Map From Here to There is the second instalment after The Start of Me and You. This young adult novel follows Paige, her boyfriend and their group of friends as they face many decisions about the future (colleges etc), juggling school, work and social life, alongside living with mental health struggles. It was an enjoyable read, however, I didn't feel I could relate to the characters as a woman in her late twenties. I talk about this more here.
★★★☆☆