tips / ChloeHarriets

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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.

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instagram lifestyle tips

Tips on How to Enjoy Instagram Again.

Wednesday, 20 May 2020

girl wearing red dress in flower garden - fashion blogger tips to enjoy instagram again

Remember that time, way back when... Instagram was fun?! Back before you used to obsess over numbers and photo edits? When it didn't need to reflect a perfect life, just the one you were living? Well, I have gone back to that and I'm loving it.

A few weeks ago, I decided, I had two choices when it came to Instagram - to find a way to start enjoying it again, or stop bothering with it altogether. It simply wasn't fun anymore and why put my time into something which isn't fun? So I decided to make a change. I'm not a quitter and I didn't really want to say goodbye to those little squares that I'd spent the last few years curating. So instead, I looked for the positives. I searched for the joy the app used to bring me, and I found it - in today's blog post I thought I'd share how.

So for those who are stuck in an Instagram rut, like I was, here are my tips for enjoying it all over again:

- Lean into the bits you like:

There are so many things we do can do with Instagram - from photography to caption writing, to curating a feed, posing for pictures, video editing and the list goes on. Naturally, when given that long list of things, there will be the parts which you're doing because you think it's expected, and the parts which get you excited. Lean into those exciting bits. If you love the photography, then use Instagram as an excuse spend more time with your camera, if writing is a hobby of yours, show that off in the captions, or post your writing to your grid. The bits you enjoy, that's where you get to have the most fun, be your most creative.

- Step away from the bits you don't:

As well as leaning into the bits you enjoy, you need to step away from the bits you don't. Do you find it a hassle editing your photos, then don't do it. Can never think of any cool captions to write? A couple of emojis will do. You shouldn't have to put your time and energy into the aspects of a phone app which feel like a chore.

- Photo challenges:

Now, this will only apply to those that are in the love photography camp. Something which has got me back to loving Instagram is photo challenges. They've inspired me with what to post and I've found myself snapping things I wouldn't usually. Following in hashtags for these challenges have helped me find new great accounts to follow, and I've felt a sense of community on Instagram again. If you're curious, I've been doing the Zoella #comewhatmay challenge and occasionally the Shotfromthestreet #shotwiththetheme challenge.

- Unfollow:

The obvious one. Not only do you want Instagram to a fun place to post, but you also want it to be a nice place to hang out, where scrolling doesn't leave you feeling inadequate. Firstly, any accounts of people to who trigger that comparison side to you. just unfollow them. You definitely should not be comparing or obsessing over anyone else Instagram accounts (and not your own too). I think I've got the not comparing things on my own Instagram down (how is coming in the next bullet point) - however, it's something I've been struggling with when it comes to my new Instagram account for my Etsy store, where my account is new and I'm still finding my footing - so I've figured out, there's an account, who hasn't done anything wrong, but somewhere in my mind I set up a competition between us, and because of that I've found myself sad, that I wasn't winning the imaginary competition. - which is ridiculous. So I've stepped away from that account. I don't need to watch their stories or check how many followers they have - it's not serving me. Over the next few weeks, be a bit stricter with who you're following, anyone who pops up on your feed that you find yourself uninterested in, unfollow them too. Laura Jane Williams once said to me "Instagram is a magazine which you curate yourself" Don't have content in that magazine that you don't enjoy.

- Ignore the numbers:

If you're going to change one thing about how you do Instagram, make this it. I know, when you're a bloggers/influencer as numbers can translate to jobs- but I've always found when I don't think of, or obsess over my follow count it grows anyway. When you stop worrying about the number and how to make them grow, it makes it easier to lean into the bits you like and step away from the bits you don't. Follow counts and numbers of likes you get does not translate into your worth - so obsessing over them - it's not helping your account anyways.

- Engage with your community:

I've made friends on Instagram, and it feels like a place with shoulders to lean on. A community of people who inspire me. That's how you want it to feel. Engage with your community, get to know your followers and appreciate the time they take to engage with your content - you never know, you might also make a few friends like I have done.

- Remember, your feed doesn't have to be a masterpiece:

If you want to post something, whether not it fits with your feed you should be able to. Remember you are one person and it's perfectly normal that you don't have a professional photographer follow you around on the daily. It doesn't have to be perfect, you just have to enjoy it, otherwise, what's the point?!

Remember, you get to choose how you use this app, there's no right or wrong way. Any pressure there, you've probably put on yourself, so instead be gentle with yourself, and open your eyes to the enjoyment Instagram can bring you.

Instagram | Etsy | Twitter | Youtube | Facebook

alberferia beach books chill. positive friends happy holiday intentional living lifestyle portugal reading relaxing sea summer tips travel waves

Holiday Pics and Tips.

Monday, 23 July 2018

A few weeks back I was spending my days lying on a beach in Alberferia, and my evenings sipping cocktails with friends. It was the first beach holiday I've been on in years and little did I know, it was very much needed. It was a holiday full of routine. It was about the chilling on the beach with a book day after day so a diary post would probably be very repetitive and a little boring.

All you really need to know is that listening to the waves, feeling the warmth of the sun, laughing with friends and thinking of both everything and nothing at the same time, is good for the soul.

Rather than a traditional holiday diary post (you can see pasts ones here) I wanted to accompany my holiday snaps with some thoughts and tips on beach holidaying.

So here we go, 10 post-holiday thoughts and tips on beach holidays:

1) Everyone has a body, and no one is looking at yours.

However, if you know you feel self-conscious in your bikini eat a little healthier and work out before you go. I felt so much more confident on holiday knowing I'd be having personal training sessions, and eating well for a few weeks before boarding the plane. Although it made no difference to anyone else, it made a difference to me.

2) A good book or two is essential, but don't worry if you don't read as much as you expected.

I took two books with me, the first being Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine, I wrote some of my thought when I first started reading it on this Instagram post. All that needs to be said about it, is that it truly is as good as people say.

My second holiday book choice was My Not So Perfect Life by Sophie Kinsella, which is also great, it's a chick flick which makes it a perfect beach book, yet I didn't start reading it until the plane ride home, but the story kept me company while in the sky, and books should be read without thinking about finishing them. If it takes a little longer to take in the words, to enjoy them and make the most out of the story, there's no need to squeeze in as many pages as you can into your week in the sun.

3) Turn the email notifications off on your phone

On my first day, I couldn't relax. My phone kept pinging with emails, I was thinking about work, about blogging, about job hunting. After a while, I switched off the notification and found myself able to forget my to-do lists and leave my worries in the UK.

4) SPF face spray is great for sandy feet

I took the Bioderma Hydrabio Eau de Soin SPF30 with me, I thought it would be refreshing and practical, and it is indeed great, I'll be picking up a bottle for my next holiday. However surprisingly, I most liked using it on my feet. You know when your feet a little burnt, and sand keeps sticking to them, putting suncream on them is both painful a messy? Well a couple of sprays of this on my feet and the problem is solved (I know, I'm genius)

5) Take a padlock, the hotel safe might not be working

Ours wasn't, luckily my friend had a padlock so it wasn't an issue.

6) Give your pillows a spritz of Deep Sleep pillow spray if you struggle to sleep in a different bed

I slept so much better on this holiday than I usually do when I'm away from home, I believe my pillow spray is to thank.

7) If you want a picture, just ask someone to take it

A girl approached my friend and asked for a picture, of just her, and boy oh boy do I admire that girls confidence (and want the link to her Instagram). No one will judge you for wanting a photo.

8) Be aware of what you're drinking

Don't drink as much as you would at home. You don't want to feel vulnerable in an unfamiliar place

9) You don't actually need an entire new wardrobe for your holiday.

Don't overspend on clothes which are only going to be worn on the beach. Having said that, treating yourself to one or two new things is nice.

10) Take a little more money than you think you might need out with you.

You don't want to have to miss out because your cash in is the hotel safe.