51 Things To Declutter

Decluttering your house is such a good way to not only give your mind clarity and balance but, also a great way to use your time wisely during the current situation we are all facing.

Tidy house, tidy mind, right?

Here is a list of 51 things worth tossing out now!

1. Out of date makeup
There is usually a little tub on the back of products with a '12m' sign.

2. Out of date skin products

3. Products only used once or dried up
Bye St Moritz Mousse

4. Makeup that isn't your shade
I said goodbye to so many Barbie pink lipsticks that don't suit me!

5. Old, dirty muslin cloths

5 Great Bedtime Habits

Now I'm not going to lie, when I wake up in the morning I sure as hell do not look like Jennifer Garner in 13 Going on 30, who rocks up to work in just a night-dress and some dainty heels. Girl envy right here. However, I do think incorporating some sort of night time routine into your life can definitely benefit you in the morning.

There is still hope for me yet to wake up looking like Jennifer.

Here are some things I do before I go to bed that really help benefit me in the morning and stop me from feeling like a walking zombie in need of blood coffee.

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♥ Turn Off Laptop
Getting into the habit of coming away from your desk an hour or 2 before bed definitely impacts on the way you sleep. I've gotten into the routine of reading before bed, which probably still isn't as effective, but my mind is relaxed and isn't worrying about things. I find doing this allows me to fall asleep a lot faster.

♥ Drink Herbal Tea
I've been drinking a cup of herbal tea or hot lemon water for a good few years now and can honestly say it's made a difference in my overall health. I always feel less sluggish, relaxed and cleansed when I drink either of these. I don't know if it's a myth, but having a hot drink an hour or so before bed definitely sets the mood before you go to sleep.

♥ Evening Skincare
Once I have removed all of my makeup and cleansed my skin, I like to pop my Origins Make A Difference Night Cream onto my skin, yes I said night cream, followed by some sort of treatment depending on my skin that day - 9 times out of 10 is a zit-zapper treatment because I have the skin of a teenager. Having a skincare routine in the evening really helps to feel relaxed and ready for bed. Who'd of thought I'd have night cream though??

♥ Prepping
If I know I have a busy day ahead of me I will meal prep (who am I kidding it's usually soup), get clothes ironed and laid out and pack my bag the night before, that way my brain is able to relax when I am in bed and in the morning I am not rushing around like a headless chicken and forgetting something.

♥ Winding Down
There are a couple more minuscule things I like to do before I go to bed that do have I'd say an impact. One of which is to spray my bed with a sleeping spray or use the LUSH Sleepy Body Lotion, I mean it just puts me to sleep even moisturizing my body it's such a chore in itself. I also like to reduce the brightness on my phone so my eyes aren't concentrating so hard on whatever it is I am looking at.
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Do you have any bedtime habits??

A Cosy Valentines Night in

I could have sworn Christmas was yesterday and I was eating my way through a tub of Quality Streets whilst watching a classic festive film. Time really does run away from you. January was a blip. Now here we are in February - chapter 2 out of 12 and Valentine's Day is literally only days away, which means cutesy heart-shaped chocolate will be on offer a day later - silver linings and all that.

I've never really been that into Valentine's Day personally, my boyfriend and I usually buy each other a cheesy pun-related card and cook some sort of concoction involving spaghetti and meatballs and re-enact the iconic Lady & the Tramp scene. I'm kidding, although spaghetti is involved - in a none intimate sort of way.

Valentine's Day is supposedly a day of love so whether you are single or just fancy a cosy night in, having some 'me time' is an important thing to do every now and then, so why not do it on Valentine's Day?

I have put together a little light-hearted post on how to create the perfect galantines night in and have a night of relaxation. P's buy a bath tray from Amazon; it has literally changed my life and increased me to drink in the bath, oops.

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♥ Step 1: Set the scene

First things first you got to prepare the bath, so light some candles and sprinkle them all around your bathroom and then dim the light. You then want to pop some sort of bath product in the tub, I like to add some bubbles and some Himalayan bath salts and create a bath-cocktail. You could even go the extra mile and buy a boat and be Chandler from Friends.

♥ Step 2: Grab the goods

So now your bath is ready you then want to grab some skin pampering treats, so a face mask, body scrubs, cleansers etc. When I want to treat my skin I like to use the Glossier Milky Jelly Cleanser to start off with, as it's so soft and kind to my skin. I then pop on some of the Herbivore Blue Clay Face Mask - perfect for oily spot prone skin. I also like to bring some other essentials like a cup of herbal tea or pink gin if I really want to push the boat out. At the moment, I am enjoying reading in the bath - it's my therapy. The book I am enjoying at the moment is Ice Cream for Breakfast by Laura Jane Williams, which is such a witty, humorous and inspiring book that is so easy to dip in and out of.

My top 5 favourite pamper treatments ATM:
1. Glossier Milky Jelly Cleanser
2. Herbivore Blue Clay Face Mask
3. Dermalogica Clay Cleanser
4. Origins Clear Improvements Mask
5. The Body Shop Strawberry Body Scrub

♥ Step 3: One hour later...

As I previously mentioned time does run away from me, perhaps my excessively long baths are the reason? Anyway's, once fully pampered and cleansed I then go onto either cooking or ordering something yummy to eat. If I really want to treat myself I will order a Chinese or a Wagamama's *thank you Deliveroo for delivering this into my life*. Or I will cook something really tasty, but 9 times out of 10 if I want to treat myself it's usually takeout.

♥ Step 4: Netflix & Chill

So you're in your cosy pyjamas and stuffed with food, now's the time to do you. Whatever it is you enjoy doing to relax whether that's watching a good Netflix series, in my case; it's been a not-so-relaxing True Crime series. Read a book, play a game, whatever it is try and spend more time in-the-moment and less time on your phone scrolling Instagram. Phones are so distracting nowadays, I've spoken about this in my How To Digital Detox post here if you are interested.

My Top 5 Things To Watch on Netflix ATM:
1. YOU
2. Conversation With A Killer The Ted Bundy's Tapes
3. American Horror Story
4. Abducted in Plain Site
5. Bird Box

♥ Step 5: Get an early night

I find it so bizarre that 10 years ago I would be staying up past midnight, trying to make the most of time, whereas now I am usually in bed around 10 and asleep by 11 at the latest. Oh, how things have changed. I love my bed and I love early nights, I am one of these people who if I don't get 8 or more hours sleep I will probably be running on coffee and attitude for the next day. Not to sound like your doctor, but sleep is so important it helps reset your brain and relaxes your body, which is what you need to complete a cosy Valentines or any sort of pampering evening night in.

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♥♥♥

What are your Valentines/Galantines plans??

A Foodies Guide to Paris

Paris is such a beautiful, elegant city that got me fallen head over heels in love and lusting to see much more of the world. The Eiffel Tower, Sacre-Couer, Notre Dame and all the other iconic touristy spots are all in well amazing, but what is just as important to do if not more is exploring the food.

Food is so important when you visit different cities as you want to taste all the best and try the local cuisines everyone recommends. I probably spend just as much time researching places to eat as I do for places to visit and I 99% of the time look up quirky little spots to explore.

Here, I have put together a guide on all the foods I was able to try during my time in Paris or spots I would recommend that isn't on a typical Parisians food guide. 

P's I was very mundane with my food choices and practically lived on pastries, just cause why not?

72 Hours in Paris | Guide blog post

Visit A French Bakery

No matter where in Paris we were, we always stumbled across hundreds of French-style bakeries just off the corner of pretty much most streets. You just can't avoid them and the smell of freshly baked savouries will instantly draw you in. I noticed lots of Parisians buying a stick of baguette and just eating it by the stick which was crazy! I pretty much lived off pastries for breakfast at our hotel and I made sure to try a baguette (apparently the pointier the end the better) to see what the fuss was about. Definitely recommend visiting one or two bakeries during your stay and trying all the delicious, sweet treats.

Restaurants

Tribeca (Italian, French)

On our first night, we didn't fancy being adventurous so we went to a restaurant just off Rue Cler. After a long day of travelling, I just fancied a good old pizza, which I can confirm was probably the best pizza I have ever tasted. The service here was lovely and the prices were what you'd expect to pay here in the UK. My boyfriend had a pasta dish which was smothered in a creamy sauce served with chicken, Parmesan and rocket, which he also said tasted amazing. Every restaurant you go to in Paris you are guaranteed a basket of bread to go with your main, so all the carrrrbs.

La Poincare (French, European, Vegetarian-Friendly)

Not too far from the Trocadero metro line, we ate at a local French bistro called La Poincare. I wouldn't really rate the service as great, but the food was delicious! I had the spicy sausage, mash potato and a mustard sauce, which tasted amazing, especially the sausage it tasted a lot different to what we get here and I noticed that a couple of times throughout our stay. My boyfriend ordered a burger which he said was probably the nicest he's ever had, so the food here is definitely one to try!

Snails

I've always said if I was to visit France that I'd try snails, you can try them at pretty much any French restaurant, the same with frogs legs. Bistro De La Tour is where we went for the snails which are just around the corner from The Eiffel Tower on the corner of the river. The service was really great here, the waiter helped us with the snails and overall gave a lovely service. The snails had a strange texture to them, almost like a mushroom or mussels, they were smothered in a garlic oil which gave the snails a bit of flavour. Not something I'd eat again, but I liked them, my boyfriend however didn't so I was left to eat 5!

Sweet Treats 

Like I said at the start before I travel anywhere I always look up quirky places to eat and Paris luckily has a few to mention.

Choco Factory

Just around the corner from the Luxembourg Gardens is the Choco Factory, which is a unique little cafe that literally is like a chocolate factory full of dreams. Not only can you create your own chocolate here, but you can eat all the waffles and crepes until you explode. We went for one of the freakshakes which were incredible and definitely a place to go to snap the Instagram shots. So much choice here, I would definitely come back here.

Amorino Ice Cream

There are a couple of Amorino ice cream shops in Paris and are worth checking out during your stay. We went to the one in Montmartre when the weather was lovely and sunny, perfect for an ice cream stop. Quite possibly the best ice cream I've ever had, we each chose three flavours and had them shaped into lovely roses. I went for raspberry, hazelnut chocolate and vanilla, and honestly, it tasted amazing!

Those were most of the stops we took during our time in Paris, there are loads of choices of food to eat. We also made a few stops to local supermarkets where we bought some sweet biscuits to eat on our travels and some Milka Chocolate (which seems to be very common here). If we were to go back we'd definitely try a wine and cheese board and the famous macaroons.

What food have you tried in Paris??

5 Days in Iceland, Reykjavik

Iceland has been on my bucket list for what seems like forever and I am so over the moon to say I've been and saw the Northern Lights and swam in the unwinding hot springs. Reykjavik is such a beautiful, scenic city, especially with the snow that it almost doesn't feel real. I can imagine Iceland is stunning all year round, but for me the snow made it feel that little bit more magical and special.

I and three of my good friends travelled up to Reykjavik for four nights in the middle of February, potentially when Iceland was at its thickest with snow, although it felt anyways. We stayed in a lovely, cosy Air BnB in the centre of Reykjavik, where everything was pretty much walking distance from us.

We were lucky enough to go on all of the Icelandic tours we had booked despite the snowy conditions, we did however not get to see any whales when out in the sea. But that is what Iceland is all about, it's a hit and miss, you can't always predict it.

Hallgrimskirkju

All the streets in Reykjavik were so picturesque with the colourful houses against the clean white snow, especially on top of the Hallgrimskirkju Church at the top of this little city. I'd definitely recommend making a trip up on top of this church to get an amazing panoramic view of Iceland from all angles. Although it is absolutely freezing on top of this 74.5-metre high church, it is such an illusory view to take in.

Tips/advice:

1.) Maybe book in advance if you can to avoid the long ques

2.) Wrap up extra warm it can get chilly on the top

3.) Go visit the church at night time and take a photo of it lit up

Reykjavik Old Harbour

Now, this is the perfect place to come if you want that view of the mountains in the distance. This area again was quite chilly, but you tend not to care when you are taking in the beauty of the snowy mountains. We took a little stroll along to the Harpa Concert Hall, which is a stunning building with amazing architecture. This building in the evening is even more magical when lit up.

The Golden Circle Tour

Probably my favourite tour of them all was The Golden Circle, a popular tourist route in the southern part of Iceland. The three primary stops on the route are the National park, the Gullfoss waterfall and the geothermal which contains geysers. This tour for me was the key to what Iceland is all about, which is why I enjoyed it so much. The geysers were incredible to see, especially when they erupted. I loved the Gullfoss waterfall despite the busy crowds of people trying to take photos. I would definitely recommend doing this tour if you want to see what Iceland has to offer away from the centre.

Tips/advice:

1.) Try and go as early as possible to avoid all the tourists

2.) Be patient when trying to view the sites, I had no patience when I was stuck in a crowd of people trying to escape.

3.) Try the lamb soup in the cafe next to the Gullfoss waterfall

The Northern Lights

Unfortunately, my camera wasn't equipped to take decent photographs of the Northern Lights, therefore, I saved the ones that were taken on the evening we went off Super Jeeps page. I didn't have high hopes for the Northern Lights if I'm honest, our first night was cancelled due to bad weather which just set the mood for me. However, my mood sharp changed when I was in the back of an off the road jeep bumping around in the middle of nowhere looking out for stars in the clear sky. The Northern Lights weren't anything like I imagined, but it was such an incredible, out of this world moment being able to see the green light in the sky whilst drinking a hot chocolate. I would 100% recommend this, I mean you can't-not see the lights if you are in Iceland!

Tips/advice:

1.) Wrap up warm, my feet were absolutely freezing standing outside in the middle of nowhere.

2.) Book with an off the road tour, you get more of a chance to see the lights if you go with a private company that takes you to great areas to see them.

3.) Be mindful that there's always a chance you don't see them

The Blue Lagoon

Our last stop before heading back to the airport home was, of course, the Blue Lagoon hot springs. Another experience you just cannot skip out of your itinerary here in Iceland, what better way to end your trip than to soak up all the hot air and relax in the Blue Lagoon with a snowy view of the mountains. I and my friends spent pretty much our entire time here taking photographs of the beautiful view. This was definitely the best way to end our stay in Iceland and something I'd love to be able to do again!

Tips/advice:

1.) Go early to avoid ques and crowds

2.) Go either on your way or from the airport as it's not that far away

3.) Invest in a waterproof phone case if you are wanting to take photos, I got mine off Amazon.

I absolutely loved my time in Iceland, Reykjavik, especially with the snow it made it feel more realistic and in some ways festive with all the fairy lights sprinkled outside peoples homes. I would love to go back and be able to see the whales and discover secret hot springs in the future, but for now, I am happy to say I've seen The Northern Lights and swam in the Blue Lagoon.

Have you been to Iceland??

13 Things I've Learnt In 2017

How do you even start these thingy's off anymore? I am so out of sync I forgot what it's like to be sitting at my desk typing away. I guess I could start off by saying Happy New Year and hello 2018! I think it's fair to say I sucked last year at keeping up to date with my little blog, and although I did miss Katie's World of Beauty, a lot of personal things happened in my life that I needed to take a massive little break from this. 

Despite 2017 being quite possibly *no drama intended* the worst year I've ever experienced, I learnt a great deal and came out the other end a much stronger person. I miss writing, therefore, I am going to be writing much more content on here this year and decided to start the year off by wrapping up 2017 and sharing some things that I have learnt.

Even though 13 is ironically an unlucky number, here's 13 things I've learnt in 2017:

1. Life is just too damn short.
Life Lesson: I've learned this very well last year with two deaths in the family. Use time wisely and surround yourself with loved ones.

2. Eliminate what doesn't help you evolve.
Life Lesson: 2 words, 1 finger. Cut all negative vibes from your life, even if it seems impossible, you'll feel better in the long run.

3. Owning less is better than organizing more.
Life Lesson: I've been using more products I've forgotten about instead of buying new bits. I've also saved money doing so which is a bonus!

4. Self-care comes first.
Life Lesson: After doubting myself numerous times I have realised my health and well-being are so much more important than I thought.

5. You can't recycle wasted time.
Life Lesson: I've been using my time much more wisely and doing more things I keep telling myself I will do eventually: read more, watch my Netflix list, try new foods etc.

6. Salmon is amazing for my hair.
Life Lesson: I tried lots of food in 2017, one being salmon and it has completely changed how my hair looks!

7. I'm much stronger than I was in 2016.

Life Lesson: I don't mean I can lift a 2000kg car, I mean mentally I am a lot stronger than I was and can handle a lot more.

8. I'll always have spots.

Life Lesson: No matter how much money and research I spend on treating spots, I have come to the conclusion I am always going to get them even after the teenage years and to just accept it. Ugh.

9. Having local anaesthetic surgery isn't as bad as I thought.

Life Lesson: I have had a ganglion cyst on my left wrist for a good few years and decided to finally get it removed. I was awake during the operation, but it wasn't as bad as I thought. I did, however, have a very numb arm for 24 hours which was...interesting.

10. Snuggling on the sofa watching Game of Thrones is my favourite thing.
Life Lesson: Need I say more?

11. Early nights are bliss.
Life Lesson: I am so over the 2am bedtimes, I much prefer to be tucked up in bed with a book or my boyfriend *hehe* at 10pm.

12. Let shit go.
Life Lesson: I spent an awfully long time rationalizing scenarios and getting anxious rather than just moving on. I've definitely learnt to let things go more and to not waste time worrying about pointless nonsense.

13. I don't like 2017 let's leave it behind.
Life Lesson: I found 2017 a dreadful year and a year I won't miss so let's hope 2018 is better!

What have you learnt in 2017??

A Bedroom Refresh With Desenio

Botanical Plant Poster | Coffee Quote | Lashes Poster | Perfume Poster

I have been going a little interior crazy lately, from buying endless amounts of houseplants to creating a wall gallery of stunning prints, my inspiration is mostly from an online store that sells beautiful prints called Desenio.

Their totally affordable, stylish prints are just to die for, literally. Just scrolling through their website gave me so much inspiration to incorporate more gold into my bedroom. Whether you are looking for minimalist, eye-catching or simply just want to spruce up the place, you will definitely find it all on Desenio. 

There are so many prints to choose from, honestly, I spent a good hour or so trying to narrow my basket down. I decided to pick a few with plant imagery to add a pop of colour to my cream walls, which looks so trendy. I also opted for a few more fashion/beauty prints as I wanted my gallery wall to be above my dresser. I absolutely love all of my prints and it's given me so many ideas for when I have my own place. They just add that personal touch to my bedroom and really give my room a refresh.

Desenio has kindly given me a discount code of 25% off for you lovely readers! Just use the code KATIE25 any time between the 15th and 17th of August, (not valid on the handpicked category or frames). I would definitely recommend checking their website out but be warned their prints are very Pinterest-inspiring!

Which prints are your favourites??

*PR Sample/gift.

Cactus Print

Making The Most Of Your Notebooks

It has come to my attention that I own so many pretty, unused, marble/copper notebooks that I could possibly start my very own stationery shop. We'll call the shop Crazy Notebook Lady. The peculiar thing is I can't ever bring myself to start writing in these books because they're just too dainty to ruin the binding, am I weird? Perhaps.

I recently had a massive clear out and realised I need to stop admiring my pretty notebooks and put them to use - that way I can buy more pretty ones, that's my logic anyways.

If like me, you have a problem with buying unnecessary notebooks I have a list of ways you can put them to good use.

1. Daily Journal - A little bit like a teenage diary, only you don't write you have a crush on Johnny Depp, instead at the end of every day take a few minutes to write down what you did that day or if in doubt I always like to write a sentence of what has made me smile that day. A little bit like the 5 Year Journals you can buy, but with your own spin.

2. Lists - Keeping a mental note in your head of what you need to accomplish every day can be a little overwhelming, which is why writing a list of groceries you need to buy, chores you need to do or any other errands down creates more space in your brain. If you have 2 or 3 notebooks floating around, maybe use each one for different specific lists so one could be food related, one money/bills and the other for miscellaneous everyday bits. I am a sucker for a good list.

3. Creativity - If like myself your brain ticks with ideas at the most obscure moments, (usually in the shower) it is worth carrying a notebook with you just so you don't forget those inspirational thoughts. This doesn't have to be anything momentous, it could literally be DIY photo bunting, something relating to your course/work or wanting to sell your old clothes on depop. Just simple thoughts you are wanting to get off your chest which you know you'll forget about later.

4. Passwords, Codes, Etc - In this day and age, we need usernames and passwords for pretty much everything online so it's quite difficult to remember every single one of them, which is why it's always good to write them down in a notebook so you don't accidentally lock yourself out from spending money on ASOS. Then again, is that really a bad thing? Saving money hack right here.

5. Record Your Dreams - Sounds a little adolescent but I have a thing about psychology and discovering the reasons behind my crazy dreams. If a dream repeats itself or lingers I like to write it down and keep track of what it could mean. I even have a dream app which gives me an understanding of why I have dreams and what they are connected with. This is always amusing to look back on.

6. Your Thoughts - If like me, you have a tendency to overthink or worry about things, it might be worth jotting those emotions down in a book. I was told in one of my anxiety sessions to keep a mental note on my thoughts every day, this is a good way to track what goes on in your mind and a therapeutic way to get them out on paper, sometimes you realise things aren't as bad as they seem if you write it out in front of you.

7. Recipes, Healthy Tips - I recently bought the book Eat Pretty, Live Well by Jolene Hart which is filled with 85 foods to their beautifying benefits (review soon). This book inspired me to keep a notebook on all the foodie things I want to remember. Whether that's healthy recipes to try, benefits of certain foods and their impact on my health or other general tips that I know will come in handy.

8. Inspiration - We all get those days where we lack inspiration or motivation so writing down quotes that inspire you is always a good way to go. Sounds a bit strange but I used to write the famous Harry Potter quote 'Working hard is important, but what matters more is believing in yourself' in the front of my notebook when I was at university to remind me why I started - I even have this quote on my bedroom wall. But, keeping a notebook of inspiring quotes or just little picks me ups is a very useful thing to do.

9. Future Plans - Writing down your goals or ambitions to achieve every week is always a good way to use up notebooks. This could be simple things like wanting to eat at home more, try squatting an extra 5kg in the gym, little achievable goals that you can tick off every week.

What do you write in blank notebooks??

How To Have A Digital Detox

If you find yourself religiously going through Instagram, Twitter, Snapchat every morning like you're reading The Sunday Times or your Netflix account is asking if you are still there 4 hours later, then you may be in need of a digital detox. Now I know you all probably sat thinking Katie, I am not ready to break-up with my phone, but unplugging and winding down away from technology is more beneficial than you actually think.

Some of you might remember I set a goal in 2016 to step away from my keyboard every evening and to put my time to better use. Since then I can honestly say I've had a much better nights sleep and I've found that I'm a lot less stressed before bed, so my little brain is able to close all those stressful tabs and totally relax. 

I've put together a post on simple ways to give yourself a digital detox and whats worked for me.

1. Step Away From Keyboard - As difficult as it is, detaching yourself from your laptop around 6-7pm and taking a long bath or winding down with a herbal tea is much more beneficial. When I was at university I'd get into a habit of studying until right before bed and end up not being able to get a good night's sleep. I know it's easier said than done, but if you detach yourself from your screen you'd be surprised at how well you sleep.

2. Read In Bed - I am the worst for hopping into bed and checking all social media apps until I fall asleep, however, I've recently been getting into a routine of not going through all my apps 50x and instead, I have been picking up a book and reading - I know, shocker. I personally love being snuggled in bed with a good book it can really help take your mind off reality.

3. Leave Phone At Home - If you've got plans to go to the gym, walk the dog or pop to the shops, it's worth leaving your phone at home. Your mind is a lot more open and focused on the task at hand if you know your phone isn't near you. Plus, it's nice to not always feel as though you need to check your phone when you're in the middle of doing something.

4. Delete Social Media Apps - I sometimes find social media can trigger my anxiety or change my mood, therefore it's sometimes worth deleting the apps for a couple of hours every now and then. I went through a faze of deleting my Facebook app and I can honestly say it really changed my mood, I was a lot more focused on myself. It does sound a bit extreme, but having a social media detox does more good than you think and you quickly discover you don't need to keep a tab on everything going on in the world.

5. Use Paper - Writing to do lists on our phones isn't as restorative as writing on paper, what I mean by this is keeping all your thoughts onto one device isn't healthy. I like to keep all my lists in notebooks and I find my brain isn't as distracted or tempted to do other things, whereas it is when I write them on my phone.

6. Give Yourself Deadlines - I actually learnt this technique from my therapist, but basically, if you write down what you want/need to do, give yourself a time frame on that specific task. So if you want an evening watching Stranger Things on Netflix, then give yourself a time of 2 hours and stick to that. Sounds tedious, I know, but you appreciate things a lot more when you do this and have more motivation to do other things.

How do you unplug from technology??

5 Ways I Control My Anxiety

Anxiety is a bitch. There, I said it. I haven't really touched upon anxiety on my blog - my reasons why? 1. So many people communicate about it now, which is amazing, but I didn't want to seem as though I was following suit. 2. I was only technically 'diagnosed' with it 6 months ago, so it's still really raw and personal to me. However, I told myself I wanted to document situations in my life like this to look back on and who knows hopefully help someone along the way. 

I am in no way an expert on mental health these are just what I've found work for me. It has taken me just under 5 months to have my anxiety under control, of course, some days it spirals out, that's normal, but those moments I can feel it building up I try to prevent it with these simple ways before it escalates.

Long Walks
I always read articles and blog posts on how people cope with worry and 9 times out of 10 walking is always mentioned. I can 100% see why. It wasn't as easy walking much during the winter, but since flowers are starting to grow and the sun is shining, I find walking a lot less hassle during the warmer seasons. Recently I've walked that 40-minute journey home from work and going on nice long walks on my days off down the beach. When you go for a walk you surround yourself with nature and concentrate on the atmosphere around you. If I am feeling anxious or stressed walking really helps eliminate their thoughts and opens my mind to other things.

Break Up With Phone
I can't really percentage how much my phone can give me anxiety, but it definitely has in the past and I'm sure it has for most people. Social media, the news, not being able to contact someone, all these things can trigger worry and stress. If I know I haven't got a busy day I tend to reach for my phone a lot more than when I am, so what I like to do to avoid repeatedly checking is leave it across the room from me and focus on something else. I've been reading more in the bath and leaving my phone in the bedroom, or I've turned notifications off whilst playing a game, just little things that let your brain focus purely on one thing. This might not work for everyone, but a digital detox definitely helps with anxiety (I have a post on digital detox soon).

Write It Down
Another way to control the anxiety that people suggest is writing down what is causing your anxiety and how it can be prevented. Saying things out loud or writing it down gives you a different perspective on what goes on inside your brain. I had a couple of therapy phone-calls when I was suffering badly with anxiety and depression, and from those sessions, I learnt a lot. Writing down the date, the time, what triggered the anxiety and questioning will it be relevant next month? can really open your mind to the core of what's worrying you. Keep a notebook just for your thoughts and look back on them, you'll be surprised to see the difference. Don't write them on your phone though!

Positivity
Surrounding yourself with positive people, objects and atmospheres do change the way you view everything around you. It can be as simple as refreshing your room with some daffodils, treating yourself to a slice of cake or repeatedly play The Beauty and the Beast Soundtrack. Just whatever works for you it doesn't have to be anything 'out there' just open your mind to simpler solutions. I am easily pleased and simple-minded, it doesn't take much to make me happy if I choose to be positive. A book that helped me rethink my way of life is The Life-Changing Magic of Not Giving an F*ck By Sarah Knight.

Remove Toxins
I saved this one for last because I know it's probably the most challenging and something we all try to avoid and that's changing things in order to be better. Sometimes this is easy, deletes off Snapchat, done. Other time's it's a lot harder to remove toxic things from your life. Things like stressful jobs, harmful friendships, bad diets, regrets, jealousy, etc, all these affect your mental health. If you have toxic influences and bad habits, you are not going to be happy. I have a quote "nothing is permanent, don't stress yourself too much because no matter how bad the situation is...it will change". You may not realize it now, but in the long run, changing and removing toxins from your life as I'd argue from personal experience has the biggest effect on your well-being.

I hope this post was helpful to anyone going through anxiety or for anyone wanting some personal insight.

How do you control anxiety??