Sometimes we fill our lives with social plans and studies and work, that we forget about one very important thing- relaxation. We may feel like we have no time for it or that cramming lots of activities into small amounts of time is the same as relaxing as you are spending your 'free time'. However free time can be seen and used in different ways.

In my opinion, free time is what I call the time I spend alone relaxing by myself and doing the little things that I want to do- like watching my favourite show or playing my guitar. To others free time may be what they call their social life. Or they may be one of those people who HAS to be doing something social to be having a good time and feel relaxed.

I am here to express the importance of relaxation. Which I'm sure you all already know, but as I sit snuggled up in my duvet at 5pm on a Tuesday, I have decided that I want to stress how wonderful it is to 'chill' and relax. It's just so cosy and warm and makes all the little things and problems go away for a while. I'm not suggesting you run away from problems but sometimes you want to just curl up and that's okay!


I believe it is important to spend time by yourself, whether it be napping, shopping, jogging etc whatever it is you like doing. This is because sometimes we spend so much time helping others or listening to others that we forget to listen to ourselves. We need time alone in order to catch up with ourselves and think about what it is that we want, and how we feel. You need time to gather your thoughts and organise your time so that stress is gradually eliminated.

So next time you have a few hours free, instead of planning outings or social events, take some time to be by yourself and enjoy your own company. You'll feel more refreshed and calm and happier about your routine and life. Time alone sometimes can be good for you! :)

Sorry folks, I've been slacking again haven't i? To be fair I have recently moved back to Portsmouth and into a house! Exciting.

I've been really naughty and haven't blogged much recently, and it's been like the first time I've ever not been on track with my schedule so I apologise. It's just been one of those rough times I suppose when we can't exactly explain why they are rough, but it seems every stress comes at once. Hopefully it'll end soon. Settling back into University and what not hopefully will bring routine ba

ck into my life. I'm going to be crazily busy though, which will suck, but I suppose it is good to keep yourself busy!

So how have you all been in my absence? Good I hope, I've missed you all, whoever 'you all' are!

I've been thinking a lot recently about stress and anxiety and worries, and have pretty much come to the conclusion that they all suck! I think everyone will agree with me on that one. I recently wrote about some tips on coping, and whilst they are good I think its putting tips into practise that is the tricky bit.
But what about you all?

 Do you have any tips?

How do you all cope with stress, and worries?

I'd love to hear from you! I'm sat cosied up in my lovely new double bed in my new house, watching IT Crowd, even though I've seen it way too many times, but it never gets boring! I originally came to bed because I felt ill, but a couple of hours later and I'm still watching TV and am now talking to you. I don't know who all of you are, and you don't really know me that well, but I have to say that I enjoy your company and it's nice to be writing to you!  I think as writers we feel that writing is our way of expressing ourselves and even if no one is reading, just writing issues down or things we struggle to say are in a way a method of getting rid of our worries.

My point is, whatever it is that helps you get through something or calms you down, you should do it. Be it writing, jogging, seeing friends etc, it's definitely worth it. I want to write much more about this as it's a topic I feel very strongly about!

Being worried or stressed is pointless. Being happy is worthwhile.

So I've been extremely stressed recently, and have struggled to find time and topics to blog about. Because the rest of my family have to work, I have been 'chief puppy looker afterer', which means even less time to blog. I love my little scamp, but I've been exhausted. So instead of a long written post I thought another inspirational post would be better. So I've picked some really motivational quotes to help get you through the day- and me!

I know people love a good ol' 'How To' blog post, myself including, so I thought it was about time I did another. I don't know how helpful it will be but I suppose we shall fathom that at the end. So recently I been a little down and I sat at my desk all alone, feeling sorry for myself, and it got me pondering happiness.
Sure, we all feel down and sometimes we feel really down and we think that happiness is so far out of reach or for some is an impossible task. But I soon realised it wasn't. Sometimes when we're down, we see happiness as something enormous and difficult to get, which then only makes us feel worse. We sometimes feel as though we are never going to be perfectly happy. So whilst pondering, I thought I would list down some steps as to being happy. Now of course I'm not saying these will definitely work or that they are scientifically proved, but they have helped me.


1.) Realisation- Sometimes even WE don't know why we are sad, we just are. And not knowing can make things worse, which is why I feel it is best to ask yourself and really dig deep, 'Why am I sad? What is causing my sadness?' Now it will take time, and there are days when we are literally down for no reason, but usually there will be a reason, and once you've figured out what it is, you'll be able to understand your emotions and perhaps overcome it.

2.) Acceptance- Accept the situations, accept your life and accept yourself. This is tricky. I won't sit here and act like it'll be easy. I still have a lot of work to do on this step. I find it hard to accept things in life, things that aren't fair and make me ask 'why me?'. But getting wound up about something won't necessarily change it. Unfortunately in life, things aren't always fair, and they do suck! But it is how we react and go about them that will result in a happier self. We sometimes have to just ACCEPT that there will be bad times, and some days we will be sad. But that's okay, we're only human.

3.) Talk to people- bottling up emotions is never good. Hell, I've tried, and I'm sure you all have too. So maybe you feel most comfortable with a friend or maybe your sibling or your mother, who ever you feel is the right person to talk to, talk to them. Even if they have no opinion on the matter, just having someone to listening will feel great. And once you've ranted and gotten everything off you chest, a huge weight will be lifted. Will the problem be solved, no probably not, but you'll feel happier for sharing. And besides that's what your friends and family are for.

4.) Don't be angry- We all get angry from time to time, I get angry a lot. But what does anger really solve- nothing. So it's a whole lot of wasted energy resulting in nothing. It's so much better to just brush it off your shoulder and let it go. Need I sing Frozen's 'Let It Go' here? I know we all want to get angry sometimes, not that its a nice feeling but in some ways I feel as though because it is one of the stronger emotions we feel more certain and powerful, which can often give us a rush of adrenaline. But wouldn't you rather have a happy adrenaline rush. If you face things positively they are much more likely to be resolved. So don't be angry, just stay calm and distract yourself with something that will make you laugh.

5.) Always make time for family- I know when you get to a certain age, all you want to do is hang out with your friends. And whilst friends are extremely important, nothing goes deeper than family. I know that I feel at my happiest when I am with my family. And if you are lucky enough to have a good family, then there is just so much unconditional support, comfort and love there waiting for you. Whenever I feel down, I think of my family and how crazy we are. It gives me strength . When you're with family, you can completely relax and be you.

6.) Do fun things- Sounds and obvious one but it can be the simplest of things. Such as going for a coffee with an old friend and catching up, or booking cinema tickets to a funny movie. Even a little stroll through the park with your partner, will be enough to make you feel like you did something productive with your day. I went for a 10 minute walk through the park with my boyfriend the other day- so simple- and it made me ridiculously happy! Or if these aren't your things, then whatever is, you should do them. Having something to look forward to or maybe something spontaneous, are really great, easy ways to stay positive and happy.

7.) Listening to happy music- Music can have such a strong impact on our emotions and mood. If I listen to a sad song, I feel sad. It goes without saying. So listen to a happy song in the car or whilst getting ready in the morning, it does a world of good!

8.) Stay cool- Whenever I get hot and bothered I feel angry and stressed. Whenever I'm walking somewhere, because I am a fast walker, I get hot very easily. So if you're like me, then plan extra time to walk, so you don't have to walk so fast, don't get out of breath, and you'll have more time to enjoy the walk. This sounds like a silly step, but like I said, sometimes it's the little things, that will determine anger/happiness.

9.) Treat yourself- I know some of us aren't exactly rich, so this one may be a little difficult. But I'm not suggesting you spend heaps of money all the time. Just every now and again or when you're feeling down, treat yourself. It could even be free, for example a relaxing evening away from work/study, with a face pack and a movie. I treated myself to a Domino's pizza the other night- totally worth it!

10.) Relax- It's so easy to get stressed these days. So why not try sleeping to some relaxing music. When I did that for a week, my sleeping was so much better and I felt a lot better for doing it. It can really help stress levels. Or if you're not in to that then meditation could work- although a little hard if you're a fidget like me! Whatever it is that you find relaxing, a bubble bath maybe, it'll help you wind down from the day and you'll see that anger wash away!

Now I hope these little tips have helped. Of course these aren't the only steps, but these were some I had thought of and wanted to share with you all! X