Today after being away at the weekend did a tidy of my bedroom, took Henry on a bus ride and on the train and then came back and sorted out my clothes that I had been meaning to do and tomorrow going to continue.
>It does mean having a good amount of sleep and relaxing properly so you can start each day fresh faced.
>It means taking time to have some self care so I had a shower and washed my face, hair and body.
>It means taking time out from being on my phone and being present and having a good daily routine
>This weekend away I journaled which I hadn’t done for a while and drafting for videos I want to film and blogs I want to write
>Making time to visit and meet with friends, having a night out doing something different that you don’t always get to do, and went to social club this weekend away where they were playing Bingo
>We walked along the seaside and had fish ‘n’ Chips and went to a pub we hadn’t never been to before and had a climbing frame for kids
>I caught up on my steps I like to do each week and went swimming with my son and my husband. something we rarely do together, it was such a shame that on that it was windy and rainy
>I did some laundry and unpacked from being away this weekend
>I did some reading and had a cooked breakfast which is very rare these days
>Now I am catching up on posting my blogs, whilst I watch a live video
>Started to go through my finances that I like to do each week
>Tomorrow I will be getting my son ready as he is going to a holiday club and getting myself ready for the day and got to have a blood test and catch up on editing my book I am writing and dusting my bedroom.
I like having things to do because it helps to manage my mind and not wasting my days and getting as much out of them as possible.
I bet you have watched the X Factor or BGT, that many say when they do the auditions, that this is their last chance, but what if you had one chance? I wrote in my last blog about Dealing with Knockbacks and that to keep trying to do what you dream of doing, yet sometimes you do only get the one chance, for example: Being on a quiz show or game show, as it lets other people have a go, or winning the lottery.
I read a book by Paul McKenna some years back and he asked in this books, it was Building your confidence in seven days, and for me it would be to travel and explore with my son, and raise money for a charity and have a house built.
So what would you do if you only had one chance of achieving your dreams?
What steps would you follow?
I would clear my credit card debt, build up my savings,
Decide on the fundraising events I’d like to do and train for them and walk and run whenever possible again and continue as long as my legs allow me to do
Save enough to have the money to have a house built, by creating numerous income streams and have a bank account for building the house of my dreams.
Please leave details of what you would do in the comments below.
You have to make things happen for yourself, and it has taken me a long time to realise that and so I make the most of my days and weeks, and months now. I want to make sure I create good memories for my son, and it is up to me to do that and receives the best education, and learning about places and life skills such baking and cooking, reading, writing, how to wash their clothes and keep things nice and tidy. That has to come from me and his dad, and making sure that his needs are met and the same for us too being parents and be a role model.
If people see you achieving your dreams a lot of people will follow and be inspired, and life as it is, we never know if we are going to live or die, that really is out of our control, and so living each day to the fullest is how you can do the things you want, have happiness in your life. It is not about money, that is a necessity, but about how it makes you feel and the people around you.
So we are now heading towards the end of May and so far I have seen progress in things in my life, like I have built up my Youtube channels, I have more follows and likes for my blog posts and that means the world to me. I feel things are taking shape in terms of managing my finances, staying on track with exercise and keeping track of my son school events and helping him with his learning, as I was finding it hard to stay on track in these areas, this is helping me to see what other areas of my life I want to sort out and accomplish this year. I want to get my next book finished so I can get my Christmas book started, along with other tasks.
I want to continue this life coaching programme and really hope you enjoy this year’s posts and videos I have put up on my main channel: https://www.youtube.com/@typicallondongal I have a weekend in a life to edit and put up and at the moment filming a week in a life.
I wanted to go out and meet with friends again,and so going to see some friends I made when I worked at Butlins, which is a holiday camp, again was brilliant and planning to do this again. Last weekend we went to a festival which I love. It was called Pub in the Park and many people with families went and want to do more just like that, and really looking forward to the Summer, and this week it is half term and got some birthdays next week, and life for me is about having as much time with my son Henry as possible and having different experiences, taking my time and getting out, enjoying what is around me and making time for myself.
Then there are courses I want to finish and want to get back in creating my own again.
So what are your plans? What do you want out of this year?
Take some time to decide if you haven’t already and don’t worry how big it is and when you want to do it, how long will it realistically take.
I wanted to do another charity walk and run, but I keep getting a pain in one of my legs, and so decided that I will continue to do walking along with running, to take part in these events again next year, but just want to build the strength in my legs again to do so.
Perhaps you are worried about going it alone and that you’d like to have someone else on board and they to want the same in their lives like you. Why not do it together as some people feel better in a group. It was good to do walks with others raising money together for charity. The ambition I had in doing the Great North Run was because I went out with friends and got talking to their friends, and said we’d do it together, but then they backed out, so went it alone but in doing that half a marathon saw many doing it as a group.
What do you envision? And who do you want to be in your life? What relationships do you want to be better and where do you see your life? What do you want to feel? Who is there?
I want to see different places this summer in the UK as Henry loves trains so would like to take him on trips, but of course if there may be industrial action on the trains means using other ways to travel, but still going to see if this is possible, and doing more work either in Childcare or Healthcare.
What do you not want to do this year? What areas do you want to change and make it better? What would you like to spend more time doing? It could be learning a new skill, well there are Adult Community colleges, and I did a few in writing, dancing and cake making as I wanted to make my son his first birthday cake, and dancing.
There are many online courses you can do. I am doing a life coaching course, enrolled in doing a psychology course and will help me towards learning about Child Psychology and want to do another writing course to help me and why not if you have always wanted to, write a book. Check out Youtube as there is a lot of training on doing this on there, along with many different things. I did a video on my other Youtube channel about how Youtube has saved me money: https://youtu.be/tBR1rN3Ti_8 there is a lot of training you can do for free.
If you want to have more holidays,but you have a tight budget. There are hostels you can stay in and I found booking the hotel and flights separately can save you a lot. I booked a brilliant hotel when I last went to Florida via Booklings.com and then booked flights and you don’t always have to pay for the hotel when you book, using Bookings.com.
Yes I had to save, but it is possible and check last minute deals. So your dreams can happen by asking and planning what you want out of this year.
Remember you can keep informed of my blogs on this site if you follow me and please like, as this helps me to know what to write about Let me know by writing in the comments below of what you want out of 2023.
Lets work together to build our dreams and enjoy life.
Well since 2021 I wanted to help others during Lockdown with my blogs as it was tough on all of use.so wanted to reach out and make a difference. At that time I was recovering from struggling with my mental health but I wanted to help people at the same time by teaching about building your life for a better year that has helped me. Life comes with challenges however much you avoid them but you can get back on your feet. If I can do it so can you. That is my moto. I want to see others succeed and be happy. It can take a lot of time but once your there you find that it is easy to control.
If you wanted to know I was diagnosed with Psychosis, and was in a bad way for a while. I did take medication and spent some time in a Mental Health hospital and was what I needed. I was depressed and lacked energy, and was very anxious and it affected me socially and emotionally too.
I got my life on track by starting to pick my son up from school again and by changing my habits and doing the things I love and doing lots of walking, spending time away from social media and setting new goals. I was in debt and now paid off one and now got one debt to pay and have began to save again and rebuild my relationship with money and making wise choices.
So this year it is my third year doing my life coaching program and if you didn’t I have made changes, check out my previous blog: Changes to my Life Coaching Programme 2023
It will begin on the 1st May 2023 and will be a bank holiday in the UK and will finish at the end of August. I am creating a printable which is almost completed, and will show the blogs and videos I will be filming, but there is so much I want to include but don’t want to bombard you with blogs and videos, so going to go through what I want to share and if you have any questions or specific topics you want me to add, then please leave a comment below.
This program is free and no cost at all, but going to create some online courses based on these programs and so when this is done will blog and let you know.
So I will blog again as we get closer to when my Life Coaching Program begins with the printable I am creating and what I want you to take from it. I do have a board created on Pinterest with resources and tools to help:
So if you didn’t know I have been doing monthly challenges, and this is from last year and has really helped shape my life and get my life back on track, and make choices of what really matters to me right now, and what has no purpose anymore. It has helped me manage my money by not avoiding it and manage my spending and saving it, to invest in the things that are truly important to me, such as my son, travel and essentials like certain toiletries and skincare and not spending on what I don’t need, and if I can’t afford it then I don’t buy it, and pay off my debt, which is my credit card and my aim is to be debt free, like many people.
It has made me see that having so much stuff isn’t important its having essentials like food, drink and having a roof over my head.
When we have so much stuff we can get lost amongst it and feel overcrowded. It can make you feel like there is nothing else and feel good in buying another notebook when it can damage my bank balance and add to the clutter, rather than having purpose.
I use my notebooks to journal and notes, so they have a purpose but what I’d like to do, is what Terri Savelle Foy talked about have it all in one place, so this year once I need a new planner, as I follow the academic year, so from July to June, I am going to use what I have got into planners, like my Filofax, which are good, the only thing with that is they can get bulky, so going to use OneNote to plan along with using my Filofax, and notebooks I have got going to use these as journals as I like to keep this separate.from planing and for helping write my books.
When it comes to clutter you do have to be tough with yourself and so I will watch decluttering videos to get motivation and if you can have someone to help then do so, because I get protective over my stuff which influence me in not wanting to declutter but I know at the same time it has to be done.
This also means sorting my laptop and online programmes, like now as I continue to write this blog, spent time sorting out my Pinterest, and something I like to do, to update and share more content and having organized boards. You can check out my Pinterest via this link if you’d like to have a browse:
Please check my new Video showing the declutter I have been doing and hope you get inspired and declutter we can enjoy the spring and feel fresh and new.
Please subscribe to my channel if you like my videos as there is more to come and will help me to continue to build my youtube platform where I share more about my life and manage my life being a writer and a mum.
As I continue to declutter and make plans to sort out my belongings, it helps me to value the things I have. Example: a bed for my son for when he comes and stays with me at the weekend, and the desk space I have to write my blogs and books, and for the curtains that black out the light to have a good sleep, and shoes that protect my feet. This helps me not to buy another pair of shoes, a brand new set of curtains, and so I go through it of the items that gives me comfort and peacefulness in my mind and how I feel about myself.
This is not to say I will never buy clothes or shoes again, or have the same curtains for the rest of my life who knows what is destined for us, we never know so being appreciative to what we have already that makes you happy can delete those feelings we get when we want a pair of shoes that sparkle or the latest iPhone, when we know its just more expense and actually what we were already using was enough and then worry because we couldn’t really afford it and the buzz you had in buying the item has quickly gone.
As I wrote this blog I just picked up my gratitude journal and wrote what I currently value down as I love practicing gratitude and being thankful. Look around you and the people in your life, how do they add value and how do you feel around them and others like I wrote that I value the roof over my head and the my everyday trainers I bought from TU Sainsbury’s as they weren’t that expensive and wear them most of the time, because they are so easy and light on my feet. I value the food that is made for me as I currently live with my Mum and step dad and so grateful the space and room I have and so need to value more as I want a more minimal amount of stuff that no longer gives me joy.
It’s following the Kon Marie method of if that item gives you joy or not, and what purpose does it give? My trainers for example help me walk and comfortable and goes with what I like to wear and are practical as my son likes to play sports and I do a lot of travelling and saves me time, and saved me money.
For me it is essential item because I need in order to travel and get from A to B and buy food as some days my mum and step dad go out and not rely on others and to be able to buy stuff for my son and I believe that every penny does count as I would like to give my room a make over and have it more organized, and so it is essential item to live, and respect it for the items it allows me to have.
My dad used to say “That money speaks a difference language” and part of me believe that too. When I worked in accounts if people didn’t get their expenses paid they would get angry about it and would hunt me down, and found tough because it was a lot of work for one person, and felt overwhelmed. Since those days my relationship with money is starting to be good again, as it is hard when you have little and you have bills to pay.
I did get into debt and became reliant on using a credit card and it can be stressful and can really effect how you feel about money but I am to blame and I have had to admit that. Admitting that has helped me to get back on track with my money and stopped me from taking it for grunted and I like to see money saved and can’t wait to pay off my debt and put it behind me. I have already cleared one, so just got one debt which I am getting down, and so money is important and is what we need to survive, but not having a load of stuff that will make us happy for 5 minutes but forever.
When I buy something now I think to myself Do I need it right now? Will it last once its been cleaned and what role will it play in my life. I know I don’t need 30 pairs of leggins, or 100 notebooks, to feel good about life, but enough that will help clothes me, and does it work with what I have got.
So it is the end of the month and I have two videos to be put together and one them is my last what I bought video for my February challenge and need to film my reflection,. which will be on my main Youtube channel that I have linked below @typicallondongal under my name Carrie Holmes. It was good to see what items I needed if I could get a good deal and feel I did, but I had to buy a few items for my son, and not sure if I should take these amounts into his monthly allowance I give him to spend, or as my home products and in my home budget. What would you do.
It has really helped me financially to see my spending habits and if there are other things I can cut back on or cut out.
I would recommend trying it out. I spent more than I wanted so gonna reduce on snacks and this month is going to be declutter month and so this is managing productivity and will include reset videos. and post on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/typicallondongal/) aswell as on this blog site.
There will be areas in which need to be done first and that is decluttering first my son’s underwear and socks, and it is little changes like that, that can free up space and does ease the mind when you see the results and why not when it is now spring time, I know the weather doesn’t match the new season yet at the moment, and for those you live in Australia and it is Autumn and if you are from the land of oz check out my Autumn Reset videos and blogs and sorting out my life to get things completed and tying lose ends.
I do write a blog on google blogspot called Organize4thebetter. and will be posting on there too.
I am late in starting as I did a course this week, but will begin as of next week and so lets get rid of what we no longer want and bring home stuff we do, and it also means sorting out my laptop and phones I no longer use, that are lying around. Even those things can cause or mind to feel cluttered aswell as rooms and homes.
If you have a office the one thing many companies I have worked for, would make sure we cleaned our desks, as it good to work in a clean and tidy environment.
It is coming up to the end another month of 2023 and I have been going through my finances for this year. and I did a video on my channel My Way of Living, about spending Productively. Check out here: https://www.youtube.com/@mywayofliving1602
In this blog I am talking about Things I want to cut out of my life as I continue this year and want to pay off my Credit card, and plan days to take my son on train trips during the summer holidays. This means being sensible with my money and live consciously, and spend consciously and ask myself “Should I give them my money?” “What difference will it make?” and “Are they worthy of my money?”.
I know a lot of shops like Paperchase for example I closing and I loved that store and was going to buy some items from them and may still do so as I would like to see if I can get a better organized system on my desk and it is cluttered and want it to be clearer.
I want to use what I have got and that is notebooks, clothes, skincare and toiletries and have a clear and get rid of items that no longer have any purpose in my life, like buying certain foods, like crisps and want to lower my sugar in take, and focus on doing long walks again and running.
I am no longer going to spend a lot on fitness equipment because when I was living in Epsom we had a lot of items that we saw on info commercials and now are gathering dust but do use the Crosstrainer that has been put in the living room and want some bands to do my floor exercise, and do want to pay as you go in a gym, when I feel I want to do more, and may think about paying a membership, depending on costs. There are gyms where you can go at anytime like The Gym and Pure gym, but I do also got points from the leisure centre I take my son to, and take him swimming, and so will be thinking about this and if it is logical. As writer this I am asking myself in my head, “What will I get out of it?”.
It is to be around other people not necessarily to know who they are but to see I am not on my own and we all have a reason to be there and I do like the gym environment.
This is not forever, as I still need clothes, but at the moment I have enough and so this year is a big challenge but one I know I wanted to do, to be wise with money and concentrate on other things, like going out and taking my son up London and would like to go to more shows and take him to watch a rugby match as he is a sports lover and take him to football matches too, so I am enjoying the challenge and will make a difference in how I shop for clothes. “If I don’t need it why have it? “.
Then there is crafting. I was really into making cards and I enjoyed it but no longer got space for those items and so until these items get used and want to give some to my nieces but keep some for my son to do, am I going to buy anymore, because these items can lead to clutter, but keep my stickers sets, it’s different type of paper, and have some use for them.
To make changes in your life you do have to let areas in your life go so you can continue to grow, and it doesn’t have to be long time but for now. “What is important to me now?”
So you know I do have three Youtube channels and do write other blogs. and I have created some pins on my Pinterest on financial living and planning my life, check my Pinterest site below:
If you’d like to keep updated of my blogs on this site then please remember you can follow me and subscribe and like it so I know that my blogs are helping you and I’d like to know what you are cutting out this year. you can leave a comment below.
Thank you once again for liking my blogs on this site. If you didn’t know I am doing a monthly challenge where I am finding deals of items I need for the month and have two new Reset 2023 videos up too, so please check my channel to see them: https://www.youtube.com/@typicallondongal
This blog I am talking about goal ideas to set for spring and I have created a new printable.
When it comes to Spring we begin to have longer days and I find it makes me feel I have more time to do stuff and that means a good spring clean, take on a spring challenge if you haven’t begun challenging yourself. It is all about being SMART which I am sure you have heard before, but is important. example when the weather gets nicer to have a meal outside a local pub or restaurant with friends or join an outdoor exercise class. When my son was a baby I would go to Buggyfit and it such good fun, and it is good to spend time outdoors and not something you don’t always can do in the winter time.
Setting goals for me is important to help me grow and learn. I set them quarterly and make them realistic and reachable. For example: I want to do more runs.
Where would you like to run?
How far you’d like to reach?
So put, build to doing 5km of running and around my local park or common. I do write a sports and fitness blog, see the link here if you’d like to read these blogs too: https://sportsandfitnesspassion.wordpress.com
It is a good season to decide on what you want to let go of and what you want t let into your life now we heading into a new season to start a fresh for the Spring. I am doing more RESTS because I want less and continue my goal for this year, which is not to buy anymore clothes, and concentrate on paying off my Credit card and so where I can save I will. I am continuing on having no spending days too. I feel good not buying things everyday.
I do have a printables page on this site if you wanted to check this page out: New Printables Page
So my last “No spend January” video is up on my main Youtube channel https://youtu.be/Ree9adtj7YM and it really helped me to look at my money in a different light in that it not about not spending, but cutting back on things and looking at all the stuff I already got and not buying anything more until I used everything up.
It made me see that there I things I like to enjoy, and that is no spending days which I began last year. I enjoy making my coffee, rather than someone else do it and I like instant coffee. I did want to buy some clothes, as I have decided that this year I won’t be buying any and wear what I have got and the same with skincare, and so would say to myself “I have enough”.
My February challenge is to look for deals on the items I plan on buying this month. and I have filmed one video already for this and will be posting videos on my Instagram and my main Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@typicallondongal once a week.
I like buying sensibly now and the part of a reset is managing your finances if you have debt like I have and it can really affect your wellbeing and cause anxiety. My financial goal for 2023 is to pay off my debts and have a target amount on what I want to save and I love hunting for deals and if I can find a product that is still as good, but get it for less than I normally pay for, I know that this is a good deal.
Building a life is investing on what you care about and I have had a bad relationship with money, because when I began working up in London I would be out in the evenings a lot, near Oxford Street in London and became a bit ruthless. Now I feel I am managing my money well again and think about what it is going to help me and feeling happy with spending money, but not gonna cause me to get stressed. When it comes to money it is good to have a plan and have a list. With the internet it is good to go through how much different items cost that you need and what you are willing to pay for items. Budget for me in very important and that has really helped me to get my good money habits back on track.
If you’d like to join me in this challenge then you can do and let me know how it went for you, and see how much we can save, and use it to buy what we have always wanted. I have a what I want to call, a Financial Wish, to take my son on a holiday and would love to take to Disney in Florida.
It is also good to get your kids involved to if you have children and why not have your friends and family involved too.
