Category Archives: Winter Wellness

Change your winter routine by making one change

10 Wednesday Dec 2025

Posted by in having bad days, health and wellbeing, journal, Personal Development, Planning for 2025, Positive Habits, Weekly posts, Winter Wellness

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I have felt good this year. I am enjoying journaling whilst my son is having is lesson and it has been a great resource and I do it as my first thing in my journal and I would recommend using the Journal APP I have, not sure if it is available to all phones as it was an APP that was already on my phone. By making this change has helped me to plan content, write about my life, moving on and growing from the past. I dwell a lot on the past from things I did wrong but has helped have shape in my life and “Grow”. My word for 2026. This year 2025 was “Lifestyle” and I have changed my lifestyle.

Was a bit Skeptical about the Elf on the Shelf but my son loves it and I have stopped being a Humbug.

My reading has been an amazing and walked a lot and now as it is Winter I have taken a step back for the Winter and just slowing down, but still being somewhat productive without overwhelm.

Just making one change to your routine can make such a difference. Like having more reading time. I read every morning and evening and it has been one of the greatest habits that has really been a boost and set a challenge of reading 20 books. I am on 17 and have a book on Audible that I am listen to and so is 18 so will have two books left. I have done this on Good Reads. Check out my site: https://mybooksandstories.wordpress.com/

The other change is cleaning. I do it as I go and will make sure that before each meal that I have cleared away the items used. Cleaning does not give me joy but like the results do. Learning. I have done some really good courses and been using Youtube for free training to, to build my platforms and content.

Winter yes it can be a drag, because of the shorter days getting up in the dark and going to bed in the dark but I like it because of chilling and love putting a blanket over me and my son, check out this blog: https://thestylishmamma.blogspot.com/2025/12/love-comfort-blanket-at-age-of-47.html

It is good to see the stars and do like a clear sky, but at the same time it is time to slow down and watch some good TV, with a nice hot meal and it is the simple pleasures that makes it different for me now. I did get depressed as I reached adult age, in the winter, but now I embrace it, by not rushing and focus on little pleasures. https://mystylewayofliving.blogspot.com/2025/11/things-that-gives-me-pleasure.html

It is good time to declutter. I do a bit a day and once I start which is the key. Less thinking, more doing and going through my things and today I wrote a list of what I want done by the end of the year and love planning for the next year, around about this time of year and embrace the new year which back at one point would get emotional and felt I wasted a year and so I make the most of the days whilst I am alive and it just simple changes, can make such a difference.

It all counts.

So I hope you are finding these blogs helpful and comforting and that it does not have to be doom and gloom.

Many thanks for reading,

Carrie X

If There Are Times You Wish You Could Forget

06 Saturday Dec 2025

Posted by in Celebrating, Everyday living, Friendships and relationships, having bad days, health and wellbeing, Living, Personal Development, Winter Wellness

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In the year the Two Thousand for the first time I dreaded Christmas. My family life had changed, my Nan passed away and I was in a job I hated. It was a fail. I had to re-address my life and where it was going.

Our Elf on A shelf

For some, there are people, like that year who dread Christmas. When a change happens, all those good times feel like they have stopped and can make you feel like you want the world to swallow you up, to never be seen again. It took me a while to adjust and I made the decision to leave my life in Richmond behind to move to work in the South Coast.

When I moved Christmases were a work day. I moved to work at a holiday camp and where I met my husband and so I had the Christmas my boyfriend, then at one of our friends house and it was fun working at Christmas. Within in one year, I stayed with then my boyfriend and worked with a hangover but I do not regret as it, it was so much fun.

I lost my spark for the festive cheer. I was sad. My nan was the center of my universe and my Grandad and my Nan, made the Festive season the best ones and it struck me that those times were gone and I asked, “Would Christmas be good again?”

I see the Christmas as a day a of rest and recuperation now. I love that my son loves it and he has helped bring back my Christmas spirit, to feeling happy again, we hosted Christmas once with my in-laws. Now though it is just the three of us and celebrate for him now and he has helped me bring back my joy for #Christmas.

I am not a fan of the busyness of the Christmas so tend to buy online but do like to have a traditional drinks, decor an like a Mulled Wine or a Winter Cider and may have a glass of wine. I love a festive coffee. This year 2025 its the nutcracker latte, iced or hot. What is your festive drink this year? For a while it was the Blackforest Gateaux Hot Chocolate.

If you’ve not had a good year then it can be hard to enjoy Christmas but do something different and if you want to eat out as many restaurants or pubs can be open. The year before Henry was born we, my husband I went to Florida which was good fun and next year I plan to go to Scotland and today we are off to Kingston if the weather is okay and see the lights and see if we can get any decor or my sons bedroom.

The other thing is family break ups. Alternate visits. One year let your kids be with their dad and the next with you. It was hard when my parent divorced but my dad would go to my brothers and so it can work out and just say “Your not gonna choose” but will see them what day works for you and if they are persistent then say “No this is what is going to work with me” and if they make it hard for you then you have to be honest with them and be stern with the decision you have made.

It is not the time for arguments. It is the time to end family feuds and just enjoy it.

So going to pop out as I need something for my teeth they’ve been hurting me a lot and have a Christmas coffee and a pastry of some kind. Sometimes you just need that lift and it helps me think and feel lucky to have experience Christmases with those gone and that Christmas is now worth celebrating.

Many thanks for reading,

Carrie X

Doing Things to Make a difference to others

17 Monday Nov 2025

Posted by in Celebrating, Financial Living, Friendships and relationships, having bad days, health and wellbeing, Living, Love, Winter Wellness

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This idea came from watching a Youtube Video by Kate Kaden and each month I give to the local foodbanks in London and work for a Charity. I present a show for my local hospital and it gives me such a buzz. The Winter can be tough and so if you can cook a hot meal for someone that you know is on their own, can do a world of good. Or even buying them a coffee and give them your time to chat.

In the winter I find it hard to see those doing all they can to earn money from selling the Big Issue and people walking passed, knowing that they can really make a difference. We do have families who are struggling to put food on the table. Why in this day in age have people needing to go to a foodbank?

I’ve watched Call the Midwife and feel from the times that the programme is based on learnt nothing.

The high street is suffering, the prices on utilities are going up and I have been to a supermarket and had to cancel items having absolutely nothing and it is the worst feeling in the world.

This is not to make you feel guilty in anyway. It doesn’t have to be materialistic but just your time. One of my sons schools friends parent who’s child was in his class would use her to listen to children read and I love volunteering. So rewarding. At many of the staff at the local garden centres are volunteers.

When I do my shopping and I am asked if I’d like to give a donation and I say yes. It can be lending books to your neighbours if they are alone or if they’d like to go for a walk. Have a joint Christmas with neighbours. I remember when I was kid and we moved from one block of flats to another the lady opposite us looked after me and we often go to other’s homes when living on a housing estate.

There’d be Christmas parties on the Estate and I loved them or Christmas Bingo nights.

Such a massive community and wonder if that still happens now on Housing Estates. I see many in the library where my son gets tutored until he gets a place in a school, are people who visit it and are alone.

There are often events in libraries and run my volunteers. If you are struggling joining the library can be a good way to save money on books or visit charity shops. I buy most of my books from Charity shops and our library does free coffee and drinks, like juice and so can be a good way to meet people.

So if you can make a difference and have some time spare, it can be good for you and the reciprocate. M

Many thanks for reading,

Carrie X

When The Day Is a Success No Matter The Season

11 Tuesday Nov 2025

Posted by in Celebrating, health and wellbeing, Living, Personal Development, Planning for 2025, Winter Wellness

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At the weekend. (I have filmed a Vlog. It will be up on my Vlog Youtube Channel). It won’t be available this Wednesday but next Wednesday: https://www.youtube.com/@typicallondongal

My son at Sixes Club London Bridge. A birthday gift and a place I’d recommend.

It was such good fun. We went to a place called Sixes in London Bridge. It is a Club with Virtue Cricket. They have a bar with screens to watch sports. The food looked good, and the drinks were really nice.

I was worried in case it wasn’t the right place, we struggled to find it at first but it is right by London Bridge Train Station and played cricket. In the end we all thoroughly enjoyed it and just because it gets dark early in the winter, doesn’t mean you can’t have fun.

It was perfect for all seasons. We are planning to go before Christmas too and have something to eat there and if your kids likes sport, I would recommend to check it out. I booked it for my sons birthday and was recommended by one of my husband’s work colleagues.

We went out for breakfast and had picky bits for dinner. Something we do at any time and then chilled for the rest of evening. It is good to get out still. It is good to, in the winter to have family time, going for a festive coffee somewhere. Then returning home and chill in front of the TV and Watch a good wintery film. My favourite since a kid was, Christmas Carole by Charles Dickens and my son it is Polar Express or The Grinch. On my own it is You Got Mail and Christmas specials like, Call the Midwife.

We had on the Sunday toad in the hole and my husband cooks on Sundays as usually Henry as normally my son has rugby club in the morning and I go to work, as I work for local hospital and do a radio show for the local hospital: https://www.epsomhospitalradio.org.uk/on-air/listen-live but to celebrate my sons birthday we are had a family weekend, so he didn’t go rugby and I didn’t do my radio show. It is good to do less in the Winter and still have a great time, at home and out.

This is where in my printable for this years Winter Wellness comes into play Winter Wellness Programme 2025 and write down your old traditions and things you want to change to feel good in the Winter instead of causing stress and anxiety but can relax, slow down and do something fun that you all like.

Many thanks for reading,

Carrie X

A Bag Full Of Memories

07 Friday Nov 2025

Posted by in Celebrating, Dreams and ambitions, Everyday living, having bad days, health and wellbeing, Living, Winter Wellness

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The Winter can be a great way to create a Bag Full of Memories. They can go to the park. Retake a photo from when you were a kid to when you became an adult. Celebrate milestones, like for example, someone turning 40 or 18 and take photos in the park on each milestone.

One of my Sons and I favourite places and yes we even have Ice Cream in the Winter

I love a photo and seeing pictures of the different Christmases I have had since a kid. I remember those that are no longer with us. I include their traditions and new ones. Check out this post below, of my printable where I have created: Winter Wellness Programme 2025 | Everyone can build a castle

In the winter I like to try a festive coffee and document it. It just a little guilty pleasure along with having a Mulled Wine or a Winter Cider.

Yes I have a Christmas mug and want to get a new one. I like to take picture of my son and his cousins. We do set dates of when we can get together. It is great to have family time. I loved spending time with family, as a kid. I cherish those times and want my son to feel the same.

I have had a hard time during the winter. Because of this, I created the Programme Winter Wellness. Then, I started to realize that change is good. You have to move on.

People come and go. Memories will last a lifetime. If you allow it, you can create more memories. Life is full of surprises. Change can mean new experiences that makes you look back and smile. I loved my childhood and now I love my adulthood. It has not always been like that. Life is full of challenges. As you live, you will learn that they are a test to see how resilient you are. You have more strength than before. You can speak for yourself and create memories that others will cherish. Laughing and having fun is contagious. Winter time can have a bag full of memories just as much as the others, throughout the year.

Let out your feelings on my Printable, please see link in the blog above and is free to download.

If you’d like to see more content I have a Youtube Vlog where I share parts of my life and have created a Pinterest board for this years Winter Wellness and so check these out in the links below:

Vlog Channel https://www.youtube.com/@typicallondongal

My Pinterest board:

Many thanks for reading

Carrie X

What Songs Do you Relate to that makes you feel good ?

05 Wednesday Nov 2025

Posted by in Everyday living, having bad days, health and wellbeing, Living, Personal Development, Winter Wellness

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There isn’t a day in my life where I have not played music. It was my first love. I would dream about living a different life. I would imagine that I am in concert singing songs like the Greatest Love of All. I wished I had written songs I have loved and still love today.

Photo by Andrea Piacquadio on Pexels.com

Music is great for building relationships. This happens if you share similar tastes and have a song that makes you smile whenever you hear it. The song by Eurythmics, There must be an Angel playing in my heart, reminds me of our trips to Menorca. We used to go there for our Summer holiday and were such good fun. We traveled with other families. These trips gave me so much joy. I was allowed to stay up all night and would watch the sun go down and love watching the sunset.

In the Winter I normally listen to Enya, of course Christmas songs and mainly soft music.

If you find that Winter is gloomy, put on some music to lift your mood. Create a playlist of songs that make you feel good.

I have created a Printable and I talk about Habits. One of them is listening to a playlist of songs in the mornings. For me, I always play music around 3:50 pm until dinner time. This includes nice, slow, easy music, and joyful tunes too.

I work for my local hospital radio on Sundays from 4 to 6 Sunday afternoon. If you are in the UK, you can go to the Epsom Hospital website. Listen to it if you have internet. I back doing my show on Sunday the 30th November 2025: https://www.epsomhospitalradio.org.uk/on-air/presenters/carrie-challoner

I like to have a bath and listen to music some times and especially when cooking.

My husband does the same. I love to listen to music when it’s cold and wet outside. It helps me write and work on a book. I have created a playlist on Youtube to go with the book I am writing. I enjoy it with an Earl Grey tea and a nice sweet treat.

I hate the worry of people not being happy. It can affect my mood. I hope that this Winter Wellness Programme helps you. If you want to join, just subscribe. You will be alerted when I post a blog. I also do other programmes throughout the year.

Many thanks for reading,

Carrie X

Winter Wellness Programme 2025

03 Monday Nov 2025

Posted by in Celebrating, Goal setting, health and wellbeing, Living, Planning for 2025, Printables, Winter Wellness

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Hello and Welcome to my New Seasonal Programme, My Winter Wellness that I do each Winter to not allow the dark days or the weather to effect my mood and enjoy all the season’s and focus on what gives me joy this time of year.

I just wrote a post on my blog Style Way of Living, about my Home Comforts and I love getting Cozy in the Winter and take a step back from the Everyday Errands and I am loving my time with my son in the Evenings especially in the Winter and watching a Christmas movie. I like to drink Earl Grey tea and a festive drink.

Check out this blog here: https://mystylewayofliving.blogspot.com/2025/11/my-home-comforts.html

I have done a printable and it is about getting the most out of your Winter and that you don’t have to get the latest trends and having a ton of decor and gifts to enjoy your Winter. I like to invest in a good set of jumpers and do a declutter, Christmas Food, but not too much as it is what helps you to enjoy Winter without spending money and spending time with family.

I have a section in this printable about New Traditions and Personal Dilemmas, that has affected my feelings to enjoy the winter season.

So in this Printable I want you to go through as I post to help you enjoy Winter rather than dreading it:

My Winter Wellness printableDownload

This is free printable to download and print and keep.

I have set up a Pinterest board:

I will be sharing blogs from my other blogsite, aswell as this one and so if you want to feel better about Winter then join me and lets help each other enjoy this time of year.

Many thanks for reading,

Carrie X

Winter Wellness: The Outcome and what is next

29 Wednesday Jan 2025

Posted by in health and wellbeing, Living, Personal Development, Weekly posts, Winter Wellness

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It is the last week of January 2025. We have covered a lot in this new programme I created. Thank you for the likes. If you are new and subscribed, thank you. It really means a lot.

Photo by Riccardo on Pexels.com

So the outcome. How did it go? If you have just seen my content for this programme, don’t worry. They will still be on this blog site. Please give me some feedback. You can leave a comment below.

What did you change? I started taking my vitamins and other supplements again. They help me with my energy. I find during the winter I have a lack of energy. In the mornings, I struggle at the start of the day, but by taking supplements I’ve seen a big transition. I am completing tasks. I finished a first draft of a book series I am writing. I have been walking a lot. I am sleeping really well and reading more and discovered new loves.

I’ve started take Magnesium and Zinc. I recommend them, but always ask your GP before taking them, if you are not sure. It has really made a difference. Not sponsored, but I was experiencing a lack of energy and kept getting twitching of the eye. I spoke with my doctor, and she recommended it to me. It has been a massive change.

They were from Holland and Barrett.

I have taken on new challenges. I started Parkrun. I try to walk each day, even if it’s indoors, because I am lucky to have a treadmill. There are walking exercises. Check out Youtube. Today, I did some weights. I am really focusing on looking after myself. This helps me look after my son. I can do jobs around the house. I can go for walks without feeling that my eyes are on the floor. This is changing my lifestyle, my word for 2025. This has helped me see the new year in a different light. I no longer get upset and can look back and think, “I did good” and you can feel that too.

So thank you and next month I am doing some Self Development training. I will doing videos and blogs and begins on the 3rd February to the 28th February 2025. I have been studying mental health and counseling. This has helped me in developing my skills in helping others. It’s important to help others feel better about themselves and their life. Once you learn, you can help others too.

I have signed up to do Race for life this year. My goal is to help raise money for Cancer Research. The event will take place on the 22nd June 2025 up at Epsom Downs.

So if you’d like to donate to this cause then check out my JustGiving page in the link below:

https://www.justgiving.com/page/carrie-challoner-10?utm_medium=FR&utm_source=CL

I also have three Youtube channels. One is a Vlog Channel called Typical London Gal. Another is Financial Living. Finally, there is Carrie’s educational Youtube channel, where I will be sharing my videos for my Self Development programme.

https://www.youtube.com/@typicallondongal

https://www.youtube.com/@financialliving

https://www.youtube.com/@CarrieEducationalYoutube-ws4xp

I also am on Social media:

Link for my Pinterest:

Social media:

https://www.instagram.com/typicallondongal/

https://www.facebook.com/typicallondongal/

https://twitter.com/Carrie82434764

Many thanks for reading,

Carrie X

Winter Wellness: Getting Through the Winter

22 Wednesday Jan 2025

Posted by in Everyday living, health and wellbeing, Living, Personal Development, Weekly posts, Winter Wellness

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This is going to be my second to last blog for this Winter Wellness Programme. I hope you like the blogs written. I also hope you found them useful. They are designed to support you if you dread winter. They aim to help you feel better about that time of the year.

One of my favourite parks I like to walk through in Epsom Rosebery Park

We can lack a lot of energy during the winter days. I struggle to get up when it is still dark. So, I now give myself some time to wake up by reading. This has been a game changer in the mornings and this due to reading before I sleep.

So have a good routine at night so it helps your body know that sleep time is coming. As soon as dinner is finished, I will get ready for the evening. I will change my clothes and have a bath. I’ll spend time with my son, watch TV in bed, and finish off with my book.

I make sure I am hydrated and love a morning winter walk. If there is extreme weather, I will workout indoors. But if it is just grizzly, I will wrap up and get outdoors. Of course, if you find it tricky to get outdoors, then there are workouts you can do sitting down. It is also a great time to volunteer at a homeless shelter. Find a place you can get to and get out.

Walking for 10 minutes is still exercise. Often, I will do that on the treadmill. Sometimes, I do 10 minutes of weights. I also look on YouTube for a good workout. Or cooking a nice hot meal. I love winter food and meals and so great time to learn to make different meals. I have a folder where I keep printed recipes. A friend of mine bought me a recipe planner. My stepdad prints off recipes and keeps them in a folder. You can win over your kids, partner, or friend by making delicious meals. My Nan would make lovely dinners. Her Macaroni and Cheese was the best in the world. She was one person who inspired me to cook.

A great way to help your kids not be fussy about food is by getting them involved. I love a good lunch. Today I had a crusty roll with cheese and apple. Yesterday for dinner we had pie with vegetables and mashed potato. Just homely cooked dinners in winter that help me make me feel better about the season.

This is not the end because in February I am going to be doing some Self Development Training. Helping you feel better about you and your life. I will be doing videos for my educational Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@CarrieEducationalYoutube-ws4xp and writing blogs for it too on this site.

You can be kept informed by subscribing.

Many thanks for reading,

Carrie X

January Newsletter 2025

21 Tuesday Jan 2025

Posted by in Celebrating, health and wellbeing, Living, Monthly Newsletter, Monthly posts, Personal Development, Planning for 2025, Printables, Winter Wellness

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Hello! Belated Happy New Year heading towards February. I post a newsletter every month. It is free to download and print. I had a good Christmas and New Year. It was so relaxing and stress free. I didn’t cook the dinner my husband did and it was very nice.

My son and I did our Christmas Day Walk and was like always so peaceful.

I have set my goals and life changes. I met up with my colleagues on Epsom Hospital Radio. We had a Belated Christmas Dinner at the Rubbing House on the Epsom Downs. It was very nice and just a lovely evening. If you want to volunteer to work on Epsom Hospital Radio, check this link.

Please check out my Newsletter for January 2025.

January Newsletter 2025Download

Many thanks to those who have subscribed to this site. It is coming up to the end of my Winter Wellness programme. I will start doing Self Development Training on my Educational Youtube channel in February 2025. I will also be making videos and blogs about it too.

https://www.youtube.com/@CarrieEducationalYoutube-ws4xp

Many thanks

Carrie X