Hello! So I hope you are enjoyed my previous video that is on my Educational Youtube channel, and please subscribe as it helps grow my content and this weeks video is all about How I Realistically Manage my time.
In the mornings I set my alarm for 5:30am but at the moment been getting up at 5am, but this morning I went back to bed, not to sleep but to give myself time to drink my cup of tea and a friend of mine always likes to read in the mornings.
When I used to go running and didn’t feel like it, I would put on a motivation video on or a song on. Now though I use it to edit a book I am trying to finish and do some of my Life Coaching course I am doing, and watch a bit of Youtube, before others are awake.
I give myself free choice time and mark it in my calendar and do whatever I choose, so be realistic and manage your days without putting on too much pressure on yourself.
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So this years Summer Project is nearly over and have one last blog to share. I really hope you gained something from it, and please in the comments below, give me your feedback as it really helps me grow my blogs and that you keep on liking these blogs and subscribe, and you will be alerted everytime I publish a new blog.
Self care and development is what is is all about, and making sure you put yourself first on some days and have a life you are happy with. Of course there are events that are beyond our control, like a loss of someone and something, but having resilience and determination, you can rebuild your life to be better and listen to your feelings, and address them.
Taking time out from everyday life and having new experiences and meeting new people, to build new relationships and making existing relationships stronger than ever, and being with people who will listen to you aswell as listening to them.
See that you deserve a happy life and you are worth the things in your life, and the relationships. You should treat yourself and make deals with yourself as I find rewarding helps me to get things done, and not procrastinate and taking my time, and taking it easy.
Life isn’t about rushing around, but having peace and if you can’t be bothered then it could be that you are doing too much and need to reevaluate your life and making changes, so you feel excited and not crawling through tasks, but will give you good results. Also taking a break and getting rest, so you properly recharge and feel full of energy to have a good life that you love.
Soon I will be starting my Autumn reset and so once I do my final blog then my Autumn Reset will begin and so a lot more content to come.
Yes so this is all about how make deals with myself, and I just did this now by promising myself if I do a home workout (exercise) then I can have another coffee. I am going to have my next coffee and watch another video on Youtube, and really enjoyed my workout. I do have a couple of fitness blog sites if you didn’t know, on WordPress and on google blogspot, please see these links:
I didn’t feel like walking this morning, but I did it by promising myself a Pain Eu chocolate with a cup of coffee that I had indoors and so now on my second and I am going to bloody enjoy it. Some may think this is counterproductive, but for me it is how I get stuff done and get focused.
I made a deal if I got what I needed, as I had shopping to pick up, that when I walked I could get the bus back and got one straight away which is unusual and tomorrow I am thinking a nice iced coffee whilst I walk and love it at the moment getting out in the morning, once my son has gone off to school, and feeling the cool air as it has been so hot in the day.
I have been on walks with my son too when he has come home from school, and to build my steps and completed another ring on my fitness app I have on my phone, and will have my dinner and by the time dinner time has come I have earned it. Tonight it is a home favourite Spaghetti Bolognese, and then often will play some more out in the garden with my son.
It helps me to be productive, and get my Life Coaching programme finished to then start my Autumn reset which will end by end of October 2023, and then it is getting ready for birthdays I have in my family and then getting ready for the festive season.
If you have read my blogs then you know I am that kind of person that likes to take her time, and if I can do something without rushing, I find I get may daily goals/to-do’s done and making the days as good as the next one.
So make promises to yourself and I can assure you, you will see positive results.
Today I spent time celebrating my nieces birthday. She turned 16 and I remember at that age I had enough of education and so once I did sixth form, it was time to find work. I was never ever going to university, because I just don’t have the concentration spam to do higher education.
So I started to do stewarding at Fulham Football club and did work experience working with the groundsman and I loved it. This was before you had the internet and so used the Yellow pages to help me find work and back then they had Career Offices and even though the Careers Man wasn’t exactly the politest I managed to find my first full time job in a Marketing company.
The work I have done I have found myself and it was working where I found my feet and way into the world. It was a lifestyle that worked for me, and seeing kids at that time going to school I was glad that school life was over, and began to socialise a lot and met up with friends, and got a buzz from the working life.
You have to get yourself out there and yes it can take time to find a life that you are happy with, but when you find it, it feels like a massive weight off your shoulders. I am not a millionaire, but I have my son, a roof over my head and family. I know there are people that don’t have that, and when I think that, it makes me more happy with my life, and thankful. I have good health and can walk and run, and hands that can write and a body that I can finally say, I am happy with.
Give yourself credit and take time in finding yourself. I would question why I am here? Why was I put into this world? And for me is to help others and to be a good mum to my son. Being a good daughter and niece, and Aunt and help others to live their lives that they can get up for and not feel down and alone.
Keep growing and building your knowledge. Even though I didn’t go to university, I have done short courses and learned a lot. I am doing some other courses online, on a course site, called, Ofcourse and I love to build my knowledge and skills. There are more I’d like to do, and I do have a Youtube Educational Channel, and check out TED Talk and Using Youtube. I also use Youtube to help me with my writing and building my knowledge to build books and getting writing tips, and have published a lot of EBooks, Books on parenting and happiness and well being. Check out amazon under the names, Carrie Challoner, Carrie Lee Holmes and Carrie Holmes.
Map it out. I have written about this in my books and is a good way to plan what you want to do and turn your life around, and do it as you keep growing. It helps to work towards building a life that you are happy with and gives me direction and use it to plan what projects I want to do next/
Learn a new skill. I suppose this relates to Keep growing and building your knowledge, but you can teach yourself too if you don’t want to do a course. If you want to be able to cook, buy a recipe book or look online and there are loads to choose from. Its about what works for you, and what will make a difference to how you feel about your life. Check out Women and Home Magazine. They have stories of people who have done this and started as a hobby into a livelihood, and I get so inspired by reading them.
There is space for you. Just because someone else has done it, doesn’t mean you can’t do it too. Never compare, use it to learn, to help you to be find you path into what somebody has done and put your stamp on it. There is a video by Mel Robbins, who talks about Jealousy and envy check it out: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rdYfAc3mMnQ&t=34s
I know this is counterproductive when I am a planner, I like to plan each day, but sometimes a good plan is when a plan was done last minute with no agenda., I decided to book to go to the Zoo in Battersea park yesterday, and was a good day. My son is very moany at the moment and so he was saying he didn’t want to go to the Zoo, because he wanted to see the London Eye again.
Yet once we were in the Zoo he was happy, and wanted to keep seeing the animals and is a lovely place to visit, and tomorrow we are going to North Greenwich, again, like we did on Monday, and got the UberBoat, and was so enjoyable.
I like when I am out to explore and travel into London even more, and one of the best nights out have often been ones when we have gone out and then wanted to stay out, and had a rememberable time. I remember my friend had drinks in the week for her birthday and we were having such a good time that we went onto a club. I did do the wrong thing, and missed work the next day, but was such a good evening, that neither one of my friends and I wanted to evening to end.
When I would go and watch a rugby league team, which would be mainly at the weekends, we would spend the rest of the evening to go up London and stay out. Yes this cost money, but was money well spent, and felt like I properly let my hair down and I have so many fun memories. Of course my life has changed, I am a mum now, but I do still like to be spontaneous sometimes and have fun, rather than doing the same thing all the time, and are some of the best times. Life is about enjoyment and spending time with those you love, who see life the same way you do, and like to make last minute plans and getting the most out of life.
I couldn’t do this all the time, because I live on a tight budget like many, and the whole the point is to do something different that you unable to do all of the time.
So, plan yes but if your life is getting boring then it is the same thing everyday, then it means you need to do new experiences and make last minute plans, like visiting a friend you have not seen for a long time or going to a place you have never been before, or for a long time, it can make you feel better about life and not see the same place all of the time.
Please check out my Pinterest, and you can see that I have pinned a lot of videos and blogs, along with my other blogs I write too.
My mental state was bad and it has taken me a lot to get my life back on track, but planning is always the one thing that gets me through it. I like planning my days and focusing on having a good day, whatever has tried not knock me off the path I have been going through, to be fully recovered. I did a video talking about a couple of days ago, when I went to pick up my prescription and bought a cold coffee, only to drop it as I was running for the bus back, check out my video here: https://youtu.be/L_bU-FKqtOQ and so not everything goes to plan, but I still got my prescription and I still made it back indoors to record the video above, talking about Using what you’ve got .
When unplanned events happen, it can take a while to get over and I believe in, allowing yourself to grieve and take time in coming to terms that sometimes you have to start again, to continue to grow as a human being, and that is exactly what I have had to do.
I started to get back on my feet by spending time away from my friends and family, and was helped with getting my life together, by having an income again and being reunited with, family and my son, and able to see him off to school and back. Getting in contact with friends via social media, and now looking to be connected to others again, as I do miss going out with friends and family again.
Never plan too big at first, and focus on one or two things, at a time. I began to Understand the condition I had and learned about the triggers, should I feel like I am having relapse, and learning about different mental health conditions. I did this by doing some free courses, and they have helped me, with these blogs, because I love to learn and educate myself. It is a great way to rebuild your life. I did some painting which I haven’t done in years and started walking again. Walking small distances, and exploring new places, getting back into writing books, and exercise is good for recovery as it does give you, good energy and it helps me to listen to my body that can help with my mind, by retuning positive feelings.
Healing relationships by forgiving and forgetting, and addressing the causes. Make a plan to see your friends again and spend time with family, and have them help you in recovery, You don’t have to go through recovery on your own.
Having a good sort out on things that you want to let go off and make plan to do this. Again get help. My mum helped me when I came out of hospital, and recently done a declutter, and doing this regularly can help the feelings of being overcrowded with stuff.
I am in a good place now and feel like my life is taking shape. There are still so much I wish to do, but taking it one step at a time.
Remember I do have books available on happiness and wellnesses, along with fictional books. You can find these on amazon, under the names, Carrie Challoner, Carrie Lee Holmes and Carrie Holmes.
When we feel low it often feels like we are falling down a hole and that there is nothing to enjoy and feel like hiding away. Start by going through your home that gives you comfort. For me right now I love sitting in front of my desk, listening to a video and writing this blog. I love sharing and helping you, and since I began this blog so much of my life has changed.
I am not going to force you to be thankful, because I have no knowledge of your life, but give tips, and so when I began to change my life, was when I had put on loads of weight and took up running. It was tough and I could have easily given up. I kept going, and went running along he seafront early in the morning so noone would see me, and with each run, my feelings towards my life, got better.
Now I enjoy walking, and I discovered my love from walking through running and so began to be thankful I had legs that can run or walk. You may be different, but finding a skill you didn’t know you had, can change that, and will help you to be thankful and there is a reason you are still here, and developing new relationships and visiting new places.
Moving away from home and following dreams to work in a holiday camp, I started to question my decision on deciding to do this, and was home sick for the first 3 weeks, but as I kept on getting used to living and working there, I began to enjoy being away and was grateful for this experience and met my husband and for while I was happy, this was before I began to feel low that I wrote about at the beginning of this blog.
There will always be bumps in the road in our life, but you can change it to be able to practice gratitude and has to begin right now, because if you are unhappy, with your life currently, it is time to make changes and enjoy life, to then be grateful.
When I became a parent I felt overwhelmed, and love my son, but felt like I had no idea of what to do, and kept feeling I was doing something wrong,, but watching him grow and becoming his own person, it has made me thankful that I am his mum and he is, my child and never thought I’d feel love like it. When he comes to have cuddles, it destroys my negative thoughts, as a parent and thankful for being able to grow this human being that I helped to create. I love at the moment playing football, with him and with his balloon. The other day we created a game with his balloon and so grateful for being able to play and create games to have fun and play.
I had really bad mental health illness, psychosis and it took me a lot to get back on my feet and recover, but with the help of my parents and mental health teams in Surrey and Merton, I am now recovered and can stand on my own two feet again, and thankful to my family and to my keyworkers, and the hospitals I stayed in, that helped me in this dark time I experienced.
So, as you build your life you will, hand on heart, start to see your life differently and who are thankful for you too.
Grab the bulls by the horns, Have you heard of that? Instead of sitting back feeling that you have no life set yourself challenges. These can really open your eyes of what you are capable of and can help feeling down about life, to feeling that you want to take on the world and get back up on your feet, if you have had bumps in your life that has made you feel that you have no life.
I love starting the year on a challenge, they help set me up for the year ahead and will be doing no spending January again as I want Jan and Feb 2024 be the last payments to pay off my credit card, I want to start doing fundraising events again and start with doing 5K walking and running events, and this year I am going to do NanoRimo to write my first Christmas book and want to do editing challenge for August and September and so when i decide of how I am going to do that I will let you know.
The yearly challenges I have been doing for the summer months is walking each day and get outdoors and help get my legs strong again so I can get back into running and build my steps and I really enjoy it as it makes me feel I have more energy when I do and reading a book a month. This challenge (reading) began last year and I love it. In August I find it hard to read, because of the school holidays but I have just kept going and read so much by doing so, and read during the day where possible.
They help to stimulate the mind and look forward to getting out of bed each day and you learn so much about your self.
If you find it hard to take a challenge on your own then see if anyone will join you. When I was working at a call centre I had colleagues wanting to join me in fundraising walks and family too. It can really help boost relationships and that your in it together and egg each other on.
Start by choosing one, and it can be writing for ten minutes each day, go for an hours walk or 5 minutes declutter each day or once a week and organize a room that has been bothering you and dread seeing the mess everyday, as untidy spaces can get us down and feel stuck in a rut. There are 30 day challenges and when I began doing challenges they became addictive and did one to Instagram to post for 30 days for an entire month and I enjoy posting on Instagram as I wanted to post more frequently to build this platform along with Facebook and Twitter.
Setting challenges helps to change our habits, for example it has helped me to be more productive, feel more positive and dealing with hurdles like I am not a naturally tidy person so since challenging myself I do a tidy each morning to get it out of the way and not avoiding tasks.
Thank you so far for liking these blogs and there is more to come. Please check out my Pinterest site where you can find more of my content for my Life Coaching programme:
If you follow me on this blog you will be alerted of when I post a new blog and with challenges set targets and what you want the outcome to be.
I write about this a lot on this blog but that it is so important to spend time giving yourself some self care that helps you develop and feel better about your life and we all need that time.
1>. Watching a movie after having a hot bubble bath with a glass of wine or a cup of tea.
2>. Going for a coffee by a river or lake when the weather is good and a picnic with a bottle of Rose’ wine and meet up with a friend to join you
3>. Going for a long walk and write in your journal with a take away coffee or one you made at home and meeting up with a friend you have not seen for a while
4>. Do some exercise if you are not into walking but like to workout indoors. Check our Youtube as there are loads of different workouts on there and completely free or there is Davina McCall Own your goals and the body coach, Joe Wicks: https://www.thebodycoach.com/ and why not invite a friend to join you as sometimes working with a friend can make it more fun and more likely to stick to it.
5>. Read a book with a blanket over you, and put your mobile on silent and create a do not disturb sign.
It is about making the time for you and not what you always get to do, and we all need that down time.
So lets make the most of being free when we have the chance and now the schools break up for the School Summer Holidays, the more self care we can get, the better.
Hello it is July and spent this morning sorting out my OneNote. If you don’t what that is, it is free programme where you can plan and create different tabs and add pictures and has so many different purposes.
No not sponsored, but if they’d like to one day then my door is open.
This blog is about giving things up. I know this can cause anxiety, so try one item a day to lower it and doesn’t have to be hobbies or food and drink but things like I was subscribed to, like Notion, because it is a good planning platform but already had a set up on my OneNote so unsubscribed, to save myself money and given things up has helped me to save and be more frugal. I am no longer buying too many snacks, and choose healthier options. I still eat chocolate but starting to monitor how much chocolate I have and not going to deprive myself but I don’t need so much. and concentrate on things that help me to function, like exercising, writing and spending time with my son, and help him improve his eating habits.
It can take a lot, but can really make you feel better when you start seeing that you have more space in your life and no longer paying for things that bring you down, and having things you do want, and add more happiness to your life. I gave up listening to music before bed, as it did effect my sleep and so listen to it when travelling and not having my phone by my bed, my sleep has been so much better. It still takes a while to get to sleep still on some nights but by winding down and reading before bed has helped to make it easier and sleep is so important to your wellbeing.
There are other things I wish to give up. One is to stop buying notebooks because they are pretty, but if I really need them. I have plenty to use and want to go more digital when it comes to planning, like using one note but my phone too, and for writing things down going to use my Filofax next month and follow Terri Savelle Foy method and have everything in one place, when it comes to notes and to do lists.
It doesn’t have to be materialistic things, but if there is someone who winds you down, then talk to them and explain to them that if they don’t stop can cause friction between you, and find it hard to be around them. This is hard to do, but if they don’t make you feel good then there is something that needs to stop and help them to give something up, like their issue they have with you and stop being so down and help them to be happy, by being positive and set boundaries and rules.
The one thing I don’t like is people being two-faced, or like to be center of attention all of the time. The world wasn’t made just for that one person and this is something I have been teaching my son when he gets obsessive and being clingy with his stuff. I made friends by sharing. When I was at school and I was seated with other children I would if I had a packet of crisps for example, offer them one and when I would play out with my friends and wanted an apple my nan or parents would cut up slices so my friends could have some too, or use my toilet in the flat I lived.
Not saying I am perfect but give up being selfish and share. I feel my role as a mum is to set a good example and that is not gossiping about someone behind their back and allow others to take center stage.
Give up what you know you no longer want in your life and allow yourself to grow and be happy.