Wam Bam Thank You March!

What a month! There have been highs, and there have definitely been lows, but I have come out of the other end smiling, laughing even.

The plan was to conquer my Life Admin list, strengthen my ankle and experience Bristol. Here's how it went:

Get a big ol' chunk of Life-Admin ticked off the L-Admin List

This, by all accounts, went well. I have processed my Criminal record Application, been ticked off by the Doctor for Camp America, remembered 2 Birthdays, paid for Camp, and watched all my training videos. But, as always, a person's To-Do List is never-ending. I still need to contact Sky and extend the wifi into my bedroom (however, I'm actually quite enjoying not having any, after all, the boudoir is for sleeping, not Netflix ;)

Follow the doctors orders and start strengthening my ankle - ease myself back into exercise

I started strong, did those exercises, went for a few short jogs to test the water, started running to the gym in the mornings, all was going extremely well! Then Sunday FUNday hit; I hadn't gone out the night before so wanted to make the most of the day, it was beautiful! I'd done all my chores so decided to go for a non-specific run. I just wanted to start running, head to the Downs in Clifton and see what happened. It was brilliant. I hit a PB of 5 miles, without stopping, saw some beautiful scenery, cleared my mind, and my ankle stood strong, so I was very proud. I then however, continued my journey home via a detour; a 1 hour stroll in my running gear and chilly winds whilst catching up with family members and friends on the phone. I was so proud I wanted to tell my loved ones and pass on the good feeling, but this was my down fall. I rested my ankle when I got home, had a long hot bath and went to bed, sleep did not happen though. From Sunday evening until Thursday evening I did not move, the flu had hit. The majority of that week is a blur of hallucinations, hot sweats, crying and Lemsip. On the plus side, my ankle would have definitely got the rest it needed!

Enjoy Bristol for everything it has to offer! I want to do/see at least 3 things I haven't experienced before

Running helped me with this one; I went on quite a few runs to different places in the sunshine, just exploring beautiful Bristol. I also, spent an entire day with my best friend and her 2 lush Rough Collies, walking around Clifton, Whiteladies Road and the Downs, stopping off in coffee shops, bars, grabbing some fish & chips and admiring the Suspension Bridge. 

So, there was this date. This unbelieeeeeevable date....

Another of my memorable Saturdays was when I saw 3 groups of friends, had cocktails in Browns, watched the Six Nations in a pub, continued the crawl to pubs I wouldn't have thought to go to and finished the frenzy in a curry house! I've always heard of it being a good idea for after a night out, lads on tour style, and it was bloody lovely! Sorted me out good and proper!

I've been having some great date nights with my friends, not my dates..... (that's another blog by itself!) One evening after work, my house mate called me, super excited as usual, announcing that we were going on a Thursday night extravaganza. Now, all 3 girls in our flat are country bumpkins; we love the countryside, seaside, outdoorsy activities, we're definitely not the type to go for manicures and buy designer. So our evening consisted of taking our adopted dog Fern to Ashton Court, through the woods and around the grounds, then ending up in my favourite Bristol pub, The White Lion for some drinks and dinner. My perfect school night!

April Aims:

• Living April in Abundance! I have 1 month left in Bristol - time to make some memories! On the Bristol Bucket List so far is: picnic, barbeque, Shake Awake (a rave from 6:30am - 9:00am on a Friday morning before work), the Bath to Bristol cycle trail, pub quiz, The Farm (a farm with a pub), go and see a Bath Rugby game, go to Snuff Mills and Leigh Woods.

    

• Smash all my goals at work and leave Yellow Monkey on a high!

     #livingaprilinabundance

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I save my carbs for wine. It's called having priorities.

Wow it’s tough being a 24 year old! The pressures are coming from all angles it seems! Not only am I trying to build a good reputation for myself at work, I’m trying to lose weight, look great, have fun, be “cool”, make memories, save money, be a good friend, make my family proud all while subliminally drawing in on my future husband and children! There is far too much to do and be and I’m not sure I want to keep up anymore. It’s actually okay to just be me, not an Instagram model with the perfect job, finances and lifestyle. I’m not saying we shouldn’t strive to be the best possible version of ourselves, we definitely should, but it is more than okay to get there step by step and f**k up every once in a while.

There is no such thing as a chilled night in anymore; to be completely and utterly content to do nothing but nothing. Even if I am sprawled out on the sofa indulging in my 5^th episode of  “Person of Interest” (my new series by the way), there will still be a point where I grab my phone and enhance my online “personality”. A quote, a photo, an article, a blog, a thoughtful comment on a friend’s post; there is an incessant need to remind our audience of the type of person we are/want to be seen as. When in actual fact, when was the last time I was that nice to them in person? Hmmm maybe I should work on my “be a good friend” goal.

As a whole, variation is key. The key to a happy, balanced life. Some days it’s good to work overtime, some days you should skip after work drinks and go for a run, and sometimes you need to go and have a massive blow out with your friends and feel terrible for 2 days solid. I believe we should all have a short-term focus, something we feel is our priority currently, but the odd detour will never do you any harm. Turn off your GPS for a moment and just go wherever the wind takes you, and if it goes tits up, at least it’s a funny story! Take this weekend for example: Friday – I accidentally got smashed from “1 drink with the team”, skipped dinner and stumbled home to roll on the floor with our dog guest. Saturday – I was a fragile mess all day, saw daylight for 10 minutes and made a firm Ellie shaped dent in our sofa. I also turned down two pub invitations and enjoyed the Six Nations Super Saturday by myself where I could voice my opinion and not have a lairy, clearly-never-played-rugby-in-his-life meat head try and tell me to sit down. Honestly, I dare you. Sunday – I popped a joint in the slow cooker, went for a 5 mile run in the sunshine and smashed my Life-Admin list. That to me, was a near on perfect weekend for my well being, a bit of this, a bit of that, but they don’t always pan out like that do they? In fact, this weekend was definitely a fluke.

I think it’s necessary to know that certain things are more important at certain times. For instance, for a recent graduate in their first corporate role it should be their priority to work hard, stand out and progress. For a recent singleton it’s vital they have fun, reunite with friends and build their confidence as an independent person again. At the moment, for me, it’s important that I make the most of Bristol, with 6 weeks left, 6 Thirsty Thursdays, 6 Free-Style Fridays and 6 Sunday Fundays, I need to make the most of each one! This does not mean I plan to be sloshed for the next 6 weeks, it means I want to spend time with all my friends, explore Bristol, let loose on a Friday and take in what Bristol has to offer. My one and only fear in life is that of Regret. I never want to say “I wish I’d done ……” or “I really regret not saying…..”

I guess the point I’m trying to make is, you cannot be everything, to everyone all of the time, and that’s okay, honestly. Chose a focus, nail the sh*t out of it and move on. We have to mix up our priorities else we’ll get bored. But remember, no story worth listening to started with “So this one night I stayed in…….”

"The Root of Joy is Gratefulness"

Hello March, nice to see the spring in your step! But excuse me for one moment, where on earth did February go??? If realising a quarter of 2016 has nearly passed wasn't enough, I was shocked into the discovery I've only got 6 weeks left at my job! It really is so important that we cherish everyday, and every person we consider to be a part of it. Days fly by; how many times have you said "how is it Monday again tomorrow?" I don't want to get soppy on you, but I never want to think I could have done more or said more to make somebody feel better, loved or special. I'll be the first to admit that I am terrible at texting; I read a text, register it, reply in my head then forget all about it. BUT I will always say "I love you" on a phone call, write a thoughtful message in a card, be grateful for anything anyone does for me and smile at strangers in the street. So, for February, I'd like to think about Gratitude, not just Love. What could you be more overtly grateful for?

So, February's action points were to: Conquer my Stranger Danger, Cook Actual Food and Finish "Pretty Little Liars".


Conquering Stranger Danger:

Now I won't go into details, but I'm very happy to say I apparently no longer give off a lesbian vibe to all men! I am accepting drinks, phone numbers and dates! I'm only here for a few more months so I am not looking for my next Bubba-Ting, but there is no harm in having some fun, meeting new people and accumulating some stories to tell! I LOVE meeting new people, so if I can do that whilst ticking off my Bucket List of Bristol, I'm in a win-win situation!


Cook actual food:

I'm getting there. I've baked 1 banana bread, shopped at the local grocer and made yoghurt compot for breakfast everyday. What I'm struggling with is weekday dinners; I am STARVING when I get in and really don't fancy an hour of prep, nor do I look forward to a poxy salad or stir-fry! I want quick, and I want tasty. If anyone has any suggestions please hit me up.


Finish "Pretty Little Liars":

By Jesus I did it. I'm up to date, I know who "A" is, I can now sleep at night. Ow wait, what's this? Another series is being released next week!?!!!? That's it, I'm done. I'm more than happy with the way it's ended up to now, to me it's over. 

Right March! Come at me! This month I will:

Get a big ol' chunk of Life Admin ticked off the L-Admin list
Follow the doctors orders and start strengthening my ankle - ease myself back into exercise
Enjoy Bristol for everything it has to offer! I want to do/see at least 3 things I haven't experienced before

Well, March is set to be a very productive and fun-filled month! Let me at em! #teamtrouble

If Nothing Ever Changed There'd Be No Butterflies

We all know the sayings "Everything good has to come to an end" and "Nothing lasts forever", but are we actually that bothered? If nothing changed we'd get bored, if things didn't finish we would never have that fresh excitement for what's next! I am 100% a comfort zone junkie; what was once anxiety of the unknown is now an adrenaline for possibilities. Not only do I love to tick things off my Bucket List, I love to be kept on my toes. 

There is always that pang of pain when something you love is no more, whether it's a dwindling friendship, tenancy of a beautiful flat or a sandwich. Being logical is what keeps me so positive; I know that time is the best medicine and that one day these incidents will become memories or advice to pass on. I quite often say to people, "In 3 weeks time, it will be a funny story", because it will. Tearing yourself down and bringing others down with you will only waste your time and make you feel worse. The way I see it, is, in the grand scheme of things, it's just my turn to be having a bad day/sh*t time. Embrace it, learn from it and let it make you better. Only the fittest survive, so evolve, make sure your Darwin game is strong.

I know it's easier said than done, but your brain is a muscle, you need to train it. Anytime something makes me feel uneasy, I instantly break it down: What has actually happened? How much is this going to affect me? What can I do to make it better? Boom, logic.

I'm soon to be leaving my job, company, and what has become a wonderful family unit, to set off on my travels. It was not an easy decision and I am seriously dreading my last day; I will ball like a baby for sure. But I know if I don't leave now I would probably never take the plunge, I currently have no commitments and nothing holding me back so it's now or never!

Now, I'm not saying that everything will disintegrate, some things do last forever, those special friendships for instance. See photo below for an example of a 22 year long friendship, still as strong as the days of writing 3 page holiday lists, sneaking Mars Bar ice creams and begging anybody to play Monopoly with us. Now, however, our passions have shifted to a love of Channing Tatum and watching rugby in the pub with Prosecco. 

I like to think things happen for a reason, albeit positive or not so. Just let it be and make the most of it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oHs98TEYecM