Grateful.

As a 26 year old woman (yes, apparently I am classed as one of those now... even though I still spend my spare time singing to Disney soundtracks and googling things like 'how to cut a pineapple') - I spend ALOT, and I mean alot, of my time moaning, critiquing myself, stressing over minor mishaps and generally wishing for other or better things.

Earlier this week as I was getting ready for work it kind of hit me that doing this was kind of... well, ridiculous. 

I am SO lucky to have the life I do. 

Why am I moaning about gaining 1lb and not looking like Jessica Alba or being stressed because I'm a bit strapped for cash for the last week of the month? 

Living in a world full of social media, gorgeous celebrities with enviable lives and general glitz and glam it is really hard not to get caught up in the longing for more - that green eyed monster.

I have all 4 limbs, am on the whole - healthy, I can see, I can hear, I can smell - I have an amazing family, boyfriend and best friends that have been with me since I was a child, I live on a beautiful island.... there is no reason I should be moaning - I should be bloomin' well grateful.

I wake up in the morning, in my own flat surrounded by hundreds of things that I don't really need but have anyway - head to my kitchen where there is food, running water and head off to a job that I love! (What is there to moan about really? That I ran out of £2 raspberries...?) 

I don't know why looking in the mirror that morning bought all this on but it's something that's made me think constantly this week and started to change how I look at things.

Before the photo above I would think ... oh god look at those hips, my arms look chubby, I wish my bum was better (and I'm not going to lie and say that I still don't think those things on some level) but I've got to look at the positives of the photo - I'm in Mallorca on a gorgeous beach, so lucky, my bikini was a bloody bargain from ASOS (£10!) and compared to 5 years ago I look great! 

Be proud of who are you, embrace the flaws you think you may have and smile! 

It's alot nicer seeing, talking and interacting with positive people - negativity is draining, so unbelievably draining, it's time we cleansed ourselves of it! 

It's time to start looking at everything as a glass half full, not half empty. Out-way the negatives with the positives and LIVE life. 

I should be totally and utterly grateful and at peace with what I have - as there are so many people in the world with nothing. No family, bad health, nowhere to sleep - most of us take what we have for granted and it is about time we stopped. 

I'm not sure whether this is a sign of maybe finally growing up a bit but it's a start. I mean it's all pretty obvious but we need to appreciate what we have a little more than we do.

Focus on what you DO have, not on what you do not.

What do you have to be grateful for? 

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Putting Down My Phone...

Over the past week something has really hit me. I look at my phone far too much. I mean.... it's like an extra limb.

Yes this sounds so stupid, as it is probably really obvious with the amount of time I spend on social media and browsing ASOS, but really.... it's unnecessary. 

My evenings for years have had me sat glued to my phone 99% of the time, only breaking when I'm eating or watching TV and even then I'm bloomin' commentating about it aren't I!

Now my job is a day constantly on a laptop and online I actually enjoy having a break from the internet world once I'm home .....

So I've made a deal with myself. 

I'm going to get back into reading.

I have always loved reading but with the internet being such a distraction especially around bedtime, by the time I've finished browsing and scrolling my eyes are dropping, I'm half asleep and there's noway I could delve into that book that's been sat on my bedside table for months.

There's nothing more relaxing than getting cosy and totally loosing yourself in a story... with a cup of tea near by obviously.
 I used to go through so many books and LOVED it! I'd get so excited about finishing an amazing story or finding a new series to start and I'd always love sharing my thoughts and recommendations with friends and on goodreads (the best site ever for readers!).

Nowadays I feel like a total failure because I'll read 50 pages of something then forgot to carry on until another 3 weeks later or so - it's terrible!

Last year I told myself I'd read more and what happened? I got distracted and didn't. I don't even know if I did finish a book last year and I find that embarrassing to admit! (Oh yeah I did... 'The Girl On The Train' - awesome book!)

So - I'm going to start with the Harry Potter series - total classics. I then have a whole book shelf and kindle to get through - all the books and downloads I've accumulated over the last 2 or 3 years that I've never ended up reading, I'm determined to get through them all this year.

Wanna join me? Do it!
 Let me know on Twitter and in the comments below! #PuttingDownMyPhone
 I'd also love your book recommendations - leave them all below so we can all have an amazing reading list to explore and save :)
A couple of personal favourites you guys need to check out - the 'Delirium' trilogy and the 'Eve' trilogy!

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