Time Out

Typography by Jasmine Dowling

 I thought I'd just write a little post as a nod to doing exactly what makes you happy and ways to manage any stress and/or anxiety you might feel. I've been inspired to do so in two ways recently, the first, Lucy Williams from Fashion Me Now who recently wrote such a wonderful piece about happiness, Lessons in Happy which you should absolutely read. It's beautifully written and addresses so many of the pressures we put on ourselves. The second, a talk by Jody Shield on Anxiety Management during the Stylist Live shows- she is amazing! Absolutely get in touch with her for tips and tricks in Anxiety Management. She's quite the guru!

Life can be a bitch. It's how you choose to manage it, juggle it and fight back that counts. Figure that out and you've nailed it! Easy right? Absolutely not. I'm 28 and still struggling to work it all out. I'm so much better at it now but there's always more to understand about yourself.

Here are some important things that I feel have dragged me out of stickier situations...

1. BREATHE. For goodness sake just breathe. If you're in public and things are becoming overwhelming, find a toilet, lock yourself in and breathe deeply. It'll give you chance to process how you feel- without looking like you're losing the plot, even when you feel like you are.

2. Spend time with positive, encouraging people. We all have people in our lives who don't make us feel the best, you may even call them friends, but if we're being honest, people who don't make you feel good about yourself need to be kept at arms length. Surround yourself with love and encouragement. 

3. Think about being happy. Ask yourself what is it that makes you happy? when are you at your most content? It could be sitting in on a Saturday night in your favourite slippers, surrounded by chocolate watching the Discovery Channel. If that's your happy place (amazing choice of Saturday night, well done) go there. 

4. Write it down. If your head feels like a big ol' mess, empty it. Write it all down. Have a blank notebook by your bed ready to accept the junk in your mind in the AM, PM or both!

I hope this post has been useful- I just thought it might help someone as well as to demonstrate that this happens to us all at some point, we just deal with things differently.

One thing I have started to do this evening is listen to Jody's meditation sessions- which are free. Just head here to sign up. I really felt a difference afterwards, but it's early days.
Something else that's had a lot of hype is 'Headspace' a meditation app for iPhone and Android. You can download it here for free!

I would love to know your thoughts and anything you feel helps you too.

Have a gorgeous week and thank you so much for reading.

xx