Tag: making time

I have no idea what I’m doing.

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Hey guys😊

Hope you’re all having a glorious Saturday.

Combined with the below image, the quote “not all those who wander are lost,” has been playing on my mind a lot recently. A cliche quote it’s become I know, but that is what makes a cliche – relevancy to many and overuse.

Manchester wall art

I took this image over a year ago, whilst wandering the streets of Manchester, and the simple message has really hit home recently. I have no clue what I’m doing in life😅, but does anyone? We all give the impression of having our lives together and maintaining control, but how much control do we actually have over the events in out lives? To a degree yes of course we do, but there is so much uncertainty and things out of our control that can influence the decisions we undertake. Saying “I have no idea what I’m doing” isn’t a bad thing, though the connotations people take from it are negative. It is okay to take a step back from, whatever and where ever you find yourself in life, and to just take a moment to breathe.

As Tolkein says, just because I’m wandering without a clear purpose with what I want from life right now does not mean that I am lost. If there is one thing I’ve realised, it’s that it’s okay to not know what you’re doing or where your life is taking you right now. Not every single aspect of life has to be though out or planned. Where would be the fun in that?

Literature has become a massive source of comfort and escapism for me over these past couple of weeks, really helping to ground and re-focus on what I know I want to achieve in the future and how I can attain it. So yes, I don’t know what I’m doing right now, or even how I’m going to get to where I want to be, but focussing on myself and taking the time to figure out is going to worth it in the long run.

Enjoy the unknown. It might take you somewhere you never would have gone.

xo

All kinds of cliches

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Hello☺

So nearly 2 months on from this blog post, have I managed to change things? Well…yes and no. So far I have:

  1. Utilised my time more effectively in the mornings on my commute into work by reading more🎉
  2. Taken a notebook around with me everywhere as well so that I can jot down all my ideas and thoughts. I’m actually loving this one! Just writing down my ramblings on paper made me realise how much I miss the simple act of putting pen to paper.

Aaaaand that’s pretty much it🙈 Although 2/5 from my list isn’t too bad I guess. I’m still a little annoyed that I haven’t been able to implement the others, or even get a start on them. Work has been super hectic this month and I’m really hoping after this week everything dies down a heck of a lot so I can invest more time into my writing and reading even more.

I did come across the below quote by Stephen King recently that really made me snap back into focus and realise what it is I’m passionate about. Writing has always been something I’ve never been 100% comfortable with. I mean don’t get me wrong, I can write a damn good essay, but that’s pretty much it. Facts, opinions and a strong solid subject. But writing for myself has always alluded me because I think I’m just not good enough. That my writing won’t be as inviting or intriguing as some of the amazing work I’ve read by my favourite authors, or my peers. But it’s this kind of thinking that’s held me back, and probably holds a lot of people back. Doing something (whatever it may be) for the sake of others, whomever they may be, won’t allow you to reach your full potential. Do whatever makes you happy for you. After all, you’re going to be the one investing your time and emotion, no-one else. It needs to make you happy.

“If you want to be a writer, you must do two things above all others: read a lot and write a lot.” ― Stephen King

As a lover and student of literature, I know it’s been buried deep within me to write a novel or something one day, even if it’s just for myself and no-one else. I would love to devote more time to it if I can. Hopefully this blog will inspire me to keep on going.

xo

Making time for reading, and yourself

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Hi 🙂

Well it’s been a while hasn’t it! To quote Rihanna ‘work, work, work, work, work, work’ has been the bane of my life for the past few weeks. And it’s only gonna get worse *cue tears*

I hate it when my days get filled up with so much work that it affects my own personal time, as I’m sure many of you do. So much less time to do the things I love – like reading or writing. Buuuuut *cue fanfare and megaphone* NO MORE I SAY! A work life/personal life balance is key to stop you from imploding, so that’s what I’m gonna make a conscious effort to do. And *fans self excitedly* I’ve even come up with a list of things to implant that will hopefully help me get that balance back:

1) Make time for reading on my route to work – instead of sleeping (😁) on the tram/bus whip out a book and utilise my time wisely.

2) Carry a notebook with me at all times so I can jot down any ideas wherever I am. 

3) Put aside at least an hour a night for reading/writing so that I’m not just sat in front of the laptop/tv/my phone until I’m in bed. Clear my mind 😌

4) If I have to stay late/bring work home with me plan my time more efficiently so I’m not procrastinating (this one’s easier said that done but I’m gonna try!) 

5) Talk about literature more. With anyone, family and friends. I really miss having discussions and just chit chat about books so much so that I’m setting up a book club at work.

This week was mental health awareness week and really made me think about my own mental health and wellbeing. It’s so important to make time for yourself and to give yourself and your mind the time it needs to rest and recuperate. Work should NEVER EVER take up so much of your life that it begins to affect your health physically or mentally. I think it’s so important to take even just something as small as an hour for yourself and do something you love – paint, draw, create, read – whatever it might be. 

Take care of yourself.

xo