The past few weeks have been a total madness, from changing a new job to starting one, to keeping up with my 4 year old 's social life and Christmas school play, from managing the house and everything in between and waking up in the middle of the night, thinking of what needs to be done tomorrow, it can be hard to switch off!
Last week, I did just that, I had to find that nice slow groove and slow down, for my own piece of mind and to recharge and take care of myself. Whilst I love what I do and enjoy being busy, I am forever grateful, but at times we just need to take it easy, after all there is only one of me and one of you, this does not have to be taking time off, for days on end, even the smallest of things and setting time aside can help.
Monday Cook-Off
I can normally get home at 10 - 11 pm of a night from work, whilst being out the house for 15 hours is not ideal, it happens and I come home grab a quick bite to eat, before hitting the bed, but last week I changed that I took a little time to get out earlier and get home and spend time with my family I even managed to cook and I loved it, I felt so much more relaxed, just because it is the first day of the week, does not mean I have to smash it from the get-go.
Whilst this may not seem like self-care, it truly felt it. I felt more invigorated just spending time with family and cooking, even though the kitchen was left looking like a war zone, the mushroom and lentil bolognese was a hit, Leanora and I sat on the kitchen floor and ate it, giggling about our day whilst enjoying our meal surrounded by pasta on the walls.
Read It
So you know I am a major fan of books, I actually have not read anything new for a little while, because I've been so busy. But I treated myself for my Birthday and started Michelle Obama's, Becoming and it is amazing, but I'll fill you in more later in the week when I finally bring out my latest book club reads.
Armed with a book, on route to work and a little reading before bed, is just so relaxing. It is about finding that balance to break away from work and the constant go of life, to help you switch off, be it even watching a movie or a fave tv show, we are currently loving Dynasties documentary on a Sunday.
Midweek pamper
Nothing like switching off, then a little beauty self-care, that midweek pick me up and a little indulgence to help you feel better and relaxed is perfect. With Christmas fast approaching I wanted to save some money, so I bought some beauty bits from Feelunique and had an at home pampering session.
After a long hot soak, a bath filled with essential bath oils, some candles burning, my new fave podcast on in the background and freshly polished nails., by the time I got into bed, tucked up with a book, I felt less stressed, re-energised and mentally renewed. My body and my find felt great immediately leading me to have better and non broken sleep. I totally recommend taking time out with a pamper night at least once a week as a must.
Stretch it out
I have to confess I always try to find a million excuses to not go or work out at home, it is too cold, it's too dark, I've not slept enough, I got too much work to do, the gym is going to be busy I won't be able to get a slot avail;able for a class, you can see where I am going with this right!
So last week, I made sure to get in at least two works in the morning, if I can not attend a class, I got up 30 minutes earlier, rolled out my mat and stretched it out. I felt leaner after yoga and stronger after a 30-minute pilates session and you can instantly feel the benefits in your mind, body, and soul. I learned the importance after a work out on taking care of one's self, I felt ready for my day and able to tackle whatever comes my way and charged with life and positivity and anything negative I may have been thinking or holding on to, simply went away.
It is about doing small things to help you switch off, feel rested and energised to be able to manage your days and weeks. Instead of doing all of this on a Sunday to prep me for the week, it's about doing a little each day.
What would you do with your week or day to help you switch off?
London Mumma
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I always end up deviating on plans, be it New Year's resolutions, Stoptober, to pushing goals to the wayside for other things that I feel is more important at the time. What is important is those plans that we make, those goals that make us happy, nothing wrong with making your dreams a reality.
Life always throws a curve ball, just because it can, but it is how you manoeuvre that curveball back in to play that counts and setting that plan back into motion!
It's official, I am putting my plans back into action and I couldn't be happier about it and you can too. Positivity is key in situations like this, but at times its negativity that can set those wheels back in motion, it did for me, use it to your advantage to kickstart that positive plan back into action.
Weigh up now, against later
It is so easy to put something off until later and later never happens, to arranging that play date, booking yourself into the dentist, meeting with the bank, to answering that email on time. But think about it, and weigh up those options, how does putting something off until tomorrow, the day after or next week make you feel? SHIT! Am I right? It takes you one step backwards to achieving that plan and hell to the no, should we be doing that, it's about getting your big girl/boy pants on and taking that step now. DO IT!
Set that goal
Go back to the drawing board, or Pinterest board to give you that push to keep you on track, it's a great, no, positive reminder as to why you are taking the necessary steps, no matter how out there they may seem, just remember to have fun. You can add to it, mark it off, being able to visualise something helps put things and your mindset into perspective to get yourself organised and keep you on a steady track to then plan.
No drawing board or Pinterest, then get yourself a diary, nothing better than being able to carry something around with you, day in and day out which is super easily accessible to help you push yourself further in order to achieve your plan.
London Mumma
There are times when we wake up for no apparent reason just in a bad mood or a little sad, totally unexplainable! Whilst tomorrow is a new day and you know you will feel better then, what's important is how you are feeling and coping today, the day that you are in a funk.
Whilst it sucks being in this oh-my-gosh-the-world-is-coming-to-an-end space space that I would never wish upon anyone, but, if you are, these are some useful tips to ease that pain and lift your mood.
Work Out
Work it out guys! Nothing more invigorating and great for the mind, body and spirit than a little intense work out. Be it in a bad mood because of a relationship, the kids getting on your tits, workload is manic or your going through a sticky situation, instead of bottling up those negative feelings, punch, stretch or HIIT it out at the gym or sign up to a class, not a fan of classes on your own grab some of the girl gang and have fun with it.
Meditate
To rid that doom and gloom, I like to find a quiet place for 10-15 minutes, 5 minutes if I am strapped for time and at work and really need to clear my head, I head to the bathroom to get my thoughts together, close my eyes and woosa it out when I am in a stressful situation and need a clear mind. Nothing wrong with taking a moment for yourself to get things in order.
Read
Nothing better than reading to broaden the mind and to get lost in a good book to lift the spirits. Any time I need a distraction from my own negative thoughts and bad mood, I pick up a worthy book to help digest and refresh my mind, be it a self-help, to help get to grips with my emotions or a selection of reads that I buy each month.
How do you cope with a bad mood? Would love to hear your comments below!
London Mumma
I never really understood it, maybe because I did not want to face my fears, but alas now I am in my 30's and finally feeling somewhat grown up, I now know the importance of taking responsibility for my actions.
I used to think, ah fuck it, I'll deal with it tomorrow, the next day and the next, which I now know is a very unhealthy outlook in life, heck not just my life, but my life now as a mother, a role model (one hopes) to my daughter.
How can I be a good human and a good mother, friend or sister (no lover for me, I'm taking a back seat from dating) if I can not take responsibility of what I am doing or lack thereof in life?
It doesn't just hit you, like the stretch marks do once you've pushed your baby out, no! It can be a gradual thing, you gotta think about what, who is going on around you, In order for you to take responsibility for your actions, but most importantly look at yourself in order to be in a healthy, acceptance mind frame.
Whilst life can be tough, it's as tough as you make it as they say and yes, my sensitive feisty Scorpio nature may have played a part in some, ok most of my bad decisions and wild younger days, I'm ready to face up to certain things in life, in order to move forward and be a better version of me and the first step is taking responsibility.
Accept defeat
Ahhh....A good old battle, a war of words if you like, I've never been one to back down from anything, even when I knew I've been in the wrong. I remember in my 20s when I worked in property, I had somewhat may call it a fiendish obsession with Greggs sausage rolls. I was not happy if I didn't have one, so strolling for my morning fix one day, I arrive at Greggs to order mummas baby (yeah, I'm that weirdo) to be told they had sold out, shut the front door they've only gone and bloody 'sold out, sold out' how dare they! I mean I've been out all night, still hungover and I've sauntered down here from the office and you've no sausages....poor thing, well not me, the poor staff after telling him the importance of providing sausages rolls as after all this is Greggs bread and butter. I stopped and laughed one because it was pathetic, two I did realise my unhealthy obsessions with scraps of pork, but ohh the pastry, the buttery pastry and thirdly I had to accept defeat and, take responsibility for me being rude and apologise. Letting things go, no matter the calorie content or big a small a matter may be, sometimes it is ok to accept defeat, riling yourself up and me looking like a twat will get me nowhere in life and you know walking away from a situation can be healthy for you and your soul, waistline too.
Step outside the box
Exactly that, put yourself in the other person's shoes, assess the situation from someone else point view and stop being selfish and put others first, take charge and accountability for your actions.
Stop making excuses
Only you lose here, no one else. You miss out on new opportunities, friendships and experiences, so simply stop making excuses and accept responsibility for the situation at hand, after all, is it not a better you, better life, adventure, opportunities we all crave?!
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London Mumma xx
How to make the most of your week count..... Simply get up and get into action. Humpdays can be a bit of a drag, as we sit dreaming of Fri-yay and looking forward to tucking into the weekend shenanigans and most of all de-stressing after a long week. With energy levels low, this is the time to put extra work in, so you can enjoy your weekend more and even prepare for the following week ahead.
On humpdays I like to get focused, it is easy for me to get into a bit of a downward grove, but I try to keep as upbeat as possible. I mean the worse thing is being negative, no one likes a negative nancy, plus humpdays are great to keep on top of your game and prepare ahead making your week more of a breeze, leaving you to sail through to the weekend dancing and feeling happy.
To Do List
Nothing says forward-thinking and planning than creating a to-do list. Listing out what you need to do, gives you better leverage in getting organised and staying on top of things.
Meal prep
A great way to save a bit of money, plus knowing what you are eating and what you need to buy. Do you ever go to the supermarket and think, yeah I'll have that and that and that, sod it I'll take the bloody lot! Yeah, that's me alright, but not anymore, take care of the pennies and the pounds will look after themselves and all that jazz!
Get it done
Washing, ironing, confirm dates & appointments! Never put off until tomorrow what you can do today, quite simple really, so let's stop procrastinating let's get it done, you will feel much better and mind a lot freer
Be ruthless
I hate saying no, but sometimes you just gotta say no, how else are you going to get shit done, it is all about freeing up your time to enjoy the weekend.
Grow your relationships
With busy lives, you can forget and neglect those close to you, so get building some bridges, send a whatsapp message and get connecting and spend some quality time with those that make you happiest, come weekend you got a plan and fun scheduled in or just a lazy day or weekend planned.
How do you make your week count and I would love to hear, nothing like sharing some tips and tricks.
On humpdays I like to get focused, it is easy for me to get into a bit of a downward grove, but I try to keep as upbeat as possible. I mean the worse thing is being negative, no one likes a negative nancy, plus humpdays are great to keep on top of your game and prepare ahead making your week more of a breeze, leaving you to sail through to the weekend dancing and feeling happy.
To Do List
Nothing says forward-thinking and planning than creating a to-do list. Listing out what you need to do, gives you better leverage in getting organised and staying on top of things.
Meal prep
A great way to save a bit of money, plus knowing what you are eating and what you need to buy. Do you ever go to the supermarket and think, yeah I'll have that and that and that, sod it I'll take the bloody lot! Yeah, that's me alright, but not anymore, take care of the pennies and the pounds will look after themselves and all that jazz!
Get it done
Washing, ironing, confirm dates & appointments! Never put off until tomorrow what you can do today, quite simple really, so let's stop procrastinating let's get it done, you will feel much better and mind a lot freer
Be ruthless
I hate saying no, but sometimes you just gotta say no, how else are you going to get shit done, it is all about freeing up your time to enjoy the weekend.
Grow your relationships
With busy lives, you can forget and neglect those close to you, so get building some bridges, send a whatsapp message and get connecting and spend some quality time with those that make you happiest, come weekend you got a plan and fun scheduled in or just a lazy day or weekend planned.
How do you make your week count and I would love to hear, nothing like sharing some tips and tricks.
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London Mumma xx
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