Five Things To Get You Motivated

Having one of those times where you need a bit of a motivation boost? Me too. And the start of a new month is a good-a-reason as any to make a change or reconsider your goals, or give yourself a little kick up the backside to stop procrastinating. Whatever it is, these are the five things I've been doing lately that have a made a huge improvement to my motivation, and could for you too. 

Ticking Things Off From My 5 Year Plan

Recently I did something I never really do, I read back over some of my older blog posts and guess what, it totally inspired me. It's easy to forget sometimes, or get caught up in your 'of the moment' mentality to forget about where you've been and what you've achieved, and actually it was so nice to sit and relive some experiences, put myself back in the shoes of yesteryear and so on. This lead me to reading back over my Five Year Life Plan, written pretty much a year ago exactly, and I am amazed I am that I've been able to turn some of those plans into a reality. 

Why September Is The Perfect #UpgradeSeason

I read an incredibly interesting article recently that, along with the head space I was in at the time, encouraged me to treat September as a new start, just like you would as a kid, when September signals the start of a new school year.

Birthday Treats at Bourne and Hollingsworth

If you're looking for a good birthday spot for either yourself or a (female) loved one, I'd highly recommend Bourne & Hollingsworth in Farringdon. Having been twice, once for a boozy birthday brunch, and most recently for a birthday dinner, it's an ideal birthday treat!

My Fitness Journey and The Benefits of Working Out

I started working out properly in 2014, when I'd had enough of waiting for things to happen and instead woke up to the realisation that you have to make things happen for yourself if you want to see a change. I know right, light bulb moment. But since then I've ridden high on the wave of regular exercise, and the low of getting into bad habits when other aspects of life take over. As with anything, it's a journey, but persistence is certainly key to get yourself out the other end of a slump!

Flowers For A Fiver at Columbia Road Flower Market

When your mum comes down to London for the weekend, there are much worse things you can do than take her to Columbia Road Flower Market, that's for sure. Every type of seasonal flower you could imagine lines the streets and it's a feast for all the senses. 

Flowers For A Fiver at Columbia Road Flower Market

When your mum comes down to London for the weekend, there are much worse things you can do than take her to Columbia Road Flower Market, that's for sure. Every type of seasonal flower you could imagine lines the streets and it's a feast for all the senses. 

Why I Need To Pick Up My Phone More

This weekend I did something I haven't actually done in a long time, I used my mobile to actually phone and speak to people other than my mum!

How To Get Into Good Routines

It shouldn't come as any surprise that when you get into good routines your productivity, efficiency and mood can improve dramatically. Good routines cause good habits and good habits ultimately make you feel better, and give a sense of purpose. 

Getting into good routines are actually not hard to do, all you really need to do is focus on what you want and make sure you prioritise that over other things to make it possible. They require dedication and commitment in the first stages, but after a while routines become habits that you want to keep up because they offer a benefit, whether it's getting into a good sleeping pattern, going to the gym, or how you spend time at the weekends. 

I know personally that when I fall out of good routines it becomes a slippery slope into a bit of a free for all, and can mean that I start throwing the baby out with the bath water for want of a better phrase. It doesn't breed good habits and I end up becoming rather unproductive, which is never ideal. 

For me, the best routine is fitness related as that's something I'm passionate about and I do completely by myself so there is nobody else to motivate me to do it, and it has a knock on impact on several other bits in my life, from what time I go to bed, what I can do in the evenings etc. It's not always easy but it's certainly worth it. The routine I'm working to at the moment means that I go to the gym twice after work and three times before work during a five day week, and then if I want to, I go for a run on the weekends, but I don't pressure myself as my weekends are when I allow myself to have the most fun, let my hair down and make up for the fact that I usually have an early bed time during the week. 

It's a routine I've been able to stick to for a couple of months now and it's had such a positive impact on my life, I'm really enjoying it. So much so I don't really even think about it anymore, I just know what I have to do when and get on with it almost autonomously. 

If you was to get into a good routine, regardless of what it's for, there are several things you need to consider. 

1. It takes time
Sticking to a routine requires dedication as I've said and it does not happen over night, you really need to apply yourself and focus, nobody said this stuff was easy!

2. Try different routines out until you find one that works for you
For routines to become habits they need to fit with your lifestyle, you can't force yourself to do something that doesn't fit as it won't last, try different routines out over a few weeks and see what sticks.

3. Consider what you need a routine for
There's no point in having a routine and not know why you're doing it. Is it because you're always really tired so you're trying to sort out your sleeping pattern, so your routine is all geared around that, or is it fitness or food related? Whatever it is, just be clear as to what you're trying to achieve and don't loose sight of that focus. 

4. Commit to it
Especially at the start of trying to initiate a routine you really need to commit to it. No talking yourself out of it, or letting yourself have a day off for no reason, choosing to go to the pub instead of the gym. Nope. You want to achieve something, you need to commit to it until it becomes habit and you want to do it rather than not do it. Once you're there, you can do other things and bend some rules, because you'll have the commitment to do what needs to be done regardless and know how it impacts your lifestyle. 

5. Focus on the benefits and enjoy it
Routines become habits and help motivate you and make you more productive because that's what you want. If you don't want that, don't bother, but if you do remember it's a choice and you should enjoy it. It's not a punishment to go to bed early if that's what you want to do, celebrate it, get excited about it and enjoy it. Remember and recognise the feeling of having a good nights sleep, and how productive and happy you are as a result, or when you do a good workout, or whatever it is. Notice these improvements, give yourself a pat on the back and repeat it as necessary to make it a habit!

Eating Habits - Clean vs Unclean

They say you are what you eat, and I am certainly a believer on the impact food has on your mood and behaviour, but kicking bad habits can be hard, and you can see people jumping from one extreme to the other. Now we're at the point where there is a backlash on clean eating, so where do we actually draw the line? 

Lunch in the Ivy Cafe, Marylebone

Do you ever sit there wondering where to go for a girls birthday lunch, or dinner spot? Well if you've got a bit of cash to splash and you want spend it on a simple or well executed food, then you should check out the Ivy Cafe, Marylebone.

Why I Read To Relieve A Stressful Week

Today I've woken up feeling really positive, and after what can only be described as a stressful week, I've spent a bit of time looking back at what triggered my stress, and how I've finally woken up on Sunday feeling ready to face the world again. 

Fit Bits: Fitness Pole Dancing

I'm so happy to be bringing my Fit Bits section back, it's been a while and it's actually one of the bits of my blog I enjoy writing and testing out the most. I miss giving new workouts a go, so one of the things I challenged myself with recently was to put that plan into action, so here I am trying my hand at a taster session of Pole Dancing. The verdicts in and I enjoyed it! 

Afternoon Tea at W Hotel

How would you feel about afternoon tea at W Hotel in Leicester Square? If you aren't already chomping at the bit, the following post will get you salivating for sure! 

How To Motivate An Unmotivated Mind

I've been feeling really motivated over the last month or so, but as I was giving myself a bit of a pep-talk, I wondered if you guys may find this useful too. 

July's Blog Based #30daychallenge

OK so June has come and gone, and I've gotten to grips with spending a bit of time focusing on me, trying new things, taking control of my health a bit more, and generally giving myself a bit of an MOT, but now it's July, and I'm turning my attentions to my blog. 

Making My 29th Year The Happiest Yet

As you may have guessed from the title, I have just turned 29 and when I blew out my candles on various cakes over the weekend, I made a pact with myself that this would be my happiest year yet. 

Why A Week In The Countryside Is So Worth It

This week I did something I never usually do. I took a whole week off work and didn't actually go away anywhere. Well, I went home for a few days, but I mean I didn't leave the country, but it felt so nice to have a couple of days, relaxing and just working on me. 

Who Knew Duvet Dining Would Be So Much Fun?!

Have you ever sat there and wondered how great it would be to act like a kid, create your own duvet fort and sit back and relax, whilst dining on delicious food and drinking whatever you fancy? Of course you have, why wouldn't you and how awesome was it that TK Maxx toured a pop up #DuvetDining event round the UK so we could do just that?

Junkyard Golf - London, Shoreditch

Have you ever wanted to play crazy golf amongst loads of junk? Of course you have, who hasn't, I expect that's why the Junkyard Golf pop up in Liverpool Street is doing so well at the moment.