BLL Blogmas #7 ||Midweek Motivation || Festive Editiion || Strength Comes for within...

Hey friends,

Today I wanted to talk to you about inner strength! Today I met an old college friend. It was a random encounter in a coffee shop while I was doing a bit of writing with a festive coffee!! #clicheblogger haha, We chatted for about an hour and omi god! She is truely inspirational. This girl has been through more in the past two years than most will ever go through in a lifetime! 

The funny thing is I thought I was having a bad run of it lately. It felt like anything that could go wrong did. However after speaking with my friend my worries really do pale in comparison. I couldn't help but not only feel so inspired to take on the world but also guilty that I have spent so much time stressing and complaining about things that really could be 100 times worse. 

I really feel like to today I was being shouted at by the universe to cop on and not only enjoy your life but also appreciate how fantastic it actually is! Is is perfect!? Of course not!! but its pretty amazing sometimes and I'm am so fortunate for everything and everybody in it!

Today I want to share the universes message and this inspiring girl with you!! Although I have no idea what is going on in your life I really doubt it can be close to the girl that inspired this post, therefore if you feel like everything is going wrong right now really think about it!! And ask yourself these questions

• Do you have your health?
• Do you have a home?
• Do you have a job?
• Do you have a safe and comfortable environment?
• Do you have loved ones?

If the answer is yes to all or most of these questions then really life could be so much worse!!

I know that for some people the holidays is not about lights, festive music, decor and food. For some people this time of year only highlights pain, sadness & loneliness. For those people I am sorry that you are going through this. However like I said strength comes from within. Stay strong friends, you can do! I believe in you! Find the happiness in your life and strive to keep it alive! Fight everyday for a better happier future. In the end its all we can do really. Stand tall & fight together!!

Lets make 2017 a better, happier and more supportive year!! Lets stand up for each other, Be there for each other, stick together to create a brighter tomorrow and a world that is a slightly happier place! Lets look for the good in one another & not constantly fight, attack and put people down, whether it be in real life or on social media!! We can do this! Just one small action at a time! We create this world which means we all have a say in how it works!! Lets do this!

Just remember you don't always know someones story & the battle they are fighting. Look on people with kind eyes & when you are thinking at the end of a bad week "Could life get any worse?" Just think yes, yes it probably could be alot worse. Think about all the good things in your life and focus on how great they are while trying to improve the not so great things!


Let me know in comments any thoughts you have on this subject. I love hearing from you!!


Chat soon x

NOLLAIG SHONA

Click here for GIVEAWAY details - Beauty Advent Calendar GIVEAWAY

Blogmas fun continues over on my Beauty Blog - 

Previous Posts -

Blogmas #6 || 8 Things to do this Festive Season!

Blogmas #5 || Pennys / Primark Winter Lifestyle Goodies Haul!

Blogmas #4 || Dealing with Holiday Stress & Anxiety

Have you checked out my Beauty Blog!? - Beauty La Linda - MUA

Previous Posts-

Blogmas #6 || Festive Polish!

Blogmas #5 || Empties!

Blogmas #4 || Winter Glow!

Thank You For Reading

xox

HAPPY HOLIDAYS

XOX

HO! HO! HO!

BLL Lifestyle || Blogmas #4 Dealing with Holiday Stress & Anxiety

Hey Friends,

Tis the season of Parties, Family Gatherings, Gift buying and giving, Festive movie nights in with hot chocolate & sweet treats, christmas markets & food glorious food! All sounds pretty wonderful doesn't until of course the panic sets in "Have I got time to get everything I need?!", "Or do everything I need to do!", "Have I forgot anyone's gift!?", "I'm really not looking to seeing so and so!", "I don't even want to look at my bank account!!"

Yes it may be the most wonderful time of the year but it can also be the most stressful & sometimes for someone with an anxious mind like me it can be a little too much. Don't get me wrong its still my favourite time of the year but sometimes I need to take a breathe just so I don't get too stressed out. Here are a couple of things I like to do so that the holiday season doesn't become a little too much!!!

As an anxious person in general life can be tough at the best of times but this time of year I have to say I myself feel the pressure of Christmas looming upon me. Ironically its my favourite time of year even though the stress levels can sky rocket. I have to put measures in place or atleast try and remember certain things when I feel the stress building. Here are a few of my tips -

• Planning - I have already talked about this in the past couple of days so if you missed out all the links are below. Ok lets be real, Its pretty much impossible to be planned to perfection because life isn't perfect. Not everything is going to go your way but if you are somewhat organised at least when some unexpected things crop up or go wayward then they won't seem as big or stressful. 
• Breathe - Seems simple right? It's not. Its wierd but for something we do unconsciously from the day we are born, we seem to forget it alot (I know I do) Sometimes life can seem too much! & When it does take a minute and concentrate on your breathing soon you will feel calmer. It might sound crazy but believe me it works.
• Ground Yourself - Sometimes with all that hussle and bussle it's easy to get swept up in it. That is the intention of marketers, Shop owners & product producers - Get caught up and spend more. Unfortunately this means it can take you away from real life a little bit. We forget that Christmas is just (technically) one day! So we get flustered and stressed!! Thinking irrational thoughts of how everything will be ruined if we don't get a certain gift for someone or the food or the decorations just right! I find going out in nature for a while helps.. away from the lights and music and advertising. Out into the woods or just out in the fresh air. It really helps to clear your head before you get back into the ring for round 2!     
• Have "ME" Time - Sometimes we forget to take care of ourselves and by this I mean our mind and soul. All that stress is just no good. Try to balance it out by taking some time, even 10 minutes, Just to do something for you, Watch your favourite TV show, Read a book, Go for a walk, Have a bath... Whatever it is that makes you feel like you again! 
• Sleep! - In my opinion this is the most important tip!! Sleep is essential to our mental health and overall well being. While we are sleeping we are recovering our body and mind, repairing and renewing! Every stress and problem increases ten fold when we are tired. After a good nights sleep we are more likely to be able to problem solve and mutli-task and just take on whatever life throws at us in general! #winningatlife. Ever since developing anxiety sleep is the one thing I try to never compromise on! No time to get 8 hours? Nap! You are never to old to nap! 40 winks and you will be fighting fit! 
• Eat Right! - Sometimes we can be so busy we forget to eat, this takes its toll on your body. How are you expected to be at your peak when your in full throttle mode if your body is running on fumes! Give it the best fighting chance you can! The best way to take on Christmas is with all guns blazing, that means body, mind & soul! 

These are my 6 six tips for taking on the stresses of the holidays! Please leave me any of your tips in that comments as I would love to read them!!

Chat soon x 

NOLLAIG SHONA

Click here for GIVEAWAY details - Beauty Advent Calendar GIVEAWAY

Blogmas fun continues over on my Beauty Blog - Beauty Blogmas #4 || Winter Glow!

Previous Posts -

Blogmas #3 || Budget Friendly Christmas

Blogmas #2 || Christmas Organisation Tips

Blogmas #1 || My Christmas Goals

Have you checked out my Beauty Blog!? - Beauty La Linda - MUA

Beauty Blogmas #3 || Pennys Winter Goodies Haul

Beauty Blogmas #2 || Holiday Skincare Saviours

Beauty Blogmas #1 || Festive / Winter Makeup Essentials

Thank You for Reading

xox

HAPPY HOLIDAYS

XOX

HO! HO! HO!

Midweek Motivation || Whats meant to be wont pass you by!

Hello There Everyone!!

Hands up now! Whos heard this saying before? I have, but I never really thought about it until recently. Anyone who knows me will know that I am not very religious but I am a big believer in the universe & energy. 

Lately I have been feeling a bit off balance & a bit out of whack to be honest. I was beginning to doubt my decision to pack up & move my life. My anxiety has been playing up a bit & I was close to running home again!

However after taking a breather I decided to look back at all the reasons I decided to come here in the first place, look at all the things I love about the place & remember the goals I had for being down here. Funny thing is when I thought back I remembered how random it was that the opportunity even came up, how everything had fallen into place at the time for this all to happen & I remembered this saying "Whats meant to be wont pass you by!" I cant help but feel this is true. I feel like I was meant to come down here. I was meant to meet these people and discover this part of the world.

The reason I wanted to talk about this today is because I am sure that I cant be the one person in the world that is second guessing a decision that they have made or maybe feeling a bit homesick? So I thought I would share what helped me. My advice would be, first of all get a good nights sleep (It really clears the mind) Then go somewhere you feel calm (this could even be your bedroom) Then think of all the reasons you made the decision in the first place - Are all the reasons still valid?? Then think about all the benefits of the decision you have made or all the things you like about it. After you should have a much clearer view of where you think you are headed or if its time to make a new decision for your own best interest. Ive said it before & I will say it again! You only have one life!! Dont waste it being miserable! Do whats best for you & enjoy it to the max!

I hope this may have help one of you!! Please, If you have any tips yourself share them with us in the comment section below!!

Chat Soon x

Thank You For Reading

xox

Previous Posts -

Liebster Awards #3

Monthly highlights 2016 - February & March

Liebster Awards #2

Have you checked out my Beauty Blog? Beauty La Linda - MUA

Previous Posts -

Review - Wet & Wild Coverall Primer, Base De Teint

Review - Lacura Aqua Complete Multi - Intensive Serum

Makeup & Skincare Travel Essentials!

Book Review - Reasons to Stay Alive by Matt Haig

Hello Everyone,

Today I have a very interesting book I want to tell you all about. Its called Reasons to Stay Alive by Matt Haig. I am sure you have probably heard about it already as it was named a Sunday Times Bestseller and since picking it up I have heard a little bit of hype about it.

As you already may know if you follow me on Instagram (If not you can click on this link Beauty La Linda Instagram to add me, or you can just add me in the side bar & we can become Instafriends) a few weeks ago I decided to take a few days a travel to kerry to visit one of my friends. As I knew it was going to be a long trip I decided to pick up a new book for myself. There was no way I really needed to go out & buy one as I still have many on my bookshelf that I have yet to ready but nonetheless I decided to have a little look anyway. 

I spotted this book and was intrigued by it. I had not heard anything about it before but something just made me want to give it ago. In the past I have spoken a few times on my blog about my battle with anxiety. Its not something I talk about that often even in real life but it is something that has been with me for a few years now. Each year I grow a little more.. learn a little more and feel better a little more but thats life. Panic attacks are now few & far between thank god and majority of the time I feel like your average 25 year old with all the regular ups & downs. If you have ever suffered with anxiety you will know that is amazing in itself! 

Anyway back to the book. I have to say when I bought it my one worry would be that it would overly depressing, whiny or incredibly cheesey but I can now tell you that this has to be one of the best books I have ever read on the subject. Its a very raw book with a passionate account of this mans life and his struggle with anxiety & depression. At times I felt like someone was actually telling my story! I was thinking, Yes! finally someone gets it. I am not on my own! Someone else has been through this too. Not that Id wish it on my worst enemy!,  but somehow reading about someone else experiencing something that you have, something that seems so alien & out of the norm.. even to yourself & has survived and managed to create a wonderful life. Well thats just point blank inspiring!             

This book not only gives us an account of his experience, It is also witty, informative & just clever in general really. I found that with this book, one minute I was reading something that I truly empathised with and the next I was learning something new and very interesting on the subject. In the book he quotes a Tweet from the Poet Melissa Broder " What idiot called it "depression" and not "there are bats living in my chest and they take up alot of room, ps. I see a shadow"?" I remember reading this & this was one of the moments where I was like Omi God! Exactly!  The writing is very informal, to the point where you feel like he is talking directly to you, sharing his life experiences with you. I know it sounds corny but almost like its an honor to be told such a private thing (well if you have been through it yourself, you will know what I mean) Like its a privilege. You feel like he is telling you, he knows where you are, hes been there & Its all going to be ok.  I found it very hard to put down. 

Its hard to find books that are that personal but yet carry alot of merit behind what information they give you on such an important topic. Most books you'll find about anxiety or depression, while yes they will have done their research & be very informative when you read it, It will be like listening to a doctor or Councillor, not a friend who has been in you shoes. 

I 100% recommend this book to anyone who has been struggling with anxiety or depression. This book can truly make you see it all in a new light, make you think about things differently, make you more aware of whats going & most importantly the bigger picture. 

I will 100% be not only recommending it to anyone I think that could do with reading it (which is most people) Not only sharing it with all my friends on social media I will also be giving my copy directly to people close to me while saying "Here you have to read this I am giving you no choice.... Thank me later!" haha. I will definitely have to get it back though as this will be a book that I will be be reading again!  

I dont think I could give it a more glowing reference if I tried!! Please leave me a comment if you pick this book up & let me know your thoughts on it!!

If you have already been lucky enough it to read it what did you think??

Chat soon my friends x 

Previous Posts ~

Valentines Day ~ The King of Hallmark Holidays

Midweek Motivation - 40 days & 40 nights

Monthly Highlights 2016 ~ January 

Have you checked out my Beauty Blog - Beauty La Linda - MUA

Previous Posts ~

Review - P.S. Love.. Eyebrow Kit

Review - Loreal Elvive Extraordinary Hair Oil

Thank You for Reading

xox

     

The Curse of Overthinking...

Hey Guys,

So Im sitting at home scrolling through social media news feed both private and public & Ive got a situation buzzing around my head (love life of course ... would it be any other!) & in my head I can just hear voices of family members and loved ones. I can hear my mam saying "Linda, your overthinking things again" and close friends saying "I know its hard but your probably over thinking things" & "calm down, your just over thinking"

That got me thinking (of course haha) how do we stop this!? So I decided to start writing and see what happens.. maybe a post or maybe just somewhere to clear my head and delete again.. we'll see. 

As many of you will already know I suffer from anxiety & I am aware I am not alone in this. However I also think that some people who don't suffer from this must be prone to this too!? Am I wrong? Anyway from an anxious point of view there is this constant feeling of needing to know whats coming, a feeling of needing to be prepared if you will. This means it puts me on edge if I feel like there may be a situation that may not end well that Im not prepared for you know. (I really don't know if Im even making sense to you guys at this point but I hope your still with me) This inevitably leads to worrying and over thinking situations. I've heard it time and time again but old habits die hard.

I know there are so serious consequences to over thinking.. for example you can totally destroy situations as you may not have the whole story and you have managed to over think yourself in the worst one! You can actually make it happen (without meaning to) because your actions and reactions will change towards people also I believe in energy so I believe if you create negative energy you can actually create what you were trying to avoid. Finally the amount of unnecessary stress and anxiety can really takes its toll on you.

How can we fix this!? Well if there is some sort of quick fix then please let me know and I will forever be in your debt but the only way I really know how is redirection. Redirection of the mind and body. For example sometimes when I catch myself thinking about a certain subject that I know I can fall into the trap with I focus my attention on something else, like just thinking about the tasks I have to do that day or something exciting thats coming up. If that wont work ill watch TV, I also like colouring (It works my friend...frees your mind to come and go without paying total attention to it) or call a friend or get on my blog like Im doing right now.

Not all situations are that big or bad but sometimes the more you think about them the bigger they get until suddenly thats all you can see and the worst thing has already happened. For this I have one final tip (well I don't know if I would call these tips but its what I do) When your thinking and thinking about this, think about the worst case scenario. Whats the worst that could really happen!? Will you survive? Will life go on? Is everyone safe and healthy!? If the answer is yes then chances are there are much bigger problems we could be facing...    

Just sitting alone with my laptop I actually feel so much better about the situation.. I will survive, Life will go on & everyone is safe and healthy. Its really hard not to overthink but I think as long as you recognise it then you can help yourself. I might be right and worst case scenario could happen but you never know I could be wrong so..... That's life I guess. You have to take the good with the bad - What doesnt kill will make you stronger (& wiser)

Ok Im signing off.. & Im not even going to edit the content... just leave it raw..& add quote picks..

I hope this helps someone

Chat soon my loves x

Night night

Thank You For Reading

xox