Tips and tricks

Hey loves. ❤

A friend of mine recently asked how I cope with anxiety so I thought it might be good if I put it down in writing so it might be of use to other people too.
Everyone is, of course, different and I don't claim to know it all but every little helps, right? Please feel free to leave any tips you've learnt down in the comments too! :)

I think the most important thing to mention is that it's real. There's sadly still a lot of stigma around mental health illnesses, that people make it up or exaggerate their symptoms. They don't.  It's 100 % a real thing and like any illness, there are ways to help and ways to relieve the symptoms.

I found this picture one day whilst scrolling through instagram and it's a great image that puts it all into perspective - a picture can say a thousand words.

First, a little history. I was diagnosed with anxiety back when I was 14, but I've struggled with it for as long as I can remember. I was also diagnosed with depression when I was 20 & PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder) when I was 22. 

It's only been the past year or so that I feel I've been able to control and start "winning" with the negative voices in my head, the palpitations, feeling sick, being out of breath, etc. I still have bad days, sometimes even a bad week or month, but I am so much better than before so I guess it's proof it can get better! :)

Tip one - accept that there's a problem and talk to someone about it. It doesn't matter who- it can be your family, a friend, a work colleague, a doctor. Find someone you know you can trust and talk. You'll probably find just talking about it makes you feel better and then you can discuss the next steps in moving forward and what's right for you.  I realise this is easier said than done but you can do it!

Another helpful tip may be, if you feel comfortable enough, to talk to your manager. Just make them aware that you're struggling a bit so that if you seem off, have a bad day or go sick at all they know why. My work place has been really supportive and it's made the world of difference. 

Tip two - find a way that helps you to destress. I find doing my nails, reading a good book & going for a run/walk helps to keep the panic at bay. I also know people find writing down the negative thoughts and then destroying the paper by burning/ripping up/flushing it down the toilet really helpful. 

Tip three - try and keep active. Exercise boosts your confidence, makes you feel better both physically and mentally and keeps your body healthy. Having said that, if you're really struggling to get the endorphins going that day, chocolate can also help.. ;) 

Tip four - Medication. Medication isn't for everyone but you should definitely have a chat with your GP or do some research to see if you'll benefit from it. I've been on medication for around 5 years now. It can be a struggle to get the right ones for you to start with, but once you figure out what's good for yourself, it really does help. The other thing I'd point out is, if you are on pills, be consistent with them. If you stop taking them once you start to feel better, or forget to take them every now and then you'll notice a big difference. You need to take most tablets consistently for them to work properly and keep things smooth in the long run.

Tip five - try and keep an eye on your diet. As boring as it can be, eating healthily can make a big difference. Little things like drinking a herbal tea or some juice/a smoothie instead of something caffeinated can make a big difference. Caffeine, as most people know, gets your heart pumping, which really doesn't help if you already suffer from palpitations! I find peppermint tea to be helpful when I'm having a bad day as it also helps to settle your stomach if you're feeling a bit sickly. 

Tip six - laugh. Watch a funny film, put on your favourite comedy TV show, chat to your favourite people. Play with your pets, watch a bit of Thatcher Joe on the old youtube. Laughing makes everything better.

I hope this helps some of you, and I'll post again soon! I'm thinking of posting another nail tutorial next so let me know if that interests you or if you have any suggestions. :)

Keep your chin up and try to remember that everything'll be okay in the end!

Love,

Becky x

16 things I've learned in 2016..

Hey, guys.
Apologies for the disappearance- it's been a crazy year and I've neglected this space... however I am back! And ready to ramble. :)
I thought seeing as it's December, I'd post some things I've picked up over this past year, some more serious than others, & fill you all in.
I have now finished my apprenticeship in Optics and have been taken on full time where I was training, still loving it, still feeling lucky to be there!
Here are 16 things I've learned in 2016:

1. Losing myself in a good book is, and always will be, one of my favourite things to do. I got a kindle for Christmas & I'd forgotten how much I adore reading. I'm currently re-reading David Eddings' "Pawn of Prophecy" - his books are my favourite fantasy world to get lost in. I first read them when I was in junior school/early senior school so 10-11 and I still love them just as much now, 16 years later. 
2. Gaining weight isn't a bad thing. I've discovered the world of being warm, filling out bras and feeling generally healthy this year. Hooray!
3. I don't deserve to be treated badly. It's difficult to remember sometimes and I'm still amazing at beating myself up, but I don't deserve bad shit. 
4. I'm actually quite creative.
5. Nail art is my jam. I love it and I'm pretty good at it too!
6. No matter the circumstance, no means no and you don't have to feel guilty for saying it.
7. Lush will always be my favourite store. I could easily spend my monthly paycheck in there. ❤
8. It's okay to cry, it's okay to admit that you're sad or struggling. Most people will support & love you regardless and those who don't, don't deserve your time anyway.
9. I'm actually looking forward to being a mother (eventually).
10. Never take normal, healthy toes for granted. I had 4 months of crazy pain with an ingrown toenail before having surgery to sort it out & I still hurt now.. I can't wait to wear open toed shoes without wanting to hide from the world again!
11. I need (want) more tattoos. 
12. I love my cats. (this isn't something I learned this year but they're my babies and they deserve a mention!)
13. Family will always be there and always come first. Again, I didn't specifically learn that this year but each year I'm reminded of how great my family is. :)
14. I never, ever, want to do shift work again. I love this 9-5 work pattern and so does my health.
15. There will always be that one particular person in your life who is a complete dick and you can't always escape from that- however you can ignore them and get satisfaction from not rising to their shit.
16. I reconnected with my puzzle piece earlier this year and I'm the luckiest person in the world to get a fresh start. ❤

All in all it's been a typical year- lots of highs and lows, happy and sad moments.
Roll on 2017!

Hope everyone's had a great year and are all happy and well.

Love,
Becky x

Goals for 2016 :)

Hey guys!
I've read/watched a lot of bloggers goals/things they're looking forward to for this year and thought it'd be great to do my own to have a look at when I'm feeling low or unmotivated! So here it is :)

Goals/things I am looking forward to for 2016:

1. Finishing my apprenticeship in Optics!
2. Being financially able to start saving for my partner and I to get our own place ❤
3. I'm definitely going to try and find a mental health charity and volunteer to help raise awareness! 
4. Start running again. It helps to de-stress me so much, just need to get my confidence back!
5. Getting my next tattoo.. I need to decide whether I want it on my thigh or ribs though.
6. Continuing with my blog & making it an interesting place to be!  ❤
7. I would really like to learn about  and practice yoga :)
8. Drink more water! Sounds simple but it's something I'm really bad at.
9. Progress with my nail art, hopefully do others nails too!
10. Go on holiday with Ryan :) I think it'd be good for us both to have a break away!

Now I just need to get these goals going!

Becky x 

Water colour nail tutorial

Hey guys!
I did this mani the other day and I love it, plus it's really easy! So I thought I'd do a tutorial :)
You need:

• Base coat - I used nailgirls 3in1.
• Base colour- L'Oreal color riche in 885.
• 3 other nail polishes for the effect - Lola in 005 (Stone grey) and OPI colorpaints in Purple Perspective and Indigo Motif.
• Top Coat - Seche Vite top coat.
• Acetone.
• A paint brush & some kind of pot to mix the paints - I used a little glass pot that was laying around. You could use some aluminum foil if you have nothing like that though. 

What you need to do:

•  Paint your clean nails with your base coat.
• Once your base coat has dried, apply one to two coats of your base colour. 
• Apply top coat onto this and wait for 10 minutes so your nails set properly - if you don't the acetone may rub off the base colour and ruin the mani you are trying to achieve.
• Get your pot/foil  and put a drop of one of the polishes into the surface. With your paint brush, mix in a few drops of acetone until you are happy with the consistency.
• Start to apply the paint on to a small area of your nail in dabbing motions. If you feel the polish isn't sheer enough to give a water colour effect, get some more acetone on your brush and dab directly onto the polish you just applied. Repeat this on each nail.  
• Repeat the previous step on each of your nails using the other two polishes until you have covered each nail. 
• Remember - if you haven't got the desired effect dab on more acetone!  This is a great mani for beginners to try as you can correct any mistakes with the acetone and even the look out. :) 
• When  you are happy with the look, add your top coat. I chose seche vite as it makes my nails look super glossy but a matte top coat would look great too!

I hope you guys enjoyed the tutorial and have fun getting creative!
Becky x

An introduction.

Hi. 
I'm a little nervous about writing this so forgive me if it rambles & makes no sense. I figured I should introduce myself if I'm going to make posting on this a regular thing.
My name's Becky, I am 25 and I take being socially retarded to a whole new level. 
I've been through a lot of crap, especially in the last 10 years or so, and have decided to try and put those times into some use by writing about what I have learned from them onto this blog and hopefully helping at least one person with it.
Having said that, I am also majorly into nail art, makeup & cats so no doubt there'll be some posts including that, too.
Hopefully this won't be a complete train wreck! Fingers crossed.
Becky x