7 ways to get you out of your funk...

So it's Sunday, which means another week is almost over. My weeks just seem to be getting better and better lately; I'm in a very good place *happy dances around bedroom*. I've spent a lot of time in the past feeling negatively about certain situations, seeing the glass as half empty as opposed to half full. I don't know what's changed in me but I'm definitely more of a half full kind of girl now and it really is the best feeling in the world.

Don't get me wrong, there are days where I really cannot be arsed. Like I could literally lay in bed all day, stick on a sad movie or a ballad album and feel sorry for myself, singing along to the sweet sweet tunes and wallowing in my own self-pity; I really think as human beings we need these days too to actually keep ourselves sane! I can't count the days I've cried all day and then in the evening my perspective on everything is just totally different. It's like the emotions we keep bottled up inside just need a bit of releasing and it's just our instinctive way of doing so.

But this post isn't going to be about that, it's about the things we can do to cheer ourselves up and get down with our bad selves again!!

1) Make a cup of tea (or coffee)... Now this is optional but personally, I cannot start the day properly without a good cup of rosie-lee in the system. The kind of tea is up to you but I am partial to the good old English Breakfast.

2) Tidy up... Whether you have your own place, or if your only bit of privacy is you're bedroom, whatever you have, give it a good old clean. My Mumma always told me 'an untidy bedroom = an untidy mind'; probably her way of getting me to actually tidy my room (sorry Mumma), but it actually is so true, my brain always feels so much more cluttered when my room is a mess.

3) Have a bath/shower... Again, either-or depending on personal preference, but I do love a bath. I'm very much one of those 'shower singers' and even though my vocal chords may not quite agree, I like to think I can and that's good enough reason for me to lay back in the bubbles with my music playing and sing my heart out. I just think this is a good way to start the day, not only does it really chill you out but getting all clean and warming your bones makes me really productive for some reason, especially if I do this quite early (and coming out to a clean and tidy room is just spot on).

4) Get dressed... Something comfortable preferably. I am always at my comfiest when I feel nice. Clean hair, clean make-up, a big jumper and nice pair of fitted jeans always do the trick.

5) Go for a walk... There's nothing like the great outdoors to help you clear your mind. Whether you do this alone or take a friend with you, a bit of fresh air will help.

6) Make your own list... This could be anything, make a list of things that make you happy, goals for the year, the day or the month, things that you want to achieve... literally anything you want. This always sets me in the right direction; actually writing down what you want to achieve makes it that little bit more real in a way and I'm actually more likely to do it.

7) Talk to others... If there's one thing to always remember, you are never alone in this world. Whatever your sad about, there is always someone somewhere who has been through it before and battled the same emotions as you and more than likely they are closer to home than you think. Reach out to people, they might even need it as much as you do.

So there we have it. Now I'm not saying that this is going to solve all your problems, but these things help me feel a bit more cheery and ready to face any real problems, if any!

Ooomf...

So I have a bit of a creative thumb and a mind that's fascinated by all things arty-farty, I literally want to try everything but not knowing where to start and not having that little bit of 'oomf' behind me to actually get going is a real pain in the gluteus maximus.

I've turned my hand to most things, sewing, dyeing (almost spelled that as dying then, definitely haven't turned my hand to that yet aha), crochet, photography, painting - you name it. Below are a few little past projects of mine that I am super proud of but all very different from each other...

TIE DYE TEEs & CROPs

In the spring/summer of 2013, I had just finished my A-levels (thank god, the hardest 2 years of my life, I tell you, can't believe I made it out alive to be fair), the sun was shining, the weather was sweet and all I wanted to do was move my dancing feet... haha joking, but in all seriousness as much as those 3 things are true I had so much free time on my hands before I was due to go travelling a few months later and I hated it. So instead of hating I decided to tie dye one of my old tops and as you can imagine one turned in to one more and so on and so on. A few of my friends then asked me to make them some so I bought a bunch of plain tee's from amazon and starting selling them. My mini business lasted for about 4 weeks and it was such a handy way of making a little bit of money for my travels.

TIE DYE PERSONALISED PILLOWS

Keeping up with the whole 'tie dye' theme here I made these in October for my friend Molly. She moved to Brighton for uni in September (lucky moo) and she's a bit of a wacky little thing and loves anything colourful so with my leftover dyes and fabric collecting dust in the corner of my cupboard I had a little play around and made her these for her halls. I loved doing this project, although I had a bit of a job sewing the letters to the pillows so I opted for the iron on felt instead, my patience was well and truly tested. Nevertheless this was fun and Miss Molly was filled with delight when I gave them to her haha.

DRAGONFLY ART

This is the latest arty farty thing I've made, well actually that's a lie, I've made something else but that will have to kept secret from here until after Valentines Day. I made this piece for a colleague at work as a tribute for her late Mumma, how lovely, I felt quite special and privileged to do this for my buddy. I am most proud of this piece purely because my friend basically told me to do anything I wanted but it had to include a blue dragonfly, I've always seen myself as being not very inspired by much; I feel I have the ability to create but no idea behind so this, although very simple I am so pleased with it and so is my friend, she has asked me to make 2 more.

So that's me, I don't know who exactly this post will reach but whoever reads this, remember my name because one day I hope to be doing this kind of thing for a living. Focus Lou.

One of the most beautiful things I have ever read...

So, I was looking through tumblr today and I came across this post...

“

To the one who loves her next,

She’s terrified of spiders. So when you’re out late with friends and she texts you freaking out because there’s one on her window, please go kill it. She won’t sleep otherwise.

She is a total textbook introvert. She won’t reply for hours and sometimes you won’t see her for a week. You will take this personally. Don’t. She’s simply taking care of herself and she’ll tell you how much she missed you while she was away.

She’ll get very jealous. My god, she gets so jealous. Those brown eyes will turn a deep green. She hates that about herself, and she doesn’t mean to do it. Remember, she loves you. Reassure her that you love her too.

On that topic, she needs constant reassurance. Tell her you love her and mean it. If you can’t do that, leave. She deserves more than that.

There will be nights when she goes out and drinks a little too much. She’ll call you to bring her home. When you do, she’ll try to keep you up all night by tickling you and repeating “I love you and I’m sorry I’m annoying.” She’s not annoying. But make sure she has plenty of water and don’t let her pass out until she drinks it, or she will be miserable in the morning.

She is the most independent woman I know. But she’s so insecure, it still breaks my heart. So when she starts an argument with “you don’t love me.” Do not get upset. Remind her you do and the reasons why. She’ll come around.

The cat comes first. Always. Don’t ever think otherwise.

Make her tea and remember the way she takes her coffee. She will notice.

When she’s having an anxiety attack, wrap her up in your arms and rub her back. Tell her she’s safe and remind her that she has medication if she needs it.

If you cannot treat her like royalty, let someone else. That girl deserves the world.

Losing her is a pain you will never shake. Your world will come crashing down on you and those pieces won’t ever fit the way they used to. Don’t let her go.

She will love you with all she’s got. Please give her the same. 
I am begging you to not hurt her. She is golden. Don’t let that shine die out.

Give her your all and she’ll return the favor. You will never have to ask the universe for anything ever again.

”

—	Sincerely, a name you’ll hear in passing.

So this could have happened one of two ways, either the person has just written it to practice their literature or this is real... i'm going to go with the latter. I love how you can tell just how much the author loves the girl. We've never met the couple, we don't know their names and we don't know what they look like; all we have is this. But this is enough because these words alone have the power to make you feel without any form of image.

I can only wish that every girl is loved like her.