Friends. Besties. Unbiological siblings. Friendship is everything.

Friends are there because they choose to be in our lives, our chosen families; those we decide to share life's greatest and most tragic moments with. Friendship paves our path, supports our choices and lifts us up when we need it.

Finding good friends isn't easy. The type of friends who stay around no matter what, are there to cheer you on, wipe a tear and support you through the biggest life changes. If you are lucky to find a true friend, the beauty of life gets better and better.

What does friendship mean to me?

Friendship has evolved as I've grown older. As a teenager, it was about finding people who listened, understood you and still wanted to hang out even if you weren't cool and weren't doing 'cool things'. Friendship was about fangirling over favourite boybands and celebrities, sharing the stresses of exams and having sleepovers, playing games and eating as much chocolate until our stomachs hurt.

When I became an adult, I thought friendship was the same, but it grew harder, harder to maintain. It's easy to stay friends and have fun with someone every day when you know you have to see them at school. In the adult world, life isn't that simple. Friends change; you meet new people and connect with others older and younger than you in the workplace, when travelling and at events. You learn and discover more about who you are through others' eyes and in your world.

Friendship breakups happen. You distance yourself from certain people as life gets too busy, priorities change, and you no longer want the same things. Things aren't easy, they're different, that's all.

Real friends make plans and stick around even when you move away from your small home town of all you've ever known. They continue to message you when you get into a relationship or backpack around the world. They make plans, dinners out, brunches, holidays and weekly calls. Friendship is easy for the ones who choose to stay in your life.

Friendship is joy, creating fun memories and crying with laughter; it's finding the people who match your energy and elevate you. Friendship means being your true self and not feeling embarrassed about it, it's feeling understood, seen and valued for who you are. It's about showing up, being present and making the other person feel empowered when they're with you.

What friendship truly means is having people by my side to do life with, to sing our hearts out to our favourite songs, dance the night away, cry at our favourite films, go on road trips, chat until the sun goes down and do the wild things that make life ever so magical.

I'm blessed for the long-term friends I have and for the new friends who come into my life, adding their shine and joy, making my daily life a pleasure.

Friendship is connection, family, love and wonder. It's knowing, you'll never be alone.

 Well hello to you, my reader chums! A morning routine has revolutionised my life and made me more motivated, focused and refreshed as I start each day. I've seen many people talk about the 5am club and long lists of things to do in the morning, and that's not what I mean by a normal routine. My version of a morning routine is doing three things to make you feel joy and to start your day off right.

What do I include in a morning routine?

A morning routine means making choices that make you feel positive and good in your body, and start your day off in the best direction.

Something fun 

Everyone has something that can bring them joy first thing, whether it's a book, journal, music or a lovely coffee. I always pick up my book on my bedside table when I wake up, as it's better than choosing my phone and means the first thing I do is an activity that makes me happy: reading. Choose your fun thing; you could also be a reader like me, or want to start the day with your favourite playlist. 

Everyone has various amounts of time for a morning routine. Depending on when I wake up, I usually read for about 15 minutes to 30 minutes.

Movement

Movement is key to waking your mind and body up. Some people don't enjoy exercise, but movement doesn't necessarily mean joining the gym. Movement can be whatever is accessible for you and your body, such as a walk, dance routine, Pilates or yoga, a run, and the gym is another option. Getting your body in the right flow will alert you and help boost your endorphins overall. 

I change my movement based on how my body is feeling that day. My weekly goal is going to the gym 3 times, running once a week and the other days, either Pilates/stretching or walking.

Good food

Breakfast is incredibly important, as how will you begin your day without fuel, especially after some type of exercise? Eat what feels good for you and your body, as we all have breakfast preferences. I usually go for scrambled eggs on sourdough with sunflower seeds or a yoghurt bowl with granola, seeds and fruit. It's best to pick an option that's nutrient dense, including fibre and protein, and a drink of water to go with!

The benefits of a morning routine 

• Starts your day on a positive note
• Gives you direction for your morning
• Can boost your mind on dreary days
• It's simple enough to change based on how you're feeling
• It'll boost your overall mental health and perspective in the morning
• Increase your energy and productivity
• Help with stress management and  support better sleep patterns
• Make you look forward to the mornings, especially if you're not a morning person.

 Well hello to you, my reader chums! I'm shocked that I've been typing away at this blog for 12 years; that's my biggest commitment. My blog is the greatest gift my younger self ever gave me, and I'll always be thankful to 16-year-old me for signing up to Blogger and creating Della Loves Nutella.

When I was that young, I never knew what this blog would become. All I knew at 16 was I wanted to be a writer, and blogging was a popular thing to do, so I created mine. And, 12 years later, I'm still typing my thoughts away on my internet space, with more knowledge and life experience than at the beginning.

Stopping this blog was never an option, as I've loved it for so long. This blog has been the heart of my marketing career, helping me create blog posts, learn about SEO, develop skills around influencer marketing and social media, and build an online profile for myself. Granted, over the last few years, I've stepped away from that profile; this blog is now a space where I continue what I set out to do: share my personal experiences, advice and tips to hopefully help others.

Why do I still blog?

I debate this a lot because my audience is different from what it used to be; blogging has lost its popularity, and long-form content has certainly altered since AI came into play, but it's not stopped me.

I never set out to build a massive audience or become what we now call a 'content creator'. I blogged because I love to do it. I love to write and share my thoughts, experiences and words. It's a blessing and a privilege to me that I'm able to do that and have people who still read those words to this day.

I blog because I love to learn, develop my skills, and share advice and help for others, whether they're reading my more personal posts or interested in a travel guide I've shared. I blog because researching, writing, and editing are my favourite things to do; they bring me joy every day.

I'm lucky enough that as a freelance writer, I do write for a living; I work on people's websites, blogs and social media platforms, sharing gorgeous words and captivating stories with their audience. Without this blog, I wouldn't even have realised that's what I wanted to do or know that type of job existed. I always wanted to be a book writer, but didn't know content writing was a thing at 16. I thought you had to be a journalist and write about the news. Blogging has opened my world for the last 12 years, and it keeps on giving.

I've been lucky to receive PR mail and collaborate with other bloggers. I've been blessed to attend certain blogging events, meet like-minded people, and share my honest thoughts.

Reflecting in April every year is a gift. I've read many blogs over the years, and only a few people started their blogs at the same time as mine.

Thank you to anyone over the years who has read my blog, shared a nice comment or connected with me; it truly means the world. My teenage self would never have imagined the kindness I've received online and how blogging brought opportunities in my adult life.

Here's to the next 12 years and many more of Della Loves Nutella!

I hope you enjoyed this post. How long have you been reading my blog for?

Thank you for reading <3

 Well hello to you, my reader chums! I'm in love with Lake Bled; I was lucky to visit the lake over a long weekend, exploring its magic and nearby sights. The lake, as you imagine, is picturesque with gorgeous hikes and lots of things to see and do.

If you're visiting Lake Bled soon, here is my guide to everything you need to know and prepare for. 

It's 30 minutes from Ljubljana airport

You'll fly into Slovenia's capital, Ljubljana, when visiting Lake Bled (unless you're taking a bus or driving from another part of Slovenia), and there are a few easy options to reach the lake. For something direct, you can get a taxi, although this can be a little expensive or hire a car if you're taking a road trip across Slovenia - both options will take you around 30 minutes drive.

The easiest option for tourists and those on a budget is to get the bus. There's a bus station directly outside the airport which offers buses to Lake Bled and Ljubljana city centre, and each destination takes around 30 minutes. You buy your tickets on the bus, which are 4.10 euros each for one way, and the buses come every hour. You can check the Arriva's website for a complete bus schedule. 

Lake Bled is walkable

I love to walk around on holiday as it's the best way to explore a destination. You can easily walk around the lake to see the main sites, including the castle and the various points for hopping on the Pletna boats. The lake takes around 1-2 hours to walk around, depending on whether you stop off and visit sites along the way, and the main town of Bled is very walkable too. 

The lake can be expensive

Lake Bled is a popular destination and can be expensive, depending on what you get up to. For example, the Pletna boats over to the island cost £20 each and going inside the church on the island was £12 each. Restaurants aren't crazy pricey, but I've visited many more European destinations which are a lot cheaper. If you plan and research prices for attractions, you can pick a budget suitable to cover your trip. 

Cash is essential for certain attractions

Not many places need cash anymore, however, Lake Bled was an exception. I used cash to pay for the buses, the Pletna boats and public toilets.  

Accommodation can be pricey

I stayed in the off-season, and accommodation was expensive. You'll need to make the decision to pay more and stay central or be a little further out and save yourself some money. We stayed in an Airbnb about a 20-minute walk from the lake and half an hour/40 minutes from the main town. I'm a big walker and we didn't mind it, but if that's not for you, staying central is the way forward.

Buses are easy to use

Buses were a lifesaver in Lake Bled for the airport, excursions, and to visit another lake - and were incredibly cheap too. As Lake Bled is such a popular destination, I assumed the buses would be pricey, but they were honestly the opposite. The most expensive bus was to the city (around 5 euros each), whilst the airport was around 4 euros and to Lake Bohinj, around 2 euros. The buses do a loop from the airport, through to Lake Bled and then to Lake Bohinj and loop back to that exact route, making it easy to find your way.

Going off-peak means fewer crowds

I visited Lake Bled in mid-March, and the lake was rather quiet. We did see some tour groups, and there were people around, however, it was very quiet compared to other popular tourist places I've visited off-peak. I can imagine in the summer, it would be very busy and jumping on the hourly bus to the airport would be a mission. Also, when we visited Lake Bohinj (a 45-minute bus ride from Lake Bled), we saw about 5 people the entire time around the lake. If you want peace and don't mind bad weather, visit off-peak in winter.

Be prepared for the weather

You may be incredibly lucky with the weather; however, if, like me, you visit in winter, you should prepare in case the weather isn't in your favour. We did have rain and clouds for the entire time at the lake. Even though it didn't stop us from doing anything, it was good to be prepared as it made the experience more comfortable. Pack suitable walking/hiking shoes, waterproofs and practical clothing.

Explore beyond the lake

I adored every part of Lake Bled, but I have to say, Lake Bohinj was a massive highlight of the trip, and I'm glad we visited that lake too. Explore beyond the lake, such as visiting Lake Bohinj, the main city, or if you're hiring a car, drive around the local villages.

Supermarkets and shops can be closed on a Sunday

If visiting on a weekend, be wary that supermarkets and some shops may be closed.

I hope you enjoyed this post. When are you visiting Lake Bled?

Thank you for reading <3

 Well hello to you, my reader chums! Visiting Lake Bled felt like a dream come true; the scenery, the mountainous landscapes, and the walks were a peaceful escape, and I loved every minute. 

As a sought-after destination, planning ensures you fit everything you'd like to see. As Lake Bled isn't overly huge, you could squeeze this into a 2-day trip, but an added third day means you can take lake life at a slower pace. If you're planning a trip to Lake Bled, here's my 3-day itinerary of what to see and do.

What to see and do

Day 1 - Get your bearings around Lake Bled

Day 2 - Lake Bled attractions and excursions

Day 3 - Soak up Lake Bled and head to the city

Where to eat

 Well hello to you my reader chums! Comparison is the thief of all joy. I've heard this phrase a million times and preach it often as it's incredibly true. In today's world with the influence of social media, we're constantly comparing ourselves to everyone's highlight reels and their successes, making many feel inadequate and unworthy.

I've struggled with comparison for years and at times, I still struggle with looking at everyone's lives and thinking 'I should be like that'. If you're someone who compares yourself often, here is my advice on how to stop comparing yourself to others.

You're in different life chapters.

One of the BEST reminders which helps me out a lot when I'm overthinking and comparing myself to others is knowing you're in different life chapters. You may be comparing your chapter 1 to someone's chapter 5, whether that's your career, saving journey, travelling or buying a home. 

It's also worth noting, you can't be late in your life. We all have different life journeys and experiences, where some people do things younger, some do things older but we all achieve different successes in the time that's right for us. For example, just because your friend is engaged and you're single, it doesn't mean you're behind, it'll happen when the time is right for you. 

Work on your self-love

I have spoken about my self-love journey many times but learning to love myself has helped immensely with comparisons. When you're confident and self-assured, you become less bothered about what other people do with their lives and more focused on your own. 

 Honestly, learning to appreciate and love your life and be more grateful for what you have can help you avoid comparison. Why would you compare to someone's success when you're so content in your life?

Step away from social media as much as you can

I love social media, however, it can have many negative implications, such as comparing yourself to others. If you find that's your biggest trigger, start to limit yourself to social media usage, whether that's setting physical limitations on your phone or having phone-free evenings. I'd especially recommend avoiding your phones in moments you're feeling down or insecure.

Understand we're all in the same boat

Just because someone has bought a house on social media or is smiling on a holiday, it doesn't mean they lead a happy life or don't compare themselves to everyone else. Everyone has down days, hard moments or life-altering news which can affect their lives. The sooner you understand that concept, the easier it can be to avoid comparison.

Nobody lives a perfect life

Nobody is perfect. Nobody has a perfect life. The best way to avoid comparison is to understand nobody is as perfect as you think they are.

I hope you enjoyed this post. What advice would you add?

Thank you for reading <3 

 Well, hello to you, my reader chums! Self-love is a term I used to chat about when I was in my 'healing' era a couple of years back, and it is still a topic I adore talking about today. Everyone has a different definition of what self-love means, how they practice it and what the effects look like.

We're all evolving, and for me, self-love has been a journey like no other.

If you're on your self-love journey and keen to hear my thoughts, here's what self-love means to me now.

Self-love is a term used widely, with the idea of falling in love with ourselves and loving every piece, including how we look, our personality and the life we lead. Self-love can mean whatever you want, and as I've grown, my definition has also changed.

What does self-love mean to me?

Self-love means showing up for yourself consistently and loving and appreciating that version of yourself. We don't wake up every day feeling like a 10/10. Some days, I'm bloated, some days, I'm in a low mood, and some days, I get frustrated at myself, and that's okay. Self-love on those days is being respectful and appreciative that you're not feeling 100% at that time, but you will again. It's accepting it's okay to feel rubbish about myself and I won't always feel a 10/10.

Self-love isn't only loving what you look like, it's loving your personality, the good and bad of that, the quirks and unique ways that make me who I am. I think a lot of self-love is down to liking what you look like, but your personality is worth more than that as looks do change, but your personality is everything, showcasing your soul. It's helped me appreciate my humour, my kindness, my giving nature and my adventurous spirit.

Self-love is about setting boundaries, stepping away from people in my life who don't make me feel my best and investing time in others who lift me up and allow me to be myself. It's about having respect for myself enough to wave goodbye to certain friendships and now allow myself to remain in spaces where I feel seen.

Self-love is being grateful for my life and working on a positive mindset to help me stay hopeful about my everyday life and what's to come. It's about preventing that negative and mean voice in my mind, always trying to look on the brighter side of life rather than what's gone wrong.

Self-love is believing in myself, knowing I have what it takes to achieve my dreams, but also being able to try new things and push myself out of my comfort zone. It's my biggest supporter and the thing that keeps me going in the hard moments. 

Ultimately, self-love is learning to put my needs first. I spent years people-pleasing and thinking about everyone else, but now, I'm focusing more on what feels right for me, prioritising my mental health and wellbeing and creating a life that serves that.

I hope you enjoyed this post. What does self-love mean to you? 

Thank you for reading <3