Well hello to you my reader chums! I'm a self-confessed people pleaser and spend way too much of my existence trying to help and please other people, rather than focus on my own needs, wants and goals. However, as I've grown older, I've gotten better at putting my needs first, and prioritising myself and what I'm doing with my life.

If you're a people pleaser and trying to focus on yourself more, here are my 5 tips on how to put yourself first.

Boundaries are essential to protect your peace and your mental health and wellbeing. Setting boundaries can have anything to do with how people make you feel, removing yourself from certain situations, not overbooking your calendar or asking for more reciprocal energy from someone. Boundaries work differently for everyone and can be challenging to implement, depending on who you're asking to set a boundary with. Find the boundaries important to you and try to communicate them to your loved ones, either when a situation arises or to prevent future circumstances. 

Learn to say no

Saying no is having love and respect for yourself as it shows you're not doing something to please someone else, but following your own heart. Nothing is easy in life but people-pleasing and following paths that aren't right for you won't make you any happier. By saying no, you can move away from circumstances that don't align or serve you, helping you put yourself first instead of plastering on a fake smile.

Stop yourself from unnecessarily apologising

I have to admit I unnecessarily apologise all of the time and that's an effect of people pleasing that honestly, I hate. There's no need for it and I'm ever so slowly getting better at not apologising for unnecessary things, however, it's not easy. When you feel about to apologise, catch yourself and remind yourself you don't need to apologise at that moment.

Practice regular affirmations

Regular affirmations are a brilliant way to reassure yourself of how great you are, building your self-esteem which defeats low self-worth and can make you feel better about yourself overall. Affirmations can be practised as often as possible, whether that's every morning or every night.

Practice self-love and reassurance

In the same breath, practising self-love is another way to reaffirm your self-worth and hyping yourself up. By loving yourself and having more respect for yourself, it makes it easier to put yourself first - and prevent yourself people pleasing.

Understand that you're not a bad person for setting boundaries

Setting boundaries doesn't make you harsh or horrible, it means you have respect and love for yourself to set them in the first place. And, when doing that, other people will have more respect and love for you as they can see you're living a life authentic and right for you.

Always stay true to yourself

Your authentic self deserves to be seen and heard and by practising that true energy, you can live a more fulfilling life and beat the woes of people pleasing.

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

Thank you for reading <3

 Well hello to you my reader chums! Being in a relationship is an incredible feeling and experience. I love being in love and how love makes me feel. There's nothing more wonderful than living and doing life with my best friend, knowing I have a safe space to be at home with every day, holiday with, and enjoy life's little moments.

With relationships, life changes positively, but it also means you have a lot less time to yourself than you did when you were single because you want to spend as much time as possible with your other half. However, alone time is always beneficial, especially when you have less time because it helps you pursue your own hobbies and interests and be with your own thoughts.

If you're in a new relationship and keen to prioritise more alone time, here are my tips on how you can have more alone time in a relationship.

Communicate what alone time looks like for you

Every person has different definitions of what alone time means to them, whether that's an hour in the morning or an afternoon. As we can all differ from introverts and extroverts, alone time may be needed more regularly for some than others. Communicate to your partner what alone time looks like for you and how you can map that out in your routine weekly and monthly. This can help you plan in advance and for your partner to understand your expectations and needs. 

Likewise, you'll also want to ask what alone time means for them, as they may have more or less of a need than you. Once you both know where you stand, it can help strengthen your relationship because you'll be helping each other grow individually and together. 

Have a 'you' morning/afternoon or day each week

Communicating how often alone time is needed is the first step to pursuing alone time in your relationship. You can decide which days are suitable for you. For example, if you're a morning person, you may want to go to an early pilates class, sit in a coffee shop and read or take a beach walk. Or, if you're an afternoon person, you could go for a run, do some shopping or an activity that makes your heart soar. Whatever the timing is right for you, book this regularly once a week and spend that alone time however you wish.

Pursue hobbies and interests that are yours

Everyone has hobbies and interests they love, whether it's going to a book club or dance class, cycling, knitting, painting, baking or playing guitar. Whatever your hobbies and interests are, don't give that up when you get into a relationship, in fact, it's more important now than ever to pursue these hobbies and to give yourself time to grow in your own skills and interests. 

Take regular solo walks

I love a walk, in fact, the most time I spend alone is when I'm walking around, whether that's to run errands, walk to coworking, or because I fancied a beach stroll. Regular solo walks allow you to be with your thoughts, reflect on any emotions and feelings you're experiencing and listen to things you like, such as podcasts, audiobooks or music.

Have some friendships separate 

In a relationship, you're bound to have friendships that overlap or make new friends together and that's amazing and something to be celebrated. However, not all of your friends need to be shared. You need to have time alone to spend with your own friends as it gives you that healthy space to develop platonic friendships with others - and enjoy the friendships you had before you were in the relationship. These friendships should still be a priority in your life.

I hope you enjoyed this post. What other tips do you have?

Thank you for reading <3

 Well hello to you my reader chum! Travel doesn't have to be expensive, as the world is massive and there are 195 countries to see and explore, you have your pick of budget locations. As I've spent all of my twenties so far travelling the world on a budget, I've experienced the cheapest and the most expensive places, where the majority sit in the middle and you can make them cheap.

If you're new to travelling in your twenties, here's my guide on affordable destinations worldwide you can visit.

European countries

I adore everything about Europe and love how many countries I've had the pleasure of experiencing and exploring. Europe has more to it than meets the eye with a diverse range of cultures, monuments, traditions and food to explore. From the UK, Europe is incredibly accessible with cheap flights to various destinations and most locations can cater to a small budget, if you plan effectively.

Krakow, Poland

Poland is the only country I've come home to with lots of money left over, I couldn't believe how cheap it was. Krakow is Poland's most known destination, making it easy for new travellers to explore with ease and find their way around. Krakow is a gorgeous city with a quaint old town, wholesome food experiences and plenty of sights, including the salt mines, Wawel Castle and Auschwitz. Krakow also features brilliant nightlife and cute places to shop, roam and admire.

Budapest, Hungary

Budapest has gained a reputation as a cheap European destination and a very young appeal, great for travellers in their twenties. It's home to the famous Szechenyi thermal baths, one of the reasons you'll find many hen-dos here. Despite the electric nightlife, Budapest is more than a booze city with plenty of sights to see and activities to fill your days, such as Gellért Hill and Buda Castle. As a backpacker-friendly place, you can find cheap accommodation, free sights and affordable eats.

Sicily, Italy

I adore Sicily, I wish I had more time there to explore as it is so incredibly gorgeous in every way, from the friendly people to delicious cuisine and endless beaches. Located in southern Italy, Sicily is very affordable overall, but specifically Palermo for a city break. Palermio is a dreamy destination because it's packed with historic sights, amazing food markets and plenty to do on a budget. It's also nearby to other destinations, such as Mondello beach which costs 1-2 euros to arrive on the bus.

Porto, Portugal

Porto is an amazing alternative to Portugal's capital, Lisbon and in my opinion is a more exciting city, and slightly less touristy. I found Porto exceptionally cheaper than Lisbon with endless gorgeous sights to keep you busy, such as Clerigos Tower, Porto Cathedral, Riberia and the Gardens of Crystal Palace. 

Bologna, Italy

I adore everywhere in Italy I've visited and had to mention another city and a favourite of mine, Bologna. As my favourite city up north, Bologna isn't as touristy as many other popular cities and has a more authentic Italian appeal. The food here is insanely delicious, from the classic ragu, tortellini, cured meats, and lasagne to gelato. Honestly, you can just eat around the city and enjoy some of the main sights, such as Piazza Maggiore, Torre Degli Asinelli and the San Luca sanctuary.

Asian countries 

Sri Lanka

I could rave about Sri Lanka all day long, the country is everything to me and one I have many amazing memories of. As I backpacked through for two weeks I fell in love with the nature, the people, the new cuisine and the endless sights. It offered me a diverse range of experiences, from an elephant safari,  UNESCO World Heritage sites, hiking opportunities and beautiful temples. Favoruite budget spots include Dambulla, Anuradhapura and Kandy. 

Vietnam

Vietnam will always be one of my favourite countries for many reasons, there's something about it that makes my heart soar. And for budget travellers, Vietnam is gold dust. The food, experiences and accommodations are exceptionally cheap, even though it's such a popular destination with backpackers. Vietnam is incredibly diverse, from the mountainous landscape, amazing food markets, beautiful pagodas, wild traffic and nature scene. Some of the best spots to visit include Hanoi, Hue, Cat Ba Island, Ha Long Bay and Hoi An.

Indonesia

Indonesia is more than only Bali and as much as I adore Bali, it's not the cheapest spot to visit in Indonesia but in many ways is worth it (and can still be done cheaply). Indonesia also includes the  Gili Islands, Komodo Island (although a tour here is on the pricier side), Malang and Yogyakarta. In Yogyakarta, you can visit some out-of-this-world temples and Malang does tours to Mount Bromo, an experience like no other.

Malaysia 

Malaysia is a country that surprised me in many ways, including its diverse culture and how cheap it was. I expected Malaysia to be more expensive as it's rather modern, compared to other south-east Asian countries. Some incredible locations include the Cameron Highlands (the best hiking experiences), Penang and Kuala Lumpur.

I hope you enjoyed this post. Where would you like to visit next?

Thank you for reading <3

 Well hello to you my reader chums! As I've gotten older, one thing I've gotten better at is not caring what people think and setting boundaries, protecting my peace and mental health. I will admit I am a people pleaser and it has been a difficult thing to start implementing those boundaries. However, the more I began setting boundaries and making my stand, the easier it became and the better I felt overall.

If you're struggling with setting boundaries or tending to people please, here is my advice on protecting your piece and setting boundaries.

Understand what you want first

Before you can set any boundaries, you need to realise exactly what you want. Do you want people to stop treating you like a doormat? Do you want people to communicate more effectively? Are you tired of being let down and making excuses for people? Whatever the 'peace' you're creating, you should be certain of exactly what it is and what you need to achieve to fully experience that level of peace in your life.

Consider how to share that information and what works with you

Communication works differently with everyone in your life, whether that's text, call, facetime or in person. You should consider how and when you want to explain your boundaries. Will you wait till you have a disagreement? Or will you explain a certain situation and how it made you feel - and how you want things to happen going forward. The more decisive you are in how you want to communicate can help you share that message in a digestable way.

Learn to say no - and be okay with it

No is a full sentence and learning how to say it and being confident in that choice can be difficult, especially if you're a people pleaser or care too much about what people think. But when you start learning how to say no and being okay with things you turn down or don't agree to, you'll begin to learn what you're okay with and what you're not okay with. And, in the future, saying no will become easier and you won't second guess it.

Learn to miss out and deal with FOMO (as you don't want to go anyway)

I think many of us say yes to social occasions or circumstances even when we're not comfortable going or don't want to go because we're scared to miss out or worried people will view us differently. However, part of setting boundaries and protecting your peace is saying no to those occasions and learning to miss out. Remember, you don't want to go anyway - instead, you can use that time to do something you really want to do or plan an occasion that suits you better with the same friends.

Take the space when you need it

Space and taking a breather are everything when protecting your peace. Whether you're in a social situation, someone has upset you or you need time to collect your thoughts, reflection moments can help you figure out the best boundaries for you - and how to continue implementing them. It can take multiple times to implement boundaries with others and that space can help you process your feelings about situations.

Be prepared for backlash

Not everyone will accept your boundaries easily, especially if they're manipulative or abusive. It's important to be prepared for this backlash and figure out what you want to do in that situation. Do you still want that person in your life? The preparation may be hard because you can't predict how someone will react to your boundaries.

Create consequences 

Consequences may sound like a serious word but if someone is disrespecting your boundaries, do you want to continue putting up with that behaviour? These consequences can vary from taking a break to ending that relationship, whatever is a good fit for you.

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

Thank you for reading <3

 Well hello to you my reader chums! Travelling is my world and I love planning and packing for my trips. Travelling doesn't need to be complex as long as you're prepared, such as planning your itinerary and what you're bringing. 

If you're planning your next trip away, I've shared my must-have travel essentials, to create a more enjoyable and stress-free trip.

My must-have travel essentials

Packing cubes

Packing cubes are a holiday lifesaver when packing for your trip, whether it's a short or longer trip. Packing cubes help organise all of your belongings, from your tops and trousers to your toiletries. I love how I know which packing cube has which item and that I can easily place all the packing cubes in a suitcase or backpacking like a game of Tetris. I also love to keep a spare packing cube for my dirty belongings, easy to organise washing when I get home.

A reusable water bottle

Keeping hydrated is key to caring for yourself when travelling around. A reusable water bottle means you can fill it up wherever you go and if it's a Chilly's bottle, it helps keep the water cool, especially in hotter climates.

Extension cable

I'm pretty sure many people have jumped onto this tip now, but bringing an extension cable has been my biggest packing win since I started travelling to new places when I was 18. Having an extension lead means you won't need to bring multiple adapters but have multiple plugs to help you plug in multiple electrical items.

Book wallet

This has been a new must-have travel item for me - a book wallet. I saw many of these online and eventually bought myself one; a gorgeous lilac embroidered wallet with daisies on it. It's a great little gadget to carry my book around with me, protecting it in some way.

Light jumper/jacket

Plane rides can always be chilly. Honestly, I always want to be as comfortable as possible. Bringing a light jumper or jacket can help warm you up when the air gets a little chilly - and be a lovely home comfort to you.

Spare pair of clothes in hand luggage

I always have the biggest fear that when I check in my luggage, the airline will lose it and I'll have no clothes for my holiday. Due to that, I always pack my most important things in my hand luggage, including a spare outfit or two and any must-have essentials that I can't rebuy when I'm there.

Travel journal

This isn't necessarily a must-have for everyone but it's a great souvenir to look back at when you're older. Depending on how much room you have, determines the size of the journal. I love bringing one with me to document my journey along the way.

Document wallet

Keeping all your documents together is key to staying organised and knowing where all your important items are. I always have a document wallet on me to store my passport and any other documentation, such as any tickets, travel insurance or boarding passes.

Portable charger

Your phone is everything when you're travelling to use Google Maps, find out info about your accommodation or take photos of your tip. A portable charger can be useful, ensuring your phone doesn't run out of battery.

Tote bag

You never know when a tote bag will come in handy, whether for the beach, to carry any items you buy along the way or as a day bag for days in the trip. Tote bags are multi-functional and lightweight to pack. They can even be your dirty laundry bag, helping you separate your clean and dirty clothes at the end of your trip.

Hand gel

Travelling can be germy with all the public transport and new places, and hand gel is a must-have to feel a little bit cleaner. 

I hope you enjoyed this post. What would you add to this list?

Thank you for reading <3

 Well hello to you my reader chums! I'm not a money expert in any way, however, I am someone in my twenties who has always been very money-conscious. Being good with money can sometimes seem impossible, especially if you're on a low income or have big monthly expenses to consider. But with small changes and routines, implementing sensible money techniques can benefit you immensely.

If you're trying to be better with money, here are my money-saving tips and how to be financially responsible in your twenties.

Break down your income every month

Spreadsheets are a winner when planning out finances and saving money. Start a spreadsheet and list out your monthly expenses, including bills, subscriptions, the food shop, a 'fun' budget, savings and whatever else you spend your money on. When you lay out how much everything costs per month, you'll see what's left of your income to put in the savings pot and what's disposable income, adding to your 'fun' budget.

Live under your means

With today's society and everyone living this 'perfect' and over-consumption life online, it can almost seem like we constantly need to buy new things, go to expensive places and be busy 24/7. However, that's not the case, underconsumption is most people's reality and saving up for things they really want. With that in mind, always live under your means - don't aim to spend all of your money each month. Instead, aim to have money left over that you can put towards something you want, save or invest. You won't get any richer or more financially secure if you're always spending all of your income. I can assure you that sacrificing material items and putting that money in other places, will do you the world of good in the long run.

Avoid buying anything on finance 

This may be a controversial one as many people opt for finance options, especially for cars, furniture and even online shopping. But I've always grown up with the mentality, that if it's not in my bank account, I can't have it. That mindset has made it easier for me to avoid debt and save, save, save until I can buy items outright. This often meant when it came to cars, for example, I'd always buy a cheap second-hand one, rather than a flashy new one. Second-hand buying is a great way to buy quality items for a discount on the price and can avoid any potential debts.

Only buy a 'want' item if you have the money

This next point links to my previous one - if you don't have the money in your bank account for a 'want' item, avoid buying it. You don't need it, it's not a necessity - and instead, save until you can afford it.

Put savings away as soon as you're paid

This links to the monthly spreadsheet point. When you get paid, put a set amount in your savings, ensuring you put something in it. Your savings amount can differ, even if it's as little as £50, it'll add up eventually. Then, at the end of the month, if you have any money left, add that into the pot too.

Create savings goals

Goals are key to saving as much as you like. I'm not saying your goals need to be massive, they can start small at first, but having a set amount will give you something to aim for - and if they're for reasons too. For example, if you're planning a holiday or looking to buy a car, having a set monthly amount and an overall goal, will give you actionable steps to meet it.

Create an emergency fund

An emergency fund is so crucial as you never know when you'll need it, whether replacing an appliance in your house or fixing your car. I'd recommend having at least 3 months' worth of expenses in your savings, in case you lose your job or something unexpected happens. It can be difficult to save for an emergency fund and again, add this as part of your savings goals.

I hope you enjoyed this post. What other tips would you add?

Thank you for reading <3

 Well hello to you my reader chums! As a newbie to travelling Switzerland in June, I learned a fair few things I wasn't aware of and wanted to share them with you. The countryside in Switzerland was out-of-this-world and I can't believe the scenery of the lakes and mountainous backdrops - it's like a fairytale dream. Between adventuring around the lake towns in Switzerland, I adored learning more about the country.

If you're new to visiting Switzerland or considering a trip there, here are all the things to know before you plan a trip to Switzerland.

Switzerland is expensive

Probably the number one tip to be aware of is how expensive Switzerland is. I was pretty aware of this before I got there but many prices did blow my mind when we arrived. Our accommodation was a lot more than we paid in other European countries, dinners out were pricey and overall everything costs a little extra, including attractions. For example, a funicular up Mount Niesen cost us around £50 each (completely worth it though). My advice is to keep eating out to a minimum, for example, go to the local supermarkets for lunch bits and snacks throughout the day if you're on a budget. We mainly ate out for dinner and bought our breakfasts from local bakeries.

You'll probably want to set your daily budget a little higher than you would the rest of Europe. We budgeted £350 each for 5 days in Switzerland and ended up spending around £400 each by being very careful when it came to food options, getting around and the attractions we did. For example, the beauty of staying in the lake towns is many things can be free, such as walks around the lake and hiking trails.

Different regions in Switzerland speak language variations

Something I wish I was more prepared for was the different languages in each region. The four languages across Switzerland include French, Italian, German and Romansh. In Spiez, Brienz and Zurich, those regions were mainly German-speaking, yet especially in Zurich many spoke in English or would use common Italian/French greeting words when addressing you. Depending on where you travel in Switzerland, be wary of which language they speak so you can learn some common phrases.

Switzerland uses Swiss Francs

The currency used in Switzerland is the Swiss Francs. We found you could use cash or a card for most places, there weren't any limitations on that. I always use my Post Office travel card when abroad as I can load the specific currency onto the card.

You have to pay for tap water in restaurants

This came as a bit of a shock to me. But sitting down in the first restaurant and realising it'll cost us £10 for bottled water, we asked for tap because it's safe to drink across the country. Each restaurant decides how much they charge for tap water, some charge the equivalent of £2-3 each, whilst some don't charge at all. Make the most of the free water filling stations you see or fill your bottle up in your accommodation. Alternatively, bottled water isn't too expensive in supermarkets and if we couldn't fill our bottle up anywhere, we'd buy water there.

Pack for all weathers

We visited Switzerland in early June and I expected beautiful and warm sunny weather, however, that isn't too accurate. I found Switzerland was colder than expected in early summer but wasn't too cold. We had warm and sunny days, but there was the occasional rain shower, thunderstorm and even hailstorm during our 5-day stay. That was also in the mountainous locations and in Zurich, overall the weather is slightly sunnier but we visited on an overcast and slightly colder day. Due to all of this, prepare for all weather by packing a raincoat and appropriate footwear.

Consider a Swiss Pass

We didn't buy one of these passes as they are pretty expensive and we were only in the country for 5 days. However, if you are planning to stay in Switzerland for a few weeks or a month, exploring a lot of the country, the Swiss Pass can help you receive discounts on attractions, unlimited public transport on trains, buses and boats, and free access to many museums. It can also include certain mountain excursion admissions. As an example, the Swiss Pass costs 244 Swiss Francs for 3 days. Also in terms of discounts, sometimes, depending on your hotel, they may give you vouchers to receive a certain amount of some attractions.

Eat as much chocolate and cheese as possible

As the home for delicious Swiss chocolate and cheese, it's just a reminder to make sure you eat as much as possible. Zurich especially has plenty of Swiss chocolate shops, hot chocolate to try, and cheese-themed cafes to enjoy during your stay, such as Raclette Factory.

I hope you enjoyed this post. When are you planning to visit Switzerland?

Thank you for reading <3