Well hello to you my reader chums! I'm very lucky to say I have the most incredible friends in the world and I'm forever thankful to surround myself with powerful, inspiring, and supportive women who are always there for me, boost me up when I need it and are always cheering me on.

However, I haven't always been so lucky with friends and over the years, especially when I was a teen, I had more toxic friendships who didn't have my best interests at heart. And, through getting older and realising my worth, I've also realised that I didn't need their friendship in my life.

Whether you have a toxic friendship or you need the boost to leave that friendship, here is why it's important to leave toxic friendships.

To help your mental health

I always say if something is affecting your mental health then it's not worth your time and effort and that goes with anything from your job to friendships. Your mental health should be your number one priority in life and everything you do and how you live should prioritise what's good for your mind. A happy mind is the best way to lead a happy life.

If a toxic friendship is taking up a negative space mentally, causing a spike in anxiety, or making you feel worthless, then it's not worth having. Leaving a friendship can be hard, especially if you have a long history, however, it's crucial if it's affecting your mental health. I can assure you, by taking a step away from a toxic friendship, your mind will start to feel a lot freer and you can fill it with happy and positive thoughts, rather than the toxic energy the friendship was bringing. And, it'll give you the opportunity to heal.

To give you the space for better friendships

If you're spending a lot of your free time pursuing toxic friendships, whether that's talking or making plans with that person or group, then you lose a lot of your time to pursue better and healthier friendships. It can be hard to walk away if you feel it'll make you lonely, however, it's better to be lonely and know you did what's better for you than staying in a toxic situation.

Once you take the step away from the toxic friendship, then you'll also realise how much free space you have in terms of socialisation. And, you can use that to start to find other friends, whether that's at work, online, or friends of friends. There may be someone you've wanted to message in a while, but we're worried about what your friends thought or didn't feel you had the time to pursue another friendship, and now that'll give you the chance. Plus, however, you feel in yourself will always radiate what you put out into the universe. For instance, if you're now feeling better for the relationship with yourself and more pore positive, this energy will radiate out and you'll attract like-minded individuals.

To realise your worth

Knowing your self-worth, realising your good enough and that you deserve better is the most important thing. You don't deserve to be mugged off, to be taken advantage of or bullied by people you call 'friends.' By walking away from toxic friendships and being out of a negative environment, you'll have the time and energy to focus on working on yourself - and it'll make you realise how you deserve more.

You deserve to be surrounded by like-minded people who support our decisions, offer helpful advice, cheer you on, and most importantly ae loyal to you. Good friendships are incredibly important and they'll also reassure you that you deserve the best.

To put your time into better things

Time is a powerful and important thing, we only get so much of it and that means, you don't want to waste it on things that bring you negativity and sadness. This means, by leaving a toxic friendship, you'll have more time to pursue things that make your heart and soul happy and you never know, these new activities could lead to better and bigger friendships.

To feel happier about yourself and your life

Negative and toxic environments will take their toll on your mental wellbeing, how you feel about yourself, and your life. And that toll will prevent you from feeling happy in yourself and in your life.

However, by leaving a toxic situation, you won't be surrounded by that level of negative energy and can spend your days focusing on the positive energy, how you feel about yourself, and your life. And, I can assure you, you'll start to feel freer and happier. 

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

Thank you for reading <3

 Well hello to you my reader chums! If you've been following me for a while, then you'd know over the last few years, I've been trying to live a more sustainable lifestyle and make those eco-friendly changes where I can in my day to day life, whether that's when I travel, in my beauty routine or how I dress.

Looking after the planet is very important to me; I want to live in a world knowing we're doing our best in caring for it so the earth has a future for the next generations to come. However, in making all these changes to my day-to-day life, I've come to more of a realisation of the privileged position I'm in to be able to do this.

What is privilege?

Privilege in any sense is an advantage in life, whether that's your wealth status, gender, race, or class. Unfortunately, how society works is that some people hold privilege over others - and it's important to be aware of that, and how you can use that status for change.

The term privilege can be quite subjective but to me, it means I'm very fortunate to be in a position where I am privileged, as a lot of people have it worse than me. In terms of privilege and the purpose of this post, I'm wealthy in the sense I have a roof over my head, I travel freely, and can afford certain luxuries in order to choose a lifestyle I desire - and I'm very grateful for that.

How does my privilege affect lifestyle choices?

This leads me to this point, having money means more freedom and opportunity as it's one less (huge) thing to worry about. I'm not rich in any sense and have experienced being extremely poor with no luxuries in sight at all. However, my point being is that I have a taste of financial freedom and can choose the way I live my life because of that.

Sustainability is a privilege. In an ideal world, we'd all live a sustainable lifestyle and could invest in reusable items, organic clothes, and food, but for the masses, this isn't feasible. Many people live on a low wage bracket, more than we realise and that means they live in making ends meet and buy what they can afford. They do not have the financial freedom to make the lifestyle choice of being more eco-friendly.

Having financial freedom means the wider your opportunity and choosing the life you want to lead. It comes from a place of privilege me even saying that. A lot of people don't have the luxury of choosing their dream lifestyle because they have a family to raise, are single parents, have lost their job, or work more than one job just to cover their bills - and I can say this as my family was once in the position. If I look back to those days, my parents couldn't choose to be more sustainable by investing in organic cotton clothing, buying from local produce delis, or into eco-friendly beauty/house products. We bought what we could afford in the cheapest of shops - and that was okay. We had to live and many people are like that today, and shouldn't be shamed for choosing the non-eco option when it comes to their lifestyle.

Having privilege now is important for me to be aware of as when I preach about 'everyone should be more sustainable', I say it to interest those who have the means to go about leading that lifestyle. I can guarantee everyone wants to help the planet and do their bit but not everyone has the option to.

How can those with privilege lead the way with sustainability?

Living sustainability will most likely always be a thing of privilege, however, it's those who have privilege who can lead the way with that and be the one to make a change. I would love it to be more of an accessible thing for everyone but in this current climate, that won't be the case.

So, what can we do? I've written many posts about how to live a more sustainable lifestyle and there are lots of changes we can make - simple things you wouldn't even think about.

The first thing to do is research. Research when you're buying your clothes and beauty products from, read up the history of where you're sourcing food from, and how you travel about. See how anything you buy is made and the ethics about how it's made and how/where it has been imported from. Investing in local produce, reusing things as much as possible, and sharing transportation are a few key ways to start. It's about the ethical procedure behind certain industries and what they evolve to become - and how we can lessen that impact. For instance, fast fashion is not only unethical in how it's produced material-wise, it's also unethical by who it's made by. the people making those garments are paid a tiny amount for their job that isn't liveable. Then, you can look into ways to minimise the negative effect you have on the planet.

By those with privilege leading the way to make these environmental changes and investing in the products to make a lesser impact on the world, we are the ones helping with the worldly change - and it can lead the way and ultimately help those who don't have the accessibility to this way of life. I mean this in the sense that by taking actions into our own hands, we will lessen the impact on the earth and have a future for everyone in this world. We need to be the change we want to see - and help those who don't have the accessibility or opportunity to make the change they desire.

I hope you enjoyed this post. What is your opinion on this topic?

Thank you for reading <3

 Well hello to you my reader chums! Anxiety is something I've dealt with for most of my life but it became more of a prominent issue in my teen years and then throughout my adult life, where I've learnt to cope with it a lot more.

Anxiety is something that I've experienced in all areas of life including the workplace. Over the years, it has gotten better, but I've had many jobs and it has always been up and down, but there are some techniques that I've found to help with work anxiety.

If you're experiencing anxiety in the workplace and unsure how to deal with it, here are my best tips on coping with anxiety in the workplace.

Prepare for meetings

Anxiety is all about staying in control as change and uncertainty are often the things that can trigger or cause it. However, it isn't feasible to always be in control, we can't control how life will pan out sometimes and that's okay. Saying that there are ways to keep it at bay and have some level of control over your anxiety in the workplace, and one of those ways is preparing for meetings.

This is a tip that has really helped me. I'm one of those people who get really anxious for meetings and speaking up in front of people, so having some level of preparation can keep those thoughts at bay. This can be listing some initial ideas I've had prior to the meeting, looking at the agenda and writing out what I need to say, or simply practicing what I'm going to say to myself. All this prep helps me speak with more confidence as I have the assurance my mind is less likely to go blank if I have points written on paper.

Take the time out when needed 

Mental health days are important and this is something I've only taken seriously this past year. Before, I felt guilty taking time away if my anxiety was bad or I wasn't feeling right as physically I looked normal. However, the effect my mental health was having meant I couldn't work at my usual pace - and really, my work and overall outlook at work would be impacted.

This is why it's so important to take the time out for yourself. A job isn't worth your mental health and I can understand that's quite a privileged statement to make as some people can't afford to take sick days or to quit when things get hard. However, taking time out doesn't necessarily have to just mean sick days away from the office, it can mean, stepping outside on your break, talking to your manager to pull you out of a meeting or asking to be put on other tasks. Obviously, this is all just ideas as each working environment is different to the next - but what's important is you have the time away to look after yourself, in whatever form that can be.

Write a positivity log

This is something a colleague mentioned to me quite recently as my anxiety has been bad at work and I thought it was a genius idea. Anxiety often stems from not feeling good enough and that's why things such as affirmations and being kinder to yourself can help.

With a positivity log, it's a great space to fill out all the nice things colleagues or managers have told you about your work or yourself, and when you're feeling anxious or not good enough at work, you can read it as an important reminder.

Talk to your boss about how you're feeling

Your boss or manager is there to ensure you're happy and content in your role, and that means if anxiety is causing you a problem at work, speak to them. They may be able to offer you different ways to help cope with your anxiety or simply, just be someone to chat to so you don't feel alone. Help is different for everyone when it comes to anxiety so don't be disheartened if they suggest something and it doesn't work for you, keep trying as you can find the thing to help you cope with it.

Keep hydrated

Keeping hydrated is very important for every part of life. But a healthy body is a healthy mind and although it's not necessarily going to help you deal with anxiety, it will help your body feel nourished and taken care of as you pace through the day. 

Practice breathing exercises

I know the worst thing to hear when you're anxiety is bad is 'just breathe and you'll be okay' but it can help, if done right. There are so many breathing techniques that you can use and mediation apps which help enforce that. My favourite is the 5 rule, which a colleague actually told me about. It's to look around and spot 5 things you can see, 4 things you can touch, 3 things you can hear, 2 things you can smell and 1 thing you can taste. This should help to ground you and bring you back to the present.

Map out your day

With anxiety, excessive thoughts fly about all over the place and that doesn't help when you need to focus on the task at hand. One way to conquer this is to make a to-do list of things you need to get done that day, what your main priorities are and then also noting in the meetings you have too. With a plan of the day, you'll have a clear focus of what to do and then, you'll have less time for thoughts to sway.

Find a way to get into your zone

We all have that one thing that helps our anxiety and gives us clear focus. It could be shutting the world out with music, working with someone else or going out for a clear walk. Try and figure out whatever that thing is for you and implement it as much as you can to lessen your anxiety in the workplace.

Know those bad anxiety days are okay

Again, this is one point I've only been able to stomach recently. I always felt so guilty when my anxiety was bad or I was triggered easily as it affected my work and the performance I gave. However, when living with anxiety, it's normal to have good and bad days, and on the bad days, it's important to look after yourself with a little bit more tender loving care and asserting the ideas that it's okay not to be okay.

Remember your progress 

When I'm having an anxious day at work, something I like to focus on is my progress. I've come a long way in terms of my anxiety and I'm sure you have too. It's important to acknowledge that and know you're on the healing journey to becoming your best self.

Use essential oils

I love essential oils, they can do so much to help your anxiety. Although you can't always bring essential oils in the workplace with you, you can have a diffuser up in your home at all times, circulating the scent around and giving you a sense of calm. If you're looking for what essential oils to buy, this essential oil guide is for you.

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

Thank you for reading <3

 Well hello to you my reader chums! As I've gotten older and dare I say it, wiser, I've learnt more about myself, about life, and really, what's truly important. Status, wealth, and having 'things' aren't the source of my happiness and honestly, I think that's the same for a lot of people. The source of my happiness is the love I have for myself, the people I have around me, the little things in life, and pursuing activities that make my soul happy.

With learning to change my mindset and discovering what really is important, I've also learnt to feel more fulfilled every day, and that I don't need to be dressed to the nines and surrounding by an exciting setting to feel fulfilled. Don't get me wrong, I love adventures, dressing up, and hanging out with friends in a more social setting, but what I mean is, there are things in life that can help you feel fulfilled without all the flashy elements.

Whether you're feeling a little unhappy with your day-to-day life or looking to feel more fulfilled, here are 5 daily habits to implement in your every day.

Doing some form of exercise

Since I've gotten back into an exercise routine at the beginning of the year, I've felt so much better, mentally and physically, and it gives me some sense of fulfillment. When you exercise, it gets the blood around the body, reduces stress levels, and stimulates the production of endorphins which are the body's natural mood elevators.

I'm not saying you need to run a marathon but finding a form of exercise that suits you will be beneficial to your everyday routine. Whether that's doing a hit dance workout, practicing yoga, going to the gym, for a run or simply, taking a stroll around your local area. Exercise is good in all forms and as long as you're getting your body moving, it'll do you the world of good.

Getting outside at least once a day for some fresh air

Similar to the exercise point, fresh air is so important for your mental wellbeing. It has been proved that getting some fresh air can help improve your blood pressure and heart rate, strengthen the immune system and help to digest food.

Whether that means utilising going out for a walk, or if you don't have the time in your day to make full use of the fresh air, try and pop out in your garden for a couple minutes or out of your front door. It doesn't have to be for a long time, but taking in a fresh gulp of fresh air can give you a moment to pause and take in the surroundings around you.

Mediating/affirmations

I wish I knew more about affirmations and meditating growing up, and the benefits that both of them have brought to my mental wellbeing, and helping me become a more confident individual. Meditating doesn't have to be a very long practice, you can do it for 5/10 minutes when you wake or spend a good hour doing it after work to unwind, it's down to you. But what will help, is to let you remain in a positive headspace, be at one with yourself and practice the art of calmness.

Affirmations go hand in hand with mediating, in terms of they can help you think more positively about yourself, your day, and life in general - and help you align with your true self. I love to practice affirmations regularly as they really help reinforce a positive message into my mind. The way I do it is to hold my crystals, and chant my affirmation for the day with my eyes closed so I'm really able to focus on the words. The daily practice has really helped me feel more fulfilled as it means surrounding myself with positive and calm energy.

Reading or listening to a podcast - educating yourself

One of the biggest ways to feel more fulfilled is by learning and growing every day - and that can come through educating yourself. I have a big love for learning, I love to learn new things and grow my knowledge on a lot of things. As they say, knowledge is power, and the more knowledge I have, the more I can help others.

There are a few ways to educate yourself and widen your knowledge, whether that's reading a book, listening to a podcast, reading a blog, watching a documentary, or learning a new language. The list is endless but spending an hour a day on this can really help give you a sense of fulfillment and accomplishment, as you're building to become a better and more well-informed version of yourself.

Writing a gratitude list

The art of gratitude is ever so important. I like to think I've always been a very grateful person and feel very privileged in the life I've led so far, however, since I've actually actively begun practicing gratitude, I've become even more grateful. It may sound so simple but writing three things you're grateful for every day can really reinforce positive messaging into your mind, especially if you're having a bad day and suffering from your mental health.

It's also great to keep a log as when you are having a hard day, you can go back through and read through the list. Realising the good things in your life will help outweigh the bad and overall, help you feel more fulfilled.

I hope you enjoyed this post. What other daily habits would you recommend?

Thank you for reading <3

 Well hello to you my reader chums! It's no secret that I'm a bit of a travel addict and prior to the pandemic, all I would be doing in my spare time is either planning my next adventure or jetting off on my next one. Travel thrills my soul, it makes me happy and opens my mind to the wonders of the world.

A misconception about travel is that it's expensive or not everyone can afford it. And, although parts of travelling can be expensive and you do need some money to do it, a lot of travelling can be done on a budget. The majority of my trips are done on a budget as that way, I have more money to stretch across to more trips and I can travel more often.

Whether you're money conscious or looking to travel more with a budget when things are back to normal, here are my tips on how to save money whilst travelling.

Set a daily budget

I've never gone travelling or on a holiday without having a daily budget. It has always helped me travel within my means and have the assurance of knowing what I have to spend each day - and over the course of the week. It also helps prevent me from overspending or dipping into the next day budget as I know, I'll be limiting myself for the rest of the trip.

A daily budget is there to help you figure out how much money you can then put towards food, transportation and activities for instance - and is a method I've found to be the most effective. When setting a daily budget, you'll want to take into consideration your budget for the entire trip, how costly the place you're travelling through is and how you're looking to spend your trip. All of these factors would weigh into how much the daily budget should be. For instance, on city breaks in Europe, my daily budget is generally around the £50 mark, whereas in Asia, that budget will probably be less (not including accommodation as I usually book that in advance.)

Opt for street food options 

I love street food; it's one of the best ways to get a true taste of a country without spending a shed load of money. Street food is available wherever you travel, however, is more prominently cheap in places such as South East Asia where you can get a meal for about £1. Saying that I've been to cities in Italy and all over where the street food was a hell of a lot cheaper than any restaurant I've been to.

It won't only save you money, but it can also help you immerse in the culture, talk to local vendors and have a different eating experience.

Walk as much as you can

I can understand that not all destinations are accessible by foot and some people may struggle with a lot of exercise due to health conditions, however, when you're able to, walk as much as you can. Many locations are pedestrian-friendly and a lot of tourist sights can sometimes only be in walking distance to each other that you don't need to splash out on transport to get from one place to the other.

Also, walking around can give you the opportunity to explore different parts of the area, you probably wouldn't have seen if you hopped in a taxi from off-the-beaten-track streets to restaurants.

Or, utilise public transport rather than private

If you're not a fan of walking or aren't able to, public transport is your best friend. Although it can be hard to navigate in a new place initially, once you get the hang of it, it can be a blessing - and another way to see the destination in a different light.

Public transport varies in prices depending on where you're travelling to, however, in general, it's significantly cheaper than taxi hopping - and a budget-friendly option.

Rent your own vehicle

Another transport option is renting your own vehicle. This all depends on where you're going and who you're travelling with. For example, if you're travelling with a family, it may be more cost-effective to rent a car, rather than paying for public transport for you all. Or, if you're solo tripping in Asia and you're looking to explore further afield, then hiring a motorbike maybe your cheapest bet (as they're very cheap to hire.)

Shop around for tours/excursions

Similar to how you try and save money prior to booking the trip by searching for flights and accommodation, you want to do the same with tours or excursions. You can book tours prior to your trip, however, if you're travelling and looking to book whilst there then this point is for you.

A lot of tourist centres will be available around your destination (depending on where you are of course) and the beauty of booking things when away is you have the advantage of people. Whether you meet them in hostels or on the go, they can recommend the cheaper tours they went through and who to book with. Recommendations and research are key when shopping around.

Haggle at markets

You can't beat a haggle when shopping in a market, whether it's for clothes or trinkets. I'm pretty sure haggling happens in a lot of locations, but it is something you should ask about before attempting to haggle.

Trying to lower the price of the asking price may not save you hundreds, but it's a couple of pounds you can put towards something else and still buy what you're after.

Self-catered accommodation

There are many benefits to self-catered accommodation. Firstly, it's usually the cheapest accommodation type as you aren't paying for additional food charges. But, in the spirit of saving money whilst travelling, self-catered options, give you the opportunity to buy in foods and store them, which can save you money in the long run. For example, you can purchase a box of cereal for breakfast that'll last a few days instead of having to buy breakfast every day and that'll only be a few pounds.

It also gives you the chance to make lunch or dinner or buy lots of snacks which you can store and then pack with you as you roam around.

Take advantage of free things to do

Wherever you go in the world, there will always be free sights and things to do available. Before you head off on your trip, do a bit of research and make a list of the free activities that you're able to do - and put them in place on the days money is running low or your budget is smaller.

Also, one of the best free things to do is simply explore: walk around your area and off the main tourist path to see what you can find and discover - you'll make many different stories that way. The best things in life are free as they say.

Eat away from the tourist traps

This is probably quite an obvious point, however, where the main sights are, restaurants and shops around that are usually the most expensive. When on a budget, sway away from the tourist trap path to the quieter and family-run restaurants - not only will they be cheaper, usually, the food is a lot more authentic.

Be money savvy in every sense

All of the above tips are great methods to save money but the main thing is to have a money-savvy mindset. Think about the areas you don't need to spend, where you can spend less and if you really need it and I can assure you, it'll do wonders.

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

Thank you for reading <3

 Well hello to you my reader chums! Mental health is a topic I like to speak about a lot and in recent years is finally getting the recognition it needs to have, and why it's so important to look after yours.

Mental health and mental illness are completely different. We all have mental health but not all of us have mental illness and sometimes, the two can get confused. Caring for your mental health should be as high a priority as you do your physical health and if you suffer from a mental health condition on top of that, the level of care should increase, the same way if you had a physical problem. I've suffered from anxiety for years and I've learnt how to take the right steps and care to look after myself in the way I should.

Whether you're looking for some tips on how to care for your mental health or don't know where to begin, here is how to take care of your mental health and why it's so important.

How to take care of your mental health

Take mental health days

I'm guilty of not doing this and the effect is then detrimental to my mental health. Mental health days are just as important as physical days - and that means when you're not feeling 100% mentally, you need to take care of yourself the way if it was a physical problem. This could be taking the day off work, having a lie-in or simply postponing your to-do list for the day and having a rest.

It's necessary to give your body and mind the chance to recharge if you're feeling overwhelmed, anxious, or down. You can't do your best work when you're not feeling right and that's why it's incredibly important to take days out. I've only done this recently, and honestly, it made the world of difference to my overall mental health - and made me realise, these days are okay to take. It needs to be normalised more to have mental health days.

Live intuitively in terms of what your body wants

This is something I've learnt to do after the past year as I pressed fast forward on my self-love and healing journey, to grow into a better me. I'm constantly learning but something I've found to really help and care for my mental health is living intuitively. 

Living intuitively can mean a variety of things but my best way of describing it is doing what your body in mind wants - live through your feelings. If you're feeling motivated, use that energy in a good way through work or exercise and if you're tired or hungry, take a nap and nourish your body. It's about listening to your mind and rolling with it - and I can assure you, your body gives out more signals than you realise on how you really are. I know now if my stomach flares up, it's because I feel really anxious or if I'm getting an earache that I've been overdoing it - it's my body's way of telling me I need to stop.

Do what makes you happy

One of my favourite points and something I preach regularly, doing what makes you happy is a key to a better life and caring for your mental health. You need to follow your passions, live your days for you and create a positive environment for you as that way, your mental health is likely to remain in a calmer and happier state.

Set boundaries and learn to say no

Setting boundaries and learning to say no is something we should learn growing up and really needs to be normalised more. Learning to say no and setting boundaries doesn't make you a bad person, instead, it's teaching you to respect yourself more to make you feel accepted and happy in every situation.

This could be saying no to a social event, telling someone they're overstepping the mark when diving into your personal life or simply not wanting to talk to someone. It's your life and your choices, having boundaries in place will help you shape a happier environment for you to be in and flourish - and those who respect that are the right people for you.

Cut out toxic energy

This leads me to toxic energy and toxic people. I've spoken about this loads in previous blog posts but knowing that people are the right people for you will have the right effect on your mental health. Learning who to trust and realising who will support and encourage you is a hard but essential life lesson to learn.

Not everyone in your life will be kind and supportive to you, that's unfortunately how it is. However, there will be exceptionally wonderful people who will boost you up and love you for you and your decisions - and those are the people you need. Anyone who surrounds you with negative and toxic energy needs to be sliced out of your life in a bid to care for your mental health.

Know when enough is enough

This can mean a lot of things such as working, socialising, pulling yourself in different directions, and not really focusing on what you really want. It's important to know when something is causing you to feel unhappy, unwell, or unmotivated that it's time to quit and move onto something else. Whether it's a job that you need to leave or a relationship, quitting isn't a bad thing if it'll benefit your mental health.

Get out and about

The fresh air really is a blessing and it may sound really obvious, but going for a walk or getting out and about can do wonders for your mental health. It gets your body moving and being away from screens or your home gives you a new environment to focus on. I've learn to adore beach walks even more over the last year and they've made me feel a lot more grateful and boosted my mental health on days when I needed it.

Eat well

Eating well means different things for everyone but what I mean by this is eat well for your body and what you need. Dieting and being restrictive are bad for your mental health and can lead to disordered eating or eating disorders. It's important to listen to what your body wants, eat in moderation, and indulge when you fancy it - food is for enjoying and shouldn't be viewed as the enemy. Food is the fuel to keep us all going.

Nourish your body

Eating well is one way to nourish your body but other things such as hydration, exercising, meditation, and skincare are all other things that can help nourish your body. Your body takes care of you and you need to take care of your body and all of these different things can do just that. By practicing nourishing your body will have a positive effect on your mental health - and it's more simple than you may think.

Enrich your mind

Our minds are wonderful and complex things and require top-notch care. My final tip on looking after your mental health is to enrich your mind. This can be through books, podcasts, documentaries, and mindfulness. There is so much information out there these days and it can be hard to know what to research and read. However, to look after your mental health, it's important to digest the right information in order to grow and what will have a positive impact on your mental health.

Swap up your social media feed to be filled with those who are real and inspiring, practice affirmations and mindfulness before bed, talk to yourself like your best friend, be the love of your own life, and read as much as you can to grow your knowledge. The world is an amazing place and there is always something to learn. 

Why it's so important to look after your mental health

Your mental health should be your top priority in life, and even though it's taken me years to understand and digest this, I'm so glad I've come to the realisation. Your mind has so much power over everything you do and if you're not looking after it, it can take a negative effect on your overall happiness in everyday life.

It's important to look after your mental health because your mind is a powerful thing and you want to create a safe and loving space within yourself so you're able to spread that love and happiness into the world - and live a life that's best for you. You deserve every happiness.

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

Thank you for reading <3

 Well hello to you reader chums! Travelling is my biggest passion in life; I love nothing more than jetting off on my next big adventure, experiencing new cultures, seeing new sights and meeting like-minded individuals. It fulfils my soul, it makes me happy and I'm raring to go to get back to my travel way of life.

Whether you're an active traveller like me or love to holiday often, here are 5 reasons why I'm grateful for my travels.

It's helped me grow as a person

I wouldn't say it's solely down to travelling for my growth as a person, however, if it wasn't for travelling, I wouldn't be the person I am today in any sense. Travelling gave me the confidence to visit new places without fear, the new experiences have opened my eyes and I've learnt I have the strength within myself for whatever I put my mind to.

Travelling has helped improve my anxiety, overcome personal hurdles and learn all about new people and places. It's educated me in so many different ways and given me more worldly knowledge which I can share with the people around me. All these factors have played their part in helping me flourish into a happier, healthier and more positive individual.

I've made the best ever memories

I'm one of those people that values time and experience than gifted possessions as the art of storytelling is such a powerful thing and something I adore. It means I have the power to share those stories with others I meet along the way or online through my blog, and books I've written.

By travelling to 20+ countries, it has given me the opportunity to create the best ever memories, either with my friends, family or strangers I've met along the way. And I've seen and experienced so many things I never thought would be possible. From meeting the elephants in Thailand, going to Broadway in New York, experiencing the heart of Italian culture (where my family are from), to temple hopping in Asia, eating street food in Vietnam to visiting some of the most incredible sights across Europe and finding hidden gems wherever I decide to roam.

The memories of all those counties and plenty of cities I've visited within them will stay with me forever. And, I know whenever I'm down, I can sit back and think about everything I've been able to do so far in my life - and scroll through the endless photos and videos. 

I've overcome personal challenges

Travelling wasn't always an easy ball game. I used to have the biggest fear of flights, crowded places like airports and my anxiety was so bad I couldn't even leave my own house. However, taking the leap with my first two trips and falling in love with the beauty of travelling, I made a vouch to myself, to push myself with every single obstacle.

I can now fly freely without worry, my fear of heights has gotten a lot better, I kayaked on open water for the first time and have gotten better with my fear of water. I've improved with meeting new people and talking to strangers, and my confidence/anxiety in general in new places, doing new things and pushing myself out of my comfort zone has vastly improved. Without travel, I wouldn't have had the opportunity to grow in the way I have and would probably still be too terrified to enter a crowded space.

I've become a lot more open-minded about the world

This point is so important to make. I had a very sheltered and traditional upbringing in a lot of ways, and feel like I only actually learnt about the world and myself as I went into my twenties - and started to experience life in full force.

As I've travelled around, I've heard stories, I've experienced things but I've also educated myself a lot through blogs and books which have opened my mind in a lot of ways, and made me more of a worldly person. I sometimes don't recognise the way I used to be and think but at the time, it was all I knew. Now, after experiencing new cultures, meeting lots of different people and immersing myself in different experiences, I have a deeper understanding and empathy for others and have this active thought of wanting to change the world for the better.

I've caught the travel bug

As I said, I love nothing more than travelling and by doing it so often, I am pretty addicted to the whole process of planning my trips and heading off on a new adventure. In 2020 and 2021, it has been strange for me not to act on this hobby of mine as it's something I did as regularly as going to work. I was constantly planning and researching trips of envisioning where I next want to go. And then, I was also always on holiday or not at home at all.

The travel bug is truly a part of me and I cannot wait for the day when things are fully back to normal and I can jet off with freedom and have the opportunity again to visit new countries, eat street food and be at one with the world.

I hope you enjoyed this post. What are you most grateful for?

Thank you for reading <3