Well hello to you my reader chums! 2020 has been a strange, hard, and unique year. It's not the year any of us planned as we shouted 'happy new year' on new years eve, however, it's nearly at the end now - and I can't believe how fast it has gone. Even though it's certainly not the year I expected it to be, and at times has been exceptionally hard, I've learnt a lot about myself, my life and also a lot of lessons in general.

Here is everything I learnt this year:

Taking a slower pace in life is healthy

I don't know about you but I'm one of those people that has to be busy all the time, whether that's with work, socialising, my business or my blog; I don't really have a pause button and I'm not very good at relaxing. However, when lockdown happened and I got put on furlough, for the first time in my life, I took a step back from not being manic busy. I started to have a few lay-ins, take the things that I was doing at a slower pace, enjoy the outdoors more and generally, calming down a lot more. 

As I started doing this, I realised how important it was for my mental health and for my life in general. It's healthy and okay to take a step back sometimes and especially, relax. Being stressed isn't good in any situation and I've certainly learnt this year to try to prioritise my feelings.

Never take time or freedom for granted

I was always that person, if I wanted to do something, I'd go out of my way and simply, do it. Whether that was a goal in mind, travelling somewhere or making a life-changing decision, I have an ambitious mindset like that. With this year, our freedom was taken away a lot in a sense as we had to stay in our homes, unable to travel or really do a lot of things we'd take for granted in regular times.

I've always been very grateful for the life I lead, always travelling and doing exciting things with my friends but I think this year has taught me to never take any of those moments for granted again, and really appreciate them.

I love where I live

As I've gotten older, I have appreciated where I come from, the Kent coast but I don't think I fell in love with it as much as I did in lockdown. Having plenty of beaches a stone throw away from my doorstep, I've refallen in love with some of my favourite beach walks but also discovered many other great places that I now adore. I feel so privileged to live here and spent lockdown exploring my local areas.

It's okay not to be okay

I preach this a lot but I think this year I've actually started to listen to my own advice. My mental health has been challenging to say the least this year as I was already going through a breakup and then the pandemic happened so it has been up and down. I've learnt though, on the down days or when my anxiety is bad, it's okay to have a day off and step back, and just feel all the emotions rather than suppress them. 

Don't put pressure on me 

This falls in line with the previous point. I always put too much pressure on myself to get things done even when I'm not feeling great. But, as I've taken a step back this year, I've also learnt to stop putting pressure on myself, to live in the moment more and relax.

Learning to rely on only me is important

This year has been hard for everyone and because of that, when I've been having a hard day, I can't really go to people or I feel like I can't as I know they'll be going through it and I don't want to emotionally dump on anyone. This is why it's been so important for me to embrace and learn to love my own company, but also being my own reason to smile, and be able to pick up myself.

To appreciate everything I've got

This year has made me the most grateful I've ever been. I've always been a grateful person and tried to stay as positive as possible, but with everything being stripped back this year in terms of what life is, I've really been able to look at my life for what it is - and I'm incredibly grateful. Even though I've been on furlough, I'm so grateful that I'm privileged for a house with a garden, I'm appreciative of all my family, friends, where I live and the memories I've been able to make this year.

Learning how to heal

All of us have some sort of trauma to deal with and often, we suppress it and don't actually deal with it as life gets too busy and it's easier to not have to face it. However, with all the distractions taken away this year and having more time on my hands, I could face everything head on. I was already dealing with a breakup but there are many other things that were troubling me, and I was able to take the time to get to the route of the problem and how to feel better - and really, after lots of different methods, I feel like I've grown a lot and have healed in many ways.

To be kind and understanding more

I've always tried to be a kind person and look out for everyone around me, but I think this year especially, we've all learnt how far kindness can go and affect somebody else's life. It's so important to listen to people, be understanding of their feelings and be kind in whatever way you can, whether that's offering support or throwing a compliment their way.

I hope you enjoyed this post. What things have you learnt this year?

Thank you for reading <3

 Well hello to you reader chums! I've read a few books based on what happened in Auschwitz, the Tattooist and the Librarian, and now The Twins. When I saw this in my local bookshop, I had to pick it up. I'm really interested in that era of history, as although it's incredibly heartbreaking what occurred during the Holocaust, I find it interesting to learn about the stories of the victims and survivors - and their stories.

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I'm a twin myself and I can really resonate with any book that talks about being a twin and that relationship, and that's why I loved this book so much. It's moving, powerful, inspiring and shows how far love can go for your twin.

Here are all my thoughts on the book, The Twins at Auschwitz.

Story 

Usually, I would write about the plotline of a novel but this book is based on the true story of the twins Miriam and Eva. The story is told from the perspective of Eva who was sent to the Auschwitz camp with her family, where they were all separated - apart from her and her twin sister. Her parents and older sisters were taken to the gas chambers, while Eva and twin sister Miriam were taken into care by Dr. Joseph Mengele, who later gained the name of 'the angel of death.'

The girls were ten at the time when sent to the camp and were completely terrified but Eva always had the mindest of staying strong and the aim to get out of the camp which is so inspiring. Twins were granted the 'privileges' of keeping their own clothes and hair at the camp, which isn't the same as what other prisoners got. But, that 'privilege' also meant they were subjected to Mengele's dangerous medical experiments. They were forced to fight for survival daily, injected with many dangerous substances and many of the twins who went through this, unfortunately, died.

The narrative is told in such an honest and emotional perspective from Eva herself, who describes the pain, the hardship, and the heartbreak through her whole time at Auschwitz - and afterward too. It's an incredibly moving story about a child's endurance in the face of pure evil - and her ambition to get out with her sister and live a normal life once more.

Eva and Miriam - and their family

As I always say with any book, the people in it make the story - and this time because it's non-fiction, suppose to fiction, I was drawn to the people in the book even more. I felt their pain, their emotions, and their heartbreak, and couldn't even imagine dealing with what they went through

Eva is such a strong character who really holds everything together for her sister, even when she doesn't have the strength anymore. She and her sister are faced with unimaginable things done to them in the camp; losing their family, starvation, horrid experiments, and illness, it's hard to read about, truly.

The book also follows the girls after they leave the camp and what their life becomes. Unfortunately, they never did see their parents and sisters again, but they reconnected with other relatives, and built an inspiring life, even after everything they faced when they were only ten years old. Eva was an absolute saint and inspiration and I felt privileged, reading her story.

Overall thoughts

Overall, I really enjoyed this book and read it incredibly quickly. Although it's really hard and tragic to read, it really taught me what true strength is and how willpower, determination, and forgiveness can get you everywhere you need to be. I think it's a must-read for everyone, especially those learning about Auschwitz for the first time. It offers a personal perspective, that raw honesty, and description.

Ending of the book

The book paces out in the stages of Eva's life an exactly what happened going to Auschwitz, in Auschwitz, and when she managed to leave the camp. The ending of the book was uplifting and really inspired me by everything Eva was able to do after surviving Auschwitz.

I hope you enjoyed this review. Have you read this book?

Thank you for reading <3

 Well hello to you my reader chums! I've heard a lot about CBD oil over the years and how it's meant to benefit the body and mind in so many ways. I never really thought about trying it out in all honesty as I hadn't researched it enough. However, when Thrive got in touch to review their oil, I thought it was the perfect opportunity to see if the oil would work for me and see what Thrive is all about.

 Well hello to you my reader chums! 2020 has certainly been a combination of a unique and difficult year, but although it's not what I expected it to be in any sense, the year panned out with a lot of positives and it's helped me grow in many ways.

I've had a lot more time to work on myself this year, pursue different passions and goals, and learn to take a step back. Here are 5 things I've learnt about myself this year.

I've got the strength I didn't even know I had

The year has been incredibly difficult at times, mainly due to my mental health and it's taken a great level of strength to get out of those hard times, I had to face day after day. Some days, I would physically force myself to get out of bed to go to work and I'm so glad I did, as it gave me something to focus on and in the long run, really helped me. As I look back now, feeling a lot better and happier, I admire the strength I had to pull myself through those harder days as if I didn't, I wouldn't have experienced all the amazing things I have this year - and the love of the people I have around me.

The healing process isn't linear

I've learnt a lot about my mental health this year and the whole concept around healing from the breakup to different areas of trauma I've experienced. I've had help with a lifecoach who has really taught me all about my triggers, the way I think and generally how to change my mindset towards living a happier, and more positive life. With all that teaching, I've also learnt that my healing isn't linear and sometimes I can be triggered and experienced a lull again - but as I have more knowledge around triggers, I also have better coping methods.

I don't need to be doing something 24/7

I'm known to be such a busy person and either working, working on my blog, my business or socialising, that I'm not very good at experiencing down time or relaxing. But lockdown and furlough gave me the opportunity to live a slower pace of life and I learnt to relax a lot more - and it benefits me a lot. I've learnt how important it is for my wellbeing and I really don't have to be constantly busy to stay fulfilled.

It's okay to feel all of my emotions

Growing up, I was never one for expressing how I felt as I didn't want to be a burden on anyone else. But this year I've learnt, talking to people and asking for support/help is incredibly important and okay to do. It's okay to feel every single emotion and live through it - it's about how you deal with those emotions is what's important.

To be me - and fully love everything that comes with that

The best thing I've learnt this year is accelerating forward in my self love journey. I've gone through a lot of mental change and lifestyle change; cutting out toxic people, setting boundaries, putting my own needs first, prioritisimg my goals and really focusing on me. By doing all this, I've really learnt to fall in love with myself and also learn the good/bad things about me, and how I can work on them. There has basically been a lot of sorting and healing for me, and I feel so grateful to be where I'm at right now.

I hope you enjoyed this post. What have you learnt about yourself this year?

Thank you for reading <3

 Well hello to you my reader chums! I've seen this book hyped all over Instagram and heard raving reviews that I couldn't wait to read it - and the book didn't fail to disappoint. I loved every single word of this book, especially how the chapters and characters developed throughout.

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Here is my full review of Girl, Woman, Other.

Plotline

The plotline isn't one distinct story, it's broken up into many different narratives that somehow intertwine into one. It tells the story of Britain, how you've never read it before or heard it been told before. The book tells a tale from the top of the country to the bottom, across a century of change, and follows twelve individuals on their journey of discovery. It's a book about the future and the past, and an overall tale of history, and growth for women in society.

Characters and relationships

This book warmed my heart in so many ways and opened my eyes in a lot of ways also. I was able to learn about 12 unique and wonderful women, and how although they led completely different lives, they all had the same strength, the same drive, and headspace for growth.

I loved each character for many reasons: Amma, Yazz, Dominique, Carole, Bummi, LaTisha, Shirley, Winsome, Penelope, Megan/Morgan, Hattie, and Grace. Each chapter is set in a different decade to the next and when I read it, I was able to grasp what went on in that decade from the lack of rights for women and other minority groups to how the patriarchy was - and still is.

It's hard to pinpoint who my favourite characters were as I love them all dearly but Amma, Yazz, Carole and Hattie definitely were the characters I connected the most with. Amma and Yazz both had this fiery and sassy energy which I admired a lot, Carole had that geekiness to her which I could relate to and Hattie had so much wisdom to learn from her 94 years. 

Overall thoughts 

Overall, I loved every word of this whole book. It's liberating, triumphant, powerful and truly shows the strength of minority groups in society. Us as women have struggled all through the centuries for an abundance of reasons and this book highlights that - but it also shows the strength of our gender and how we can overcome anything.

I particularly loved the flow of this book and how each of the woman's stories was paced out, describing the course of their lives and how they got to where they are today. I also liked how each chapter panned out, I learnt that the previous woman had a connection with the new woman's story, and exactly how they interlinked into each other's life. It truly shows the powerfulness of the women we all have around us, even if they are long-lost relatives.

Ending

I won't lie, I cried at the ending. The last chapter brings together all the characters, a few in the same location and others in a narrative perspective. It's incredibly beautiful and humbling to read but also very emotional. I won't reveal the ending, but what I will say, everything came together just how it should and I got overly emotional after forming an attachment to each and every one of the characters.

I hope you enjoyed this post. Have you read this book?

Thank you for reading <3

 Well hello to you my reader chums! Travel is my biggest passion in life and something I've missed so incredibly much this year with everything going on. The best way for me to not miss travelling too much is to focus on where I am going to travel when it's possible again.

I've titled the post for the goals to be in 2021 as I really hope, things get a bit better next year and I'm able to go on a plane. However, if they aren't, these goals are something, I can do the next year or year after that.

Disclaimer - This post contains affiliate links and a gifted product.

I was inspired to write this post when Photowall got in touch about gifting me one of their prints as part of a collaboration. I jumped at the fact as I really wanted to have a large print that represented my love of travel and that of course was a world map. The map now gives me something visual to look at every day whilst I'm dreaming about where I can go next.

Photowall is a custom wallpaper and print company based in Sweden which offers a range of wall murals, posters, wallpapers, canvases, and the option to personalise your prints. I absolutely adore their website and was very impressed when my print turned up. I love the quality of the world map and how it blends in well with the colour scheme of my room - plus it adds the travel vibe to my bedroom space also.

Travel goals for 2021

Vietnam - I've dreamt of going back to Vietnam ever since I've landed returned to England after visiting there. I was only In Vietnam 10 days and visited Ho Chi Minh City, Hue, Hanoi, and Halong Bay, and loved every single moment. When I left, it's as if a bit of my heart is still there, and I need to explore more. I'd love to go to Da Nang, roam around Hoi An and hike up the Sapa Valley. There are so many beautiful areas of the country I'm yet to see and I'd love the opportunity to go again as soon as I'm able to - and absorb the wonderfulness that is the Vietnamese culture.

Dubai - My best friend lives in Dubai and I've already visited her out there once and I'd love to be able to go again, and spend some quality time with her and see her favourite spots. I've done all the typical 'tourist' things in the city and it'll be great to go back and brunch in plenty of places, relax on the beaches, stay in luxury accommodation and experience the sweet sunshine. 

Sri Lanka - I've been dreaming about Sri Lanka for ages now. Every person I've spoken to who has been as saying it's their favourite place and makes me want to go more. Sri Lanka has so much to explore, plenty of hiking location and natural beauty, plus I'd love to learn more about its culture and history. I feel it's a country I don't really know much about which makes the idea of visiting it, even more mystical.

Italy - Ah Italy will forever have my heart and it feels weird not visiting the country this year. I love to go every year and see a new city. I've done Rome twice, Venice, Milan and Florence, and a few other towns in Tuscany - and I loved every minute of it. There's something about the food, culture and people which gives me a nostalgic and homely feel. I can't wait to go back and experience the 'at home' feel. I'd really like to visit Bologna next.

Bali, Indonesia - Indonesia has been on my travel list for a long time and I'd love the idea of backpacking around the whole country for a few weeks. However, I don't think a long trip there will be on my agenda for a few years but I'd love to still explore a small dose of the country and take a holiday to Bali over my birthday in June. It's a dream but I think it'll be pretty cool to turn 25 in Bali and stay in one of their treehouses on the beach.

I really hope I'm able to travel to a few of these places safely soon and that the world opens up once more. We'll see what happens in time but for now, I'm glad I've got an imagination and a matching world map to dream up my adventures. Thank you Photowall! You can use my discount code 'dellalovesnutella25' and receive 25% off on any product. The code is valid for a month.

I hope you enjoyed this post. What are your travel goals?

Thank you for reading <3

 Well hello to you my reader chums! Christmas is nearly here and although it's not the festivities we were planning for and I'm not entirely sure what's going to happen over the festive period, it's important now more than ever to put your mental health first.

For me, although Christmas is a happy time and it's filled with joy, it also holds a lot of pressure. There's so much pressure on being happy the entire time, on presents, and having the best day ever that often, I have a lot of anxiety around the holiday.

However, there are some things I've done over the years to really look after my mental health at Christmas, and here are my top 6 tips: 

Planning is key

One of the big pressures around Christmas is present shopping and ensuring you see everyone. Although this year seeing everyone physically may not be possible and it can take away that pressure, the virtual option is still there. My best way to keep this under wraps is to plan as much as you can and stay organised. When it comes to presents, I like to make the list as early as October with ideas of presents and how much money I'm going to spend. This will give me time to plan and shop but also figure out how much money I need to put aside each month to be able to afford Christmas.

The social aspect of Christmas I find intense as there is always so much family and friends to see during that period, it's like the time everyone comes together. Even though this year, everyone wants to do just that and socialise, I feel there is more anxiety around it. The rules may be lifted and that means social events could happen but if you don't feel comfortable for your own safety, simply don't go. My advice would be to arrange virtual Christmas dates or parties online, or if we're able to, social events outside (that's pretty hard with the weather though.) Keep to the rules and do whatever you feel comfortable in, in whatever way shape, and form that comes in. Try and organise to talk to people but if you can't, arrange something in the new year - this will help take the pressure away from you.

Rest up as much as you can

At Christmas time, it's a time of year a lot of us take off work to relax and spend quality time with our families. But make sure during that period to also rest up and sleep. I don't just mean sleep, but really take the time to take a step back from the busy everyday life moments. Enjoy the slow movements, watching films in your pyjamas, and chilling out.

Be kind to yourself

You always need to look out for no1, yourself but especially during Christmas season. As although it's a period of great joy, it can also be a time of pressure and a triggering time for those who have mental illnesses. Take the time for yourself and be kind to yourself - it's okay not to be okay.

Practice your usual self-care routine

I can often find during the festive season, self-care is more important than ever. There's more to self-care than just bubble baths and face masks, it's about prioritising your mental health, setting boundaries, and listening to your body. Try and do this by practicing daily affirmations, resting when needed, and socialising when you feel like it.

Write a gratitude list every day

Chrismas is a beautiful time a year and it's a period where a lot of us express our gratitude more often. Keeping a gratitude journal is good mental health practice in general but, at Christmas when tensions can be high, it can be more important than ever. Each morning or night, write down a couple of things you're grateful for and read them every now and then, to keep more of a positive mindset.

Enjoy it as much as you can

Let's not forget, Christmas is the season for celebration and this year, in particular, is going to be harder than other years, so take it for what it is and try and enjoy it the best you can. In whatever shape or form the festivities will look like, it's a time for families to come together, to eat good food, and most importantly, share your love for one another.

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

Thank you for reading <3

 Well hello to you my reader chums! Travel is my biggest passion and is really a part of me. I don't know how to describe it but by not travelling this year, there has been an empty void inside of me that I'm unable to fulfil in any way; I'm sure other travel bloggers understand what I mean.

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I'm extremely lucky to be in the position I am when I know others have had it a lot worse this year, and I don't want to come across as ungrateful that I can't do a luxurious thing of travel. However, for all you fellow travel enthusiasts, here are 5 things I'm looking forward to when I can travel again.

Booking a trip with ease

I miss the freedom of travel and how I used to be able to search for a flight and hotel and book it with only the worry of getting the time off work and making sure I had travel insurance. Now, with limitations to travel, I can't wait to be able to search for flights and accommodation with complete freedom and book my trip. Booking and researching adventures are some of my favourite things in the world so when I'm able to do that again properly, I'll be the happiest girl alive. Whether it's a backpacking adventure, interrailing, a city break, or a summer trip.

The airport journey

Travel is exhilarating, and more so every time I experience it. It's the opportunity for a new adventure, to discover new things and to create new stories to share when I return home. The preparation for the trip is always an exciting prospect and that includes the airport journey. I cannot wait to set my alarm for 3am, knowing I'll be hopping in my car and driving to the airport, ready to see what's in store. I'm excited to get there, see the sea of travellers roaming around, and even go through the mundane experience of passport control and security.

I can't wait to buy myself a Pret meal, take that must-do airport outfit photo and sit in my seat on the plane, ready to jet off into the air.

The new culture and experiences

Travel is all about experiencing new things and learning about different people and cultures, which I adore. I love to open up my mind to the wonders of the world and that's why I'm so excited to go again and see what's out there. There is still so much of the world I'm yet to see, so many cultures I'm yet to learn about, and billions of people I haven't crossed paths with. I'm looking forward to the learning side of travelling around the globe.

Making memories

2020 has been a slow year in terms of doing exciting things as simple, as we're not allowed to. It's not to say I haven't made some memories, I have, just in a different way than how I would prior to the pandemic. But, when travel is back to normal and the world returns to how it was, I can't wait to make memories of travelling the way I would have. I can't wait to meet fellow travellers and exchange stories, roam off the beaten path and see what I can discover, and explore new cities with freedom. There's nothing better than arriving home and telling all my stories to family and friends about what I have experienced. And a big part of that is making sure that you are actually making the most of the experience. So if you are going to Disney World, find out what disabilities qualify for das at Disney world before you go so that you can make more memories more easily.

The wholesome feeling travel brings

Travel is where I feel myself fully, it's the one thing in life that truly makes my heart completely soar and I adore the joy it brings me. I feel the happiest when I'm jetting off to a new destination and experiencing things I haven't seen before. I'm so glad I found my thing and I can't wait to experience that wholesome feeling again when I can travel.

I hope you enjoyed this post. What are you looking forward to when you can travel?

Thank you for reading <3 

 Well hello to you my reader chums! Considering the year we've all experienced, staying positive can seem difficult as everything is so uncertain and we're unsure when things are going to go back to what they were. Over the years, I've worked on trying to have a more positive outlook on life, and I like to think I've definitely turned my mindset around compared to how I used to think.

On my down days now, there are things I practice that really help flip how I'm thinking, and here are 5 things to do every day for a more positive outlook on life.

Writing a gratitude list

Gratitude is the key to being positive. If you've had the worst day in the world, there still is always something to be grateful for. I know when you're feeling down, it can be hard to think of the good, but really try as it can help make you smile. Whether you're thankful for having a great lunch, for the people around you, or the fact you had a lie-in. List some grateful things down every day, and start to keep a journal and then you're able to look back on your gratitude journal which can help, even on the harder days.

Giving yourself three compliments every day 

Self-love is so important and something I preach about on a regular basis. You need to be your own hype girl in every way possible because, at the end of the day, it's so important to just rely on yourself and be there for yourself. This goes hand in hand with having more of a positive outlook, once you've found a deep love for yourself, naturally you will see everything in your life in a positive way. Every day, try and say three compliments about yourself and it can really help give you a little boost.

Call a friend

Sometimes, a chat with a friend can really lift your mood. Interaction with other people is so important - and you really need to make that a priority in some way. Whether it's a call, voice message, text, or facetime, taking the time to interact with someone can really change your mood. This point is even more important at the minute because of what we're all going through - and reaching out to someone can really make their day as much as it makes yours.

Practice mediation 

I've fallen in love with mediation a lot more recently as I find it makes me calmer and a lot more positive. Whether it's in the morning or at night (morning is usually best), it can really help clear your mind for the rest of the day and start your day in a positive light. There are loads of apps that offer different breathing techniques and methods so you can find the right one for you. I adore the Headspace and Calm app to meditate. 

Cut down on social media time

As much as I adore social media, it can be a very toxic space, especially Instagram. I spend way too much time on social media, scrolling mindlessly. And not only does it waste my time, but it can also really distract me from doing something productive. To give yourself more of a positive outlook in your day, allocate times of your day to scroll and take breaks from your phone as needed. And then, you know you've made that time to scroll that you can get on with the rest of your day.

I hope you enjoyed this post. What things do you do to stay positive?

Thank you for reading <3

Well hello to you my reader chums! Having a professional-looking website is incredibly important, whether you're a blogger or a business (or both). It helps the reader or consumer easily get what they want from your website, in an easy format. I've run my blog for 7+ years now and I'm finally happy with my simple yet easy-to-use design.

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 Well hello to you my reader chums! I've been meaning to read this book since I finished the Kite Runner back in school, over 7 years ago now, but life and a lot of other great reads distracted me. I absolutely adored the Kite Runner, it was such a beautifully written novel and I loved the author's work that I knew this read would be just as brilliant - and it was.

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Plotline 

A Thousand Splendid Suns tells the life of both Mariam and Laila and how their lives intertwine. Mariam lives with her mother and when she is fifteen, she is sent to Kabul to marry Rasheed, who is vastly older than her. Two decades after the marriage and living an unhappy life, Mariam meets Laila, a local teenager who she takes in after a terrible occurrence. Their relationship blooms and is similar to what a mother and daughter's bond would look like.  When the Taliban take over, everything changes and life becomes a constant struggle with issues including starvation, brutality, and fear being a daily thing. But, love can help everything, and the strength of love speaks volumes in this book to overcome some of the most heartbreaking obstacles.

Characters and relationships

I say this about every book, but I adore seeing how relationships develop between characters. This book is heartbreaking in so many ways and the use of rawness in emotion is incredibly pure throughout with the characters. I could physically feel their pain when a lot of incidents happened.

Mariam undoubtedly grows throughout the novel and the first section of the book is solely focused on her and her relationships with her mother and father. Mariam was born out of wedlock so the illegitimacy of her birth was looked down upon and it means she never got to see her brothers and sisters from her dad's marriage. She lived exclusively with her mother and was constantly reminded that she was an outcast. Her relationship with her mother isn't a great one as the toxicity is real, and at the beginning of the novel, it's her father she fixates on. However, when she gets older and her father sends her to get married to Rasheed, she begins to resent her father and wishes to feel her mother's love and the bond they had.

The relationship between her and Rasheed is an odd one. Initially, Mariam is incredibly angry in having to marry Rasheed and a lot of confused and upset feelings come across in the book, especially towards Rasheed - he's a stranger and senior to her, she's only a young girl. She gains his trust and at the beginning, things don't seem bad for her, they're new and it's something she is getting used to a new husband, a new home, and a new life, and really, been throwing it at the deep end to be an adult and wife when she was only a child. All fresh feelings. But as their marriage goes on, things get harder and she begins to resent him and his actions a lot.

Laila comes into the story and we delve into her life before the pair meet. Laila isn't a typical girl in Afganistan at the time as her father is quite against gender norms in their culture and wants Laila to go on being the best person she can be, whilst her mum is sick with depression, grieving the loss of Laila's brothers. Laila has a great relationship with her father and their bond is so pure, but her relationship with her mother is quite rocky as she forever craves that motherly bond but her mum is too ill to offer it. My favourite relationship though is between Laila and her best friend Tariq. They are childhood playmates and their bond is beautiful to read about, especially as they get older and kids begin to pick on Tariq as he only has one leg. When they get into teens, their friendship grows into something more but distance stops them from pursuing it.

The whole book comes together though with Mariam and Laila when they meet, and their two paths are intertwined. At first, Mariam is really jealous and almost hateful towards Laila, whereas Laila just wants to get on with Mariam. Over time though, when things get difficult, they start to rely on each other and build the loveliest bond you could ever read and become the best of friends. Their relationship is so heartwarming and it's tested in so many ways - and proves how powerful a female friendship can truly be.

Overall thoughts

Overall, I absoutely adored this book so much that I cannot even put it into words. From the first page, the plotline and the way the story is written truly hooked me in. There were so many emotions throughout the novel; the shock factor was huge and at plenty of stages in the book, I felt heartbroken, sad but also incredibly happy at some points. It really brought to my attention the devastating circumstances that were experienced by many women in Afganistan and are still experienced today by women all over the world. It's a tragic novel but so raw, heartbreaking, and also a book that tests the power of love. I loved it. Khaled Hosseini is an incredible writer.

Ending

I wasn't entirely sure what to expect in the ending as so many shocking things happen before you get right through to the last page. However, it ended on a note which really made me smile and brought the whole book and characters together.

I hope you enjoyed this review. Have you read this book?

Thank you for reading <3

 Well hello to you my reader chums! The talk of CBD has been circulated for a while now and the benefits seemed endless that when Nutrivive got in touch about trialling their moisturiser for a review, I was intrigued, to say the least. 

I've been using the moisturiser for a few weeks now and I can say, I'm very impressed by it and love that its part of my skincare routine.

What is Dermavive?

The Dermavive moisturiser is infused with cannabidiol and aims to reduce the appearance of irritation, de-stress the senses and calm the look of skin. It's rich in essential omega-6 and omega-3 acids and is non-intoxicating. And, the best part for me is it's vegan, cruelty-free and sustainable.

Packaging and scent

The moisturiser comes in what feels like quite a heavy container that is similar to glass with a shiny silver lid and is also a screw-on top. It has pretty simple branding running across which highlights the luxury look of the product.

The scent is probably my least favourite part of the product as it's quite an unusual and lingering scent. It reminds of me of when you open a pack of sanitary pads or nappies and that strong, slightly perfumed scent with some baby powder chucked in. It's quite an intense scent that when applied I can smell it for a while until it fully sinks into my skin. The freshness of the scent is probably the best thing about it however, it's very clean.

Texture and feel on the skin

The moisturiser is very thick and I like to dot it all across my face and blend it in. Due to the thickness, it can take a bit of moisturising in to fully sink into the skin. However, the texture of the cream is incredibly soft and blends very smoothly across the face, which I absolutely love. It makes my moisturising routine an enjoyable thing to do as my skin feels really hydrated instantly after it's sunk in. 

Lasting power

The lasting power is probably my favourite thing about this moisturiser. After applying it, even hours after, my skin still has the same hydrated feel about it and I adore that. Also, I've noticed it really has helped calm my skin down, and since using it, I've had no breakouts at all, even after wearing my mask all the time. I think the lasting effects in terms of what it's doing to my skin is a wonderful thing and I'm glad it's now part of my skincare routine.

Overall thoughts

Overall, I absolutely love this moisturiser. Even though the scent isn't my favourite, I love how hydrating it is on my skin, how it's helping to aid my skin to appear calmer and the texture of the product. It's priced at £39.99 so a higher price point, but considering the thickness of the product and the lasting effect, it's a luxury moisturiser worth the investment.

I hope you enjoyed this review. Have you tried CBD products?

Thank you for reading <3

 Well hello to you my reader chums! Anxiety is something I've had to learn to cope with for a good chunk of my life and it's still an ongoing battle to this day, as you may have read in my letter. However, it's something over time that I've vastly improved on and I've gotten to the point where I've learnt my coping mechanisms and triggers, and can control it to an extent.

Overcoming anxiety doesn't have a quick fix, it's not easy and there's no way that I'm actually fully recovered. However, I'm now in a position where I can fully understand my anxiety, what causes it, and how I'm able to deal with it. Anxiety is different for each person, including triggers and coping mechanisms, but there are methods I've used that can be successful for you too. It's very much a trial and error thing to see what will work for you - and with perseverance, you can get there. Also, it may come without saying but I'm no professional, these are just things that have worked for me, and I hope they benefit you in some way.

 I believe in you. We're in this together.

Stepping out of your comfort zone

You may have heard this a thousand times but I can assure you in the long run, it is effective and will help you in more ways than one. Stepping out of your comfort zone is very subjective and can be different for every person. For me in regards to anxiety, this was basically any social interaction that wasn't in my 'safety bubble' ie my best friends and my family. I would really struggle to go to big social events without freaking out, going into the office, and anything unexpected that would occur, socially. They were all huge triggers for me.

I got to the point where I didn't want that anymore, I wanted to be like my friends who didn't have to worry about leaving the house or jumping on public transport or going to a social event, so I pushed myself. This wasn't easy in any sense as I was terrified of stepping away from what I knew in my own safe little paradise, but it was needed. I started small by walking to my local shops on my own and then doing things like getting on the bus and hanging out with bigger groups of people and even travelling (believe it or not I used to have terrible anxiety around it and now it's my favourite thing.). It all started out very small and then I began to push myself harder and faster to constantly see if I could do it. The outcomes were lots of crying and panic attacks but eventually, after the constant pushing, I got to the realisation with a lot of things that 'this is fine, I can do this.'

Figuring out your triggers 

I cannot stress to you enough how incredibly important this is and how it will really help you overcome what you're going through. The key to finding methods of treatments is discovering the cause in the first place, as it can really help you understand what's going on. Figuring out my triggers was again no easy thing, it took years of really pinpointed what would cause different parts of my anxiety. Some things would cause me to feel anxious, others would cause panic attacks, and other things, I'd be so anxious for days on end that I couldn't shift the feeling.

When you begin feeling anxious or have a panic attack, try to reverse your thought pattern back to before that moment and figure out what was on your mind or a situation that happened that caused it all. And then write it down, and keep doing that in different scenarios until you get a list of possible causes. The things that are listed multiple times will probably be your main triggers - and from that, you can figure out a way to prevent or work on those triggers.

For instance, my biggest trigger is not feeling good enough and that goes in any sense; socially, in myself, or at work so if someone says something or I feel like that for some reason, it can really trigger me into an anxiety episode.

Exposure therapy

This is probably the harshest type of way to deal with anxiety and I wouldn't recommend it if you're not ready for a harsh reality. Exposure therapy is basically being pushed in at the deep end and facing your fear head-on, or in this case your anxiety trigger. There's probably a better explanation from a medical professional but that's how I understand it to happen.

I experienced exposure therapy not really out of choice but more my friends trying to do what's best for me - and I'm so glad they did. They brought me along to night clubs, took me onto the tube (I used to be really anxious in huge crowds and tight spaces) and into big social gatherings. And although it was completely daunting initially and I experienced way too many breakdowns and panic attacks (which they helped me through), over time it got better and easier.

Surrounding yourself with the right people

I cannot stress this enough. Dealing with anxiety is truly hard as often it can feel so isolating and it'll never end - and that's why you need people around you to support and understand you. If your family and friends don't have anxiety themselves, it can be hard for them to understand. However, if you explain what you're going through and talk it out regularly, they'll know what to do if you're having a panic talk or a bad anxiety day. It's important to cut the people out of your life that is toxic and won't help you in any way as they'll just add to your anxiety.

Learning what helps your anxiety

Once you've figured out the triggers and created a better environment for yourself to deal with your anxiety, you can find the treatments that will work for you. This is different for every single person. You may find breathing exercises are your thing, or getting out in the open and going for a walk, or hiding away for a few hours under your blanket, or talking it out with someone. We all have that one thing that can make us feel a little better when anxiety hits - and once you've sussed it, dealing with your anxiety will be a lot easier.

I hope you enjoyed this post. What other tips do you have for overcoming your anxiety?

Thank you for reading <3

Well hello to you my reader chums! I love the idea of designing my own house one day and picking everything from the flooring to the beautiful wall art and trinkets. and having my Pinterest boards come to life.

AD - This is a pre-written post by Amtico vinyl flooring.

 Well hello to you my reader chums! The first lockdown was somewhat an interesting and hard experience, with some loving it, some hating it and a lot of us struggling. It was a time where everyone was trying to get Tik Tok famous, perfecting the best banana bread recipe, and joining Joe Wicks for daily workouts. 

Now in our second lockdown, I'm trying to stay hopeful as we got through one, and we can get through another. This time, things are a little different as we're in the peak of winter and can't spend our days getting that dose of vitamin D. However, despite it being an uncertain time for us all and many of us dealing with consequences of that mentally, there are ways we can use this time to be productive and see the positive side of it.

Focus on healing

We all have something in our life that has caused us a great deal of pain and often or not, we bury the emotions around it and keep distracted with life rather than letting it bother us - and because of this, we don't fully heal from any sort of trauma we experienced. In this lockdown, many of us will have free time to work on ourselves, time that was usually taken up by everyday life. Try and use this time to work on any trauma you've experienced, seeking therapy, practicing mindfulness, or doing what you're doing to finally let something you're holding onto go. I can assure you, whatever it is, you'll feel a lot better.

A method I've used to let go of something that caused me deep pain is writing it all down in a letter to that person (or that thing if it's something else.) I wrote down everything I was thankful for in that person, then everything they did to hurt me, everything I forgave them for, and everything I forgave myself for. As I was writing the letter, I let myself feel all the pain and cried it all out, but after that process, it's honestly like a weight had been lifted and I felt a lot better. Instead of suppressing pain, you need to really feel it again and let it pass through you, in order to let it go.

Get organising

I don't know about you but I'm a massive neat freak and love the idea of organising literally everything, whether that's my wardrobe or my kitchen cupboards. It's one of those things that I love doing but never really get the time doing and I put it off as I'm too busy with everything else. However, lockdown is prime time for that. I love to look at Pinterest for organisation ideas!

Plan all your Christmas shopping

Christmas is drawing very close and the festivities will start to begin every soon - and that means planning presents. Christmas will be different in general this year and nobody has any idea about what will actually happen, however, planning presents is something we can all do.

I'm actively trying to buy from small businesses this year as it's so important, especially in these difficult times to buy from small businesses and support them. With this month, you can spend the time researching online for your presents, scroll on Etsy to discover new business, and get creative with DIY presents.

Tick off your to-do list

I think we all have that list of things we need to do but never actually get around to and constantly put it off, doing after tasks or activities instead. However, now you can utilise the time and tick off the mundane tasks whether it's doing a bit of life admin, organising your sock drawer, or chucking something out.

Relax completely

As much as lockdown is a time to be productive and you've got more time on your hands, it's also a time to actually relax. I don't know about you but over the years, I've really had to work on the fact to make time for relaxation. I'm one of those people that has a million tabs in my brain open at a time and I constantly have to be doing something so as you can imagine, relaxing isn't easy for me. But, this is the time to do exactly that and enjoy it.

Practice self-care 

By self-care, I don't just mean having a bubble bath, sleeping more, and putting on a face mask. I mean really getting to grips with a self-care routine, and that means setting boundaries, listening to your body intuitively, and doing what's right for you, in every single way. You can read more about my self-care tips.

Quality family time

During the last lockdown, I actively tried to step away from my phone and laptop and be more present in my household, and actually spend time with my family. I spent time talking to them more, doing activities, and making the most of seeing them more often, as usually, I'd be at work or out and about doing lots of things that I wasn't home much.

Keep a gratitude journal

2020 has been a difficult year and it can be hard to stay positive, however, there is always something to be grateful for, and keeping a journal is the best way to see that. Every day, write down 3 things you're grateful for, and then in the moments when you feel sad or down, you'll be able to read it back and it'll give you a boost.

I hope you enjoyed this post. What other productive things are you doing in lockdown?

Thank you for reading <3

 Well hello to you my reader chums! Christmas is coming up and the festive season is nearly underway. The lead up to Christmas has to be one of my favourite times of the year, I love the excitement of getting together with people, preparing gifts, and having cosy night in, it's all part of the festive fun. 

Granted, this year is going to be a slightly different Christmas and nobody is sure what will happen. However, I'm trying to stay positive and make the most of the festive season, and focusing on what's really important - family, friends, and time together (whether that'll be virtual or in real life.)

This post contains affiliate links.

Christmas is also a time for creating gifts and buying things for loved ones which means it's also a very wasteful time of year. In the last few Christmases, I've tried to be as eco-friendly as possible, with my preparation, gifts, and everything to do with the festive season.