10 self-love reminders you need to hear

 Well hello to you my reader chums! Self-love is something I talk about a lot on my blog as I genuinely believe, it's at the core of everything we do. We all want to feel loved, it's human nature and that's why many of us try and seek it in other ways, however, the key is finding it within yourself first.

Whether you're struggling with self-love, looking for some advice, or simply having a bad day, here are 10 self-love reminders you need to hear.

10 self-love reminders you need to hear

Your self-love journey isn't linear

Healing isn't linear in every way and this is the same with self-love. Going through a self-love journey is hard as it goes against a lot of what society teaches us about self-love, as we live in a world that encourages you to think badly of yourself (hello diet culture) and how self-love is selfish. This is why when you're working through a journey of self-love, one of the reasons you can find yourself falling backwards is because of the societal influence you've had your whole life. But, those dips and backward steps aren't a bad thing, they're normal. It's normal to have ups and downs with any journey including self-love. Just know, that whatever progress you make is still progress.

You deserve to feel loved

Love is life's greatest gift and something we all deserve to feel every single day. You deserve love, so much of it, even if you don't feel like it. You deserve to give yourself so much love, the same you give everybody else. You are worthy of this level of love because you are uniquely you, and there's nobody else like you. And simply because you're human, and we all deserve to feel loved.

Loving yourself isn't selfish 

Self-love isn't selfish (say this 10 times over). There is nothing selfish about being in love with all that is you. The only person that will be with you throughout your whole life is yourself so you should love that person, more than you love anyone else really. You deserve to love yourself when you're feeling the greatest and when you're feeling not so great. Loving yourself is the number one priority.

You are strong and resilient

You are so strong. Look at how far you've already come, that in itself is amazing. Falling in love with yourself is hard and at times, can make you feel even weaker because all your insecurities will crop up, that's only natural. But in these moments, it's important to remind yourself about how strong and resilient you are to even have gotten to this point.

Your body is beautiful

I'm a big advocate for body confidence and body acceptance because I believe we all deserve to adore every inch of our body and know what we look like is the least interesting thing about us. If you're having doubts about your body, know it's beautiful. Know that, every day it cares for you, it keeps you alive, it protects you and ultimately, it's a part of you which in itself is incredibly important. 

You are trying your best 

One thing we can all do in life is to try our best, nothing more. Nobody is perfect and nobody is getting it all right. All of us are simply trying to get through this thing called life and guess whether we're making the right decisions or not. Your self-love journey is the same, you are trying your best and it's all that matters.

You are worthy of good things

Let me repeat that again 'you are worthy of good things.' If you're not feeling great, down, or like you deserve nothing, let me tell you, you are wrong. You deserve good things to happen to you. You deserve to have good people around you. You deserve to make incredible memories. You deserve to feel loved and live your best life.

You are worthy of love around you

This brings me to this point. One thing many of us have in common is we feel as if we don't deserve love from people around us or we settle for less - and this isn't right. Never settle for anything more than love. The type of love that makes you feel giddy and happy every time you think of it. This goes with relationships, friendships, and family members. You are worthy of content love and to feel cherished every single day.

You are enough

This point goes without saying but plain and simple, you are enough. You're wonderful and stunning you and the world is a better place with you in it.

I hope you enjoyed this post. What other reminders would you say?

Thank you for reading <3

Top 10 tips to know before your first solo trip

 Well hello to you my reader chums! Travel is the one thing to makes me feel free, happy, and in my element. I love nothing more than experiencing new places, seeing new sights, and creating exciting memories. I had the opportunity to travel solo for the first time this year and it's an experience I'm incredibly grateful for and one, I've learnt a lot from.

If you're planning a solo trip for the first time and looking for some advice, here are my top 10 tips to know before your first solo trip.

This post contains affiliate links but all thoughts are my own.

Top 10 tips to know before your first solo trip

Pick a destination that'll suit you

The world is beautiful and wide with plenty of destinations to choose from. We all have preferences on what we want from travel, whether that's an adventure, sightseeing, relaxation, or immersing ourselves in something new. When deciding on a destination, you need to choose which type of trip you're looking to book and what type of place will suit you. Then, you can have a search on prices, dates and what you can do in your desitnaion.

Map out a rough itinerary

Getting lost is all part of the adventure. However, when planning a trip, especially a solo one, it's best to have a rough itinerary. This is so you're able to do a bit of research beforehand on what to expect in terms of what there is to see, how to get around, and any must-see attractions. I would advise writing out a rough itinerary with your must-do things and the way you set out in doing those things, to make it easier for yourself when navigating a new place.

Research useful apps for your new destination

Technology is a winner and is what makes solo travel a lot easier and safer for many these days. There are plenty of apps I would advise having on your trip such as Google Maps to help you navigate around, the airline app to check in your flights, Hostel World or Booking.com to book and check-in accommodation, and Uber (or relevant transport apps to that city) to get around. Apps are a handy way to stay organised but also help you with your bearings.

Plan how to get to and from the airport

Travelling to and from the airport can be simpler than you may think. You can get a taxi if you want to go directly to your accommodation. However, at each destination, there are airport shuttles or public transport options to pick from. Research yours so you have that assured feeling when landing at the destination and setting foot back home.

Research the rules and etiquette of the new destination

Every destination has different laws to the land, whether they're to do with culture or limitations of what you can do. When you're on your own, it's even more important to be aware of them as you don't want to get caught out. Do your research and note the most relevant ones down to be aware of.

Tell people at home where you're going

Travelling solo is incredibly exciting and even though for the most part it can be safe, it's better to be safe than sorry - and this is why I'd advise keeping people in the loop of where you are going and what you're doing. This could mean sharing your location with family and friends or just sending them an update or two back home to keep them in the know.

Book accommodation in a safe and secure spot

The accommodation comes in variations from hotels, hotels to apartments. Travelling solo, to feel the safest I would always suggest picking a shared hostel or social accommodation. This is because it can give you more of an opportunity to meet people to travel around with or even get dinner/drinks in the evening with. Travel is all about meeting new people after all. If you don't fancy shared hostels, there are plenty of safer apartments and hotels to choose from - again, just be wary of your safety at all times.

Set intentions and expectations

Every trip can vary from person to person and we all have different intentions and expectations for our travels. When setting off on your trip, lay out the intentions of what you'd like from your trip and have a to-do list of the things you want to see and experiences to have. Also, set expectations that are realistic. Don't be too overly eager and pack as many things in as possible. Be aware that even though you're travelling solo, you still need time for relaxation and rest - and the opportunity to mooch off the beaten path.

Arrive during the day

For safety purposes, I would advise, arriving at your destination in the day. This is because you can find your accommodation in the light and get your bearings before you begin to explore your newfound location.

Know that you can do it

I think the biggest thing limiting people from travelling solo is the lack of belief in themselves that they can do it. Trust me when I say this, you can and you will do it. I was so hesitant to go alone but it was the biggest eye-opener and I felt so proud of myself when I returned home. You can enjoy your own company, you can navigate yourself around and you can make friends along the way.

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

Thank you for reading <3

What I've learnt from posting less on Instagram

 Well hello to you my reader chums! It's no secret that for years, like many of us, I've been obsessed with Instagram. I loved taking photos, sharing them on the gram, and putting every little thing on my story to broadcast to the world. It started to become a habit and turned into an unhealthy one as at the back of my mind, I would always be like 'ah I have no photos to put on Instagram.' That's when I realised, I didn't want to do that anymore.

What I've learnt from posting less on Instagram

If you're trying to spend less time on social media or feel weighed down by Instagram as a whole, here is what I've learnt about posting less on Instagram.

Nobody really cares

In the nicest possible way, nobody thinks about you and your life as much as you think of yours and can carry that weight of people's opinions of you. This is also true when it comes to all forms of social media including Instagram. Nobody cares if you post regularly, nobody cares if you post at all and I've learnt that by stepping away, previously I was trying to fulfill some non-existent expectation of staying active on Instagram and keeping up the image of 'having a fab life.' But, this wasn't necessary because I'm living a great life whether it's documented on the gram or not.

I don't need online validation

Online validation is definitely something I think many of us seek as it gives us all that short win feeling and a little boost in the day. It's a small boost that really helped me when I felt my most insecure, but that validating feeling can become addictive and really isn't healthy in the slightest. Stepping away, I've learnt I don't need online validation to feel whole or be satisfied with who I am and what my life is like.

To live in the moment more

When I was so caught up in trying to capture a photo or story for the gram, I sometimes didn't appreciate the moment fully as I was so fixated on making sure I showed it on Instagram. By not being so obsessed with taking photos, I could fully indulge myself in every moment and put my phone away. I've found myself loving life that little bit more as there was no pressure to ensure I capture it on camera. 

Instagram isn't important

I've always known how unimportant social media is as a whole compared to what matters most in life, however, I think our generation gets so caught up in its pressures, we often forget that. By not focusing on it so much, I realised that point even more and it's lifted a weight off my shoulders in a way.

Social media isn't real

This is something I always preach when I talk about all different topics including body confidence, not caring what people think of you, and mental health. Social media is something that influences all of us and it's a healthy thing knowing it is a highlight reel, and a place people only share the best parts of their life - and that's why we shouldn't compare. 

There are better ways to spend my time

I have so many big passions, so many things I love to do to which set my soul on fire and Instagram isn't one of them. I used to spend so much time finding the right picture, seeing how it matched with the feed, and thinking of a caption and now that time spent can be geared towards more important and exciting things.

I'm a lot more fulfilled with my life

Feeling fulfilled and satisfied in my day-to-day life is something I've been seeking all of my adulthood and my self-love journey had a huge part to play in finally reaching it, and stepping away from social media was the final step in that. By not having to seek validation online all the time for what I'm doing and how I'm looking, I can find that fulfillment within myself.

There are better social media platforms

I've worked in social media since I was 19 years old and throughout that time, my opinion on different social media has changed. Instagram used to be my favourite so much so it was an obsession. But now, I'm focused on platforms that bring me insight, knowledge, and inspiration. At the minute, I'm really enjoying LinkedIn and Tik Tok for many different reasons.

I hope you enjoyed this post. What are your thoughts?

Thank you for reading <3

9 years of Della Loves Nutella

 Well hello to you my reader chums! 9 years ago, 16-year-old me, decided to join the blogging world and launched Della Loves Nutella. I had no idea I would be typing away at this blog for so long or the pure joy it would have brought me for nearly a decade.

Whether you're a new reader or part of the original blogging community back in 2013, welcome to my little space on the internet. Today, I wanted to share some of my favourite things I've loved about blogging over the past 9 years.

9 years of Della Loves Nutella

Documenting my adventures

My blog has been an incredible place on the internet for many reasons, including the opportunity of sharing my adventures and travels. Travelling is my biggest passion as many of you know; I love nothing more than heading on my next big trip and the process of planning it all and sharing my experiences via my blog. It's a great space for me to look back on, see the places I've gone, and read about my initial thoughts of them. It's always a lovely reminder to see the progress I've made in terms of my anxiety and the incredible pictures and words always make me smile.

Creative freedom

I'm a hugely creative person; I love brainstorming and coming up with new ideas. Having this blog has allowed me to express that creative freedom, sharing the thoughts and ideas of the topics I'm most interested in, with much wisdom and knowledge I've learnt along the way. It has helped me be creative in terms of my words, photos, and how I'm able to collaborate with other bloggers and brands.

Watching myself grow online

These past 9 years, I've grown massively in terms of who I am, what I've learnt, what I believe in, and my personal growth overall. I'm now nearly 26 and began this blog when I was a teenager so you can imagine, I have changed quite a lot and I'm very proud of the woman I am today and I'm sure my teenage self is too. I love to look back and see where I've come from and where I am now, in terms of photos, how I write and what I've learnt.

The blogging community

The blogging community is the friendliest space on the internet. I have met so many lovely bloggers over the year online and in person, and it's all because of my blog which is a heartwarming feeling to me. The blogging community has always been so supportive of my blog and my general endeavours when I've shared them on social media platforms and I love that. They've always got my back and I've loved seeing other bloggers flourish in many ways too. It's an epic space online which I'm grateful to be a part of.

Collaborating with brands 

Working with brands is something I feel very lucky to have done over the course of running this blog. I never set out to do this when I launched my blog, it was just a hobby to me and really, still is. There are times where I've had a few collaborations come in and other times none at all, and I'm happy with both. I love how I can have this space as a means to share my thoughts but also work with brands that share the same values as me.

Sharing the values which mean the most to me

I'm a passionate person; there are many things that mean a lot to me, especially the issues I want to talk about. I'm a huge mental health advocate, a big lover of the planet, and promoting the importance of self-love. These are a few of my biggest things and I love how this space has allowed me to talk about these things online, and help others in the process with my tips and advice.

Developing my writing

To be a better writer, you need to write. Writing every day and writing often has helped me become better at writing. I'm constantly improving my writing and having this space has helped in my marketing job, freelance roles, and when writing my books. Developing my writing is so important to me and I feel thankful my blog has helped that.

The commitment

This blog is an achievement to me and I love how I've been able to commit to it for 9 years. Every week, I've been able to put a blog live and share my words with the world and it's a wonderful feeling. Here and there I've had a few breaks such as when I went backpacking or life got busy, but ultimately, I've kept at it and I'm so glad I did.

Having my own little corner on the internet

Della Loves Nutella is my space, my writing hub to share everything I want with the online world. I'm in control of the thoughts, the words, and ideas - and it's the best feeling knowing I run this entire ship. I love my own little corner on the internet and I hope it continues for years to come.

I hope you enjoyed this post. What's your favourite thing about blogging?

Thank you for reading <3

5 things I've learnt from travelling solo

 Well hello to you my reader chums! Travelling solo is something that I'm so proud I've finally been able to do. I've wanted to do it for such a long time, so when the opportunity occurred, I'm really happy I jumped at the chance. 

If you're considering travelling solo or planning a trip, here are 5 things I've learnt from travelling solo.

Travelling solo to Budapest was an experience like no other and one I'm grateful I had the opportunity to do. If you're considering travelling solo or planning a trip, here are 5 things I've learnt from travelling solo.

I can actually do it

This may sound like a really silly point, but I don't think when I initially set off and arrived that I had the capability to do a solo trip on my own. I thought I was going to be too anxious to navigate myself around, too anxious to talk to people, too anxious about getting lost and simply, spending time with myself. I thought my anxiety would take over the whole time and I'd be in my head about the whole trip that I wouldn't actually be able to enjoy it. However, I couldn't have been more wrong. As soon as you put your mind to something, you can easily do it and that's what I learnt on this trip.

I learnt I was able to direct myself around a new city, find my way, and not get lost. I learnt I was able to talk to strangers and ask them to take photos of me or simply make conversation. I learnt I can enjoy my own company in a new place and live off my own accord. I learnt I can stay somewhere new and feel safe. I learnt that solo travel is possible for me and it was possible all along, I just had to believe in myself.

To rely on my own instinct and direction skills

When I'm with someone, I usually rely on them in a sense to be the navigator as my direction skills have always been pretty poor and it can take me a while to get my bearings. But, this trip taught me because I had nobody else, I had to rely on my own instinct and trust myself enough to know where I was going and I did just that. I didn't get lost at all, and I learnt I was able to test myself on figuring out problems alone and being my own satnav.

I have more confidence than I realised

Confidence is something that has certainly grown with age, from my body confidence to confidence in every aspect of myself. On this trip, that confidence was really put to the test because I was completely out of my comfort zone, in a new country and new city where I knew nobody or my surroundings at all. I learnt that I had more confidence than I realised in stepping out and actually experiencing the city to the full, making the right decisions for me on what to do, sitting alone in restaurants, and talking to new people to ask questions.

There are more solo travellers than you think

There are millions of solo travellers all around the world travelling from one country to the next but when I went to Budapest, I was in my head that it was just me and me only. I think it was important for me to learn and realise, that if I looked for it, I could find solo travellers and there were more than I thought. I met a lovely girl on my travels who was in the same position as me, and as I observed around, I saw many solo people dining and mooching. Travelling solo isn't abnormal and there are like-minded people out there, you just need to know where to look.

That being alone isn't abnormal

This leads me to the point about how being alone isn't abnormal. We walk past people going for walks, eating in restaurants, and doing their shopping alone every day so I don't know why I was so in my head that I would stand out from the crowd. I quickly learnt that so many people were like me, either traveling alone or simply mooching about their day in their home city. Being alone is normal and part of life. I love spending time on my own and I feel privileged to of had that solo travel experience.

I hope you enjoyed this post. What have you learnt from travelling solo?

Thank you for reading <3

Everything you need to know before visiting Budapest

 Well hello to you my reader chums! Budapest is a city that I've wanted to explore for a while now as I had heard so many good things and everybody raves about it, so I wanted to check it out for myself. I'm a big Europe fan and I love the opportunity to experience new cities and see how they're similar or different from the next.

Everything you need to know before visiting Budapest

Budapest was a gorgeous city with some dream-worthy architecture, lots of great sights, and a great place to mooch and travel solo. If you're planning a visit to the city, here's everything you need to know before visiting Budapest.

This post contains affiliate links but all thoughts are my own.

Buda and Pest are different parts of the city

Budapest is separated into two parts by the river, Buda, and Pest. Both sides of the city are very easy to reach from one to the other, via public transport or by walking over the few bridges that separate the parts. Buda and Pest both have gorgeous spots to experience and wander around so you can really stay on either side when it comes to your trip, as it's all very accessible. Pest is probably the busier side of the two with more bars, restaurants, and tourists so I would recommend staying there for more of a buzz.

Accommodation is very affordable

When booking Budapest, I was actually shocked at the cheapness of the accommodation in Budapest. I booked a very plush apartment in the heart of the city and it was only £120 for 3 nights. Hostels, however, can be found as cheap as under £10 a night, it's incredible the bargains you can find.

Buda Castle is an area, not a castle

I kid you not, I was a bit confused when I arrived at Buda Castle to realise it's not a castle but an entire region on the Buda side of the city which encompasses many beautiful buildings, museums, and viewpoints. Be wary of when you head up there as it's quite a large part of the land, and I would advise ensuring you're wearing comfortable clothing and have snacks and water at the ready. The views from the Buda Castle region are stunning and there is so much history and sights to take in.

It's relatively cheap

Eastern Europe, in general, is a very cheap place to travel and Budapest was no different. I was quite surprised when I did the conversion back to pounds, how little I spent on food, museums, and attractions. The best way to figure it out is to remember 1000 Hungarian Forint is just over £2. It will also be commonly asked if you want to pay cash or card wherever you go, so it's best to have a combination of both with you I found.

Public transport is very easy to use

When travelling, I think it's always really important to make the most of the public transport options because they're always a lot cheaper than taxis and a fun way to experience the city. In Budapest, I used all forms of public transport including the bus, tram, and metro, and I loved getting my head around all three things. Google Maps was my best friend with this because I would type where to go and find out the right buses/trams/metro to hop on. All of them are numbered so it can be pretty easy to follow. The metros also work very similarly to London's underground.

Remember to validate your public transport ticket

After you've purchased your ticket to either get on the bus, metro, or tram, it's essential to validate them. If you've got a physical ticket, use one of the yellow machines as you enter the station or the bus. Or, if you've purchased it online using the Budapest Go app, simply scan it before you get on the bus.

Save money with the airport shuttle bus

I know it can be tempting to hop in a taxi after you've gotten off your flight, however, the airport shuttle is dreamy and one of the easiest modes of transport out there. Simply, buy your airport shuttle tickets at the airport near the bus station bit (which are 900 HUF), and hop on the 100E bus which goes directly into the centre of the city. There are quite a few different stops it goes through, and I would advise seeing on the route which stop is the closest to your accommodation.

English is commonly used

English is commonly used in Hungary and most people in the city of Budapest will speak it and at least have some understanding of basic common phrases. I always say though, it's helpful to learn common phrases of any new country you're visiting.

The currency is Hungarian Forint

When you're exchanging money, buy Hungarian Forint as that's the main currency used in Budapest. 

Zebra crossings work the same as the UK

To my surprise, there were plenty of Zebra crossings across Budapest and they work in exactly the same way as in the UK. Pedestrians have the right of way at Zebra crossings. However, something to note is that jaywalking is illegal - and that means, always making use of the crossing available.

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

Thank you for reading <3

Book review: The Road Trip by Beth O'Leary

 Well hello to you my reader chums! I'm a big fan of Beth O' Leary's books, I fell in love with her writing style as soon as whizzed through The Flat Share and went on to read The Switch. The author has this way of really connecting the audience with the characters and making them so relatable. When I heard about The Road Trip, I couldn't wait to see what another one of her books would be like.

This post contains affiliate links.

Whether you're new to Beth O'Leary's book or a big fan like me, here is my full review of The Road Trip.

Book review: The Road Trip by Beth O'Leary

Plotline

The plotline begins with Addie and her sister Deb heading out on a road trip to a friend's wedding in rural Scotland with a car packed full of snacks and the most exciting playlist. However, they don't get too far into the journey when a car slams into the back of theirs. The driver of the car happens to be Addie's ex Dylan and his best friend Marcus. Addie has avoided Dylan for the past few years after a very traumatic breakup. But after the car incident, as Dylan and Marcus are heading to the wedding too, Addie has no choice but to offer them a ride. The car is soon packed with luggage and awkwardness in the air.

Characters and relationships

The beauty of this book is it switches between Addie and Dylan's perspectives from past to present when they were in a relationship and what happened to now when they're heading on the road trip together. I really loved the break up of the storyline like that as not only did it add layers to the plot but it helped shape the characters even better and get a full understanding of who they are and why things happened.

I loved Addie, she had this relatable edge to her from the way she travelled to how she spoke and I connected with her thought process as the tale went on. Her relationship with her sister Deb had to be my favourite because you could tell how close they were as every page went on and that connection is the most important thing. Love was flying off the page, I could feel it. Deb is a free spirit and I adored her spunky and confident attitude and how she walked around being brutally honest.

Dylan had this insecure sense about him which prevailed throughout the whole of the novel and I liked how he was vulnerable in a way as it made him more real and human, not the perfect boy a romance novel is supposed to have. He was honest, likable, and ambitious. His best pal Marcus, I didn't like at all, he is big-headed and arrogant, but again, I think that stemmed from his insecurities and came out in a different way than Dylan's. Their bond was interesting but you can tell it was like a brotherly bond and nothing was going to change that.

My opinion of Dylan's and Addie's relationship changed as the novel went on and more was revealed by what actually happened between them, the good, the bad, and the big secret that ended it all. Their relationship was passionate and loving, and raw, something real that doesn't happen very often. And, as the pages went on, it was clear to me what the outcome should be for them both.

The funniest character was Rodney. At first, I thought it was a bit random to have him there but he really threw a humorous element into the novel. Rodney came along for the road trip as he needed a lift to the wedding and his strange ways and awkward nature made me laugh.

Overall thoughts

Overall, I loved this book in more ways and one. The characters made my heart swell and I felt part of their group as I read on and really related to many of them, especially Addie on a deeper level with what she went through. The plotline was also incredible as I love how it switched between the past and present, sharing how Addie and Dylan first met abroad in the passionate time of the summer to now, crammed in a car to Scotland. The different dynamic was written beautifully and effectively and I could have read on for days about what happened to them and their friends.

I would recommend this book to everyone, even if you aren't a fan of romances as this book is so much more than that. It has humour, friendship, travel, and touches on some important topics including therapy and sexual assault. I loved how the book was lighthearted but significant and honest all in one. 

Ending

I didn't know what to expect from the ending as my opinion changed as the book went on. However, I can say it ended on a satisfying note for every one of the characters in the novel and I closed the last page feeling content.

Love the sound of this book? You can pick up your copy here.

Have you enjoyed this review? Thank you for reading <3