Well hello to you my reader chums! Indonesia is a country that was full of surprises and I adored every minute of travelling around the country for three weeks. With its level of diversity from the countryside, islands, and cities to religious significance, there's plenty to see and learn. I'd happily jet off to Indonesia again and explore more of the island scene, its history and sights.

If you're planning a long trip to Indonesia and want to explore a diverse range of locations, here's my 3-week itinerary to Indonesia.

1/2 nights in Bali/ Nusa Lembongan

Any trip to Indonesia begins with Bali and this itinerary is no different. I flew into Bali and wanted to explore the other islands around it as well as the island itself. If you're coming from the UK it can be a long flight, whereas I was coming from the Philippines as part of my backpacking trip. I landed in Bali, late in the night and stayed in a hotel close by to the main airport. The next morning, I took a boat to one of the tiny islands Nusa Lembongan and spent the night there. 

Nusa Lembongan is a tiny island, yet the perfect place to soak up a taste of chilled island life, eat smoothie bowls, cycle around and see famous landmarks such as the Devil's Tears. It's a great base to start your time out in Indonesia as you can relax and ease yourself in for three weeks around the gorgeous country. Nusa Lembongan is also a popular day trip from eastern Bali as it's only a half-hour boat ride away.

3/4 nights in Ubud, Bali

Get the boat back from Nusa Lembongan to Bali, hire a taxi, and head up to Ubud. Ubud has to be my favourite part of Bali because it has that hipster, quirky appeal with DELICIOUS food places and endless things to see and do. 3-4 days is a good amount of time to see the main sights, slowly travel around, soak up the vibe and hit up the many restaurants. Like any place, you're more than welcome to spend longer in Ubud if you fall in love with it - I could have happily done so.

Ubud features the Monkey Forest, rice terraces, plenty of nature walks, markets and many historic temples you'll fall in love with. It's a place that just keeps on giving and has that familiar sense to it you'll fall in love with.

2/3 days in the Gili Islands OR stay in Bali

My plan altered when I was travelling due to Silent Day in Bali where everything shuts down on the island and I decided to visit the Gili Islands first before roaming around the rest of Bali. I have to admit I wasn't the biggest fan of the Gili Islands because it was overcrowded and overhyped and the damage to the reefs was pretty apparent. Despite that, I only properly saw Gili T and don't want to make assumptions about Gili Meno and Gili Air as people rave about those two islands more.

If you choose to visit the islands, 2-3 days is a great amount of time to lap up the beaches, go on a snorkelling tour, eat delicious brunches and spend as much time possible in the water. It's up to you which of the three islands you stay on and which you visit, depending on what you want to do.

2 nights in Labuan Bajo/Komodo Island

Saying goodbye to Bali is always a sad moment as I could easily spend more time on the island, however, it's your chance to see more of Indonesia. From Bali, fly to Labuan Bajo in preparation to do the Komodo Island tour. Komodo Island has to be one of my favourite experiences in Indonesia and a must-visit. You can do tours that span from a day to several nights long, depending on your budget and what you'd like to see. I flew into Labuan Bajo because many of the day tours begin there and 2 nights gave us a chance to rest up before the long tour, enjoy the tour and rest up that night before you explore more of Indonesia. 

2 nights in Malang

The next stop is heading over to Malang and whatever way you can go about it can be long. In hindsight, I wish I had done an internal flight rather than flying back to Bali and getting an 11-hour car ride to Malang (which ended up being 18 hours long). Like Labuan Bajo, I headed to Malang for a tour of the incredible Mount Bromo. I'm happy I booked 2 nights here because it gave me a chance to rest up before the midnight start of the tour and revel in the beauty of it. There's not loads else to Malang, however, you can visit the Jodipan village and embrace the local life of the city. I found Malang to be one of the cheapest places to eat in all of Indonesia.

4 nights in Yogykarta

Yogyakarta is the last stop on the trip before jetting home and a city I absolutely adored in many ways. As your last stop, 4 days is a solid amount of time to make yourself at home, see the sights, travel here and eat all the delicious food. The train journey from Malang to Yogyakarta is around 6 hours long and an easy route.

Thank you for reading <3

 Well hello to you my reader chums! Running a business is hard work and can be constant so it's a challenging thing to switch off. Whether thinking about your workload, money, networking or how to grow, being a business owner is constantly on my mind. Mental health is a priority to me as taking care of my mind, helps me feel more fulfilled, work productively and appreciate the business growth. 

If you're a business owner and need advice about your mental health, here are my tips on caring for your mental health as a business owner.

Set a schedule

I love organisation as it keeps my anxiety at bay and helps me understand my expectations for the day and week. Setting a schedule is vital in planning out your workload, whether you're a freelance marketing specialist like me or a photographer. I find it helps to book slots across the week and month for my retainers and block out time for projects, networking, admin and my own marketing. Then, I know what free time I have to take breaks, run errands and book in social plans. 

Book in regular breaks 

If you work all the time, you'll be burnt out and you won't work as productively. Booking in breaks allows your mind and body to rest, refresh and take care of you. When you've taken a break, you can start the day with fresh eyes, with a new perspective and motivation to work. Breaks can mean an hour in your day, an afternoon off every week, a week off here and there or even a sabbatical. Whatever break you need, make sure it's regular enough to help your mind.

Keep social personally and professionally 

Socialising can really help your mental health, especially when you're feeling low. Whether it's a friend, family or your partner, booking time with those who love you can boost you up, help you relax and enjoy your favourite things about life. It's also important to stay social professionally because it helps you connect with people on the same path as you and can also help build more opportunities.

Get out and about every day

You've probably heard it a million times but fresh air and exercise really are the key to a boost in your day. Whether it's only for ten minutes or for an hour, getting out and about will help you step away from the screen or focus on work. I love to take a stroll along the beach, through the town or any open spaces.

Create a nurturing lifestyle

Health is the most important thing to care for your mind and a nurturing life will help with that. Choosing the food and exercise which makes you feel good can shape a fulfilling and content every day. I love to start the day with pilates and a breakfast of delicious and filling foods that my body feels good after eating.

Don't overfill your workload

It's easy as a business owner to be constantly working or thinking about work and it makes it tempting to overfill your schedule. However, I'd always recommend not completely booking your schedule, leaving gaps for breaks and socialising. If you fill up your schedule too much, you'll likely burn out or resent your work.

Focus on the positives

I don't know about you but I struggle with the highs and lows as a freelancer because if it's a low period of work, the self-doubt comes in. I think about all the things I haven't done or achieved, rather than focus on everything I've achieved and my journey as a business owner. 

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

Thank you for reading <3

 Well hello to you my reader chums! Indonesia is one of the best countries I've visited and surprised me in exceptional ways. I fell in love with its nature scene, the beaches, the temples, the food and how every day, the sense of adventure, roaming around. I'm in awe of all the incredible experiences I had and cherish all my memories from 3 weeks in the country.

If you're planning a trip to Indonesia, whether it's long or short, here's everything to know before travelling to Indonesia. 

The weather is different across the country 

When it comes to any trip to Southeast Asia, you need to consider other tropical climates. There's no doubt, it'll always be warm in Indonesia, however, the country does have a dry and wet season. Generally, the dry season is from April to October and the monsoon season, November to March. Although Indonesia is such a large country, the seasons can be different, depending on what part of the country you're in, such as the west is different to the east.

Sort your visa 

Depending on where you're from in the world, check what your visa requirements are. As I'm from the UK, I was able to buy my visa to Indonesia on arrival for around £35 which gave me a 30-day entry into the country. 

Respect the diverse religions

Indonesia is pretty diverse in terms of religion, however, the majority of the country is Muslim. The country also recognises other religions such as Buddhism and Hinduism. With that in mind, you need to be respectful of the religions, dress modestly in more residential destinations and be wary of how you act.

There's more to Indonesia than Bali 

Bali is one of the most popular destinations for backpackers and a large reason why many go to Indonesia. However, I had the pleasure of travelling to Indonesia for 3 weeks, visiting more than just Bali. I fell in love with what was beyond the ultra-tourist path, such as Yogyakarta, Malang, Komodo Island, Nusa Lembongan and the Gili Islands, plus many other places to discover. There's no doubt I still adore every inch of Bali and the surfer, hipster vibe it has with the markets, rice fields, beaches, food and serene atmosphere.

Use Indonesian rupees

The currency in Indonesia is the Indonesian rupee. You can order the currency before you jet off to the country or buy it when you land at the airport. I would say, it's always best to have cash across the country, especially when you're outside of Bali. In Bali and the more popular destinations, you can use your card - but it's always best to have cash with you.

Indonesia is rather cheap (outside of Bali)

I was surprised about how cheap Indonesia was for food, transport and activities when I left Bali. Bali is still cheap but a lot pricier than other destinations in Indonesia, due to the tourist appeal. Some meals I could get for £1 or £2 and they'd be delicious. 

Indonesia is massive

I think many travellers go to Indonesia and think of Bali but the country has so much more than meets the eye. As I touched on in my other point, when jetting into Indonesia, ensure you plan more for your trip than island life in Bali. Whether you fancy a taste of the city, visit more off-the-beaten-path locations, learn more about the cuisine or see the quieter beach scene, there are plenty of destinations to choose from.

Travel with an open mind

The best thing about Indonesia is witnessing the natural wonders of its countryside, beaches and meeting the locals and tasting the Indonesian cuisine. The greatest memories come from discovering quaint streets, off-the-path restaurants and new people.

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

Thank you for reading <3

 Well hello to you my reader chums! I love a thriller as there's something about a quick-paced plot with suspense that I adore. I heard many people rave about the book Magpie and honestly, I didn't actually realise what it was about until I bought it - and I'm glad I did.

If you love psychological thrillers or a book which will constantly surprise you, here's my book review of Magpie by Elizabeth Day.

Plot

Magpie follows the life of Marissa when she meets Jake and everything falls into place. However, when their new lodger Kae arrives, everything changes. Marissa thinks something isn't right about her because of the way she acts, what she says or that she's constantly asking questions about the baby they're trying for. But maybe it's all in Marissa's head? That's what Jake thinks and she thinks she trusts him. Marissa is determined to discover what is wrong even if it costs her everything.

Characters and relationships

Marissa is the protagonist and the book starts out with her, honestly, I love her as a character at the start as she's painted like a regular woman with insecurities and problems. She talks about her traumatic experiences and past relationships, friends and how she meets Jake. Their relationship in my opinion seems rushed from the beginning and a bit suspicious as if they fell into it all a little quickly and she doesn't really know him or trust him in fact.

Jake seems like a nice and caring guy but as it's told from Marissa's perspective I can't really get a full grasp of him as a character. With Kate, Marissa doesn't seem to like her but in all honesty, it sounds like she's jealous of her and everything she stands for.

It's hard to talk about Jake and Kate in more detail as characters without giving away the plot, however, the more I learnt about the characters, the more who they are shaped up and I started to really dive into the plot.

Overall thoughts

Overall, despite being a little uncertain when the book began, once I got a grasp of what the plot was about, I gained a full perspective of the characters' personalities and how they played a role in the story. I would describe this plot as a psychological thriller, even though at first it sounded more like a dramatic story where Marissa is making out Jake is cheating on her with Kate.

The book covers many themes, such as infertility, pregnancy, mental illness, troubling family dynamics and traumatic experiences. With plenty of problematic issues woven throughout the plot, it adds plenty of depth and suspense - and made me gain another level of appreciation. 

The book overall was certainly a page-turner as I was keen to see which way the story turns and the next layer is uncovered. I'd highly recommend it if psychological plots intrigue you. 

Ending

I can't give away the ending, however, despite the tragic element of the plot, this book has a content and happy ending, leaving my mind at bay and wrapping everything up in a beautiful way. It also shares how the power of caring for people is the most amazing thing.

I hope you enjoyed this review. Which book is on your TBR pile?

Thank you for reading <3

 Well hello to you my reader chums! Health anxiety isn't something I talk about a lot online, however, I do struggle with it an awful lot and always have. It doesn't help these days with Instagram and TikTok and the many creators talking about their health in full depth, making me think about all the illnesses I could potentially have.

If you have health anxiety or suffer from hypochondria, here are some tips on how to deal with health anxiety.

Don't Google your symptoms

Google is your enemy with health anxiety. As soon as I feel like something it's wrong, I'll jump on Google and search it up and it always brings up the worst possible scenario and suddenly, I think I have a terrible illness and the panic begins. With that in mind, try and prevent the temptation of searching up your symptoms and instead if the issue is really bothering you, call up your doctors and make an appointment.

Avoid scrolling on social media

Lately, social media has been the WORST for my health anxiety. The algorithm just knows me and I end up getting videos popping up of people talking about their health issues, how to improve health or all the million things in the world which are making me ill. Due to this, I try and prevent scrolling on social media as much as I can, especially when my anxiety is high. And, if I notice I'm going down a black internet hole of health videos, I immediately try and stop myself from watching more and more videos. I only follow accounts that boost positivity rather than trigger my mind.

Reassure yourself that is your mind against you

I find this is the hardest thing to do, especially when my mind is spiralling and I can't control my thoughts. However, I have to really be strict with myself and constantly remind myself that it is just my mind spirallling, it's not real, my mind is just being my enemy. If this is you, repeat it as much as you need to or have a list of affirmations prepared at this moment to run through.

Talk to family and friends with your concerns

Health anxiety can be so isolating and you can feel very alone with your thoughts. I always think I sound overdramatic when I'm talking about it but I can assure you, you don't. Your friends and family are there to listen and help reassure you with any concerns you have. Confide in those you feel safe with to express your feelings and tell people how they can help, sometimes it may just be a listening ear.

Put in place coping mechanisms when you feel triggered

Everyone has trigger points and they're different for each person and it's important to learn what yours are as you can put coping mechanisms in place. Whether it's going for a walk, or journalling your thoughts to putting on a comfort TV show, whatever the coping strategy, practice it as much as possible to learn how it can help you feel better.

Pursue hobbies that make you feel good

A tip I used for general anxiety is pursuing hobbies that make you feel good. Anxiety can be a killer for self-esteem or feeling good about yourself. With that in mind, finding hobbies that spark joy can really help in moments when your mind is spiralling. I love to travel, bake, read, try new restaurants and beach walks. All of these bring a lot of joy and help keep my mind at bay when my health anxiety is triggered. 

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

Thank you for reading <3