Well, hello to you, my reader chums! I've had social media since I was a teenager, and back in the day, it was worlds away from what it is now. I don't envy teenagers today, and I can't imagine growing up with the influencer culture and TikTok world. I also work in social media and spend a lot of my time consuming online content, which isn't the healthiest, but I use my time mindfully, avoiding the negatives of social media.

If you're glued to social media like me, here are my thoughts on social media as a highlight reel.

 Well, hello to you, my reader chums! Buying your first home can feel impossible in today's market, and honestly, I have every sympathy for millennials (like me) and Gen Zers. With everything against you, unless you have the privilege of family support, a good wage or low-cost living, you may feel like you'll never buy a home.

I want to give some hope that it is possible. If you want to buy your first home, here are my best tips for securing that deposit. 

The Lifetime ISA

Saving for a first home is hard, and any help is a huge benefit. The Lifetime ISA on the Money Box app is a lifesaver, and I recommend everyone sign up for it. This ISA means that for every £4,000 you put in each year, you'll receive £1,000, which means you can save £5,000 each year! You can only use this ISA to buy a house, which is a benefit because it prevents you from taking out the money when you 'think' you need it.

Set a savings goal each month

Goals are key to saving money at a progressive rate. Everyone has a different income and amount of disposable income per month, which can fluctuate in how much you can save. You should create a monthly budget spreadsheet with all your outgoings and designate a chunk of that income to savings and disposable income. The savings part can all go towards the house, or there may be other things you're saving for, such as holidays and an emergency fund.

Be mindful of how you spend your money

When you create a budget spreadsheet, you'll be more aware of where your money is going. I'm not saying you need to completely restrict, but every time you spend, be wary of it, whether spending an obscene amount on a food shop, eating out too much or buying clothes you don't need. The spreadsheet will help you see how much of your money a month goes to the 'fun' things, whether that's eating out, a concert or a new item you'd like. Once you know the amount you can spend a month on this, it'll make it easier not to overspend.

Don't remove everything you love

Being on a savings journey doesn't mean you need to restrict everything. You deserve to enjoy the things you love whilst you save, just on a smaller scale. You can use that designated monthly budget to put towards the fun things, plan them out and have a set budget which will help you stay aligned with your financial goals and still enjoy what you love.

Understand that it can be a slow journey

Saving a huge amount of money can be a slow journey, especially if you have high outgoing expenses or a low monthly wage. It's a privilege to save quickly. Even though a slow journey, track your progress, celebrate the little wins and think about the end goal as it'll keep you motivated.

Earn an extra income

To top up your monthly savings, you can get another job or build a side hustle and use that money towards the house. Obviously, building a side hustle takes time, energy and skill, but the rewards can be great and add to your overall savings goals. You can sell clothes online, build up an online profile and work on affiliate marketing, sell digital projects or keep things offline, and get an evening job, such as a takeaway driver or bar job.

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

Thank you for reading <3

 Well, hello to you, my reader chums! Being in your twenties is a rollercoaster; it's a decade of learning who you are, starting a career, new relationships and friendships and travelling the world, it can seem like a minefield to figure out what you want in life.

The beauty of our twenties is that you can try and fail. The problem with your twenties is the constant feeling that you're behind. 

If you're feeling behind in your twenties, here is my guide to reassure you about living in your twenties. 

How to deal with feeling behind in your twenties

Know you can't be behind in your life

Everyone has a different life. You can't be behind in your own life. It's the silliest phrase that you're behind in your twenties. How can you be behind in your life? We all experience things at different stages. Some people get in relationships young, some have kids young, some travel young, and some buy houses. But you're not behind if you don't do those things in your twenties or ever. You can experience love later in life and buy a house whenever (if it's something you want to do).

Everyone is following their own path

The only path you need to be worried about is your own. We're all following our own paths and have different goals. You may want to build your career or business in your twenties or spend them travelling as much as possible. Or, you may want to spend that time working on self-development. Keep your eyes on that path, rather than those around you, because we all experience different things that change the course of our lives.

We all have different priorities

This goes hand in hand with everyone following their own path. We all have different priorities. Some people spend their twenties at university and further education. Some people are parents. Some people have changed through different career paths. Some love to travel. Some are just trying new things until they figure out what is right. We all have different priorities - focus on yours, not everyone else's.

You're not failing

Repeat after me: You are not a failure. You may feel behind or sad that your friends are doing 'better' things, but it doesn't mean you're a failure. Keep trying. Keep failing. You'll find the right path for you.

It's your first decade of adulthood

Before your twenties, you are a child, in education, most likely. You haven't even seen or experienced the working world. Give yourself a break; it's your first decade living as an adult and doing adult things. 

I hope you enjoyed this post. 

 Well, hello to you, my reader chums! Failure is a terrifying thought, and often why many of us don't try something new or put ourselves out there. I've failed time and time again, and as much as it feels awful, it has taught me many lessons and made me feel more courageous and daring to try new things.

We don't always have to be good at everything; remember that.

If you're keen to try something new or fear failure, here's my guide on learning that it's okay to fail.

What is failure?

Simply, it's the lack of success in a desired outcome or goal. Failure can be seen as not getting the grade you want, not achieving your personal best, not getting your dream job or being rejected by an agent. Failure is an uncomfortable experience, and we don't want to have it as it doesn't feel good; in fact, it can make us feel insecure or low.

How to learn it's okay to fail

 The slow life. The peaceful life.

Seagulls and birds chirping every morning. The sound of the waves wherever I go.

Living by the sea is everything, a dream and all I've ever known. 

The coastal breeze, the endless 99s, sandy toes, the lingering smell of seaweed.

Mornings spent on the sands, watching the sunrise, lapping up that vitamin D.

The peaks of summer afternoons. Laughing children. Talking adults. Sandcastles everywhere. The cracks of can openings, the spritz of suncream. The pages of the book are turning. The endless waves, ebbing in and out of the shore. The sounds of the seaside are nostalgic.

The sunsets at the beach hit differently. Year-round, on a clear day, the colours of the sky are everything. Red. Orange. Pink. Purple. The joy of colour and magic as the sunset paints the beach every night. 

Living by the seaside is a joy all year round. The summer peak is underway for a hot minute. But the magic is during the quieter time when the beach is all mine. The tourists and day trippers leave, and my seaside town is mine again. I can roam on beaches and feel free with few people. The peacefulness of the waves is mine and mine alone.

The swishing of the water is more aggressive in the off-season, as it feels every season. The chillier air, the cold ears and hot chocolates. I love the power of the waves, the smiles from locals and the peace I feel at the beach.

Living by the sea has shaped me. Living by the sea has given me peace, freedom and joy in nature and the wonders it can bring to my daily life. 

 Well, hello to you, my reader chums! Folkestone is a creative and colourful seaside town in Kent, England. I'm in love with Folkestone and over the last few years, it has become increasingly popular with Londoners and other tourists for its art scene, cool Harbour Arm area and quirky shops.

If you're planning a seaside break for the weekend in Folkestone, here is my guide on what to see and do in the coastal town.

What to see and do

The Leas

The Leas is one of my favourite areas of Folkestone because it's peaceful, has lots of green space and many things to do. You can have a stroll along the Leas and enjoy the views of the seaside and Harbour Arm, listen to music at the bandstand, have a picnic,  and soak up the summer sunshine or make use of seasonal events.  

The Leas has easy access to the beach, town and Harbour Arm as there are designated paths, such as the zig-zag path, to reach the key destinations.

Harbour Arm/Goods Yard Market 

As Folkestone's main attraction, you'll fall in love with the Harbour Arm. It's a destination with more than meets the eye and endless things you can do for all ages. There's the Goods Yard Market, which offers various food vendors, local artists and shops selling their work and the big screen, which shows films and sporting events throughout the year, especially in summer. The Goods Yard also offers live music regularly.

The Harbour Arm has other cafes, bars and restaurants along the arm, mini golf, an interactive darts venue (The Board Room), and is an ideal spot for a walk onto the beach.

Creative Quarter

Right next to the Harbour Arm is the Creative Quarter, a hub for creative shops. It's a colourful strip with cafes and something for everyone, including art prints, vinyls, cakes, toys, organic foods and much more. You can spend a while mooching in the shops, supporting local vendors and taking home a souvenir.

Explore the beaches

As a coastal town, you can't miss the beaches in Folkestone. Folkestone has a few beaches to wander along, enjoy a picnic, swim in the sea and have an ice cream. If you prefer sandy beaches, there's also Sunny Sands.

Walk to Sandgate

Sandgate is a gorgeous village in Folkestone, and a charming walk from the main hub of Folkestone. You can enjoy the pebbled beaches as you walk into Sandgate. The village has many cafes, delis, furniture shops, and other places to eat.

Visit Hythe 

Hythe is Folkestone's quieter sister and well worth a visit on your weekend away. The beach in Hythe is massive and the town has cute shops, independent restaurants and cafes. It's also home to a gorgeous canal area where you can enjoy a peaceful stroll, have a picnic and hire rowing boats in the summer.

Book a show at The Leas Cliff Hall or Quarter House

Folkestone is a hub for art, including theatre shows, music and comedy. The two best venues include The Leas Cliff Hall and the Quarter House, which host seasonal events and shows all year round.

Visit the Folkestone Bookshop

I adore books and love to support independent bookshops where I can, and my favourite is the Folkestone Bookshop. Located on Tontine Street, behind the Creative Quarter, it's a hub for all your book needs with a reading room.

Where to eat

Restaurant recommendations: Marley's, El Cortador, Sotirios Bar & Restaurant, Dr Legumes, The Harbour Inn, Annapurna Nepalese Restaurant, Viet Street, Luben's, Burrito Buoy and The Radnor Arms.

Cafe recommendations: Yoke, Okay Folke, Steep Street, Brew, Orchard Lane, Sailbox, Harbour Coffee and Panataria.

Pubs and bars recommendations: Brewing Brothers, The Beer Shop, Cabron, The Radnor Arms, The Pullman, The Pilot Bar, The Blind Pig and Blackmarket.

I hope you enjoyed this post. When are you planning a trip to Folkestone?

Thank you for reading <3

Use Property Websites

Factor in Repairs & Maintenance

Have a Narrow Search Area

Be Ready to Buy Fast

 Well, hello to you, my reader chums! I know I'm now pushing 30, as I've fallen in love with nature more. I've always been wowed by the beauty of nature, the countryside, our beaches and the incredible natural landforms I've seen whilst travelling, yet as I'm getting older, it's becoming more profound to me.

I want to be present more, with the outdoors, listen to what's around me with no distractions and explore more of the countryside. 

If you're a nature lover or need to get outside more, here are my tips on prioritising and appreciating nature.

Leave the distractions at home on a walk

It's so easy and I do this a lot to use distractions when we're out and about on a walk or exploring any form of nature, whether listening to music or scrolling on our phones. When we do this, we tune out from the natural sounds of the birds, the wind in the trees and the waves of the water. Challenge yourself to leave those distractions at home and go out on a walk, and be present in what's around you. It can help you think clearly, come up with new ideas, reflect and be grateful for your surroundings. 

Get outside at least once a day

As a generation, we spend more time indoors than ever, with many people working online, going to the gym and having indoor hobbies. Some days, many of us don't spend much time outside. I challenge you to get outside at least once a day (the more times, the better). This could be for a walk, having your lunch outside, a run or reading a book. 

Research local countryside walks near you or plan a day trip

You'll be amazed at what's on your doorstep. I'm blessed that we have the countryside near where I live, but also amazing walks within an hour's drive. Research and book in time to do local walks to explore local nature, and see the wildlife, plants and beauty you can find. It can make for a lovely day out and show you what's around you.

Go sea swimming

I love to swim in the sea when it's warm; there's something freeing about it. If you have a beach near you, make the most of swimming in the sea or plan a day trip to nearby seaside towns where you can do that. If you're brave enough, you can swim in winter too!

Walk barefoot more in rural areas

This may sound a little hippy, but I love the feeling of not wearing shoes, especially when I'm at the beach or in the countryside where there's lots of grass. If you're having a picnic in the park or a beach day, take your shoes off and let your toes experience that relaxing feeling.

Have phone-free moments when out and about

It's sad how we're all so addicted to our phones, and I annoy myself constantly that I use it so much. Prioritise times in your day and week when you aren't on your phone when out and about, helping you be more present in your surroundings.

Explore in all weathers

I used to be that person who only wanted to go on a lovely, long walk when the weather was nice and sunny. However, I'm getting better at exploring in all weathers. The key is to be prepared for the weather, as it'll make the adventure more comfortable.

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

Thank you for reading <3

 Well hello to you, my reader chums! Last year, I read nearly 30 books, and I'm aiming to keep to the goal this year as I loved that I could dive into the world of that many stories. My favourite types of books are crime thrillers, murder mysteries and historical fiction, with the occasional romance or non-fiction thrown in.

If you're looking for book recommendations, here are the best books I've read this year. 

The Wrong Sister  by Claire Douglas

This book follows two sisters, Tasha and Alice. Tasha is married to her childhood sweetheart and lives in a suburb with their twins, and she has always felt in the shadow of her older sister. Alice has a different lifestyle, married to a wealthy entrepreneur with a high-flying career. She realised Tasha was struggling with money and losing her identity and offered a life swap for a week, where Tasha and her husband could stay at their holiday home whilst Alice and her husband watched their children. Things go wrong, and Tasha receives a phone call that Alice is in hospital and Alice's husband is dead after a break-in. They think it's a burglary gone wrong until a note lands in the letterbox.

I adored this book for many reasons. I loved learning about the complexities of the sisters' relationship, and how much they care and value each other despite their differences. However, the best part was the incredible number of twists and turns. At one point, I thought I solved the mystery, and then the author added more layers and characters, including the knowledge their younger sister went missing as a baby.  

The Help by Kathryn Stockett

The Help is a classic novel following the lives of three ordinary women. Skeeter has returned home from university, and her mother is insistent on her finding a husband. She would usually chat with Constantine, the woman who raised her, but she has disappeared, and nobody will tell her why. Skeeter has the idea to tell the stories of 'The Help' in a novel, and two brave women, Aibileen and Minnie, share their experiences alongside other maids to start a movement and change how everyone views each other. 

I wanted to read this book for a long time, especially as I saw the film many years ago. This novel was a 5/5 read and a book which moved me, inspired by the lives of these women, mistreated and segregated due to the colour of their skin. I loved learning about each character's journey, and the delivery of the tale was pure genius.

The Audacity by Katherine Ryan 

I'm a massive Katherine Ryan fan because I admire her confidence, defiance and bold persona. This book highlighted that energy, sharing her life story, journey and many life lessons that gave her the confidence and freedom to express her honest opinion today. I loved this book because it shared how to have that self-assurance, how we all deserve to love and celebrate ourselves and that not caring too much about what people think is the best way forward to be happy.

The Last Flight by Julia Clark

This novel shares the lives of two women with two completely different lives. Claire Cook seems to have a perfect life, married to a politician and living this fancy lifestyle, but life is not what it seems. Her husband has a temper, and his staff tracks Claire's every move. Claire has spent months planning to vanish, and luckily, at the airport, she meets Eva, and the two of them decide to trade plane tickets. However, when the flight Eva got on crashed, Claire had to assume Eva's identity and the secrets Eva had taken so long to hide.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book because it shared the vulnerability and rawness of two women in a difficult and hard-to-get-out-of situation and what they had to do to save themselves. It's a challenging read, but that adds to the book's addictive nature and hope that both characters end up okay. This book is fast-paced, with lots of loopholes I didn't expect.

So As Long As You Write: Women on Writing by Kerry Ryan

This book was an uplifting and highlight moment for women as it shares many fiction pieces from different women, explaining honest experiences and life events in short stories or poems. I loved reading the diversity of voices in this book, including the author who compiled all the pieces together, Kerry Ryan. Between the stories, there's also honest and actionable advice for budding writers and those looking to make it in the industry, which I found very helpful.

I hope you enjoyed this post. What's your favourite book of the year so far?

Thank you for reading <3

 Friends. Besties. Unbiological siblings. Friendship is everything.

Friends are there because they choose to be in our lives, our chosen families; those we decide to share life's greatest and most tragic moments with. Friendship paves our path, supports our choices and lifts us up when we need it.

Finding good friends isn't easy. The type of friends who stay around no matter what, are there to cheer you on, wipe a tear and support you through the biggest life changes. If you are lucky to find a true friend, the beauty of life gets better and better.

What does friendship mean to me?

Friendship has evolved as I've grown older. As a teenager, it was about finding people who listened, understood you and still wanted to hang out even if you weren't cool and weren't doing 'cool things'. Friendship was about fangirling over favourite boybands and celebrities, sharing the stresses of exams and having sleepovers, playing games and eating as much chocolate until our stomachs hurt.

When I became an adult, I thought friendship was the same, but it grew harder, harder to maintain. It's easy to stay friends and have fun with someone every day when you know you have to see them at school. In the adult world, life isn't that simple. Friends change; you meet new people and connect with others older and younger than you in the workplace, when travelling and at events. You learn and discover more about who you are through others' eyes and in your world.

Friendship breakups happen. You distance yourself from certain people as life gets too busy, priorities change, and you no longer want the same things. Things aren't easy, they're different, that's all.

Real friends make plans and stick around even when you move away from your small home town of all you've ever known. They continue to message you when you get into a relationship or backpack around the world. They make plans, dinners out, brunches, holidays and weekly calls. Friendship is easy for the ones who choose to stay in your life.

Friendship is joy, creating fun memories and crying with laughter; it's finding the people who match your energy and elevate you. Friendship means being your true self and not feeling embarrassed about it, it's feeling understood, seen and valued for who you are. It's about showing up, being present and making the other person feel empowered when they're with you.

What friendship truly means is having people by my side to do life with, to sing our hearts out to our favourite songs, dance the night away, cry at our favourite films, go on road trips, chat until the sun goes down and do the wild things that make life ever so magical.

I'm blessed for the long-term friends I have and for the new friends who come into my life, adding their shine and joy, making my daily life a pleasure.

Friendship is connection, family, love and wonder. It's knowing, you'll never be alone.

 Well hello to you, my reader chums! A morning routine has revolutionised my life and made me more motivated, focused and refreshed as I start each day. I've seen many people talk about the 5am club and long lists of things to do in the morning, and that's not what I mean by a normal routine. My version of a morning routine is doing three things to make you feel joy and to start your day off right.

What do I include in a morning routine?

A morning routine means making choices that make you feel positive and good in your body, and start your day off in the best direction.

Something fun 

Everyone has something that can bring them joy first thing, whether it's a book, journal, music or a lovely coffee. I always pick up my book on my bedside table when I wake up, as it's better than choosing my phone and means the first thing I do is an activity that makes me happy: reading. Choose your fun thing; you could also be a reader like me, or want to start the day with your favourite playlist. 

Everyone has various amounts of time for a morning routine. Depending on when I wake up, I usually read for about 15 minutes to 30 minutes.

Movement

Movement is key to waking your mind and body up. Some people don't enjoy exercise, but movement doesn't necessarily mean joining the gym. Movement can be whatever is accessible for you and your body, such as a walk, dance routine, Pilates or yoga, a run, and the gym is another option. Getting your body in the right flow will alert you and help boost your endorphins overall. 

I change my movement based on how my body is feeling that day. My weekly goal is going to the gym 3 times, running once a week and the other days, either Pilates/stretching or walking.

Good food

Breakfast is incredibly important, as how will you begin your day without fuel, especially after some type of exercise? Eat what feels good for you and your body, as we all have breakfast preferences. I usually go for scrambled eggs on sourdough with sunflower seeds or a yoghurt bowl with granola, seeds and fruit. It's best to pick an option that's nutrient dense, including fibre and protein, and a drink of water to go with!

The benefits of a morning routine 

• Starts your day on a positive note
• Gives you direction for your morning
• Can boost your mind on dreary days
• It's simple enough to change based on how you're feeling
• It'll boost your overall mental health and perspective in the morning
• Increase your energy and productivity
• Help with stress management and  support better sleep patterns
• Make you look forward to the mornings, especially if you're not a morning person.

 Well hello to you, my reader chums! I'm shocked that I've been typing away at this blog for 12 years; that's my biggest commitment. My blog is the greatest gift my younger self ever gave me, and I'll always be thankful to 16-year-old me for signing up to Blogger and creating Della Loves Nutella.

When I was that young, I never knew what this blog would become. All I knew at 16 was I wanted to be a writer, and blogging was a popular thing to do, so I created mine. And, 12 years later, I'm still typing my thoughts away on my internet space, with more knowledge and life experience than at the beginning.

Stopping this blog was never an option, as I've loved it for so long. This blog has been the heart of my marketing career, helping me create blog posts, learn about SEO, develop skills around influencer marketing and social media, and build an online profile for myself. Granted, over the last few years, I've stepped away from that profile; this blog is now a space where I continue what I set out to do: share my personal experiences, advice and tips to hopefully help others.

Why do I still blog?

I debate this a lot because my audience is different from what it used to be; blogging has lost its popularity, and long-form content has certainly altered since AI came into play, but it's not stopped me.

I never set out to build a massive audience or become what we now call a 'content creator'. I blogged because I love to do it. I love to write and share my thoughts, experiences and words. It's a blessing and a privilege to me that I'm able to do that and have people who still read those words to this day.

I blog because I love to learn, develop my skills, and share advice and help for others, whether they're reading my more personal posts or interested in a travel guide I've shared. I blog because researching, writing, and editing are my favourite things to do; they bring me joy every day.

I'm lucky enough that as a freelance writer, I do write for a living; I work on people's websites, blogs and social media platforms, sharing gorgeous words and captivating stories with their audience. Without this blog, I wouldn't even have realised that's what I wanted to do or know that type of job existed. I always wanted to be a book writer, but didn't know content writing was a thing at 16. I thought you had to be a journalist and write about the news. Blogging has opened my world for the last 12 years, and it keeps on giving.

I've been lucky to receive PR mail and collaborate with other bloggers. I've been blessed to attend certain blogging events, meet like-minded people, and share my honest thoughts.

Reflecting in April every year is a gift. I've read many blogs over the years, and only a few people started their blogs at the same time as mine.

Thank you to anyone over the years who has read my blog, shared a nice comment or connected with me; it truly means the world. My teenage self would never have imagined the kindness I've received online and how blogging brought opportunities in my adult life.

Here's to the next 12 years and many more of Della Loves Nutella!

I hope you enjoyed this post. How long have you been reading my blog for?

Thank you for reading <3