Well, hello to you, my reader chums! I've always had a mixed view on networking events, as some are a lot of fun with the right vibe, some are boring and traditional, and don't feel very welcoming. As a business owner, I wanted to set up my own event, which aligns with what I wanted from an event: non-cringey networking, good food, great vibes and workshops to add value to the room.

 Well, hello to you, my reader chums! Buying a house is a long process, one that takes a lot of preparation, saving, and what feels right for you. Going through this process is different for everyone, as sometimes, it can be quite quick, and most of the time, it can take a very long time from accepting the offer to completing on the house. 

If you're in the process of buying your first house, it can be daunting and uncertain. This guide shares some of the things I wish I knew before buying my first house.

Don't expect it to be a fast process

Every house-buying journey is different, as you can be held up by the number of houses in the selling chain, solicitors, and whether there's a new build in the mix. You'll have to consider several factors that can slow down the process. When someone says it can take 3 months, for example, take that with a pinch of salt, because there's always some factor that can delay the process.

There will be unexpected costs 

I wasn't aware of all the costs before entering the house-buying process. I was aware of the deposit, survey and mortgage advisors, but not of other costs and how much they would all be. The costs aside from the deposit include the mortgage advisor, solicitor, surveyor, mortgage application fees, removal vans and insurances, such as building, life and income protection. You'll also want to have some money to furnish or renovate the house, whether you're moving into a doer-upper or a new build.

You'll need to be prepared that things can get delayed or go wrong

Buying a house isn't all rosy and fun, and they say it's the most stressful experience for a reason. You'll need to be prepared that things can go wrong; people in the chain can pull out, a huge issue can be picked up in the survey, or there may be a really long delay with completion.  

A survey shows every worst-case scenario

When you receive the house survey for the first time, it may seem a little shocking and worrying. It's usually an incredibly long document, stating everything about the house, including possible issues that need fixing soon or huge, significant issues that can be quite costly, such as structural damage to the property. It's likely you'll have minor things come up, but bigger problems are rarer. With that in mind, take it with a pinch of salt, because you may not need to fix the problems as soon as they say - the surveyors have to cover everything that could potentially go wrong.

A mortgage advisor helps you get the best possible deal

Our mortgage advisor has been incredible throughout the house-buying process, answering anything we didn't understand or were uncertain about. The mortgage advisor will help you with the mortgage application, see the amount you're able to borrow and apply for the mortgage offer for you. They'll be the ones to have contact with the mortgage provider and can reapply if the mortgage fees improve.

The amount of money you can borrow is based on your earnings

Everyone can borrow a different amount of money towards their mortgage, and this is linked to their annual earnings. Your mortgage advisor will do the affordability application for you, advising how much you can potentially afford. I would recommend that you borrow under what you're able to afford, as that'll make your mortgage payments lower and mean less of a deposit. 

Create an emergency fund

There are lots of unexpected costs when buying a house, including furnishing the house and decorating it. Building an emergency fund can help towards the decoration, furnishings, mortgage payments, overpaying the mortgage and any potential issues you'll want to sort when you move in, like replacing the boiler and changing the locks.

The first mortgage payment can cost more

The first mortgage payment can be higher than your ongoing monthly payment because it'll include interest from the date the mortgage provider released the funds, up to the end of the month, plus your payment for the following month.

Knowing it's the right house is a feeling

You'll probably visit a few houses before you find the right one. Don't expect the first house you see to be the one you buy. The more you see, the more you'll figure out what you want in a house and what you don't.

I hope you enjoyed this post. When are you buying your first home?

Thank you for reading <3

 Well, hello to you, my reader chums! In the business world, everything is busy; you're either doing client work, admin, marketing, accounts, networking, or generally thinking of ways to improve your business and maintain a good workflow. 

It is exhausting and busy, but incredibly worth it overall. However, even though running a business is busy, it doesn't mean you should fall into the burnout trap or be working 24/7. In fact, overworking and overdoing it are going to have a detrimental effect on your mental health and business. 

I've always been bad at resting, as it doesn't naturally come to me, but over the last year, I've tried to embrace it more personally and professionally. Here's why slowing down is important as a business owner and the benefits it has.

Recharging and resetting mean better outcomes

Your phone needs to be charged every night, and so do you. You wouldn't expect the phone to keep running and working when it runs out of battery - and why are you expecting yourself to keep going when you need a rest? Recharging and resetting is one of the most important things we can do as business owners, whether it's having set times to turn off your computer, having an unwinding evening routine or taking regular breaks. You must find moments in your day and week where you can reset and recharge to be fully present in your work.

With a clearer and refreshed mind, you can make better decisions, foster creativity, feel more productive and enjoy your work. You can give a better version of yourself to managing clients, employees and everything in between.

You can focus on the important things

Running a business is a lot of work, and you can't always focus on everything at the same time. Slowing down can help you plan a more manageable schedule where you focus on the more important things, whether that's big projects or breaking down your workload throughout the week, rather than cramming everything into one day. It gives you time and space to be mindful about how you want to work, when and what feels right for you.

You'll enjoy your work-life balance a lot more

You started a business to enjoy working, and that's what you should be doing. If you're constantly on the go, you're not pausing and enjoying what you set out to do in the first place. Slowing down means you can enjoy the work you're doing, what you've achieved and that work-life balance, ensuring you're living your life and working how it suits you. 

You'll feel better in yourself and about daily life

This point is the most important - by slowing down, you'll feel better overall about life and your work, as it gives you more reflection time to understand what is most important to you. You'll start to listen to your body more and appreciate what it needs, taking those restful moments and going with that flow rather than forcing yourself to do things you can't do.

You'll appreciate the little moments rather than focusing on big achievements

Life is a series of a million little moments, and the big moments are the few in between. We spend a lot of time focusing on the big goals and large achievements, rather than the everyday wins, the yes moments and the journey. Slowing down helps you embrace just that; you'll start congratulating yourself more, practising gratitude and having a better appreciation for life.

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

Thank you for reading <3

 Well, hello to you, my reader chums! I've always wanted to run my own business. Ever since I was little, I have never liked the idea of having a boss and climbing the career ladder. I loved the thought of building my own business, having the flexibility and voice to run my life how I'd like it.

Running a business is a privilege, and even though it's hard at times, there are a million reasons why I love my business.

We all go through ups and downs, but sometimes the smallest shifts in daily life can make the biggest difference to how you feel. You don’t always need a full life overhaul to improve your mental health. Often it’s about finding simple changes that fit into your routine and actually stick. If you’ve been feeling a little off and want to take better care of yourself, these ideas might be just what you need.

This blog post is a contributed post, written by another author.

Sleep

Movement

Nutrition

Stress relief

Social connections

Fresh air

Comfort zones have their uses. They keep life predictable, steady, and organised. But after a while, that predictability can start to feel like a loop. Daily routines take shape, and most people rarely move outside the same grid of streets, shops, and workplaces. The open road offers a different rhythm. It’s about shifting perspective, one mile at a time.

The Geography of Familiarity

Roads as a Framework for Learning

Social Dimensions of Travel

Vehicles as Enablers of Transition

Psychological Shifts Linked to Distance

Integration into Daily Life

Well, hello to you, my reader chums! I've always been that person who has the get-up-and-go to start the project I've been wanting to do for a while. However, there have been times when I've doubted myself, waited too long to start or questioned whether I'm good enough to give it a go.

If you're thinking of starting a new business, a project or a hobby, here's my advice on how to just do it and make your dreams a reality.

Come up with the idea and map out a rough plan

Everyone has an idea that they're passionate about, whether it's starting a networking event, a side hustle or a new hobby. The best way to begin with any project is brainstorming the idea, the weight of it and coming up with a rough plan. Not everything needs as much planning as you think, and sometimes it's better to start and give it your heart than plan too much and walk away from it.

Decide on the best action plan

When you have your rough idea and plan, you can decide on the next steps to make it a reality. This could be setting up a social media profile, networking at events to build connections, creating an email list or a website. All types of marketing are essenital to work on your idea, but depending on your target audience and your niche will determine the best action plan.

Avoid overthinking it too much

At this point, many people overthink the idea and the action plan, and that's where you're going wrong. If you came up with the idea and have a plan, it has weight in it. You don't need to overthink it. Overthinking any idea will stop you from sharing it with the world and achieving your success. Talk yourself up about what could go right instead of wrong.

Set a launch date/build a profile

With a plan in place, you can come up with a launch date and build up your profile, sharing what you're all about, finding your audience and getting people excited for the project you're launching. The more you share, the more likely you'll get a better reception.

Just do it - and figure out what works and what doesn't 

A launch date, an idea and a plan - it's time to press live. Just post the plan, project or business. Once you've put it out there, you can see where it lands. And, figure out what works, what doesn't and what you need to change.

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

Thank you for reading <3

 Well, hello to you, my reader chums! I'm incredibly grateful I've spent my twenties travelling the world, exploring new places, including two backpacking trips, city breaks and longer holidays to see multiple places in one trip. 

Travelling is part of my soul and something I never want to stop; I'd love to be able to keep adventuring until I'm old and grey, making memories with loved ones.

If you're planning a holiday and unsure where to go, here are the best countries I've travelled to that I'd revisit again and again.

Sri Lanka

Canada

My road trip in Canada was an experience I'll never forget. The landscapes and mountainous scenery didn't look real, and I don't understand how lucky I am to have experienced it all. I took a road trip across Alberta and British Columbia, visiting Banff, Canmore, Jasper and Golden and soaking up the beauty along the way. Beforehand, I also visited Toronto and took Niagara Falls off my bucket list. 

Why do I want to visit again? I've never felt more at peace than in the surroundings of Alberta. Banff National Park had to be my favourite, especially Lake Louise, Moraine Lake, hiking to Lake Agnes, Johnston Canyon, Bow Falls, Banff Town and Canmore. Driving throughout Banff National Park was a dream where I didn't want to miss a second of the views. Beyond that, driving through Jasper National Park and Yoho National Park was just as gorgeous and magical.

Thailand

Thailand is a country I have visited multiple times and would love to revisit again. There's something magical about Thailand; it's called the 'Land of Smiles' for a reason. I have many gorgeous memories of Thailand from the two times I've visited, one time for 5 weeks and another for a week's trip. Thailand has plenty of beautiful islands with clear waters and incredible scenery, such as Koh Lanta, Koh Lipe, Koh Tao and Koh Samui. Each island has its unique appeal, whether you'd prefer a party holiday, pure relaxation or watersports, such as snorkelling and scuba diving.

Aside from the gorgeous beach and island scene, Thailand has some of the very best foods, including curries, noodle dishes and rice meals. I also adored the cities, their beautiful temples and learning more about Thai history and their culture. 

Indonesia

I absolutely fell in love with Indonesia, more than I expected to, and I'm not only talking about Bali. Many people only visit Bali on their trip to the country, but there's so much more to the country than one island. Indonesia boasts diversity in terms of religion, historical sights, island cuisine and mountainous territory. 

Italy 

Italy is my favourite country and my most-visited country, and I had to include it in this list. It's hard to describe why I love Italy as it has been my obsession since I was a little girl and part of my heritage. There's much joy in Italy to explore, from the delicious food scene stretching from north to south, whether you love Bolognese, cured meats and tortellini to arrancini and pizza down south. It's the land of delicious, fresh food made from the heart. 

Italy has plenty to explore and variety across the country, from gorgeous cities to explore with their cobbled streets and old, historic buildings, lakes and mountainous towns with scenery you'll fall in love with and coastal towns with a charm like no other and picturesque scenery. I've visited 7 times across the country, but there are plenty of locations I'd see again, such as Lake Maggiore, Tuscany and Bologna. 

Switzerland 

Love chocolate and cheese? Switzerland is the land for you. I only ever heard positive things about Switzerland, and I'm happy to confirm it lives up to every positive review. The mountainous and lake towns, especially, are a gem to visit with scenery I could only dream of, matching the beauty of Canada's national parks. I fell in love with Spiez and Brienz and felt lucky to go up Mount Niesen. 

Zurich was also a massive surprise with its appeal, chocolate shops everywhere and delicious cheese fondue! The perfect place to eat as much as possible.

Vietnam 

I've visited Vietnam twice and I'm obsessed with the country for multiple reasons: the food, the diverse scenery, the history and the feel of the country. I can't explain why or how I love Vietnam, but there's something about it which is special to me. The rush of Hanoi, the quietness and gorgeous rice fields of Mai Chau, the beauty of Cat Ba Island and Halong Bay, boat tours in Tam Coc and quaint ambience of Hoi An. 

I could mooch and explore Vietnam forever, especially eat my way around it, with the banh mi, pho, rice pancakes, noodle dishes and curries. I'd love to roam around the wild streets of Hanoi, cycle around Hoi An, watch the mountainous view in Halong Bay and cycle along the peaceful rice fields.

Malaysia 

Malaysia is a country that surprised me on many levels. As it borders Thailand, I assumed the culture would be very similar; however, I couldn't be more shocked at the diversity. Malaysia's culture was diverse in terms of religion, history and food scene. Kuala Lumpur with its iconic skyscrapers, city appeal and noteworthy Batu Caves, Cameron Highlands with its hiking experiences and tea plantations, the national park in Penang and the calmness of Langkawi and the beaches.

Croatia 

I adored everything about Croatia, and I wish I could revisit to see more of the country. I've only seen Dubrovnik, and the capital was a gorgeous, historic city with plenty to see and relax on the many beaches. I loved the food, the vibes, the clear waters and the general peace - and I'd love to see more of Croatia's islands.

I hope you enjoyed this post. Which countries would you revisit?

Thank you for reading <3

 Well, hello to you, my reader chums! Summer is my season; I love the hot weather, longer days, and the freedom that comes with it. In summer, I feel motivated to do lots of new or my favourite things outside. Wherever you live, summer changes people; you either have the people who relish in the warmth and activities, or try and look for shade and enjoy quiet time. 

Whatever summer is to you, here are some of my favourite activities you can do in the summertime. 

Swimming in the sea

I'm a beach baby; I grew up by the sea and I love nothing more than spending all day at the beach and the evenings too, especially in the summertime. I have to admit I only swim in the sea during summer, as I'm a massive wimp when the water is too cold. Swim to your heart's desire in the summer, whether it's a morning, beach day or sunset dip.

Picnics everywhere

There's no better joy than packing a picnic and heading out for an adventure that day. I love the homely feel of packing a picnic and choosing a fun destination for the day, whether that's your local park or a day trip to the countryside. Picnics are something you could plan as much as you like, and with as many people.

Hikes in your local area

I love a good hike, especially exploring somewhere new. I do go on hikes in the other seasons; however, they hit differently in the summer as you can enjoy a pub garden or ice cream afterwards and lap up the sunshine as you go. Hikes can be whatever you wish, whether it's an all-day thing or a morning stroll somewhere new. 

Day trips to historic attractions 

One of the best things about the UK is the level of historic attractions to explore, especially with the National Trust and English Heritage. All of these sites can be explored whenever, but during peak blue sky times, they are even more gorgeous, and you can enjoy the outside even more.

Sunset beach evenings

I'm a sucker for a sunset. I could watch the sunset every single night, as it's my favourite time of day, especially in the summer. There's something magical about watching the different colours light up the sky and bidding goodbye to another great day. Sunset beach evenings add to the magic, as you can enjoy your dinner, go for a dip in the sea and wrap up as the air gets cooler.

All the water fun 

When we finally experience some sun in the UK, appreciating the joy of water is everything. Outdoor aqua parks, swimming pools, and paddling pools in your own garden - there's nothing better than cooling down.

All your indoor activities outside

Winter is full of activities. The best thing about summer is that you can do them outside. From painting, crafting, picnics, games, to sports, like yoga and pilates. Embrace the joy of the outside as much as you can in the summer.

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

Thank you for reading <3

 Well, hello to you, my reader chums! Having good friends is one of life's greatest gifts; however, as I've grown, I've realised what friendship really means, how it changes and truly, who I want in my life.

If you're unsure about friendships in your twenties or looking to find new friends, here are the friendship lessons I've learned in my twenties.

Life is busy

As I've gotten older, life has grown busier for me and all of my friends. That's normal and okay. I do miss the freedom of my early twenties and how we lived out of each other's pockets and saw each other all the time; however, understanding how busy everyone is is the key to not feeling disappointed and sad. When you do make plans, that feeling is even more magical, and the beauty of the internet is that everyone is always a text away.

You're not always the same level of priority

This was a hard pill to swallow. Just because you rank someone so high in your priority list, it doesn't mean they will do the same with you. Realising that is honestly heartbreaking, especially for really close friends. However, it's just the way life is. That person could have a really stressful job, a family or lots of other friends and commitments. The important thing to remember is they're still your friend, and you need to meet them where they're at.

The right friends will show up when it matters

It feels like you should be texting your friends every day to keep that 'best friend' status, but that's far from the truth. Yes, speaking often is important, however, it doesn't detract from your friendship if you don't speak all the time. The right friends will show you support and be there when it matters, for the good and the bad times. 

Setting expectations is key

This was the biggest pill to swallow for me, as when I was younger, I expected every person to show up for me the same way I did for them. This isn't realistic at all, and you shouldn't put that on the other friend. You need to set expectations with each friendship to meet people for who they are and what they want out of that friendship, as it'll save you from feeling undervalued and disappointed. 

Discuss how you feel  

The only way to solve any bad feelings in a friendship is to talk about them, and how they react tells you exactly what you need to know. Whether it's an issue, you want to spend more time with them or have a boundary to set, discussions with each other are incredibly important. 

You don't need friends who make you feel bad about yourself

I'll say this a million times over. When I was younger, I had friends who didn't make me feel good about myself, and I kept them as I thought I needed to, or this was the norm, however, it's not. You should have people around you who support, love and cherish you. Let go of the friends who don't serve you.

Friendship can last the distance if you work on it

I have a best friend who lives 4,000 miles away. We've been friends since we were teenagers, and when she moved away 7 years ago, it was heartbreaking. However, we've never stopped being close. Even though our friendship looks different, we're always there for each other as much as we can be.

All friendships are different

No friendship is the same. No person is the same. Never compare, just know what is right for you and your friend.

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

Thank you for reading <3

 Well, hello to you, my reader chums! In such a fast-paced world where it feels like everyone is successful, living their best lives and doing IT ALL, it's scary to step away from the 'normal' and take the risk, changing your entire life or even part of your life. 

But for me, I've always been someone to push the boundary, take the risk and live outside 'the norm', I want more people to also channel that energy and push themselves to enjoy the life they want - because honestly, why not?

If you're thinking about trying something new, whether a career move or business, here are my thoughts about starting again.

Failure is okay

Failure is often taught as a bad thing, especially growing up in a school environment and seeing the highlight reels of everyone's life on social media. However, failure is good, positive even. Without failure, you'll never grow and you'll never succeed. Failure helps you learn more about yourself, how you work, what is and isn't for you.

I know starting something new means the potential to fail, but you shouldn't let that put you off. If you fail trying it, that in itself is a win, because you tried, and that's the hardest part.

Starting something new is meant to be scary and hard

Anything new is scary and hard; that's normal. When I started my business, every day was a struggle. It was all I thought about; I cried daily and was constantly stressed, and failure was common, and I wasn't succeeding in the way I hoped. However, by working at the business every day and showing up, I learned more about what I wanted, how to run a business, that failure is okay, and things started to become less scary and hard.

Embrace the scary and the hard. It may seem like hell in the moment, but over time, it'll be worth it and get better.

Starting again means growth

Starting again isn't meant to be easy, whether it's a new career, business, hobby or relationship. However, whatever the scenario is, starting and trying something new means you'll grow in some way. This could mean learning better boundaries, a new skill or life lessons that serve you well.

Good things come on the other side of your comfort zone

This phrase I preach a lot because it's true. If you stay in the same life bubble, how will you ever grow? Stepping out of your comfort zone, you can meet new people, travel to new places, learn new skills or build confidence. There's so much beauty in trying and pushing yourself.

Everything happens for a reason

I'm a firm believer in this. In the hard times, it may not seem like this, however, everything does happen for a reason, whether it's removing the wrong people from your life or opening up a door for something better.

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

Thank you for reading <3

 Well, hello to you, my reader chums! I've never had the chance to properly explore France before, apart from Paris, however, I headed on a French road trip to attend one of my best friend's wedding in the south and along the way, my partner and other best friend got to experience and visit a couple of cities which we absolutely loved.

If you're driving from the Eurotunnel to southern France, here are the best 3 French cities to visit on a road trip.

Rouen 

Rouen is a fairytale-like city in northwestern France, capital of Normandy and about 2-2.5 hours from the Eurotunnel. I adored this city in every way. I didn't know what to expect when I added it to the driving itinerary, however, it exceeded expectations.

Rouen featured many gorgeous buildings, which reminded me of Beauty and the Beast. I felt like I was living my favourite Disney film out in real life. The city was bustling with quaint cafes, restaurants, bakeries and gorgeous sights. I was only there for a few hours, but having a mooch was enough to enjoy the essence of the city. I visited the Rouen Cathedral, the famous clock tower and roamed along the various cobbled paths. 

Poitiers 

Poitiers was the opposite of Rouen in terms of that bustling energy. The charm of Poitiers was how quiet and serene it was, yet the beauty shone through in every way. Poitiers is a city on the River Clain in western France, and I absolutely loved its wholesome energy. The architecture and cobbled streets made me gasp at every turn, as it was just so beautiful. There's no other way to explain it than peaceful, grand and dreamy.

The main centre of Poitiers gave me that completely holiday feel as everyone dined outside, eating their dinners, drinking wine late into the night. The shops were a mixture between quaint and independent, classic French supermarkets, and must-visit cafes and restaurants, too. It's not a huge place, but there are gorgeous sights, such as cathedrals and chapels.

Tours 

Tours is the capital of the Loire Valley and a university city with a unique charm. I was obsessed with this city as the buildings were enough to draw me in with their different colours and Gothic facade. Tours is quite a big place and the striking architecture is enough to keep you busy for a few hours, especially with the cathedral Saint-Gatien.

Tours had a town feel for a city because, despite the bustling nature, the charm of its sights and cute shops gave a wholesome and community appeal. I loved roaming around it and could have happily explored more if we had the time!

I hope you enjoyed this post. Have you visited these places?

Thank you for reading <3

 Well, hello to you, my reader chums! Travelling the world is a privilege, and I'm lucky I've seen 31 countries and hope I can see more places. I often get asked, 'How do you go on holiday so much?'. And one of my answers is learning to make the most of a short trip. Not every holiday has to be 2-3 weeks long; some of the best trips can be a long weekend or a couple of nights - it's how you maximise the trip.

If you're new to travelling, have limited annual leave, and want to make the most of your short trips, here are my best tips.

Visit multiple destinations

Short trips don't only mean a singular destination. It's easy to think you can't see more than one place if you have limited days, but that's far from the truth. Granted, with a short amount of time, you can't fully immerse and travel slowly, but you can still experience the highlights of a destination. Visiting multiple destinations can look different for everyone, whether you'd like to see a mix of city and beach or tick off a couple of towns on your trip. 

For example, if you're travelling to northern Italy, you can see Parma and Modena or Milan and Lake Como - both options are easily accessible by train. Or to see more than one country, you can get the train between Copenhagen and Sweden. Italy and Switzerland are also easily connected. The options are endless!

Research and set an itinerary for each day

I'm a queen of the itineraries and love to plan my trips extensively, ensuring I fit as many things in as possible in a day. It can be tiring and I understand not everyone is able, however, if you are, filling a day to the max can ensure you see as much as the destination, rather than miss out on highlights. The best way to fill an itinerary is to have a morning, afternoon and evening plan.

Utilise public transport systems

Unless you're on a driving holiday, public transport is necessary to explore more than the one place you're in. Whether it could be a bus or a train, most cities are easily connected, which means you can enjoy the public transport systems and explore as much as possible.

Research day trips from your location

Day trips are a joy when you're on a city break as you can explore the city and see the country's more rural or coastal side. Research the best day trips around where you're visiting, as there could be an exciting tour, an underrated destination or a dreamy beach which you may fall in love with.

Book the early and late-night flights

Early and late-night flights may be inconvenient, but you'll have more time in your destination. For example, if your flight is 2-3 hours and it leaves at 7am, you'll arrive in your destination mid-morning and be ready to explore by lunchtime, once you've settled into your accommodation and travelled from the airport. With late-night flights, you'll have more time to explore on your last day as you won't need to head to the airport until the evening, so really, you'll have an entire day to tick off more highlights. 

Get started early each day

Making the most of a short trip isn't the most relaxing experience, however, it means experiencing as much as possible on your holiday. Each day, get up as early as you can to see the sights before the crowds and tick off a lot on a day.

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

Thank you for reading <3

 Well, hello to you, my reader chums! I'm a summer girl. I love the sunshine and the joy it brings. Everything feels better in the summer: the longer days, endless ice cream, warm weather, cute dresses and a peppy spirit in the air. Although with summer, everything gets busy and there's this massive pressure to have a million big plans and book all the events.

This is your reminder to make the most of the summer. It's not about the big things; it's about the little things. If you're feeling overwhelmed with the summer season, here is how to make the most of summer without massive plans.

 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