How To Pick Yourself Up After A Bad Day/Week

Like everyone.. i have bad days. Some days i will try and pull myself together and other days it feels like one of those says where things keep going wrong all day or your just in one of those moods that you can't snap out of. If your just feeling a bit blue, or work is stressing you, kids are being crazy like something on duracell.. or your having just the worst week.. then here are my own personal tips to on how i try to keep calm, happy and carry on.. Now i should add that i do suffer from anxiety. Its something i am trying to 'manage' but it can get the best of me some days if i let it but here are little tips i try to do to help myself and to keep in a positive frame of mind. I thought i would write this post as i am often affected by my moods especially lately as i have gone from the contraceptive injection to the pill and i feel my hormones are all over the place. So that along with my anxiety has made my moods and life.. a little tricky the past couple of weeks but the old moods are starting to settle now i think so these are just some things i find do help..

1. Breathing: Since i have discovered the extent of my anxiety i have been teaching myself to breathe properly especially in moments of stress or if i feel unhappy or out of control in any way. Simply taking a few quiet moments to yourself even if its only for a minute and just breathing in deeply and back out slowly. I try to do this 4 or 5 times. Now i don't always do this when i am feeling anxious or stressed sometimes it can be the last thing i think of. However i am trying to get myself in the habit of doing this as when i do i find it does help a lot. 

2. Taking a bath:

I love a bath, its definitely one of my favourite ways to unwind and relax. I don't get to have 'long' soaks too much but when i do, oh do i enjoy it. Most of the time i have a quick bath or shower but when i get the chance to have a nice bath i do it properly some lush bath bombs/bars, lots of bubbles, a magazine or i watch youtube videos. Although sometimes its just nice to put the phone away and listen to beautiful silence or failing that some relaxing songs. There are so many compilations on youtube of relaxing/meditation music too if you do want to completely zone out. 

3. Talking a walk: If you have the time to take a walk by yourself preferably do it.. Some alone time and fresh air can work wonders and really clear your head. If you live near the beach even better, it works wonders!

4: Letting the little things go: This one is definitely easier said than done. I am a big time worrier and can worry and get upset over silly things that really aren't a big deal. I try to stop and think is this worth a reaction on a scale of 1 to 5 (1 being nothing and 5 being a fairly big problem) or is this some thing i can let go. Whether it be why once again your other half hasn't picked up his soaks off the bathroom floor or  why most of your toddlers dinner is on the floor instead of in his tummy. Little things that seem so trivial but stress most of us out is life. Sometimes if i tell myself this is really not something to get upset over, its silly. When i do, feel better for letting it go and move on faster. But then as i said above some days if i am in a bad mood or a little sensitive, letting these things go is very difficult to do.

5. Seeing friends/family: If you have had a bad day or week, popping over to your folks or seeing friends can be greatly uplifting. My family live in Ireland so it can be hard being without them but if your like me arranging a good catch up with your bestie can be all the therapy you need. As i am at home a lot i do try to arrange days out with friends or even a simple lunch when i can. I find being at home for days can pull anyone down so getting out the house even if its just for a couple of hours makes a real difference.

6. Booking a holiday or trip away: Now obviously we can't book a trip every time we feel a little down. However it is nice to have something bigger to look forward to. A break away from the norm even if its just a night away or a weekend. 

7. Getting organised: Everything can feel a lot worse when the house is a tip. I feel so much better when its all clean and tidy. I'm not a clean freak by any means in fact i was always fairly messy but since having kids i can't let the house get out of control or it becomes too overwhelming and i don't know where to start. So every day i do a quick tidy up an clean of the living room, kitchen and bathroom. But I leave deeper cleaning to certain days of the week. I will do a post on this late on as there is too much to go into. Same goes for time managing. If you know you have a lot to do tomorrow, plan your time wisely. If you have a busy week ahead maybe set a evening aside where you can meal prep to save yourself time later in the week when you need it. 

8. Have a Date night: Make sure you are making time for the two of you as well. Its easy to get side tracked once kids come along but its important to make time for you two as well.  Of course this can be done at home if its not easy to get out or find a babysitter. However if you have the opportunity to go out then do! It helps you connect and have a proper conversation away from kids and tv.

9. Eat well: I know some of these might seem obvious. However for me this one is quite important. When i am eating right and not filling myself up on rubbish i find a massive improvement in how i feel in general. I am currently following slimming world plan and feel so much better most days as i feel i have control back of what i am eating rather than before i would eat anything an everything and feel rather rubbish for it.

10: Exercise: So this is hand in hand with eating well. I really need to take my own advice on this one! I'm so rubbish at exercising. I get tired when i climb the stairs.. lol! However i have started to do little work outs in the morning before the kids get up and as am sure most of you will know exercising releases happy endorphins as well as keeping us fit, it will help keep the mind healthy too! I don't feel my 2/3 workouts a week are enough. I don't spend too long on them so i want to join my local gym as i feel being amongst other gym goers will make me work out better. That's the theory anyway!

So this is everything i try and do to keep myself happier and in a more positive frame of mind..

Thank you for reading, please comment or like if you enjoyed this post!

Have a lovely Thursday!

Kerrie xx

How To Get Through 'That Time Of The Month' With As Little Drama As Possible

The past week has not been a great one, no particular reasons or anything, but it is 'that' time of the month. Now i apologise if this is TMI but I wanted to talk about this as I feel a lot of us women sweep it under the carpet like its nothing because we are so used to it, and rightly so it shouldn't be a big deal at all. I mean we are used to it by now, it is a fact of life for us women. However, if like me it affects you in many ways and the people around you, then here are my own tips for staying sane during this time..

1. Being honest about your Moods: For me this is the first sign that my monthly is on the way and my moods do not really improve until its over. I can be an enormous pain to live with during this time! I am the first to admit it. I take everything personally, I'm snappy with my loved ones. Suddenly my partners jokes are not so funny especially if they are at my expense. I cry at the drop of a hat and I'm generally a pain to be around! Its quite clear to my partner when I'm due on and is often the time we argue the most. Firstly if you know your being moody but your tell yourself..no, no you really are upset about him making himself a cup of tea and not offering you one..then i would be talk to him, because he is not a mind reader, say your on your period or nearly due on and not feeling yourself so to try and be sensitive to that. If they know, I'm sure they will be more understanding and patient. 

2. Eat & drink well:  Some days we eat whatever we fancy and still treat ourselves to a chinese on a Friday and why not, life is short! But, but, but..I notice a huge difference in myself when i eat healthily. I have more energy, I feel happier, mood swings are much much better and more stable. I feel good, and more positive about life. So even though it feels like I'm constantly hungry when I'm on or i want to eat my weight in chocolate. I have been making an effort to eat better and drink more and during this time i am feeling better for it.

3. Grab some me time: If you are feeling rather irritated but its normal Tuesday morning and your kiddies are keeping you busy then in that case having some 'me' time is pretty much impossible. Make sure the space around you is tidy for a start. Tidy house, Tidy mind and all that... Set your child up with a game or some crafts to keep them busy. Make yourself some tea.. or whatever you fancy and sit down for 15 minutes and relax, and breathe. If its the weekend and hubby is home why not take yourself out for a couple of hours browse some shops or grab a coffee some where, meet up with a friend.

4. Coping with pain: Some women get very bad period pain that it is crippling for them. Mine isn't too bad really as I'm on the pill but before i was it was very painful. A hot water bottle is really comforting. I love to have a hot bath, helps to ease pain and relax your muscles and mind. Taking a nap (if you can!) helps if like me you get more tired at this time of the month, so nothing wrong with a little nap if you can get it. Taking paracetamol or nurofen and curling up on the sofa with a blanket and cuppa..

5. Don't deprive yourself: Even if your on a diet of some sort. If you really want that chocolate, cake or red wine have it! You'll only drive yourself nuts thinking about it.

6. Don't go clothes shopping: I know i said above to browse the shops and you should! But maybe stay away from clothes for yourself. What with water retention and feeling generally emotional/annoyed, shopping for clothes is a bad move. I know myself when i have tried things on during this time i feel fat, my 'usual' size is too tight, and I'm just unhappy with the look, then back to unhappy with myself for being 'fat' and its a vicious circle. So avoid it! No good will come from it. 

7. Have a little pampering: Have a long hot bath or shower. Wash your hair, spend time styling it, exfoliate, apply some tan, paint your nails, pluck your brows. If you help yourself to look your best you will feel your best.. It always makes me feel so much better. 

8. See your GP if you suffer badly: If you find that you really suffer with your monthlies your moods are too extreme or you get unbearable pain see your GP. There might be something to help. The pill helps me as it keeps my periods lighter and much less pain than before. However it hasn't really helped with regards to mood swings and acne but there might be something out there more suited to you. 

Do you suffer badly that time of the month? Do you have any tips an tricks you find help? Would love to know you thoughts. Thank you for reading and a Happy Monday to you all 

Kerrie xx

Happy Mothers Day Folks!

Sipping on a nice cuppa, my babies are sound asleep and I'm wondering if i could plan mother's day for myself what would would it be? Well i am only tormenting myself as what i would 'like' really isn't how my mothers day is going to pan out..my husband as i call him is away in Qatar with work so i am alone just me and the babies this weekend and I have a massive ton of laundry to get through.. good times. Not all bad i guess he does fly home mothers day itself leaving enough time in the day we might grab a bite to eat somewhere. Although everywhere is booked out solid..the one day of the year restaurants are overflowing with people and there is no chance of getting a table..Its not looking good.

Maybe next year will be a nice one. A little lay in, a nice hot shower/bath, up and out maybe a small browse around a few shops with my own mum, stop for a brunch or afternoon tea. A bit of a 'spa' afternoon would be perfect too! Can i even fit all this into a day?! Its ok, I'll make it fit! Then a nice dinner out with the men in my life that evening.. Perfection.

However with a drop back down to earth, Mothering Sunday for me this year will be getting myself and the kids up, fed, dressed, tidy up toys, put a load in the washing machine, take clothes out dryer and fold put away, tidy toys again, try and settle the kids to watch Peppa or Thomas so i can get myself ready in a couple of minutes flat.. something i have become amazingly good at. Probably tidy up toys again. Wash up dishes from breakfast, sort out my changing bag, then out the door and off to Gatwick to collect the husband and the way the pub/restaurant situation is looking Mcdonalds on the way home might be our only hope..

I hope this post doesn't come off like a good old rant.. i mean i am having a slight moan because everyone wants to be spoilt for one day surely..when your a mummy to very young children all the days can run into one sometimes so a day 'off' like mothers day is a lovely treat to have. But i do know once we are all together again Sunday evening that will mean more to me than anything else..because they are everything.

Happy Mother's Day everyone..

Kerrie xx

50 Random Facts About Me Tag

1. I grew up in East London and now live in Essex

2. I have lots of freckles (...and i like them!!)

3. When i was a child i always said i either wanted to be an air hostess or an astronaut.

4. i'm 5ft 2..... and a half...

5. I have been driving now for 10 years, and couldn't be without my car

6. My parents are Irish

7. I suffer from anxiety especially social anxiety (planning a post on this subject)

8. My first son was 12 days overdue and my second son born at 33 weeks pregnant.

9. I have a small tribal tattoo on my back

10. I had braces twice in my life

11. I went to an All Girls school and it wasn't half bad

12. I'm a qualified beauty therapist and then went into Makeup further down the line.

13. I can be quite messy around the house so have to try and keep that in line

14. I have naturally mousey hair colour

15. I have the same 2 best friends since we started school at 11.

16. I met my fiancée when i was 18 at work and were good friends for years after we left there but we didn't get together until 4 years ago.

17. I am a gemini

19. I love keeping up with the kardashians... lol sorry

20. I did a lot of bar work in my younger days

21. I don't like extreme weather too much so prefer seasons like Autumn and Spring

22. I don't tan naturally.. think irish skin!! but i can burn too easily.

23. I have always wanted to holiday in cornwall

24. I was convinced in my pregnancy with Ethan that i was carrying a girl

25. I like cake! all cakes!

26. I love nothing more than sitting down with a cup of tea watching YouTube videos

27. I like to think I'm not a huge chocolate person..yet I rarely get through a day without it

28. I'm an only child

29. My memory is pretty terrible so I make a lot of lists so I can get things done

30. A hot bath is one of my favourite evening treats

31. I love my sleep and so do my boys am very lucky they don't wake till 8.30am

32. Randomly I prefer the normality of Monday to Friday over weekends.

33. I have about 3 stone in weight to lose :(

34. I had my belly button pierced at 17 but It closed up 4 yrs ago.

35. I love films like home alone & three men an a baby -childhood nostalgia

36. I have dyed my hair since i was a teen and have been blonde, black, red, plum and now brunette!

37. I'm often in my pjs by 6pm..

38. I love Italian food, its probably my favourite food for sure

39. My fave place to shop is Aldi but i do sainburys for the quality of their food..just don't love the bill

40. I am engaged but we're not planning the wedding just yet

41. I'm terrible at wearing nail polish it seems to chip so quickly no matter what brand it is

42. My parents divorced when i was little, my mum raised me.

43. I'm 31 and i still don't know what i want to be when i grow up

44. I have been treated for acne and put on roaccutane twice. It didn't work long term

45. I lived in Ireland for 5 years.

46. I love being pregnant but still moaned about all my ailments on a daily basis :)

47. Coffee shops are one my fave hang outs!

48. I love shows like gogglebox, great british bake off, one born every minute, first dates

49. My partner is my absolute best friend and we give ourselves tummy aches from laughing so much

50. I have no expectations for this blog whatsoever i just hope anyone who passes by my blog enjoys what they are reading.



Love Tags like this...!! Quite a lot of fun though i took my time writing this one as i could hardly think of anything about me haha.. x..I tag you all!! Is there anything unusual random about yourself ? comment below! and give this post a thumbs up if you liked it...x

Happy Wednesday.... Hope your all having a lovely day!

Love Kerrie xx