lifestyle blog posts focusing on home, lifestyle, parenting, pregnancy, family life and home and style. Home decor and working at home, working at home as a self employed freelancer and blogger. Family lifestyle blog posts including family reviews, family products and saving money as a family. Being a more eco friendly family.
How are you doing with your New Years Resolutions? Are you sticking to them or have some of them already falling through? According to www.shepherdsfriendly.co.uk who have put together a really interesting infographic based on their own research, about keeping on track with your resolutions. One thing that really struck me was how so many resolutions fail or are given up on by February. I’ve been there myself, setting fitness and health goals, only to have them fall through and give up when the next month comes around. This year I haven’t set any resolutions but I have made a bucket list of 30 things to do before I turn 30 which I am slowly but surely working my way through. I think this is a better way of keeping track of the things I want to achieve because I have given a little more thought into my goals for the next twelve months.
I think goal setting is incredibly important if you want to achieve more out of life and setting them should be a process that takes time and effort. Reading through the Infographic I really liked the 5-step formula by rephrasing the resolutions into goals that have a bit more meaning and action behind them and then creating a series of smaller goals to ensure they are achievable. Highlighting a motivator is another good thing to consider because it gives you something to really focus on. I find it helpful to create a goal or vision board full of these motivators and placing it somewhere you can easily see and to keep reminding you of your goals, why you’re working on your resolutions and keeping you from quitting on them.
The most important part of the five-step formula, I think, is keeping track of your goals and resolutions. You can keep track by using planners, your phone, scheduling dates on the calendar to review everything each month or anything you feel might help you. Regularly reviewing your goals and resolutions will remind you of your progress and act as a further motivator to help you keep going. With each progress you make you can review, alter, change or increase your goals another step. Most importantly, each time you reach a goal or a point of progress with your resolutions you should celebrate. – Check out the full infographic about new years resolutions.
What are your New Years Resolutions this year and how are you going to make sure you achieve them?
The last month has been absolutely manic. Firstly, it took me around five weeks to shift a cough and then cold. This year has been absolutely awful for my health and really is making me question a lot of choices I make with what I eat because I think my weight is a really big contributor to my low immunity. I never used to get ill very often, I don’t get a lot of bugs but colds and coughs are taking longer and longer to shift. I remember the first three months of the year I was suffering really badly with a cough that made me feel so run down. Adam ended up sleeping in the living room, it made my last birthday a bit of a sad affair and no doctor would help with it. It was rubbish. I was really worried that would happen again but I’m glad it’s gone and I’m going to try a lot harder to make myself healthier.
Starting a new job whilst not being 100% well was really tough too because there has been so much information to take in, as there always is. I’ve now done a couple of weeks part-time training and one-week full time which, thankfully, wasn’t as much as a shock to the system as it would have been if I’d left it to start and not done any training. It’s felt like an absolute whirlwind and I haven’t quite got a routine in place with everything just now. So far I’m just working 9-5 but there are shifts involved and new things to learn so it will be a continuous place of learning and adjusting for us all. Adam has also reduced his hours at work but he’s dashing all over the place from doing the school run, college, work and other household duties too. He has two weeks off work over Christmas which tie into his time off at college too so he’s really looking forward to that time. I haven’t got any time booked off over Christmas but I’m not really worried. If all goes well and I get taken on permanently at the end of my 12-week temporary probation I’m estimating a gap in pay which will be another challenge.
I genuinely thought I’d feel more guilty about going back to work. It’s putting pressure on Adam to add in the school run alongside everything else and he’s really tired so it’s a given that the weekend lie ins belong to him (not that I’ve ever had one anyway) and I’m glad he’s got some time off coming up soon. Hopefully, he will make good use of his holiday next year so he can get a bit of rest. I don’t really feel guilty about going back to work though because I feel like I’m doing my part. I’ve always been doing my part and I’ve always earned money but this is a little more contributing and it helps more than it hinders. I took the job because it came at the right time, with the right description and the right money.
Work is going really well and it’s a really busy period. I’m learning a lot and I’m really enjoying getting to know the team. I’m absolutely shattered in the evenings though which is why the blog has kind of suffered. I haven’t had the energy to write and I’ve been procrastinating a lot in the mornings by catching up on TV shows and playing Assassins Creed (which I’ve now completed) so my priorities have been a little all over the place. We have, however, had a nice few weekends too. Evie’s had a sleepover at my dads, we’ve been to see Thor Ragnarok and Justice League at the cinema, we’ve done a lot of Christmas shopping and post presents are bought, paid for and wrapped. Some are waiting to be wrapped and stuffed in various places around the flat. It’s been nice to treat the family for once as it’s not something I can do very often or have been able to do the last few months.
Life really has been a whirlwind this last month and I imagine it will continue to be. I’m having my implant removed on Friday and have the day off work so I expect this weekend i’ll be feeling a bit sore. We are going to use the weekend to move a few things around and have a bit of a declutter because my desk, the dining table and basically everywhere else to be honest. We need to get rid of stuff, we need to move furniture around and make room for our Christmas tree. We’ve got a few Christmas events booked throughout December too which I’m really excited about including a show, a trip to visit Father Christmas and the local Hawk Conservancy Trust which is a really lovely day out. We’ve even organised Christmas dinner which is being delivered to us, hot and ready to eat on Christmas Day. We were going to go out for it but this feels so much better instead. I’m really excited about it, the menu is lovely and includes four courses for us all. We’ve enjoyed many a festive drink in various coffee shops too. It seems to be our thing!
I’ve been on and off hormonal contraceptive since I was about 14. Starting with the combined pill Microgynon to help control heavy periods and reduce the pain I was having. It didn’t really work to be honest but you follow your doctor’s advice and hope for the best. Since then I’ve also had Cerazette, the mini-pill and the contraceptive implant, Nexplanon. That’s pretty much 12 years on and off, but mostly on, some form or hormonal contraceptive with a small break where I had a baby. My reason for having the implant was to prevent pregnancy in my new relationship and in the last five years I’ve had an implant inserted, removed three years later and exchanged for a new one. Two years on and I’ve had enough of hormonal contraceptive.
I’ve been really lucky with Nexplanon, the implant has worked perfectly for me. It’s a small, flexible tube put into my upper left arm. It was first put in with a local anaesthetic to the area, a small incision and a stitch. I had a dressing for about a week and awful bruising for around two weeks. It wasn’t a painful procedure but the local anaesthetic made me feel a bit sick and the bruising was a lot bigger than I thought. Within around six months my periods had reduced, then completely stopped. I haven’t had a baby either so it’s done its job pretty well. Nexplanon, when inserted correctly, is apparently more than 99% effective in preventing pregnancy. It can move, so you have to keep checking that it’s been inserted in the right place and if you can’t feel it, speak to your GP. It contains the hormone Progestogen which is the same as the mini-pill. They last for three years and then you can decide to remove or have a new one put in. This is again done with a local anaesthetic, a small incision and the removal and insertion of a new Nexplanon implant. For me, the bruising was a lot bigger this time because there was a bit more poking around on my arm to remove the old implant.
The science bit; The implant stops the release of an egg from the ovary by slowly releasing progestogen into your body. Progestogen also thickens the cervical mucus and thins the womb lining. This makes it harder for sperm to move through your cervix, and less likely for your womb to accept a fertilised egg. – NHS
Bruising after removal and insertion of second Nexplanon contraceptive implant
The not so positive side effects are very person specific. On the whole, the implant has been pretty good for me over the last five years. No pain, no periods and no pregnancy. My GP told me that fertility should return to normal within 72 hours of the implant being removed. It’s great after birth because it’s safe to use with breastfeeding too. However, there are always side effects with every single medication and hormonal contraceptive that you take. These can include, for some women, disrupted periods, acne, headaches, breast tenderness, changes in mood, loss of sex drive and feeling sick. These are typical of hormonal contraceptive and should subside over the first few months.
Since having a baby and then having the implant I’ve suffered really badly with migraines which have been awful. It wasn’t really something I’ve ever connected with my implant but if removing it helps reduce them then brilliant. The biggest side effect though is the women that report weight gain. In the five years that I’ve had the implant, I’ve gained around five and a half stone. That’s a pretty massive chunk. This has absolutely been down to food cravings and mood changes. I wouldn’t say the Nexplanon implant has made me depressed but it’s absolutely made me more emotional. I cry all the time, at all the silly things, I am a sensitive soul anyway and I think the implant has affected that and contributed to quite a few of my mood swings. I’ve had a lot of skin breakouts too which are always down to a hormonal imbalance. I’m also in a loving relationship with a man and we both want to have children together, so if pregnancy happened then, well, we are both adults and I’m sure we’d cope absolutely fine with the prospect of being parents (again).
The weight gain has been a significant reason as to why I want a break from my hormonal contraceptive implant. I want a chance to lose weight, healthily, safely and if this is a stumbling block for me then it makes sense to get it removed. I am hoping removing the implant will make weight loss easier, reduce cravings and prevent mood swings. The only downside is my periods returning because they’re horrible and painful and rubbish. I’m going to invest in a period happy box so I can get chocolate treats and things that make me feel better. Mostly, I want my body to be in a much better shape than it was in my previous pregnancy. We won’t be trying for a baby until I’ve lost a significant amount of weight and we know where we’re going to be this time next year. We need to move really as well because we have no space for beautiful baby things.
I’m speaking with the contraceptive nurse on Wednesday to get my appointment with the only doctor in my surgery that is trained to remove the implant. When I’ve got my appointment and everything’s been removed I’ll keep you updated on any changes I feel.
I’ve already read so many inspirational stories today for #WorldMentalHealthDay that are encouraging, supportive and so emotionally brave. I wanted to put words to post myself and share something meaningful. Something I hope will help others too. Mental Health affects us all, whether we’re suffering or smiling, or we are watching a family member go through crisis. I’ve openly talked about my anxiety and depression before to friends and family and most of the time I suppose people would say I’m doing fine.
The truth is there are still days where I don’t want to get out of bed because I can not cope with life.
There are still nights where I panic and worry and get angry.
There are still times where I feel so overwhelmed by the smallest of things.
There are still times where I overeat and comfort eat to try and ignore the pain of what I’m feeling.
There are still times when looking after myself is not a priority.
There are still times where I am haunted by my past, where I have nightmares and wake up sobbing.
There are still times where I think I have failed as a parent because of decisions that were taken out of my hands.
There are still times where I think this world would be a better place if I wasn’t here.
Those times are few and far between now but that doesn’t mean they’re not there. It doesn’t mean I’m cured or healed. It means that despite how I feel, how I’m coping, I am choosing to live. I am choosing to be here for my daughter. I am choosing to be here because I deserve to be here and because those people that made my life hard in the past don’t deserve to win. I am choosing to push back the whispers of self-doubt every day I walk out my front door because I want to win at life. I want to do more than survive.
If you are feeling anything close to what I’ve described then talk to someone, anyone. A doctor, a nurse, a friend, a partner, a parent. Anyone. Make it known that you think you might be suffering from depression because ultimately when it comes to mental health, no matter how much we raise awareness, only you can make that decision to ask and seek help.
Depression doesn’t go away easily, it’s a challenge and sometimes it’s a daily battle. It’s a war that will never end but there are days, weeks, months and years that you can find peace in yourself and every day you wake up not wanting to fight, you’ll have so many more reasons to do so.
Blog Camp On Board – a lovely blog conference on MSC Cruises Preziosa
#BlogCampOnBoard was hosted by Tots100 and was a bloggers day out and mini-conference on board the MSC Preziosa whilst docked in Southampton. The day was interesting and it was really lovely to meet up with Laura from Savings 4 Savvy Mums, Emma from Island Living 365 and Bridget from Bridie By The Sea. It was a really beautiful venue and I absolutely loved viewing the ship. I love cruises – it’s my absolute favourite way to travel and I’ve written previously and passionately about how much I love them. Our trip to Bruges was just so lovely and our week long venture to Norway cruising along the fjords was breathtaking. I am determined to spread the cruise love and show why I think cruises are the perfect way to travel as a family.
The day started with top security processing which was completely understandable and really did give you that feeling of being off on an exotic holiday. Sadly, we had to stay in Southampton but exploring the ship and socialising with fellow bloggers made it a really worthwhile experience. I did feel there was a lack of water (and coffee) through the day and sadly left with a bit of a headache. With cruise ships, there’s no cash on board so I imagine it’s very hard to organise an event like this and predict the needs of the group – I would recommend more refreshments for the future just because conferences always require lots of information and it can be a bit much when you’re feeling thirsty! A lot of people also travelled down that morning without being able to stop for a drink or breakfast, myself included. I do appreciate though that with every unique venue there are always teething issues and I think feedback is important. There were families disembarking that day and also passengers onboard as a stopover so we did have to be mindful of those when taking photos and walking around the ship.
I love that MSC Cruises ships Preziosa and Magnifica sail from Southampton to Northern Europe which is a beautiful place to cruise around. Destinations include France, Germany, Netherlands, Spain, Portugal and Italy and they have really competitive prices as well as the chance to upgrade your cabin, child prices from £99 and so much more. MSC Cruises are absolutely worth comparing against your usual cruise line company if you’re a cruising pro and the prices are very desirable for beginner cruisers.
We started off by making our way to the theatre which was incredibly impressive. I could just imagine the shows that must go on there at night! Not only did the theatre have great stall seats but an upper circle and balcony seats circling the venue. Plenty of space for all the passengers to enjoy a nightly show or talent act. We listened to a talk by the director of children services on board and got so much useful information about the kids club onboard Preziosa. I was amazed that it was open right the way through until 11 pm and there were five category age groups from babies through to 17. It seems every member is catered for onboard an MSC Cruise Ship which is amazing. I think my daughter would have a lot of fun in the kids club, swimming pools, splash park and all the other fantastic family activities that happen from talent shows, quizzes and games. There’s also an arcade and bowling alley which give it a really nice family feel and little-hidden gems. It’s nice to find these activities onboard a cruise ship because it shows you just how much there is to do.
We then headed onto the Cruise Ship activities for the first part of the day. I have to say I was a little disappointed by this as it was not what I expected. We headed up to Deck 15 to a little seating area. It’s with a lovely big pool below with jacuzzis and water features. It’s a covered pool, which is brilliant, but the room was incredibly warm and it was really hard to hear the information being given even with a microphone. Also, we’d been at the venue, checked in and on board for a while by this point and a request for water was badly needed. We watched a hairstylist and makeup being done by the members of staff from the spa and salon. This was very nice but I would have preferred to be shown the spa, talked through all the treatments, the products used, what services are available, if there are any spa packages you can buy and perhaps being given a demonstration of a little hand massage might have worked better. With the noise from the pool and the way we were sat, I couldn’t really see anything so I didn’t get that much from the session. We were then whisked off for a bit of a ship tour although we kept losing the guide and we didn’t actually get any information about each place we went to. I don’t think I would be able to tell anyone where anything was on board because we didn’t really get told anything which was a real shame. It was very glamorous however and there were lots of lovely facilities. It was really lovely to meet and explore with Naomi from Me Becoming Mum too.
Lunch was the best part of the day being given three courses, wine and water. I chose the menu rather than the buffet and really enjoyed my food. The salad was a little heavy on the dressing but my roman sandwich was delicious and I loved the pudding. House red and white wine were offered and very nice as well as a chance for still or sparkling water. We sat on a table of four and were joined by Faye from mama dot gang – it’s always lovely to get to know new bloggers! The restaurant as really lovely and I was just thrown back to meals I’ve had before and really enjoyed. Cruise food is always very tasty and there is always a great variety.
We then headed into the session lead by Alison Perry on Podcasting which was really informative. It’s something I’ve not thought of before but I really do enjoy listening to podcasts. Perhaps in the future you’ll see some sort of podcast from me, perhaps it will be all things cruising…who knows! It was lovely to meet and sit with Ami from Through Ami’s Eyes. Then I went over to the chef demo where they made a swordfish spaghetti. We were given the recipe afterwards which could be easily adapted at home for chicken or another type of fish I think. MSC Cruises are really proud of the diverse nationalities of both their staff and passengers so they really want to try and have world recognised brands available on board to reflect that and bring everyone together. Many of the staff members speak multiple languages which is incredibly impressive and something I think that’s needed especially in areas like the kid’s clubs. They had a strong Italian influence on board which is really lovely because I am a fan of Italian food. An MSC Cruise sounds like a great backdrop for a sail around the Med drinking fabulous wines and eating all the pasta. A few brands I recognised were Samsung, Lego and Nutella which was lovely to see and familiar, I think, around the world. Cruise ships are like floating hotels and in my experience, the best hotels have a hint of home with them.
The day ended with some drinks and a Q & A session in the Safari Lounge which was very informative and it was great to see how passionate the team and staff are about their cruise liners. I can imagine a holiday onboard would be full of fun and give you the ideal opportunity to make plenty of family memories. I love cruising and I can’t wait to do it all again! Hopefully, soon! Here’s a little video of all my photos taken during #BlogCampOnBoard – having a look at my YouTube channel you’ll find a few of our other cruise and holiday videos.
