Category: Monthly Gratitude

5 Things I’m Grateful For This July (2021)

Alice7 Comments

It may be a few days into August, but it’s never too late to look back on the previous month and think about what went well and what I really appreciated.

I’d love to hear what you’re feeling grateful for too, so feel free to share in the comments

Going Into The Work Office

Despite having started my job 6 months ago, I only properly went into the office to meet everyone and get my allocated desk this month! It was a really strange experience – one that I’m sure many others who have started jobs in the pandemic have faced – but I really enjoyed being there in person and it felt like everything sort of came together in my head in terms of work and people and getting that exposure to other areas of the business. Next month, I’ll be in the office full time and I’m looking forward to seeing how it all goes! [update: I’m really enjoying it and much prefer it to remote working!]

Time Away From My Phone

Now that we can make more plans to see people in the UK, I’ve really enjoyed getting out and about, from meeting friends for lunch or going out of my comfort zone to try clay pigeon shooting. It’s meant that I haven’t really felt the need to use my phone as much, because I’ve loved being in the present moment and appreciating the moment and company, rather than directing my energy towards the online world. It has, of course, meant I’ve fallen a little behind on blogging again, but I’m glad I haven’t let that stress me out. Sometimes you just have to go with the flow and I know I’ll always fall back here when I do have a moment to write.

Welcoming A Hedgehog Family To Our Garden!

Earlier this month, we were sitting around just living life when suddenly we spotted a hedgehog in our garden. We’d never seen one previously, so it was a bit of a shock, but so lovely to see it scrambling about amongst the plants! It kept appearing at random times during the day, like at midday or 10 at night. Then, one evening, we realised it had a little baby trailing after it, and there was another adult hedgehog too, so now we have 3! It’s funny how such small, little creatures like this can bring a lot of unexpected joy and excitement, and it’s been really fun spotting them at any given opportunity. Next mission it to try and give them some hedgehog food!

Going To A Baking Class

This month I finally used my Christmas voucher to go to a baking class! Since starting a new job and lockdown easing, I haven’t given much time to cooking/baking outside of evening meals, so it was really nice to have dedicated time towards it. I could suggest 2 options to bake, so I thought I’d pick something a little different to what I’ve made before. The first was chocolate eclairs, because they’re one of my favourite desserts. The second was cinnamon buns. It was a really enjoyable day and so nice to take so many baked goods home! I’m really grateful for such a great Christmas present and that the lady who ran the class put together those personalised recipes for us to make. I’m looking forward to making them again.

Treated Myself To Some New Books!

Although I’ve definitely done less reading this month than usual, since things have been busier, I did treat myself to some new books using my Waterstones voucher which is always exciting. I bought Becoming by Michelle Obama, as I’ve heard many great things about it, but this one was bought on more of a whim, which is sometimes the best way! I also got The Courage to be Disliked, which is set out like a play as it is an interesting philosophical discussion. I don’t normally buy hardbacks, but my favourite author Matt Haig released his new book The Comfort Book, so I decided to go for it and buy the signed hardback edition of that too, which I totally don’t regret because I’m reading a page or two every morning and it’s great inspiration and motivation for the day ahead.

What are you grateful for this month?

Let me know in the comments below.

Gratitude In A Crisis [Guest Post by The Autistic Panda]

Alice4 Comments

This week I’d like to share a guest post by my friend The Autistic Panda! We’ve been friends for such a long time, since we were 13, and she was the person who initially convinced me to create my blog, so I’m super grateful for her friendship.

And, on the topic of gratitude, she’s here to share her personal thoughts on how gratitude has helped her deal with depression and low moments in her life. I think it’s a really inspiring post and I can’t wait for everyone to read it.

Plus, don’t forget to check out her blog over here and give her a follow 🙂

I’ve suffered with depression for a long time and it is hard to get those negative thoughts out of my mind. I’ve often felt like I’m hanging by a thread in my life, but someone is always there to remind me about the good that surrounds me, and I thought I’d share some ways I’ve learned to appreciate my life.

It took a while to open up to the idea of gratitude at first because, when you’re depressed, nothing seems to make sense. But eventually, I realised that there are some positive parts of my life and I always cling to that positivity when I’m deeply sad.

I have an amazing mum, who cherishes me and I am so grateful to her. I have pets, who need me to be there for them. I am grateful for the many licks they give me, the many times they remind me to stay alive, even if they don’t realise it. I have a future, even if it seems bleak when I’m in the depths of depression. That future is vast and beautiful, even if I don’t see it right now. I just want to remind you that you have a future too, even if you can’t see it. We all do.

I am grateful for existence itself, as the gift of life has allowed me to meet many amazing people, animals, and explore interesting places. Whilst sometimes I hate the very thought of existing, I have realised lately just how cool it is. To be alive, right now, in this tiny span of time, is pretty awesome in my opinion. We may be specks of dust in comparison to the universe, but we have the power of imagination and creativity. That allows me to feel like I’m more than a speck of dust, I’m a galaxy, and you are too. Our own bodies are so interesting and unique, it is almost like we are our own galaxy.

Remembering the good things in life allows me to realise that I have a reason for existing. I have a purpose, even if I do not see it. That purpose is lost in the planet that is my brain; it is just one small atom amongst billions, but it is there, and it is just as important as the other atoms. You have to do a bit of searching, looking through a telescope, but you will find that purpose. Just you wait. You’re important, for you build up the universe just as much as anyone else. The universe would be boring without you.

Gratitude is just one of the ways I keep myself alive when I’m feeling like I don’t want to be, but it certainly helps. When you feel like everyone hates you, and that no one wants you there, it is easy to forget that your mind is a mischievous place. It sets up traps, trying to lure you into the darkness, but you can remember what’s real. Stay grounded. Remembering all the things people have actually said to me, rather than what my mind told me they’d say, makes me realise that they do care, and I’m grateful for that. No one is any more important than you; our value is the same. Forget what you’ve told yourself and remember what’s good in life, however small, because small things do matter. Whenever you think you’re small and don’t matter, remember that I said you do. You matter a lot, just like how bees are small, yet their role in the world is so vital. Your role in the world is vital too. I’m grateful that you exist.

Thank you so much for reading this,

The Autistic Panda

I hope you enjoyed reading this guest post from The Autistic Panda and that it added some positivity to your day.

What strategy do you use to help you overcome your low moments?

Let’s share some wellbeing tips in the comments below.

5 Things I’m Grateful For This May and June (2021)

Alice8 Comments

Since I didn’t get around to writing a gratitude post for May, I’ve decided to combine the last 2 months!

As always, feel free to share what you’re grateful for this month in the comments below too.

Appreciating Nature

Over the last couple months, I’ve spent a lot more time outside as the weather has got nicer and lockdown has slowly been eased. From coastal Cornwall walks, to walking home in the rain (with a wet pizza box!), to relaxing in the garden in the sun, I’ve really enjoyed getting out in the fresh air and making the most of my time away from screens. Nature has such a great impact on wellbeing and is one of my favourite ways to reset the mind, which leads onto my next point…

Taking A Break Away

In mid May, I took the first holiday I’ve taken in such a long time (due to covid) and travelled to Cornwall with my cousin! After spending so much time repeating the same everyday routine, in the same location, this trip was so beneficial for resetting my mind and rethinking my everyday habits, including starting my bedtime routine earlier to get my sleeping back on track. I’m grateful that we managed to get away when we did and that we had such a great time!

Driving Again

This month I’ve pushed myself out of my comfort zone to drive again after 3 and a half years. I booked a refresher lesson to get back into the swing of things and to practice roundabouts, parking etc. and then took a test drive of a car I might be interested in buying. It’s been a lot of organising and figuring things out (especially since I don’t know all that much about cars!) but I’m grateful for the progress I’ve made, and hope this will continue into the following couple months.

Joining Concert Band!

It’s been a year and a half since I’ve played clarinet in any sort of band/orchestra, but this month things have opened up and I’ve joined my local concert band! It felt so good to start playing surrounded by other musicians, and it was a great way to push myself out of my comfort zone and meet new people. I really enjoyed the mix of music, as it was very similar to that which I played at university, and I’m looking forward to starting on the new pieces next week!

Getting Back Into Blogging

In May I took a break from blogging as I just didn’t feel as inspired to post and share my thoughts, however June has been a really great month for blogging which I’m really happy about! I worked on this friendship blog collaboration with Niraj and I’ve got some more in the works too! I missed the feeling you get when you sit down and just pour your heart into something because you really have something to say, not just because you feel like you have to. And that’s a purpose I always want to have when blogging – I never want it to feel like a chore. I’m glad I reclaimed some of that inspiring feeling this month.

What are you grateful for this month?

Feel free to share in the comments below!

5 Things I’m Grateful For This March (2021)

Alice2 Comments

For some reason, the last month has seemed to stretch out for eternity. It feels like more than a month ago I was here writing about my February gratitude! I’m convinced it’s a lockdown thing, but I’m super excited as things are starting to open up now in the UK.

So, let’s get started on the positivity!

Summer-Like Days

Or should I say day?

Just in time for the end of the month, yesterday was one of the warmest days we’ve had in March in the UK for 53 years – crazy! So I knew I had to make the most of it. This meant spending almost the entire day outdoors – working on the patio, playing table tennis, yoga on the grass, the lot! It felt really good to switch up my routine and get lots of fresh air, especially after the year we’ve all had. Here’s hoping to more days like this in April (once the weather forecast stops predicting snow…)

Freedom On The Horizon

As dramatic as it sounds (but I’m sure we’re all thinking it), we can now actually see people in the flesh! Of course, there are still many covid restrictions still in place, but I’m really looking forward to meeting up with friends and family outdoors. I think in lockdown my way of coping was to just shut out the possibility of these things happening so that it would be easier to cope, but now things are opening up I’ve realised just how much I missed simply going out to see people. I hope you all enjoy the freedom of the Easter weekend too!

New Work Space

This month I’ve moved to a different area of the house for work and, although I’ve only spent a few days here so far, I much prefer it! I’ve moved things around a little so that the desk faces the window, with lots of natural light, which I think has really improved my mood. It’s nice to also have a proper desk that I can organise with notebooks, pens etc. rather than a curved dining room table, where there was limited space. Sometimes it’s nice to simply have a different perspective, especially when working from home for long periods of time. Has anyone else changed their work space too?

Endless Tea

If you know me well, you’ll know I’m a bit obsessed with herbal tea. During lockdown especially, it’s a constant cycle between working and getting tea and working and getting food. I’m making my way through my herbal tea collection, and even tried a new Twinings tea called Heart Tea this month, with blackcurrants, rosemary, honey and hibiscus. I’m grateful to have stumbled across all these wonderful teas to keep me feeling warm and comfy. If you’re also a tea-lover, let me know your favourite one in the comments below!

Sleep

For some reason, I’ve struggled a bit with sleep this month. A few nights of not falling asleep well and the brain automatically associates the bed with staying awake, which is never helpful! However, I think it’s reinforced how important sleep really is for me (and for anyone!). Even after one night’s good sleep, I feel calmer, less anxious, happier, and of course have more energy. Often I think one thing is the cause of something (e.g. anxiety causing me to not sleep well), when actually the opposite is the case (the not sleeping well is causing more anxiety). The mind and body is so complicated, but so so interesting! Long story short: I’m truly grateful for sleep.

What are you grateful for this March?

Let me know in the comments below!

5 Things I’m Grateful For This February (2021)

Alice5 Comments

As usual, here’s my monthly gratitude reflection!

Walking

This month (well, halfway through the month), I set myself the goal of going for a daily walk at lunchtime. It’s a good way to get myself out of the house during the week, plus it drags me away from screens for some much-needed nature time. I’ve been really enjoying these 30 minute walks because I put in earphones and motivate myself with upbeat music. I feel like it brings back a bit of my independence that I feel I have lost since lockdown and moving back home, so it’s nice to get out there by myself and just bask in the fresh air.

Embracing Relaxation

As you may have seen in my post a couple weeks ago, I used to feel guilty about relaxing. This month I’ve really let myself enjoy the weekends and not feel bad for just sitting on the sofa and watching TV! I’ve been laughing over Parks and Recreation, which I can’t believe I haven’t watched until now. Plus, I’ve been loving Emily in Paris and This Is Us. Let me know what you’ve been watching in the comments!

Yoga

This month I started a 30 day yoga challenge with my Mum. It’s from the YouTuber Yoga with Adrienne and each episode is titled with a different theme, all aiming to focus on the breath. Although we have, admittedly, missed quite a few days, it’s been amazing to get some good stretches in almost everyday and it’s helped me enter relaxation mode after work.

Starting A New Job

This month I started a new job which is always a new learning curve, especially in the current lockdown environment! I’m really grateful to have the opportunity to work in a completely different industry and to challenge myself to take on more responsibility. It’s always interesting translating skills from past tasks to the new situation at hand.

Interesting Books

Although I haven’t read as many books in February as in January, I’ve read a really interesting self-development book. It’s called Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway by Susan Jeffers and I’ve been reading a bit each day for a bit of positivity! It’s a really enlightening piece of work on how to overcome fear – how we can experience it from either a place of pain or power, and how that’s totally up to us to choose! I’m really grateful for books like this that change my perspective on life and encourage inner work.

What are you grateful for this February?

Let me know in the comments below.

5 Things I’m Grateful For This January (2021)

Alice4 Comments

Starting the new year off with my monthly gratitude!

Let me know what you’re grateful for in the comments below – this is a time where it’s so beneficial to connect and join together to share the small yet meaningful moments in our lives.

Moments of Calm

I’ve been focusing a lot on promoting moments of calm this month. I think when we’re rushing about, doing things, we don’t really tune into our bodies. Sometimes, in our minds, we’re at peace, but in our bodies we’re still feeling the consequences of past stress, whether it’s tension in our shoulders or a racing heart. This month I’ve been trying to pay more attention to the way my body is reacting to stresses that have built over time and making sure I take those quiet moments to release myself out of it, whether that’s through yoga, meditation or simply sitting and living in the moment, without the need to get up and do things. And I think it’s a constant journey, but I feel like I’m getting somewhere, and I’m grateful for that.

Connecting With Others

This month I feel like I’ve made more of an effort to reach out to friends and video call which has been really lovely. My friend and I did a virtual baking session together where we picked the same recipe, gathered the ingredients and made it together over video call (and then ate it over tea afterwards!), which I really enjoyed. We’ve also recently started a family quiz which has been fun (although my brother and I are still yet to win!). I think lockdown really does encourage you to get creative in terms of how to connect with people whilst making it more of an exciting experience.

The Act Of Goal-Setting

I started 2021 with a list of goals I wanted to achieve this year. My Mum and I sat down and discussed it, sharing our thoughts, and we are planning on reviewing them on the last day of every month so that we stay accountable. I’m really grateful for the act of goal-setting because I think it’s really helped me this month, knowing I have them at the back of my mind. Some of them have already been put into action in various ways, from using my phone less, to getting a job offer, to prioritising relaxation. It proves that mindset can have a huge difference on the opportunities and experiences you attract in your life. I’m grateful to everything that lead me up to the point of realising this.

Snow Day!

In England, we get used to seeing weather forecasts and not believing it, because the weather is in constant fluctuation. However, last week we were told it was going to snow and, surprisingly, it did. It’s the most snow we’ve had in years, and I think it was perfect timing to cheer everyone up during lockdown. I went out to the forest with my Mum and it was really beautiful. It honestly felt like something out of a film!

Goodreads Challenge

At the start of January, I chose the number of books I wanted to read for 2021 as part of the Goodreads Challenge. I wanted to make it a little higher than last year, so I can try to improve, so I’ve chosen 45. This would be around 3.75 books a month to stay on track. However, I’ve surprised myself and read 5 this January, which is probably the most books I’ve read in a month in a really long time, if ever (although, arguably, one of the books was quite short). I’m hoping to keep up the good pace next month and get through all the books on my shelves!

What are you grateful for this January?

Let me know in the comments below…

5 Things I’m Grateful For This November (2020)

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It hasn’t been a typical month for a lot of us, due to lockdown, but I think that’s even more reason to focus on the parts of the month that did go well. So, as usual, here’s my monthly gratitude reflection!

Books

I watched a video earlier this month that completely changed my perspective of an overflowing bookcase… it said that the positive to buying too many books is that the possessor is simply a curious person who just wants to absorb more knowledge about people, the world and everything in it.

I really like this perspective and I think it’s one of the reasons why I love reading, but it definitely made me feel less bad about having a never ending to-be-read list!

This month I’ve got through books a lot quicker than usual and I’ve really appreciated those moments of downtime. I’ve experimented a little with speaking my thoughts out loud in a podcast format, which I might not do anything with, but it was fun to try something different.

Walking to a Podcast

This is something I used to do ALL the time at university, but I seem to have got out of the habit since graduating. Admittedly, this is likely because I’m not walking as frequently during weekdays (which I want to improve!) or I’ve been walking with others and chatting instead.

However, during lockdown I’ve been going out for more independent walks which has been a lovely way to get fresh air, admire the scenery, all whilst listening to something productive that I can learn from.

Music

Music has always been a huge part of my life, whether it’s playing instruments or simply listening to a song. I always find it helps me in times that are difficult because it instantly boosts my mood and just makes me feel super happy.

This month, I’ve been doing a lot of cooking and my favourite thing to do is to combine this with music, playing it loud on my speakers and singing along (if no one’s listening!). It’s definitely helped increase my energy in those classic lockdown moments when I’ve been stuck indoors for too long.

The Build-Up To Christmas

Yes, it is only November, but the combination of seeing Christmas adverts everywhere and working on Christmas content for work has made me feel like it’s December already. Something I really love about Christmas is buying presents for family and friends, so I’ve been scouring the internet this month to find the perfect gift for everyone and (admittedly) I may have actually wrapped them already…

Meditation

Meditation is something I always seem to dip in and out of at various moments in my life when I feel like I’m craving that space and inner-reflection. I think, particularly during lockdown, it’s important to have these moments with yourself where you can tune into how you’re really feeling and work to overcome any emotional blockages you’ve unintentionally stored up.

It’s never an easy process. A lot of the time I sit there with my thoughts placing way too much emphasis on my pounding heart and it’s like suddenly all that restlessness arises to the surface. But I think that’s also the point – to be aware of what’s going on. It may not always feel great, but it’s about learning to accept and lean into the feeling.

What are you grateful for this month?

Let me know in the comments below!

5 Things I’m Grateful For This October (2020)

Alice8 Comments

Here’s my monthly gratitude reflection – a little late, but here nonetheless!

Autumn Leaves

One thing I really love about Autumn: the beautiful colours of the Autumn leaves. I’ve done a fair amount of walking this month (mostly on the weekends) and it’s super nice walking through crunchy leaves, which sounds almost childlike, but it’s nature coming alive in its own sort of way.

I’ve been wanting to stop and collect Autumn leaves for some book photography too, but haven’t had a chance yet! Will hopefully take this task into November.

Resilience

This is something I’ve really been working at lately and I think this October, more than any month, I’ve surprised myself in the way I’ve dealt with things that haven’t gone to plan. It makes me grateful for opportunities of self-development where I’ve really pushed myself to be more and do more than I ever could have thought. This is something I hope to take into the following month of lockdown, despite any difficulties.

Celebrations

This month I turned 22 and I was super lucky to be able to take a day off to go to The Ritz for the first time with my Mum! I feel like it’s been so long since we’ve had a chance to dress up for something nice, and I don’t often go to fancy places so it was amazing just admiring the building! The afternoon tea was delicious, and there was unexpectedly a live pianist too, which was very atmospheric. I feel like this will be an experience I’ll be grateful for for a while!

“Spa Day”

Earlier this month, my Mum and I re-created a spa day in our home to have a day full of relaxation! We did yoga, meditation, listened to a podcast with tea, cake and a candle, and even did back massages with hot stones and aromatherapy oils! It was such a peaceful day, and it was a really lovely way to unwind after a busy week. I’m very grateful for these simple yet happy moments.

Music

This month I’ve been flicking back to old music on my iPod and re-visiting all these songs I used to listen to all the time! I forgot how much I love them and it’s so nice to reignite that feeling you get when you hear a song for the first time. It’s a weird sort of way to travel back in time.

I’m hoping to do more of this over the next month, as I’ve missed my daily walks at university when I would listen to music all the time. It’s nice to turn on the speaker and blast something whilst doing the cooking, or even putting the washing up. Makes anything that bit more exciting!

What are you grateful for this month?

Let me know in the comments!

You can find me on social media here:

Instagram: @mymindspeaksaloud

Twitter: @mindspeaksaloud

5 Things I’m Grateful For This September (2020)

Alice6 Comments

Here’s my monthly gratitude reflection!

Meeting Friends

At the end of every month, I write in my journal how I feel about the month just gone – what went well, what didn’t, but also what I want to achieve in the next month. At the end of August, I set out to make more social plans in September because, now that I’m working from home, it’s easy to get into the habit of just following a routine and forgetting to leave the house!

I’m so glad I set out this intention because, in true law of attraction fashion, I had a few friends reach out to me and I organised meet ups with friends I hadn’t seen in ages! It meant that I had something to look forward to in the evenings and at the weekend, whether that was going out or simply video calling a friend!

Trying Something New

This is something I try to do every month, because it’s always great to extend your capacity to do things! However, this month, I did some particularly unexpected new things. One of these was embracing a life without cow’s milk – sounds a lot more dramatic than it was! I’ve now replaced cow’s milk with oat milk and have been trying out lots of meals with this new variation. Turns out having oats milk in macaroni cheese tastes exactly the same. And the same for porridge too!

I also baked French baguettes with my Dad a couple weeks ago! We watched Youtube videos on how to perfect the kneading technique and then gave it our best shot! It was something different to try on the weekend, and it’s so easy to get lost in the cooking that the time just flies by!

My Cats

Although my cats can sometimes be a little distracting, it’s really nice having them around during the day when I’m working! Jasper has already introduced himself to the team with his super loud purring, and I love going downstairs at the end of the day to be greeted by Monty’s loving enthusiasm!

Having Lunch with Mum

Sometimes, when working from home, it’s easy to get sucked into the laptop screen and forget to make time for in-person contact. Luckily, my Mum and I have had our lunches this month at the same time during the day, despite our different schedules. I’m really grateful that we can have that time to chat, recharge and motivate each other for the rest of the day!

New TV Shows

I’m sure I’m not the only one who was excited about The Great British Bake Off coming back to TV this month! It’s such a homely and inspiring show that I always find perfect for relaxing in the evening.

I also started watching the TV series of Little Fires Everywhere, which I read the book of a couple months ago – check out my book review here! Although it took me a while to make adjustments between the in-my-head version of the characters and those on screen, I’m now really enjoying seeing one of my favourite books brought to life! So far, it’s stayed very faithful to the book.

Monty being his usual cute self!

What are you grateful for this month?

Let me know in the comments below!

You can find me on social media here:

Instagram: @mymindspeaksaloud

Twitter: @mindspeaksaloud

5 Things I’m Grateful For This August (2020)

Alice10 Comments

Here’s my monthly gratitude reflection!

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Going to a Bookshop

This month, for the first time since before lockdown, I went to a bookshop! As I’ve mentioned a couple times before, I fell back in love with reading this year, after having a love-hate relationship with it during studying English at university, so it was super lovely to actually go back into a store and surround myself with so many wonderful stories that have found a way to be heard.

In my overwhelming excitement, I ended up purchasing 5 new books (I had a book token, that’s my excuse) and I’m halfway through The Midnight Library by Matt Haig and absolutely loving it! I’m grateful to have so many amazing stories to read.

Starting a New Job

Since graduating university this year, I’ve been spending lots of time applying to tons of jobs. It’s one of those times where everything feels in limbo, and you have to keep a positive mindset and not let all the rejections get to you!

After following up on an application, I got invited to an interview (and subsequent case study work) and was afterwards offered a place! It was a very surreal moment, to feel as though finally all my efforts had got me somewhere, and I’m super thrilled to be working in marketing which was my goal!

I’m really grateful for this opportunity because, not only has it given me the challenges I need to grow my career and as a person, it’s also inadvertently helped me create a better work/life balance. I feel like at university, the week and the weekends would merge into one and I felt guilty when I wasn’t studying, but having set hours of work is helping me truly relax out of hours.

Prioritising Self-Care

As mentioned in the paragraph above, I’ve been finding it easier to give myself relaxation time this month and it’s been a really nice feeling! I often tell myself I need to be productive all the time, and I think when I was job hunting I felt like I had to be applying 24/7, but this month I feel like I’ve let myself have the time out that I deserve and I’ve enjoyed having restful moments!

As some of you may have already seen, I recently created a Self-Care Jar, with my 10 favourite self-care activities. I’m planning on picking out an activity every weekend to remind myself to do something beneficial for my health and wellbeing. I’ll be sharing the activity over on my Instagram story at @mymindspeaksaloud if you are interested in taking part too!

Learning New Things

I feel like this month has been a huge month of learning, and I love it! Even though official education is over for me now, I don’t think learning ever stops. Learning is what keeps the mind active and alert and I hope it is something I make sure to practice throughout the rest of my life, in whatever way feels fit.

This month I have learnt a new song on the piano (Exile by Taylor Swift ft Bon Iver). I participated in an online Screenwriting Course with my brother where we learnt about the 10 finger pitch and read lots of cool scripts! I learnt how to work within my new job role, and I learnt more about my diet and health (I’m apparently intolerant to milk!). I think it’s super exciting learning new things and, as I’m writing this, I’m kind of realising it’s one of the things that drives me forward in life. I don’t know what I would be without it. So, for that, I’m thankful.

Writing

Because writing has been something I’ve participated in since I was around 13 (both in a creative and academic sense) I often don’t give it much thought. I sometimes overlook it as a quality because it seems so ingrained into who I am as a person. However, I feel like this month I realised how important writing is for applications, jobs, as a hobby in itself. I’m grateful that it’s something that resonated with me at a young age and encouraged me to pursue the direction in life that I took. I wouldn’t be here, writing this blog, if it didn’t mean something to me, and I’m really happy about that.

What are you grateful for this month?

Let me know in the comments.

You can find me on social media here:

Instagram: @mymindspeaksaloud

Twitter: @mindspeaksaloud