I've always been someone who has had a pretty solid circle of friends around her. There's always been someone just down the road, or a group chat for me to unload all of my life's woes. Especially during my time at uni, there was always someone I could call on for a spontaneous night out, for a shopping buddy or to simply watch telly and eat biscuits with.
Since moving away from those friends though, I feel like I've become a lot more introverted. My social life isn't anywhere near as busy as it once was, and I rarely seem to have plans with friends. Part of that is probably because I work full-time now as opposed to a few hours at uni per week and 16 hours working. Part of it is the fact that going out all night doesn't really appeal to me any more.
But, if we're being honest, a lot of my new, introverted life is due to the fact that making friends in your 20s is bloody difficult.
The thing is about this stage of life, everyone has made their friends already. People have got their mates from school, from college, childhood friends, family friends, whatever. And once those groups have already formed, they're pretty solid. Which is obviously great for them, not so great when you've just moved to a city, are feeling a bit isolated and trying to make friends of your own.
Don't get me wrong, a lot of it may be down to where I live, and the fact that there isn't all that much going on. Bloggers events are pretty much non-existent in Lincoln, I used to love going salsa dancing every week when I lived in Sheffield, but there are no classes near me. My opportunities to meet new people are so limited due to my geographical location, so I end up in a loop of going to work, going home, repeat. And I just have no idea where to start looking to meet people in such a little city.
Another huge issue for me is the fact that I'm in my mid-20s but still have all of the insecurities of a teenager. And this holds me back so much because I've either shirked opportunities to put myself out there, or I've let myself fade into the background because I'm bloody terrified of what people think of me, or of coming across as a bit weird. It was like high-school Sian was stood on my shoulder going 'you're definitely not cool enough for this, abort mission!' And I've coming away kicking myself, thinking I missed another chance to start breaking down all of the loneliness that I've felt since moving here.
Yep, I'm really struggling if I'm being honest. While I still have friends who I know I can call upon, a lot of them are hundreds of miles away and I only see them every few months, so the day-to-day loneliness doesn't get any easier. And it's getting really embarrassing every weekend when I'm asked if I have plans for the weekend and I have to say no! Applications for a best mate on a postcard, please.
Does anyone else feel this way?
Love,
Sian xo
I've always been someone who has had a pretty solid circle of friends around her. There's always been someone just down the road, or a group chat for me to unload all of my life's woes. Especially during my time at uni, there was always someone I could call on for a spontaneous night out, for a shopping buddy or to simply watch telly and eat biscuits with.
Since moving away from those friends though, I feel like I've become a lot more introverted. My social life isn't anywhere near as busy as it once was, and I rarely seem to have plans with friends. Part of that is probably because I work full-time now as opposed to a few hours at uni per week and 16 hours working. Part of it is the fact that going out all night doesn't really appeal to me any more.
But, if we're being honest, a lot of my new, introverted life is due to the fact that making friends in your 20s is bloody difficult.
The thing is about this stage of life, everyone has made their friends already. People have got their mates from school, from college, childhood friends, family friends, whatever. And once those groups have already formed, they're pretty solid. Which is obviously great for them, not so great when you've just moved to a city, are feeling a bit isolated and trying to make friends of your own.
Don't get me wrong, a lot of it may be down to where I live, and the fact that there isn't all that much going on. Bloggers events are pretty much non-existent in Lincoln, I used to love going salsa dancing every week when I lived in Sheffield, but there are no classes near me. My opportunities to meet new people are so limited due to my geographical location, so I end up in a loop of going to work, going home, repeat. And I just have no idea where to start looking to meet people in such a little city.
Another huge issue for me is the fact that I'm in my mid-20s but still have all of the insecurities of a teenager. And this holds me back so much because I've either shirked opportunities to put myself out there, or I've let myself fade into the background because I'm bloody terrified of what people think of me, or of coming across as a bit weird. It was like high-school Sian was stood on my shoulder going 'you're definitely not cool enough for this, abort mission!' And I've coming away kicking myself, thinking I missed another chance to start breaking down all of the loneliness that I've felt since moving here.
Yep, I'm really struggling if I'm being honest. While I still have friends who I know I can call upon, a lot of them are hundreds of miles away and I only see them every few months, so the day-to-day loneliness doesn't get any easier. And it's getting really embarrassing every weekend when I'm asked if I have plans for the weekend and I have to say no! Applications for a best mate on a postcard, please.
Does anyone else feel this way?
Love,
Sian xo
In the last year or so, my skincare obsession has grown, to the point where now I think I love skincare more than make up (bold statement, indeed.) I just find that when my skin is good, everything else follows and nailing my skincare routine has become so important to me.
I've changed a few things up in my skincare routine recently, so I thought I would share what else is now, what I think to it and what I'll definitely be repurchasing.
Nip + Fab Vitamin C Cleanser
I picked this little cleanser on a whim in Boots a few months ago. I love vitamin C products, especially as a morning cleanse as you feel like something a little bit refreshing on your skin might wake you up a bit (I don't think it does, but a gal can hope). While this isn't my favourite cleanser in the world, it does the trick as a light morning cleanse, but I wouldn't say it's doing anything spectacular for my skin. Will I repurchase? Perhaps if it was on offer, yes. But I have a couple of new cleansers currently on their way to test out, which I'm super excited about!
The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution
I'd heard so many good things about this toner, and I just had to see what all of the fuss was about. I'll be honest, if you have really sensitive skin, it probably isn't for you because it's quite 'harsh' (hence the word acid I'd imagine!) I only use it in the evening, and sparingly because if I go a bit OTT on it, I find that my skin reacts badly. But used properly, it has really helped to reduce my pores and make my skin look smoother and even out skin tone. It's taken me a bit of time to get used to, but it's now such a staple!
The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid Serum
Total. Holy. Grail. I don't know what I would do without this little bottle now. I talk all the time about how dry my skin can be and how it can be such a struggle, but regular use of Hyaluronic Acid has made SUCH a difference. It only takes a couple of drops am and pm to sort out the dry patches and make my skin super soft. I will 100% be keeping this one on my bathroom shelf for the foreseeable.
Dr Botanicals Pomegranate Sleeping Face Mask
I'm an absolute sucker for a good face mask, and sleeping face masks have become an absolute god-send for me, for evenings where I just haven't stopped and don't have time to sit for 10 minutes with a face mask on. I'm loving the Pomegranate mask from Dr Botanicals right now, I've been using it 2-3 nights a week, popping on a thin layer before I go to bed and when I wake up my skin is so much softer and brighter, as if I'd just put a normal mask on!
Glossier Bubblewrap Eye & Lip Cream
That's right, people. I'm at that age where I've purchased an eye cream. In all seriousness though, I'm all of a sudden very concerned about getting wrinkles so I thought it was about time I invested. I decided to give the offering from Glossier a go and I am super impressed so far! While I don't know too much how it's doing on the wrinkle front (although I haven't seen any yet. Yet.) It's so good for my puffy eye bags when I'm feeling a bit run down and sleep-deprived (so all the time). It's a little bit more pricey at £23 but so worth it in my opinion!
The Body Shop Himalayan Charcoal Face Mask
Normally I avoid charcoal products as I don't think they'd suit my skin type, but when I asked for recommendations to sort out breakout-prone skin and large pores, this was by far the most popular answer so I had to give it a go! And I haven't looked back since. It's bloody potent when you put it on, to the point where my eyes often water. But it's so good at dragging all of the crap out of your skin and leaving it detoxed, cleansed and soft. I love it especially for when I've had a few glasses of vino the night before (as my skin often plays up after drinking), or for that time of the month when my skin is misbehaving. This has definitely got a permanent spot on my bathroom shelf, I don't think I could ever be without it again!
Have you tried any of these products?
Love,
Sian xo
In the last year or so, my skincare obsession has grown, to the point where now I think I love skincare more than make up (bold statement, indeed.) I just find that when my skin is good, everything else follows and nailing my skincare routine has become so important to me.
I've changed a few things up in my skincare routine recently, so I thought I would share what else is now, what I think to it and what I'll definitely be repurchasing.
Nip + Fab Vitamin C Cleanser
I picked this little cleanser on a whim in Boots a few months ago. I love vitamin C products, especially as a morning cleanse as you feel like something a little bit refreshing on your skin might wake you up a bit (I don't think it does, but a gal can hope). While this isn't my favourite cleanser in the world, it does the trick as a light morning cleanse, but I wouldn't say it's doing anything spectacular for my skin. Will I repurchase? Perhaps if it was on offer, yes. But I have a couple of new cleansers currently on their way to test out, which I'm super excited about!
The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution
I'd heard so many good things about this toner, and I just had to see what all of the fuss was about. I'll be honest, if you have really sensitive skin, it probably isn't for you because it's quite 'harsh' (hence the word acid I'd imagine!) I only use it in the evening, and sparingly because if I go a bit OTT on it, I find that my skin reacts badly. But used properly, it has really helped to reduce my pores and make my skin look smoother and even out skin tone. It's taken me a bit of time to get used to, but it's now such a staple!
The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid Serum
Total. Holy. Grail. I don't know what I would do without this little bottle now. I talk all the time about how dry my skin can be and how it can be such a struggle, but regular use of Hyaluronic Acid has made SUCH a difference. It only takes a couple of drops am and pm to sort out the dry patches and make my skin super soft. I will 100% be keeping this one on my bathroom shelf for the foreseeable.
Dr Botanicals Pomegranate Sleeping Face Mask
I'm an absolute sucker for a good face mask, and sleeping face masks have become an absolute god-send for me, for evenings where I just haven't stopped and don't have time to sit for 10 minutes with a face mask on. I'm loving the Pomegranate mask from Dr Botanicals right now, I've been using it 2-3 nights a week, popping on a thin layer before I go to bed and when I wake up my skin is so much softer and brighter, as if I'd just put a normal mask on!
Glossier Bubblewrap Eye & Lip Cream
That's right, people. I'm at that age where I've purchased an eye cream. In all seriousness though, I'm all of a sudden very concerned about getting wrinkles so I thought it was about time I invested. I decided to give the offering from Glossier a go and I am super impressed so far! While I don't know too much how it's doing on the wrinkle front (although I haven't seen any yet. Yet.) It's so good for my puffy eye bags when I'm feeling a bit run down and sleep-deprived (so all the time). It's a little bit more pricey at £23 but so worth it in my opinion!
The Body Shop Himalayan Charcoal Face Mask
Normally I avoid charcoal products as I don't think they'd suit my skin type, but when I asked for recommendations to sort out breakout-prone skin and large pores, this was by far the most popular answer so I had to give it a go! And I haven't looked back since. It's bloody potent when you put it on, to the point where my eyes often water. But it's so good at dragging all of the crap out of your skin and leaving it detoxed, cleansed and soft. I love it especially for when I've had a few glasses of vino the night before (as my skin often plays up after drinking), or for that time of the month when my skin is misbehaving. This has definitely got a permanent spot on my bathroom shelf, I don't think I could ever be without it again!
Have you tried any of these products?
Love,
Sian xo
I find that being in your mid-20s comes with a certain amount of pressure. Indeed, any stage in life will have its pressures, but I think your 20s is a particularly 'awkward' time, with a level of expectation that you should have pretty decent grasp on the direction your life is going in, and a plethora of interesting things to tell vaguely distant relatives about just how well you're doing.
But, then come the questions. You know the type. The ones that make you roll your eyes, laugh nervously and give your pre-prepared answer that you conjured up in the car on the way to the family gathering, because you just know that your opinionated and slightly abrasive uncle will ask you the same thing he asks every time.
Let's start with a classic example, shall we?
1. 'Sooooooo, has he proposed yet??'
Ahh, the dreaded question for anyone in their 20s (or maybe 30s or 40s) who has been in a relationship for more than six months.
After a response of awkward laughter and shaking your head, I often find that the initial question is followed up with 'Well, you want to be telling him that he needs to put a ring on it!'
Well maybe, just maybe, I don't want him to yet??
2. 'Do you think you'll have kids one day... Soon?'
How is it possible that one tiny, four-lettered word can change what is seemingly a really casual question into somewhat more of a 'reminder' that kids is really something you should be thinking about now that you're 25 and your ovaries are on an inevitable ticking time bomb which could implode at any moment? (I of course mean this in jest, but you get the idea of the amount of pressure adding the word 'soon' creates). When I feel like voluntarily growing to the house of the house and going through childbirth (which soz, sounds like a hell that I am not ready to put myself through), I'll let you know, kay?
3. 'Aren't you a bit young to be settling down? Shouldn't you be going out and enjoying life?'
JFC I can't win. And why doesn't being in bed at 8pm with snacks and a good box set qualify as 'enjoying life'??
4. 'Are you EVER going to use that journalism degree?'
Why no, vaguely distant family member who has no bearing on my life whatsoever, I probably won't. I'm an estate agent now and I like it. Is that cool with you?
5. 'What's your long term career goal?'
Bloody hell, I don't know. Not getting sacked by next week? Making it through to Friday without guzzling down a bottle of wine per night? Don't say I don't dream big.
Please tell me someone else can relate??
Love,
Sian xo
I find that being in your mid-20s comes with a certain amount of pressure. Indeed, any stage in life will have its pressures, but I think your 20s is a particularly 'awkward' time, with a level of expectation that you should have pretty decent grasp on the direction your life is going in, and a plethora of interesting things to tell vaguely distant relatives about just how well you're doing.
But, then come the questions. You know the type. The ones that make you roll your eyes, laugh nervously and give your pre-prepared answer that you conjured up in the car on the way to the family gathering, because you just know that your opinionated and slightly abrasive uncle will ask you the same thing he asks every time.
Let's start with a classic example, shall we?
1. 'Sooooooo, has he proposed yet??'
Ahh, the dreaded question for anyone in their 20s (or maybe 30s or 40s) who has been in a relationship for more than six months.
After a response of awkward laughter and shaking your head, I often find that the initial question is followed up with 'Well, you want to be telling him that he needs to put a ring on it!'
Well maybe, just maybe, I don't want him to yet??
2. 'Do you think you'll have kids one day... Soon?'
How is it possible that one tiny, four-lettered word can change what is seemingly a really casual question into somewhat more of a 'reminder' that kids is really something you should be thinking about now that you're 25 and your ovaries are on an inevitable ticking time bomb which could implode at any moment? (I of course mean this in jest, but you get the idea of the amount of pressure adding the word 'soon' creates). When I feel like voluntarily growing to the house of the house and going through childbirth (which soz, sounds like a hell that I am not ready to put myself through), I'll let you know, kay?
3. 'Aren't you a bit young to be settling down? Shouldn't you be going out and enjoying life?'
JFC I can't win. And why doesn't being in bed at 8pm with snacks and a good box set qualify as 'enjoying life'??
4. 'Are you EVER going to use that journalism degree?'
Why no, vaguely distant family member who has no bearing on my life whatsoever, I probably won't. I'm an estate agent now and I like it. Is that cool with you?
5. 'What's your long term career goal?'
Bloody hell, I don't know. Not getting sacked by next week? Making it through to Friday without guzzling down a bottle of wine per night? Don't say I don't dream big.
Please tell me someone else can relate??
Love,
Sian xo
Real talk: I am not a particularly well-organised person. Which is an absolute disaster for someone who is so busy all the time. Being absolutely on top of my to-do list (and in fact, actually having a to-do list) doesn't really come all that naturally to me.
And while it may look to the outside world that I'm completely organised, with my pretty stationary and constant calm demeanour over my workload, I'm actually much better at pretending to have my shit together than at actually having my shit together. So when someone approaches me to add one more thing to my to-do list, or asks me to take on one more commitment, I'll smile sweetly and say of course, but in reality, I'm giving them an incredibly shaky and reluctant thumbs-up while I'm drowning in everything I need to get done.
Perhaps a large part of my issue is being unable to say no, but that's a topic for another post, I think.
After having a pretty big break down a couple of months ago about how I just can't do this, I made a resolution to myself to pull myself together, and put a plan in place to help myself keep on top of things. While I wasn't expecting miracles, or to have a complete overhaul in my organisation levels, I've found that implementing a few little changes has much such a difference in my productivity and made me feel so much more together.
For anyone feeling the same, I thought I would share with you how I got this disorganised girl, organised (sort of).
Bullet Journalling
I've been using a bullet journal on and off for about a year or so now, but since I've started using it properly it's made such a difference to my organisation levels. I started one purely because I couldn't ever find a diary that had everything that I needed, so I decided to make my own! Keeping everything in one place: dates to remember, to-do lists, tasks, birthdays, budgeting is SO much easier. I even put in a cleaning tracker so I can keep on top of housework better, as well as pages to brainstorm blog post ideas, and gratitude pages so that I can reflect on and record things that have made me happy to look back on! It's also really lovely to have another creative outlet, I'm not the most artistic in the world but I enjoy it nonetheless!
Timetabling My Week
It sounds so obvious, but it isn't something I have ever done that much before! Because I work such long hours, free time is rare and when I do have some spare time, I find that I have so much that I could be doing, I just procrastinate until it's time to be somewhere again.
When I say timetabling, I really do mean it in the simplest sense. I've simply allocated a broad task for each evening during the week, assuming that I will have a couple of hours to sit down and get stuff done between getting home from work and in between cooking dinner, watching some TV and going to bed. For example, I have set aside Tuesdays and Sundays as 'writing days', where I aim to focus on writing posts and nothing else. Wednesdays and Thursdays are for admin, and Saturdays are generally for taking photos and tying up any loose ends from the week before. Any specific tasks under those broad headings are up to me, but I find I'm so much more focussed now that I at least have that baseline for my week. And if I have something else going on so I can't do any work at all, that's okay! Because generally, I'm now ahead enough that I can take a break and not feel guilty, which is pretty unheard of for me!
Not Leaving Everything Until the Last Minute!
Okay, this one is still very much a work in progress. Maybe I'll always be a last-minute kinda gal and I need to make my peace with that. But I really am finding that if I plan ahead and stay focussed, the last-minute rush around just before a deadline is less of a frequent occurrence. Fingers crossed I can keep it up, eh?!
How do you like to keep yourself organised? Are you a super-organised person or are you like me, a work in progress? Let me know in the comments!
Love,
Sian xo
Real talk: I am not a particularly well-organised person. Which is an absolute disaster for someone who is so busy all the time. Being absolutely on top of my to-do list (and in fact, actually having a to-do list) doesn't really come all that naturally to me.
And while it may look to the outside world that I'm completely organised, with my pretty stationary and constant calm demeanour over my workload, I'm actually much better at pretending to have my shit together than at actually having my shit together. So when someone approaches me to add one more thing to my to-do list, or asks me to take on one more commitment, I'll smile sweetly and say of course, but in reality, I'm giving them an incredibly shaky and reluctant thumbs-up while I'm drowning in everything I need to get done.
Perhaps a large part of my issue is being unable to say no, but that's a topic for another post, I think.
After having a pretty big break down a couple of months ago about how I just can't do this, I made a resolution to myself to pull myself together, and put a plan in place to help myself keep on top of things. While I wasn't expecting miracles, or to have a complete overhaul in my organisation levels, I've found that implementing a few little changes has much such a difference in my productivity and made me feel so much more together.
For anyone feeling the same, I thought I would share with you how I got this disorganised girl, organised (sort of).
Bullet Journalling
I've been using a bullet journal on and off for about a year or so now, but since I've started using it properly it's made such a difference to my organisation levels. I started one purely because I couldn't ever find a diary that had everything that I needed, so I decided to make my own! Keeping everything in one place: dates to remember, to-do lists, tasks, birthdays, budgeting is SO much easier. I even put in a cleaning tracker so I can keep on top of housework better, as well as pages to brainstorm blog post ideas, and gratitude pages so that I can reflect on and record things that have made me happy to look back on! It's also really lovely to have another creative outlet, I'm not the most artistic in the world but I enjoy it nonetheless!
Timetabling My Week
It sounds so obvious, but it isn't something I have ever done that much before! Because I work such long hours, free time is rare and when I do have some spare time, I find that I have so much that I could be doing, I just procrastinate until it's time to be somewhere again.
When I say timetabling, I really do mean it in the simplest sense. I've simply allocated a broad task for each evening during the week, assuming that I will have a couple of hours to sit down and get stuff done between getting home from work and in between cooking dinner, watching some TV and going to bed. For example, I have set aside Tuesdays and Sundays as 'writing days', where I aim to focus on writing posts and nothing else. Wednesdays and Thursdays are for admin, and Saturdays are generally for taking photos and tying up any loose ends from the week before. Any specific tasks under those broad headings are up to me, but I find I'm so much more focussed now that I at least have that baseline for my week. And if I have something else going on so I can't do any work at all, that's okay! Because generally, I'm now ahead enough that I can take a break and not feel guilty, which is pretty unheard of for me!
Not Leaving Everything Until the Last Minute!
Okay, this one is still very much a work in progress. Maybe I'll always be a last-minute kinda gal and I need to make my peace with that. But I really am finding that if I plan ahead and stay focussed, the last-minute rush around just before a deadline is less of a frequent occurrence. Fingers crossed I can keep it up, eh?!
How do you like to keep yourself organised? Are you a super-organised person or are you like me, a work in progress? Let me know in the comments!
Love,
Sian xo
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