Friday 16 November 2018

Getting The Most Out Of Your Student Placement | Guest Post

Being out in the big wide world for the first time can be overwhelming! Here’s how you can get the most out of your student placement.

You’ve worked your socks off to get to where you are; those sleepless nights cramming revision in, the endless work sessions in the library, perhaps even drinking countless amounts of coffee and energy drinks to get you through. When the opportunity of a student placement rears its head, you jump at the chance! However exciting it may seem on the surface, there’s a lot to consider.

How can you get the most out of your placement while you’re at university? I’ve teamed up with SLV Global who give psychology students the chance to gain work experience in the mental health sector, to bring you some top tips for getting the most out your student placement.  

SHARE:

Monday 12 November 2018

How To Save Money This Christmas


Christmas is just around the corner. That means it is time to start the Christmas shopping or carry on if you are super organised or ignore the fact that Christmas is coming closer every day and leave everything to the last minute. I don't judge! 

However, if you are starting to think about your Christmas shopping, there are lots of deals out there to be had! I thought I would run down some of the best and biggest deals for you today to make your Christmas shopping just that little bit easier and more affordable. 

It's no secret that Christmas shopping can be expensive. It is also so time-consuming having to go between the shops trying to find the latest and best deals to make the biggest savings. However, with the help of Latest Deals you can have all the best deals in one place for you, to make your Christmas Shopping stress free and super cheap.

SHARE:

Thursday 1 November 2018

Christmas Gift Guide For Those Who Struggle With Their Mental Health

Christmas can be a stressful period for us all, but when you struggle with your mental health, it can be even worse. increased anxiety, stress or SAD can be just some of the many mental health problems people struggle with during the festive period. 

Not only is Christmas, a stressful time for many which can exacerbate existing mental health problems but the period after Christmas, the new year, can be even worse. Many people hate the cold, miserable months of January and February with nothing to look forward and the stress of paying off those large Christmas bills looming over us. 

Even though Christmas, can be a lovely time to spend with family and friends, it is not that easy for everyone, which is why, I think, if you know someone who is struggling with their mental health, Christmas can be a perfect opportunity to buy them something which might help ease their struggles or pain. There are lots of little things which may really help those who struggle with mental illness. Although nothing is going to magically make their problems go away, I'm certain they will be thankful for any extra support they receive, this Christmas. 

SHARE:

Thursday 11 October 2018

Looking After Your Mental And Physical Health In The Colder Months


The nights are drawing in, there is a cold chill in the air and the leaves are changing colour. For me, autumn is definitely, without a shadow of a doubt my favourite season. I live for Halloween and being wrapped up in a cosy blanket on a cold evening. However, I know that for others, Autumn is the start of a really difficult period for many who struggle with both their physical and mental health.

Struggling with a mental illness such as Seasonal Affective Disorder or chronic pain during the autumn and winter months can be a struggle, which is why extra provisions should be put in place, to help you cope effectively in the colder months so the pain has a minimal impact on your quality of life as much as possible.

Careco* ofter a range of products to help you, this winter if you struggle with a mental illness, physical disability or chronic pain. Whether you are looking for an aid to help you get around or a SAD light therapy lamp to try and manage your depression during the winter months, they have a vast range of products that can help make your life and pain as manageable as possible. 

SHARE:

Tuesday 18 September 2018

Why I No Longer Watch The News


I no longer watch the news. I know, what a crazy thing to say. Most people reading this, their response will be "Great, Nicole- who cares?" Which is good, because you are not judging people for the decisions they make in their life. You're a good person. Keep being you. 

However, some people, who hear you don't watch or read the news, will stir their noses up at that statement. They will think, I'm uneducated or would rather spend my time watching reality TV and don't care about the world around me. Those people couldn't be further from the truth. 

I made a conscious decision to stop watching or reading the news. It's a lifestyle choice that I made to benefit me and my mental health, not because I want to spend more time watching Love Island, or any other reality TV show. There is a very real reason, behind my choice. 

SHARE:

Thursday 13 September 2018

Feeling Lost Online


The interwebs is a really big place. Well, literally speaking it isn't but it feels really big. It does to me, anyway- I don't know if anyone else feels the same. 

When I say 'I feel lost online' it sounds such an overdramatic statement. Like, how can anyone possibly feel lost online? You go on your phone, you log into Twitter or Instagram and as if by magic you can talk or stalk millions of people, online from the comfort of your own home.

But for those of us who have been on the internet for a while, particularly, if you have an online presence, it isn't as easy as that. I've been blogging since 2014, but things have changed. Blogging isn't the same as it used to be. The community isn't the same as it used to be. I'm not the same as I used to be...


SHARE:

Tuesday 11 September 2018

Holiday Photo Diary: Cornwall 2018


Wow! This is an old-school post, isn't it? I've been doing these holiday photo diaries on my blog for so many years now. I love doing them because I love taking photos of the beautiful landscapes and sharing them with you guys but also because if I lose my photos, I know that at least I have a few stored on my blog to remember my holiday by.

Cornwall is such a majestic part of the country. You might remember if you are a long time reader and I mean a long time reader of my blog, I went to Cornwall in 2015, after I finished my GCSEs which seems like an eternity ago now, given that I have just finished my A-levels and about to start my degree! 

As I spent another wonderful week in sunny Cornwall, I thought it was only right that I shared with you some of my favourite photos from that trip. I had such a great time, as expected staying in such a picturesque county. Fair warning, there is a lot of photos of the back of me with my arms in the air, come on... you didn't think I would pass up on some Instagram worthy shots now, did you?

SHARE:

Saturday 4 August 2018

3 More Netflix Originals You Need To Watch


A while ago I did a post, all about some of my favourite Netflix Originals. You can read that post HERE if you missed it. Being an introvert and on quite an extended summer holiday, I have managed to watch quite my fair share of Netflix originals and films, in the last month or so.

Some of which, have been quite terrible, others, however, have been SO good! Like, I've watched them over and over because I just could not get enough. 

These are the favourites that I'm going to be sharing with you today. I've narrowed it down to my top three. I hope you find some new favourites, to enjoy watching! 

SHARE:

Thursday 2 August 2018

Five Misconceptions Around Depression Debunked


The stigma surrounding depression is very very real. If you suffer from depression or know someone that does, you will understand this stigma. However, it is really important to recognise this stigma so that we can bust some of the common myths that surround depression, in order to help people gain a better understanding of depression, so sufferers and their families can get the support and care they deserve. 

Thanks to the media and the internet, there are some very common misconceptions that surround depression. The media portrays a very stereotypical image of what someone with depression looks like, acts like etc. These stereotypes are often far from the truth, which is why it is terribly important to debunk them.

Everyone experiences depression differently. Depression can manifest itself in different ways for different people, which is why I am going to debunk five very common misconceptions that surround depression in today's post, to hopefully try and help reduce stigma and spread much-needed awareness of what it really means to suffer from depression.

SHARE:

Tuesday 31 July 2018

Notes On a Nervous Planet | Book Review


Matt Haig is one of my favourite authors, so when I heard that he was coming out with a new book, similar to the worldwide bestseller, Reasons to stay alive, I was very eggar to get my hands on Notes on a nervous planet. If it was anything like any of his other books, I knew I was going to fall in love.

And fall in love I did. Notes on a nervous planet did not disappoint. 

So what actually is Notes on a nervous planet about? So, in a nutshell, it looks at how the world is engineered to make us unhappy, how the rapid increase in social media and technology has had a negative effect on our mental health and what we can do about it. 

SHARE:

Thursday 26 July 2018

An Introduction To Consumer Psychology

An Introduction To Consumer Psychology

So, you may know that my preferred area of psychology is forensics and criminal. While that is true, I do find many areas of psychology fascinating although I wouldn't want to base a whole career around them. One of these areas is consumer psychology. 

So what exactly is consumer psychology? Consumer psychology is the study of why we buy things. Which seems pretty self-explanatory. But in reality is a little bit more complicated than that. Psychologists aim to look at the cognitive processes which influence why we buy things, how we respond to marketing and the influence of external stimuli. Once you start learning about this stuff, you will never look at a supermarket, in the same way again.

One of my favourite board games to play at Christmas is the Logo game. You are probably thinking how does this relate, but stay with me! You may think that branding is pretty simple. A company comes up with a logo and that is that. But actually, it is a much more complicated process especially if the same brand has different logos or even different names, in different places around the world. Thanks to Data Label and their useful infographic I'll be exploring some of these differences and why they occur, in today's blog post.

SHARE:

Tuesday 3 July 2018

My Favourite Thriller Books

My Favourite Thriller Books  psychological crime murder mystery death spooky scary

If you know me, you will know one of my favourite genres to read are thrillers. Whether that be mystery thrillers, crime thrillers or psychological thrillers. I love any book that keeps me on the edge of my seat and kept guessing till the very end. 

For today's blog post, I thought I would round up some of my favourite thrillers. Although these are my favourites at the moment, I have an unprecedented amount of other thrillers on my TBR, like an unthinkable amount so this list may be changing very soon. 

I've included a bit of everything on this list from crime to psychological thrillers, some more well-known books and some that aren't even out yet. If you like thrillers, just as much as me or are hoping to branch into the genre soon, I hope you find something on this list that takes your fancy. 

SHARE:

Sunday 1 July 2018

My Favourite Psychology Experiments

My Favourite Psychology Experiments a level social cognitive biological

If you know me, you will know that I love psychology. I did psychology A level which I have to admit wasn't always that interesting. There is something about being forced to learn facts and figures off by heart which makes a subject, less appealing. However, I often did my own research beyond the specification which kept my interest in psychology going. 

I love psychology as a whole, but there are definitely areas in which I have more interest in than others. My favourite has to be forensic or criminal psychology, which is no surprise given that is what I am doing my degree in, in the Autumn. I also love Neuro or biological psychology, which I'll be the first to admit can go beyond me, at times. 

There are so many different fields within psychology, from clinical to child and sport to cognitive with so many more in between. I'm actually going to be doing an A-Z of psychology blog post soon, where I talk about lots of fields and key concepts in psychology but for today's post, I thought I would talk about some of my favourite psychological experiments, from a wide range of fields.

SHARE:

Friday 29 June 2018

Feel Good Favourites For Bad Mental Health Days

Feel Good Favourites For Bad Mental Health Days depression mental illness OCD awareness anxiety

Most people will struggle with their mental health, at some point in their life. If you are fortunate enough not to, you will experience a bad day, a bad week etc. it is just a fact of life. It's annoying and frustrating, don't get me wrong but wouldn't everyone be really boring if they never had to overcome adversity? I never wanted mental health problems but they have shaped me into the person I am today and that, in my eyes is a good thing.

We all know what it is like to have a bad day. Most of the time these days are often caused by factors outside of our control. We can't control what happens to us but we can control how we react (to some degree) I didn't choose to react to bad situations by obsessively washing my hands until they bleed but with treatment and therapy I was able to realise that I didn't have to react in this way anymore. Through a lot of hard work, I slowly reworked my thought processes, so that I came to understand that I can't control everything, but I now can control how I react.

So, you may be thinking what has this got to do with feel-good favourites? Well, when I have a bad day I used to wallow in it. I would watch sad videos or listen to sad songs because that's how my depression really manifested itself. But I realised that actually if I was starting to feel low or sad, I could actively do something to stop the low mood getting out of control. This is where my feel-good favourites come in...

SHARE:

Wednesday 27 June 2018

Being Inspired By Inspirational Books

Being Inspired By Inspirational Books

I have read a fair few mental health books in my time. I can kind of divide them into three categories; those who are very triggering and too raw, those who are very optimistic and cliche and those who are the best of both worlds; inspiring but also tell the truth about what it is really like to live with a mental illness. 

Thankfully, the two books sent to me, by Trigger Press* for this post, fall into the last category. Both books mentioned in this post; Must try harder by Paula Mcguire and Stand tall little girl by Hope Virgo are inspirational but for different reasons. Both books are actually part of 'The inspirational series' about overcoming adversity and thriving. For me, although the books talk about different topics are both very emotional and important books everyone should read. 

For this blog post, I thought I would round up my thoughts on these two incredible books and their inspiring authors and tell you how I have been inspired to overcome adversity and do something outside my comfort zone and take on new challenges. 

SHARE:

Monday 25 June 2018

30 Things I Have Learnt In My Three Years Of College

30 Things I Have Learnt In My Three Years Of College

Hello! Welcome back, it has been a while, hasn't it? It kind of feels weird to say that I am officially done with college. No more A-levels, no more idiotic teachers or an uncaring college. I never have to go back to that place ever again, which feels bliss to say. 

If you have followed my blog or social media throughout the past three years, you will know that my time at college wasn't fun. A bit of an understatement there. It was hell on earth, particularly in the first two years. There was many a time in those long and painful years where I didn't think I would actually get through to the other side. At many points, I was happy to walk out without any qualifications.

However, I pushed through and got to the end. I don't know what those grades will be until August. But, in a way, I ain't too bothered because well I know what horrible things I went through and I can be really proud of myself for sticking through and getting to the end. If I get good grades, then that is just the cherry on the top of the cake. For my first official blog post back, I thought I would go back to a good old list style post and highlight just some of the many things, I learnt while at college. 
SHARE:

Monday 9 April 2018

It's All About The Little Things In Life

It's All About The Little Things In Life old English co stationery homeware gifts cute

Well hello there! Long time no speak. I'm currently drowning in a fresh concoction of flash cards, revision notes and my own self-doubt. A level exams are fast approaching and like most students at this time of year, I'm having about 57 meltdowns a week with all the work I have to do. The pending doom that is exams is creeping up on me quicker than my overdraft. 

You may have realised I've not been around much because recently on here or on my social media. You probably don't care enough to notice but I've been knee-deep in revision since December. To be fair it's only an uphill battle from here. To spare my own sanity and grades I decided to come off social media and stop blogging till my exams. 

However, today I just wanted to stop by, say hello, let you know I'm not dead yet and share a bit of a life update as well as talk about a couple of things that have been keeping me going in this stressful time. 
SHARE:

Monday 19 February 2018

Mental Health Books I Have Been Loving Recently

Mental Health Books I Have Been Loving Recently depression anxiety mad house OCD eating disorders CBT self care

I have been receiving a lot of mental health books recently. Unfortunately, due to exams and A-level stress, reading has kind of taken a back seat to revision. (Groan) Thankfully, after mock exams were over it gave me a break, to pick up reading again. 

Who am I kidding? I have three months to learn two years worth of content #prayforme

Although revision doesn't stop, I make sure in my breaks and downtime I get time to do some reading. I love reading, and I always feel better reading then mindlessly scrolling through social media, achieving nothing. 

Obviously, you know me and my passion for talking about mental health and my love of reading. So what better books to be talking about then mental health books. The books featured in this post are so diverse, so I am sure there will be something here for everyone, whatever sort of book you are after!

SHARE:

Monday 5 February 2018

The Light Jar | Book Review

The Light Jar | Book Review blogger book children's YA lifestyle

When I saw Lisa Thompson was bringing out a new book, I was so excited! I loved her debut novel; The Goldfish Boy. If you remember, back in 2016 I reviewed the book on my blog. You can read that review HERE. As well as it being a fantastic book, it also has a special place in my heart as it was the first piece of blogger mail I ever received. 

Like the Goldfish boy, The light Jar is a middle-grade book. But please don't let that put you off picking either one of Lisa's books up. Both books cover very important themes that everyone of every and any age can relate to. Although they're based on children and targeted at a young audience, they have meaning to everyone. The Goldfish Boy did a fantastic job of portraying obsessive-compulsive disorder, so my expectations were naturally high going into the light jar. 

I always worry when reading the second book of an author whose first book went down a treat and was such a firm favourite of mine. I feel a mixture of emotions from excitement and anticipation. Will it live up to the Goldfish Boy? You will be glad to know, if you were a fan of The Goldfish Boy, you won't be disappointed and if you are a new reader of Lisa's books you are in for a real treat. 

SHARE:

Wednesday 31 January 2018

A Beginners Guide To Talking About Mental Health | Time To Talk Day 2018

A Beginners Guide To Talking About Mental Health | Time To Talk Day 2018 depression anxiety support help OCD mental health

A lot of people are scared of talking about their feelings or emotions. This is particularly apparent in British culture. So heaven forbid anyone talks about mental health/ illness. Depression, anxiety, OCD, PTSD, eating disorders or suicide are things to be talked about behind the closed doors of a sterile counsellors room with the obligatory box of issues, dead plant and some peculiar looking piece of art which I'm sure is meant to calm you but does anything but. 

Wrong. This is the wrong attitude to have. Talking about mental health should be as common as talking about the weather. Which for us Brits should be pretty bloody common. But we don't. We have this stiff upper lip which needs to change.

This Thursday (1st February) is the charity's Time to Change, Time to Talk Day, in which they encourage and spread awareness of the importance of talking about mental health. Everyone can and should get involved with this incredibly important day. Whether you are at school, uni or work, you can get involved and spread awareness. If it's too late to organise an event for the big day, don't worry you can still encourage the people around you in your local community or friendship circle to start talking about mental health. Whether you talk to one person or 100- nothing is too big or too small. However, everything you do is important.

SHARE:

Monday 29 January 2018

3 Films To Stop And Make You Think

3 Films To Stop And Make You Think

I love watching films, but it isn't something which I talk about a lot on my blog. I have really diverse film tastes. I love everything from Disney to horror. Although, saying that it is very rare that you would ever catch me watching a romance film because Ewwww...

I'm not overly fussy with what I look for in the films I watch. Good characters, interesting plot are obviously fundamentally important. However, something that really stands out to me in films is if the film makes me think. I like films which cover key social issues or debates. I think when it comes to films there are two main categories; films you watch mindlessly and films you actually watch. I know that doesn't really make much sense, but it's kinda hard to explain what I mean. 

Sometimes I want to watch a comedy or a kids movie just because I can. I need something in the background to drain out the deafening silence.But sometimes I want to expand my knowledge on a certain topic. I want to learn, and sometimes a textbook just won't cut it. Excellent acting and visual representation make for better understanding sometimes. For me, it doesn't matter what the topic is as long as it makes me stop and think. Today I thought I would round up five of my favourite 'stop and think films' covering a diverse range of subjects.

SHARE:

Wednesday 24 January 2018

Jewellery With a Conscience | Kuma Jewellery

Jewellery With a Conscience | Kuma Jewellery

I don't know about you guys, but I love finding unique shops that sell beautiful gifts, where you can tell they focus on quality over quantity. What with globalisation these days, it is becoming harder and harder to find this kind of handcrafted, bespoke gifts in a market of mass-produced goods which although are cheap and accessible, lack that personality and individuality. 

I'm always on the lookout for this kind of shop because I'm always about supporting the little guys, so when Kuma got in touch with me, I was so excited. Kuma is a jewellery and accessory brand where every item is handmade, in Estonia. For me, this is such a bonus. I'm always trying to shop more ethically. So knowing that these beautiful pieces are all handmade excites me greatly. 

To add to that, all of Kuma's jewellery is made from vegan leather, which is great for animals but also means that you get to wear stunning jewellery with a strong and durable base. They also use no animal products or by-products in the production process or packaging, which gets a big thumbs up from me. 

SHARE:

Tuesday 23 January 2018

COMPETITION: LET THERE BE LIGHT WITH URBAN COTTAGE INDUSTRIES


You guys know I love photography, so when I heard that Urban Cottages Industries had an amazing new competition that could set you up with everything you need to take your photography to the next level, I, of course, jumped at the chance. Urban cottages Industries are running a #LetThereBeLight competition and the winner will receive £500 worth of camera equipment.

How cool is that? I know that I could really do with some new equipment. The focuses of the competition are on the photography themes – playing with light. To enter, all you have to do is snap some beautiful photography and publish your own “Let There Be Light” blog post containing two images – one showcasing natural light and one showcasing artificial light. All you have to do is make sure your blog post includes a follow link to urbancottageindustries.com

You can then enter your blog post via social media, including @urbancottageind and #LetThereBeLight in your post, or enter via email (urbancottageindustries@yoma.co.uk), including a link to your post and your name and email address. See here for full T&Cs. The competition closes on the 31st January 2018. 

SHARE:

Monday 22 January 2018

Supporting Your Favourite Charities Is Easier Than You Think

Supporting Your Favourite Charities Is Easier Than You Think donate the change Sane mental health

I definitely don't donate to charity as much as I should or as much as I would like to. I think a lot of people, including myself take charities for granted. We just expect them to be there and help us when we are in need. What we forget is how reliant they are on donations and support from the general public. 

I will happily put a spare bit of change in a charity pot when I have the chance, but I don't do it enough. I also don't have the income to set aside an amount of money that goes straight to a chosen charity each month. Don't get me wrong, I love a good browse in a charity shop, but I don't always find something which I'm after nor do I always find the time to go to charity shops. 

There is a lot of reasons or even excuses we can come up with for why we don't donate to charity as much as we would like to. I'm no different. But what if you could give to charity everytime you go shopping? Or what about having a set amount which you decide from each purchase that goes to your chosen charity? And maybe even get rewards for doing your bit to support the charity you love? Well, you no longer have to think because it has become a reality. 

SHARE:

Monday 15 January 2018

My Harry Potter Collection (2018)

You guys know I love Harry Potter. I don't even know if love is the right word, I think borderline obsessed sums me up pretty well. I can't get enough of Harry Potter and Harry Potter merchandise. 

From the cheap Primark bits to the expensive Warner brothers studio tour collectables I've definitely got my fair share. Some may even say too much. I'm a Slytherin. Which is why a lot of the stuff you are about to see is Slytherin themed #housepride. I've tried my best to mention where everything is from but if I have missed something off and you want to know where it is from, let me know! 

I've kept this introduction short and sweet because I'm pretty sure this is going to be the longest post in my blog history. I've spilt everything into categories too so if there is one category you are particularly interested in over another, you can skip to that one. Aren't I kind? 

SHARE:

Monday 8 January 2018

Let's Talk About Winter Foot Care

Let's Talk About Winter Foot Care Flexitol footcream beauty blogger UK

I'm not one to give much tender loving care to my feet any time of the year, let alone in winter time although it could be argued that it is even more important during this time of the year. I can't be the only one who totally forgets to look after their feet? Like, out of sight out of mind, that is my excuse anyway.

However, one of my new years' resolutions is to get back into my skin care. Not just for the winter months but for all year around. Sometimes I forget that it is not just my mind that needs love it's my body and skin too. I'm always preaching the importance of self-care which don't get me wrong is so important but looking after your skin is so important as well, which is why I made it one of my new years' resolutions. 

We are all familiar with how hard it is to keep new years' resolutions. I can't lie, I'm as bad as keeping them as the next bad. That being said, I think this year is going to be different. Flexitol* sent me a couple of their foot care products to try, and I was literally over the moon because for once in my life I think I may be able to keep a new years' resolution. 

SHARE:

Monday 1 January 2018

My 2018 Goals

My 2018 Goals lifestyle blogger new year

At the end of 2017, I was looking through my old blog posts which I never do, can I just say. I came across my reflecting on 2016 post which was a really nice trip down memory lane. At the end of that post, I had written myself some goals for 2017. There are no prizes for guessing who wrote these goals and totally forgot about that they even existed. Yep, it was me. The nice thing was that I actually achieved all those goals in 2017. How cool is that?

Goal posts are somewhat overdone in the blogging community, especially at the start of the year. They are not original and don't make for particularly fun reads, well in my opinion they don't. This is why I haven't done them on my blog in a while. But since finding my old goals and looking back at them, realising how much I have achieved, I want to do a goals post for 2018.

My blog is like a scrapbook. An online scrapbook that is shared with thousands of people but a scrapbook nonetheless. It documents my progress, the highs and lows of this good old thing called life. Which is why I'm doing this post today so I can look back at what I have achieved and be proud of myself. Or least that is the plan anyway. After all, I blog for myself, not anyone else. 

SHARE:
Blogger Template Created by pipdig