Clueless!

Feeling more clueless than Alicia Silverstone as Cher Horowitz? Like someone must be using you as a participant in a psychological study because NOTHING makes sense? We all have moments in life when we are faced with impossible tasks, nonsensical assignments and mind boggling decisions. So how do we deal with them?

It's just the third day of my editorial work placement at the local paper (which I'm loving by the way!) and I'm already following leads, writing articles and proof reading pages before they go to print. However, diving head first into a sea of technical jargon I feel like a baby learning how to talk. Being fresh to the world of journalism I've already had my share of making it up as you go along and nodding enthusiastically at tasks I had no idea how to tackle. One thing I've discovered is that with confidence and self belief, the impossible is possible.

Whatever the task or decision, tell yourself ' I CAN do this!' (you may get a few funny looks for saying this aloud so yes, the voice in your head option will do). Stick on a smile, and even if you feel like a monkey with a rubix cube, just have a go and see how you get on.  Don't just close your eyes and hope for the best, open them and have a little faith. Chances are you will surprise yourself (monkeys are actually quite intelligent). And if things are just too much to tackle alone, don't be afraid to ask for some tips or advice; there's no point in wandering aimlessly in the dark when someone can turn the lights on!

Moving To The City

Warm sunshine beating down in the garden, birds singing, lazy river flowing, trees, animals and flowers galore. But not for much longer. In two weeks time I make the move into the big smoke, I'll actually be IN London this time. When people ask me where I live my answer won't be the usual 'oh near London, just forty minutes outside' (which is code for small, countryside village absolutely nothing like London but as a Northerner the closest I've ever lived).

City or country? Although I'm eager to make the swap, I'm curious to know..when you compare the two, which one comes out on top? I had reservations about country living to begin with; being awoken by horny ducks mating outside my window at half six in the morning did not sell it to me. However sitting on the balcony with a glass (or 3) of wine, watching the sun set over the fields is truly magical. With the weather so beautiful at the moment I can't help feeling like the countryside is acting like a bitter ex rubbing it in my face 'you idiot, you're leaving me? Well check out how spectacular I am!' 

Yes life in the country is beautiful, relaxing, idyllic, but here are some of the things I wont miss.. Getting a pizza craving at 10pm and discovering that not all ASDAs are 24 hour!? Going shopping in town and being limited to new look and super drug. Everything being at least a ten minute drive away (which means far too many sober nights out). Local entertainment being the obliterated drunks who do a round of the pubs dishing out painfully bad chat up lines like 'Do you believe in love at first sight or shall I walk by again?' (not as funny the third time around).

Despite this I can't help but love living in the countryside and have to recommend you give it a go sometime. Can I really survive in the city with the only tweeting being that of the nearest smart phone? Watch this space...

Restrained splurging

Sometimes there is no better solution than to throw caution to the wind (or money at the retailers) and splurge. Sometimes those shoes just have to be bought, that show needs you in it's audience, and that espresso martini needs a willing body to intoxicate.

When the money worries of attempting to finance life in London on a waitress's wage got too much to solve, the only answer was to grab my sister (aka fellow impulsive sporadic spender) and let go of some money worries by letting go of some money.

Disbelievers, don't mock it until you've tried it. While I wouldn't recommend splurging on Chanel and Mulberry (guaranteed credit card hangover the day after), a little luxury here and there certainly numbs the depression of realising that you're way over your overdraft. Just as contradictory as 'sweet sorrow', 'restrained splurging' is life's beautiful oxymoron. Getting out of the house for a coffee and cake may not seem the best idea when your bank account is so painfully anorexic, but it is guaranteed to brighten your mood. 

Be it retail therapy, a trip to the cinema (which I'm afraid is considered a luxury with London's extortionate prices) or that quaint cafe you always wanted to try, grab a pick me up! Let go of your sensible side and have a day free from your wise mother's warnings of consequence. What's life without a little splurge!?