The Last Minute Dash

No matter how many hours there are before work, food is wolfed down last minute as you scramble to put your shoes on. Although you know what time the train leaves, you always find yourself doing a little run walk to get to the platform on time.  The last minute dash crops up countless times in our highly scheduled days; to reach the post office before it closes, to get back from lunch break, to quickly write a new post before work (that last one’s for me).

This is a habit I am currently trying to curb (she says sat in her pj’s whipping out a quick blog half an hour before work). It’s tough because time is precious and there is SO much to do, but not leaving enough time for the little things like having a cup of tea and preparing for the day can leave you in a bit of a mess, despite having ticked off the important tasks. Arriving at your destination feeling fresh, confident that you aren’t emulating an embarrassing Bridget Jones blusher moment, and that you don’t smell like you slept in a bin, is underrated.  My LMD (last minute dash) tends to go something like this; take a bite of toast while tying shoe laces, grab make up bag for last minute application in car (not whilst driving though, don’t arrest me), hunt down front door keys (they are never where I think I leave them) and compulsively check that all of the household appliances are off (there’s a bit of OCD in all of us). My dad’s LMD tends to be; wake up (on couch still wearing yesterday’s suit), use one product to both moisturise face and style hair, and grab body spray and coffee to humanise himself on the way to work.

So the next time you crack out that to do list to plan your day, don’t forget to give yourself time to do the little things. That extra 10 minutes will see you arriving at work punctual and on your boss’s nice not naughty list, and will prevent any last minute mascara slip ups from frantically oomphing your lashes in the rear view mirror of your car when you arrive. Allocate yourself some chill time and eliminate that last minute dash.

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...