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I simply remember my Favourite Things, and then I don't feel so bad.

  • Writer: Bella
    Bella
  • Dec 5, 2020
  • 7 min read

Sup my G's. Long time no chat shit. Truth is I've been busy procrastinating, seems Lockdown 2.0 is a very different story this time with furlough and job security taken out the equation. Looking back over my 'Keeping Calm in Crisis' blog post (that I smugly wrote whilst furloughed), I mourn the optimism. Quite frankly, my sometimes sarcastic advice makes me gag at my privileged pedestal of oblivion. Since Lockdown 1.0 I have moved out, quit my job, started my new venture of what the **** am I doing, and loving every minute of the adventure! Well not every minute, because we human and a bit of doom and gloom from time to time is inevitable and I embrace it. Which brings me to the latest blog instalment... my favourite day-to-day tings that keep me rather content (even when I'm weeping). After all, life's better when you express gratitude for the simple things.







1. LITTLE SHOP LITTLE SHOPA HORRORS


Hi my name is Annabel and I'm a plant addict. Plants are friends who don't talk back and grow uniquely when you give them love and attention. I genuinely love my plants like they are my children and they make me feel less lonely as I dwell on the deep wonders of life. Plants are wondrous little additions to any space. I own at least 16 house plants ranging from small to miniature trees. Science has shown Plants can boost your mood, productivity, creativity, reduce stress and likelihood of colds. Wow! Plants are magical little beings, absorbing toxins (including your negative vibes) in the environment. Garden centres have stayed open during the lockdowns's's's, so fear not - your spirit won't wilt, even if your social life does.





2. HOMEMADE HORNY HUMMUS


I don't know a single person who doesn't like hummus, do you? Hummus has been a legendary dip since the 13th Century. The only down-side of making this dip of wonders is my nutri-bullet now permanently smells like garlic and so does my breath. Fortunately it's illegal to put your tongue in people mouths at the moment so win-win. Inspired by the freshness of my naughty little trip to Greece in September, homemade hummus is a lot easier to make and cheaper than expected. You feel all wholesome making it, it tastes fresh and fantastic and it's cheaper than the shop version. Rumour has it... hummus is also an aphrodisiac...What a DISH.



3. YOU WILL ALWAYS FIND ME IN THE KITCHEN AT PARTIES


When I'm not having dinner with my plants, I love to have friends over at my gaff. Incase I haven't mentioned it before, I've never thrived at large social gatherings, I love the idea of it BUT often find myself overwhelmed with my boring chat and end up drowning my nerves in one too many beverages, and a sneaky panic attack if I'm lucky... A perk of the new rona rules is smaller gatherings. Thus, socialising minus the anxious sweats and more of the great home-cooked food and chats. Unbeknown to my guests I cook them all the same meal. "Dear lord, what a sad little life, Bella." In all seriousness, lighting some candles, cooking for those you love, playing adults, it's cute, and you'll go to bed feeling all warm and fuzzy. Quite frankly, we need face-to-face interaction, and most importantly - meaningful ones. As highlighted by the scarily insightful book 'Lost Connection', 'Being disconnected from the people around you has the same effect on your health as being obese'. Get chopping and invite yah mate round for tea and some Oxytocin realisin' lovin'.

s your levels of trust, lo a sense of utual aid and protection". (Lost Connection).




4 TIDY ROOM, TIDY MIND



Now I'm a part-time housewife, one of my favourite ways to procrastinate 'working from home' is finding opportunities to clean. Luckily, this habit (verging on obsessive) makes me feel great and has the power to release stress and anxiety in a squeak. Cleaning has a rather therapeutic effect, add a podcast and eco friendly cleaning product in the mix, bam and the stress is gone. My current favourite cleaning products are from 'Method', don't worry guys not an AD - my blog is still merely a naive infant in the world of influencing your perceptions. Or is it?... These bad boys are a little bit more spenny than their cheap and nasty counterparts, but when you're biodegradable, plant-based, look cute and smell great, why the devil not. BUT WHY? Cleaning is boring you may be thinking. Consider this “Humans crave structure and familiarity, especially during times of uncertainty,” say clinical psychologists. One way to take back the reigns on life is to clean - remember a tidy room = a tidy mind.






5. CROSS FIT INSPIRED, BACK DESTROYING WORKOUTS



I love nothing more than feeling like I've got powerful thighs and a booty to stomp through my new flat (boyfriends parents annex) with. The truth is my upper body has always been somewhat neglected when working out but to achieve those badass yoga inversions and Wonder Woman posture, one needs whole body strength. Alas, as if by magic (algorithms), a cross fit 'inspired' workout appeared on my YouTube dashboard. This type of workout improves cardiovascular/respiratory endurance, stamina, strength, flexibility, power, speed, coordination, accuracy, agility, and balance etc. (and breathe).


As I strive to be as authentic as possible, when I began documenting my newly found 'cross fit' workouts for the VLOG, I ended up slipping into the ankle weights, Pilates, Barre, workouts territory. The type you see Victoria Secrets Angels promoting on YouTube. So as a fellow VS Angel (see VLOG for the synchronicities) and in true authenticity, I guess the reality is I love switching it up!

Many moons ago, workouts used to be a punishment for eating, now the decision to workout frequently, stems from a true love and commitment to the health of my mind and body. Most importantly, by getting those endorphins flowing you'll feel great, making everything else in the day tolerable, and me... I'm a nicer person to be around when I've worked out. Better mood, better sleep, better booty, better life.




6. SWEATY SLIPPERY YOGA


After sitting at my computer absorbing information and getting distracted by the ego boosting wonders of my screen, one is in desperate need of a cure for my hunchback of Notre Dame posture. Surprise surprise, here she goes again. Yoga, yoga, yoga. SHE IS BORING ISN'T SHE. You'll be pleased to hear, after one too many enthusiastic weighted warrior workouts I hurty my back.


How do you still move for your mental and physical health without harming yourself again? For me, it's not a workout unless I'm dripping with sweat within 10 mins and sliding off my mat like a catfish. This is where the wonders of Hot Pod Yoga come in... a completely immersive hot yoga sesh, strengthening and lengthening your limbs inside what can only be described as a blown up womb. You will quite literally feel re-birthed from your Mumma's hoo hah, noon, VAGINA, whatever you call it. Long story short, Yoga genuinely keeps me sane. Make it a priority.


As we all know, a lockdown is always around the corner. So as an alternative home friendly yoga class, Boho Beautiful are offering a FREE 7 day trial on their online Yoga Retreat. Beautiful scenes and flows.



7. BEACH PLS


This one won't come as a surprise for anyone that follows me on the ol' Instagram. Hint, hint. Often, after staring at my laptop and phone during the day, I feel myself entering a real life series of 'Black Mirror' where I feel all consumed and numbed by the stimulated digital era we love, like and live in. You my friend are staring at a screen right now. "321 you're back in the room".

To break free of the noise and clouds that creep into my brain, I head to the beach for some calm, clarity and the simple life.


Why are you so obsessed with going to walk along the sea? Well, let me tell you. Biologist E.O Wilson argued that all humans have a natural sense of something called "biophilia". This is a love for the landscapes in which we evolved in. Science also says regular exposure to a natural landscape reduces your ego, as the connection you feel to the natural world and a sense of "belonging to a grander system" alters your perception of the world.


(Reference the photo below for a very accurate portrayal of me walking along the beach everyday. Alternatively, watch the vlog to discover an even more realistic glimpse)



8. USE IT OR LOSE IT



Whilst grasping my guilt complex of not working 'full-time' and having to prove I'm 'BUSY' and 'productive' I took it upon myself to get some extra skills under my belt. My golly, it's amazing what you can get for free! Firstly, Skillshare (online learning platform) allows you a 2 month free trial, and another month when your try to leave. 'I don't know much about algebra but I know that 2 + 1 = 3'! That's 3 free months of learning a new skill! I have been learning about marketing, freelancing and creativity, and it's been great. As Jim Kwik highlights, we need to keep our neural pathways active. We got 50- 70,000 thoughts a day, lets make them useful ones! Use it or lose it.


Alternatively, if you fancy learning something towards a new career or spicing up the Curriculum Vitae, there is also an array of Government funded courses online. For example, I am currently doing an NVQ qualification for 'Awareness in Mental Health' and I love it! Along my quarter-life crisis I also decided to take up adult tap dancing classes with my dad, but we shall save that story for another blog...






I'M A VLOGGER NOW


Since video logging snippets of my life, I have come to the unfortunate discovery of my 'concentration face' and micro double-chin. Enjoy the realness hunnies. Ain't no filters and angles on these vids... Also I originally made this VLOG to make sense independently to the BLOG. However, due to my storage space on my computer and lack of ability to string a verbal sentence together... I bring you the worlds most disorganised, awkward collection of clips.




And there you have it. My current favourites. Love to you, my lovely reader. Thank you for your attention span, I appreciate yah. What's your favourite things? (apart from 21stcentury bellaaaaa of course).


Mwah


Bella. xx






Saucy Sources:





1 Comment

clm1
Dec 07, 2020

Loved this Bel, clever and funny. Liked Reece’s input in the videos. 😁Xx

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