Now what?

Soooo, it's been a while.. Sorry about that.

A lot has happened since I last wrote.

I had originally started this blog when things weren't going so well and I needed to create somewhere to think positively. Positivity is contagious after all.

In two years, I started a new job, travelled, spent time with my family,(including welcoming two wee nieces!), and spent time enjoying life with my husband. So far, so grateful.

Living it large at the Berlin Zoo

But despite all that I've done in two years, it got me thinking. Even with all the wonderful things that have happened, there was a voice in the back of my head saying "Now what? What's next?". Instead of just being able to enjoy the moment, I was pushing myself to go looking for more, bigger and better things etc.,

So why is that voice even there? Why can't I enjoy the moment for what it is? Is it a first born thing? An overactive drive to succeed? Or does everyone have one?

Once I realised I was doing this, I knew that I needed to live more in the moment. To enjoy the little things. To take or make an extra moment. To take a deep breath and take in my surroundings. I gained more joy when I made the time to just live in the now. On my days off I make the effort to get off the couch and go outside, even it's just a quick jaunt into town, I do it. And it feels good. When I'm outside, I try to go to a park or to where there's water and I just sit and watch the world go by. Sometimes it can be wonderfully relaxing to simply do nothing, just for a little while.

There's still that voice in the back of my head that shrieks "Now what?" but I've learned to muffle it. Instead of putting stress on myself, I'm taking the time to smell the roses. And it's good.

Job hunting Challenge

There are some things in life that we expect to be stressful: Exams, moving house, planning a wedding, having a baby etc., but I've got a new one to add to the list: Looking for a job.

At the moment I'm working part-time/freelance between two jobs but I'm trying to find something more full time in the city.

So I've been looking for a job. I've hit the usual job sites, the #Jobfairy hashtag on Twitter, LinkedIn, joined an agency and been applying for a variety of different positions, ranging from Marketing to retail.

At this point, I've not had any luck.

Image from vunie.com

If anything I count myself lucky if I get a rejection email, it's better than being ignored and left wondering if I'm still in the running.


With all this in mind, how can one see the funny side in rejection emails and indifferent silences?

For me, I've adopted the attitude of stubborn dedication. I've accepted that some jobs won't be a good fit, so I move on and keep looking. But I firmly believe there has to be more than one job out there for me.

Image from coaching-journey.com

On one day I might apply for ten jobs, the next day it might be only one or two. The job market is tough out there at the moment, but I don't want to use that as an excuse.

I hope that if I think positively and refuse to give up, then the right job will be worth the wait!

Stress O'Clock

Every now and then we go through stressful periods in our lives. At this moment in time, I am no different. For me there's just a lot of balancing going on between planning a wedding, money issues, worries about work and lots more besides.

I think one of the main things that people worry about is money. At the moment, most of our money is being gobbled up by the wedding, so talk has now turned to post wedding life. To have a little disposable income again will be such a novelty. To say we can't wait is an understatement! Bring it on, I say!

Because stress affects so many people, I've put together a list of ways to help combat it. Hope it helps!

1. Talk about it.

Photo credit icanhascheezburger.com

Seriously. Don't bottle it up. It will just manifest in other ways. Have a good rant every now and again, it's wonderfully cathartic. 

2. Exercise.

Gif credit http://serious-internet.biz

OK, You don't need to tie yourself to a treadmill or do 50 sit ups during The Great British Bake Off or anything. But get out and move! Walk, dance, swim, join a gym, skip. Anaerobic exercise can help fight stress and anxiety, plus your body will release endorphins to give you a 'feel good feeling'.

3. Make time for you.

Photo credit http://www.tammystwocents.com

If you love chilling in a bath with a good book, pottering around the shops or playing video games, then make time to do it. It gives you time just to unwind and focus on yourself. Enjoy!

4. YELL!

Gif credit Tumbler.com

Sometimes you just can't verbalise the stress, anger or anxiety. Grab a pillow and yell it out. You'll feel better.

5. Do something daft every day.

Photo credit my.englishclub.com

Instead of walking down the hall, why not skip? Pull a face in public. Snort at a silly knock knock joke.The sillier the better. I bet you'll at least smile at the daftness of it all! 

6. Laugh!

Gif credit Gifsoup.com

Watch a funny movie. Look at videos on Youtube. Laugh at things you're not supposed to. Whatever tickles your funny bone. Just throw your head back and have a good laugh!

It's not all bad news. Even though we all have to deal with stress at varying degrees throughout our lives, how we deal with it can make all the difference!

That's how I deal with stress. What tips can you add?

'Trying to see the funny side' is now on Facebook!

I have done it!

After blogging, editing and tweeting like a trooper. I have created a page for 'Trying to see the funny side' on Facebook. There will be lots more pictures, things to put a smile on your face and blog posts galore!

Want to join in the fun on Facebook? Click here.

How to be a big kid

Sometimes grown up life can be stressful. There are bills, rent and mortgages to pay, work stress and lots more. It's at times like this that I feel envious of kid me, life was carefree back then!

But why leave the fun stuff behind you? Why not bring back some of that carefree nature to combat serious grown up stuff? Here are some of my personal recommendations on how to be a big kid:

1. Build a fort.

 Seriously. There is so much fun to be had in a fort!

2. Have a picnic (indoors if the weather isn't good)

3. Play kids games, like hopscotch, Snap or Tag.

There's a reason you had so much fun playing them as a child!

4. Laugh and giggle over silly things.

5. Have a pyjama day.

They're comfy, just try not to let them become outerwear. They're not that cosy!

6. Have a movie day.

Watch the films that you loved as a child, you'd be surprised how much you might still love them!

7. Play with Lego.

Why not use it to make something practical for grown up you?

8. Sing!

It doesn't matter if you can sing or not. You'll feel happier and carefree after it!

9. Friends Forever.

Do all of the above with your friends. Some of the happiest memories I  have involves silly times with friends. There's a reason for that.

Got any more tips on how to be a big kid? Comment below or come join me on Twitter!

Time

For the last few weeks I've been thinking a lot about time.

It doesn't seem like that long ago since I was living at home with my parents where my biggest decision was what colour to paint my bedroom wall. Just tonight Mr. Ree and I watched a movie which was made in 1998. In my mind that's not long ago. It's 15 years. FIFTEEN! I don't think my brain accepts that the noughties happened, instead it adopts the mentality of 1,2, skip a few, 99, 100!

My 'little' sister recently turned 21. Yet in my mind's eye, I still see her as a child who would begrudgingly watch Scooby Doo with me each morning, emerging from the foot of her duvet before announcing that the only new character was the ghost, ghoul or general baddy of the episode. As most kids do, we used to put on shows which our parents were made sit through and run around in our non-slip socks*. Yet the years have passed and she's now a grown up, with responsibilities and a bank account!

*Which begs the question, are there non-slip socks for adults? Grown ups can slip too yknow!

Safety first kids, with style!

As time passes I see friends getting married, having children and traveling around the world. But there is nothing that defines time passing more than when you see a kid you used to babysit getting a pint in the local pub. Whilst trying to maintain a cool demeanor, all you can think of is "I used to read you bedtime stories!"

With regard to timing, I often wonder about the 'Sliding Doors' scenario and think about how my life would have turned out if I had made different choices. Nothing major, but if I hadn't lived on campus during my first year in University, if I hadn't got the results I did in the Leaving Cert, if I had done a Gap year etc. If any of those variables were to change, chances are I wouldn't have met the man I'm going to marry in a mere four months (Eek!) Nor would I have the same network of friends, traveled to the countries I have or have the same memories and experiences.

One can't talk about time passing and timing without the notion of aging creeping into the discussion. It's an area I based my dissertation on as it's something that, as a woman, is discussed ad nauseum in so many different magazines, TV shows, films etc. There are so many lotions and potions that are supposed to hold back the sands of time, chemicals to inject into our faces to paralyse wrinkles and copious amounts of surgeries to pull the skin taut to maintain a more youthful appearance. But let's cut through the crap and deal with the issue of aging.

It happens. You are aging right now.

But let's scale back. Since when is aging necessarily a bad thing?

Aging is a natural biological progression. Aging is a sign that we have lived. Our bodies are vessels in which we are supposed to sail through life in. Surely it's only natural to get a bit of wear and tear as time passes. So for every stretchmark, scar, wrinkle and everything in between, live life to the full in your body. Embrace the aging process and get as much mileage out of your body as possible!