The Weight of Worries

A few weeks ago I watched a video, now stupidly I (due to being in bed & snoozy at the time) I didn't save the link for reference...

h o w e v e r . . .

... fortunately it stuck with me because it has basically changed my way of thinking & I've already preached it to my besties - sorry for the repetition if you're reading this - What 'it' is, is a way to change the way you look at your worries, a physical way to see them & feel them as a weight. 

If you know me you'll know I'm the worlds best worrier, apparently my brain can't get enough of it! Joy. 

So it was a great pleasure & relief to have a change of perspective thrown my way...

I won't keep the drums rolling any longer:

Imagine your holding a glass of water? 

It's a full glass & you pick it up, take a sip & put it back down. 

Now, you had no trouble holding/picking up that glass did you? 

No because it wasn't heavy was it? 

No. Ok good... Now imagine holding that glass for lets say 5 minutes straight? 

Does it feel heavier now? 

Yes, it feels a bit heavier now.

Factually speaking, has the weight of the glass changed since you picked it up for that first sip?

No it still weighs the same. 

Great, now hold the glass for a few days, weeks or even months? 

Is it hard to do that? Impossible.

Why? Because the glass is getting heavier and I've got shit to get done!

But is it heavier? 

Well no, I guess it scientifically isn't gaining weight. 

Correct, so it has't gained wait since you've had it but it's got heavier while you've held it?

hmmm

Now, let the glass go.

Is that better? 

Yaaaaaaaaaas!!

OK PEOPLE you get the point... you can probably guess where I'm going.

Change the glass of water to something you are worrying about? When it first became a worry it was small. You've done nothing different accept hold onto it for longer, like the glass the worry gets heavier with out it actually changing. 

For me that was the light bulb moment & it's silly because my beautiful sister has always said: 

'you cannot control the uncontrollable so if it is out of your control then it cannot be changed therefore don't waste your energy worrying about it'

Or something like that. She is right & this is true.We all hold on to our worries for so long they consume out spare thoughts, down time & take over our lovely brains but they never change until we do something about them. Until we make the conscious effort to act on it & physically change it or let it go because acting on it isn't in our control. 

B O O M !

Let it go because it's still as big as it was & always as big as it will be. 

I'm going to leave it there & let that sink in.

I'd love to know if you have any other ways you deal with stress and worries? 

What was your light bulb moment? 

Get involved in the convo in the comments or let me know on Insta. 

Check out my previous post on managing stress here.

That's all for now beauties. 

Thanks for reading!

Mucho Love,

Liv. 

♥

Wedding Season Must Haves

The Wedding season is quickly approaching!

As I am getting older so are my friends and family obviously, everyone is getting to the age where weddings are being planned and prepped and invites are flying through the letterbox! 

I've come up with a list to get you through the season with minimal spending but maximum fun and glamour! 

First up...

Shoes: 

The most versatile and flatting heel are nude. They will go with essentially absolutely everything and they will give the allusion of a longer leg. My preference in a pointed stiletto - I think the point is very chic- WARNING pointed heels can result in slightly numb toes.

However there is nothing wrong with a open toe, round toe or platform heel, they will all work well with most outfits and extend the look of your leg. DOUBLE WIN.

Some recommendations are:

Boohoo Pointed Heel £22

 

M&S Round Toe Court Shoe £25 

Asos Pointed Heels £30 with Lace details

Clutch Bag:

Again Nude is always a safe bet, however if you pre plan your outfits buying a silver or gold clutch can go with most and also add a touch of sparkle. However, at the hologram bags are perfect and so on trend at the moment. I prefer oversized clutch bags as I like to bring the world share of tissues for the ceremony and some makeup for retouching throughout the day.

Pink Hologram £15 ASOS 

Warehouse Flat Leather Clutch £15

Hologram Clutch £15 ASOS 

Make Up:

Whether your a guest or the bride the one thing you want from your makeup on a long day like a wedding is staying powers so i've rustled up a few makeup must haves for your wedding makeup selection which will get you through the big day with minimum effort and worry resulting in maximum enjoyment.

Lips:

These Bourjois Rouge edition Velvet lipsticks are fantastic!!
They're only £8.99 and have recently extended there colour pallet. The Hot Pepper Red is beautifully bright with an orangey tint and works really will with most skin tones. They have extended there nude collection which is perfect for the Bride as they don't transfer so kissing your new hubby all day A'OK!

Face:
This concealer is the brilliant as I've mentioned in previous High Street Beauty Haul is so long lasting, its none transferable and is fantastic for blemishes and in a lighter tone under the eye and a brightener. Its on sale in Boots at the moment from £4.19 down to £3.99 its a no brainer!!

Eyes:

These cream stick eye shadows are great, there are loads of gorgeous ones on the market at the moment especially in the high end spectrum, the By Terry shadow sticks are a fav! However for the less bank breaking fee of just £4.49 I would say these Rimmel Shadow sticks are just as great! They are long lasting and have high pigmentation and require little effort and have a range of 8 different colours in the range. At the moment and they are on 3 for 2 so its a crime not to snap your favourite shades up now!!

Tools:

This Real Techniques Mini Brush Set obviously isn't for the general and initial application of your makeup but they are so handy, the perfect hand/clutch bag size and give you most tools you need to retouching your makeup throughout the day. They are also so affordable at only £9.99!

I hope this was helpful for your up and coming wedding prep, if you have more than one it can become pretty pricey and get a little stressful which we certainly don't want it to be. Weddings are a celebration of love and a coming together of families and happiness so anything that can be done to lower the stress levels is a bonus, nay?

Thats all for now beauties!

Send me your pictures of your wedding buys and finished outfits throughout the summer I'd love any inspo!!
Let me know if i've missed anything you think is a must have?

Mucho Love,

Liv
♥

Life goals to Live Happily

I'm 22, I've recently moved to a new city and graduated from university with a 1st class degree. Yet, alongside 1000's of other graduates, I don't know what my next step is but I know my main goal is to maintain a happy life whatever path I take in my private life and in my career. 

Things about me: 

• I'm a worrier, if there's a situation that could happen, I've already thought of it and 10 other possibilities and the possibilities that come with those possibilities... If that makes sense? 

• I like to be organised- I write lists, I re-write lists and I make notes of everything.

• I hate being late and will always take the earlier train or taxi to make sure I'm not.

• I love a lot, if you're in my life, you're in a for a reason because I want you there and I trust you. I've been hurt like we all have and behind closed doors have lots going on - in my head and reality but it doesn't stop my caring and always giving people a chance

• I'm optimistic!!! That's the most important one I think. I may worry and fret but I try to always find the sliver lining and bring happiness into my own others days.

A day without smiling is a day lost 

so make sure you take note when something does make your heart flutter or mouth beam

Something I've been worrying and fretting about is the future of my career.

My wise sister once told me 'not to stress about the uncontrollable and focus on the controllable factors in your life.' 

That is my new motto or mantra going forward and theres a easy way to do it!! 

A theory I use to make my life goals achievable, to live a stress free and happier life is to put my goals into different imaginary (or real) categories and boxes. 

My categories at the moment are:

Money 

Career

Body/Health

Relationship

Friends & Family 

The way it works is simple. 

Only have 1 or 2 boxes open at a time. For instance: 

When I moved to Norwich I had the relationship and money box open.  

Relationship: Committing to Mr J by moving in with him.

Money: I managed to bag myself full time permanent job in Norwich with a secured monthly wage.

The above didn't open my Career box because the job role is not in my preferred career path it is a job to pay the bills and save some money. 

Sometimes you have to remember as much as you want to always be forwarding your chosen career actively, you also need to be earning. If I am earning I have the potential to be saving, saving towards new makeup kits, courses, networking events and self advertising this entail will open the career box once my money related goals are achieved. 

Breaking down the different tasks and stresses that occur in everyday life like this means your goals as a whole are essentially halved as you are only focusing on a only few at a time, resulting in a less complicated, more organised and stress free lifestyle. 

This has worked for me like a dream, its made my life goals so much more achievable and has relieved me of stressing about the uncontrollable on a daily basis.

 My light bulb moment came to me with the realisation that you don't have to try to tackle all of your goals, stresses and woes in one weighty task, its overwhelming and unnecessary. 

You can break them down, look at them realistically and individually, with a clearer head you can then endeavour to carefully work your way through your goals in an organised achievable and confident manner. 

The great thing about organising your life this way is you may even end up ticking other boxes with out even realising it. 

Stress, what's stress?

I realise this may not work for everyone, as mentioned I am very much about being organised and feeling safe and calm, for me this is the way to feel like that. Using a box method to arrange my life works for me and my head. Others may need to visually or physically organise which is why I mentioned early you can use literal boxes if it works best for you. Everyone has different ways of doing things and working habits. This has worked for me and I thought it might be worth sharing incase it helps some of you! 

Let me know if you have any other ways of dealing with lives stresses?

Have you tried the box theory? Does it work for you?

If you try this let me know how you get on?!

I'd love to hear your thoughts, comment below or catch up with me on Twitter or Instagram @LivrhMakeup

Thats all for now beauties!

Mucho Love,

Liv 

♥