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. 

♥

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 

♥

The Liebster Award - Q&A

Hey Beauties!

How are we all today? 

Firstly, I'd like to say thank you and hello to all my new followers! There is now 80+ of you and at this early of a stage is so lovely, I hope you enjoy!! 

I have been lucky enough to be nominated for the Liebester Award, 3 times! By these lovely ladies and there blogs Bethany, Zoë & Une Belle Fin . The Liebester award is an award used to help new bloggers get there blog out there and recognised and I think its a fabulous idea! 

The way it works: 

- Link the person who nominated you

- Answer the questions given by the nominator

- Nominate 11 other bloggers who have less than 200 followers

- Create 11 questions for the nominees to answer

- Notify all nominees via social media/blogs

As I have been nominated by more than one person I have selected a few questions from each blog to answer:

1. What was the name of your first pet? Teddy he was a fluffy white cat with a little squashed face.
2. Dream holiday destination? ANYWHERE EXOTIC? okay seriously, I think I would absolutely love to go to brazil and travel around the whole country. Its has so much character and culture I think it would be so much fun alongside the fact that its beautiful and HOT - whats not to love? 
3. What's your favourite item of clothing? Do pi's count? I say they do. I no I love fashion but who here can't deny that as soon as they get home from a long day at work doesn't get changed straight into there snuggley pjs? 
4. What's your favourite season? Autumn - hands down most beautiful season for nature and clothes!
5. List three of your favourite food/ drinks? Tea, Wine & Italian food 
6. Dream job? Full time freelance Makeup Artist - roaming around making gorgeous people feel amazing - yeah I'd love that
7. First make-up experience? My sister put mascara on me and told me my eyelashes where like spiders legs and I completely freaked out!
8. Going out or staying in? IN- with the girls making yummy food having fun making cocktails or drinking copious amounts of wine. LOVE this with the girls, family and my man.
9. Celeb Crush? Oh god, David Beckham does have a fond place in my heart.
10. Style icon? Oooh Cara Delevingne, Rosie Huntington-Whitely & Alexa Chung- Mix all that together and thats me - Kind of.
11. What's your go-to makeup product? Oooooh making me choose? Okay so Mac wood winked eye shadow, real techniques brushes (all pretty much) & Maybelline the flasies mascara.

My nominees are :

1. What Katie Says
2. What Lauren Did Today 
3. Lucy Loves 
4. Wednesday Genevieve 
5. Voguecsent 
6. This Little Lady 
7. SunandSany
8. Rubies & Red Wine 
9. Lu Loves Beauty 
10. Little Miss Sunshine
11. Jess Who?

I really enjoyed answering these questions so I would like these beauties to answer the above 11.

Have you been nominated for this award? If so let me know and I can check out your blog? 

Mucho love, 

Liv

♥

Here is a picture of my current adopted pet (my sisters kitten) his name is Wilfred, he says hi.
YES HE IS THE CUTEST KITTEN EVER! 

Happy Weekend!

Image found on Pinterest

Happy Weekend!

I started my weekend with some light baking, a catch up and a drink with friends down my local pub.

I gave my hand ago at baking, I had seen a Blog post and video from Lily Pebbles where she made 'Brookies' - Thats right you guessed it, BROWIE-COOKIES and yes they are as delicious as you're thinking. For the recipe click on the word Brookies above or for a link to Lily's blog just click on her name above.

So after a nice chilled evening stuffing my face with Brookies and having a drink with friends. It's time to kickstart the weekend with some Brunch my life does revolve around food.

On the menu this morning is poached eggs, a sprinkle of cheese and some fresh avocado YUM. It's snowing here in Norwich so I'm not totally sure what i'm going to do with my weekend from brunch onwards but i'm sure I will keep you updated.

Here's a few snaps of my Brookie making journey:

TRUST ME YOU NEED TO BAKE THESE BAD BOYS 

What are you up to this weekend?

Comment below to give me some ideas to make the most of this snowy weekend.

Tag me on Insta or Twitter @livrhmakeup if you make some Brookies.

Mucho Love,

Liv
♥