2015: A Wrap-Up

Happy New Year Guys!

I know, I know... my blog posts have been a bit slack. The second half of 2015 was so busy. I seemed to barely find time to watch a bit of TV, let alone write a blog post.

As I mentioned in a previous update, I started doing a bit of freelance work and it all just sort of kicked off. I had some sort of project, be it a logo or website, to work on every single evening of the week. I love designing, it's my hobby. So to be paid to do it is such a great thing. Don't get me wrong, I wasn't making enough money to afford the monthly food shopping, let alone warrant leaving my career, but the odd bit of extra pocket money here and there was such a treat from just doing something I really enjoy.

I thought I'd wrap up on 2015 by listing some of the things I've learned and how I plan to take those lessons and make sure 2016 is an even better year. So here goes...

1. I can't do everything

I have always been such a 'yes person'. If ever my friends organise something, I'm always the first to accept the invite. This tends to get a lot harder when you're such a busy person. Last year I agreed to so many things in advance that I'd then get to said event and would have something on literally every evening that week. This made it really hard to have a good time because I was so exhausted from such a busy week I just wanted to go home, jump into my onesie, light my Yankee Candles and binge-watch Luther. 

Lesson for 2016: Don't cram up too much into a short period of time.

2. I'm too much of a pessimist

This is probably the main thing I realised I need to change about myself. I really am such a negative person. Not towards other people, but towards myself. Whenever anything is going well I instantly think 'uh oh' and look for the flaws or question what is going to go wrong.

Lesson for 2016: Enjoy the good, I can't change the future.

3. I don't actually enjoy junk food.

I love burgers, Häagen-Dazs salted caramel ice-cream, Krispy Kreme doughnuts and cheesy chips. I love the taste of them and the motion of eating those things. But... immediately after I always feel awful, guilt-ridden and fat.

Lesson for 2016: I will continue to eat those things but moderately. They will be a treat rather than a regular occurence. 

4. Waking up early is stress-prevention.

I went through a horrid stage before Christmas of just not wanting to get out of bed. I would lay in past all my alarms and then have a mad panic 20 minutes before I need to leave for work. It was just unnecessary stress. On the week just before Christmas I started waking up an hour before I needed to leave the house and I realised that actually, I felt more awake, refreshed and ready to start the day.

Lesson for 2016: Wake up as soon as the alarm goes off.

5. Responsibility with money is far more rewarding than retail therapy.

I feel like such a bore, but recently I paid off a massive chunk of my credit card and cleared my entire overdraft. The feeling of paying off that money and starting up a savings plan was so satisfying that it made me realise that being irresponsible with my money, although I may enjoy a cheeky Starbucks in the morning, just makes me stressed.

Lesson for 2016: Save money, clear the credit card and the occasional treat will feel more rewarding.

Thank you for reading and I wish you all a happy and properous new year!

Mel x

My bad luck with cars continues...

You just can't win in this life can you. Well I mean, you can...but then something always comes along and screws it up. It's why I'm such an anxious person. Whenever something good ever happens I'm always thinking 'come on then bad, I know you're on your way, let's just get it over with'. I know it's not the best way to be. We should embrace the good without thinking of the bad.

This week my limits were tested. I received a message from the mechanic to say my little car, Reginald, is dead and unless if I pay more than the car is worth, it cannot be repaired. So that's that. It's not ideal. I paid an arm and a leg for the car when I first bought it and it has been my pride and joy. My little run-around. We've been here there and everywhere together. I've laughed in it, I've cried in it, I've been to festivals in it, it's become a friend, like it is an actual person. Reginald was my only asset. The only thing in the world that I owned which had any real monetary value and now it's gone. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't devastated.

I've never really had much luck with cars. The first car I bought was Max the Sax-o. I paid £800 for him and guess what? The engine blew up shortly after I signed the 'sold as seen' papers. Literally on the way home. We argued it but the 'Del Boy' Salesman would never have budged. So I wasn't off to a good start.

The 2nd car, Leo the Clio, lasted a week. I drove him to London to see my friend Millie. At first the key snapped in the lock so I had to pay a Locksmith 90 pound on a Sunday to come out in South East London and pick my lock for me. Then the only way I could get in the car (until I could get it fixed) was by climbing in through the boot. I'm not even kidding. Everyone found it hilarious but this story just sums up my life.

If this wasn't enough, when I eventually drove home from London that same Sunday, late in the evening, I got to a Service Station and then I just saw a massive gust of black smoke. I jumped out of the car - forgetting to put the handbrake on - so the car started rolling down the hill. A good Samaritan pulled over and jumped in the car for me. He helped me put it to the side of the road and I had to call my dad (who was out of the country at the time) who sent his mate down to help get me home.

The third car was Peggy the Pug. I loved her. Another cheap little runner but we shared some great times. Her fuel gage didn't work so I never knew how much fuel was in her and that could get problematic at times but other than that she was adorable. She blew up on me too though. I was driving to work and got 3/4 the way there, on the same day as my early morning first aid exam. She conked out and the AA had to tow her home for me. That was the end of her. Still ace'd the exam though... go me.

Then along came Reginald. The best and most loyal car I've had yet. Due to so much mileage I've had some problems and due to being so klutzy I've had the occasional collision with the odd curb, wall, car and even a bus, but other than that we have spent a great two years together.

I've been pretty miserable because of Reg dying. You can always rely on Public Transport to help you out though right? WRONG. On the same day that I found out that Reg was unrepairable, of all days, there were a ton of train cancellations and as a result I didn't get home until 9.30pm. After watching an episode of iZombie (really good btw.... get watching) I went straight to bed. Rubbish evening.

I know cars can be replaced but I will definitely miss my little Reginald. May he rest in peace.

Thank you for reading.

Mel x