You are amazing and keep reminding yourself of that

We all have imperfections, well we think we do. We are human beings and we will think negative thoughts about ourselves, but it is how you change that and stop worrying about being perfect. I have spent hours of thinking about what others thought of me and would see people who seemed to have floorless beauty and that I will never be able to look like that. 

I now love my style and wearing funky socks, fitness bottoms and tops. I do like to dress up too, but when there is a special occasion, like going out for someones birthday, and for special holidays. 

Looking after my health, is much more important and dress that suits your personality. It is good to be different, and I believe that everyone is unique. There are those who criticise, because they see fault with everything and everyone. Lay them to rest and rise above it and live, and "Grabs the bull by the horns" and not allow anyone bring you down.

When we avoid mirrors it is because we see a different image to what we see in our heads, but now I give myself credit and have fun with clothes and with make up. If I see another woman dressed well I compliment because I like fashion and see people have different styles, and I like making people see the good things about themselves. The feelings of we are super ugly can really make us hide away, because we feel pressure in looking a certain way and we never going to feel good enough. 

I got fed up in feeling that way and made changes on how I see myself, by going through my clothes and make up and getting active. I look after my skin that has affected how I felt and look after my hair, teeth and my health. 

You are amazing and remind yourself next time you look in the mirror and I like having breasts, and thick hair, and glad I am the size I am. I did have type two diabetes, which affected me and had to control the amount I ate and what I eat. I don't have a super healthy diet but I now have managed my weight and my BMI and feel so good for it. It is all about building your personality and letting people know you have arrived, not knit picking at yourself, because you think another person looks better than you, and it apppears that they have no blemishes or looking better in a outfit you have and seem to have it all. If we all looked the same the world would be boring, so stop, be kind to yourself and give yourself some love.

So no more putting your self down and live.  

Many thanks for reading,

Carrie X 

Being grateful of what we have

Hi it has been a funny week, in that it was a mixture of good and bad and I have been doing reels on my Instagram, because I am having trouble in uploading images to it, and I do feel a little self-conscious, but it is good to step out on your comfort zone. 

I am using my son's laptop to write my blogs, because I was getting my one fixed and had a few problems with it, short story, I was scammed by receiving a message from supposedly PayPal saying that £785.85 was going to be taken from my account, and thankfully it was sorted it out and talked about on my Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/typicallondongal/?hl=en

However, going on with the blog and what I want to blog about. Is that we often look at all the badness of the way we look, dress and present ourselves, when actually other people don't really care. We feel we have to dress a certain way to make a impression, and not saying you should be scruffy, but that our own opinion of ourselves is what is important, not someone else's. 

When I see people without limbs and being hurt causing them to not be able to see themselves, grateful of the way I look and so, when I feel myself being unkind to myself, I will now get a hold of myself and that I am lucky. I have hands that can write, feet and legs that can walk, a heart that is beating as it should and no skin problems as such. I have had dry skin, but others have scars and blemishes but never allow themselves in these, affecting how they feel about themselves, and for dry skin, that used to bug e got under control, but no longer obsessed with the way I look by being grateful of what I have, in terms of body, and I have had weight problems, and it has been a rollercoaster, as I was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes and have gotten this under control, and so feel truly blessed.

So stop given yourself a hard time over the way you look, and love yourself.

Many thanks for reading,

Carrie X 

 

The image you see in the mirror how I have changed my view of myself

It has taken a lot for me to look at myself in the mirror, but since doing Youtube videos and getting my mindset better, I know longer fear the way I look and don't want to be forever punishing myself with those thoughts and love my style and enjoy the clothes I wear and image I see. 

There is more to life than the way we look, and my eating habits not great, so we are working on that, but love exercise and going for walks again, and putting make up on some days helps and practicing self care has helped, by looking after my skin and body, and in turn managing my life as a mum, with my writing I do on my blogs and books, and other projects to support my blog community, who take the time reading my blogs and following me.

First thing never yourself, and do this by going through images of yourself, as when I do this and look at pictures of when I was a kid, and remember having insecurities back then, and there was nothing wrong with me. I looked okay and wished I had realised that at the time.

I no longer fear fitting rooms, if you are new to this site, then I used to hate them, and hate for me is a strong word for me, but really caused me to hate myself and would really give myself a hard time over it. 

Life is too short though and had to change these thoughts and feel good about myself, and now I am comfortable in my own skin. Don't get me wrong the inner critic still speaks but I have learned too shut it down, by saying in my head "No I look fine" and like being real and I do like to wear make up and take care of my appearance but for me it is looking after myself to feel good about myself, like using Skincare products that suit my skin, have good nutrients and minerals in my diet and making the most of each day and learn to be grateful of what I have, not what I don't have. 

I know longer feel like the ugly duckling and not relying on what others think of me, but how I feel about myself, for me and if I feel I look good, then that is okay. 

Don't get me wrong I like compliments and does help with my feelings, but I no longer rely on that and concentrate on how I feel about myself and if something doesn't look right, I change it but no obsessed over it.

So I hope this helps you and please let me know if you too have turned your image of yourself around and want us to help each other. 

Many thanks for reading,

Carrie X 

 

Being happy with my weight and going natural

I am in a place now where I am happy with who I am and what I look like and seeing other ladies of different shapes and sizes has helped. It not the size that matters or having the recent make up trend, but how you feel within yourself and on the outside. 

The image is of my son and one of our walks we do through Morden Hall park in London and filmed us doing this walk, check out this link here to watch it: https://youtu.be/UZlq8tbCtgY

This blog is not slating those who wear make up in anyway because I do like wearing it too, but for my skin I don't wear a lot. I find myself giving myself pressure as part of me keeps telling me to put in on everyday but I like going make up free some days and allow my skin to breathe. 

Listen to your skin and having a good skincare routine is a must for me and I love skincare. So is why i do like to go more Natural, and I like doing a look wear I haven't got a lot on and have a natural make up look. 

It can depend on the day and have been working on my sleep routine, and on my energy levels. I am trying to control my eating habits as this can affect how we feel and have implications on our body when we do consume unhealthy foods, but I like having a McDonalds a few weeks and eat out, but not all of the time.

There was a time where I hated the word diet, because I thought it a negative word and unachievable and never going to have a flat stomach, but I am not bothered by that now. I am no long bothered by size, and it feels good to say that. That is the question, do you want to continue to battle with having the perfect body or live your life? 

It is up to you, but for me I feel so drained by thinking about this and made up my mind that this is not what is important to me. Yes like to have a break from wearing leggins all the time, and make an effort, I just no longer want that battle with myself and live. 

So I am happy with the weight I am now. I do still check daily as I have had to lose weight because I was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes, but I feel okay with it and do feel I have control of it, and that this a big part of my change of mind, is being in control and not allow weight to control me and eat more natural foods and be in Natural environment too, as me and son now like going for walks by water and near nature. 

So I really hope this helps you and lets work together to feel good about ourselves and have confidence in ourselves.

Please check out my books on amazon under the names of Carrie Challoner, Carrie Lee Holmes and Carrie Holmes. I write EBooks and Novels.  

Many thanks for reading, 

Carrie X 

 

Dieting, is it a bad word?Are diets healthy?:

For me Dieting meant not eating and starving, but now being a lot older, it to me means Nutrition and eat what my body needs. I do wish to have a flat stomach, but I like my curves and now clothing and that has changed, I do feel a lot more confident and so it is not such a poisonous word to me now, and don't cringe if I hear it.  

Homemade soup my son made and was delicious and was a vegetable soup

I never wanted to be super muscly and this is not offense to those who are, and its just not for me, but want to be toned, but eating and enjoying food, but minimising. Not having huge portions of food, but are nutritious and makes you feel good. 

The one area I am struggling is Lunchtime. So I have began making of planning my lunch to help this, as I am fed up of chocolate and sweet stuff, but have more vegetables and not having too much meat. I like having a yoghurt at breakfast rather than cereal but have a substantial amount of food to give me energy, and I do find I feel fatigue after lunch so more reason to have a better food during the day, rather than biscuits and crisps all the time. 

When I was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes I was told which I was surprised about that not to eat too much fruit because it is still sugar and have a certain amount of portions per week and have a leaflet on my wall showing what are good and bad foods, and was surprised that not all vegetarian dishes, like burgers and sausages, are allowed occasionally but glad eggs are best choice if scrambled, poached and boiled, but I do love a fried egg so will occasionally have that. 

It is all about moderation and having food that is enjoyable and nutritious like my step dad makes a homemade chicken and leak dish and it so nice and adds bacon to it too. Okay so doesn't sound like this is healthy but it is and don't have this all the time, but really enjoy it when its on the menu for dinner. 

Homemade food is the best and you know whats in it. I do have two ready meals in the fridge and are Chinese style meals, but again don't have these all the time. If you have the same thing each week it can make you bored and not enjoying it. 

So having a good mixture of food is the way to go and you look forward to it and will continue to eat healthier food. So yes, diet is a good word when you are not starving yourself, but fasting between meals and varying your diet. 

Many thank for reading,

Carrie X 

Can following trends help us to feel good about ourselves and what can effect how we feel

As a kid I was someone who would follow trends, having the current skirt, dungarees and MC Hammer suit and had a pair of Kickers and observing myself, and this is from a video I did about Following trends saying that I don't, but then recently in some new clothes I have purchased realised I do. 

It has been subconsciously as was unaware of this habit but don't buy items just because they are trendy it has to suit me at the same time. I don't dress to feel current but to feel good and enjoy what I wear. I don't mind wearing the same clothes on consecutive days, and putting together looks that I like to see if they suit me or not. If it raises your self esteem then wear it but if it doesn't then fear not, it just not your style and that is okay. 

Following trends can cause a lot of pressure because often we use fashion to fit in, and worry about being different and in the 90's I was very much heavy metal/tom boy, and so you'd see me in DM's with Jodhpurs and long baggy T-Shirt. I would wear Denim on Denim and got into waistcoats and now I do like the oversized clothes look. I do write a fashion blog called Carrie Versatile fashion https://carriesversatilefashion.com/

I have been influenced which knowing about life now being my 40's we all do and that is okay but I do like to be different in what I wear too If we were all the same the world would be a boring place and I do like those who are different and have their own unique style, example: Boy George, Kylie Minogue, Victoria Beckham and my music Icon, Cyndi Lauper. 

Then their is surgery and getting bigger lips, bigger boobs, younger looking skin and permanent make up, and yes I have been thinking about it, as I hated having big boobs and being short and having straight hair. Now though for the first time in my life I have been acceptive and having a heart operation and mental health issues, I like how I look, and that is taken a lot for me to say that. 

Part of me can still be self critical, but having fun in what I wear has helped and I use Pinterest to help me plan my wardrobe. A lot of it is boredom I get sick of seeing the same face, same clothes etc, so I like to change and look different, and so will dye my hair and make sure it is trimmed and easy to wash and dry. I love patterned socks, and wearing baseball caps and hats, and love be able to mix 'n' match.

Clothes aren't what makes us or trends, it is a necessity and so shouldn't dictate but be creative and finding your own style that makes you happy and feel good about ourselves.

So create a good capsule wardrobe can really make a difference and watch trends adding your own style to it. 

Check these boards I have created on Pinterest:

https://www.pinterest.co.uk/thetypicalLondongal/yearly-fashion-look-book/

https://www.pinterest.co.uk/thetypicalLondongal/fashion-vision-for-2023/

Many thanks for reading, 

Carrie X 

 

Being the underdog is there such a thing?

I got the idea of writing this blog watching the Semi finals of the FA cup, Sheffield United vs Manchester City and Manchester United vs Brighton. Whenever I watch these sorts of games I will support the team less likely to win, when actually they have every chance. A lot of the time when it comes to football as there are always surprises and any teams can have a bad day, its anyone's game especially when it comes to cup football as anyone can win it. 

I do have a team I support, please no judgement, it is Chelsea, but I like watching the smaller clubs do well because it can be so much more inspiring because it is, "Well they did it why can't we?" and gives hope and shows that "Football is a funny old game", a quote by the wonderful footballer Jimmy Greaves who is sadly not with any more, but who was a local boy who made his name playing for Tottenham Hotspurs and England. 

Many say that "There is no such thing as an underdog" and I used to believe that but there is and it doesn't mean they don't stand a chance but they have to deliver extra and climb a lot more hurdles to be a success and many clubs like Chelsea, who have had huge success for a long time, have had bad spells, like this season and not always been top high flying club. They have had to rebuild themselves a lot and then we by winning the FA Cup, Winning the Premiership and the Champions League, became one of the big teams.

I remember when Chelsea played Manchester United in the FA Cup final in 1994 and it had been 30 years since we won the FA Cup and because of Manchester United Success was the underdog and we got beat. I was I remember adamant that we'd win but we were over taken but it didn't means we didn't stand a chance, no we gave a good fight but Manchester United were class and became champions and they over took the League and the FA Cup and Europe and so it meant that other clubs especially smaller clubs had to step up otherwise they were defeated. Yet they did get beat by Southampton 6-1 and I remember listening to the game on the radio with my dad and we thought when they gave out the score thought they had made a mistake but no Southampton took over and shows that don't worry if you are the underdog you can still make a difference and become champions. 

If you show up and have self belief you can overcome the underdog status and make it big.

Many thanks for reading, 

Carrie X  

Loving your skin and looking after it to help build confidence

I have had a skincare routine since a child, because I suffer with dry skin, and so have to be careful of what products to use to prevent a break out. I know there are people who suffer with worth issues with their skin, but it a personal to each person especially women, and being world women's day there is no greater time to give yourself some love, care and attention, by looking after your skin. 

Its all about taking time in knowing your skin and how important it is to you. I love to put moisturiser on my face and body. It does make me feel so good and ready for the day and in the evening ready for bed. 

I don't choose expensive creams, because in my experience, you don't need to. If your skin feels soft and smooth then money doesn't matter in this case. Also it is how it makes you feel after it has been applied, and feel fresh and ready for bed, or in the morning to help kick start your day. 

Today I have decided to not have a shower, not that I want to smell, no that isn't the case, but going to have a shower in the evening, because I do prefer showering in the evening rather than the morning and going to do some selfcare later, like wash my hair, but save money on water, and still look after my skin and moisturise. 

If you have skin problems it can affect your confidence and cover ourselves up because we feel self conscious about it, and hide behind our clothes. I have been there, as I hate being hairy. My nan never had that much hair growth and so never shaved in her life, but I do and it really gets to me. 

I do use razors as I don't like the creams as I find they burn my skin, but in the winter I don't shave that often, because I find shaving all the time it makes my legs dry, and I love scrubs, they really do exfoliate the skin, and makes me feel brand new and fresh. 

So investing in skincare is worth it and looking after yourself, your skin to feel good can really build up your confidence. 

I do film Skincare videos on my main Youtube channel, here is a link for you to watch: https://youtu.be/inGvjpRd0SY

Many thanks for reading, 

Carrie X  

Improve your habits to improve your life

I think good habits go a long way. They can boost your energy and your confidence which leads to good wellbeing.  

There have been many struggles in my life that I have documented through blogs and youtube videos, but I have always got back on my feet. Having a good routine of good habits has helped, for example I no longe4rspend the whole day in bed. I like to get up and kick start my day.

I wrote a blog on my site: https://everyonecanbuildacastle.com How to start the day and end it and this blog is about how to Improve your habits to improve your life as I have improved my habits a lot and they really help with my mood and how I feel about each day.

There was a time I would skip breakfast and when working at a holiday camp I wouldn't eat anything until after my first shift that could end by lunchtime and would over eat. So now I make sure I have breakfast and vary what I have. 

It is also about what you consume, and I can over do it with Youtube so I take a break and get outdoors whenever I can. Today as I write this blog I decided to stay in and be outdoors when taking my son to a half term holiday club called Youngstars and pick him up. 

However I do like to get outside and is a habit that is good for my body and mind, and looking forward to the summer when I can read my book on a local park and enjoy working and spending time in a coffee shop, not all the time but now and then just to get outside and be around other people. 

I am not a fan of drinking water all of the time, so I make it an evening habit to have a glass when taking my last medication of the evening, and I know there will be people saying no you should do this in the morning and I will tomorrow when I go for my run, but will drink water instead of a hot drink for the evening that helps keep me hydrated from night time to morning, and hydrate with a cup of tea and a few coffees. 

Running has been a habit I began after two year break and has made a difference since starting again it helps wake me up and is my me time and warm up the body and costs me nothing to do. I like to run around our local gardens and parks and do an indoor workout in the week along with walking. 

It is all about getting yourself into a good mindset and a reason to get up in the morning and use up your energy to have a goods night sleep.

So start changing your habits and honestly you won't look back.

Many thanks for reading, 

Carrie X 

Typical London Gal 

Life is about living and not just trying to do everything

The writing of this blog was inspired by watching Sarra Cannon on Youtube on her Live chat Friday. and talking about her recent trip to Disney and thinking we have to be better than what we are. 

I write about all that, and life is about growing but also getting to know who we really are and it took me a long time to accept myself, but I like building, that's why my word for this year is BUILD and never really had a word only this year because I like making things grow. 

Life is to be enjoyed and not following a strict routine all of the time, and living it. Watching the Apprentice which all about creating a business to impress Alan Sugar, who will invest into one of the candidates businesses, if you notice that when they get through to the house that they are still human at the end of the day, and they have to be the better business person when they have a task, but can still be friends and I like it when like in Bake Off they cheer each other on. 

It can have reverse effect, like one of the candidates on the apprentice, who didn't continue and that is okay. STOP PUTTING PRESSURE ON YOURSELF if it is not for you, do what is true to you and often we have to take risks but also be true to ourselves and if the outcome was not good, that is fine, its all about learning and dipping your toe in the water. 

This doesn't mean you aren't good enough, you just want to take a different path to find what is for you. 

I was not well on Wednesday through to Thursday and spend the time in bed, as my tummy didn't feel right and I had a terrible headache and today I felt fine, but took a bit easier this morning and once I had a cup of tea I was fine and started my day. Okay so I didn't do my walk as planned but if you are not well exercising can have a reverse affect and it's important to rest, and will use the rest of my week to walk and still got most of what I planned so far this week, so feel good in that and now we are at the weekend can chill and spend time with my son to have fun and then start again on Monday. 

Many thanks for reading, 

Carrie X 

Typical London Gal 

Not all about make up but looking after your body and listening to it.

When there are so many people showing their capabilities online it can make us feel insecure because I have often asked "Why do they look like that?" and "Why don't look like that?". 

Comparing is a habit, and I have to catch myself, and remember that they would have spent time with someone dong make up and with stylists, especially for TV interviews and I can look that when I make the effort. 

I like to have days where I don't wear make up and like being casual and I do wear it depend on the day and where I am going. 

Like Wednesday I am up London to celebrate my step sister's birthday and so will make myself more presentable, and I like allowing my skin to breath.  

Beauty is skin deep, and learning about your body can important as I am not able to wear make up all of the time as my skin can react when I do, and thinking of putting some on now writing this post. I like a doing a look which takes no time at all and just wakes me up a bit, and so I will film the latest make up I use and also do plan to sort out my make up and my toiletries in another reset video, and check this new Reset video of me tidying my desk to motivate, https://youtu.be/ZJiP0hDwLks

The other thing to help me is sorting out my wardrobe each Sunday and weekend ready for the week and wearing what I have and not buying anything new, because I have plenty of clothes and outfits to wear. 

There are still items I haven't worn yet and so this is ensuring that I do and going to do as part of my next reset is sort my clothes out int the chest of draws I have in the closet I use for storing some of my clothes, and I use my wardrobe in my bedroom as my weekly clothes that I want to wear for the week and I do wear the same clothes on consecutive days. They do get washed and I do change my underwear but if the clothes aren't dirty and can be worn on numerous days before washing them then I do and having this control, really helps how I feel about myself and its not all about wearing make up, but what makes you feel good. I have debts to pay and need to focus on that and making sure that I use up my skincare products and toiletries. I do like to invest in good creams and toiletries but again, controlling this as I don't need eight moisturisers, or scrubs or sponges. I would like to invest in buying some flannels, because I do like to when I wear make up, is use hot water and a flannel. I do use Micellar Nivea to help remove make up, but once this is used, as I hate waste and am conscious of landfill use it up and it is good on the skin, but can get buy with a flannel and hot water. 

It is all about moderation. I am also working on my diet, as this can have an affect when I eat bad foods, and my appetite has changed, and don't need a lot for breakfast, but just enough so it feeds my hunger and get good benefits at the same time. This morning I had a yogurt and banana. I have bought some pancakes and so would like these with some grapes or strawberries with a small amount of honey or maple syrup so it helps with my sweet tooth. 

I want to feed my body and I do eat vegetables a lot now and I have cut back on eating meet a lot. I love meat but like non meat products too. I am all for vegan and gluten free foods, but some items aren't that much better and on biscuits they go stale very quickly so it is finding what suits my body and is going to help limit waste. 

I'd love to hear from you, what changes you going to make to help build your confidence. Please leave a comment below. 

Many thanks for reading, 

Carrie X 

Typical London Gal