Be Proud of Yourself

Choose the word that describes you and compliments you. Tell yourself "I am friendly and people feel comfortable around me". This does not mean your big head, which was something I believed for a while and now I can honestly say I like who I am. 

I do make sure I look after my body by making sure I keep myself clean, I look after my teeth and hair. I love casual clothes now and glad I no longer have to wear a suits and can be in jeans and a cozy jumper. I like my tastes. Yes it may not suit all, but not everyone is going to wear it. 

There are times when I still find myself criticizing myself and catch myself and comparing myself.  

I am trying to wear leggins less and wear trousers. I want to wear more dresses but it depends on the weather and my son loves playing sports and so I have had to adapt my style but it is not all about clothing. 

Being overly shy I feel in observing and having experience in life, we can all be shy. One of my mums friends is super chatty and chats to people like she knows you, but when it came to it she wouldn't get up and sing on Karoake and so I feel we can all be a little shy and it depends on who is around you. 

When I followed a rugby team the social aspect was brilliant and I fell in love with it and within I say 5 minutes felt like I was part of a family and really let my hair down. I would make an effort and was very much into heals, but I loved that girl who enjoyed herself to the point I didn't want to go to work the next day and couldn't wait until we went to the next game. 

I was a very much into being feminine, but now I like the boyish look and I find it brightens me and when I am happy. I was told that I would influence the mood in the room and when I would go out with friends, in my clubbing days when I enjoyed myself everyone got a buzz from me and had a dance partner when I would go out. No romance at all we just loved to dance. I am generous and will wish people a Happy Birthday and compliment others. 

Yes I am blowing my own trumpet but why can't I? 

It is has taken years to feel confident about myself and so be proud of yourself, you have the right and it is better a place when you do and makes you get up and enjoy who you are, rather than disliking yourself. 

I have torn myself apart, when looking at myself and with being a mum I know I had to change my mindset and get help with my depression caused by body image and not liking myself.

So be proud of yourself and don't allow anyone to bring your own including that inner critic. 

Many thanks for reading,

Carrie X 

Decluttering Isn't all about Physical items but decluttering your mind too

When we think of declutter we think of physical things. It is also the mind and physical decluttering can help but this can have a negative effect too. It can feel lonely and want to ask for help but we are afraid to.

So you need to decide what is going to make you mentally charged. Do we ignore our mental state or should we take action to feel good in how you feel about yourself. If things are too much where can you go that will help and if there anyone who you can chat to? 

Are you finding that you hate what is around you? Are you in a volatile relationships? Physical declutter won't help but jotting down your negative thoughts about yourself will and that something needs to change by getting out of bad relationships will and knowing where and who can you turn to. I remember someone saying "You know who your friends are when you are down and not having a good time".

Christmas can be hard because of the expense and the loss of others. It felt strange the first Christmas without my nan as Christmas was always so enjoyable and my dad not being around now.

I like the Christmas again as I still have traditions, but new ones as and I know they wouldn't, my nan and my dad to feel sad and I want my son to enjoy it and now I feel this release of "Its okay".

I have found that it is good to go for a walk, journal and all those things people advise but also a nice meal, a good book to read and switching off from my laptop and phone. Playing music. I love creating playlists and now I work on radio this has really been a real revelation and that dreams can come true and that has helped declutter my mind. It is good to have things take your mind away from your troubles and redressing your thoughts as clutter in the mind can knock us down. 

Its not being selfish to have time for yourself. It in fact more important because if we can't function mentally how are we going to help our kids and family and friends. You need to focus on you sometimes and have joy in your life and so clear mentally then physically.

Many thanks for reading,

Carrie X 

Focusing On Our Body Shape

We are all different shape and sizes. It can get us down. I was always giving myself a hard time. I would focus on everything that was wrong with me. I wanted shape but didn't feel I had the shape that a woman was supposed to have and felt like I didn't belong in the Pretty category. I was the ugly duckling. 

After I completed Parkrun

I then at secondary school was told by a girl in my class saying I had a good figure. This was back in Secondary school where we'd dress in a shared changing room. I was unfit, had what is known as puppy fat and suffered with dry skin. I found it hard to tan when on holiday having such fare skin and would burn. 

Since seeing Nigella Lawson who was is fair skinned and curvy made me feel a, and lot better and since then Pamela Anderson who now wears no make up, because it is up to you to decide. I would get upset when I was challenged when it came to me not looking my age, as I looked so young, but then a friend said to me "I know you don't like it now, but when you get to my age" which she was ten years older than me and in her 30's she said "You'll see it as a complement" and she was right. 

There has been controversial subject about should they have ladies who are what some people would consider, were large, modelling clothes and having large size clothes. There was a debate about Dove Advert, which pictured different size women, to help people have body confidence. For me it is about inspiring and being healthy. I am not super skinny or large, but do pay attention to what I consume that has a negative effect. Like seeing people starving themselves to be a different size. I had an eating disorder and then had type 2 diabetes years later and it was my worst fear. That has changed and changed my medication as I have had psychosis, really bad bouts of depression and terrible anxiety, and now feel good. 

I watched Trinny and Suzanna, Gok Wan and Louise Pentland on Youtube and that our bodies are amazing machines that help us to walk, talk, eat, think and see. Not everyone has that and meeting people in disabled homes as one of my Uncles had a stroke, they never allowed themselves to be down. I made friends with girl named Sally and we wrote to each other. We lost touch but she was amazing. 

She wasn't skinny or overweight or was miserable. She was full of light, with the most nicest handwriting I had ever seen and she was full of life.

Now so many who would have been once overlooked and seen as odd are now in TV shows, comedians and successful athletes. Chris McCausland won strictly not because he is a certain shape but because he was good and blue everyone away watching him dance.

Be proud of who you are. If you want to lose weight then fine, but don't allow your insecurities stop you from living and that our bodies are shells that help us to live and I began to set myself challenges, find clothes that suited me and walk and exercise to keep me healthy and watch my blood sugar. That is the utmost importance and not my body shape. 

Many thanks for reading, 

Carrie X  

Changing The Way You Feel about yourself

I no longer feel ashamed to be me, when I would look in the mirror thinking "Who the hell are you?" and having total different feelings of how I looked in my head to the image I saw in the mirror and not liking any of who I was. 

It has taken a long time to be comfortable in my own skin and accepting myself, building my life to follow my dreams, concentrating on my health and my wellbeing. 

Having fun with clothes and like to change my style as I get bored, to help and been trying to eat more healthy foods, as I have had battles with my weight which has affected my confidence and being happy about myself and exercise. 

Becoming a mum, I knew I had to change my mindset for him as I wanted him to like his body and bring the best out of him and be confident with himself and when having a child, your body changes and you have to grow up and fast. It changes you whole life and being pregnant can affect you, but the fact that we can carry a child, is something to be proud of and have a vessel that can do that. 

Men can feel bad about themselves, take Pete Burns who was in the band Dead Or Alive and I thought he was super hansom, but it is a personal thing and had an amazing voice, and it is all what's going on, on the inside and I worked with a woman who didn't like her boobs so had a boob job, yet I said to her, if I ever looked like her I'd never feel bad about myself. 

So on the surface it appears that someone is confident, but hide it and suffer in silence. 

The one person who I think about is Karen Carpenter she had Anorexia and started by comments in the press about her size, that it began and she was beautiful and had a voice of an angel but starved herself and she had some much more to give and having it myself I see her and think I don't wanna to die young, which she did and so I educated myself with food and diet and I love food now, not binging but enjoying my meals and still needs work but I want to live for my son and for myself. 

Please talk about it as we can feel alone and you can build your relationship with yourself so you feel good about you and noone can love you more, than how you love yourself. 

Many thanks for reading,

Carrie X 

Its okay to be different in this world

Watching on Prime Video a documentary about the Footballer called, Peter Crouch, it was quite hard to watch, because being a fan of soccer, I criticised him too. 

He had trouble with confidence being so tall and slim, standing out amongst players who weren't seen as different and looked to him, normal height and it also opened to the fact I was the opposite I hated being so small. 

I now see after battling with my self image that it is okay to be different. It is what makes you unique and yes like Peter Crouch he had to work harder to succeed in football, but paid off when he was struggling at Liverpool FC which he joined from Southampton, and played many games not being able to get a goal, until suddenly, as he kept trying, began to score for them and also for England FC too. 

The world can feel so daunting and that everything is stacked against you. When you look different to what we perceive others as normal, when actual fact they can lack confidence too, you can feel like a misfit and not want the world to see you. In fact, those who appear to be normal, may also have confidence issues, and you don't see it because many disguise it and you'd be surprised when it comes to people who appear super confident, but aren't.

I think about those who would give everything to have the perfect body, and have constant cosmetic surgery, like Katie Price, yet to me she was beautiful without all that surgery. On TV she appears super confident but for me she appears to be quite vulnerable often because of judgement of others had been through broken relationships, has a disable son, who has been targeted  by trolls, and part of that was because of what she did for a living, being a page three girl and I would hear guys I work with talking about her in a negative way. 

Just because it appears you have it all, doesn't mean your not human and be called all the names under the sun can take it tolls no matter on how tough you are. I've been called names and doubted by others and it can be hard to hear. Now I am in forties I feel like I am the strongest I've ever felt and had some challenging times, but got to the otherside, and feel good that I was able to get through challenges that came my way and faced life head on. 

So never give up and it is good to be different. Use it to build you, not knock you down. 

Many thanks for reading, 

Carrie X

Feeling Shamed by your lifestyle and body

There was a time, and reason why I began this blog, was because I would avoid looking at myself because I felt so ashamed and who would want to look at me? Yet realise that's there insecurities and they're having a pop at me because in some way releases their negative thoughts that they have of themselves. 

I still get a little self conscious when watching my videos because I don't wear a lot of make up, I am not super slim but then I ask myself is that important? and no, not saying those that do wear a lot make up, that I have a problem with it, not at all, but be happy with myself and stop thinking it makes me less of a person and enjoy looking after skin and now created a simple make up routine, gone for a no make up look because I do feel better having with a bit on and not affect my skin as I have had problems in the passed and keep it minimal. 

Its been like a long road, because it has taken a lot to overcome my negative thoughts about myself and take a lot of tears and sadness to feel better about myself and being grateful that I have legs that can walk and arms to feed myself, my hair and face. 

There are times where I hated fitting rooms and would make me feel awful and that nothing suited me, and that I had a terrible dry skin and there was a time when I was a child that I begged to have freckles and now I have a lot and makes me feel regretful that I wished that and that I should have been satisfied but no.

Listening to Jennifer Gray who was in Dirty Dancing had a complete transformation and it surprised as her image was epic and brilliant actress and couldn't imagine her not being baby and a part that was made for her. 

It is surprising that just because they are on TV the way the think of themselves is positive and can add to their unhappiness about themselves and body image and that it's not what you do, but the influences that are making you feel ugly and not good about yourself. I remember meeting up with work colleagues and they were so super tall that I felt so little and out of place and stopped meeting up with them as I just felt inadequate. 

Then there are emotional relationships where you feel under pressure because of the way you look and feel bad because I don't shave my legs all of the time and armpits and don't wear dresses all the time but now love my clothes and have fun with them and like wearing funky socks, with leggins and a fleece and just getting the most of the things that make me feel good about myself and not being serious about it. 

So stop the shame a live and go through your image and create a vision board and have fun with trying different make up, if you wear it and just let self image get you down and I think you are amazing and that beauty is within too and not just about the clothes and image.

Many thanks for reading,

Carrie X 

 

Feeling Better About Myself and changing my image

Looking in the mirror I no longer give myself a hard time and thankful for the fact that I can see myself, can pick my son up even though he is super heavy and not for long, but embracing it as my son is growing fast. I can walk and breath, and going through what I am grateful for has made a difference and writing down what has made me happy each day. Not about the way I look but other things, like writing a blog and receiving more followers, for walking to my sons school each Thursday at the moment as he does an afterschool club, and takes about an hour and half but don't mind as its a nice route to walk. 

Stables in Ashtead that I walk pass and love it everytime I do this walk from Epsom to Leatherhead

My life is taking a turn and started a new adventure. I am now working on my local Hospital radio and loving it. I do a show on Fridays evenings and has really helped build my confidence, as putting yourself out there can cause fear, but knew that this was made for me and wanted to work on radio since leaving school in 1996, and now its just by chance has happened. 

You have to face your fears and is out of my comfort zone, but if I didn't do this I know I would have missed out and got to seize the day, otherwise you may never get it back, and I hate regrets. I like the fact when I wanted to do something I have done it and I have done it myself. 

Its "Dipping your toes in the water" as I call it and unless you do, you'll never find if something is for you or not and life is full of risks, but ask yourself, listening to Mel Robbins, what if it works out? What if it does happen to be the job of you dreams for example and all your dreams come true?

The solution isn't to sit down and wait. All that does is bring negativity when noone is coming, but taking action. I made a choice do I want to be happy or not? Do I want to be able to get out of bed not feeling anxious? Do I want to continue this feeling of dread? 

Ask yourself those things. Noone wants to sit back, and I was someone who daydreamed whilst listening to music envisioning all day and be someone else, check out blog I wrote: Building Self Confidence- The Ugly Duckling: Wanting to be like somebody else (buildingselfconfidencetud.blogspot.com)

Avoiding mirrors is one trait I developed at one point, and then I made changes like finding a look that suited me, so changed the clothes I was wearing, made the effort and put make up on, and looking after my skin, hair and teeth, and made life changes. I no longer listen to music before bed, having my phone by my bed, I make my bed, journal and go for walks with my son and play sports and not dreading those moments because I had really bad energy levels at one point. So changed my medication, and I still have moments of low energy, but I love walking and looking after my body and feeling proud of it by making changes to my appearance that make me feel good and rejoicing who I am and working towards my future self. Live now, and make changes. Its gonna help you, and if you have advice or want to leave feedback of this blog then please do. You can leave a comment below.

So if something in your life isn't working out for you, it is time to change it, and can help you discover what area your life you are happy with, by writing it down and going through your life to make it one that gives you joy. 

Many thanks for reading,

Carrie X 

Does Size really matter when it comes to health and self image?

Watching the women's rugby 6th Nations, Scotland vs England, I was chatting with my mum and step dad about the size of some of the players. Not disrespecting them, but that if you didn't know that they were rugby players you would think they'd be classed as overweight? And does size really matter?

When it comes to rugby you have to be strong and bulky to play rugby, and this is for men and women. Think about athletes who do the Shock put or Hammer, they are bulky and not because they are over weight, but because they need to be a certain size for strength because of the demand of these sports on the body. 

It all down to lifestyle. If you eat 8 donuts a day then this will effect the body and lead to being unhealthy. It is all about what your body needs and listening to it, and so if you worry about your size then make a list of what you want your lifestyle to look like. 

I am still growing and not always eating super healthy, but I don't believe in depriving yourself. For me it is balance, working on my food habits and gaining control over it again. I have fallen off the wagon, but got back up again and now I do make sure I eat food and vegetables rather than crisps and chocolate. This helps me to feel good about my body and my self. I want to eliminate my feelings I get when eating bad food by choosing food that is nutritious, but will have a take away occasionally, and not binging. 

This has been one of my biggest flours.

Looking after the body is important and being able to accept yourself can take a long time, and noones life is perfect, its what makes you happy and be able to look in the mirror rather than avoid looking at yourself. 

I remember watching Trinny and Susannah and would show how to dress for your size and names of different sizes and this helped me a lot, and that no matter your size you can still be super fit and that it is just a frame, not your total whole being.

So look at yourself and be proud of who you are and there is more to a person than just their size.

Many thanks for reading,

Carrie X 

Wanting to be like somebody else

At school, there was a girl called Sherie. I think I have shared this before, and she was a beautiful girl and after she had broken her heart over her mum leaving school, on her first day, she then became, the girl you wanted to hang around with.

She was admired by a lot of the kids in school, that we all started to dress like her, have long hair and when Sarah Ferguson became a princess and would see her in magazines, wearing bows, we would have bows in our hair. There was a girl called Sarah Jane who started my school and felt that because her name was Sarah, she had more rights of wearing a bow, than we were.

My style icon is Jennifer Aniston, and wanting to have her hair colour and style.

It is okay to admire other people, and by doing that it can help you to make changes, like building a wardrobe that you love and actually spending time to help the outside, to build the inside of yourself. You will never be that person as they are their own, but it is good to have a style icon and interpret your style with theirs and go through what suits you, and make trying different outfits, and have fun with it.

I remember as a kid we would be outside wearing our mums high heels, with our pretend push chairs and be set upon by a kid name Stuart, who we sent packing and would pretend we were busy mums. 

When I was a kid I loved the a band called Bucks Fizz and loved Jay Aston, cause she was so stylish, not saying Cheryl wasn't, but she stood out for me, and I would imagine being Jay when I'd listen to their songs and would envision that, that was me. Now listening to her interviews, when they first started out, she thought Cheryl was the prettiest, which surprised me. So just because someone looks confident, look floorless doesn't mean that they are confident, and they are human beings too, and I have forgotten that. 

I like the fact Cheryl and Jay dressed differently, because you need to have your identity, same with the Spice girls and yet Melanie B had an eating disorder along with Geri Halliwell. 

We can put so much pressure on ourselves and feel we have to dress like someone else if not, we feel unworthy of being in this world and that if you dress like someone else your gonna naturally feel confident, but that is not the case. So admire, but remember that a persons appearance doesn't always match their true feelings, but we can learn from their insecurities and how we can change how we feel when we see ourselves in the mirror. Be proud of being you. Find out what works for you and release the pressure of meeting other peoples opinion of you, and get to grips of who you are. What is unique about you? Everyone I believe is unique and be proud of that.

Many thanks for reading,

Carrie X 

Seeing yourself in a new light

So it was International Women's day last week and I think particularly women tend to be a lot harder on themselves, and feel like we have to take on the world, on our own.  

I no longer give myself a hard time, because when I was, I asked myself, do I want to feel like this all my life? Am I dead? No, so what's the issue? Comparing, Who wants to look at me? and it took a lot to  be kind to myself and accept me.

The women's body is amazing, and so should celebrate women. Be proud of who you are. 

When our husbands are working and we're sitting at home I often, when my son was first born was like "okay what do I do now?"

There are women who make it on their own. I have a friend who has not gotten married or had a child is in her fifties, and I respect that. It does come down to personal choice, and often it feels like we can't win, if we want to stay at home, to bring their children up, or still work in full time employment with children, or of they don't want kids. 

Invest in yourself, by looking after your skin and appreciate your body, your personality and the things you love. Never fear that you aren't good enough. Take chances. Be with people you can relate with and teach you. When I began go out and watch a rugby team, who I was introduced by a friend I really began to come out of my shell and felt I could be me. 

I thank my friend for doing that, it really was such a great time and I am so glad that in my twenties I had that and we had some great times, that I will always treasure. Have a night out and have a glass of wine and a bite to eat. My friends and I would often have a girls night out, where we would meet up in Waterloo station or a friends house and go out and stay at her place. 

Being with people who love you for you, are for me the people you should have around you and you can be yourself and not bitching or getting narky because they've had a drink and just enjoy yourself with like minded people. 

Have those that will give you encouragement to follow their dreams and ambitions. Who will listen and just be there to give you support. 

So, live and remember you are fantastic. Stop being against yourself because you not happy with the way you are. Start following habits and I do write a blog Everyone can build a castle, and talk a lot about habits: https://everyonecanbuildacastle.com 

I hope this blog helps you and will be writing more.

Many thanks for reading,

Carrie X 

Changing your image getting bored with the way you look

I looked at my self earlier and thought "You know what you look good", but then as soon as I felt that, the critic within my brain began to speak, "Your hair is mess and straggly, I look tired and I am wearing leggins with a couple of holes and wearing a pair of trainers that are dirty. 

The critic in your head will voice his opinion, but that is just it, it is a habit that I got into and used to being self critical about the way I look, but have learned to be resilient and think right what will help it?

So first of all, I have legs that can walk, a voice that can speak, hair that keeps growing and can change, so will be booking a new hair cut, and I have legs and arms, etc. So what have I got to complain about. Speak with the inner critic and say, "Thanks critic but I look fine, and yes a bit of TLC is needed, but still grateful of what I have, rather than what I don't". 

Yes I have put on a bit of weight due to Christmas, so just means cutting down and listen to my body and what it needs. Good nutrition is important so going to manage my diet, and going to have more wholesome food, that will properly fill me up, and I know this will help me, and that is it, take Action and have fun by trying different looks, making and experiment with food and find the style that suits you, and answers the inner critic, and check out vintage fashion, aswell as high street and online, and create a capsule wardrobe that will excite you and help build your confidence and look in the mirror and go over what you are happy about and what areas of you think need a bit of TLC and will help make you fill better. 

So for me I have looked on Pinterest of hair cuts I like as I am looking for a change, but I do like having long hair and would like to different style so will work on that, and going to dye my hair again, and bought some new eye pencils a couple of days ago, and going to do a minimal make up every day look, along with no make up days, and take supplements again to improve energy levels and for my hair and skin, to make me look a bit more alive, and not going stress and have fun doing different looks that helps me feel good about myself and not listen to the critic and stop getting bored and still practice gratitude of what I already have, and not be drained by thinking I am a mess.

I hope that this blog helps you too and share tips on how to ignore the critic and not get bored with yourself. You can leave a comment below.

Many thanks for reading, 

Carrie X 

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 

 

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 

 

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  

 

Rebuilding your confidence

It has taken me a long time to feel fully confident within myself and I still have days where I like "Oh its you again". Not as often though and today I was feeling super anxious so I got my exercise mat and did a bit of Pilates with some Yoga and feels good to just workout but at a slower pace. 

I feeling the slump, and doing all I can to get myself out of it and I just want to hibernate, and super fatigued. Yet I have just uploaded a new video. It is of my total reset I did in my bedroom and boy did this make a difference. Check out via this link: https://youtu.be/udenyPsPZD0

Its been a battle through out my life and so to manage it, exercise and set challenges for myself that helps me feel good and seeing what I can do and make an effort and found my style and what I love to wear and acknowledge myself and see that "There is nothing wrong with me". 

As a kid other people perception of me would influence my feelings, because I believed that everyone around me was better than me. I would think "Why can't I do that?", and have "shiny hair", "How come they can make friends and no me?" and I begged to fit in, yet often felt I was different to them and I would never feel good about myself. 

Now though I have retuned my thoughts and now being 44 years old, see things different and never allow the influence of others knock my confidence and whenever I have felt unworthy focussed on what will help me and seeing that I can have shiny hair, I just need to look after it and this will help my feelings I feel inside. 

It is the little things like that, that can make a difference. It's not about having the perfect picture, but being healthy and being kind to yourself and making an effort each day. 

Many thanks for reading, 

Carrie X 

Typical London Gal 

`