happiness
Showing posts with label happiness. Show all posts

5 Ways to Help People

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Friday, 10 March 2017

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We all want to be a nicer person, and I know that many of us want to help other people. I for one am always looking for small ways to help other people and I thought I’d share some ways that I’ve found to help others and be a bit better to other people.


1. Send people links to opportunities that might suit them


My friends and I do this quite often, and this particularly applies to creative people. There are always new competitions and opportunities out there, but those who they are most suited to may not be aware of them. Copy the link if you see it online, take a picture if you see a poster, then send it to a friend you know will value it. Remember this could be anything! From a club or society at college/uni/a public club, a class, job opportunity, competition.

2. Listen to people


If there is one thing that is undervalued, it is listening to someone. Sometimes, someone just needs to talk about something and I know that talking about a problem, feeling, etc., definitely makes it better, even if it doesn’t provide a solution. Make sure you listen to those who have different experiences than you and have less privilege. It is their voices who are getting drowned out and need to be heard most.

3. Put any coppers or spare change you have into charity boxes


In my college, there is usually one or two charity collection boxes next to the counter of a café/food outlet, and you can often find them in many shops. As I pay for my hot chocolate, I’ll put the 1p change I was given into one of the pots and maybe add extra if I have any extra coppers. This way I can prevent my purse from getting overloaded with coppers I never use and help someone out at the same time. 1 and 2 pence build up over time so that a lot more money will be given if you put them in often.

4. Buy a small extra when doing your food shopping to put in the food bank


The item doesn’t have to cost much at all. You can put in as much or as little as you want, anything is useful.

5. Smile at a stranger


I know my day is always made a bit brighter when someone smiles at me, so I try to make an effort to smile at, at least, one stranger a day. It sounds trivial, but it may be the only time someone does so to that person that day.



If you liked this post you might like: 5 Happy Instagrammers

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Playlist for a Chill Day

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Monday, 6 March 2017

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We all love a good relaxing day! Here are some songs to set the mood:


1. Come Back to Nashville - Rusty Clanton cover
2. The Way You Look Tonight – Fred Astaire
3. I Knew You Once – dodie
4. So This is Love – from the film Cinderella
5. Sagittarius – Phoebe Green
6. An Unsolved Mystery – Melanie Baker
7. You Make Loving Fun – Fleetwood Mac
8. Hey There Delilah – Tessa Violet cover
9. True Colours – Tom Odell
10. Walk in the Sun - McFly
11. Samson – Regina Spektor
12. Please Please Please Let Me Get What I Want -  The Smiths
13. Panic Chord – Gabrielle Aplin
14.  Day Before You Came – ABBA
15. You’ve Got a Friend – James Taylor
16. Drive – Oh Wonder
17. Atlantis - Seafret
18. So Close – from the film Enchanted
19. Holes - Layla
20. Wasting My Younger Years – London Grammar

Hope you enjoyed! This post is in collaboration with Laura over at Blossom of Hope. Keep an eye out for her post about self-care which will be going up tomorrow!


Jemima x



If you liked this post you might like: 5 Ways to Relax This Weekend

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50 (more) things that make me happy

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Monday, 8 August 2016

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1. Nutella
2. The sound of rain hitting the roof over my head
3. Cuddles with my cat


4. Long baths filled with various Lush products
5. Discovering a new YouTuber
6. Musicals - both familiar and unknown
7. Watching Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers dancing
8. Cooking a meal that’s actually really tasty
9. About Time


10. Watching someone laugh
11. Getting a new mug and becoming totally obsessed with it
12. Monster Munch crisps
13. New books
14. Properly jamming to a Disney playlist found on YouTube. I AM Elsa.
15. A day where words just seem to flow out of me and I write thousands of words
16. Homemade fruit crumble
17. Peggy’s comebacks and Sousa’s sarcasm in Marvel’s Agent Carter
18. Just Peggy Carter in general really
19. Beach days



20. Discovering new places
21. Falling in love with a new fictional character
22. Elizabeth Bennet’s wit
23. Mr Darcy, all I can say
24. Binge reading a load of poetry found on Pinterest
25. Looking at my planner and seeing how productive I’ve been
26. Adding stuff to my wall of stuff
27. Chick flicks


28. Catching the clock as it goes to the next minute
29. A constant supply of tea
30. Seeing old friends and new
31. A mother telling her child to “let the lady go past,” instead o f”let the girl go past,” when referring to me
32. Stacks of pancakes covered in maple syrup and bacon
33. Chocolate ice cream

34. Glee
35. When my make-up is on point
36. Wearing an outfit that makes me feel like a million bucks
37. Wearing my favourite snuggly jumper
38. Having clear skin
39. Knowing I don’t have to get up early in the morning
40. Long train journeys


41. The excitement nearly everyone feels when something to do with Harry Potter happens
42. Wearing my heels for once in a blue moon (They’re so pretty I can’t!)
43. New bedclothes
44. The fact that we call bedclothes, “bedclothes”. They’re clothes for your mattress. Love it
45. Seeing my reflection in a car mirror and I look bomb af
46. New stationary
47. New episodes of a TV show I love
48. Honey Cheerios
49. Hearing my cat purr
50. Empowering mugs




If you liked this post you might like: 50 things that make me happy

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Why We All Need to Dream

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Monday, 9 May 2016

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I honestly can’t tell you how many times in my life I’ve been told to “be practical”. I’ve been told to “think of something else” and push my passion in life to the sidelines - to keep it as a “hobby”. Even the thought of that causes my insides to tear into shreds and emotion to swell up inside me. I simply cannot do that.

I cannot stay in a job I don’t want to be doing just because the one profession I’ve always wanted to be a part of isn’t the steadiest career path out there. Just because it won’t necessarily give me the best income.

The words “put your dreams on hold” may not have been spoken to me directly, but they’re the words I’ve heard. Those are the words that cut me in two.

When I was younger, when careers and adult life were just a distant thought thrown about here and there as a rough reminder, many of the adults around me would praise my writing. I suppose it was the fact that I was being creative or developing a skill. They said I wrote ‘maturely’ and teachers would always mention book deals to me whenever I showed them some of my work (something I’m not sure they should have done now that I think about it).

Then I grew up a bit. I became a teenager, nearing the end of my school career, heading off to college with uni around the corner, and the praise turned into “you should look at your options”. The talks of book deals switched to “have you ever thought of this?” Talk of accomplishing my dreams morphed into the serious conversations on practicality.

“Keep writing as a hobby.”

I don’t know where my love for writing stemmed from. Perhaps it was the bookish family I was born into or the stories we were told in nursery. All I know is that, since I can remember, I’ve had this intense need to tell the stories locked up inside of me. For me it’s something I’ve been called to do and have to do; if I didn’t I’d simply implode.

I know that I’m going to have to make sacrifices and take up other jobs in order to create my writing career. Believe me I know that. Let’s be honest, who doesn’t have to take on another job while they chase their dreams? But whenever anyone asks me what I do, being a writer will always come first, because that’s what I primarily am.

We all have dreams, and they are there for a reason. Without my dreams I would not be motivated to do anything - I mean anything. It is my dreams that give me the drive to work hard and get on with it; to keep doing what I love and ensuing that I will grow into the best writer I can be. Without my dreams I would be nowhere, with no sense of self and no apparent purpose. I would be like a version of myself after a dementor’s kiss.

I will not give up on my dreams. I will not shunt them or push them to one side. I will fight to make my dreams a reality.

I am determined.


If you liked this post you might like: "You like that band?"



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West Side Story 2016

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Monday, 8 February 2016

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Last week was the week of my school’s production of West Side Story. The Puerto Rican Sharks and New Yorker Jets barged into the school hall ready to fight it out and ready to burst into song at any given moment. The Shark girls has colourful dresses and red lipstick and the Jets were clad in in blue jeans.

Credit to Sam Kemp

When I found out that we were going to be doing West Side Story last summer, I was quite skeptical about how it would turn out. It’s notoriously difficult in practically every aspect: singing, dancing, acting, the score itself, which I would be playing. And that’s probably what made me shrink away from it in the beginning. 

As we began rehearsals it became pretty clear to me that I hated the music. I simply couldn’t play it - or, at least, that’s what I told myself. The score was as difficult as I thought it would be. We worked and rehearsed since September in order to get it up to standard for February, because there can be no good show if the pit band is no good.

Those first few months of rehearsals seemed endless and I felt like I was making no progress. But in the few weeks leading up to the show, something felt different. I could hear and feel myself improving. I began to enjoy the music. I began to like it.

The weekend before the show I was in school from 9:30am - 5pm on both Saturday and Sunday. On the first day the band practised in the pit for the first time. Then, in the afternoon, the leads joined us (or everyone who takes part in one of the songs anyway). Then on the Sunday all of the cast came in to rehearse with us and we did a run through of the first half of the show.

That weekend honestly left me knackered. I had concentrated and stayed in the same seat for hours on end. But I could hear that what I was playing had improved, and that made me really happy.

On the Monday we had a full day of rehearsals again. This time we were off timetable and finished at 3pm to go with the usual school times. 

On the Tuesday we had a dress rehearsal that was performed to our local primary schools. It was so good to play the full show and know that someone was actually watching it. It was also the first time I had ‘seen’ the show. 

Credit to Sam Kemp

Then we had 4 ticketed shows that were open to the public. 4 amazing shows that got better and better each time. Everyone who contributed to the show did outstandingly. The actors were believable and brilliant, the dancers looked beautiful and the singers were just fantastic. I don’t think the pit band was too bad either.
Credit to Sam Kemp

From hating a show (or rather, its music) to loving it; from insecurities about my playing to confidence in the fact that we actually sounded quite good. From sectional rehearsals with just a few players, to performing as a company in front of a full audience. From first getting my part of the score to crying on closing night before the show had even finished. 

West Side Story has been a great experience. It challenged everyone to achieve something that we didn’t think we could, or I didn’t, at least. I played something for 5 shows that really scared and felt daunting to me just a few months ago. I spent more time with people that I probably wouldn’t have spent much time with otherwise. I improved my own playing, listen to others improve theirs and had the best time!
Credit to Sam Kemp

If you ever get chance to be involved in a production, big or small, take that chance because I guarantee that you won’t regret it. 

Thank you to everyone who has made this past week so good. Everyone from the people on stage to the teachers who supported us, the others in the pit band who made me smile and laugh every rehearsal, the techy people, the audience and my family, who were supportive even when I had my doubts about the show.

West Side Story everyone. It’s been a blast. Well done guys - we completely smashed it. 
Credit to Sam Kemp









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Heartbreak.

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Monday, 18 January 2016

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There are many different types of heartbreak. There is the obvious,in your face, romantic heartbreak that is the type usually associated with the word. When we hear of heartbreak, we automatically conjure up an image of a romantic relationship gone wrong, empty tubs of ice-cream and a bed that hasn’t been left for days. The famous kind of heartbreak.

But that type of heartbreak is much rarer to us as individuals than there types are. The heartbreaks we feel every day. Some of us have never felt a heartbreak that has occurred as as result of a romantic relationship ending. I, for one, haven’t, and I know plenty of other people who haven’t either. But you still can’t say that we haven’t felt heartbreak; it’s just been in a slightly different manner.

We feel heartbreak at even the tiniest of things:

Eagerly going to a café or canteen to get something in particular for lunch, only to find it’s sold out unusually early. Trying on a dress or skirt, or some other item of clothing that you absolutely love , only to find that it doesn’t come in your size. Losing a favourite book. Locking yourself out of your phone and having to wipe it clear of everything (including years’ worth of photos) in order for you to get back in it.

All little heartbreaks caused by little hiccups in every day life.

A video of Carrie Hope Fletcher’s, posted about 10 months ago, focussed on this same subject and what she said really resonated with me. The message she left with me was that I shouldn’t be embarrassed by any heartbreak I feel, no matter what the cause would be. It meant that I cared enough about something to feel that. 

Even though the examples I shared may seem a little silly and too insignificant to even be thought of for long. Of course, I’ve had bigger heartbreak than that caused over not getting the sandwich I wanted for lunch.

Leaving primary school (more the friends I had there) was a big deal for me then and I was really upset for about a day or two, maybe a few more, until I was over it and looking forward to secondary school. I cared about primary school a lot but new things were happening that took over from that, and it didn’t last long.

I think that my biggest heartbreak happened when I moved. My heart was aching for the place I considered (and still kind of do consider) “home”, for months after I had left it. In fact, I can’t quite pin point the day that my heart stopped aching for it; it left so gradually that I was really unaware of it happening. It was unlike anything I have ever felt before and I’m sure that I developed a lot as a person because of it. I would even go as to say that I’m proud of that heartbreak, because I know that I really cared for the place I moved from and can now appreciate it a lot more than I did while I lived there.

I guess that I wanted to pass on the lesson I learned from Carrie: You should never be ashamed of any heart ache that you feel. You should never feel embarrassed of what caused that heartache - if it’s over something small or something big. Your feelings are valid, and don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.



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Would you believe that I've already hit my 2016 Bloglovin' target?!! How amazing is that?!? I want to say a seriously big thank you to everyone who has followed me, it's a really great feeling knowing that people are reading my content! Thank you again, I'm really astonished that I've completed one of my yearly goals already!

Jemima x



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50 things that make me happy!

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Wednesday, 13 January 2016

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1. Earl Grey tea
2. Re-watching old Doctor Who episodes
3. Familiar romcoms
4. The smell of books, old and new
5. Conversations with my cat
6. Oversized, baggy jumpers, preferably “borrowed” from my dad
7. My mum’s chicken risotto
8. Beach days with friends

9. Cinema trips
10. Concerts
11. Rainy days
12. Ferraro Rocher (I mean come on!)
13. The Fletchers
14. Those rare days when I know I don’t have anything to be handed in or revised for.
15. Clean bedclothes
16. The predictability of Death in Paradise
17. Starting a new notebook
18. Sudden moments of inspiration
19. Finally getting that idea onto paper
20. Disney films
21. Jane Austen books

22. Murder Mysteries
23. Singing along to musical soundtracks
24. Strictly Come Dancing
25. Dodie Clark


26. Cheese, biscuits and chutney
27. Perfectly baked cakes
28. Everything Harry Potter
29. Making someone else laugh
30. My family
31. My friends


32. Writing down every thought that comes into my mind
33. Cleverly written books
34. Foyles bookshop
35. Cardiff arcades
36. My characters
37. Getting comments on my blog posts
38. Playing my violin
39. Lipsticks!
40. Cool stationary
41. Crossing the Severn Bridge
42. My great-nan’s red necklace
43. Welsh beaches

44. Welsh cakes!
45. When my cat makes that chirrup sound
46. Impromptu writing sessions
47. Knowing that someone else values me
48. Going to rugby matches
49. Chick-lit novels
50. Instagram


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I have always loved seeing this post on other blogs and, even though I'm not sure if it is definitely a tag, I'm doing it anyway. I just love the way it's so positive! If you want to do this tag (is it a tag? Please tell me because I'm really not sure!) then please go ahead and spread some more positivity!

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5 things to do when you're feeling down

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Friday, 6 November 2015

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1. Have a shower

Get yourself cleaned. Spend as long as you want standing under the water. Sing as loud as you can to whatever song it is that makes you smile.

2. Get changed into clean clothes

Wear something nice, that you feel comfortable in. Just make sure you don’t put on a clean pair of pyjamas on, that will just make you want to go back to bed.

3. Eat something reasonably healthy

As much as you may want to binge eat ice-cream: don’t. It’ll just make you feel worse. Eat something else. It doesn’t have to be all that great for you, just as long as it’s not junk food and has some sort of goodness in it.

4. Go for a walk

Clear your mind and listen to the sounds of the world. Go wherever your feet take you - just as long as you know your way home again!

5. Make yourself a cup of tea

Tea makes everything better.
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5 things to tell yourself each morning

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Friday, 23 October 2015

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1. I am brilliant, even if not everyone recognises that

2. I can do this

3. I am worth it

4. My life decisions cannot be made by anyone but me

5. I believe in you

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p.s. 60th post!! How did we get to this many? Thank you everyone for reading and supporting me!



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5 things I want you to do tomorrow

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Friday, 28 August 2015

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1. Smile at a stranger

It'll make their day and make you feel a whole lot better. You never know how much a simple smile can affect someone, it could be the only act of kindness they see or receive that day. 

2. Take some time out to do something that you enjoy

Whether it's reading a book, watching a film or TV show or something completely out of the ordinary, it's good to do something that you know will make you happy. 

3. Take a walk

It doesn't have to be long, or with any particular destination planned. Just go to the corner shop or wander aimlessly if you have to. Get some fresh air and have some time to think. 

4. Take some pictures 

I love taking pictures. It makes me feel like I'm more artistic than I actually am. And it's fun and relaxing, which is always a plus. 

5. Go outside and close your eyes

Listen to the sounds of the world. To people and nature. Let your mind wander - it's amazing where it can lead you when it has the chance. 

                      



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The Value of a Lazy Day

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Wednesday, 19 August 2015

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As much as it is great for us to be productive and useful and to keep ourselves busy, we do sometimes need a rest. From time to time our day-to-day lives can get the better of us. With our workload piling ever higher into some sort of stress filled spiraling tower of doom, sometimes we need to take a break. In other words we need to step away from the work and have a little time to yourself.

A good lazy day can work wonders. Sometimes a long soak in the bath with a cup of tea, a good book and an equally good bath bomb is all that is necessary to make yourself feel a whole lot better.

Set a Sunday aside, specifically for you to stay in your pajamas and slob all day. Make sure that you don’t do any work, only doing things that you enjoy and know relaxes you. For me, that means writing or reading, preferably with some sort of tea by my side. I’ll curl up in bed, armed with fluffy socks, a notepad or computer and a book or two; I’ll be sorted for the day. I can disappear into a fictional world of my choice and forget any work that I have to do.  Just a few hours rest can help me feel better and more up to a challenge – making the prospect of completing that tower of doom more bearable.

It’s important that we unwind every now and then – clear our minds and take the time to enjoy just existing for once.



How often do you have a lazy day?



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