Welcoming May

This year is absolutely flying by. It's crazy to think that Christmas was over 4 months ago - where does the time go?! I have been dreading the approach of the month of May, for what feels like ages, and in a couple of days time, it will finally be upon us.
May is officially my last month at university and probably going to be one of the busiest month's of the whole three years I have spent studying. Technically, I have 4 deadlines - two exams, one essay and of course, the dissertation. It doesn't seem that long ago that I came to an applicant day where lecturer's were explaining the layout of my course and what the dissertation is all about. And now we're every so slowly approaching the deadline submission date and I just can't get my head around that. It feels so surreal! I'm going to have a degree, it's crazy. No longer being a student is definitely something that will take some getting used too. I am both looking forward to it and dreading it at the same time - it's a step out into the real world if you will. Such an exciting, but daunting and frankly, terrifying thought. I'm 1000% going to need to channel all the motivation and productiveness into smashing these last few weeks... Wish me luck haha.
I apologise in advance if my little space here becomes a bit neglected over the next couple of weeks. I am most definitely going to put my all into these last couple of assignments, and end the whole three years of university on a high.

Are you looking forward to anything in the month of May?

Amber X

3 Things I Am Doing For Myself

Not going to lie, these last couple of weeks have been rough. I've been full of exam stress amongst other things. Other things that have seemed to occupy the majority of my time. This year hasn't really felt like a 'fresh start' in the way that everyone talks about when a new year starts. But exams are now finally over, and I can start doing all the things I enjoy doing without the guilt that I should be revising - yay! With the odd chance that any of you reading this are feeling this way, or are going through something similar, here are the things that I have been doing to get through the struggles and horrible anxiety flooded moments.

Put your phone down - Never have I noticed how much I sit and just scroll through social media, for no real reason. Not only is it truly a waste of time, but it also didn't help the head space I found myself in. It wasn't making me feel any better or positive, and prioritising things that take away the negative thoughts and feelings is a must. I must learn to stop endlessly scrolling and put that time into something more productive, and something that will make motivate me.

Take a deep breath - Focus on the now. How you're feeling now isn't necessarily going to be how you're feeling in a couple of weeks time. Now exams are over, it's such a breath of fresh air - there is no guilt that I should be revising when I'm doing other things, and that is the best. Listen to your body. If you want to sit in bed and watch Netflix, you sit in bed and watch all of the Netflix. Take yourself for some fresh air if you're feeling stressed. Make a cup of tea and cuddle up in a blanket if that's what you want to do. Don't feel bad for it. Taking a breather can be so important.

Make a small list of goals - Following on from the previous point, but something I always find useful is writing down small goals or things that I want to have achieved by the end of the week, or the end of the day even. It keeps me focused. The sense of achievement when things have been ticked off or crossed off is always a way to boost your self-esteem, and it's little steps that will get you back on track to feeling more yourself.

There are so many ways that you can look after yourself, all varying upon the situation and what you feel helps the most. I know the mere thought of trying to pick yourself up after something unexpected, horrible, or upsetting happening, may seem impossible. But if I can do it, so can you. I'm feeling much better. You will too.

What do you like to do for yourself?

Amber X