Super super pleased to be able to say that the blog I wrote about the Mentality event (which first appeared on this very blog) now features on the Off the Record webpage too! Had lots of positive comments, both directly and indirectly, which makes me very happy! :)
Showing posts with label goodnews. Show all posts
Showing posts with label goodnews. Show all posts
Sunday, 26 October 2014
Wednesday, 20 August 2014
Radioooo!
So uh this morning I was featured on BBC Radio Bristol, talking about my mental health and youth mental health services. Very very exciting, and I am so so pleased to have been involved!! If you want to have a listen, follow this link- my segment is at around 7:35ish!
Monday, 21 July 2014
Yayay!!
Whilst we're on the subject of accomplishments... I am now a Level 2 swim teacher (well, I will be, I just have to teach a final lesson) and I got a merit in my Grade 6 practical piano! So happy!!!
Thursday, 17 July 2014
Woo!!
So remember this post, about being accepted as a blogger for Powered By Girl? Well, my first post went up today- a review of Caitlin Moran's gig! I am over the moon to be part of this amazing website!! (But rest assured- a review for this blog specifically will be coming soon)
Monday, 30 June 2014
Excuse Me Whilst I Burst
Um er so basically (why do I even write?! I cannot do words) ANYWAY there's an amazing amazing blogging site called Powered By Girl, which is a feminist blog run by young women for young women. It's fantastic, and you should definitely check it out. They've just taken on a load of new bloggers and stuff and um yeah you might recognise number three. Woo!
Friday, 2 May 2014
GUESS WHAT?!?
So, you remember this??? Well, guess where I'm heading back to next year?!?! So so so excited!!!
Thursday, 12 December 2013
Number 16) Own A Venus Flytrap
At the beginning of 2013, I thought this would be one of the easiest things to complete. After all, it merely required a trip to B&Q and a bit of money. And yet, it's taken me this long to get it done! I am awful. Anyway, in the end I got it for myself as a reward- last Friday marked 100 days of being self-harm free. It's been far from easy, but I am ridiculously pleased, and I really want to keep it up- hopefully when I see my Venus Flytrap, I'll remember how good it felt to get to that milestone, and why I need to keep going. Also, just in case you're wondering- she's called Mahogany. Don't ask. Blame the Womb Buddies.
Yay Mahogany :)
Bird's Eye View ;)
Sunday, 29 September 2013
HairAffair: The Grand Total!!
I finally worked out the grand total for my Hair Affair fundraising!! I raised (drumroll please!!) £608.13!!! I am so so overwhelmed by this; it's honestly the thing I am most proud of!!! Also hugely hugely grateful to everyone who donated. Mind is such a fantabulous charity, I'm really glad I was able to support them and help their work <3
If you click to the link on the right you can read about my fundraising story from start to finish! :)
Big love xox
Wednesday, 4 September 2013
Raise Your Glass
So. Today is... well, the start of sixth form. That's a bit scary, but mainly exciting. I'm looking forward to it- it's the new beginning that I want with the familiarity that I love too. I realised that I never did a 'best memories of secondary school' or anything. In a way I don't want to do one, because I'm bound to miss something, and it won't mean much to people who don't know what I'm on about. On the other hand, this blog is a great way of recording my life, and it feels like this needs to be recorded. I've decided to do a list of things, a bit like my 2013 post, way back at the start of this year. It won't be comprehensive, but here goes. My favourite things/memories about secondary school.
The People
This almost goes without saying. I have met some truly awesome people, both students and teachers, due to school, and I will always be grateful for the experiences I have had in meeting and working with these people. Though there have been people who I haven't got along with- hopefully not too many of them are coming back for sixth form!- the fab people I've met more than make up for this. I could get really soppy, but yeah. Moving on.
In-Jokes
Just to save time and confusion, I'm going to generalise this. There are sooo many of them, and most of them still exist. My days would not be the same without scarf and hat wearing swans who resemble squirrels and like cats who work as musical ensembles.
Music
Another obvious one. The BTEC Music course I did was easily one of the best decisions I have ever ever made- it's improved my confidence and, well, everything to levels I didn't think possible. Just think: I was quiet before I started BTEC Music. Exactly. Good memories from this include the Jubilee Bash, every school concert and- well, practically every lesson. There was always something amusing, something interesting. Again, there were many in-jokes, and quotes such as 'I'M NOT A KING, MORE OF A DEMI-GOD'. The teachers were awesome and the others in the class were the best people to work with. Though I've grown apart from the majority of the people in my class, I will always have fantastic memories of them. I'm getting soppy again. Someone stop me.
Sports Day
I am not sporty. And yet I kind of loved sports day. It involved face paint (second pic down!) and dodging teachers who tried to make us do sport and eating sweets and generally doing nothing (we left it to the sporty people). What's not to love?!
Weird Conversations
These were routine, and something I have really missed over the summer- definitely looking forward to more of these! Some of my best discussions and quotes have come from school. Here's proof.
Folk
Another category that I could have divided up, namely into 'Folk Rehearsals', 'Ceilidh' and 'Fantastic Mr Fox'. It's all folk at the end of the day, and it's all fantastic. I can't wait for another year of folk, and hopefully more performances. My band-mates rock!
Trips
Particularly the ones I went on this year. They've all been so good, and always a little weird! From getting a parking ticket in Bath to photographing a sheep outside Westminster, these were super.
Tutor
My tutor group was the best. Honestly. We played volleyball in tutor time with a roll of sellotape and flag bunting. Do I really need to say much more?!
Signing Thursdays
Realising that these aren't going to happen anymore is one of the weirdest things ever. They were always different, and- of course!- weird and wonderful. Such a good way to spend Thursday lunchtimes ;) Plus, it lead to one of my proudest achievements! ;)
Gambia
The happiest and best two weeks of my life.
Development/Support
I'm going to end on this one. It's a big one. Basically, when I started secondary school, I was this quiet little thing who preferred to stay in her comfort zone and not be noticed. I am definitely not that person now. If I was, I don't think I would have had a lot of the experiences I have had, or be able to see the potential that life has. I give secondary school in all it's forms (the lessons, the people etc.) full credit for this change, and I am so so glad. On a related note, whenever I have needed support it has been there. That was a huge thing for me.
As you can probably tell, I could go on and on. However, I actually need to go. Alas. So as a parting note: a phenomenally huge thank you to secondary school and everyone/everything I have encountered over the past five years. Here's to the next two being just as spectacular!!!!
The People
This almost goes without saying. I have met some truly awesome people, both students and teachers, due to school, and I will always be grateful for the experiences I have had in meeting and working with these people. Though there have been people who I haven't got along with- hopefully not too many of them are coming back for sixth form!- the fab people I've met more than make up for this. I could get really soppy, but yeah. Moving on.
In-Jokes
Just to save time and confusion, I'm going to generalise this. There are sooo many of them, and most of them still exist. My days would not be the same without scarf and hat wearing swans who resemble squirrels and like cats who work as musical ensembles.
Music
Another obvious one. The BTEC Music course I did was easily one of the best decisions I have ever ever made- it's improved my confidence and, well, everything to levels I didn't think possible. Just think: I was quiet before I started BTEC Music. Exactly. Good memories from this include the Jubilee Bash, every school concert and- well, practically every lesson. There was always something amusing, something interesting. Again, there were many in-jokes, and quotes such as 'I'M NOT A KING, MORE OF A DEMI-GOD'. The teachers were awesome and the others in the class were the best people to work with. Though I've grown apart from the majority of the people in my class, I will always have fantastic memories of them. I'm getting soppy again. Someone stop me.
Sports Day
I am not sporty. And yet I kind of loved sports day. It involved face paint (second pic down!) and dodging teachers who tried to make us do sport and eating sweets and generally doing nothing (we left it to the sporty people). What's not to love?!
Weird Conversations
These were routine, and something I have really missed over the summer- definitely looking forward to more of these! Some of my best discussions and quotes have come from school. Here's proof.
Folk
Another category that I could have divided up, namely into 'Folk Rehearsals', 'Ceilidh' and 'Fantastic Mr Fox'. It's all folk at the end of the day, and it's all fantastic. I can't wait for another year of folk, and hopefully more performances. My band-mates rock!
Trips
Particularly the ones I went on this year. They've all been so good, and always a little weird! From getting a parking ticket in Bath to photographing a sheep outside Westminster, these were super.
Tutor
My tutor group was the best. Honestly. We played volleyball in tutor time with a roll of sellotape and flag bunting. Do I really need to say much more?!
Signing Thursdays
Realising that these aren't going to happen anymore is one of the weirdest things ever. They were always different, and- of course!- weird and wonderful. Such a good way to spend Thursday lunchtimes ;) Plus, it lead to one of my proudest achievements! ;)
Gambia
The happiest and best two weeks of my life.
Development/Support
I'm going to end on this one. It's a big one. Basically, when I started secondary school, I was this quiet little thing who preferred to stay in her comfort zone and not be noticed. I am definitely not that person now. If I was, I don't think I would have had a lot of the experiences I have had, or be able to see the potential that life has. I give secondary school in all it's forms (the lessons, the people etc.) full credit for this change, and I am so so glad. On a related note, whenever I have needed support it has been there. That was a huge thing for me.
As you can probably tell, I could go on and on. However, I actually need to go. Alas. So as a parting note: a phenomenally huge thank you to secondary school and everyone/everything I have encountered over the past five years. Here's to the next two being just as spectacular!!!!
Friday, 23 August 2013
Some Days Defeat The Impossible
Yesterday wasn't a day I was looking forward to. I was dreading my results- I'm a perfectionist, and it's very unusual that I can be happy with things I've done- and I was feeling extremely low anyway.
However, I was proven wrong several times. I was thrilled with my results, and felt touched by the support shown to me about them. Later on, I was able to take a step back from things and realise that I really do want things to get better- but if I want that, I have to prove the world wrong, and show it what I'm made of. I'm determined to recover, hard as that seems at times.
I also used a website called Player 2, which was exactly what I needed, and I would definitely recommend it- it's a 'game' that enables you to look at a situation involving another person from a better point of view. For me it meant I realised that unless I want something happened recently to drag me down and define me, then I need to do what feels impossible, because otherwise I'm going to judge everything by this one event. I need to let people help me- before I've always said 'Oh, I can't, I can't trust people, it's not my fault, just something I can't do'- and sure, maybe it isn't my fault that I find it difficult, but it's not out of my control. I can trust people, because it's my choice to do that. Part of my mind might be telling me not to, but I can be strong and tell that part of my mind that I need to do this.
Anyway, I'm rambling. Go and check the website out. Even if you don't need it right now, you never know when you might.
I then went against what 'that part' of my mind was telling me (I might name the negative and positive parts of my mind, just to help me in recovery...) and went into town with my mum and sister. 'That part' was determined to not enjoy it, but I managed to overrule that and had a good time.I also got two books, which will be good for distractions. Win.
Finally, my day finished with a swimming training session. Yes, people who have followed my blog for a while, you read that right- people who are new, you can catch up here. I have a splint, and finally got a chance to see if it helped my ankle in any way. And guess what?! It kind of worked. I had a small amount of pain, but I found that by tightening the splint I was able to reduce that. The main issues now are just that the splint I have isn't overly practical for swimming- it fastens with velcro, which works, but occasionally comes apart, so I could do with finding one that has a more water-friendly fastening. It also has to be pulled very tight to reduce the pain, which is uncomfortable, but I should get used to that, and it could be improved with a different splint. Having the constriction also means that, in a way, I'm also going to have to relearn how to kick in a way that works best. That could be interesting. I'm looking at it as a challenge. Finally, there's the inevitable- after not training properly for over a year, and not at all for several months, it's going to take a while to build up stamina and be able to follow a set. Thankfully my coaches are amazing, and have said that for now I can just turn up and they'll squeeze me in somewhere to swim my own session, to slowly build up stamina until I can begin to ease back into proper sessions.
This is going to sound really cheesy, but as I was swimming- without pain for the first time in around 2 years- I had Melody's part from 'For A Moment' (Little Mermaid II) going around my head. Because why not.
So yeah. Some days surprise you, and make you realise that things are going to be okay.
However, I was proven wrong several times. I was thrilled with my results, and felt touched by the support shown to me about them. Later on, I was able to take a step back from things and realise that I really do want things to get better- but if I want that, I have to prove the world wrong, and show it what I'm made of. I'm determined to recover, hard as that seems at times.
I also used a website called Player 2, which was exactly what I needed, and I would definitely recommend it- it's a 'game' that enables you to look at a situation involving another person from a better point of view. For me it meant I realised that unless I want something happened recently to drag me down and define me, then I need to do what feels impossible, because otherwise I'm going to judge everything by this one event. I need to let people help me- before I've always said 'Oh, I can't, I can't trust people, it's not my fault, just something I can't do'- and sure, maybe it isn't my fault that I find it difficult, but it's not out of my control. I can trust people, because it's my choice to do that. Part of my mind might be telling me not to, but I can be strong and tell that part of my mind that I need to do this.
Anyway, I'm rambling. Go and check the website out. Even if you don't need it right now, you never know when you might.
I then went against what 'that part' of my mind was telling me (I might name the negative and positive parts of my mind, just to help me in recovery...) and went into town with my mum and sister. 'That part' was determined to not enjoy it, but I managed to overrule that and had a good time.I also got two books, which will be good for distractions. Win.
Finally, my day finished with a swimming training session. Yes, people who have followed my blog for a while, you read that right- people who are new, you can catch up here. I have a splint, and finally got a chance to see if it helped my ankle in any way. And guess what?! It kind of worked. I had a small amount of pain, but I found that by tightening the splint I was able to reduce that. The main issues now are just that the splint I have isn't overly practical for swimming- it fastens with velcro, which works, but occasionally comes apart, so I could do with finding one that has a more water-friendly fastening. It also has to be pulled very tight to reduce the pain, which is uncomfortable, but I should get used to that, and it could be improved with a different splint. Having the constriction also means that, in a way, I'm also going to have to relearn how to kick in a way that works best. That could be interesting. I'm looking at it as a challenge. Finally, there's the inevitable- after not training properly for over a year, and not at all for several months, it's going to take a while to build up stamina and be able to follow a set. Thankfully my coaches are amazing, and have said that for now I can just turn up and they'll squeeze me in somewhere to swim my own session, to slowly build up stamina until I can begin to ease back into proper sessions.
This is going to sound really cheesy, but as I was swimming- without pain for the first time in around 2 years- I had Melody's part from 'For A Moment' (Little Mermaid II) going around my head. Because why not.
So yeah. Some days surprise you, and make you realise that things are going to be okay.
This is more than my thoughts ever thought it could be, for a moment, just a moment, lucky me
Tuesday, 2 July 2013
Music Concert Summer 2013!!
I've just had a spectacular evening. You know those times you remember who you are, what you're trying to do and just who really matters? It's been one of those evenings, and it couldn't have been more appreciated. For various reasons, I can't say much more- I just want to have a record that it happened, because we all need to record those moments that make us feel alive.
It was also the summer music concert, which was absolutely super amazing! <3 Everyone who performed was so so awesome, and not just on stage. I honestly think that all the 'constants' of the school music department are some of the nicest people alive, and it's a pleasure to work with them :3
Yeah I'm getting soppy now. I could get worse, and start to talk about the book I finished reading today, but that really does merit it's own post.
Thank you also a billion times over to the people who made me feel so much better today <3
Friday, 21 June 2013
Woo!
Reached over 10,000 views!! Very happy, thank you to all viewers, and here's to the future ^.^
Tuesday, 18 June 2013
Number 17: Get Nose Pierced!
Something I've wanted since I was about 10 or 11 but been unable to do until now, due to school and my parents wanting me to wait. But voila!! ^.^
Yay!!!!
I've finished my exams!!! The (mainly jam-packed) holidays start here, with a trip to town in about half an hour to get my nose pierced and meet up with IG and BB. Tomorrow is a lazy day, Thursday I have various odd jobs to complete, and Friday is CARDIFF. Finally, Saturday hails the start of my swim teaching course.
Woop woop!! So so happy to be done with exams; I can actually sit back and blog (or even do nothing- what a novelty!) without feeling guilty!
Woop woop!! So so happy to be done with exams; I can actually sit back and blog (or even do nothing- what a novelty!) without feeling guilty!
Tuesday, 11 June 2013
New Outlook
There are some things that happen, or that have happened, that are better off staying away from this blog: partly because I don't want them where anyone could stumble across them, partly because I have to remember that they could trigger/influence others and partly because, useful as this blog is, there are some things I would rather not have a record of.
So, I want to gloss over some things and just say that, for as long as I can make it last, I'm going to keep this blog really positive. I feel hesitant about using the word 'recovery', as it sounds so serious and I'm not sure that that is really what this is, but at the same time I feel it is a vaguely appropriate word to use. I want to 'recover' from everything that's holding me back and holding me down; I want to get to a day when I can feel happy and relaxed for a sustained period of time, a day when the scars on my arms are just a thing of the past.
Of course, I will also post a lot of the type of stuff I normally post, like random trivia and videos/songs and weird links and my views and rants and all that jazz! I just want to use this as a base for optimism and 'recovery', rather than negativity, as well!
I hope that this blog will be really instrumental in helping me with this, and- maybe, hopefully- help others to also feel better, in their own lives or in their own version of 'recovery', whatever that may be linked to or from. I warn you now, that this is not going to be easy- I will still get stressed, and I am likely to still use blogging as an outlet for that. However, I can promise you that I will try. I want to be the best me I can be again.
Finally, introducing a new blog tag- smile- which I'll tag anything 'recovery'/happy related in the future, and might try and tag some old posts, just so that if you're here and you need cheering up, you can access stuff that might help you do that :)
Here's to thoughts of a brighter future x
So, I want to gloss over some things and just say that, for as long as I can make it last, I'm going to keep this blog really positive. I feel hesitant about using the word 'recovery', as it sounds so serious and I'm not sure that that is really what this is, but at the same time I feel it is a vaguely appropriate word to use. I want to 'recover' from everything that's holding me back and holding me down; I want to get to a day when I can feel happy and relaxed for a sustained period of time, a day when the scars on my arms are just a thing of the past.
Of course, I will also post a lot of the type of stuff I normally post, like random trivia and videos/songs and weird links and my views and rants and all that jazz! I just want to use this as a base for optimism and 'recovery', rather than negativity, as well!
I hope that this blog will be really instrumental in helping me with this, and- maybe, hopefully- help others to also feel better, in their own lives or in their own version of 'recovery', whatever that may be linked to or from. I warn you now, that this is not going to be easy- I will still get stressed, and I am likely to still use blogging as an outlet for that. However, I can promise you that I will try. I want to be the best me I can be again.
Finally, introducing a new blog tag- smile- which I'll tag anything 'recovery'/happy related in the future, and might try and tag some old posts, just so that if you're here and you need cheering up, you can access stuff that might help you do that :)
Here's to thoughts of a brighter future x
Cheesy But Fantastic
My mum's found a CD entitled 'Happy Songs', and has been playing it. They were cheesy, and- in case you hadn't guessed- very happy, which is just what I needed. Thought I'd share a couple ;)
I'll Be There For You- The Rembrandts
Don't Stop- Fleetwood Mac
Friday, 7 June 2013
Hope
Some quotes/lyrics for you to enjoy today, and hopefully make you feel a bit more hopeful (is that a pun?)- none of these are mine (except the last)!
It's not just the people we love, but the people we let love us back who show us how high we can really soar- Steve Kluger
You are going to live a good and long life filled with great and terrible moments that you cannot even imagine yet!- John Green
You are so busy being you that you have no idea how utterly unprecedented you are- John Green
Never, ever stop believing in magic, no matter how old you get. Because if you keep looking long enough and don't give up, sooner or later you're going to find Mary Poppins- Steve Kluger
When the night has come, and the land is dark, and the moon is the only light we'll see. No I won't be afraid, no I won't be afraid, just as long as you stand, stand by me- Ben E. King
So much depends upon this observer of the universe- John Green
The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step- Lao Tzu
I can't find the words to make it sound unique, but honestly, you make me strong!- Kate Nash
Live like you mean it, love 'til you feel it, it's all that we need in our lives- Goo Goo Dolls
Today you are you, that is truer than true. There's no-one alive who is youer than you!- Dr Seuss
It's not just the people we love, but the people we let love us back who show us how high we can really soar- Steve Kluger
When two worlds collide, I'm happy that I'm by your side- Amy Macdonald
We are all failures; at least, the best of us are- J.M.Barrie
You are going to live a good and long life filled with great and terrible moments that you cannot even imagine yet!- John Green
Lights will guide you home, and ignite your bones, and I will try to fix you- Coldplay
You can look inside of me, but that answers that you seek, and everything you need is all inside you- Goo Goo Dolls
You are so busy being you that you have no idea how utterly unprecedented you are- John Green
Never, ever stop believing in magic, no matter how old you get. Because if you keep looking long enough and don't give up, sooner or later you're going to find Mary Poppins- Steve Kluger
Love is the strongest power there is- J.K.Rowling
When the night has come, and the land is dark, and the moon is the only light we'll see. No I won't be afraid, no I won't be afraid, just as long as you stand, stand by me- Ben E. King
We've got everything we need right here and everything we need is enough- Jack Johnson
When I look to the sky, something tells me you're here with me, and you make everything alright- Train
Think of all the beauty still left around you and be happy- Anne Frank
A life isn't measured in hours and minutes. It's the quality, not the length- Gabrielle Zevin
Time won't ever steal my soul, and we're not broken so please come home- Goo Goo Dolls
Promise me you'll always remember: you're braver than you believe, stronger than you seem and smarter than you think- A.A.Milne
What you feel is what you are, and what you are is beautiful- Goo Goo Dolls
Brush back your hair and look around you, feeling like the truth has
found you here. You're here with me. Let love become the mirror, with no
fear from where you're from. You have become beautiful- Goo Goo Dolls
Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter don't mind- Dr Seuss
So much depends upon this observer of the universe- John Green
Calling out for you again, you always guide my way, calling out for you, you know you heal these empty days, and it's all because you take me as I am- Goo Goo Dolls
At the end of the day, it's okay to be sad. It's okay to feel like you're losing, like the world is against you, like everything is wrong, like nobody is there. There's nothing wrong with feeling that, or admitting that you're feeling like that. However, I promise you that there is always someone there and that there's always always a way of getting through it, even if it doesn't feel like it at the time. Just keep going, because there are a million billion good things in the world, and they far outweigh the bad. Please believe me, that everything can and will get better- Yours Truly
Aaaand for a final bit of 'hope', I couldn't leave it without a message from this lovely person, because she's amazing... Except I couldn't choose which, so here are three.
Troubled Soul- Amy Macdonald
Your Time Will Come- Amy Macdonald
Run- Amy Macdonald
Thursday, 30 May 2013
Like Being Illuminated
Have you ever had a moment where something- a quote, a phrase, a song, whatever- suddenly makes complete sense? It can be triggered by a million different things, or combination of things, but everything just feels right. Had one of those moments tonight: talking to some of the people who mean the most to me, and I just felt truly cared for/about, supported, loved and a thousand other positive emotions. And, then, a line from When God Was A Rabbit came into my head- just a really simple line, 'this was breath'. I don't know why, but it made so much sense and summed up exactly how I was feeling. What I felt was breath; it was indescribable, the best way I can put it is in that quote.
At the end of the day, no matter how crap I feel, no matter how alone and isolated I think I am, I am still lucky. I have an amazing group of people who I will be there for throughout everything and anything, and I know they'll do the same for me- I feel truly honoured to have them. It might not sound like much, but it's a huge thing, particularly after feeling low and isolated.
At the end of the day, no matter how crap I feel, no matter how alone and isolated I think I am, I am still lucky. I have an amazing group of people who I will be there for throughout everything and anything, and I know they'll do the same for me- I feel truly honoured to have them. It might not sound like much, but it's a huge thing, particularly after feeling low and isolated.
This is breath.
Another (Similar) Video
I know I've already posted a similar version of this video, but BB pointed this one out to me and I felt that it had to be shared. Watch this, and make sure you look at the expression at 38 seconds- that expression where you can see that he realises how lucky he is to have the person he loves. It's such a beautiful, beautiful expression.
One Step Closer
Watch this and try not to cry. It's truly beautiful.
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