Category: Stories

Exams are just horrendous … nothing new there. But it’s important to remember that no matter what happens it will be ok. you can still achieve amazing things no matter what grade you get.

Looked through so many websites about this … here is a condensed version of the advice given

Self care
Look after yourself, take time to do things that make you happy. We all suck at self care but it’s important to try and give yourself regular breaks to enjoy yourself unwind and get a bit of perspective

Don’t be a hero.
Talk to friends or family, or both. about how you are coping. If you are stressing about exams and assessments then your friends will be too. Talk things out with a friend or someone if your family will really help.

Take a walk
Sounds weird i know but fresh air and exercise is great to help you de stress. a quick walk in the park every day will work wonders. stick your headphones in and go for a wander … music, fresh air and exercise.

Eat
Try to eat some nutritious food. its so hard when your stressing out cos all we really want are crips. But its important to get some vitamins which will make you feel loads better. Oh … drink water … another thing we all suck at but it is great stuff.

Breathing
4 in 6 out is a good option for deep relaxing breathing. Slowly count to 4 while breathing in, pause and let your breath out while counting to 6. Sounds weird but actually helps. Taking a pause and get yourself centered. We have put together some ASMR content here that might be helpful.

Be proud
Be proud of what you have done today, no matter how much revising you did today, it all counts.

Get help
if its all getting a bit much then get help, there are loads of great services around that can help you when you are struggling click here All these links are free and confidential, find one that best suits you … message, email or chat. the choice is yours

And finally
You are more important than any exam. No matter what teachers tell you ….

Further resources about stress.
Young minds
University College London
Student Minds
Campaign against living miserably

Mother’s day can be difficult for many of us, especially for those who don’t have mum there anymore. losing a loved one is never gonna be easy but certain times of the year seem much harder than others.

This Mothers day … I have decided to celebrate, even though my mum passed a few years ago now. Its my day to remember her, my day to eat cake, bit of a self care day. Might buy myself a Bounty Bar … she loved them … i think they are gross.

I hope people around get it … understand that it’s a difficult day. Most people I know have never lost anyone that close … so it can be hard for them too.

If you feel a bit overwhelmed that’s normal … i’m sure there will be tears from me at some point. but that’s ok. I guess i’m used to it now.

If you need some great tips and advice from those warriors at the NHS here click here
or pop over to our get help page to find someone to talk too.

I know things are a bit shit these days, but this isn’t one of those facts and figures kind of stories. This is about simple things we can all try to feel a bit less worried about what’s going on. Saving energy and helping the planet in a small way.

Most of this sounds obvious … yet some (most) of us don’t do it. Simple things make a difference.

Getting in the habit of turning things off not only saves a bit of money … but makes us feel like we are doing something positive. And let’s face it … none of us want to give energy companies any more cash than we absolutely have too.

Lights

Lights … sounds simple enough. It’s a mind set thing … get into the habit of turning them off. LED bulbs are cheap these days too … try Wilko … enough said.

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Laptop

Laptop … we all do this … shut it down rather than closing the lid. Way better for the laptop, and energy usage. Laptops do run better when they are cool.

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Eco-Wash

Wash cooler or eco … washing powders are amazing these days … cheap or expensive ones … they all work well on colder washes. Lets face it we tend to wear something once then wash it.

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Quick shower

Shower … try a quick shower … something that helps is music on a phone, easy to know how long your shower is. Try turning the temp down … even if it’s a tiny change, like half a turn on the temp gauge, so  you hardly notice it .. all helps.

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TV

Stand by … simple really … turn the tv off … rather than leaving it on standby. if it’s easier turn it off at the wall, Rather than using the remote. Will prolong life of your tv too.

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Drying Clothes

Dry clothes outside … even when its cold. This sounds a bit far-fetched … but it really works. It’s to do with the triple point of water … water at 0 degrees is a solid liquid and gas … I get a bit lost at all this but it does work. If you are lucky enough to have the capacity to dry outside … what’s stopping you?   Helps prevent moisture building up, causing damp and other horrid things.

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A few other things you can try …

Microwave food.

Gordon Ramsay makes out that microwaves suck … but they are great … well they are very energy efficient. If you can cook it in a microwave … (of course check the instructions first) Do it …  even if you start it in the microwave and finish in the oven, it’s still better.
Can also try cooking for a few days … spag boll is great the following day … tastes better somehow … not the Spaghetti though … cook that when you want it

Hot water

Coffee … I love coffee … drink far to much of course, so have been boiling the kettle, and filling a thermos … cos apparently you are not suppose to use boiling water in coffee anyway. Every time I need a coffee … I use the hot water in the flask. sounds like a pain … but its weirdly easy to do. Every time you use hot water you will be amazed at how hot it still is.

Tech

Buying new stuff … if you are lucky enough to be buying a new tv/washing machine or whatever … make sure its energy efficient. The A to G stickers. You will be amazed how many things even now days are very bad with energy consumption

Draughts

Block them … with whatever you can find around the place. Old towels are good … if you are like me and rent … stopping drafts permanently can be difficult. Short term fix work well … then if you are feeling brave ask your landlord (odd phrase) to insulate.

But this is important … if you are cold. Put the heating on. If you can turn radiators off in rooms you don’t use then that’s great. But don’t just turn everything off … cos its cold some-days … and there is nothing more miserable than being stuck in a cold flat or house. Worried about what’s happening.

Starting is the one

Once you get into the habit of turning off lights, or washing at 20°C it’s amazing how easy it becomes … getting into saving energy not just to save cash … but it does make a difference for the planet.

No great surprise … but its the small things that really help, especially now. A text goes a long way …

“So proud of you mate … you are gonna smash 2023 … Let’s catch up soon ok”

Ok maybe a bit much but something positive to remind people they are doing amazing things. cos we all forget what we have done … Always focus on the things we haven’t done yet … Like this article i should have written last week,

So check in with a mate … you cant message everyone of course … but is there a mate that has been quiet on socials? not been in the pub lately? ping them a message. Knowing that someone is looking out for you makes all the difference, especially when you’re feeling a bit shit.

ever had this ? … being surrounded by happy successful friends/family … talking about how amazing their lives are? … anyone else get that?

The endless of posts bragging about best Christmas ever, pictures of a food mountain and presents galore … so yeah … its a bit of a shit show sometimes. Help each other out ok … and eat loads of mince pies

Happy Christmas everyone.

Music is a powerful thing especially when you are having those tough days. Sharing your fav tracks that make you feel better and a bit more positive is a great way to support one another.

So thats what this is … only just started this but get the feeling it will be a long process … so many great songs to choose. They are in no order at all. … we ain’t that organised. More to be added soon … ya know … once we have agued whats best.

It can be tough starting something new, something thats been bugging you for ages but you cant seem to muster the energy to change it. Whether it’s tidying up, replying to that email or even getting help when you need it.

I know how easy it is to say … i’ll do that tomorrow. With every intention to do it tomorrow. but then tomorrow comes and there is something else that gets in the way. but trust me … when you say … fxxk it, lets do that today. The sense of anticipation and excitement is amazing.

The task

In my case it was the tiny space outside the flat. Ive been looking at it for weeks on end, thinking too myself i really need to do that. Days turn into weeks and it gets a little more messy and a little more overwhelming each day. I kept making excuses to why i cant do it today. The weather helped loads i must admit … beautiful sunny day … I might even get a bit of a tan while i’m working.

Think i should i point out that i am no handy man/DIY guy … as you can probably tell. Birthday present drill, borrowed sander and 7 quids worth of wood preservative. But My thinking was … well it cant look any worse right? … So anything i do today will be an improvement.

Staring

Staring was so rewarding … once i had done a bit of sweeping and filled a bin bag with garden rubbish i felt so proud of myself. It took ages to do but each step looked better and better. I did have a slight “maybe this a bad idea” moment when i saw how red the wood presevative was … but again i thought, well it will look better than it does right now.

I could have stop anytime … still looked better than it had done. But I wanted to carry on and finish what a few days ago seemed a huge task. The more i did the better i felt, proud of myself that id taken the first step.

Finishing

Of course there is always more i can do, more sweeping more sanding, more pruning … plants with thorns? I mean why do they exist in a garden? lol. The fact i started gives me encouragement to know i can do more.

So my simple advice is to try … try tackling that job thats been on your mind, that thing that you didn’t do yesterday. The first step is the biggest one … they get smaller and easier to climb the more steps you take.

We are encouraged to work from home more and more these days … sounds great. But some times it can feel a bit lonely and things can quickly get on top of you.

So we have put together some simple suggestions to keep things on track. mentally and physically.

Take a break, Sounds simple, but i am sure its something we all forget to do … “let me just finish this … then i’ll have a break” Sound familiar? Take a walk around the block, put the telly on for 10 minutes, watch a cat being funny on youtube, stretching exercises … whatever it is … as long as it’s not work and away from your desk.

Routine, This one is difficult to stick at i know, but it makes a big difference. Have a start and finish time. Make sure you have a proper lunch break.
Do all those things you would normally do, shower, breakfast loose your door keys (joking)

Desk, Have a work space, a place that feels like a proper work space, rather than laptop on lap sat on the sofa. (as nice as that sounds its hard to get things done) Try and find a decent supportive chair to sit on, good lighting and a window if your lucky enough, plants too.
Can find some stationery bargains in Wilko and Tiger, to make it feel like a real office.

Zoom, We all love zoom. Use it for more than just meetings. try a zoom coffee with a colleague or a mate. Have a natter and a coffee. Maybe facetime is your thing. Whatever you feel comfortable using. Try and keep it a daily thing, so you feel less isolated.

Family/Housemates, Try and be flexible and let those who live with you know when you are working. Have a chat and explain your needs and be flexible so it works for everyone. Once you have a few boundaries sorted it should all be a little easier for everyone.

Be kind, … goes without saying but always forgotten. Be kind and patient to yourself. self care is king.

A done list, Something thats good to do … well i find it helpful, is a done list at the end of the day. Often we forget how much we do, and tend to get anxious that we haven’t achieved enough that day. forgetting the 30 emails sent, excel spreadsheet finished and the R&D work done with that new software we got.

Go Home When you should finish work, stop working. shut down and kick back. Easy to say, much harder to do i know.

Wishing everyone a happy and safe Christmas, not going to bore you with the whole it’s been a tough year bit … cos we all know that. Stay safe … be careful, look our for others and have a great time.

If you are feel you need a little extra help … here are some useful contacts that are open this Christmas.

Everyone
Samaritans Call 116 123 open 24hrs
Shout Text Shout to 85258 open 24 hrs
Calm Call 0800 58 58 58 open 24 hrs

Under 25’s
Young Minds text YM to 85258 open 24hrs
The Mix Call 0808 808 4994 3pm till 12 am every day
Childline Call 0800 1111 call free and wont show on any phone bill.

And spare a thought for friends and family you haven’t seen in ages. Takes a few seconds to send a text … let someone know you care.

Happy Christmas to one and all.