I have decided to create a little monthly roundup, featuring my general thoughts on life, current favourites (products, people, bands…whatever) and well, just about anything else that comes to mind. Here goes!
This month I wanted to get back to blogging, and I don’t mean just sharing my reviews on here, but actually creating my own, regular(ish) content. One thing that’s important is that I take my own pace and make sure I am doing it for no other reason than the fact that I enjoy it. I changed my theme to help me start afresh, wrote a blog post about self care and now I’m here. I’m happy with that for now.
For the first time in ages I have started to feel like I am getting my shit together. Finally. Not necessarily by setting out life plans, but actually pulling everything together in my mind, allowing myself the space to think and talk things through with people. I have noticed developments throughout the month in my general mood and outlook on life.
One thing in particular is this stronger urge than ever to stop eating meat. Normally I get a feeling that it is something I should do, but until now, I have never felt like I’ve really wanted to. I even feel okay with the idea of a veggie Christmas dinner and that’s a big step for me. The step I’m avoiding is putting a label on it; I don’t want to call myself a vegetarian. Labels make me feel uncomfortable, it’s almost like you’re opening yourself up for scrutiny and I’m just not down with that. Just like by blog, I am taking it very much at my own pace, but definitely with a firmer hold on it than before.
With things like this, it’s not about feeling the need to make changes, but instead noticing the changes in the way I think and present myself, and this has come across in a few different ways. I’m not really sure how to describe it, but it is just kinda happening and I feel so excited about it all, so it must be good, right?
There have been blips this month like messing up plans and losing a lot of sleep, but in general, this month has been pretty good to me. I’ve been to a few gigs, had many food dates with friends, got to know myself better and found a whole bunch of new music to adore.
The main artist I have been obsessing over this month is Jerry Williams. I happened to come across her in a recent Megan Ellaby video, and fell in love within seconds of hearing her voice. I happened to recognise her name and realised I had seen it all over Facebook in promotion for a very local show that same week. Of course I went along, and was totally in my element at this wonderfully wholesome show. Jerry Williams herself was so sweet, truly grateful for everyone there and taking the time to have a chat with everyone at the merch table.
Speaking of Megan Ellaby, her videos have been an absolute must for me over the last couple of months. Aside from her incredible eye for fashion and house decor, Megan is full of wonderful character and I can’t help but look for her videos when I go to YouTube. Lately I’ve noticed an increased interest in fashion myself; different clothes to buy and how to wear them – good news for my self confidence, bad news for my bank account! I feel like our outfits can have a big impact on how we feel about ourselves, and while it is still taking me time to gain the confidence to try new looks out and about, I am hoping to get more creative with my worn out staples as well as trying out new looks entirely.
Returning to music… I am SO in love with the new Beach House track. It was simply the best thing to find on my timeline during one of my sleepless nights. I had listened to ‘Lemon Glow’ 10 times before 4am that day and I am still listening to it regularly; unsurprisingly I still love it. It is so intense in such a different way to what I would expect from Beach House, yet so inherently them. The fact that they are releasing another album excites me to no end and I really hope that it comes with some UK tour dates. Pleeeeaaaase.
QUICKFIRE FAVES:
- Glossier Birthday Balm Dotcom – CUTE packaging (seriously, I hate how much I love it), not only softens the lips but leaves a subtle shimmer and tastes like sprinkles!
- Lush Summit exclusive shower oils (specifically ‘Cool Beans’) – these are like a less heavy version of the body butters so perfect for more frequent use, and there were so many to choose from that some of them just have to make it to the stores
- ‘Bedtime Stories for Cynics’ presented by Nick Offerman on Audible – okay, so I have only listened to one of these but, I mean… essentially, Ron Swanson introducing bedtime stories about real adult life…c’mon
- ‘Lampoon’ by Shame – so much energy, I am living for this track right now
- Dream Wife – I love this band a lot and I can’t wait to see where they go. More extensive post coming soon…
When I look back on February I see a lot of progression, which has come from just stopping every now and then to take things in. I can feel myself becoming more aware of certain things in life and making steps to educate myself further. I am moving forward and despite the odd rant (online or not), I genuinely feel far more positive and prepared to take care of myself. I’m really quite excited for the rest of the year.
Thanks for reading! Check in with me on Twitter and Instagram and don’t forget to come back next month to see how I’m getting on with 2018.
SAMANTHA MAE 