Many of us believe that January sets the tone for the remainder of the year - that it's the defining month, you might say. I personally don't. If anything, I see it as a practice run for how we want the following 12 months to go. My year started with a horrendous cold (worse than I've had for years), and my grandparents having to put their dog of 7 years to sleep. It's was incredibly sad. And as with most bad moments in life, it set off a chain reaction and unwanted memories kept invading my minds eye which really dragged me down. After that, my month continued to be all gloom and doomy until... well, I don't know what exactly. It just seemed to snap back into place one day. Isn't that just life? I had a wonderful date with my beloved partner, which was easily one of my highlights of January. I met a new friend, who has become a treasured part of my day and has helped more than he could ever know. And most significantly, with the help of my beloved, we booked my flight to once again visit him in the USA. Next month! Yes, that soon. Yes, I've already started packing because I'm a worrywart.
But throughout it all, I kept to my resolution of posting every single day on Instagram. Seems like an odd one, doesn't it? But quite simply, I wanted a reason to go through old photos, or take new ones. Preferably the latter. So here is my roundup of images this month. One (or sometimes more) a day. I hope to continue with this series for the next 12 months, so join me for the ride.
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01/01/2017: Dreaming about Veggie Tacos. So yum. I'm still feeling rough and struggling to eat anything that isn't ice, but that doesn't stop food from looking yummy. Sigh.
02/01/2017: Nature can be overwhelmingly because. I'll be the first to admit that I don't appreciate my surroundings enough. Well, this (photo) is from last October but still.. I worry I miss these moments when they pass me by, I only look back with fondness. I was to work on that this year.
03/01/2017: Can I be him right now? This photo is super old but I can't handle how cute and cosy he looks. 1,2,3... Awwwhh! That paw though. I just want to nibble it (in a non-creepy way. I'm veggie, trust me.).
04/01/2017: You're gonna hear me rooarr! I sometimes pity my boyfriend's cat but then I remember that the four-legged man gets my better half's company 24/7. Lucky lion.
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05/01/2017: I want to draw more this year. Preferably something that isn't plants, flowers or mainly roots. I seem to have a fascination with things that grow leaves. Hm. This photo isn't mine, I just found it on Google, saved it to my phone weeks ago and thought it was now fitting. Credits to the owner! PS: posting daily on Instagram seemed like a fun resolution but its quite tricky when you mostly spend the day feeling unwell in bed.
06/01/2017: A Christmas gift and my new favourite scent. If you haven't tried this range of natural colognes, most definitely do. A bargain at £15 for 30ml. Plus they smell amazing.
07/01/2017: I'm going to be 100% truthful. I used to loathe my freckles and "beauty" marks. So much. I have many scattered on my body, and I worried they made my already unattractive features more hideous. I thought they were cute on other people, but myself was a big no-no - the same for most things. I hated my body enough as it was, so why not dislike the decor too? As I've aged, I haven't particularly grown fond of my body but I've come to accept the little things that I once saw as flawed. I like the little quirks that make me different than the next overly pale body you might see. Life is too short to not appreciate your differences.
08/01/2017: Photos become incredibly precious when time moves so quickly.
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09/01/2017: Repost @mentalmovement with @repostapp || We're celebrating the launch of Rachel Kelly's incredible new book 'The Happy Kitchen'. Full of delicious recipes, this Good Mood Food book is an absolute must if you struggle to balance healthy choices when dealing with mental health. Find the recipes that help alleviate your stresses, anxiety and depression whilst you learn how to eat well for your mind. Click the LINK to read the full interview and to watch Rachel cook up her delicious spinach and spelt pancakes with avocado and salmon.
09/01/2017: If you fancy giving my review of A Monster Calls a read, please do! Link is HERE. Spoiler: I loved it.
10/01/2017: Having a sneaky takeaway every few weeks is perfectly okay. Life is about balance. Leftovers? Better. Dominoes thin crust pizza, low fat cheese, mushroom, peppers and pineapple. Ultimate pizza treat. Broccoli popped into the oven for 10 minutes coated in paprika, salt and pepper. Still not healthy per say, but better than most options and equally as yummy.
11/01/2017: Throwback || The puppy stage is still in full swing and every day that fact is making me grateful that I'm a cat lady. And yes, that is point on her face. She came like that.
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12/01/2017: Photographer: "Now give me a smouldering look!"
Bruno: "Nailed it."
13/01/2017: One of my 2017 goals was to draw more. I lack imagination and tend to draw trees or flowers (exhibit A). I hate to admit it, but I have yet to draw a single thing this year. I need to find a sketch book that fits my silly expectations. But.. why does the paper have to be thin in most? It's horrible. And I'm reluctant to spend over £5 on a hobby that I'm not overly good at. Blegh. Cheapskate troubles.
14/01/2017: This is what happens when you end up sitting in a dark room on your laptop for 5 hours (Organising that thing has become the bane of my existence). I swear I didn't look like this going in. Send help. And concealer. Maybe a hairbrush. PS: My Instagram keeps glitching. No fair.
14/01/2017: My yummy tea tonight. I've been doing my best to eat clean when I can (minus the cheese), and am already feeling better for it. I write that as I'm sipping on a baileys. Dessert? No shame. Red and yellow peppers, greens, raw carrot, tomatoes, and a little cheese. I then proceeded to over it in paprika once we were alone with no camera. Yum.
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15/01/2017: Happy Sunday, y'all. (Am I able to pull that off yet?) I know the dreaded M word is tomorrow, but remember that even though it does indeed suck to get back to "real" life when you may of had a freebie day today, it's still a day of your life. Don't define the entire 24 hours by one thing. Do something you love - passionately. Smile. Take a second glance at something that you deem as beautiful. Spend 5 minutes creatively (even if that just means watching a tutorial on Youtube). Choose to find the positive, and most importantly, choose to remember that again on Tuesday. You got this.
16/01/2017: If you like short stories, supporting bloggers/writers, or just trees.. give my most recent story a read! Link is HERE. I really appreciate feedback.
17/01/2017; Currently Reading || More Than This by Patrick Ness.
I'm actually really enjoying this so far (I say, only being 127 pages in). As my second Ness book, I can now confidently say that he is incredible at storytelling. The imagery and characters practically jump off of the page and into your minds eye. So vivid and bright. What are you currently reading?
18/01/2017: When it's almost 11pm and you realize you haven't prepared/taken a photo for today's Instagram post. You go back to basics with a good ol' selfie. But then they all turn out hideous and your hair looks half curled and your glasses are wonky. So you just take a photo of your resting judging face. Yay?
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19/01/2017: All the yummy veggies. Sweet potato, carrot, broccoli, green bell pepper and onion. A few sprays of the "1 cal" olive oil, sweet chilli sauce and paprika. Throw all of it together into a wok for 10 minutes.
20/01/2017: A Mr. Bruno Roberts yawning. May be the cutest face ever. Look at those teeny fangs. Awh.
21/01/2017: I have yet to try any of the recipes in @Lea Michele's book. The crime! I need the Italian soup in my life. Soon. For now, let's just appreciate the beauty that is she on the cover. Fun Fact: This was actually my last read of 2016 and kept me entertained throughout my killer cold.
22/01/2017: This month was one of loss. My grandparents dog Lucy got put down on the 3rd of January. She had a tumor on her leg, and eventually her hips went. It was incredibly sad. It's never easy saying goodbye to a pet, is it? I think only now the weight of the loss is lifting off of them. I knew this four-legged girl for 7 years, and I'd like to thank her for the company she gave me during the times of all nighters and falling in love for the first time. I'll always remember that time she terrified me by making me think there was a ghost breathing in the room with me (I know it was illogical, but.. you know, senseless in the moment and all that jazz.). That night she threw up a total of four times and slept underneath my chair. You may have to leave, but the memories you left behind will stay.
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22/01/2017: My overview of the infamous Winchester Mystery House is now up on my blog! Link is HERE. Spoiler: I didn't spot or feel any spirits. And I didn't get lost. Boo. (Get it? Ghosts.. boo? no?) The trip was also totally inspired by the Ghost Adventure episodes. Not gonna lie.
23/01/2017: A Dove and a Superman walk into a bar.. 2 weeks tomorrow I will be back in the arms of this handsome chap and I cannot wait. Time seems to simultaneously be racing and dragging. I wish I could skip ahead. LDR's are hard graft, but worth it once you're able to once again find solitude in another person.
24/01/2017: "Despite how calm the water may seem, sometimes you just have to take the bridge." Photo by @thetimtimthe on Twitter. I've had the privilege of making a new friend this month, and it has done wonders for my mental health. I forgot how lovely it is to just talk to someone for hours with no rhyme or reason. Definitely been a highlight of January,
25/01/2017: "I've found in my research that the biggest reason people aren't more self-compassionate is that they are afraid they'll become self-indulgent. They believe self criticism is what keeps them in line. Most people have gotten it wrong because our culture says being hard on yourself is the way to be." - Kristen Neff. I've been having a crappy few days when it comes to BDD. Really bad. And I'm trying to power on forward, but it is surprisingly hard - which others can't seem to grasp. I'm a little lost, truth be told. I keep finding new things to dislike about myself, and nothing is swaying my opinion on them. I haven;t had a good day in a long while.
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26/01/2017: Throwback: A day trip to California Academy of Sciences. A wall of accidental beauty. It is oddly satisfying. Granted, it isn't necessarily something one goes there to see.. but nevertheless, it's lovely.
27/01/2017: Soup for the win. The base is fresh Minestrone soup from M&S. With added tinned tomatoes, carrots, onion, basil, paprika, and garlic. Yum.
28/01/2017: Black coffee for the soul, a kitty for the heart, and a good book to stimulate the mind, This is what Saturdays are for.
28/01/2017: Who says a ponytail is just for humans? In the words of Karen Walker "We can finally see her face!".
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29/01/2017: Talking As Fast As I can by Lauren Graham. This continues to be my favourite read of 2017 so far. It's like opening a book to an old friend.
30/01/2017: Hungry (at 2:30am. Not good) and having a longing for the meal that was made the other night. Veggie stir fry with sweet chilli, and vegetable spring rolls. Sigh. *eats my banana*
30/01/2017: Amen. Laugh at the things that would otherwise hurt your heart, because what's the alternative option?
31/01/2017: This is my current face when I tell people "I think I miss my hair shorter." Talk about a hairisis (hair and crisis... yes? No?) What to do? First red problems.
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So that's my roundup of January in the way of Instagram and photos.
Let's see what February brings.
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