school
What to Do When You're Bored in the Office
10 July 2015
Write a blog post.
Writing is something I love to do. I aspire to develop my skills to the highest level and expand my vocabulary too. With a notepad on every corner, it's almost impossible not to jot down a few ideas that would otherwise get lost in the back of my mind. In fact, this post was written on a very slow Monday morning. It's easy to concentrate due to the quiet atmosphere and helps the time pass very quickly!
Stretch your legs.
I'm sure there's an office regulation that states a worker must move around every so often. This is also the ideal method to staying awake. I'm not suggesting a twenty minute stroll, but taking a few minutes to focus on our mind on something other than how dull the day is really helps. A short saunter is a quick fix and extremely beneficial in helping the time pass by. You could make a hot drink, and before you know it, it's 5pm.
Daydream.
The most dangerous but most enjoyable approach to passing time. It's a skill that I've mastered over the years, and I'm now at the point of being able to daydream about just about anything. In about five minutes, I can easily slip into another world without trying - granted I have completed all the tasks that need to be done for the day. Daydreaming is a last resort, but sure helps the clock tick faster.
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How to Juggle Blogging and a Full Time Job
3 June 2015
Leeds, West Yorkshire, UK
I wouldn't be anywhere if I didn't plan everything. I have a day-to-page planner which means I occasionally plan my days out by the hours. I feel much more at ease with the smooth running of my blog when I can visually see what I have going on throughout the week. It's easy for tasks and ideas to get lost in the back of my memory, so it's vital I plan just about everything I do; from the moment I wake up to the hour I go to bed.
Carry a notebook and camera
I always have a notebook as I'm always writing posts. Whether they're freelance jobs or for Anika May, I like to have drafts written out while I have spare time so I'm not worrying about writing up a post the day it must be published. There wouldn't be as many posts on Anika May if I didn't write while I was on the go, and my iPad comes in handy for bumpy train rides too. I don't carry my DSLR everyday, but I always have my iPhone which has a high quality, perfect for getting those spontaneous shots.
Photography
I'm always taking photos of things and writing posts around them. I may photograph an outfit or product I'm obsessed with and have it saved on my computer for weeks before I draft commentary on it. Similarly, when I do have drafts written up, I take the photos before I plan to set the post to go live. It's another task that's no longer weighing on my brain and it's important to take advantage of the sunlight while I can.
Scheduling
Some bloggers believe in scheduling posts and other don't. For the good of Anika May, I prefer to have posts scheduled in advance as I'm quite busy outside my blog. When I'm away from my computer, I don't always have the resources to publish posts immediately so I can schedule them to go live while I handle working full time. I don't tend to schedule posts for more than a week in advance, as a lot can change in that time and always go over features before they go live.
Don't panic
Panicking about getting tasks done is it's own form of procrastination. If I'm worrying about Anika May my job becomes very difficult and visa versa. It's all about finding that balance between the both and easing the pressure on both ends. Blogging is a hobby I will always enjoy and never give up, making that passion one of the best shapes of motivation to work hard and achieve my goals.
How to Scrap a Bad Mood
21 May 2015
Getting right the the source will help shift the heavy cloud hanging over your head. It may take some time, especially if this attitude has been brewing over some time, but finding that connection ends in positive results. The reason can vary, from a person to an experience - figure out what's really bothering you and get as far away from it as possible.
Treat yourself.
To me, any food is a treat. There's absolutely nothing wrong with eating chocolate in every form until the endorphins kick in the lift the sorrow. Indulging in a whole series on Netflix or gobbling multiple tubs of Ben & Jerry's is good for the mental health system and a great start and shifting the negative thoughts. I've also found that herbal tea really comforts my rough spells.
Music.
I have never come across another human being that doesn't enjoy listening to music. It's unnatural not to be drawn to at least one genre or album - there are so many! Finding a pre-made playlist on Spotify or 8tracks is an easy way for me to get out of a poor mood. Avoiding the slow mixed made for break-ups and down days will only aid your mind into plunging into an ever deeper sad state.
Phone a friend.
Socialization will help to lift spirits. Talk out your feelings with someone you really trust and get everything off your chest. Or rather, entertain yourself with a gossip session and catch-up chat on anything and everything going on in the world.
Make yourself laugh.
I'm usually doing this by falling up the stairs on running into a wall. But there are plenty of site, from BuzzFeed to Tumblr that have pages dedicated to bringing a smile. Spending some quality time flicking through Vines is a great way to lift the crummy spirits and create a lighthearted atmosphere.
Get busy!
Distraction is key. An empty mind can quickly fill with lousy thoughts and over-thinking which only increases a bad mood. Find a hobby, whether artistic or academic to really take your mind away from whatever is bringing you down. Throw all your energy into a time-consuming task and the hours will fly by.
I'm a Grown Woman
27 April 2015
Eldwick, Bingley, Bingley, West Yorkshire BD16, UK
One thing I still struggle to understand is how everyone else is so 'okay' with being in a basic 9 to 5 job and doing the same thing every day, why not strive for more? Sure, having four digits in your savings account is a reason to smile, but what else does the simple routine offer? Thoughts like this are exactly what push and motivate me to seek more over the years I have left. The idea of being in the same positive 40 years from now is nothing short of depressing. I'm still wondering exactly what I want, but I know what I don't want.
I don't want to be in an office for the next 40-50 years.
I don't want my creativity or skills to be restricted.
I don't want to be bored all day.
I don't want someone with a slightly higher paycheque to push me around.
I certainly don't want to work without a goal.
As we grow up, we begin to realise exactly what we don't want to do, in contrast to know exactly what we want to do. Throughout school, we're pushed to chose a career that will make us financially successful because that will mean you're automatically happy. Getting caught up in wondering what you want is how you forget what you don't want, you just settle. Don't put a lid on dreams and goals, let experiences in.
It's Okay Not to Be Okay
9 January 2015
Eldwick, Bingley, Bingley, West Yorkshire BD16, UK
My school tutor came up with the term 'down day' which was almost like our codeword, translating to me "don't talk to me, this day can't get any worse" and we would use it in lessons so I could tell her how I was feeling without having to reveal everything. Down days are less common now that I'm out of school, I have a job and finally feel comfortable with the direction I seem to be heading in. But sometimes, there are days were I am just not okay. Unfortunately, that's not a good enough reason to take a day off work or sit wrapped in a duvet all day but it's something we all have to learn to accept. The purpose of this post isn't to whine on about my problems but to reassure others that might be feeling the same way. It's okay not to be okay - and it's normal too.
Low moods come and go for everyone, and moments of complete anguish and sorrow shouldn't been seen as the end of the world, despite what the brain wants to believe. I don't always force myself out of a bad mood, it could make it worse; pretending to be happy and false smiles are painful. On down days, it;s always about the gentle pace of realising all is not lost, there's another day ahead. Do something that makes you happy, even if it's as small as going to a café for breakfast or sneaking away for a walk during lunch. If someone asks if you're alright, there's no reason why you can't say no. "I'm just not feeling today" is a perfect reason in my mind, there doesn't always have to be a set in stone excuse with evidence and experience, there's no rulebook that I'm aware of. It's important to remember, at least one person somewhere has experience that feeling, and they could be sat right next to you.
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