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mummyconqueringanxiety
I am mummy to one feisty toddler and wife to a wonderful man, living in the North of England, UK and making it a priority to enjoy life every second we get to spend together as a family.
You will usually find me writing, anything from lists to blog posts, and excited by stationery - show me your post-its!
Following my recent breakdown, I believe talking about our struggles is the key to recovery. I started the blog because I felt compelled to share my story & my main goal is to help other people.
Speak to enough people, and you’ll get a sense that no one really wants to work — they just do it because, well, they have to. Yet, while it’s fine to just make a living so you can enjoy other aspects of your life. We all know that, deep down, it’d be much more satisfying to make an income by doing something that you truly love. If you’re passionate about your work, then, on most days, it won’t feel like work at all. Learn how to Make Money from your passion…
Pexels – CC0 Licence
Making money from your passion can seem like a pipe dream, but it’s more within reach than you might expect. In this post, we’ll look at a few ways that you can earn that bread doing something you love.
Become a Coach
If you have a talent for something, then in all likelihood, they’ll be other people who also wish they had that talent. You might never sell out Madison Square Garden with your guitar, but you can take all your learning and understanding and help other people to improve their own skills. There are plenty of ways to sell your skills online, too — for example, you could consider putting together an online course. If it’s good enough, then you will make sales.
Create Your Own Products
You could also consider creating your own products. All those products you see for sale in the store? They didn’t come out of thin air — they’re there because someone made them. Of course, it’s unlikely that you’ll ever be able to create your own car. But your own t-shirts, makeup products, home decor items, and accessories? As with anything, if they’re good enough, then people will be interested in buying them. Look at selling online and at craft markets.
Start a Marketplace
You don’t even necessarily need to make your own products to begin selling. One increasingly popular option is to put together your own online marketplace where vendors can sell their products. This requires more work than most other suggestions here, but equally, it can be much more profitable, since you’ll get a cut of every product sold. Take a look at this handy ‘create online marketplace’ guide to see the steps that you need to take. The beauty of this business idea is that it can provide a relatively passive income since you’re just creating an environment where other people can buy and sell.
Follow the Path of Others
Everyone wants to make a living via their passion. But here’s the thing — some people have actually been able to do it. It’s these people that you should be looking at. Seeing how other people have made their dreams come true can provide a valuable source of inspiration that can motivate you to carry on even when the going gets tough. How you do it will differ from how they’ve done it, but you’ll likely find that there’s much that you can learn from them. You may even contact them directly to see if they can help you/you can help them.
My thoughts on awareness days – whilst I believe there is much more work to be done in reducing the stigma surrounding mental health, I am thankful for awareness days, in bringing such important issues to the forefront of peoples’ minds.
Trigger warning – throughout this post, I will discuss intimate topics regarding the birthing process. Depression, anxiety, paranoia & touch on baby loss. If any of these subjects are a trigger for you, please do not continue to read this post
PLEASE NOTE – It’s also important to note that this post contains an account of my own personal experiences and perspective during that time.
The right time
I’ve wanted to talk about this for a while. But I simply haven’t been ready. You may have seen a TikTok post about the dangers of postpartum depression. This subject is something I am passionate about. Because my mental health significantly worsened during pregnancy. Hormones played a huge part in my declining mental well-being.
The essence of this blog is to raise awareness of both mental illness AND how difficult pregnancy can be for some expectant mothers
Before we get into it
It’s important to note that it’s only over the last year that I feel able to discuss these issues. For two years following birth, I really struggled mentally and emotionally.
I will be honest and say that I still have some paranoid thoughts about the safety of my little one. Which I think stems from the fact we experienced an emergency situation during birth. I try my best not to let these thoughts impact my daily life. And I’m no longer a believer in “what if” – the what if never happened. Probably for a good reason. Therefore it’s just a waste of brain power. And in the past, contemplating the “what if”, sent me to a dark place mentally. I’m quite disciplined these days in not allowing my mind to run away with itself.
Going into the hospital to be induced, I was full of anxiety and what followed was a series of traumatic events. I just wasn’t able to adequately cope with it.
Existing anxiety
Looking back, I think the main personality trait which worsened my anxiety levels in the hospital, was lack of control. I also live my life based on instincts, something you can’t convey in a clinical setting.
Six months before birth I just knew it would result in a c section. I had a feeling, but it was more than that. It was so believable to me – like it had already taken place. This made interactions with midwives difficult. Because I just wanted the outcome I KNEW would happen anyway. I want people to understand that expectant mothers DO know best. We know our own bodies and instinctively feel things someone else could never understand.
But first… Some context – let’s look at pregnancy and the lead-up to the birth
In addition to stress from my day job, one of the biggest driving factors for my decline in mental health was pregnancy. I still can’t remember a day, during pregnancy, when I felt happy and well. There probably was some, but for me, the whole process was one I just didn’t enjoy! This experience makes me apprehensive about going through the process again. AND it makes me angry when I see polished parenting posts online. I wish people would be mindful that not everyone’s pregnancy experience is the same. I am happy with people posting about their lives. Just not making their lives about everyone else. This can be so harmful to young expectant mothers.
Having to travel to work, five days a week, met with stress, whilst pregnant, sick & tired, was a daily battle. It got to the point where I couldn’t physically do it anymore and had to leave work one month earlier than planned. The worry of an already short maternity leave and money pressures, added to the anxiety of the whole experience.
Antenatal depression
I’ve discussed on the blog before that I suffered from antenatal depression. However, at the time I didn’t know this term and nobody helped me in establishing what was actually happening to me. Labels aren’t always helpful when it comes to mental health. But on this occasion, for me, it would have been. I made the difficult decision to start taking antidepressants during pregnancy. I had no choice. Being incredibly unwell, at such a vulnerable time in life was horrible. And I needed something to stabilise me.
Going into the hospital to be induced, I was full of anxiety and what followed was a series of traumatic events. I just wasn’t able to adequately cope with it.
The nitty gritty
We arrived at the hospital, apprehensive, as any first-time parents would be. This is us in the sunshine, not knowing what to expect.
I was induced on my due date because one of the measures of my scans was a little concerning. That day we had a stand-in sonographer. And to this day I feel like he was sent to me by those watching over me. As you will learn later in this story, my little one was at risk and had a chest infection. In newborns, this can be severe and they label it pneumonia (something I cried about when I read the notes) If I hadn’t been offered an induction on my due date, where would we be?
SIDE NOTE – I was given my maternity notes, which I opened one day and it resulted in a complete meltdown. I don’t think this information should never have been in my hands. When firstly, I was so out of it during the experience, that I don’t remember much. And secondly, the trauma of it all made me vulnerable.
The induction suite
The induction was going well until they asked my partner to leave at 9 pm. Partners couldn’t stay in the induction suite. At this point, I lost the one person who could support me and knew me inside out. Don’t get me wrong, maternity staff are some of the loveliest people you will ever meet. But they do not know you enough to understand you in your most vulnerable moments of life. For these reasons, I am a huge advocate for partners or trusted people being allowed to sleep in maternity wards, preferably in private rooms with bathroom facilities. It’s an absolute must for me. And something I will always continue to advocate for.
Loss of a trusted person who knows you well
Mentally and physically things went downhill after my partner left. I was in so much pain and something was wrong, but I felt like the staff wouldn’t listen. There was stuff scattered all over our cubicle because I was in so much pain I couldn’t bend down and pick things up. I felt like a nuisance to other people in the induction suite. My anxiety levels were through the roof and I felt alone.
The staff agreed move me at 1 am. At this point, I was unable to pick up a phone to speak to my partner (they had to do it for me). And they rushed me round, on a wheelchair to a birthing room. But prior to this, I was told one wasn’t ready!
Epidural
Because the pain was so bad, I requested an epidural. My mum and hubby witnessed me in so much pain and not doing well at all, prior to them agreeing to pain relief. The anaesthetist took ages to arrive. I’m fully aware the NHS staff are busy. But in the moment, it was difficult to be anything other than fuming, exhausted and ready to flip out.
SIDE NOTE – I still have sciatica to this day and my back has never been the same since the epidural. But each time I raise with a GP, I’m told it shouldn’t be an issue. Lasting physical damage as a result of pregnancy is also something I am eager to raise awareness of. It happens. And I would rather listen to the genuine experiences of people who have suffered physically postpartum (there are lots of people saying the same thing as me)
Following the epidural, I was able to recover slightly from the pain. There were two lovely midwives assigned to me. But I was very sick and needed to have my clothes cut off, because sick went everywhere. They tried to put a thin sheet on me and I felt overheated. Like I would be sick again. Therefore I spent the majority of my time in this room, completely naked for all staff to see. In moments like this, you simply don’t care. Birth and motherhood definitely make you less bothered about vanity and how you look.
I want to thank those two midwives. They turned a traumatic experience around, for the majority of the time I was in hospital. For a while, my anxiety levels were reduced and I could get some much needed rest!
Anxiety setting in
Although the pain was gone, I was still somewhat anxious that they kept topping up the epidural and the pressure I was feeling just didn’t feel right. It would transpire later that my little one was stuck and her shoulders were ramming into my bottom. Something I had told staff since about 10 pm, in the induction suite. The surgeon commented that she would never have come out naturally and that whoever made the c-section decision, made the right call. This is EXACTLY how I felt earlier in the night.
It’s just a given that new parents will probably be less equipped to cope with the anxieties and potential trauma of birth, than parents who’ve already experienced the system.
Not being heard – let’s rewind
Let’s go back to the delivery room. Nothing was progressing and I wasn’t passing any urine. I also had some feeling down one leg, which was strange.
I asked for a c-section, but because I had known it would happen six months prior, I didn’t come across in the right way. And the staff in the room felt reluctant to do it. They wanted me to wait it out! It was a battle to have my wishes fulfilled. I take on board that some of the reluctance was due to how I reacted.
Following a collective decision to finally do it. Panic stations ensued. Signing paperwork, getting me ready. What I wasn’t aware of at the time, was that I had a fever and the little one was clearly in distress and needed to come out. I was completely out of it. And to this day, I tell a different story to my hubby. Bless him, he was aware of everything that happened that day. And also suffered mentally after birth. We both did.
The aftermath of the C-section
The operation went well, but I was distressed as to why she wasn’t crying (apparently c section babies don’t cry as they have mucus stuck and staff have to clear their airways)
The relief I was feeling during these pictures was immense. She was finally here and safe. But not for long.
My poor mum had waited outside the emergency delivery room for over an hour. Probably worried sick. I was only allowed one other person with me in the theatre. And my mum completely understood that this should be my hubby.
My little baby whisked away
We were taken to a private room, but the midwife was concerned about my little one looking blue. The neonatal manager came in and gave her some oxygen. Then quickly whisked her away to the neonatal ward. At the time, this was painful for her to be taken and I was so out of it, I didn’t know what was happening. Sleep was the only thing on my mind. But then I felt guilty for wanting to sleep and not being able to take care of my baby.
I couldn’t fully comprehend she had been taken. In hindsight, she was in the best place possible. And both the midwife and neonatal manager called in to check on me (after their shifts had ended!). They understood how painful this situation was and their care had a positive impact on me. In what was a very distressing situation.
My medical notes were clear. I had depression and anxiety problems, which we so severe I started taking antidepressants during pregnancy. It would be great for maternity ward staff to be aware of these notes and essentially factor this in, during a stay in the hospital.
Hospital stay
In the five days which followed, my hubby was the one caring for both me and my little one. I was in a ward where it was noisy. The staff busy rushing around and I wasn’t doing well mentally. I didn’t want to get up and about (due to the risk of blood clots after surgery, you need to get up and walk). Therefore I had to be encouraged to go see my little one and it was a while before I did.
Fear of being judged
I’ve spoken on the blog and my social media accounts before, about the fact that I believed the hospital staff were watching me. Paranoia set in and it’s one of the reasons I didn’t want to visit my little one. I was afraid of getting it wrong. It’s important to say, they were not actually doing anything to rationalise this feeling. But high anxiety levels, exhaustion, and hormones played a big part in my warped perspective. A perspective which was very real to me at the time.
In terms of breastfeeding, I didn’t feel like a choice was being presented to me, for how I wanted to feed my baby. To be honest, going through the pain of breastfeeding was the last thing on my mind and probably the one thing which would have tipped me over the edge mentally.
My little one is fine, never having been breastfed. And I know LOTS of other babies who are too. I wish society would be more accepting of the fact it’s a choice. I’m fine with being told about the benefits of breastfeeding. But not being presented with your own clear choice to make, is a problem for me.
Honest feelings about the neonatal unit
To be honest, part of me wanted to stay away from the neonatal unit for fear they would talk about breastfeeding. The nurse looking after our little one didn’t, other than to ask what my decision was. But I was apprehensive about it constantly.
I stayed in the hospital for three days and was relieved when I was discharged. You don’t get proper rest on these wards and are woken up every hour for checks. The real recovery began at home. But I was so distressed about leaving my little one in the hospital. I couldn’t win. It felt like I chopped my leg off and left it behind. But home was the best place for my recovery.
We were offered a room in the neonatal ward but refused it. I wouldn’t have properly rested. I was still weary of being there and there were other, more needy parents who would use it. Parents whose babies would remain on that ward for months and not days. (at this point, I should make it clear again that neonatal staff are some of the most amazing people. But my perspective was totally warped by anxiety, depression, mum guilt and birth trauma).
My heart goes out to anyone who has endured birth trauma, or separation from a little one following birth. Or any family who has suffered mental health problems as a result of the pregnancy or the birth process.
Coming home
When my little one eventually came home, we were so thankful. But we also didn’t have a clue what to do. Nobody helps you. I was so overcautious about her safety, I would ask my hubby to carry her from room to room in a Moses basket. And ask visitors to hand gel first (we didn’t even have visitors for the first few weeks). Because she had already been ill, I was convinced she would get ill again.
A turning point
Whilst I coped well, the medication helped. It would be two years before I could fully move past the trauma that happened to our family.
The turning point was me drunkenly saying I didn’t want to have another child, for fear they might die.
Solutions
Ultimately, we need to stop judging new parents for feeling completely normal feelings, following birth. After a traumatic experience, these reactions are completely justified. So why do new parents and specifically new mothers, feel unable to speak out? Without fear of being judged or stigmatised.
In terms of maternity wards, simple changes could be made to ensure the experience is a little better. Such as private rooms, enough beds and partners being allowed to stay overnight.
I am fully aware there is no simple solution to the problem.
I also don’t think it’s appropriate to warn new parents of the dangers and unpredictability of childbirth. It’s just a given that new parents will probably be less equipped to cope with the anxieties and potential trauma of birth, than parents who’ve already experienced the system.
TikTok post – postpartum psychosis
You may have seen my TikTok post about the potential mental health dangers for new mums. Postpartum psychosis is something which can happen and it’s great that we are starting to raise awareness on this topic. More needs to be done to support new mothers and families.
I’ve spoken before on my blog about how beneficial a mental health nurse or well-being expert would be on a maternity ward. This would have benefitted me and my family so much. My medical notes were clear. I had depression and anxiety problems, which we so severe I started taking antidepressants during pregnancy. A mental health champion would have been amazing!
Health visitors
In the UK we have health visitors, who make contact when you come home, but you have little contact with them. And at the time, in my mental state, I honestly just felt like they were checking up on me. I felt inadequate as a mother. But like I had to put on a brave face during visits. My health visitor was caring and sympathetic. But I couldn’t shake the feeling I was being judged.
To tell anyone the reality of the thoughts inside my head would have alarmed them. I was in no way a danger to anyone – just exhausted, anxious, depressed, hormonal and thrown into a completely unknown situation. With a severe lack of sleep. Wondering what on earth had just happened to our family, and trying to make sense of it all.
Let’s not stigmatise already traumatised new parents
Ultimately, we need to stop judging new parents for feeling completely normal feelings, following birth. After a traumatic experience, these reactions are completely justified. So why do new parents and specifically new mothers, feel unable to speak out? Without fear of being judged or stigmatised.
Final thoughts & summary
My little one is almost four years old. And I finally feel like I have mentally and emotionally moved past this experience. Time helps you move on. Education also massively helped. Reading about what happened to me. Labelling some of the mental health conditions I had. And speaking to other parents, transformed my recovery.
Peer support and talking to other parents, also have a powerful impact. You get vital information from other people in a similar situation. And the connections I’ve made since starting this blog, help me mentally every single day.
I will never stop posting on this blog. It was born from trauma, despair and finding my way through a very dark place.
But what I’ve created helps people. I know this from the amazing comments and feedback I get. Advocating for more understanding of those suffering poor mental health, is something I will continue to do.
Today I have a great guest post to share with you all! With some tips on how to be less Emotionally Fragile.
Trishna Patnaik has a BSc (in Life Sciences) and MBA (in Marketing) by qualification but is an artist by choice. A self-taught artist based in Mumbai, Trishna has been practising art for over 14 years. After she had a professional stint in various reputed corporates, she realised that she wanted to do something more meaningful. She found her true calling in her passion which is painting. Trishna is now a full-time professional painter pursuing her passion to create and explore to the fullest. She says, “It’s a road less travelled but a journey that I look forward to every day.” Trishna also conducts painting workshops across Mumbai and other metropolitan cities in India.
Trishna is an art therapist and healer. She works with clients on a one-on-one basis in Mumbai.
Trishna fancies the art of creative writing and is dappling her hands in that too, to soak in the experience and an engagement with readers, wanderers and thinkers.
In this post, we will explore:
Habits Causing You To Be Emotionally Fragile
What is emotional fragility?
Why am I emotionally fragile?
How to be less fragile
Quick note: Some of the links contained on this page are affiliate links and if you go through them to make a purchase, I will earn a commission. I only recommend products I use myself and think would be useful for other people.
Whether you think you can, or think you can’t—you’re right.
– Henry Ford
Being emotionally fragile means you have a hard time managing difficult emotions:
Little bits of worry throw you into cycles of anxiety and panic.
Small bouts of sadness lead to spirals of self-criticism and depression.
Tiny bits of irritation quickly blaze into hours or days of anger.
When you are emotionally fragile, even small amounts of painful emotion consume you.
It is possible to escape this pattern of emotional fragility and learn to be more emotionally resilient. If you want to be more in control of your emotions, you need a better relationship with them.
Many people have an unhealthy relationship with their emotions because they are afraid of them. So they get in the habit of running away from or trying to get rid of these painful emotions. Unfortunately, this particular fight-or-flight reaction to your emotions trains your brain to see them as dangerous, which only makes you more afraid of your emotions in the long run.
If you want to feel stronger in the face of difficult emotions, you must unlearn the habits that are keeping you afraid of them.
We all feel emotionally fragile sometimes. But if you feel this way a lot, chances are several of these habits are the cause.
If you can learn to identify these habits and work to undo them, emotional resilience won’t be far behind.
When you are feeling emotionally fragile, step away from the outside world
– Vijaya Gowrisankar
How do we go about managing Emotional Fragility, please check the pointers below:
1. Trusting your thoughts
Your mind throws thousands of thoughts at you each day, many of which are accurate and helpful. Though many of them are also misguided, random, or downright untrue! This is completely normal. Emotionally resilient people understand that they should not blindly trust every thought that crosses their minds.
If you do, it is a set-up for emotional fragility:
If you accept every worrying thought as true, you will end up chronically anxious.
If you accept every revenge fantasy as a good idea, you will end up overly aggressive.
If you accept every self-criticism as valid and accurate, you are going to end up with pretty low self-esteem.
If you want to stop being so emotionally fragile, cultivate a healthy scepticism of your own thoughts.
Go ahead and listen to your thoughts, but don’t be afraid to dismiss them too.
A common trap that emotionally fragile people fall into is relying on coping skills to feel good.
A coping skill is a technique or strategy you use to temporarily feel better:
Doing some deep breathing exercises when you feel stressed.
Repeating your positive self-image mantra when you feel bad about yourself.
Texting your therapist when you’re feeling down and cannot seem to shake it.
While coping skills have their place, relying on them can be dangerous.
Coping skills are emotional Tylenol. They temporarily make you feel better, but they rarely address the underlying issue.
Fear isn’t a problem: It’s a message from your brain that something in your life is dangerous or not working.
Sadness isn’t a problem: It’s a message from your brain that you have lost something valuable.
Anger isn’t a problem: It’s a message that your brain thinks something in your life is unjust and should be dealt with.
If you consistently treat your emotions like problems, don’t be surprised if they keep feeling that way.
“What remains in diseases after the crisis is apt to produce relapses.”
― Hippocrates
3. Breaking promises to your own self!
Emotionally fragile people often struggle with low self-esteem.
While there are many initial causes of low self-esteem, there’s one thing that almost always keeps people stuck in it:
People with chronic low self-esteem have usually gotten in the habit of breaking promises to themselves.
Think about it: If you frequently break your promises to yourself, how could you trust yourself or be proud of yourself?
Low self-esteem and emotional fragility go hand-in-hand because it’s hard to confidently manage painful feelings if you don’t believe in yourself:
It’s hard to tell yourself that you’ll be okay despite your worries if you don’t trust yourself.
It’s hard to remind yourself of your positive qualities when all you can remember is a string of broken promises to yourself.
It’s hard to fight back against self-criticism and doubts when you aren’t proud of yourself.
A powerful way to fight back against emotional fragility is to start keeping your promises to yourself.
The trick is to start small: If you tell yourself you’re going to finish your report before lunch, do it; if you tell yourself you’re going to call your sister after work, just do it, even if you don’t feel like it.
You’re stronger than you think, but you will never feel that way until you start learning to trust yourself.
“Self-esteem is the reputation you have with yourself.”
— Naval Ravikant
4. Going with the flow
There’s nothing wrong with being easygoing sometimes. But if you always find yourself “going with the flow” and following the lead of others, you are probably keeping yourself emotionally fragile.
If you always “go with the flow” when your husband suggests Italian food, he’s never going to know that you don’t actually like Italian food all that much.
If you always “go with the flow” and say yes to new assignments at work, your manager is never going to know that you’re burnt out and unhappy in your job.
If you always “go with the flow” and agree to host Thanksgiving at your house, your family is never going to understand why you frequently seem irritable and resentful toward them.
Going with the flow seems nice, but it’s actually the opposite: it’s a lie that ends up hurting everybody in the end.
If you want to build up the courage to be more of yourself and express what you really want confidently, practice assertiveness.
Being assertive means you’re willing to express your wants and needs in a way that is true to yourself and respectful of others. And it’s a skill anyone can learn.
It may feel awkward and scary at first, but being honest about what you really want will improve all your relationships—especially your relationship with yourself.
“The privilege of a lifetime is being who you are.”
— Joseph Campbell
5. Being judgmental towards yourself
It’s a sad fact that most people grow up learning that the only way to properly motivate yourself is to “get tough” with yourself.
Most of us internalize from a young age that unless we beat ourselves up with lots of self-criticisms and tough self-talk, we’ll end up slacking off or not performing well. Our families and culture glorify performance and success (especially academic success), and we end up having our self-worth tied to our ability to achieve and be successful. So we come to over-rely on judgmental behaviour and self-criticism as a motivator.
But here’s the problem…
While fear can be an effective motivator in the short term, it has disastrous emotional consequences if it’s your only form of motivation.
When you’re constantly critical and judgmental of yourself, you begin to feel as if nothing is ever good enough. So you double down and get even tougher with yourself, which of course only makes you feel worse.
It’s pretty hard to feel confident when you are judgmental of yourself every time you feel afraid.
It’s pretty hard to feel motivated when you are judgmental of yourself every time you lack energy or enthusiasm.
It’s pretty hard to feel good about yourself when you’re constantly talking trash to yourself in your head.
Start to practice a little self-compassion and you’ll find yourself far more resilient than you ever thought was possible.
“If your compassion does not include yourself it is not complete.”
— Jack Kornfield
6. Reassurance-seeking
Emotionally fragile people often get stuck in the habit of asking for reassurance anytime they feel scared, sad, or upset.
On some level this makes sense: If you don’t trust yourself to manage difficult feelings well, and someone else you do trust tells you everything’s going to be okay, that’s an awful tempting strategy.
But chronic reassurance-seeking has one major downside:
Every time you ask for reassurance, it’s a vote of no confidence in yourself.
Think about it from your own brain’s perspective: If every time you feel bad, you immediately rush to have someone else make you feel better, what does that say about your own self-confidence and belief in yourself?
Of course, we all need help and support sometimes. But if other people are your default strategy for feeling better, you might need to rethink your game plan.
“Goddamit, whenever a person wants reassurance he tells a friend to think what he wants to be true. It’s like asking a waiter what’s good tonight.”
― John Steinbeck
7. Staying busy all the time
One of the least well-known habits that leads towards emotional fragility is constantly staying busy!
People in this habit never let a minute go by without having something to do. They keep their schedules so packed that they never have any space for mental downtime and the chance of being alone with their own thoughts.
While this constant activity and preoccupation can make you feel productive and on top order of things, it’s often just a mask for something unhealthy:
Constant busy behaviour is often a primitive defence mechanism for avoiding painful feelings.
For example:
If your relationship is unhappy but you are too afraid or ashamed to try and improve it, constant busyness helps you avoid that pain.
If, deep down, you’re profoundly unhappy in your work, constant busyness helps you avoid that pain.
If you’re afraid to be alone with your own thoughts, constant busyness helps you avoid that pain.
But that’s not actually true… Constant busyness temporarily helps you avoid those pains, but it never really addresses them.
You’re just kicking the can down the road. And all the while, those problems are just festering and growing bigger with time.
Chronic business is a form of emotional procrastination—putting off the hard work of dealing with painful feelings by always having something to do.
Ultimately, if you want to end the cycle of emotional fragility and become more resilient, you have to start facing your fears and dealing with them head-on. You can only do this if you free up a little time in your schedule to self-reflect and ask yourself what really needs to be addressed.
“There is nothing the busy man is less busied with than living: there is nothing that is harder to learn.”
It isn’t really news to anyone that mental health is an issue requiring more attention than it gets. We’ve all been made conscious of mental health awareness campaigns, even though we’re all perfectly aware of mental health by now, and what we really need is action. While we are stuck with more self-help than outside help, however, there is definitely a lot to be said for getting some brain exercise. Not only does mental stimulation provide a timely distraction from the strain of mental health issues, but it also provides a strengthening effect on our brains and minds, which certainly doesn’t cure depression or anxiety, but makes the battle fairer.
It has been proven time and again that brain exercise boosts the capacity of your brain, speeding cognitive function and boosting memory. While there are always going to be elements of anxiety and depression that try their best to diminish your quality of life, it is worth knowing that improved cognitive function helps to push back against those intrusive thoughts and negative self-image, and so it’s more than worthwhile.
What do we mean by brain exercise?
Essentially, any time you use your brain, it’s brain exercise. All that differs is the intensity and control. So managed brain exercise will usually take the form of puzzles and processes that lead to us using our brains in a targeted way. While filling out your tax return or figuring out how to install a shelving unit are also forms of exercise, they are time-consuming and have a high failure factor – resulting in frustration that is precisely the opposite of what you’re looking for. Doing a Sudoku, where it doesn’t matter if you get it right, or learning a language in your spare time just for the joy of it, are good methods of brain exercise.
If you’re prone to anxiety, you’ll know how your thoughts can shift around, as though the brain is filled with too much energy. Using puzzles to focus the mind can redirect that energy. The more you do these forms of exercise, the better you’ll get too, which is rewarding and mentally gratifying; if you can replace some of those negative thoughts with positive reaffirmation, it will help your condition. Even if you occasionally need to use a tool to unscramble words, it still helps use your mind for better purposes than it will choose if left idle.
Can brain exercise overcome mental health issues entirely?
It’s optimistic to imagine that brain exercise will be enough on its own to “beat” mental health hurdles. Those of us who have suffered from such conditions know that the situation is a lot more complex than something that can be unlocked with one fun trick. However, it’s important to try to elevate your starting level when dealing with any condition. Just as someone with an injury needs physical exercise to rehab the injured part, so someone with mental health concerns can give their brain some help by working on puzzles and other skills.
This form of mental exercise will also have outside benefits: doing puzzles will improve your vocabulary and open up interesting things to read about; learning a language will give you an insight into a different culture and potentially even offer a travel destination that you can work towards. At the base of it, brain exercise is about finding a positive way to occupy your thought processes. It won’t cure any mental health condition, because that takes a great deal of time and guided exploration of your condition – but it is one element of a package that can deliver great results.
What if I don’t enjoy puzzles?
Brain exercise can take a lot of different shapes, and in truth, it is best to let your own preferences and tastes guide what form of exercise you choose. Not everybody likes puzzles. Language learning isn’t for everyone, either, but there are other ways you can direct your thoughts. You could learn to cook a certain kind of cuisine, take up an instrument, grow and tend to a small garden or anything else that gives you moments of joy and small victories.
A mental health condition will try to make you feel small, stupid, and helpless. The best way to put yourself on a path to long-term recovery is to find an enjoyable way to remind yourself that you are none of those things. It won’t always be easy and straightforward, but if you don’t complete a crossword or your minestrone turns out a little watery, that doesn’t matter. What matters is that you did something for yourself and had some fun in the process.
This gift guide featuring Sustainable Brands has been in the pipeline for a while now. As a family, we do our bit when it comes to recycling and saving electricity. We eat less meat and have downsized to one car. The next step for our family is to move to sustainable household products. And to cut down on buying single-use plastic.
Quick Note:This post features gifted items and affiliate links – if you click on a link to make a purchase, I will receive a small commission, at no additional cost to you
All the garments produced are certified by the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) to ensure they meet strict environmental standards for the production of textiles. In addition, all clothes are made in a safe and clean environment by well-trained employees who have the right to trade union meetings, safety gear and social benefits.
My thoughts on the product
I was thrilled to be contacted by the brand and gifted this wonderful organic cotton dress for my little one to try. The material is such high quality and feels great against the skin. Not to mention the beautiful pattern. I chose this one because she is constantly talking about wanting to be a rainbow unicorn. So cute.
As you can see from the images, she loves wearing this item. I would purchase from this brand again, simply because the quality is great and the items of clothing will last a long time. I purposely ordered a thing which was a little bit too big on her, so hopefully, it will last her a few years.
WUKA
What makes the brand sustainable?
WUKA stands for Wake Up Kick Ass because we believe that nothing should hold you back on your period.
We believe that periods should not cost the earth. Equality and social and environmental responsibility are at the heart of everything we do.
We replace plastic-riddled disposable pads & tampons with the world’s most comfortable and sustainable period underwear.
Periods are not shameful, but something to be proud of. We’re determined to break down body and period taboos.
Eco-friendly products & business practices.
Less waste. From our packaging to our products.
Leak-free periods.
Super comfortable.
My thoughts on the product
I have wanted to work with WUKA for a while now. As a female, in my late 30’s, sustainable period products are a must. It’s the one pretty significant contribution I can make monthly. As far as Sustainable Brands go, this was one of the main retailers I have heard great things about.
The company sent me a sample to try and I must say, the quality of the product feels fantastic. I was apprehensive at first. As a working mum, who is mostly out of the house, there was a worry about freshness. With reusable products, you can dispose of any used items. And it makes you feel refreshed and less anxious when you are out in public. However, I would use this product on the days I am at home. And when it comes to sustainability, every little change we can make helps.
The mission at Earth & Wheat is to fight food waste, rescuing high-quality bakery, veg, and other ingredients which sing in your pan, whilst reducing food waste.
My thoughts on the product
This box has honestly been a real treat for our family and served us well over the last month. It’s taken lunchbox sandwiches from standard to a deli treat.
I froze the majority of the box because there was a lot to go around. And I was impressed when I didn’t get soggy bread following defrosting process. As you do with normal, shop-bought bread.
We plan to purchase this box on a subscription monthly. Then defrost the items as we need to use them.
Here is what we did with our items:
Wraps – for work lunches and yummy breakfast wraps on a weekend
Flatbread – we used this to accompany our chilli, on a rare child-free weekend night. And it took the meal from everyday standard – to something which felt a bit more special. For a small additional cost each month.
Soft panini – these are pre-sliced and so soft, I ate a few plain
Pitta bread – Great for dips, and eating as a snack
Crumpets – we love crumpets in our house and these did not disappoint
REFERRAL OFFER – sign up & get £3.00 off (I get £2.00 per referral)
FFS, yep you read that right! For F*ck sake! The 3 words that express our frustrations! It started with female razors being inferior to male razors, seriously WTF is that all about? We fixed that!
Now our mission is much more!
We want to banish single-use plastics from homes and we believe that planet-friendly purchasing should not cost the earth!
FFS now stands for much more.
My thoughts on the product
I’ve now tried the razor and the whole kit is fantastic.
Let’s start with the shower clip. It’s stayed in place, despite some hot baths & showers over the last few days. Sometimes the sticky pads on bathroom holders slip off. But this one doesn’t.
The razor itself is amazing, such a clean shave but no risk of cutting yourself, because of the protective strips. It’s by far the best razor I’ve had and I am about to subscribe to the blades. Not to mention, the amazing razor handle, which is engraved and personalised for you. All around, a fantastic kit and I cannot recommend this brand highly enough.
What do you get in your kit?
Reusable weighted handle (+ free engraving)
2x super sharp blades
Shower holder – to keep razor dry and protected
Handy Green Travel Pouch
Tweezers
Clamshell Blade Protector
DISCOUNT CODE
Discount Code:
Discount Code: MUMMYCA
15% off the first eco-friendly subscription box
Expiry: 30.04.2023
Terms: Offer expires 31.04.2023. (15% off applies to razor kits only. New customers only.)
Millions of bathroom products are thrown away every year and the sustainable and natural alternatives out there don’t cut it — until now. At Wild, we want to shake up the throwaway culture of bathroom products with high-performing products made from natural ingredients that never compromise on convenience or efficacy.
My thoughts on the product
I haven’t yet tried the deodorant, but there are mixed reviews online about how well this product works. As with all skincare & beauty brands, it depends completely upon the person using it. How your body reacts and what your skin is comfortable with.
The smell is amazing and I love the look of the dispenser. I would encourage anyone to give this a try and do their bit to help with sustainability.
Smol
What makes the brand sustainable?
We believe that each of us, every person, every customer, and every action, no matter how small, can contribute towards a better world. Our commitment to powerful performance with eco-friendly design, convenience and a great price makes more sustainable cleaning the effortless choice. Since its launch in 2018, customers switching to Smol have saved over 300 tonnes of plastic and more than 1000 tonnes of chemicals.
My thoughts on the product
I ordered the Smol samples, where you pay the delivery fee only. Simply because I have wanted to try the brand for a while. The dishwasher tablets and the kitchen spray were great. And I would reorder the kitchen spray tablets.
However, the non-bio laundry tablets have brought my little one out in a rash. I also read some online posts confirming this happened to other people. That said, I am aware that certain laundry liquids can react badly with sensitive skin. But for this reason, we wouldn’t be in a position to reorder the laundry liquids and I have passed them onto a family member for use.
I did just want to say, that when you are ordering the samples, for which you only pay the delivery, you need to be aware that you will automatically be put onto a subscription. And you need to go into your account and cancel if you don’t want the next batch. Which are charged at a higher cost. I thought the reorder would be sent too soon and it didn’t allow me any time to try the products first.
Unfortunately, Smol were not that sympathetic to the situation with my little girl. And despite complaining, a refund wasn’t forthcoming. Upon notification of the rash, I would have expected the refund to be made ASAP, regardless of a product being sent or returned.
Final thoughts
I am on the lookout for more sustainable brands. Whether that be buying second-hand or trying brands with a total focus on helping the environment. If you would like your brand reviewed, or you want to work with me on a collaboration, visit this page.
Let me know in the comments whether you’ve tried these brands before and what your thoughts are
When you’re a mum, your whole world revolves around your kids. You want to keep them safe and happy at all times, which can sometimes be a challenge, especially regarding home safety. There are so many things to think about! This blog post will give you some essential tips for keeping your child safe at home. We’ll cover everything from fires and falls to poisoning and electricity. So read on, and conquer those anxiety demons – your little one will be safe and sound!
Tip 1) Fires:
Install smoke alarms and fire extinguishers on each floor of your house, and make sure to check them regularly. Keep all flammable materials away from heat sources such as stoves or radiators. If you have a fireplace, buy a protective mesh gate and keep the area around it clear of debris.
Tip 2) Falls:
Baby-proof your home by covering sharp corners with bumpers, installing safety gates at stairs, and installing locks on kitchen cabinets containing hazardous items. Also, make sure no small objects like coins or marbles are lying around where curious fingers can get to them.
Tip 3) Poisoning:
Keep medications, cleaning supplies, and other potentially poisonous substances locked away in a secure location, preferably up high out of reach. Be sure to label all containers properly and dispose of expired medicines correctly.
Tip 4) Electricity:
Cover unused electrical outlets with plastic guards and make sure that barely used appliances are unplugged when not in use. Teach your children the dangers of electricity by explaining why they cannot touch exposed wires or put objects into wall sockets.
Tip 5) Health Risks:
Purchase a good first aid kit and keep it in an easily accessible place. Make sure you know where to find the emergency numbers for your local doctor and hospital, as well as the Poison Control Center. Keep up to date on vaccinations and checkups for your child, too.
Tip 6) Cleaning:
Cleaning and maintaining a safe home can be challenging, especially with small children running around. To help you stay on top of this task, make sure to vacuum regularly, clean up spills immediately, wash bedding frequently, and replace worn carpets or rugs. Be sure to get vertical blind cleaning tools to get in those hard-to-reach spots.
Tip 7) Sanity:
Taking care of yourself is just as important as keeping your little one safe. Make sure to get plenty of rest, exercise regularly, and take some time for yourself each day. This can help reduce stress and anxiety, leaving you more alert and prepared to handle any safety issues that arise.
Children are our most precious gifts, and ensuring that their homes are safe and secure is essential. By following these home safety tips, you can help reduce the risk of accidents or injuries in your child’s environment so they can grow up happy and healthy. Don’t forget to take a few moments each day – you deserve it!
From where I was mentally and emotionally back in 2021. Had you told me I would be dancing in my living room to TikTok videos, I genuinely would never have believed it. It would be a long time before I would Grow in Confidence!
Pretty much all of my adult life, I’ve dealt with intrusive thoughts and high levels of anxiety. I don’t know exactly where it came from, but being hard on myself, a perfectionist and slightly controlling didn’t help matters. Coupled with the fact I was in a soul-destroying job. And I’m an empath who cannot help but soak up everybody’s energy. It’s taken me years to finally feel confident in myself and embrace who I am.
Let’s dive into how TikTok helped me Grow in Confidence, embrace the challenges life throws at us, and find a community of liked minded people
Confidence
I used to think confidence was a mask, an act that people put on. Now I realise it’s being your true self. Authentically and without apology. Nobody walking this earth is perfect and we never will be. There is no point in striving for perfection. We will always be disappointed with the results if we aim for perfection. So why set ourselves up for failure? Especially when we have the ability to thrive in life. If you follow my blog, you will know it took me years to answer these questions.
We are all just muddling through
Following my mental health struggles, I now see people as people. We are all facing some sort of struggle. And trying our best to get through the day and have happy moments. This is why I can write honestly and authentically for my blog. My main blog has been live on the internet for almost two years. And I know my writing helps people because the comments on my blog and social media accounts prove this.
When we struggle mentally, we often just need to know we are not alone. It can help to see an uplifting social media post or knowledge that someone is going through a similar situation. To give you some context, when I first started the blog it was totally anonymous for the first year. Mainly because I was still living in fear. And this was due to workplace trauma and the anxiety of working in such a hostile environment, for so many years. I also didn’t have the confidence to show my face.
Enjoying TikTok
I have slowly shared more of myself and my life. And graduated to video content on TikTok.
I must say, I am really enjoying making these videos. It fills me with confidence and allows me to embrace the don’t care attitude. Don’t get me wrong, I care about the important things in life. But I no longer reserve a space in my head for drama, caring what others think of me, or pointless emotions, like jealousy and anger.
Helping those people who also struggle mentally
I want my TikTok account to be a place where people feel safe to share. Where another mum can feel less alone, after seeing a vulnerable post about my struggles. I want other mums to know it’s totally okay to want a break from your kids. And actually put plans in place to take one. Regularly.
For anyone struggling mentally, I want those people to know this is a daily battle for me. And it’s totally okay to have good and bad days in life. It’s all about balance. And riding out the ups and downs.
Mentally we need to stay on top of our mental well-being in order to stay well. Just like we would do physio on a weak muscle in our physical body. I just wish society would catch up with this pretty simple notion.
Come join me over on TikTok and dance your way through the challenges life throws at us!
Final thoughts
Ultimately, I am here to tell everyone out there, it does get better. Hang on, stick around, and get out of bed. Get up and fight! Trust me, I know how painful and draining it is to even think about getting a shower and walking out of the door, following a mental breakdown. But you must. This world needs you.
Gift-giving can be difficult, especially when the recipient is a toddler! Whether it’s for a birthday, holiday, or just to show how much you care, picking out the perfect gift for your little one can be quite challenging. But don’t worry – here are seven ideal gifts for toddlers that will put a smile on their faces!
Photo by Tatiana Syrikova
1. An Activity Table:
An activity table is a perfect way for toddlers to learn and explore new activities! Activity tables come in all shapes, colours, and sizes and can feature anything from educational games to puzzles. They are an excellent way to keep toddlers occupied and engaged while developing problem-solving, coordination, and creativity skills.
2. A Doll House:
Dollhouses offer endless hours of imaginative play, and they’re great for little ones who love pretend play. Whether it’s assembling a mini family or creating storylines between their dolls, kids adore acting out stories with their friends or siblings. Plus, they make great additions to any playroom!
3. Ride-on Cars:
Let’s be honest – what kid doesn’t love a cool ride? Ride-on cars are a great way to get toddlers moving and provide them with hours of entertainment. From electric models that look just like mom and dad’s cars to those featuring cartoon characters, such as this children’s Lightning McQueen ride-on car, these toys will surely bring great joy!
4. Kitchen Sets:
Kitchen sets are a great way to get toddlers involved in pretend cooking and baking activities. They can even help with real tasks such as stirring ingredients and setting the table. These toys also allow children to use their imagination while having fun playing together!
5. Puzzles:
As kids age, puzzles become very important for cognitive development and problem-solving. From simple three-piece puzzles to more complex ones featuring multiple pieces, they help children learn how to think through problems by working out each piece until the puzzle is complete. Puzzles are also a great way to keep little ones entertained when you’re on the go – just grab one of your favourite travel puzzles, and you’re good to go!
6. A Swing:
Everyone loves a swing! Swings are an essential part of childhood, providing toddlers with lots of fun and joy. From traditional swings that you hang from a tree branch or ceiling to modern ones featuring adjustable heights, there are plenty of options out there that your toddler will love!
7. A Play Tent:
Play tents are an excellent way to get toddlers to explore their environment. From simple indoor play tents to those with endless features, they help kids use their creativity while having a blast in the process. Your little one will love creating stories and adventures while playing in their tent!
When it comes to picking out the perfect gift for your toddler, these seven ideas are sure to please. Whether it’s a ride-on car or a kitchen set, you’re sure to find something that puts a smile on your little one’s face! So shop around and pick out the ideal gift – your toddler is sure to thank you for it!
With the Valentine’s Day hype now over, it’s a good time to reflect on the self-improvement gifts I give to myself. And how doing this benefits me hugely. My hope is that one day we normalise taking time for self-care. Instead of seeing it as laziness.
If you follow my blog, you will know in the past I struggled with my mental health. Mainly because I was super organised, controlling and pretty uptight. However, it’s clear now that underneath all that, I was an anxious wreck. And I certainly wasn’t a happy person.
It was time for a brain reset. Strangely my mental breakdown gave me this, in part. But obviously not in a healthy way. And I needed to, once and for all, align my habits and circumstances with what I truly wanted out of life.
Why I chose hypnotherapy
Although a series of life circumstances made me reassess my whole life, there was still something missing. I knew I didn’t want to seek out counselling or a therapist, as I had used these tools several times in the past. Some of it worked and some of it didn’t. The option of a life coach was considered. But when I settled on a hypnotherapy course, I basically got the whole package. A life coach, a guide, impactful meditation. And a range of tools to use in my life moving forward. This was a lifetime solution. And once you go through intense meditation sessions, your brain is permanently changed for the better. There is no going back, in the best way possible.
Case study of our sessions
You might remember me posting on social media about Kevin, my therapist, writing a case study summarising our sessions together. It’s great to read through the progress we made. And I hope this will give you all an insight into how a hypnotherapy course can help you.
Sometimes when you’re in the moment, you cannot stand back from the situation enough to use hindsight and make informed decisions about what happened. As a process, hypnotherapy doesn’t look too far back to your past self. The theory is that it doesn’t matter. And I agree with this.
However, I’ve recently been having a huge clear out of my camera roll (it’s a must as a blogger – all those TikTok videos take up a huge amount of space) and noticed a few things about who I was five years ago (I use the five-year mark because this is around when things started changing for me):
There were numerous helpful quotes saved to my phone, from social media. Now I try to be the one creating these images for other people.
I reflected on group photos with people who are no longer in my life. They were not on my wavelength and they were a total drain on my energy. Whilst I wish others well in life, I must surround myself with non-toxic people. I’ve learned, you don’t have to be everyone’s friend. And it’s okay that people are on totally different paths in life.
There were endless images of self-development notes I started writing. The inner work on myself began several years ago. I just didn’t realise it at the time. It wasn’t easy to comprehend where this journey would take me. I resigned myself to a life of stress because I genuinely thought that was how everyone lived.
Ultimately, a series of events which happened over the last five years would force me into changing my circumstances and myself, whether I liked it or not.
The impact of not aligning your goals, priorities, values and character traits
I now feel in synch, with my priorities, goals and how I live my life. Imagine planning a train journey. You book activities in Norfolk for a 7-day period, but your train is heading to Wales. You’re in the wrong place. heading in the completely wrong direction. That’s how I felt for years!
Imagine starting a construction job, but you don’t have the materials to begin the first stage. I felt like this daily – like a really important component of my life was missing! Like my life, the people around me, and how I was living, were totally out of sync with my goals. Once major changes happened in my circumstances, it was clear I still had old habits, which also didn’t match my circumstances.
It was time for a brain reset. Strangely my mental breakdown gave me this, in part. But obviously not in a healthy way. And I needed to, once and for all, align my habits and circumstances with what I truly wanted out of life.
I will be honest and say, everyone, is a constant work in progress. There is always work to do on yourself and we as human beings, should never stop progressing.
Reflecting on my hypnotherapy journey
It’s now time for me to reflect on my hypnotherapy journey and summarise the benefits and what I learned.
It’s important to note that since completing the course, I’ve been able to cement considerable changes in my life. I had started making progress on significant life changes before I met Kevin. However, the power of hypnotherapy in implementing lasting changes is the reason I am where I am today.
These are the main differences in who I was before
Be Intentional in everything I do
Set boundaries in ALL areas of my life
Say no when I need to protect my mental health
Value my time
Be kind to self
Experience joy daily
Practice gratitude
Consciously participate in fun activities with my toddler
Talk openly about emotions and problems in order to solve them
Help and guide others who may be feeling low
An example of how my life has transformed
A great example is my career, I spent 15 years in a stressful, demanding career and I genuinely thought everyone endured this level of stress. Turns out it wasn’t what everyone experienced in their working lives. During my hypnotherapy journey, I completely changed my career and finally pursued my passion for helping people. I put in a lot of work and successfully applied for two job roles. I am finally putting one of my main character traits and values top of the list – HELPING OTHERS!
I still have bad mental health days – just like everyone else
To clarify, I still have bad mental health days. If you follow me on TikTok you will know this. But how I deal with the bad days or weeks, is what makes a huge difference. And honestly, I wouldn’t be in a position to do that as well, without the tools the hypnotherapy course gave me. Resilience to deal with your life circumstances and challenges is the best gift I ever gave myself.
I approach each day now with a mindset of what can I achieve. What is the list for the day? Let’s smash this. I work hard, but no longer play hard. Our new family goal is watching the pennies, saving and planning for the future.
Final Thoughts
I am so thankful I had the opportunity to go on this wonderful journey with Kevin. It’s the best thing that could have happened to me. And I truly believe that everything happens at the right time. Sometimes things come along that you really need. And this was one of them!
Have you tried hypnotherapy?
Is it something you’ve been thinking about trying?
It’s no secret that I love affordable but effective beauty products. And I try and fit in self-care whenever I can. These trusted beauty products, allow me to quickly transform from mum mode into work or going out mode. And given our recent family financial difficulties, my purchases must also be affordable.
I want to share some of my favourite self-care products in this gift guide.
Quick note: Some of the links contained on this page are affiliate links and if you go through them to make a purchase, I will earn a commission. I only recommend products I use myself and think would be useful for other people.
My Favourite products from the No7 range
Here are some of the trusted No7, everyday self-care products I am currently using. And why I love them so much
Every few months, I pick another colour from the range. It is part of my self-care routine, to do my nails for work and also when I go out. Let’s all just agree right now, that blogging images also look better when someone has their nails done! However, finding the time to do them is a different story.
I tried this product a while ago and it’s great. I bought a light shade of pink and it’s a lovely addition to the cheeks for going out. It also added some much-needed colour to my cheeks for work the other day.
Again, this is a product I use daily. If I fancy a bit of subtle colour at work, or for going out. It’s an easy-to-use product, and the coverage is great. It also has lasting power, without getting bitty.
I have tried several make-up primers in the past. But this one is silky smooth and gives a flawless finish to your makeup. I notice a difference when I don’t use it!
As someone with pretty short eyelashes, I need something which transforms my eyes from a normal working mum to going out to party mode. This mascara does just that and it’s a trusted product I keep going back to. Because it works. And it’s affordable.
In the past, I haven’t been kind to my nails. And I am now seeing the impact of the damage. As I frequently use nail polish, I need to use a treatment to look after my nails.
A few years ago, I decided to start using a base and top coat with my nail polish. Simply to protect my nails and also give me a more flawless look. If you use this base with the gel finish products, it can give the look of fuller nails. A bit like you would get when they apply shellac in a salon. But with much less cost involved!
Exactly what it says on the tin. A flawless finish protects the colour of the nails underneath. If I am on holiday, this product can bring staying power to the nails, which is a must. Who wants to be doing their nails when they can be at the beach, with a cocktail instead?
I use this product daily. In place of a BB cream or foundation. The coverage is great and it leaves my skin looking fresh throughout the day.
I recently made a TikTok post about the self-care products I use daily, whilst sitting at my desk blogging. Featuring the No7 Protect & Perfect Eye Cream & Lip Care
In need of a gift or want to treat yourself – have a browse at Boots Fragrance
My Favourite self-care products from The Body Shop
Mother’s Day wellness
Why not pick up a wellness gift set for the amazing mum in your life?
Because I love The Body Shop so much, I have made it a mission to try some new self-care products. And I must say, I am not disappointed. Read my review of them below.
This goes on in a solid form but quickly melts to a nice clear butter. Not too heavy but feels nourishing and brings off the day’s impurities. It also smells lovely and there is a calming, take-the-day-off sense about it. I will now be adding it to my skincare routine and using it a few times a week. Along with my Edelweiss skincare products.
This nail oil smells divine. I’ve been on the lookout for some great cuticle treatments for a while and thought I would try this. The brush and applicator allow just the right amount. And the consistency turns from a slight gel to oil once brushed on. A bit like smelling fresh cherry Bakewell baking in the oven, whilst you partake in self-care.
Let’s start with opening the packet – there is so much liquid in there, which gives great overall coverage and you know you’re in for a real treat. I will be honest and say I usually opt for the much cheaper sheet masks. And although this price point is higher, you literally get what you pay for and this product has a quality all over it.
I’ve never tried a sheet mask where the moisture soaks into the face and the mask eventually goes dry. But this happened with the Edelweiss mask. It smells lovely and my skin was left feeling nourished and refreshed after using it. I will be purchasing more.
I bought a little bottle of this to try it. When I’ve used banana products from other brands before, they can be overpowering and sickly. However, this has just the right amount of fragrance. It honestly makes my hair feel lovely and the smell brings about a relaxing sense. I will be purchasing a bigger bottle.
I’ve loved the fruity scents from The Body Shop since I was a teen. It just depends on what scents you’re into the most. I feel relaxed, looked after and like I’m in a field picking strawberries when I use this product. Love it so much, so I had to treat myself recently.
This is so nourishing with a hint of fragrance. You can tell it’s helping to protect your hands. My hubby uses it every day before work and I also love pinching a bit of it too!
I’ve used this product for a while now. And even before I purchased the Edelweiss range, the charcoal mask left my skin feeling fresh. And my complexion was noticeably clearer.
Final Thoughts
I hope you enjoyed reading the rundown of the trusted beauty products I use daily.
Do you use any of these products? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below.
And I would love your suggestions on any other products I should try…
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The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
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This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
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This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
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The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
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