Not only do I frequently buy from Etsy, but I am in the process of setting up my own Etsy shop – watch this space! The marketplace is packed full with unique gifting choices that are really one of a kind, which means you don’t have to worry whether someone else will buy the special father-figure in your life the same gift.
Some of the keepsakes we have bought each other over the years, from Etsy, still feature on display in our house years later. And that’s the difference. The quality and uniqueness of the gifts mean the memory is long-lasting.
Please note – some of the links contained in this post are affiliate links. If you make a purchase, there is no additional cost to you, but I may make a small commission.
Let’s talk about Stories To Promote Wellbeing In Children.
If this isn’t your first time visiting this blog, you will know I love to review books geared towards the emotional health of young children. Stories that cause an impact and make you think about them and the lessons they teach you long after you put the book down.
If you are new around here, below is a list of my previous book reviews:
This book really encapsulates everything we try and teach my little one about council out blessings and taking some time out of your day to appreciate the positive aspect of life.
“A little girl called Wren is on her way home through a dark forest when she gets lost. In the forest, there are many “triggers,” which evoke her fear and anxiety.”
Remus and the Remarkable Rat Rescue – by Sharon Baker and Ed Foxell
“Preston the rat lives a perfect life in a grand garden, enjoying comfort and order every day. But everything changes when Remus, a sewer rat displaced by climate change, arrives seeking a new home for his family.”
Buy the book
Summary
I hope you enjoyed reading this post.
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Welcome to my post, all about Southview Holiday Retreat, Middlesborough.
Who else loves the quiet life? The strong need to get away from the hustle and bustle. Switch off your phone and just relax.
As a family, we have busy lives, between working full time, school admin, childcare and fitting in precious time to make family memories and have fun. Sometimes it’s just necessary to switch off completely.
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.
PLEASE NOTE – all images are courtesy of Sam – founder of Mummy Conquering Anxiety blog and are copyright
Making a holiday booking with a lack of reviews
I’ve talked in my previous review blog posts about reading reviews before booking a holiday, a meal or visiting somewhere. You can usually tell the fair reviews from the people who just want to have a rant. Check out my Places to Eat reviews below:
However, sometimes you need to take a chance on a holiday venue when they have just set up and are brand new. When we booked this holiday through Hoseasons, there were only a few reviews added. As such, we had to take that chance.
We are here now
I want to visit places myself before bringing you reviews. We are currently on site now and these are my comments about the place:
Accommodation & value for money – We are staying in The Wainstones pod, which is slightly more roomy than the standard one.
Service – friendly, checking in with us but not disturbing our peace.
Nearby places to visit – Stokesley. Great Ayton, Whitby, Middlesborough.
Relaxation factor – 100% relaxation, even with a fiver-year-old.
A base for visiting other places – the perfect base for venturing out and about each day.
I am going into a lot more detail below, so keep reading about the 6 Amazing Reasons to Book a Holiday at Southview Holiday Retreat, Middlesborough
Accommodation & value for money
The accommodation is what sold the holiday to us, in the first place. We paid £399.00 when booking direct through Hoseasons. And only paid a £10.00 deposit. Booking in advance allowed us to pay the holiday off in chunks. I didn’t think this price was bad, considering we have a Monday-Friday stay, the first week of the UK school summer holidays AND the addition of the hot tub and amazing view.
We had everything we needed in the pod. A small kitchen area, without an oven, but other amenities such as a microwave, hob, kettle and toaster.
We managed to make some lovely homemade meals, like spaghetti bolognese. And even managed a full fry-up, to make fry-up wraps!
Surroundings
The pod overlooks the Cleveland Hills and as you can see from the pictures below, the view is stunning, breathtaking, and relaxing and it’s amazing to overlook this every morning. We decided to spend our last day mostly hanging around the accommodation, so we can live in the moment and enjoy this beautiful view.
Service
The site is run by a father and son team and from the first text message, to get instructions for how to enter the accommodation, they were lovely and friendly.
The instructions for staying were comprehensive and provided all the information we needed. And the friendly visits, stopping by our pod to check if we had everything we needed, were one of the highlights of our holiday. The little one loved saying hello!
Nearby places to visit
As a family, we purposefully book places to stay, where we can use them as a base to explore the area. And this time we took the opportunity to reinstate our English Heritage Membership and visit some amazing places on the way here and during our stay.
A few of the nearby places you can visit during your stay:
Stokesley – this is a market town, with a coop, bakers, lots of pubs, bistros and other amenities. We visited to grab some lunch at the local bakers and food supplies from the coop.
I would say that from what we experienced, the town isn’t geared towards families and children. Eating-wise we would have been looking at overpriced bistros (I say this because our five-year-old simply wouldn’t eat the food there) or pubs with strange service times or that don’t allow children. As a couple, we would have loved a village like this. But luckily we were able to grab some food and return to our accommodation to chill out in the hot tub.
I will say there are lots of amazing shops for little ones. Boutique-style clothing and toys for young ones. We loved exploring the array of charity shops – we even picked up some bargains, including a branded walking coat for my little one and a nice dress for me.
Great Ayton – This is a picturesque small village, which we passed through on our way to Whitby. All the details you need about the amenities available can be found here.
It’s a lovely Yorkshire town, with shops, a beautiful square and lots of cafes and pubs along the river. We had a great time walking around the town, after our trip around the castle.
Relaxation factor
This trip was 100% relaxation from the first moment we arrived. Absolutely beautiful views. An enclosed garden was a must for the little one. It also came in handy when one of us wanted a rest in the afternoon, the other people could use the patio to chill outside and provide some much-needed space, away from one another. The small balcony out to the front of the pod also provided another space for someone to relax in.
A base for visiting other places
In terms of distance, staying here is a great base for visiting other places. You have the choice of nearby market towns, which are up to about a 30-minute drive. Some are just 5 minutes down the road, in a car.
Whitby
The longest drive we did was Whitby for the day. The picturesque seaside town was busy and we were tired after the trip but we got to see our favourite seaside town, without the price tag of staying in a £300.00 a night hotel in the centre of Whitby.
It was about a 49-minute drive to Whitby from the accommodation.
One of the main reasons we visited Whitby was to take our little one to Whitby Abbey. As a couple we have visited a few times, but it was time to introduce her to the amazing views and history. She loved running around and taking pictures.
I will be writing a post about Middlesborough and the wider area, and some other guides for this local area – so look out for this by subscribing to my blog, to be alerted when a blog post is released.
We used to visit the Magic Garden Play Cafe in Howarth when my little one could barely sit up. It was when I was first introduced to Little Learners. They held one of their classes there and it was a real lifeline for me during maternity leave.
Back then I was contending with low confidence and what I now know was postpartum anxiety. I couldn’t attend the classes without my hubby or mum to accompany me. That said, we made many lovely memories together. Whilst these struggles feel like a lifetime ago, it was strange being back in the building four years on. I even forgot which entrance we had to go through!
Disclaimer – this review was written following a paid-for visit to the event. I am in no way affiliated with the cafe nor have I been paid for this review
Parents & carers community
These days I love nothing more than chatting to other mums, at the soft play centre or activity we have lined up. We also see a lot of grandparents caring for young children. My mental health struggles have taught me that as parents and carers, we are all tired and exhausted. We largely face the same struggles and there is value in a quick conversation or giving someone directions to the toilet. It’s a great community of people and I now love being a part of it.
Just the other day we were in Wetherspoons and a lovely older couple went looking for me and my toddler. We had both gone to get a refill cup of tea and left our shopping bags. They thought we had left and forgotten our shopping. So lovely of them to worry about us.
Let’s dive into the practical information you need if you want to visit The Magic Garden Play Cafe
Booking the Elsa & Anna sing-along
When I saw the Elsa & Anna sing-along online, I immediately booked it. My four-year-old is obsessed with Elsa and we took the opportunity for her to dress up. I even let her have the Elsa microphone in the car.
The location
As we were driving up the hill in Howarth I was flooded with lovely memories of coming here with my grandma. We would visit the shops and it’s a place close to my heart. It was lovely explaining that to my little one.
Upon arrival
Upon arrival, we noticed many other Elsa dresses and Anna costumes in the car park. The remark I got from my four-year-old was “I will sing along with them“.
This is what classes like this are all about. Community and making friends.
The venue has around 15 tables and I’ve never struggled to get a seat in all the time I’ve been coming here. When you are alone with a child, it’s important you can get a table and have a base to store coats, bags and shoes. And more importantly, sit down! If I cannot be sure I will get a table at the venue we attend, I always intentionally pick a pre-bookable soft play – where you can secure your table.
Kids section
There is a gated section where classes and events take place. The gate is helpful if you have little ones trying to escape. There are lots of great classes which take place here and I have included some of the posters and links for you below.
The play area
This play area inspired my little one’s bedroom decor. The IKEA leaves were something we had to get her. And she commented today that her bedroom is also decorated the same way. I love the Scandi feel of the play area. And although we were here for an Elsa & Anna singalong, all my toddler wanted to do was take off her shoes and play in the soft play.
It’s still one of the most impressive play areas I’ve visited, despite reviewing a lot of them previously. You can book to just attend the soft play only.
The cafe
As parents, we all know the cafe is an important aspect. Being able to have that nice cup of tea and a bite to eat is a must. And now I have a four-year-old I can actually sit for 10 minutes at a time. Enjoying my cup of tea is bliss. Whilst she is off making friends and enjoying herself.
How was the food?
The cup of tea and bacon sandwich I ordered didn’t disappoint. The little one got a cute little frozen meal box with the price of the ticket. Which included a selection of sandwiches (who chose ham) crisps and a drink.
We also bought an Elsa bun, cos we all deserve a little treat.
Prices for play
You can view the prices for play and some of the upcoming events at the cafe. For a full list, check out the website.
Opening times
The cafe is open during these days & times:
* Monday to Thursday 9.30 am – 2.30 pm.
Parties
They also offer parties. All the details you need are here.
Summary
My intention is to enjoy the rest of the summer with my little one – when I can. Because childcare is so damn expensive, we will also keep the same family routine throughout the year. Meaning my toddler gets one weekday with each parent, during the school holidays. And the rest of the time I’m looking at sports clubs, which I know she will love.
My mental health struggles taught me a while ago, that a work-life balance was the only way I could mentally keep myself well. I’m also thankful I’ve managed to create the balance we need. And I plan on keeping it that way.
I will be booking more amazing activities – to create lifelong memories with my baby girl.
Let’s face it, as a parent of a toddler, you have to watch kids’ TV programmes. But honestly, Bluey is my fave and, we as adults, often keep watching it when our little one has run off to the next activity.
I feel seen and heard when watching the Heeler family navigate the trials and tribulations of parenting.
What I love the most, is how they get those magical parenting moments right. So heartwarming. But it’s also full of real-life examples of how frustrating toddlers can be. I feel seen and heard when watching the Heeler family navigate the trials and tribulations of parenting.
I was inspired to write this post by Claire Mac. It was time to share my favourite Bluey episodes. I’ve watched a lot recently!
Quick note: Some of the links on this page are affiliate links; if you go through them to make a purchase, I will earn a commission. I only recommend products I use myself and thinkwould be useful for you.
Charades
Season 2, Episode 11
Episode description
Bluey and Bingo want everyone to play Charades, but Muffin and Socks are too young to understand the rules, which threatens to derail the game. But Nana has her own special rule so everyone is happy!
My thoughts
We are always moaning about how our little one gets away with everything at the grandparents’ house. It’s true. My mum has to remove all chocolate from the fridge before she goes there. She will just help herself and eat it all!
This episode makes me love Muffin, but also realise I also have a child who likes to tantrum a lot. What warms my heart is how they all go along with Muffin and her dance. It’s one of those lovely proud parenting moments, even if she did get her own way.
Grandad
Season 2, Episode 50
Episode description
Grandad is supposed to be resting, but when Bluey and Bingo go to visit him, he makes a run for it with the kids and takes them on a madcap adventure into the bush.
My thoughts
It’s so heartwarming that Chilli wants to look after her dad and there’s a cute moment at the end of the episode. Which actually inspired my toddler to tell me she loved me. I will let you watch and experience it for yourself.
Flatpack
Season 2, Episode 24
Episode description
With Mum and Dad assembling the flatpack furniture, the kids improvise games with the discarded wrapping materials. As the flatpack swing seat takes shape, so does Bluey and Bingo’s mini-world.
My thoughts
We all know about the dramas of flatpacks. Especially with kids. The worst one we’ve done is our little ones’ “big girl” bed.
But this episode makes me all warm and fuzzy inside, about family time. And it’s lovely to see Bluey and Bingo playing together and their sweet moments.
Makes parenting worth it.
Want to learn more about the Bluey characters? How about purchasing this amazing set of weebles? Look at the fun we had with them…
Bluey and Bingo love to video chat with Muffin and Socks so they can all draw pictures together. When Muffin won’t give Socks a turn, the kids discover what happens when you hog.
My thoughts
I belly-laughed throughout the whole episode. And it made us realise we have Muffin living in our house. Not bingo, or Bluey.
This is the episode we watch when my parents come around. it’s also the one my toddler requests the most.
Grannies
Season 1, Episode 28
Episode description
A game of Grannies is fun until Bingo and Bluey can’t agree on one simple question: Can grannies dance? Now they need to video call Nanna to get the answer.
How cool are these Bluey items? A dancing teddy. And I am currently ordering the hoodie for my little one!
My thoughts
“I slipped on my beans” – this is currently my hubby’s ringtone. And he is part of a Bluey Facebook group!
Pretending to be grannies – so comical. I also love that mum joins in for a while, till there is too much mess, then says “go ask dad”.
Writing this post has inspired me to get on the hunt for some creative Bluey activities to do with my little one. Here are a few I found:
It’s Dad’s turn to get the kids ready for school and kindy, but Bluey and Bingo aren’t making things easy! Dad tries to keep everything on track, but can’t help playing along with their games.
My thoughts
I have so much to relate to in this episode. Being late, even when you get up really early. We “talk on the telephone” daily with our little one and I can just imagine her doing something like this in the car.
But then it melts my heart that dad still plays wind up, even though they are late. Toddlers don’t care if we’re late. They have no concept of time. It’s a boring concept for adults. And something we beat ourselves up about. And shouldn’t!
Bluey, Bingo and Dad always take out the bins. Over a few weeks, Bingo tells Dad about a new kid at Kindy who is mean to her and Mum offers some good advice.
My thoughts
The lovely family ritual of putting out bins and talking about emotions. It makes me smile.
In the end, Bingo ends up helping the person who was nasty to her. And what an amazing lesson this is, to teach your little ones and explain why it is important.
Ice Cream
Season 2, Episode 46
Episode description
Bluey and Bingo want a lick of each other’s ice cream. But they are so focused on making sure each lick is fair, they don’t notice their ice creams are melting.
My thoughts
A perfect lesson in learning to share things. Heartwarming. And as always with parenting, dad is required to give up his treat.
Fairies
Season 1, Episode 30
Episode description
Bluey’s house has fairies! Tails are being braided, stickers are everywhere, and Mum’s got a peg beard. Now the family must band together to hunt for these invisible mischief-makers.
My thoughts
I just love dad making a fool of himself in Infront of the neighbours and the family having so much fun.
It’s a dad requirement to make a fool of yourself daily, in order to make your kids laugh.
Check out my Guest Post from Jasmine Fitze. I am accepting guest posts on all of my blogs – you can find more details here.
Introduction
Hi, I’m Jas! I feel so grateful to be writing a guest post for Mummy Conquering Anxiety. Especially around this time of year. Autumn is my favourite season of all. And I enjoy writing plenty of blog posts around this season too. And candles are a great topic!
I am a digital creator who loves creating content around architecture, travel, food and drink, coffee, and lifestyle. In addition, I love to see the little things every day. Learning to love my own company by venturing out of my comforts. And providing the life that I deserve. I hope you can feel inspired by the life I live. Realising life’s happiness starts off with small and simple joys.
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
Candle Talk
I love it when autumn arrives, purely because of the overload of candles. Candles are up there as one of my favourite things to buy in shops. Especially when the seasons are changing and you get into the cold, crisp, autumnal weather. When it gets to that point, there’s nothing better than cosying up at home. Surrounding yourself with warm aromatic fragrances, and sipping on some luxurious hot chocolates.
I would say that my candle preferences are more towards scents that are rich, sweet, vibrant, and spiced. This is why I get excited when autumn comes around because I feel in my element. I could get lost for hours in the home fragrances selection trying to find the ones that I vibe with.
A collection showing some of my favourite scents:
Pumpkin Spice: Takes me into a world of pumpkin patches, spiced lattes, pumpkin everything basically!
Cinnamon: Forever love the warm spices of cinnamon that remind me of autumnal bakes and hot chocolates.
Coffee: With me being that much into coffee I just can’t get enough of the coffee scents, especially as each one has its own richness and character to the flavours with the creaminess bringing it all together.
Spiced apple: Sweet but juicy scents that I get from this fragrance. Definitely makes me think of toffee apples or apple pie/ apple crumble, and even apple cider of many kinds.
Coconut: I’ve always been into coconut-scented things. I love the creaminess and subtlety of the scent, I think it’s an ideal all-round candle, but especially ideal for having next to a box of chocolates, particularly bounty’s to compliment the atmosphere.
Honey & chocolate: This scent I’m particularly talking about is the Glade candle. When I came across it I knew I had to pick it up. Smells Devine and I thought of it like a crunchie chocolate bar and this candle delivered those sensational aromas.
Are any of these scents your favourite too? Comment below
There’s something quite magical about walking around the city in your warm and thick coat, with a coffee in one hand, and seasonal shopping bags in the other. What I love about this home decor piece is that they make for an ideal gift for someone or for even yourself. On any special or random occasion, there’s a candle for everyone at any time!
Shopping for Candles
A few shops that I recommend browsing for autumn candles & diffusers are TK MAXX, B&M, and Wilko.
I am forever heading to TK MAXX for their library load of candles and diffusers of all different aesthetics, scents, and personalities. I highly recommend making a visit to have a smell through them. You’ll likely end up walking out with a great collection.
In Wilko, you will find plenty of autumn-scented fragrances such as pumpkin spice, apple cosy cider, and marshmallow Irish cream. Great prices if you are looking for a unique scent at a low price. And with the sizes, they have a good burning time. B&M have a selection of basic and characteristic candles. Ones that are ideal for repurposing other household decor pieces.
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One shop that I haven’t mentioned yet but have to put out there is M&S with their distinctive candles. They are pricey but the jar has battery-operated lights, within the jar of the candle, so it serves multiple purposes. It would for sure make an excellent centrepiece to a dining table or coffee table. Bringing a glowing atmosphere to the room.
Alternatively, there are plenty of wonderful small businesses on Etsy, such as @dolewickscandleco (check her out on Instagram). DW Home is also a great place for endless seasonal scents with distinctive jars. Perfect for repurposing, check out their Instagram and website for more. On Instagram, there is @illumine_candle_co which is a small business in Exeter, with beautiful hand-poured vegan-friendly soy candles.
Candles are up there as one of my favourite pieces of decor to buy purely because they light up the room so well and the stunning aromas each one has. I also love repurposing them, giving them an extra life through using them as drinking glasses or desk organisers, they come in handy for many things.
And That’s a Wrap…
We have now come to the end of this blog post. I hope you have enjoyed reading through my candle preferences and suggestions. Here’s to many more cosy days at home as well as shopping adventures.
If you would like to learn more about me and my content, see the details below.
I’ll leave some links below, I hope to connect with some of you!
Guest blog post: brought to you by Amber Louise of the Lady Boss Nomad blog
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 thinkwould be useful for you.
One of the greatest lies we tell ourselves is that we’re stuck in a rut. However, did you know it’s not only possible to change your situation but to also change yourself too?
The mind is a powerful thing. It can be our greatest ally or our biggest enemy. The key to reinventing yourself is to gain control over the mind and start living the life you want to live. One way you can do this is by keeping a journal.
Since my mid-teens, I have kept some form of a journal whether it be an art journal, a diary or a bullet journal. Now I keep a journal for creative brainstorming in both my business and personal life and I keep an A5 journal for all my mixed media art.
being 100% honest about your thoughts and feelings can be difficult to start with. You need to remember that your journal is a safe place. It’s a non-judgmental space which enables you to say exactly how you feel with no repercussions or judgements.
It’s a wonderful outlet especially for me as I suffer from GAD or Generalised Anxiety Disorder but, the high functioning kind which can easily go undetected by others. So you see it’s extremely important for me to have a creative and reflective outlet as a busy boss lady that runs her blog.
Here in this post, I want to share with you my best tips for creating a daily journal practice that can reduce your anxiety and stress. These are life-saving tips that can improve your whole mindset and is a form of self CBT Cognitive Behavioural Therapy technique.
Tip number 1: Choose the right journal for yourself
Ok, so this one may sound a little silly, but the journal you choose can have a significant impact on how effective it is. Your journal is supposed to inspire and motivate you to use it. So, if you don’t love it, you’re not going to feel very inspired.
Take your time to choose the right journal. Think about its design and how the pages are set out. Do you love it? Can you see yourself writing in it every day? It may sound a little ridiculous, but the right journal will pick you.
Tip number 2: Start by writing about the things you’re grateful for
Once you’ve got the right journal, figuring out how to start it can be pretty tough. So, if you’re struggling, start by writing a list of the things you’re grateful for. This can either be done first thing in the morning or last thing in the evening. There are advantages to doing it during both times, so it’s all about what works for you.
All too often, we spend most of our time focusing on the things we don’t have or the things we wish we had. This makes us forget about the positive things we do have. Journaling helps you to focus on the positive things in the here and now, rather than wasting time and energy wishing for something more.
So how can this help you to reinvent yourself? Well, the more positive you are, the easier you’ll find it to make a change. It’s often our negativity which sets us back in life so anything which makes us more positive can help us to reinvent ourselves.
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Tip number 3: Be absolutely honest in your journal
Journaling isn’t going to help you if you aren’t 100% honest. The trouble is, you may find you spend so much time hiding how you feel, that being 100% honest about your thoughts and feelings can be difficult to start with. You need to remember that your journal is a safe place. It’s a non-judgmental space which enables you to say exactly how you feel with no repercussions or judgements.
Once you’re honest about your thoughts and feelings and what you want from life, you’ll be able to see what you need to do to change.
Tip number 4: Write down your biggest goals
Use the journal to write down what it is you want to achieve. This can be done in the form of short term and long-term goals. It’s important to see the big picture. Where do you want to be in 3-5 years and how could you potentially get there?
Writing down your goals and identifying the steps you need to take to make a change, will help massively.
Tip number 5: Make it a daily routine if you can
It’s important to use your journal daily. Set up a daily routine where you write in your journal at a specific time. Once you’ve gotten used to writing in the journal, it will become an automatic habit you carry out each day.
As with anything, to reinvent yourself, you need to be persistent and committed. So, be sure to write in your journal every single day.
Summary
These are just 5 ways that you can reduce your anxiety daily through journaling practice. The more you do it, the more chances you’ll start to see – both in how you feel and how you act. I am 100% certain that a journal will help you to reduce your stress and anxiety if you make it part of your daily routine.
It can also improve your focus and generate creative brainstorming which is crucial for busy CEOs and boss ladies. Often I will use my journal to brainstorm blog post ideas or even a whole product launch. If you too a busy boss lady who has high functioning anxiety then definitely give this a try. Other ways you can use your journal are brainstorming recipes or jotting down positive affirmations. I just know you’ll love this practice as much as I do!
Amber Louise is the busy CEO and Founder of the Lady Boss Nomad. She inspires women with useful tips, resources, motivation & encouragement to help their digital businesses thrive. She helps female entrepreneurs launch a digital businesses. This service is for those who already have digital products but just need a robust platform or for newbies needing ideas on which digital products to sell, she goes through ebooks, eCourses, printable’s etc. She can offer guidance on the best tools and resources for digital businesses and blogs about product launching, marketing and sales page creation.
I want to say thank you to Chloe from Nyxie’s Nook for this amazing guest post. I personally found social media to be the most amazing, supportive community following my mental breakdown and I definitely needed it. This post outlines the reasons it can be helpful for mental wellbeing.
Let’s dive in
Social media has long since been branded as hazardous to our mental and physical health. For those within a certain age bracket, it’s seen as something akin to the fall of socialisation. We constantly hear about children as young as six becoming addicted to social media, or adults missing the world around them because their nose is stuck in their phones.
But what about the positive side of social media? If we look beyond the addiction and online trolls, social media has helped shape the 21st century into a more inclusive place to be.
For a long time, we’ve been under the assumption that asking for help is a weak or attention-seeking behaviour. But with the help of social media, we’re now much further forward in realising that speaking up about our issues is an act of strength.
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5 Positive aspects of social media
Social media can be a great way to raise awareness, bring communities together andhelp those less fortunate.
Before the use of the internet and social media, we all seemed so far away. America, Japan, England, Finland; We were all divided by oceans, land and borders. With the use of the internet and, in turn, social media we’re able to raise awareness for issues that would otherwise be limited by location. By using social media we can reach other, like-minded people who can help spread awareness among their own communities and so on.
We’re better able to keep in touch with our loved ones, arrange online catch-ups and even play virtual games.
With so much of the world in lockdown at different times and for various levels of COVID-19, many of us have become separated from our families and peers. And with the current state of things here in the UK, our isolation isn’t set to end any time soon. The internet and social media have become a way for us to socialize, catch up and even watch movies together while staying safely apart.
Netflix has created their Netflix party to help socially distanced subscribers to watch television shows and movies together. Zoom has become the number one go-to video chatting application for social catch-ups to business meetings. Instagram, Facebook and Twitter also deserve honourable mention for helping us keep in touch and meet like-minded people who are better able to help and support us. Some of the most trusting and inspirational people I know were found via social media!
Finally, although not specifically on social media, as an avid gamer I find the use of online resources helpful in finding gaming partners. There are various places online to connect and even chat with gamers worldwide. I’ve met so many people through my love for Animal Crossing and The Sims. I’m in various community groups online where I can chat about the games, get information, tips and advice, and even swap friend codes.
Of course, this is all done from a safe distance and, as an adult, I’m aware of the danger of meeting others online. If you have a teenager or even a child who frequently games with others online, it’s suggested that you keep an eye on their activity. Have a chat with them about online safety and take an interest in what they’re doing without being overly critical.
Social media can be a welcome distraction from the outside world or a devastating realisation of the world around us
Social media has acted as a means for me to distract myself from the goings-on around me, but it’s also been there to remind me of the harsh realities of the world around us. Without it, I doubt I would be kept as informed as I am. I avoid the news at all costs and have long since stopped trusting state-funded news reports. So various online sources, social media included, have been my direct link to COVID-19 news, election updates and even any new information being spread in regards to mental health services in my local area.
In regards to acting as a distraction, by frequently visiting social media and getting to know others online, I’ve been able to build a small support network. This support network is usually biased and helps distract me just by chatting about things other than what’s on my mind.
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Social media has helped to normalise help-seeking behaviour
For a long time, we’ve been under the assumption that asking for help is a weak or attention-seeking behaviour. But with the help of social media, we’re now much further forward in realising that speaking up about our issues is an act of strength. Many adults and young people are coming forward to encourage others to ask for help for things such as mental illness, grief, sexual assault etc. No longer are these things taboo, rather, we’re unified in our need to speak up!
Social media can offer a creative outlet
Much like writing a blog or sketching in a notebook, creating social media posts can act as a creative outlet but on a much smaller scale. The likes of Instagram are especially good for displaying things such as photography and artwork, while Tik Tok is for the videographer in all of us.Others can view your work, like, share and even become inspired. But, of course, it’s not always about the number of likes and engagement you get. So long as you’re careful about how you manage your life on social media, it can be a wonderful place to find and hone your creative voice.
What are your thoughts on social media and its impacts? Do you feel that it’s a positive, negative or a bit of both? How do you use social media and how do you protect your mental health when using it?
Final thoughts from me
I agree with all these benefits and I hope you enjoyed reading the post. All the details you need to connect with Chloe are below. Please go check out her blog, show some love, comment on posts and do what we do best in the blogging community, interact and show support.
Anxiety can have you in a grip if you’re not careful, and if you are dealing with the symptoms of anxiety, you know that it can feel suffocating. No one wants to feel like they’re in a chokehold and anxiety is exactly what keeps you in that locked-in space.
The symptoms of anxiety can pull you down and make you feel like you’re drowning, and whether you’re actively seeking anxiety management therapy or you are exploring ways to exercise the adrenaline that comes with it, you need help and support. Below, we’ve put together some of the best techniques that you can use to fight off anxiety and finally let that monster go.
Get some medical advice. Anxiety can happen to anyone at any time, but chronic anxiety can ruin your life. You can get cannabis for anxiety from an alternative doctor, but it’s not a bad idea to speak to a doctor and get a referral to a specialist. Sometimes, anxiety comes from other issues such as depression and you need some support in that case. The help you get is vital for your continued recovery so don’t be afraid to ask for it!
Work on refocusing. Sometimes, distraction works a charm when it comes to anxiety and anxiety has two main issues: mental panic and physical discomfort. You could experience a racing heart, stomach distress and muscle tension when you’re feeling anxious, and instead of being pulled into interception, you can work on refocusing so that you don’t have to feel the mental and physical components of anxiety.
Visualisation can work! Meditation is not just quack medicine. You can bet that you can calm the mind and the body when you visualise yourself in a calm state and do so in a calm place. The mind can impact the body in powerful ways and you should consider vivid visualization to calm yourself down to fight off the anxiety. Thinking calm thoughts or using visualisation methods to redirect yourself can work to improve the panic you’re feeling.
Embrace mindfulness practices. It’s important that you work on your psychological process and mindfulness practices can help you to do that. It’s all about living in the present as fully as you can and accepting what you can and cannot control. The whole point of mindfulness is to feel the here and now without fear and worry. You need to be in touch with your mind and body so that you can notice the sensations you’re feeling and combat them where you can.
Learn to relax. Oh, relaxation! Not easy for the anxious-minded out there. You can learn to do this by doing a workout. We know, that workouts are not easy when your mind is busy being frozen but expelling the adrenaline from your body can help to flood it with the right hormones so that you can finally feel calm and relaxed again. Workouts can do a lot, but we also need to remember that sometimes a combination of efforts is what we need. Understanding our own inherent weaknesses in terms of relaxing is critical. There’s a lot of sleep tech out there at the moment with a range of earthing products like mattresses and pillow covers and sleep mats, as well as meditation machines.
Learning to relax is one of those things that gets easier than you practice it so don’t think about trying to meditate for 20 minutes. even 5 seconds of relaxation at the very beginning is a quantifiable success!
Anxiety doesn’t have to floor you. You can fight the monster and win.
Let’s talk about the Great Places To Eat & Drink On the Yorkshire Lancashire Border.
You may have seen my recent blog post and social media posts about visiting many attractions in Lancashire. As a family, we always look for cost-effective places to grab lunch or a drink. Much needed whilst we are out on our adventures.
In this post, I share my favourite places we’ve visited and my very balanced review of what we thought of the price, service and general experience.
PLEASE NOTE – all of these experiences were places we visited and paid to eat as a family, none of the experiences were gifted. I will be updating this post frequently so be sure to follow me on Instagram to keep up to date with new review posts
Let’s dive in…
Primark cafe Trafford Pallazo, Manchester
LOCATION – 📍Trafford Palazzo, Manchester, M17 8AS
When we visited The SeaLife Centre at Trafford Palazzo, we were looking for a down-to-earth cafe near the centre. While Trafford Palazzo is a very regal building, with many trendy cafes I would visit as an adult, none of it was suitable for my little one and her legs were tired.
Given this context, we were so happy to find The Simpsons cafe in Primark. The menu was simple but effective. We ordered a toastie to share, a big slice of cake and some drinks.
I must also say that the view is stunning and if you can get a seat by the window, you will have a lovely, relaxing sit down (all tables allow you to see out of the huge windows, so you won’t be disappointed).
There are toilets just outside the cafe area and they were really spacious and kid-friendly.
You can check out the Primark website here. Check out the full menu here.
The Spread Eagle, Sawley
LOCATION – 📍 Sawley, Clitheroe BB7 4NH
As we now spend a lot of time in Lancashire, we have visited Sawley Abbey many times, mainly because there is a really great playground next to it and amazing views.
When we called in recently, we ordered a prosecco (I must say it was one of the best proseccos I had ever drank!), a Coke, a J20, and a slice of cake and it was £17 in total.
The pub is a full wedding venue, with luxury rooms to stay over. The atmosphere feels lovely & cosy when you visit for a drink. But due to prices and having to entertain a 5-year-old in such a quiet, relaxing environment, it wouldn’t be the place for us to stay and have food.
We absolutely will be calling in for a drink soon and they have outside tables right next to the river, which I imagine will be lovely in summer.
We’ve spent around 5-10 days in Clitheroe recently. And we were excited to visit Bowland Food Hall. We finally carved out some time during the half-term week to visit and we were not disappointed!
Parking was a bit difficult and there were no empty spaces when we arrived. However, Sainsbury’s is just over the road. Because we needed to do some Sainsbury’s shopping and there was a time limit, we decided to park in the paid car park just across the road. We wanted to be free to enjoy everything Bowland Food Hall had to offer
And did it impress us! Again, due to the prices (around £10-15 per lunch bite, sandwiches, wraps, sharers etc) we decided to share a meal for lunch, order the little one some chips and all have a nice drink.
The tables are dotted around the farm shop, but you honestly don’t feel like people are in your way. The atmosphere is amazing and I could have stayed there a while, enjoying myself.
I will just say that there was nothing on the menu for the little one. So for our family, we wouldn’t be able to have a full lunch there. However, Clitheroe is now somewhere my hubby and I would look at for an adults-only night away, simply because we would love to visit the Food Hall and the Brewery. Read on for more about the brewery.
Whilst we were sitting at our lunch table in the Bowland Farm Shop eating lunch, many families were going into the brewery right next door and we had to check it out.
We were met with an amazing bar, surrounded by tables and a lovely, relaxed atmosphere. We found a table where the little one felt comfortable and all enjoyed a drink!
The food menu in the brewery also looked more down to earth and there is a kids menu! We would definitely all return as a family for a few drinks and some food.
My hubby also said he spotted a bowling alley, which would explain why all the kids were so excited to visit.
The main menu can be found here. And of course, we all need to see the dessert menu.
The Talbot Arms, Settle
LOCATION – 📍High St, Settle BD24 9EX
Our extended family first visited The Talbot Arms for a meal when I was working away and they were over in Lancashire. The sole reason they checked it out was the low price of food, compared with seemingly everything else in the area. You may or may not know that Settle is a huge tourist town and therefore I don’t begrudge the higher price tag, it’s just that for my family and I, we need something more down to earth, with a friendly atmosphere, and cheaper. To save the pennies for our next adventure with the little one.
Anyway, the aim was always for me to visit The Talbot Arms along with family and we have been meaning to return. We decided to do this one evening when we needed petrol and the nearest petrol station was Settle.
Some of the tables were booked up, but we were lucky to sit on one 45 minutes before someone had it booked. It’s a small and friendly pub, so if you want to eat, I would advise booking your table in advance.
LOCATION – 📍 Jack Ln, Wigglesworth, Skipton BD23 4RJ
I will be honest here and say what I initially thought before we visited, that the setting isn’t all that suitable for children to have a sit-down meal. I will explain. When we visit somewhere it is of utmost importance that the setting is appropriate for children and that my little one feels comfortable, especially as she has some additional needs.
During our recent evening meal of 12 people, at 6 pm on a Saturday, we sat in the conservatory overlooking the beer garden. There were several children present. This was fine for most of the meal as we were alone in that area. However, due to the formality of the meal, we had to work extra hard to keep the kids entertained (tablets, phone games etc which isn’t ideal). We did have a great time for most of the meal and it was easier when it was still light outside and the children were able to run around outside.
Balanced feedback on our experience
This was for a birthday celebration and I don’t mind attending a formal meal like this on a one-off, and entertaining my child for a short time, to ensure we can all enjoy a meal! But what unfortunately completely turned me off the place was the fact that part way through the meal, diners were seated at the tables surrounding our long table which was in the middle of the room, the desserts were taking a while and there were comments from those diners to the effect of not being able to sit in the area, because of children.
Now I completely understand that when you want an adult night out, you do not want children running around you. We recently stayed at Village Hotels for a child-free getaway and I wouldn’t have wanted to be in a setting with loads of kids (by the way we were consistently telling the children to sit down, which was a task in itself – I would never let my little one run around annoying people).
A potential suggestion/solution
I think the solution here is for The Plough to decide on whether they are actually child-friendly or not. If they are, please sit tables with children (especially several children that you have witnessed playing outside and being told by adults for a meal of an hour plus already) away from those diners who want an adult night out. To avoid this hostility.
In all honestly, I would return during the day to the beer garden and for a spot of lunch, where children can run free outside. I probably wouldn’t put myself through another sit-down meal unless it was just me and my husband for a quiet meal. But the likelihood of that happening is slim.
Given the price tag for meals and drinks and the luxury feel of the place, I do feel like the above issue needs to be ironed out.
Moor cafe, Clitheroe
LOCATION – 📍 – 5 Moor Ln, Clitheroe BB7 1BE
This is a lovely little cafe on the high street in Clitheroe. We visited twice and I will say, the food is very down to earth and cheaper than most other places we found to eat.
The cafe can get very busy and the last time we visited we had to pop in a second time to get a table. There are lots of shops around the cafe, so you can easily pop back in 10 minutes to see if someone might have moved.
The kitchen is also very small and there can be long wait times to just order food if the cafe is full. Be prepared to have a few drinks and spend time entertaining kids whilst you wait to order. Which wasn’t a problem for us, just plan ahead!
I will say I like how the tables are set out near the window is relaxing and you feel far enough away from people. The addition of blankets over the chairs is also a great touch, especially when you have kids.
The Vicarage, Tosside
We first visited The Vicarage during the summer when my parents first purchased their caravan. There are some lovely outdoor tables and a garden for the little ones to run around.
Over winter we mainly visited for breakfast and the food is amazing for very reasonable prices. We have also received great recommendations for an evening meal and Sunday lunch, which we intend to do.
Ye Old Naked Man Cafe, Settle
LOCATION – 📍- 2 Market Pl, Settle BD24 9ED
This cafe is a hot spot for tourists and it does get very full. We took our little one here for breakfast, which was amazing but the cafe was a little busy for the little one. When my parents take her, they tend to ask for a table at the back.
I will say the prices are costly for us and a breakfast for a family of three is £40, which is a bit too much for us a family.
3 Peaks Cycles | Bike Shop & Cafe
LOCATION – 📍 – 24 Market Pl, Settle BD24 9EJ
We visited the cafe at the cycle shop during a quiet period, the food was amazing and the little one loved how the tables were set out and sat on the tall tables by herself. The cafe is usually jam-packed and we wouldn’t allow her to do this when it was.
Due to its popularity, I don’t think we will be able to return anytime soon. But if you get a chance at a quieter time of year (term time) maybe pop in for a drink. They also have some lovely cakes on offer.
We visited Watershed Mill when the Settle Flowerpot Festival was on and they had all the wonderful creations on display.
The shop is great if you need to pick up a few things. I will say the breakfast is lacking in quality, but I would visit again for a coffee and a cake.
Community Cafe, Settle
Miss Victoria’s refreshment cafe is a great outdoor space which has been adapted for all sorts of community events. It’s weather-dependent as to what times of year you could visit, but there are some undercover areas, toys for the children and lots of space for them to be free and run around, something we love as a family.
Summary
I hope you enjoyed reading about all the places we recently visited to eat and drink.
Have you visited any of these places and what are your thoughts?
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