Life really has been lifeing and its been keeping me from being a good content creator!!! The months just seem to whizz by before I can get a chance to really settle into them and figure out whats going on! Honestly its criminal there isnt a pause button for life because sometimes a timeout is super necessary, but regardless we move, I mean we have no choice - lol.
Seeing as its almost August - 😲 - I thought I'd share a little photo dump of July via my Instagram Stories - you can follow me here - reflect on this past month and let you know what I've been up to.
I always find the start of a new month symbolic for new begininings and July really had me thinking about how I could be more intentional with my time. Although I work part time I still feel like I never have enough time for myself and all the things I say I'm going to start implementing in my life. Often I'm looking forward to the weekends - to not having to wake up at the crack of dawn and silently groan "why am I doing this again?", to wake up on time only to stay in bed for 30mins more and inevitably arrive late to work, to not travelling the Jubilee line (because that line is pure misery) - and then the weekend arrives - yay! its here for 48hrs, I blink, miss it and its back to the grind 😒
I decided to embark on having a go at making a change, committing some time to better habits.
My main "goals" were:
- - 30 mins workout
- - Journal/Prayer
- - Nutritional meals
- - More selfcare
Day 1 started of really good. I woke up before my alarm pumped with energy and a fresh perspective. Using a very neglectful planner from a very forgotton desk drawer I scheduled what I wanted to acheive that day, alongside a cup of camomile tea. Feeling like "That Girl" I laid my yoga mat out and searched for a non-intense workout video to follow on YouTube. Aside from having to sit out a few times and watch the instructors continue the sets - because your girl is seriously unfit! - I felt invigorated and really proud of myself for making time to exercise. Topped off an excellent morning by submerging my body into a much needed hot eucalyptus bath, filled with Epsom salts and did all the skincare things - ah lovely.
Day 2 was all about this fruit bowl. I don't do breakfast. I am a get ready for the day, go to work and maybe have some thing to eat during my morning break around 11, if not I'll eat at lunchtime 1-2pm. The thought of forcing toast down my throat when I'm barely awake has never appealed to me. So I skip breakfast. But I realised it was my choice of breakfast food which was stopping me from enjoying my first meal of the day. Ugh I can literally taste all the flavours in this bowl, it was delightful. - The discourse on why fruit cost so much and doesnt last long is to be had another day...
As the challenge went on I found new ways to hit my goals, trying different workouts, going for morning walks and listening to podcasts instead of watching Netflix on my morning commute. Sometimes the subtlest changes can make a positive impact over time and I cant tell you how uplifting its been for my mental health.
On one of my morning walks I came across this stunning piece on the side of the Southbank Centre ↑ - absolutely mesmerising.
Nothing makes me feel more like me than when I have braids. I always feel more feminine and confident after I get them done because everything from makeup to my outfit just slaps differently. I am a new woman. I would wear them more often but it takes me days to install because I do them myself and sometimes it can weaken the perimeter of my hair line so I have to be careful but Summer 🤝 Braids = happiest Lavinya. 😊When it comes work lets just say it is what it is, I'm not where I want to be but we thank God for provision.