Post Comment Love 27th - 29th September

It's time for Post Comment Love - our little linky hosted by myself and Stephanie. We welcome all bloggers to share their posts with others and read what interests them. The linky opens every Friday and is open throughout the weekend. Will you be joining us?



Blogger Showcase 


Again we have no blogger to showcase this week - why not answer our questions and you could be featured next week!

Post Comment Love
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Pocolo


Each week you'll be able to link up from either of our sites and between us Stephanie and I will comment on every post linked.

The rules; Link up your best post written in the last week and we'd like you to comment on at least two other linked posts, as well as the hosts. 

Help us spread the #PoCoLo word on Twitter and include the badge on your post.

Please do pop over and say hi to this week's Blogger Showcase. It's always nice to get a comment or two. 

If you'd like to be featured in our Blogger Showcase please do check out the questions and email your answers to us at postcommentlove@gmail.com.

Thank you for popping by.


Post Comment Love
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Click here to enter

Things That Will Help You To Gain Confidence And Improve Your Wellbeing

Many of us suffer from a lack of confidence. Problems with your mental state can lead to problems with your physical state, too. Self-esteem issues affect your health on many levels. So, these are the things that will help you to gain confidence and improve your wellbeing.







A good diet.

If you want to gain confidence and improve your wellbeing, you need to start with a good diet. The food you eat has a big effect on your physical and mental state. You need to forget about the fad diets that you see advertised. Slimming down quickly isn’t the goal. If you’re following a diet that you can’t maintain on a long-term basis, then it’s not a healthy diet. Instead, you should aim to achieve and maintain a healthy weight in the long run. The best way to do that is to simply eat well.

A good diet needs to be well-rounded. You shouldn’t be trying to simply reduce the amount of food you eat. Rather, you should be trying to replace the bad food in your diet with good food. People talk about counting calories, and it’s definitely important to consume the recommended amount for an adult (it’s worth researching that if you don’t know how many calories you should be consuming on a daily basis). However, you need to focus on more than calories. Eating 500 calories of chocolate would be unhealthier than eating 500 calories of broccoli, after all. But this isn’t just about getting into shape. Once you start eating better, you’ll improve your mental health, as well as your physical health. So, it’ll help to improve your wellbeing on many levels.



Daily physical activity.

‘Exercise’ is a word that many of us hate. Not everybody wants to become a bodybuilder or run marathons. However, exercise is still a daily necessity for all of us. It’s about more than getting in shape, much like maintaining a good diet. It’s about keeping your brain and body healthy and happy. Working out releases endorphins in the brain, and that can improve your mindset. So, if you want to gain confidence and improve your wellbeing, then daily physical activity might be the answer. Getting outside and going for a walk is also a good way to get some fresh air. It’ll keep you healthy on many levels.







Fashion.

Fashion is another thing that will help you to gain confidence and improve your wellbeing. It might be time to start thinking about the way you dress if you want to feel better about yourself. Even if you’re not interested in fashion, your clothes can make you feel more confident. Body types don’t matter; all that matters is feeling confident about yourself. It’s time to stop hiding away under the clothes you wear. Let them tell the world something about your personality. If you’re a bright and colourful person, then your clothes should be bright and colourful.

You might also want to start thinking about the fit of your clothing. Regardless of your body size, wearing well-fitted clothing always looks stylish. It makes your outfit look tailor-made to your appearance. We’re not saying you have to wear clothes that hug your body incredibly tightly; we’re just saying that you should wear clothes which accentuate your natural physique. Accessorising is another great way to give your outfits some style. You might want to check out The Little Keepsake Company for personalised jewellery. You could really make a statement with your accessories whilst still wearing something that has sentimental value. The key to gaining confidence and improving your wellbeing is allowing your personality to shine through your outfits.



Positive affirmations.

Positive affirmations are so helpful if you want to gain confidence and improve your wellbeing. It’s time to tell yourself that you’re a beautiful person. That can be difficult when you’ve become so used to listening to the negative voice in your head. But it’s essential to start telling yourself positive things if you want to improve your emotional health. Stand in front of the mirror once a day and tell yourself things that you like about your appearance. This will help you to gradually change your self-perception. It might seem strange when you first try it, but you just need to keep saying positive things about yourself every day. Over time, you’ll start to notice your thought pattern changing. The goal is to gradually improve your self-esteem.



A healthy sleeping pattern.

You need to start sleeping properly if you want to improve your physical and mental wellbeing. So few people seem to appreciate the importance of a good night’s rest in the modern world. We’re all busy, but you should never tell yourself that you’re too busy to get 8 hours of sleep. It’s time to prioritise your sleeping pattern. After all, sleep deprivation can worsen your mental health, so it might exacerbate feelings of stress and anxiety. If you’re not sleeping properly, then you’ll struggle to gain confidence and improve your wellbeing. It’s time to start getting into bed early every night. You need to get into a regular sleeping pattern. This will help to keep your body and mind healthy. Otherwise, you’ll put a lot of strain on your physical and psychological wellbeing.



Of course, regularity is important, but many people have regular sleeping patterns that are still unhealthy. Going to bed at midnight and waking up 6am every day might be your regular pattern, but that doesn’t mean you’re getting enough rest. For most people, 8 hours of sleep is necessary for proper physical and mental functioning. You might have a hot shower and a hot cup of coffee in the morning to perk you up, but a lack of rest doesn’t just deplete your energy levels; it slows your metabolism, weakens your immune system, and even affects your mental wellbeing. So, you should start getting enough sleep on a daily basis if you want to improve your wellbeing. When you start sleeping properly, you’ll reduce feelings of stress and anxiety. As a result, you’ll be able to improve your perception of yourself because you’ll be in a better emotional state.

*Collaborative post

Post Comment Love 20th - 22nd September

Hey peeps! It's time for Post Comment Love - a linky hosted by myself and Stephanie. All bloggers are welcome to link up with whatever post they choose, as long as it was written this week. We enjoy reading your posts every week and look forward to seeing who links up.

I've been having a bit of a change of heart recently. I've fallen out of love with blogging. So I'm taking a little break - time off to reassess, to think about why I blog and if I'm still doing what I want  to be doing. It's easy to get sucked into the numbers game and I'm afraid that has blinded me. So for now I'm taking a little break - I'll still be here for Post Comment Love but there won't be any other posts for a while.

Hope you all had a great week!



Blogger Showcase Nicola from Mum on a Budget


Who are you? (a short introduction)


My name is Nicola, I live in Edinburgh and I am a mum of two - Lewis who is 2 and Lauren who just turned 4. I used to work as an Accountant but have temporarily given that up to stay at home with the kids.



How did you discover blogs/blogging?


I have read blogs for as long as I can remember, and got more and more into them after having my first child - it was nice to read honest experiences from fellow mums, it made me feel less alone.



Why did you start blogging?


I suppose I had always thought that whilst I enjoyed reading other people's writing, *I* could never be a blogger. But one day the penny dropped - why not? I enjoy writing and I am very much into the technical side of things (I used to create websites when I was a teenager, including a Backstreet Boys fan page!), so it seemed a perfect thing to do in my spare time.



What do you find most challenging?


Finding the time to create regular content. Time management has never been my strong point, and sometimes working on my blog falls down to the bottom of my to do list. I really must work on that.



What is your favourite topic to write about?


I love sharing ways I have saved money as a mum, and love the idea that it has helped other mums save money too. I always have loved doing this, now that I think about it... I am that person who will, when told her top is nice, exclaim "thanks! £3 in the New Look sale!"



Are you blogging for fun or do you have goals?


I'm lucky that I am able to cover my hosting fees with a tiny bit of income, and it would be nice to earn a little more to maybe pay for a coffee or two out each week, but I have no lofty ambitions. It's just nice connecting with other mums. 



What is your favourite thing about blogging?


I love how I can spend and hour or two at night in front of the computer and at the end I have created a post... when you are a stay at home parent there aren't many things that you can do that have a defined start and end point. So it's nice to be able to say "see that - i did that!"



Have you ever attended a blogging conference and if so, what did you think?


Not yet, but it's already on my goals list for 2020.



What are your 3 best posts?


Tuff Tray - a Cheaper (and Better) Alternative [https://mumonabudget.co.uk/tuff-tray-alternative]

haven Craig tara Review -What Did We Think? [https://mumonabudget.co.uk/haven-craig-tara-review-what-did-we-think]

Why I'm Saying Yes to Second Hand September [https://mumonabudget.co.uk/why-im-saying-yes-to-secondhandseptember]



Describe yourself in three words!


Impulsive, passionate and determined



Are you a tea and biscuits or coffee and cake person?


That's tough - I think I prefer the taste of tea but I tend to drink more coffee to feed my raging caffeine addiction (thanks to my son who still hasn't slept through the night yet), so I'm going to go for coffee and cake.



What's your idea of a perfect night out?


Tasty food, a bottle of red wine and lots of chat. It doesn't need to be anywhere fancy, in fact I am happiest when things are casual and relaxed and I'm not worried about what the bill will be at the end of the night - I am Mum on a Budget, after all!



Your perfect night in?


Very boring but a M&S Dine in for Two meal and something good on Netflix (currently watching season 3 of Narcos and gripping doesn't even begin to describe it!)



What would your best friend/OH/mum or kids say is your best quality?


I tend to be quite self deprecating, so this is hard for me to write, but I hope they would say that I am kind. That's all I aspire to be, really.



Thanks so much for taking the time to answer our questions Nicola, I love my coffee too - I hope you manage to get your little one sleeping through the night soon! Feel free to grab the 'featured' badge below and display it ever-so-proudly on your blog.


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Pocolo


Each week you'll be able to link up from either of our sites and between us Stephanie and I will comment on every post linked.

The rules; Link up your best post written in the last week and we'd like you to comment on at least two other linked posts, as well as the hosts. 

Help us spread the #PoCoLo word on Twitter and include the badge on your post.

Please do pop over and say hi to this week's Blogger Showcase. It's always nice to get a comment or two. 

If you'd like to be featured in our Blogger Showcase please do check out the questions and email your answers to us at postcommentlove@gmail.com.

Thank you for popping by.


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Post Comment Love 13th - 15th September

It's Post Comment Love time peeps! Hosted by myself and Stephanie, we welcome bloggers to share posts with others and read what interests them. The linky opens every Friday and is open throughout the weekend. Will you be join us this week?

Just a quick one from me this week to say link up, read what you like the look of, and share what you can. Catch you next week!





Blogger Showcase 




We have no blogger to showcase this week - why not answer our questions and you could be featured next week!

Post Comment Love
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Pocolo


Each week you'll be able to link up from either of our sites and between us Stephanie and I will comment on every post linked.

The rules; Link up your best post written in the last week and we'd like you to comment on at least two other linked posts, as well as the hosts. 

Help us spread the #PoCoLo word on Twitter and include the badge on your post.

Please do pop over and say hi to this week's Blogger Showcase. It's always nice to get a comment or two. 

If you'd like to be featured in our Blogger Showcase please do check out the questions and email your answers to us at postcommentlove@gmail.com.

Thank you for popping by.


Post Comment Love
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How to keep promises to yourself

Today is the day. You've been telling yourself all week you'll get the chores done and have time for you and today is the day that's happening. The chores are almost done, the kettle is calling, and you can't wait to sit down and drink a hot coffee - in peace. Then the phone rings, a friend needs help, or the kids are sick, and suddenly that hot coffee disappears in a puff of smoke and your "me time" is pushed back, and back, and back. Keeping promises to yourself is tough isn't it? There's always so much demand for your time that you can find it difficult to prioritise you. And breaking promises to yourself doesn't really matter does it - I mean who is it hurting right? YOU! That's who it's hurting. And that's why I'm here - to show you how to keep promises to yourself so you'll stop hurting!



Promises


We make promises all the time don't we? You promise your kids you'll play with them. You promise your Hubby you'll get him his favourite chocolate when you go to the supermarket. And you always keep those promises. When you tell someone else you'll do something you do it. So why do we think it's okay to break the promises we make with ourselves?


How To Keep Promises To Yourself | Chocolate for the Hubby, done. Play with the kids, done. And yet you always break promises to yourself?





Examples of promises to yourself


A promise to yourself can be anything from getting to drink a hot coffee to having a full spa day away from the kids. Here's just a few...



I will drink at least one coffee before it goes cold every day.
I will spend £10 on a treat for myself.
I will ignore the cleaning so I can watch my favourite TV show today.
I will book that spa day I've been wanting for months.


How To Keep Promises To Yourself | Book that spa day today!
Book that spa day today!



I will keep that chocolate bar for myself.
I will stick to a cleaning schedule so I have more time for me.
I will organise my home so things are easier to sort and I get more time for me.
I won't let the school holidays ruin my routine.
I won't sleep in when I get the chance.
I will sleep in when I get the chance.
I will set up that business I've wanted to try for years.
I will get myself out there because I need it.
I will work hard to make my business work for me.



I could go on forever listing promises to yourself. It's easy because anything you think you should do for you, or that you even think of as a possibility is a promise to yourself. 



Why you think it's okay to break promises to yourself


First of all who is it hurting right? I love this quote from Craig Jarrow, the Time Management Ninja:





It's too easy to break promises with yourself. After all, no one knows except you.

Craig Jarrow





He is so right! When we promise ourselves something the main reason we break it is because we think it doesn't matter. No one else knows we made the promise, we're the only ones that will suffer and we can make up for it later. Except we never do do we?

In Chris Jarrow's blog post 5 ways to keep promises with yourself he says we should take self-promises as seriously as the obligations we take on for others. His post is great, and you should really check it out.



How to keep promises to yourself


So, we've talked about the types of promises you make to yourself, and why you think it's okay to break them. Now it's time to talk about how you can keep those promises to yourself and start to move forward.


  • Imagine it's for someone else. Keeping promises to other people is always easier - so why not just think of your promise in that way. Pretend it is for someone else and you are more likely to keep it!

  • Write your promises down. By writing it down you are not only making it visible but you're also increasing the chances you'll follow through. 


How To Keep Promises To Yourself | Write them down so you can see them everyday.



  • Treat yourself like you would a friend. You would never ditch a friend in her time of need. You would never ignore her plea for help. Think of yourself as your best friend and you'll suddenly realise you're being a bad friend. It's time to build bridges and fix your relationship with YOU.

  • Hold yourself accountable. It may "only" be with yourself but the promises you make are important. Making yourself accountable could change things.

  • Change your beliefs about promises made to yourself. I know you think they're silly sometimes - I mean promising you'll get a hot coffee, is that really a promise you need to keep? But yes, it is. It's not the promise itself but how you think of yourself. You're telling yourself you're unimportant if you can't keep promises - just the same as if it was a friend. Your friend wouldn't stick around for long if you didn't keep promises would they? Promises made to yourself are just as, if not more, important than promises made to others.



The benefits of keeping promises to yourself


Throughout this post I've been talking about how these promises don't really matter. How they're just with ourselves and it's not really hurting anyone, and I've been trying to get across that this isn't actually true. Did you know that by keeping promises to yourself you can actually boost your confidence? I know it doesn't sound plausible but it's true. Here's a few more benefits of keeping promises to yourself.

  • Boosts productivity
  • Boosts happiness
  • Reminds you you are valuable and worthy





The first and best victory is to conquer self.

Plato





Taking care of yourself is so important but you often feel like you don't deserve it. By keeping promises to yourself you're reassuring yourself that you are worthy of the time. You work hard for everyone else so you should be able to have some down time.


How To Keep Promises To Yourself | Enjoy that hot coffee and maybe even read a chapter.
Sit, have that fancy coffee and read a chapter.



Once you keep promises to yourself you'll start to see the positive results and will get more done as well as feeling more happy. Isn't that worth it?


How To Keep Promises To Yourself | I cover why we break promises, and how you can keep those promises to yourself, so you can boost your self confidence!




Do you keep the promises you made to yourself?




Post Comment Love 6th - 8th September

Hey peeps! It's Friday (again) and we all know what that means, right? Time for Post Comment Love - a linky hosted by myself and Stephanie. Welcoming parenting bloggers like myself, lifestyle bloggers, writers and crafters, and bloggers from around the world we love hosting this little linky for you and can't wait to see what you've got in store for us this week.

It was back to school for the boys this week, with BP entering year 11 and preparing for his GCSEs at the end of the school year, and LP entering year 6 and getting ready to go up to High School next year. This year has been full of changes for us, with Hubby starting working in an office and the boys growing up so fast I don't know where the time is going. And while it's been all-change for the boys and the Hubby I've pretty much stayed the same. I'm still mum and I still stay home all day every day.

Sometimes I get down about the thought of that. That I'm the one who is home every day, I'm the one who never changes, I'm the one who seemingly does nothing.

Except I don't do nothing, I take care of my family, I'm their rock. At a time when everything has been crazy and our daily routines have done a 180 I have stayed the same. I think it grounds everyone, it assures them that despite all the changes things are still okay because I'm still here making sure it all runs smoothly. And while I'm not highly educated, I don't have a job that earns me money, and I have the appearance that I do nothing all day, at a time when things could have gone horribly wrong I have kept it all together. Our new routines have begun and everyone is still smiling.

So, I may not have a job but I'm going to congratulate myself on getting us all through. Because while having a job would give me a title and I'd earn money, nothing can compare to watching all my boys (Hubby included) heading out of the door in a morning with a smile on their face. Each of them knowing I'll still be here when they get home.

How have you coped with back-to-school routines?




Blogger Showcase Lisa from Handmade in Israel




Who are you?


Hi, I'm Lisa. I grew up in Hull, England and came to live in Israel in 1995. I met my British-born husband here and we have two teenage sons.

For as long as I can remember I have been busy with my hands, crafting and making things. As a youngster I knew that I wanted to be an artist for a career. There was never a question in my mind of anything else. I have a degree in graphic design and before the boys came along I worked as a graphic designer and art director, and often made cards to send to family and friends. When my last ‘office job’ came to an end in 1998 my husband looked at some of my cards and suggested that other people might buy them. I approached a local store who immediately took them on, and from then onwards my days have been spent cutting, sticking and making my papercut cards, guest books and pictures!



How did you discover blogging?


I started blogging back in 2008. A friend helped me set up my blog and I have blogged regularly ever since then. I can honestly say that I never tire of it! I became aware after a few months that constantly posting about my creations, even though there is nearly always an interesting story behind them, was perhaps a little boring for my readers. I found that people were interested to hear about Israel and my life over here and so, since I love exploring this little country, it was an easy transition to start blogging about Israel and the amazing places I visit as well.



Why did you start blogging?


I began blogging to gain visibility and exposure. I create pieces that can easily be mailed all around the world, so wanted to increase my customer base accordingly. I am happy to say that I now have regular readers – and customers – all around the world.



What do you find most challenging?


I really enjoy blogging and I never have a shortage of material. In fact, people often ask me why their card, guest book or picture has not yet been featured on my blog! However, I find that two posts a week is enough for me. If I post more often than that, I get fewer comments and interactions on an individual post.



What is your favourite topic to write about?


I love writing about new places I have discovered here in Israel. I often find that, much as I learn a lot when I go to a new place, I learn even more for myself when I come home and start reading up about it!



Are you blogging for fun or do you have goals?


Each time I post a new customised card, a guest book or a papercut picture, I obviously hope that it will bring me a new customer or two! However, I also hope that my posts about Israel will inspire people to explore our little country and to search out all the nooks and crannies that I love!



What is your favourite thing about blogging?


I love the fact that I can share my latest creation or a new place that I have discovered with such a wide audience. I also love the interactions I have with new people and the online friendships that I have made.



Have you ever attended a blogging conference and if so, what did you think?


I went to the Jerusalem Travel Bloggers Summit back in June. The speakers were super interesting but I honestly felt a little out of place. The locals all knew each other and the visitors were all very young and Instagrammable.



What are your three best posts?


I have written so many posts over the years, it is hard to choose, but I think some of my most popular ones have been about places I have visited. I have chosen a travel post, a creative post and a more personal post here:





Describe yourself in 3 words.


Organised, positive and determined.



Are you a tea and biscuits or coffee and cake person?


Definitely coffee and cake. I am British-born but really do not like the taste or smell of tea at all. I do like a nice cup of coffee to start the day off well.



What's your idea of the perfect night out?


Not sure about night out, but my perfect day out is a nice stroll in the countryside, perhaps with something historical thrown in for good measure, finished with a yummy picnic in a spot with a beautiful view.



And the perfect night in?


An evening with the television to myself, without any interruption. I don’t watch much television at all – my boys tend to hog our one television to watch football matches – but I am rather partial to the BBC's "Call the Midwife" and "Strictly Come Dancing".



What would your best friend/OH/Mum or kids say is your best quality?


My friends call me very often to give them ideas for activities and day out. They say I have missed my calling and should have been a tour guide.





Thank you so much for taking the time to answer our questions Lisa, I love that you enjoy sharing your new discoveries in Israel - I love reading about them and seeing your photos, they're beautiful! Please feel free to grab the 'featured' badge below and display it ever-so-proudly on your blog. 

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Pocolo


Each week you'll be able to link up from either of our sites and between us Stephanie and I will comment on every post linked.

The rules; Link up your best post written in the last week and we'd like you to comment on at least two other linked posts, as well as the hosts. 

Help us spread the #PoCoLo word on Twitter and include the badge on your post.

Please do pop over and say hi to this week's Blogger Showcase. It's always nice to get a comment or two. 

If you'd like to be featured in our Blogger Showcase please do check out the questions and email your answers to us at postcommentlove@gmail.com.

Thank you for popping by.


Post Comment Love
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How to spend your alone time

On those rare occasions when you actually do get alone time, how do you spend it? What do you do you? When you're a stay-at-home mum and you suddenly find yourself with some alone time you tend to get on with the cleaning or get the dinner on. But what if you could spend that time on you? What if you knew just how to spend that time to reignite the flame in your belly?



What is alone time?!


Okay so I know that being a stay-at-home mum means you rarely get any alone time, so knowing how to spend your alone time is not high on your priority list but stick with me because eventually you'll get some of that time you crave so much.

Back when LP was about to start school full-time I was in full-on panic mode. BP had already been at school for a while, so it wasn't the transition for LP that worried me. It was my transition. My transition from being a mum to a toddler to a mum of school-aged children. I had no idea how I would spend my days, and it really scared me.

How To Spend Your Alone Time | I didn't want to spend all my alone time mopping the kitchen floor.
I didn't want to become the mum that mopped the kitchen floor every day.


There's only so much cleaning you can do in one day before you drive yourself mad right? And thoughts of spending hours watching daytime TV made me shudder. I suddenly found myself trying to think of ways I would spend all that time. Admittedly it started out slowly with LP being at school just a few hours, but I knew eventually he'd be there all day. So what to do?

That's when I turned to writing - I happened to be reading a book at the time by an author who was also a mum. I found her blog, and it convinced me to start writing. My writing journey has been a long one, and while I left the novel behind I have loved writing this blog and these days it is really important to me.





The best part about being alone is that you really don't have to answer to anybody. You do what you want.

Justin Timberlake





I get to talk to you about how you can spend your time as a stay-at-home mum. All those years I felt so lonely and isolated have actually helped me speak to you right now, because I know what it's like mama.

So whether it's that your little ones are about to start school, they're already at school and you're searching for a new hobby, or you just need some time for yourself here's a list of ways to spend your alone time...



How to spend your alone time


  • Drawing - I love drawing, as you can see on my Morgan's Magic Markers page. It is my quiet time. It is my outlet. If you like putting pencil to paper why not try to expand your abilities a little? Watch YouTube videos, learn the basics, whatever it is that makes you smile.


  • Get organised - You could make yourself a chores list (or grab mine), arrange your kitchen to make things easier to grab when you're cooking, or it could be your paperwork that needs a little organisation. Getting organised can make you feel a lot better, particularly if you're clearing out clutter.

How To Spend Your Alone Time | Get organised and you'll have more time than you think!


  • Home improvement - Do you have some upgrades you've been meaning to do? Painting the lounge or kitchen? Or maybe you've always wondered about up-cycling your furniture? Spend your alone time improving your home and you'll feel good for doing it. Your home will look amazing, and it'll be thanks to you (not that it doesn't already!).


  • Dance around - Put on your favourite tunes, blast it out of the speakers, and dance around like a child. Wave your arms around, jump up and down, and generally have fun. It's amazing how good dancing can make you feel, so why not? It's not like anyone is watching.


  • Take a bath - with extras. Pour yourself a glass of wine, run a hot bath (don't forget the bubbles!), and relax. Enjoy the peace while the kids are at school.


  • Go for a meal - alone. Get yourself out of the house, go to a restaurant you've always wanted to go to. Enjoy sitting at a table eating a meal uninterrupted. Savour the good food.


  • Random act of kindness - Nothing makes you feel good like helping someone out. So why not do a random act of kindness? It's a great way to spend your alone time because you're helping some out, but it's also good for you too. When was the last time you helped someone else out of the kindness of your heart?


  • Try a workout class - There are gyms all over the country that run classes. Look through what's available and find one you might enjoy. I attend a yoga class on a Saturday morning and LOVE it, it's just for me and I wouldn't be without it now. You might also find some new friends too.

How To Spend Your Alone Time | Yoga class is a great way to spend alone time.
I'm not quite here yet, but maybe one day!


  • Experiment in the kitchen - There could be a meal you've been meaning to try out, or it might be a cake you've always wanted to bake. Now is the perfect time to try it out. You've got some alone time and spending it doing something that isn't just for yourself is a nice transition. You may even stumble on a meal your kids will love!


  • Treat yourself - Go shopping. Go to a coffee shop. Buy yourself a slice of cake. Whatever it is make it a treat just for you. And smile.






It is far better to be alone, than to be in bad company.

George Washington





  • Go for a drive - I'm not just talking to the supermarket here either. Get in the car and go for a long drive, just because you can. You'll be amazed at the difference driving the car in silence can make to your mood. Sometimes I love going for a drive without the kids in the car - it's just so quiet and even though I don't have a destination in mind it's lovely.


  • List life goals - Sit down and spend a little time thinking about yourself. Use that alone time productively to learn what you want from life. What would you do if money was no issue? What makes you smile at just the thought of it? Think about how you would like life to be.


  • Go for a walk - Getting outdoors, walking amongst nature, really helps with bad moods or a blocked mind. We have canals near us and often go for walks, it's so nice to walk along where there are no cars and listen to the wildlife. It lets your mind wander and means that your thoughts end up being more clear. Whenever I have a block, when I feel like I can't write, I go for a walk.


  • Meditate - Sit down and relax. Don't think about anything. Just calmness. It's wonderful.

How To Spend Your Alone Time | Be still, and calm...


  • Spa day - Book yourself a spa day. I love Eden Hall for my spa days (it's the nearest to me that I know of) and I spend the entire day doing things for myself. From going for a swim to drinking coffee and eating cake, oh and there's massages too. Bliss.


  • Go to the cinema - See a movie you've been wanting to see. Buy yourself some popcorn, get a treat, and then sit and enjoy a movie - without interruptions for toilet breaks!


  • Read a book - There are so many great books out there, why not spend some time reading? I'm currently reading News from The Clouds, the third in a series by Robert Lewellyn. But if you're looking for recommendations one of my favourites recently has to be Me Before You by Jojo Moyes.



There are so many ways you could spend your alone time, you just need to spend a little time thinking about it. Before you know it you'll love your time alone and look forward to it every day.



How would you spend your alone time?




You can grab my checklist of ways to spend your alone time which features a few things not listed here, so you can keep track of the things you've tried out so far.