Where have you been?

So it seems that I haven't been around all that much, if at all, for the past couple of months. I'm sure you'll all appreciate that I am just coming the the end of year 13 so have had a lot on my plate juggling exams and the baggage that they bring along, my swimming training, keeping up a job to fund university accommodation fees for next year, and trying my hardest to remain somewhat close to sane. And out of all of those things I think that latter has been and still is the hardest (but that'll be a post for another day I think). I haven't yet finished my exams; I have one more on Wednesday morning but I'm taking a quick break from revision to write this because I've had an exam this morning and any more thinking might just turn my brain to mush. 

Whilst I've been away, I have still been working on ideas for blog posts, as well as various other creativities. I guess it is a shame but I haven't really been in the mindset to let these ideas take shape. A few of you may know that I'm a fan of metaphors so lets call these ideas seeds. Seeds that grow into the trees or plants for your favourite fruit. Now these seeds have been planted and every time a little shoot develops a naughty little fox comes along and eats the top all because I have been so focused on other things that I haven't been protecting the shoots. But these seeds are strong, determined little things and they keep pushing. And, perhaps more importantly, very soon I'm going to have time to protect these little shoots. 

So I hope you appreciate that I haven't just abandoned my blog, I've just had way too much on and for a while had to work out which things in my life were the most important, and which I could put on hold for a while. But be assured, I'm back now. And back with regular(ish) posts as well as hopefully a few new surprises coming up over the coming months.

Keep smiling,
Kathryn x

Things that make me happy!

I thought it would be quite a nice idea to make a short list of things that I enjoy; things that make me happy when I'm feeling a bit down. And when you're having a bad day (admit it, everyone has them) you can have a look to see if there's something you fancy doing!

Coffee shops - maybe it's the smell that draws me in, or just my love of coffee

Reading - something that I never seem to make enough time for

Salted caramel - not much need to elaborate on this one really

Painting my nails - the more detailed the pattern the better

Cups of tea - usually best when sat with someone else

Running - who says you can't run away from your problems? I wouldn't advice the metaphorical version of running though. It usually comes back to bite you on the bottom

Colouring - a brand new love of mine; find a 24 pack of crayons and a very detailed 'adult' colouring book and you'll be relaxed in no time at all

Cheesecake - now I really despise cake, but cheesecake can pretty much solve anything. Well not everything, but you can't fight your battles hungry can you? 

Puzzles - I just like to keep my brain busy all of the time and felt like I couldn't write maths on this list

Swimming - similar idea to running really, and you always perform better when you're 100% annoyed at the world 

Sketch books - drawing is another hobby of mine. It's sometimes nice if you can put your thoughts and feelings into something abstract. Something that only you know the meaning of

Working with children - they never fail to make me smile

What's on your list? 

Keep smiling,

Kathryn x