Detoxing

 

I'm currently blogging from Florida and I'm absolutely loving the experience. Disneyworld is such a magical place and I couldn't have asked for a better summer holiday! But be expecting a full post about my holiday sometime in the near future. 

First, I feel as though I have to explain why I've been absent from here as well as my other forms of social media recently. 

I've been taking a bit of a social media and technology detox. I don't mean completely avoiding technology, I've got too many projects, jobs and hobbies that rely on the use of communication across continents (even when I'm at home). I just mean that I've been making decisions about how much time I spend 'just scrolling through Facebook' and 'Snapchatting'. I've made a conscious effort to appreciate the small things, like that book I was saving for the aeroplane or that game of cards I could play with my grandad (admittedly was interesting considering he's VI). I've been spending time appreciating the environment I'm in and making the most of it because the moments in living in right now won't come again.

And all of that sounds so cliche to say but, at a time when I'm not feeling particularly relaxed or calm, it has allowed me to feel at peace. And I can assure you it won't last forever, because my peace never does.

So maybe I've selfishly written this post for the next time I need to find peace, to tell me how I've done it before. Or maybe I've written it for you. To tell you that taking an hour away from social media and the pressures of society, finding enjoyment in your own company and the company of those directly around you, may be exactly the break you need. 

Keep smiling, 
Kathryn xx

My Hogwarts Story

I cannot possibly think of a more appropriate time for me to get the opportunity to talk about my love for Harry Potter and the way that Rowling's work shaped my childhood. I'm currently lay on the sunlounger on the patio of the villa we're staying in, waiting for dinner and planning tomorrow's adventure to Universal Studios in Florida!

I have been tagged by the lovely Megan to answer some questions all about My Hogwarts Story. If you haven't already checked out Megan's blog I'd definitely recommend that you went over and gave it a read - she's definitely one of my favourite bloggers!
And now here goes....

1. Are you Pure Blood, Half Blood or Muggle Born?

 To be honest, this seems like an odd place to start because I hadn't actually thought about it before, but I imagine I'd be muggle born.

2. Which wand chose you and what is it made of?

According to Pottermore, this is the wand that would choose me. And I think it fits quite well, unicorns are quite rare and I am a bit of an oddball

3. Did you take an Owl, Cat or Toad with you?

I think it'd definitely be an owl for me. I like that they're so clever and versatile but don't need to be constantly mothered

4. Where would the sorting hat place you?

According to Pottermore I'm a Gryffindor which I think is probably accurate because I have always been a very determined one but there may be a little bit of Ravenclaw in me

5. What house did you want to be in?

I didn't honestly have a preference, I'd rather be myself and sorted to suit me than feel as though my characteristics needed to fit a certain role

6. What lessons are your favourite and least favourite? 

I have always been interested in learning so would enjoy the wide spectrum of classes that are available to me. I'd really enjoy Care of Magical Creatures and Defence Against the Dark Arts too. Herbology would be my least favourite because I always hated plants in Biology

7. The form your patronus takes is?

I imagine my patronus would be a fox, it just sounds right for me

8. When confronted with a Boggart, what does it look like to you?

A lot of people won't realise this but I'm scareed of lots of things so my Boggart would be spoilt for choice really. I'm pretty sure it would be a combination of failure and rejection though

9. Do you partake in any school sports, or magical hobbies?

I'd definitely try everything (probably with the help of a time-turner) then work out what I enjoy. I really enjoy the idea of trying for the Quidditch team

10. If you have any free time, where would you be hanging out?

I tend not to have free time. I'd have already signed up to every extra-curricular activity on offer and be planning my every second around that but would love to spend the odd weekend exploring Hogsmeade

11. You are most likely to get detention for what?

I haven't ever really had detention but I imagine if I did it would either be some misunderstanding or trying to help out a friend

12. What career do you want after leaving Hogwarts?

I think after studying I'd spend a couple of years travelling, learning about wizardry around the world and then return to Hogwarts to teach

I tag anyone who fancies adding a little bit more magic to their lives.

Keep smiling,
Kathryn x

I'm going to Disney!!!

Well I've just realised how hopeless I've been with regular updates recently so I'm working on something to sort that out. And right now I'm super busy and sort of uninspired to produce something new so thought I'd go through my draft posts to see if I had anything that I felt I was in the right mindset to elaborate on. But I didn't. What I did find was a blog post I drafted in January that literally sums up how I am exactly where I am right now and I thought that was pretty ironic. I'm not ready to share this with you or explain what I'm up to for the time being, there's so many uncertainties, ifs and buts; by the end of August I'll probably be able to explain the mess that's going on in my life but until then, thank you all for your patience. And here's a little more of an exciting blog post for you...

So if you know me in real life, you probably know that I'm a little bit of a Disney-obsessed nutter. And that's no exaggeration. It often comes as a little bit of a shock to people that I haven't actually been to any of the Disney Parks so this summer that will be changing. I'm so very excited to be going to Disney World Florida for my first trip to America but I'm clueless - I haven't a clue what any of the best bits are and would love to know which parts you all recommend. So comment away!!

Keep smiling,
Kathryn x

Just because

Sat on my bed in what can only be described as a not-brilliant mood (kind of upset, kind of annoyed), I've spent a lot of time deliberating over whether or not I should actually write this post because I'm not the sort of person who enjoys going off on a rant. I promise I'm going to keep it as far away from that as I possibly can but I do have some annoyances to express.

We seem to live in a world where we need to justify every decision we make to just about anyone who wants to hear it and I just don't think that's right.

People are nosey, I get it. But when 'I'm sorry but this makes me feel uncomfortable' needs to be replaced with 'I'm sorry but this makes me feel uncomfortable because a long time ago I had this experience where.....' surely it becomes a violation of privacy. And if one day you're not feeling 100% yourself, you have to come up with a full justification because you're just tired/had an argument with someone close/can't be fully cheery every second of every day, then maybe you're just not spending your time with the right people.

But do you know what's even worse? When you have to justify how you react to certain situations. When someone treats you badly and you have to explain exactly which parts of your mistreatment made you feel a little bit rubbish. I'm really sorry, but maybe re-living those moments is just like pushing the knife further in.

And even worse than that, when you give a perfectly good justification but the person quizzing you simply can't take your answer as they've got preconceived ideas that your answers simply don't live up to. Especially when these brilliant preconceived ideas are in support of the person doing you wrong. Yes, I simply love making lies up, it's my favourite hobby. Just for future reference, that's sarcasm. I cannot lie for toffee; the only lie I tell semi-convincingly (well, that's debatable) is 'I'm fine' on occasions when I may not be.

And don't get me wrong, I really appreciate people asking slightly intrusive questions if they have genuine concerns AND want to help but if it's just plain nosiness and gossiping, then they really need to start appreciating your privacy.

From a young age, children are taught to accept 'just because' as an answer to life's tougher questions, so at which point was it that this stopped?

Sorry for the slightly ranty post, I can assure you that I'll back to my normal bubbly self by the time I next post but as I'm sure you've gathered, I'm just not feeling quite 100% right now. No justification needed.

Keep smiling,
Kathryn x

My Etsy Store

My chronic inability to sit still for more than five minutes has led to me exploring several creative outlets over the past few weeks and one of those has been sewing. 

I find something quite therapeutic about generating an idea and bringing it to life using my own hands. So I've been creating lots of things and one of these is fabric bunting. 

I've been enjoying it so much that I decided to set up an Etsy store to share this with others. You can completely customise it by picking length, colour schemes and patterns so check out my store here: https://www.etsy.com/shop/KatsCraftss

Keep smiling, 
Kathryn x

Being busy

I have this thing. I can't not be busy. It doesn't work for me. If I have a commitment cancelled, I spend five minutes 'chilling' as people tell me I need to, then feel the need to do something productive. And it's not even like I'm bored or anything, I just need to be making the best use of the time I have. 

For the most part, I've learnt to embrace that about me. I'll be the first to admit that it certainly has its advantages; I've always been very motivated, enthusiastic and I've been told that my time-management is fairly impressive. But I was talking to a friend early last week (most of my blog posts originate from sparks in conversations with close friends) and she said 'Kat, when do you just rest and do nothing?' And my response was something along the lines of 'nothing sounds dull and unproductive'. 

Now I know I have smart friends, and what she went on to say holds plenty of value. It really is important to take some chill time by yourself. Just half an hour of watching useless television or and giving your body time to recover itself can actually help you to be more productive in the long run. And sometimes, if that half an hour extends into an afternoon or whole day, then odds are, your body definitely needed it. 

 So that's something I'm trying to learn. And it's ridiculously hard, especially for something that sounds so easy, but it's important. Keep looking after yourselves! And if you want to teach me to chill, then go ahead! 

Keep smiling, 
Kathryn x

Bucket list

I've wanted to do a post about my bucket list for a long time and it has been a work in progress for probably just as long. There are so many things I want to do with my life so here goes...

1. Visit all 7 continents

2. Save a life

3. Go to university

4. Pass my driving test

5. Donate blood

6. Get a job 

7. Visit Disneyland
8. Win an event at a regatta
9. Learn to row
10. Visit a friend abroad
11. Go skydiving
12. Write a book
13. See the great barrier reef
14. Sleep under the stars
15. See firefly squids
16. Ride a horse
17. Go to America
18. Go to a festival
19. Learn to play the piano better
20. Take a gap year to go travelling

And I'm 100% certain that this list will continue to grow much faster than the rate at which I complete things. Let me know in the comments if you have any of the same ones/what's on your bucket list.

Keep smiling,
Kathryn x