Showing posts with label happiness. Show all posts
Showing posts with label happiness. Show all posts
Friday, 25 August 2017

Life: Don't Forget To Treat Yourself

Life: Don't Forget To Treat Yourself
Friday, 25 August 2017
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Life: Don't Forget To Treat Yourself | Hollie in Wanderlust | Lifestyle | Savings

As you’ll all probably know by now (because I complain about the impending return to school EVERY FIVE MINUTES), I’ve landed myself a fab new job and I’m all but ready to get stuck into the stressful year ahead of me. I’ve never really had a problem with treating myself when I thought I deserved it, but knowing full well just how stressed I’m going to be this year gives me all the more reason to save up for some lovely things. As a teacher, I know I’ll be much less inclined to spend my money on clothes this year because a) smart clothing is mandatory and b) I plan on living in my pyjamas at the weekend, so my savings will be much healthier this year than they were last.

REFURBISHING MY FLAT
I’ve been buying new pieces of furniture, new artwork and accessories over the course of the last few months and I’m happy with how the flat’s coming along now. There are still quite a few things to do and adjustments to make, but every new little purchase makes the entire flat even more lovely to come home to. Having a stressful day at work means that I want to come back home to comfort and a pretty, cosy home so these changes really are necessary and in all honesty, integral to my happiness. New crockery and a fluffy rug are the next items on the agenda: hopefully by Christmas the entire place will be completely unrecognisable.

BEAUTY TREATS
Teaching is stressful, there’s absolutely no doubt about that. I’ve made the incredibly WISE choice of booking myself in for some lovely treats in October. I have a hair appointment already pencilled in and I’m going to get my nails jazzed up and enjoy a relaxing spa day. Self care is incredibly important and it’ll be something to look forward to after a long 7 weeks of term.

THE HANDBAG I’VE ALWAYS WANTED
When I did a teaching placement out in Italy during my Undergraduate degree, I fully intended on spending my last (incredibly generous) payslip on a Louis Vuitton handbag. At the time I was 20 and definitely had more important things to spend my money on, so the woman I worked with convinced me against it and I put the dosh towards my year abroad fund. This was a good idea and I don’t regret it at all, but nearly 4 years later and I still want the handbag. I’ve decided that I’ll be putting around £100 a month, when my finances allow, aside for the bag and treating myself to it at the end of the year, as a ‘well done on completing your NQT year’ gift from me to me. Obviously, unexpected bills and life happen so there’s a good chance I’ll end up putting this on hold and buying next year but if I can afford to do it come August 2018, I think I will be doing. I work incredibly hard and I shouldn’t have to feel guilty about treating myself to something that I’ve wanted for a long time, if I have the money to do it.

THAT TRIP OF A LIFETIME
I like to use all the summer holidays I get to travel as much as I possibly can and next summer will be no different. Booking package holidays in August is asking for an overpriced rip off, so luckily my own talent in finding excellent deals comes in handy. I’ve been pricing up a long haul trip somewhere a little more exotic and have a few places in mind, but I’ll be making my final decision in December and booking during the Christmas holidays for the following August. Of course, a little mini-break somewhere wouldn’t go amiss either so I’ll be looking at booking a lovely little European adventure as well for sometime next year.


What are you planning on treating yourself to over the coming year? Let me know!



Sunday, 19 April 2015

List: Five things I'm currently VERY happy about

List: Five things I'm currently VERY happy about
Sunday, 19 April 2015
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I'm having a pretty positive week over here in France and so I thought I'd share the top 5 things that I have to be happy about ! What is making you chuffed to bits at the mo? xoxo

1. THE WEATHER 
Strasbourg has never been more beautiful than it is right now. The weather is boiling- between 25 and 30 degrees most days now, and it’s only April- so I’m really enjoying getting my summer clothes on and whacking my pegs out! I’m almost sad to be almost finished with my work placement - almost.

2. I FINISH WORK IN A WEEK 
I’ve been working in 2 different schools in France for nearly a year now and quite frankly, I’m tired. I’m tired of 5.30am wake ups and 8am classes. I’m tired of getting woken up by the school kids in the school next to my house on my only day off. I’m tired of going full days without hearing a word in English. I love my job so very much most of the time but it’s really time to finish up and go home for me now! 

3. I HAVE JUST COMPLETED A 5000 WORD DISSERTATION… IN FRENCH 
Generally speaking, I quite enjoy writing essays. In English. If you tell me to write an essay in French, as I have to do quite regularly, I’ll put it off for as long as I can and probably do the least work possible to get a decent grade. I’ve actually put SO much effort into this essay and I’m quite chuffed with how it’s come out so far. Definitely one of my proudest life achievements so far. 

4. IT’S ALMOST SUMMER 
And summer means holidays! And sunbathing! And bikinis! Do I really need to say much more?

5. I’M HONESTLY HAVING THE BEST YEAR OF MY LIFE SO FAR. 
And if that’s not something to be happy about, I don’t know what is.