Getting The Most Out Of Your Evenings

There was a time where I would be a night owl. I would be on my laptop whilst my son was in bed, but would feel super sleepy the next day. So now I make sure I wind down and read, have a couple of cups of tea and then watch some TV on my phone and then get to sleep.

The Thai Green Curry I made from scratch

It is good to plan what I'd like to watch. Last night it was watching the football. Women's Euro 2025 or last week it was watching Live AID concert as I never saw it as a kid as my dad didn't want to watch it and was around the time we, my brother and I, didn't have a TV in our rooms and so wanted to watch the concert and the documentary that was on iPlayer.

I am really liking to exercise in bed. I do leg raises. I like to do my skincare. I use E45 for feet as advised by my diabetic nurse advised, Nivea for my face and Care brand from Avon on my hands. 

I am enjoying my showers of the evening at the moment. It is good after my son and I have been out walking and just helps to prepare of a good sleep ready for the next day. 

We tend to eat between 16:40 to 17:00 and my husband comes home from work that time and really got my buzz for cooking again and made some really lovely meals. I made Thai Green Curry, Homemade Pasta Sauce, BBQ Chicken, Stir-fry's and Roast Dinners. 

My son likes to play out in the garden. In the summer time whilst it is lighter for longer. I like to sit out there to read with a cup of tea or when the tennis was on a Pimm's and Lemonade and enjoy the summer days and cooler outside. 

We tend to do our laundry in the evening and thankfully it taken care of by my husband. When it Wimbledon it is in the morning, but all depends on if we have gone out and the weather. 

I am not one to go out in the evening unless it is to see a show or a concert, if we go out for something to eat but I don't go out drinking and I like a cozy evening indoors and very much a home body. 

So do you enjoy your evenings? Keeping it clean, how do you get the most out of your evenings? You can leave a comment below. 

Many thanks for reading,

Carrie X

 

 

Breaking Up Your Time

Breaking up your plans you have is a great way to get things done. When it comes to planning I make sure I spread it across the week and when I can promise myself that I can get it done and what needs to be done first. 

Epsom in garden journaling and planning

What do you want to focus on?

The first thing I ask myself. 

When is it going to need to be done by?

An example: Planning my Radio Show has to be done by Sunday. My radio show is on Sundays 16:00 to 18:00 and so I plan my songs first and choose 30 in total and do the notes on a Wednesday, as it is a day I mainly have plenty of time to write my notes for it, which can take some time. 

So what day can you complete a project? 

Do you have space to do complete a task in two days? Example rather than doing things all in a day, which can cause me to avoid tasks, I see if I can do it over the course of the week.

Set certain tasks on certain days. 

> Monday I do my Cheat Sheets: http://uk.pinterest.com/thetypicalLondongal/everyone-can-build-a-castle/cheat-sheets/

> Tuesday I go through my finances

> Wednesday Edit a Vlog 

> Thursday Film for other Youtube Channel:

        > Financial Living 

        > Carries Educational Youtube Channel

> Edit a Vlog even though this may change and also pack to go over to Wimbledon. 

Moving Tasks around 

There are times when I do often have to change somethings on the days planned, as above, because like today I have a few meetings about my sons progress at school and if he has a Secondary School place, so that has taken my focus as this is of high importance to get done, before anything else.

I've stopped being disappointed if I don't manage to upload a vlog for example as I know I will get it done but move it to another day, if other things have taken its place.

I will go through my diary every Monday and  Friday to go over the things that I had planned done and like tomorrow I have the doctors and so won't be able to upload Vlog and last week to some time away from Vlogging to get bits done and it is good to break it up so you don't get overloaded with tasks but when it is possible to do them, so they aren't being left behind. 

I hope you find this blog helpful and let me know how you plan as I like sharing and having good  conversation on topics online. You can write in the comment box below. 

Have a fab day and thanks for reading,

Carrie X 

Giving Myself Plenty of Time

There was a time when we would rush as I'd give myself a hour to get ready where my brother would be last minute and would argue about who should go first and time of having a shower. 

I hate being late because I find it spoils my day and so why I do get up earlier than I need to. 

If I am going to have bath I will have one after dinner or in the morning to shower, depending on plans for the week. 

When it comes to my radio show I do on Sundays, I always get into studio an hour before. This gives me time to set it up and not panic and just allow myself to be ready mentally and physically, if I need the toilet, drink some water and use the time to plan my next show. Or do some extra research and then for half term my son will go to his holiday club and I actually feel I want a break from my laptop and spend my days out.

I like to make the most of my days and give myself a break so I am going to take a break from all my online projects. At the Beginning of June is when I start my Life Coaching Programme Project 2025 and I do look forward to it so to give myself, plenty of time to do some walking and reading, complete just a few tasks, but the rest of it just time to be outdoors.

When things get too much it is my body saying, STOP and TAKE TIME OUT!  So going to listen and also want to have a declutter. I did a bit this morning. My mum and I plan to set a Vinted Shop up and sell some of our clothes, including my sons. Items he has grown out of or he has never worn, because he is picky when it comes to clothes. He loves his jumpers, tracksuit bottoms, shorts and t-shirts, but won't wear anything with a hood or dislikes Polo Shirts which he has to wear for school and as some really nice pieces but he refuses to wear them. 

It is good to be in a different environment and hope that I can have a little picnic in the park and I have kind of planned my time I have to myself whilst my son is at his holiday club. He wanted to go there and asked a couple a months ago and so frees up my time to have break and have fun outdoors and out. 

I will vlog and write some blogs but do things where I never get the chance to do when is a school week and we stay in my home in Wimbledon, where my mum and step dad live and it a lot easier to travel up London whether it is bus or train.

So I hope you have a good time off too, if your kids are on half term and please follow this site. This will alert you if you like my blogs, on this site, of when I posted a blog, if you like this one.

Many thanks for reading,

Carrie X 

Getting Bits Done

Today so far has been a good and productive. I have been getting up early and by doing that it has made me feel energized and it has help complete many things. I today finished my Life Coaching Course, Completed a section of my Counselling course, wrote down all the songs for my radio show on Friday, and posted my Cheat Sheet, check out my blog site: http://everyonecanbuildacastle.com/2024/07/29/weekly-cheat-sheet-acts-of-kindness/ and also my blog site: https://theparentingadventurestipsandtricks.wordpress.com/2024/07/29/weekly-cheat-sheet-five-acts-of-kindness/

What you need not all the time but at the weekends and having a good time away from normality when everything is done. 

I like getting these little bits done and then it helps free up my time to go outside when it is good weather and don't choose to many things to do but what is important. So today I booked my Diabetic Review, as I had to cancel when it was booked, I couldn't make it so I rang the doctors today to book appointment. 

Noone wants to go to the doctors if they can avoid it and I got to book the dentist, but my fear of it is what's putting me off, so I am going to get this done and book for my son and not put it off anymore.

It is good to go through from bottom to top of your house or top to bottom and just picking up bits on the floor that shouldn't be on the floor as you go, making the beds or have your kids make their own bed and do it as soon as they get up and have a good routine whereby everything is done, not having to rush, and leaves time to get other bits completed to, that aren't so important but still need to completed such as going for a coffee and gets bits to eat and today bought a new toothbrush and personal items. 

It so good to manage my time that allows you to rest, get things done and feel that the day has been good, rather than a struggle.

Many thanks for reading, 

Carrie X 

Making time for yourself

I talk a lot about this on my other channel Everyone Can Build A Castle as part of having a better life is to having time on yourself and what you want to do.

We don't all get the chance with everyday living, but is important to have time to let the pressure go from your mind and body. I like to have time do a workout with weights and use the treadmill listening to a podcast, audiobook or music. 

Walking through Ashtead 

According to google:

The mental health benefits of spending time alone may include a more regulated mood, reduced stress, and increased creativity and productivity.

You can see friends and can be included in time for yourself as we get so caught up in the pressures of living that we can forget to enjoy it and have that you haven't seen in your life or if you just want time away from others, and have a single life, just for an hour or two, to have a mooch around the shops, read a book in the garden whilst the kids are at school then schedule and have that time or listen to an audiobook.

I talk about walking a lot, because doing my weekly walk on Thursdays as my son has after school club reminded that I have always been a walker and done some really long walks and enjoy it, I may go back into running but will see as when I began last year I picked up an injury as I raised the bar to high and became something I felt I had to do, rather than chosen to do, so for now will be walking and using my weights with a video, podcast or music. 
This feels like time for myself. There is nothing greater than being around nature and so love to walk through parks and commons, and lose myself. 
I always thought  I was a bit of a shopper, but the momentum goes and like to spend time indoors with a coffee and write, and love my first cup of tea of the day and something I have done since I can remember. 
Have free choice time, which I like to do and break up my day, having a nice lunch and then watch a bit of TV and read a book before bed. 
So have time for yourself as we have to put ourselves first at times, to recharge and refocus, to deal with daily tasks and challenges for a good wellbeing as we are all important so make sure you give the time you need. 
Many thanks for reading, 
Carrie X 

Organization 2024

So already I have myself set up at the dining table in the Living room in Epsom and have a desk I use in my bedroom in Wimbledon. Its a different set up and so I have to make sure I have bits I need and split my living there and here in Epsom, but is well managed. I now take myself off from my laptop at the weekend and focus on spending time with my son. I may vlog but take a break from my blogs and books and having the time with my son it important to me, as you never get that time back. 

My desk set up in Wimbledon

If you would like to check out my vlogs then here is the one I published today:

https://youtu.be/rx5CM2_mqGU

These last few days I have now started to work in the morning and take breaks to put away the breakfast bowls, cups and plates and have one to two cups of tea in the morning and like popping out in the morning to get my steps in and run errands.

I am writing a book on organization as I am not organized, but introducing good positive habits that has made a difference in helping me to be organized and set my day on a good start and ready for each day. 

When it comes to meals I do plan but I do a list of meals I want to have because I do change my mind and it is what I am in the mood for, like tonight because we are going away at the weekend and have used up most of the food we bought, we going to have a Pizza evening. Not a takeaway. The food shopping is shared, my husband will by the majority of it, and I will buy the extra bits and batch cook. So for my lunch today for example I have left over chicken, and it saves a lot of money and shop wisely.

I now changing the way I budget when it comes to budgeting that suits me better and have a monthly budget on things like food and will be realistic. Do what works for you.

Things change and it is what working presently that will helps me to continue to evolve each year, for my future self, and keep growing and learning. 

Today I am going to be sorting out the shed in the garden. Exciting. So going to end blog. I hope it helps you to organize in 2024 and keep the meter running.

Many thanks for reading,

Carrie X 

Do we consume too much?

I feel we do. As I write this blog I am thinking about a mug I saw in TKMaxx that I want to buy and soon we will going to ASDA's to pick up a few bits and thinking about buying an item of clothing and ordering a top from Amazon. 

If you not checked out my Youtube channel, then check this one out:

It is time to cut down, and I will be doing No spend January, and that means using my money on the essentials, such as food, bits for my son for when he returns to school. So, going to go through what I already have and use up and checking that his school clothes still fit him, because he is growing so fast, but no spending on items that I don't need, and can wait.

When it gets to this side of Christmas I get sick of spending, and so doing No Spend January helps me to do that, and save.

The problem with me is that I get bored, and the only thing that fixes that is buying something, but then I am spending money for the sake of it, I feel I have wasted it, and could have been saved for more important items. 

So going to change up my wardrobe of what has been worn and what I have not. Shop my wardrobe basically, and packing for when I am in Epsom, and wear what I have already got. I am so glad we had a quiet Christmas, and didn't over do it. 

Before the new years though I will be buying a jar of coffee, as I am running out in Epsom, and some face wash. So a few bits I need to get, but enough of what I need, and will get me through the month. Not meaning that after January I can go on a shopping spree, in fact it will be the opposite, and doing No spend days. 

I am going to challenge myself to make sure that before I buy anything that I already have and run out. This means my toiletries, clothes, food and buy less snacks, and go snack free. 

There will be temptations, but make sure I have a break between meals, and that I eat food that properly fills me up. 

So, going to keep going through of what I have got and save. I am going to pay of my credit card, and save so we can have a holiday this year, and a proper one. 

Why not join me in use up what we got and consume less.

Many thanks for reading, 

Carrie X

How I organize 2023

It has been a while since I wrote anything on this blog, I have been working on my Wordpress blogs and this is because I have created some different programmes to help support people, like my Life Coaching programme "Summer Project 2023" check out my blog site where you will find these blogs, and may find them helpful. https://everyonecanbuiildacastle.com  and now doing my Autumn Reset to get tasks I need done completed and again blogging on the blog site above. 

Now I am back and have created a more functional way to organize for 2023. 

I am using a Filofax again and watching Terri Savelle Foy she talked about having everything in one place, and so wanted to give it a try, but it is very bulky and for birthday I was given a 2024 diary and it is a nice size, but until I can use the diary I am going to use my Filofax and when I don't feel like carrying my Filofax,  will organize digitally and I am liking the system I use now to keep tabs on my blogs, books and videos, along with my son and other things I need to keep reminding myself of. 

For digital planning and organizing I am using OneNote and calendar templates for my son to keep record of my son's school dates on Word and appointments I have, and another for planning my writing, on Excel, and working really well for me. 

I plan the night before, for each day and go for a walk in the morning has helped me be organized this year as it not good to be on my laptop all day and it sets me up, and tomorrow I have to stay in part of the day as my husband had purchased a new sofa and so need to be here for that to be delivered, so depending on what time it is delivered will use the treadmill to walk and do some indoor exercise. 

Getting back into my fitness has helped because it can take a while for me to wake up. 

I have come to realise that I like getting up early now and not doing anything on my laptop in the evening or limit the amount of time I spend on my laptop at night. It can be easy to go my laptop so  don't go straight on to it until my later on in the morning and gotten errands done first, and in between.

So how are you organizing this year and what you use I would love to know. You can leave a comment below. 

Please check out new book, which is a novel called Mum&Me, and is about Elizabeth living with her mum and see things very differently and Elizabeth's mum is obsessed with TV shopping channels and online, but often not what she actually ordered. It is available in Kindle and Paperback.

Many thanks for reading,

Carrie X 

Looking after your pennies

So I did a no spend challenge and still doing it. At the moment I am filming my next challenge and that is finding different deals but it has taken a turn as I have so far since Monday not bought anything and it feels so good. I do need to buy my son some pants so going to sort this out for when he stays with for  half term and going to take him up London and have him choose a some pairs. 

 Check out my first video talking about this challenge: https://youtu.be/CKnKguiQ94g

I was gong to buy myself some new socks because I keep losing them, but decided to save my money and find my socks and spending this time has just saved me some money. If you don't need then don't get it. 

That is going to be my motto. So next is my underwear and I do have pairs but some are too big for me so I do need some new sizes and so will see if I can buy some by the end of the week and have sort through and replace the ones that are too big. Underwear should be comfortable and feel light. 

I am very conscious of waste and going to have a sort through of my sons clothes and socks and underwear as he has grown out a lot and so need to see how much he has of something and if anything still looks good and not worn, going to donate or put in a recycle bin. Of course not with pants but with socks and other clothing. 

I like have a sort through and like saving. It helps me control my impulse buying. Supermarkets are crafty when it comes to attracting peoples attention and put items near the till. Never fall for it and if you don't need don't buy it and stick to a list. I know everyone says that, but it is important and just not doing that one thing can really make a difference. 

Many thanks for reading, 

Carrie X 

Typical London Gal  

Living a Balance life

Hello and I wish you a Happy New Year. We are almost halfway through the month of January all ready, but have managed to get a bits done and taking time in sorting my life out and did a Reset video to begin the new year. You can find it on my Main Youtube channel, @typicalondongal Carrie Holmes.

It is good to have balance in my life, and spend time doing some courses, writing and with my son and family. 

I am doing a monthly challenge, No Spend January and want to stop buying moisturisers, and use up and give some of my items to donate that have not been used, and using two creams my Nivea creams one I use everyday and one I use when putting on my make up, and will help give me more space and will feel relieved in thinking about it and visioning myself using just two creams, and not have a load of skincare products to use. 

I want to be logical and today I did upgrade one of my blog sites because I want it to have more of an identity and will help expand my writing and creating of my blogs even more and feel I need to do this to move forward, and need to think about my blogs in a business like mind and I want to create more to help reach out to my audience and help their life easier aswell as mine, and feel I need identity and so needed to do this to stop the anxiousness over it. 

Getting fit is one I am trying to add to my life again, and enjoy the little workouts I do and yesterday I did some when I got to my son's home in Epsom whilst I waiting for the kettle to boil, I make sure I do some walking and look after my wellbeing, so important and control my eating habits as I don't want to be eating biscuits and things like that all of the time, and I love my evening meal so make sure I don't eat too much to enjoy my dinner in the evening. 

Focusing on the these things helps me have balance in my life, and not feel sluggish with no energy. 

I like to take my time and spend time with my thoughts and address my fears and if I find myself feeling overwhelmed I will stop and then make notes and take each day step by step. 

Life isn't about being stressed but living and enjoying life, and doing things that improve my wellbeing. 

I want to enjoy each day and if something goes wrong I try not have it play in my mind, and think of a resolution. Like this week I didn't realise my son was doing swimming lessons once a week, but was everyday so he didn't have his swimming gear for that day, but lucky he did have spares as his one from the beginning was in the washing machine, so I picked up his spares and took them to his school so he can still go swimming on that day and didn't have to miss out. I felt so bad, but solved it so learned to pay attention when it comes to events at my sons school. 

Saturdays, which is tomorrow I focus on spending time with my son, and so take a day off from my blogs and books etc, and then continue on Sunday, ready for the start of a new week. 

So I hope you have balance in your life and if you'd like to add your feedback then you can do in the comments below. 

Many thanks for reading, 

Carrie X 

Typical London Gal 

 

Doing a total reset/Get my life together 2022

This week I am going to be doing a total reset on Friday and sorting my stuff out and get rid of items I don't need and will be thinking about the environment as I do so, by any items in good condition I no longer want will be donated and don't end up on landfill. 

I did a Autumn reset and if you'd like to see the content I wrote about this then you can by visiting my Youtube channel, Typical London Gal Carrie Holmes and on my blogsite: https://everyonecanbuildacastle.com

Autumn and winter are my months that I like to declutter and organize my life, having a tea or coffee and listen to some music and focus on one area at a time. I will be filming this and so will be up on my channel next week if I can. This time of year is busy for me with birthdays and events at my sons school it hard to keep up at times. However it will go up and want to decorate for Christmas. 

I have shoes I haven't worn, and so going to find these and make choice on what I really think about if they will be worn, same with clothes and also with paper, and then it is my windowsill and just having good make over and get my life together.  

That is something I feel I want to put together and make into a Reset Programme, and so I will speak more of this when I plan this and a good idea for he beginning of 2023.

I like getting my life together and making changes, and planning as we end 2022 to do more to reach you my audience and help you to get your life together too and inspire you. 

My desk also needs to be cleaned and organized again, I do neglect it and need clean my keyboard and laptop so see when this can be done and see if I can get this done on Friday. 

So what is your plans to organize and do you do this time of year? I'd like to know you can leave a comment below. 

Many thanks for reading, 

Carrie X 

Typical London Gal 

Organizing on my birthday

Getting to grips with organizing can take its time, but I like the result at the end where the floor is clearish as I like to lay my shoes out and like a functional work space and got clothes to be put away. Yet today is my birthday and don't feel like doing much, but feel I can't do nothing, so I fancy doing a bit of admin perhaps edit a video and just do little bits. I am filming a day/week in a life and so this will be going up probably next week, and it still doing something and document today.

If I find I don't want to do as planned then I am going to be okay with that for today. I did write a mini list so I am not having total break, but again see how I feel. I find when it is my birthday that I want to something different from the norm, and today was planning on doing a long walk, but hopefully I will to do this next Monday so going to be on hold, but still do some walking and fancy looking around the shops, but again may leave that and getting myself a donut with a coffee and taking eating it at my son's house in Epsom. 

You only get one birthday and so not going to waste today, and tonight I am going for a meal at Wagamma's and perhaps have a cocktail and then it is back home and get ready for the Wednesday, and so gonna take my time and see how I feel and make the most of what I want to do and worry about what I need to do for the rest of the week. 

When it comes to organizing it is important to have rest days or a night off and so for that is usually Saturday's and this includes social media, I only like to post on my Instagram, but everything else I leave until the week, or on a Sunday. 

So if it is your birthday too, then Happy Birthday. 

Many thanks for reading, 

Carrie X 

Typical London Gal  

Getting ready for the new school year 2022

Yes the schools are open and it feels strange after 6 weeks holiday as you get used to the routine of the summer holidays, only for it to change again. I don't mind though it means I can take time in the mornings again and spend time with my son each day and today me and Henry are going to make a cake. 

It is good to spend this time to do homely things and sort stuff out. At the moment I am doing a Autumn Reset, which I have created to do a sort of, of areas that need to be sorted out, preparing for the new season and used to call it a Autumn Clear up, but it is the same. It is going through my laptop, my room and closet to get stuff ready for the colder months and be get rid of items I that no longer adds value to my life, and I enjoy doing this, it means starting a fresh. 

I would like to get a autumn mug, but want to save more and get ready as this is the birthday season for me. My mums, my brothers, Henry, sister in law and step dad, so its time to budget and then Christmas yes, sorry I had to mention it, and I know neither am I fully ready and the fear of it, is rising. 

It means making sure Henry has enough uniform and ordered some new tops for when he does P.E, but they haven't arrived yet and so got that to worry about and could do without but remember, no use worrying as it doesn't fix it, it just adds salt to the wounds and I have chased it up, so I hope they turn up and if not will be emailing until they reply and it gets sorted out. 

Getting to grips with what my son will be learning this year and I thought this was tomorrow but it isn't and will be next week. I am looking forward to hearing about what he will be learning this year and do some fun educational games ourselves and going to make some sheets for him and go through other means of him learning and getting to grips with his education to improve his ability even more. 

Keeping track is important so I know what areas he needs to build on and be on the same page as my sons school and work together. 

It means making sure I get to Epsom on time waiting for him to return from school and helps to get things done whilst travelling and so going to use the time wisely and help me help him. So it means reading a book, going through my emails and listening to music, and so having quiet time ready for when he arrives as he likes to play as soon as he gets in.

I want to continue to help Henry learning about the seasons again and the months of the year and so going to set a plan for him and me and will share on my Parenting blog The parenting adventures tips and tricks. 

So lets get to it, school has returned and got to get bits done before I have to travel to wait for him to come home. 

Many thanks for reading, 

Carrie X 

Typical London Gal 

Looking after the home

So this week I have been spending time on my own and forgot what is like to looking after a home, and am doing so as my mum and step dad are away and sometimes these, from experience tend to be taken for granted. 

Sunday and Monday's are my RESET DAYS, where I will tidy up, and sort out my bedroom, strip my son and mine bed, washing clothes and this week been having to remember to water the plants and flowers inside and out, and this is an area where I have often forgot to do. I am not very good at wildlife and looking after it, so written into my list so I do remember. 

I know if  I don't write it down it won't get done and I do a list for the week and each day. This helps me stay on track. 

This means also means having my meals for the day, and I do like food shopping, and always budget on items I need like, and have been tempting to have a takeaway but stopped myself and make the food I would order from a fast food outlet, for myself. Like this evening as I write this blog, I had chicken nuggets with chips, and diet coke. Tomorrow it will be steak and roasted vegetables, and make homemade wedges.

I do plan my meals, not on paper but in my head and I do make a list, and I sorted out my clothes too, and getting rid of piles, and no this doesn't include having hard pooh. 

It so good to have a room less decluttered, and I know a lot talk about it, that it clears the mind, but it is so true and it is doing these habits that help me get through the week and days. It takes me ages to get started, but once I am awake will spend that time having a tidy up, and I selected Tuesday's after I have done my TA training that I am doing at the moment, to have a sort out in one area, whether a device or physically in my room, and so tomorrow I am going to do just that. I have not chosen an area, but will take care of it tomorrow, and it feels good to have space. 

It so good to have my bin cleared, just got a few things for recycling and then going to take my shower and still do some work, but will have time on my hands to do so. 

Many thanks for reading, 

Carrie X 

Typical London Gal 

 

 

Getting passed the first week of Summer Holidays

Today because my son came back with me in Wimbledon kept thinking it was a Friday and did a lot in one day, but now he, my son is a sleep I get a bit of time to myself and today was a success. I know sounds like I am being smug, but I am not, just happy to have gotten through the day. 

Me and Henry when he was about two years old 

Tomorrow I start some new training and so my mum will be looking after my little lordship, but then back with him on Wednesday and more time outdoors for him to get as much fresh air as possible and have lots more fun. Then on Thursday I am taking him to the London Aquarium, and going to be an adventure because I think there is going to be destruction on the trains, but never mind that is life in London. There is always issues, so you get used to it. 

You just have to try your best and so it does go as planned never mind there is always a next time. Well so I tell myself. 

When it comes to living in London you do have to plan ahead, so I will be checking alternative routes just in case. 

This morning whilst we got ready for the day I put on some songs and we did a bit of dancing in the Living room and would recommend it. Good to get the energy going and not allow my tiredness from getting up early to get to me, even though I was laying down on the sofa partly, but then my son wanted to join me and forgets how heavy he is now. 

It is good to spend time doing different things rather the same old thing everyday. It does get boring so more adventures and going to get myself to bed, and rest up as we get through this first week and have more things planned and then he will be spending time with his dad and so will get a break. 

Any how it is has been a good day and I hope you did too. 

Many thanks for reading, 

Carrie X 

Typical London Gal 

Is it time for TV? Getting rid of the weeks pressures

I had scheduled to write blogpost today, but due the time 18:38, I feel tired so was going to leave it, but I made a commitment and wanted to stick to it. I know if I don't do it I will feel this guilt that I have going to have a list of items not ticked off.  

I feel very lethargic and know that it is coming to the end of the week and so it is time for some TV, well England Ladies are playing so got to get my priorities right. 

It is good to have some good TV time as it helps to wind down the week and I don't watch TV everyday so why not? Life is about living and so it is a must you have some play time, watching sport and plan the week of things to watch. I admit that I watch a lot of Youtube as I do have my own channel and was how I got into it. You can find my channel via this link: 

This is good to sit and watch TV with a friend or family as it can be so relaxing and why not set the time to have a bath, read a book with the TV at the background, and with a glass of wine. 

You have to have days when you do something different and because I have some time on my own tonight going to make the most of it. 

So get rid of the weeks pressures and demands and just put the to do list aside for some time to be with the remote control and some peace.

Many thanks for reading, 

Carrie X 

Organising and Managing my finances

Hello and welcome! Thank you if you have been reading my other blogs on this site, it really means a lot. 

In this blog I am talking about Organizing and Managing my finances. Now the one thing I have been doing to help save my money as that is it the first tip,

1. Check out my bank account everyday and plan what I need to buy each month and week. I have two birthdays this month coming, June and so always plan and look to see what I can buy as, my niece has a lot of clothes as like I did, have a lot of "Hand me downs" and saved me a lot of money. The other birthday is my son's dad and so again planned ahead and will be buy his gift tomorrow and already bought a card.

2. Keep gong through what is coming in and what is going out, by checking my bank balance daily, and make sure I work out when and what bills are due. 

3. Budget, Budget and Budget. I watch a lot of videos on Youtube by Kate Kaden, who does weekly videos about being frugal and money tips to help the everyday person. 

4. Keep tabs on items I spend money on but don't use, and either keep or let it go. I do the same with my clothes, go through what I have worn and not, and give myself an allowance for myself. I also buy second hand and this really helps me save. I love buying and making a saving. Example: I challenge if I can buy the same items, and if it is good quality can I get an item second hand or if the store is having a sale, can I get that item I want, at much lower price. 

5. If I can pay items in cash I will, and carry an amount with me, so if I have the option then will use cash and track my debits I make. 

I don't use expansive software to keep tabs on my money but in a notebook. I did put together a financial planner, but didn't really use it, so I use a notepad and keep that, so i can go back to it and I have done many lists on a back of an envelope. 

It is all about investing and no money is wasted. 

Many thanks for reading, 

Carrie X 

What Things we must have in our lives

I have always liked stuff, and had to try an minimalist approach, and had to get rid of books, video tapes and scrapbooks and regretted it.

People say you shouldn't have regrets, but I do. I loved having items I can look back on and continued to make more scrapbooks. It is a good way to store memories, but then it is the realisation, do I look at them?

Yes I do! 

So, what things must we have in our lives?

1. Items that solve a problem: What I mean is things like Instruction manuals for items we presently use in our home, but items that we don't can be disposed of and added to recycling.

2. Items that we still nurture: Example: Photos and cards of our children as babies, like I have kept Henry first shoes he wore, that were bought from Clarks, and would love to put these on a shelf with other items he used as a baby.

3. Items that create a good routine: This can be having your cup of tea at a certain time. I like in the morning before I actually get up, to go in the bathroom and brush my teeth as I like to have a good breath and feel self conscious when not doing so. It sets up my day and then will shower and do a bit of self care.

4. Items that help us to relax: This for me is right now as I write this blog post, and listening to music and have to play a few songs in the morning before I get up each day and before I go to sleep. I find it soothing and do have a good nights sleep.

It is all things that has a meaning behind it and creating self love and care, and celebrating what we have in our lives that makes us who we are today, and keep creating love in our lives, and makes you sit back and open doors to you all over the world and the place you are now. 

Many thanks for reading, 

Carrie X 

  

Organizing Your Time

If you are new this blog then welcome. This blog is all about Organizing your time. 

Being a writer it is important I give myself a good amount of time to get many things done. Like now as I started this blog remembered I have laundry drying in the bathroom, I wanted to film a day in a life on my Youtube channel but my camera needs charging, and so will need to reschedule, but do have other videos I want to film instead whilst my camera's battery charges and then I have some online training to do, as I am helping with a half term holiday club, and want to write some blogs and work on my next book. 

If you'd like to check out my main Youtube channel then you can via this link:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUDFIqjVKLy7NhtcR6Hy0Tg

When it comes to time I make sure even like today when I don't have to do the school run still set an alarm and it is at 9:30am but I know I will get up early than that, but just in case. I have never been one that likes staying in bed all day, when at one time that was exactly what I was doing. 

I would take my son to school and then come back and go straight to bed and get up at 1pm to do some cleaning before picking my son up from school. 

It was not healthy as I was not doing anything and I'd feel guilty and so now I have a good routine that I am able to stay with. 

I then got myself out of that routine, and needed to change that habit, and habits can make a difference to our time, because it felt that days were fading away from me and couldn't get my arse in gear. I felt more fatigued, even with staying bed all of the day, and made me not want to accomplish anything. 

So when it comes to organizing your time, set yourself just a few goals and today wrote down 5 things I want to get done before the end of the day. 

I do schedule and have a planner and plan my weeks as each week comes and often day to day. As long as each have a purpose I get it done, and that is the key to organizing time, because I like many people, I need structure, and so I make sure I go through the day ticking things off and take it in a slow and steady pace, giving myself breaks in between. 

It isn't all about how fast we can get things done, but what I can accomplish that will set me up for the next day and the next, and the next, so your life is on a steady climb rather than going down and down. 

So Organize for work to do errands around the house and time to play. 

Have plenty of self care and fun. I make sure that when my son comes home that I have spent time writing notes as I don't take my laptop with me, but I always have a notebook and have tasks I can do and I give myself time to wind down and go for a walk somewhere and just getting the most of each day.

I hope you find this email helpful and have a good rest of the week. 

Many thanks for reading, 

Carrie X

Picking 4 things to do each day

Hello and welcome to a new blog I have been taking a break but now am back and spend time to update my blogs on this site, as since I first wrote this blog so much has changed. I have been working on other tasks and another year has gone and now it is 2024, and Christmas is over, I had to write fewer blogs but now we are back, my son is back at school, I now have enough time to write more and start getting back working on my blogs.

Since my last blog I have been listening to videos by a fabulous woman, Mel Robbins and she writes four things she wants to do each day and I have been trying this myself and has been successful. 

I do this everyday and not allow things to get too much now, and listening to Atomic habits, started doing 2 minute habits, like reading, writing and tidying. 

This doesn't have to be done using any fab software or computer programme I write mine down in a notebook and software already installed free on my laptop, OneNote and so, give yourself 4 things you want to do each day. Wanting is important and not about what I must get done as these words even writing them doesn't inspire me, but having items I want to do has helped make sure I completed those four things. 

It can be anything, mine today was to:

• Catch up on Youtube 
• Work on my books 
• Pick up kitchen towels 
• Edit a vlog I have filmed

So get organized and remember it is about quantity and breaking up tasks to do each day is #bettereasyliving 

Many thanks for reading, 

Carrie X