Grey's Anatomy will always be a TV show loved by many for its intricate storylines and intriguing characters, but the character that stands out is Meredith Grey, so I thought I'd share some inspirational quotes from Meredith Grey. Grey's Anatomy is an American medical TV show spanning 19 seasons. Throughout the series, there have been numerous characters, some having left and new ones joining the show. However, there is one character, the protagonist, that people will always remember when it comes to Grey's Anatomy. And that is Meredith Grey. Meredith Grey has been a constant character throughout Grey's Anatomy but ahead of the 20th season airing in 2024, the character will leave the show. Meredith is portrayed by actress Ellen Pompeo and over the course of all 19 seasons, Meredith has been an inspiration to viewers. I love Grey's Anatomy, it is one of my top five TV shows that I will always rewatch. There are episodes for each emotion whether you want to laugh, cry, or scream. So, with the Hollywood strikes having now ended, and with Meredith Grey being iconic and an inspiration to many, I thought I'd share some inspirational quotes from Meredith from Grey's Anatomy. Inspirational quotes from Meredith Grey "Knowing is better than wondering. Waking is better than sleeping, and even the biggest failure, even the worst, beats the hell out of never trying." "Did you say it? 'I love you.' 'I don't ever want to live without you.' 'You changed my life.' Did you say it? Make a plan. Set a goal. Work toward it, but every now and then look around; Drink it in 'cause this is it. It might all be gone tomorrow." "You can build a house out of anything. Make it as strong as you want. But a home, a home is more fragile than that. A home is made of the people you fill it with. And people can be broken, sure, but any surgeon knows, what's broken can be mended. What's hurt can be healed. That no matter how dark it gets the sun's going to rise again." "You can have the worst crap in the world happen to you and you can get over it. All you gotta do is survive." "Don't let fear keep you quiet. You have a voice, so use it. Speak up. Raise your hands. Shout your answers. Just find your voice. And when you do, fill the damn silence." "A hero is only human, but that's the point. If they can do it, so can you. So, you keep going. You don't give up. You stand tall. You fight. You always show up to save the day." "Maybe we have to get a little messed up before we can step up." "When there's something you really want, fight for it - don't give up no matter how hopeless it seems. And when you've lost hope - ask yourself in 10 years from now - you're gonna wish you gave it just one more shot. Because the best things in life, they don't come free." "At some point, you have to make a decision. Boundaries don't keep other people out. They fence you in. Life is messy. That's how we're made. So, you can waste your lives drawing lines. Or you can live your life crossing them." If you need some inspiration, I hope these quotes can help. Meredith Grey is an iconic character and to me, along with Brooke Davis, she is one of my favourite fictional female protagonists on TV. Until next time...

November is officially National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) and as an aspiring author and someone who is partaking in NaNoWriMo for November, I thought I'd share some tips and tricks with you. If you're not a writer - aspiring or current - or someone who knows writers, you may not know what NaNoWriMo is. But I'm here to tell you. Essentially, NaNoWriMo is 30 days where you sit down with your pad and pen, or a computer, and you write part of a novel. By the end of the 30 days, if you follow the exact NaNoWriMo rules, you will have 50,000 words of a story written. There is the NaNoWriMo website that if you sign up to it, you can keep track of your progress each day and earn little badges along the way. For example, if you complete a writing streak of seven days, you'll earn the badge for writing each day for a whole week. Now, being an aspiring author, I'd heard of NaNoWriMo before. And last year actually, I decided to participate in the challenge. However, I didn't sign up to the website and I didn't get very far in the grand scheme of things. But this year is different. 2023 is the year I'm sticking to NaNoWriMo. I've signed up to the website and have written part of my novel each day since the first of November. Even last night when it was gone 10pm and I was in bed, I made sure I wrote something for NaNoWriMo to keep my streak going; it wasn't much, around 200 words, but it still counts. And with me trying to stick to the schedule of writing each day, I've come across some challenges in the last week. It got me thinking about others who are taking part in NaNoWriMo and have struggled as well, or perhaps people who wanted to take part but found it daunting and haven't joined the challenge. I wanted to share some tips I've found useful whilst completing NaNoWriMo to help others interested in the challenge. Schedule a time NaNoWriMo requires you to write each day. If the idea of a novel is scary, you can write whatever you want - maybe a poem or just some freewriting. But you probably won't be consistent in writing and getting words onto the page unless you schedule a time to sit down and do it. With an everyday job, it can be difficult to find the time. Especially if you have other commitments like family etc. For me as a freelancer and part-time uni student, I can be more flexible with my working hours. So when it comes to NaNoWriMo, I do my day's work and when it gets to about 5pm, I focus on NaNoWriMo and writing however many words I feel like writing that day. 1666 words - Not mandatory The website of NaNoWriMo says that the goal should be 50,000 words. But that isn't mandatory. To get 50,000 words in 30 days, you'd have to write 1666 words per day, but again, that isn't mandatory. As an example, the highest word count I've written per day so far - 11 days into NaNoWriMo - is 700 words. I actually started this novel I'm writing a while back and am continuing it for this month, trying to get as many words written as I can. Therefore, I'm not forcing myself to write 1666 words each day if it's a struggle. If the words aren't flowing, if you've got a touch of writer's block, or if you're happy writing a scene of only 500 words, you don't have to try and reach the goal of 1666 words. Anything you write is better than nothing. No editing allowed This has become my mantra whilst writing my first draft. Throughout my uni studies, I've learned the importance of getting a draft down and then editing and rewriting. But I've always found myself editing as I write, which becomes very unproductive in the long term because I never progress that far with the writing. So, for NaNoWriMo, my advice would be to get the words down. Just write - obviously, think about basic grammar and spelling etc - but try not to edit as you go. They always say you can't edit a blank page and that is 100% true, so try to get a first draft down and once you've got that, then you can edit. Write for you The authors I've spoken to have always given me one piece of advice. Write for you. Write what you want to write, not what you think others want. And that is so important, especially when it comes to writing novels. The amount of work that goes into planning a novel and taking it from an idea to a finished manuscript, is immense. I'm currently working on two novels, one is fantasy-dystopian and the other is YA dystopian, and the brain capacity it takes to world-build, to create authentic characters, realistic dialogue, etc, is challenging. So, if you're participating in NaNoWriMo this month, make sure that whatever you're writing is something you want to write. If it isn't, you'll probably find it more difficult to keep at it and find the will to get words down, but if you enjoy writing the story, and love the characters and plot you've crafted, it will be far easier. Visualise your end goal As an aspiring author, I can't wait for the day I can - hopefully - hold a published book in my hands that has my name on it as the author. That has been a goal of mine for so long and it is what keeps me motivated to continue writing. If you have a similar goal in life or can visualise the endpoint that you want to achieve, it will increase your motivation and give you that drive to keep going and complete each milestone on the journey to your destination. So with NaNoWriMo, visualise what you want to achieve by the end of the 30 days and hopefully it will make you want to continue writing and get those words down. Embrace the challenge NaNoWriMo is scary. It is. It isn't an easy feat. But you can do it. If you embrace the challenge, warts and all as the saying goes, it can be a fun project to do this November. We're just under two weeks into NaNoWriMo and if you've started the challenge already, don't let a mid-month slump get you down. Continue writing, push forward and embrace NaNoWriMo in all its glory. The sense of accomplishment you'll feel at the end of the month, whether it's due to having a complete manuscript or setting up a habit of writing daily, will all make you feel as though you've accomplished something. So keep writing! If you do participate in the NaNoWriMo challenge this month, let me know in the comments how you get on. Until next time...

With the winter months arriving and the colder weather already here, it can be hard to manage your time wisely and find motivation, but a weekly planner can change it all for the better. 2023 is nearly over with the world being a few days into November. With the winter months now here and the UK being subject to cold and stormy weather, stress tends to find a way to occupy our days. It can be hard to find the motivation to get out of a warm bed and do the jobs you know you need to do, and it can be difficult to keep on top of everything. Especially with Christmas being next month, managing your time and everything you need to do before the festive holiday arrives is more challenging than we probably like to admit. Some people can list numerous ways to destress and make this time of year easier on all of us, but sometimes it's easier said than done. Trust me, I know. This time of year includes my birthday, my mum's birthday, some relative's birthdays and big events concerning work, ongoing university studies and on top of all that, autumnal/winter activities I want to do. But there is something that I always find helps me clear my mind so that I can see what I need to do in a way that doesn't overwhelm me or make it a stressful situation. A weekly planner. This is what I use to solve all my problems in terms of time management. How a weekly planner can help your time management There are periods in my life where things can become a bit overwhelming because I have so many things going on and so many things to do that keeping on top of them all is difficult. One way I've learned to deal with this is to write a to-do list. Every morning I grab a post-it note and write down everything I want to do for that day. I include things such as rewriting the second draft of my assignment, Tesco delivery and even 'Reply to...' if I need to respond to a friend's text. If there's something I then do during the day that I hadn't initially included on the list, I add it and tick it off. On my to-do list, I also write down events in the week that are already scheduled so I know what's happening when and I try to set myself specific time slots to complete things in. But having it on a Post-it note can sometimes get confusing because I end up cramming all my jobs onto a tiny piece of paper, in shorthand, and it's not always easy to read or remember it all. So having a weekly planner with a monthly overview is the perfect solution. On Etsy, there's this digital weekly planner that gives you a weekly calendar for five weeks plus the monthly overview. But that's not all. This five-week planner allows you to not only plan each day for the week but also provides space for a weekly to-do list, a focus section to help you determine what's more of a priority, a weekly mood reflection and a space for planning the important items for the coming week. There's also a little doodle section for a little creative break if you fancy it. Having this planner helps me get an overview of everything that's happening each week. But I've found it has also helped me find motivation for tasks. The layout of the planner makes it clear to see all the events I've scheduled and knowing that I'm going to rate each week on the Sunday inspires me to be as productive as I can. Plus, the good thing about this planner is that it's digital. You can either edit on your laptop if you prefer working with a screen or you can print each page and handwrite, which means that for each week you can reuse the planner and start fresh. So, if you need a way to help manage your time and find motivation to complete tasks, then maybe give this weekly planner a go. And if you do, let me know how you get on. Until next time...

Halloween is here and it's a day for trick-or-treating, scary movies and a night in front of the TV and with so many movies to choose from, I list some of the top horror films to watch this October 31st. I can't believe October is coming to an end. Today is Halloween, the final day in October, which means only two months left of the year. Now, in England, I often think that Halloween isn't as much of a big thing as it is in America - or at least what is portrayed on TV. But whilst I don't dress up for Halloween or celebrate the spooky holiday, I do like a good scary movie! I've watched a fair few over the years ranging from frightening horrors like Annabelle to family comforts like Hocus Pocus. And as Halloween is here, I thought I'd share some good movies to watch this Halloween. Hocus Pocus I mentioned it above and I will always recommend Hocus Pocus, and not just because it's kind of a musical. Hocus Pocus is a family classic that is a good movie to watch if you're not a big fan of horror films. It has autumnal and Halloween vibes and it features Hollywood stars Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker and Kathy Najimy. I remember watching Hocus Pocus when I was younger and last year, the sequel to the original was released. However, I must admit, I have yet to watch Hocus Pocus 2. But maybe this Halloween is the perfect time to watch it. Hubie Halloween Hubie Halloween was released back in 2020, the perfect time for new movies because of the pandemic. And when it came to Halloween, my family and I decided to watch this film. It features Adam Sandler and is a comedy/horror movie set in Salem, Massachusetts. Hubie Halloween is a good movie if you have children and if you fancy a cosy Halloween film. Scream Now whilst the first two films are family-friendly and cosy Halloween movies, this one is not. The Scream franchise is probably one of the most well-known horror film series. The classic Ghost Face will always be notorious. So if you want a real horror that will make you jump and probably hide behind a cushion, Scream is for you. The Cabin in the Woods Now this movie isn't exactly a frightening horror. It's more a comedy with horror elements, but rather than creep-you-out-in-the-dark horror, it's a jump scare movie. It is a good film, and I remember I watched it with my friends one time and there is one particular scene that made us all scream even though it wasn't that scary. So if you're intrigued to find out what that was, give the movie a watch and see if you scream as well. The Woman in Black The Woman in Black I think will always be a horror people remember. When it came out, it was such a big movie that I even ended up watching it at high school. It of course has Daniel Radcliffe and is a supernatural horror about a ghost terrorising those in the village. The Woman in Black is scary, it is creepy and it's not a film to watch alone. And that brings me nicely on to my next horror film... Annabelle I like to think I'm pretty smart but I wasn't when it came to Annabelle. For some reason, I decided to watch this movie whilst home alone at night. I wouldn't recommend it unless you're a major horror film fan and do that a lot! Annabelle is a horror movie about a vintage doll that causes a lot of supernatural and terrifying problems for a couple. If you're not a fan of dolls, don't watch this or the other films in the series, but I must say it is a good horror film. Other horror movies to watch The ones above are the movies I would recommend but of course, there are many more horror films. So, instead of going on and on about them all, here are another 10 movies to add to your watch list this Halloween. IT Psycho The Shining Halloween Friday the 13th Hereditary Get Out Insidious Truth or Dare A Quiet Place Happy Halloween, everyone! Until next time...

Bingo. Dancing. Throwback music. Prizes. If you like the sound of all of these things, then you should go to Bingo Loco. With my birthday being at the end of the month, to celebrate with friends I went to Bingo Loco. Now, I hadn't heard of Bingo Loco before until my cousins told me about it and raved about how much fun it is, so I decided to go. Essentially, Bingo Loco means Crazy Bingo. And to be honest, it is a bit crazy. Bingo Loco happens every third Saturday of a month and they have events all over the UK and even further afield including Ireland, North America, Australia and the UAE. My friends and I went to one in Essex and it was by far the most amount of fun I've ever had on a night out. I say night out, we were home before 10pm so if you're not a big fan of late nights or have other commitments at home etc, Bingo Loco could be the best thing for you. The way that we decided to do it was to go for a late lunch beforehand to make sure that we had eaten a substantial amount before going to Bingo Loco. And that was lovely because we got to have a nice meal at Prezzo, chill a bit beforehand and then made our way to Bar and Beyond, where Bingo Loco was held. When we got to Bar and Beyond, there was only a small queue - I think we were the fifth group in the queue. As a result, we had the choice of seats and actually ended up in a really good spot; we were close to the bar, could see the stage, had room for dancing, and we were near a door out of the venue that caused a breeze whenever it was open, so we didn't really get too hot. But let's get into what actually happened during Bingo Loco and everything I saw last Saturday. Bingo Loco - The World's Greatest Bingo Rave I've been to some clubs before, but I can't say I've ever been to a rave or a bingo night quite like Bingo Loco. But I would definitely go again! The tickets are slightly more expensive than I would've liked, but I don't regret paying that amount to go. In fact, for everything you get and could win at Bingo Loco, £22 isn't extortionate. However, moving away from the tickets... Once we had our table and were given our bingo cards, we went to the bar, got a drink and then were just chatting. In the background, they were playing some music and it was the 90s-00s music, giving throwback vibes but everyone there knew practically every song. Doors opened at 5pm and people had until 6pm to get seated because that was when Bingo Loco officially started. It lasted for three hours until 9pm and time really does fly when you're having fun. With everyone ready to start playing Bingo, the organisers would explain the rules, call out some numbers and then play some songs. So, the idea is there are three rounds in total. Rounds one and two have three games and round three has two games. After each game, there's the opportunity to win a prize and the big prize at the end is a holiday. The first game of each round requires you to have one horizontal line of bingo numbers checked off. The second game is two lines and the third game is three lines. My friends and I came close quite a few times, but we didn't win. However, whilst the prizes are part of the game, you'll still have lots of fun. The calls for some of the numbers aren't exactly traditional bingo numbers. For example, there was no Legs Eleven, but there was Thirty-Nine Sweet Caroline, in which the song then played and everyone got up on their feet and danced. When I say people dance, people were dancing on booths, tables, chairs, you name it. I didn't dance on any furniture, I stayed with my feet on the floor, but I did dance a lot. And I'm glad I did because the songs were great, everyone joined in, and nobody cared whether they looked silly or like a Strictly professional. Fun was the aim and fun was what we achieved and when you look back on photos and videos from Bingo Loco, it'll make you smile. Or at least, it has for me. One of the highlights for me was when Taylor Swift's song 22 was played because that is the age I'm turning in a few days so I was able to belt that out (probably not in tune, but nobody cared), but I also loved when Sweet Caroline was played because I have a great video of myself and my friends singing along to it. So I guess this blog post was me trying to convince you to try Bingo Loco. Honestly, it was amazing and there are so many things I loved about it. But one thing I know can play on people's minds is when you go for a night out, the expectations are for women to wear heels and dresses and doll themselves up. And whilst you can do that at Bingo Loco, you can also wear jeans and trainers and just be yourself. If you fancy a night out - that's not too late - with your friends where you can dance, drink, sing, and have tons of fun, you should try Bingo Loco. Until next time...

Six of Crows is a duology by Leigh Bardugo set in the GrishaVerse and I have to say it is worth all the hype it's received. Books are my one true love in life. As a bookworm I read various genres but one of my favourites is fantasy. I envy how fantasy authors can create a whole new world and society, input different characters into the world and hook the reader from the first page. Some of my favourite books/book series are fantasy/dystopian novels including the Shatter Me series and A Court of Thorns and Roses series. However, I now have another series to add to that list and it's the Six of Crows duology. My friend gave me the paperbacks of the duology, which I was grateful for as I'd always wanted them but wasn't sure I'd like them, hence me not buying them myself. But then my cousins, who have read the duology, recommended them to me and so I decided to read them. Beware, a spoiler about the ending of book one is mentioned below. My Review of the Six of Crows Duology by Leigh Bardugo Fantasy world: 10/10 Action: 9/10 Romance: 8/10 Found family: 10/10 The Six of Crows duology consists of two books, Six of Crows and Crooked Kingdom. The two books are to be read together as book one ends on a cliffhanger leading onto book two. Six of Crows introduces you to the world of the GrishaVerse and Ketterdam. We meet the protagonists of the duology and discover the aspects of the fantasy world Bardugo created. Book one follows the story of six misfits as they attempt to pull off an impossible heist. Each chapter is written in a different character's perspective allowing the reader to get an insight into each of them and see their point of view. The third-person narrative allows the reader to feel like an observer, watching the events unfold in real time. The premise of an impossible heist is one that captured my attention because after being introduced to each of the main characters and seeing their "status quo", the action begins and we see the characters planning and plotting. The male protagonist of the duology is Kaz Brekker. Brekker is portrayed as a ruthless, cold and dangerous man. He's notorious and nicknamed 'Dirtyhands' and 'Demon'. But from the chapters told from his perspective, we see that there is more to Kaz than ruthlessness. He has many layers to his character that he keeps hidden to maintain a sinister reputation. I personally loved Kaz's character because yes he is morally grey and sinister, but he is troubled by his past and trying to escape the trauma from his past; the mission he and his team of Dregs embark on brings his trauma back and adds more conflict into the narrative. Inej, to me, is the second protagonist. She is the one person who has probably seen more sides to Kaz than anyone else. Essentially, he saved her from a horrific path in life and as a result the two work side by side. Inej is his Wraith and is one of the most skilled people in Ketterdam who doesn't have the use of magic to aid her. I liked Inej's character because she was so controlled, so specific in her movements and actions but she was also a survivor. Throughout the book, we learn what each character has gone through and I felt so much empathy when it came to Inej and Kaz, actually, and I loved how Leigh portrayed these characters and their stories. Nina, Jesper, Matthias and Wylan are the other four misfits that make up the crew of six for the heist. Nina is a strong Grisha woman, fighting to survive after a past where she was captured and nearly killed. I liked Nina's humour and personality as a whole, especially the change in it when Matthias came into the story; their enemies-to-lovers vibes were so good and whilst Matthias isn't my favourite character - there was one scene where I wanted to punch him - he does have a good heart when it comes to Nina. Jesper was one of the more comedic elements throughout the novel and I enjoyed seeing how he fits into the group, his hidden talents and the way he interacted with Wylan as if he likes him but didn't want to like him. Wylan was a bit of a 'meh' character at the beginning for me; he was quite innocent to the horrors of Ketterdam and the Barrel but towards the end of the novel, his character arc was clear and you could see he was starting to embrace being a Dreg. The entire plot of book one kept me hooked all the way through because the way Bardugo wrote the prose keeps you wanting to know whether the team manage to pull of the heist. Obviously, as it's a fantasy book we know there'll be conflict throughout the novel, so the problems that kept cropping up just made it even more exciting but also added to the suspense. And now onto Crooked Kingdom Crooked Kingdom was very much the same. After Inej is captured at the end of book one, Kaz and the team create a plan to try and get her back. But nothing is as simple as it seems...obviously. I loved book one and couldn't wait to start book two because I needed to know what happens. Leigh's writing style is very poetic but it also has clarity that conveys the images she wants you to see off the page clearly and the narrative will hook you in until the last word. Crooked Kingdom follows on from Six of Crows and so, you already know the characters and what's happening. But I felt that throughout Crooked Kingdom, I actually got to know the characters better as individuals on a deeper level. In the first part, the focus is mainly on Inej and her safety, which means that as a reader we learn more about her character and the relationship she has with Kaz and within the dregs. I loved her character even more in book two because of the emotional connection Leigh creates between her and the reader. Similarly, Kaz became less of a villain and more of a tortured hero in Crooked Kingdom. In the first book, you do learn about his past but in book two, you see Kaz try to overcome what holds him back and it was refreshing seeing his vulnerable side as well as the 'dangerous Dirtyhands' that was primarily in book one. There is a lot of action happening in Crooked Kingdom. The conflict is not an easy conflict to resolve, hence the thickness of the book, but whilst reading it, I didn't feel that it was too long-winded or complex to follow. Leigh wrote the narrative in a way that flows well and isn't too fast or slow-paced - it was just right. However, towards the end, there is something that happens that I was not expecting. Looking back now, it makes sense why it happened and did seem logical but at the time, I wasn't happy because it was a sad moment and an emotional one for the characters of the story. But I do think it strengthens the narrative that bit more. Choosing my favourite book out of Six of Crows or Crooked Kingdom is difficult. Six of Crows introduces you to the world and the characters and you get immersed in their lives. But on the other hand, Crooked Kingdom is more action-packed, perhaps more emotional, and you have that stronger connection to the characters because you know who they are from book one. What I can decide, however, is that the Six of Crows duology by Leigh Bardugo is one of my favourite series to read. I will never forget the stories, the characters and will - definitely - reread them. Have you read the Six of Crows duology? If so, let me know your thoughts down below. Until next time...

Today, October 10th is World Mental Health Day. Mental health is and will always be one of the most important aspects of life, but sometimes it can be difficult to prioritise and take care of yourself mentally. So I'm going to give you some tips on self-care to help your mental health. Earlier this year, it was Mental Health Awareness Week. Back then, I shared some blog posts on tips to improve your mental health as well as movies to make you feel good. Now, with it being World Mental Health Day, I wanted to share some more tips and tricks to improve your mental health. Managing our mental health can be a tough thing to do in today's world, especially with the rise of social media. But it is so important for us to take time for ourselves and help ourselves feel good. It's okay to not always feel 100%. It's okay to have low days. It's okay to not want to always go out and about. But what's not okay, is not prioritising your mental health. So, I thought I'd share some ideas for self-care that you can do to help improve your mental health, feel better about yourself and life and just generally feel good. Embrace your social life When it comes to your mental health, there are times when you may not want to go out. You may feel quite lethargic or tired, but sometimes, it can pay to see family and friends, talk and connect to people and embrace your social life. Typically, extroverts are those who are re-energised through socialising. However, embracing your social life doesn't just benefit the extroverts. For introverts as well, having a conversation with a close friend or family member can really help lift your spirits. It doesn't have to be every day, or every other day. It can be that once a week, you schedule a phone call, or go for coffee or a meal out with someone who you're comfortable around. Having a small event like those above scheduled can give you something to look forward. And being around those you love can boost your mood and your confidence, and can make you feel less isolated. And if you're feeling really brave, you can even go to community events like a fair, a book club or a local quiz night at the pub. Whatever it is that you like to do, embrace it with someone by your side. Embrace me-time But going out and socialising isn't always the best for everyone and that's okay. Spending time in your home by yourself is just as valuable as seeing friends. And it isn't just for introverts either, extroverts can indulge in some me-time to help boost their mental health. Having that time by yourself where you can fully relax and not worry about anything else is a huge benefit to life. I don't do it nearly enough, but it's something I want to start doing more. Taking time for yourself, doing an activity you love like reading a book or watching a new film/TV series you've always wanted to watch, is more beneficial than you think. Sometimes, people think that if a friend asks you to go out, but you'd rather spend time at home, in your PJs snuggled up on the sofa for example, it's not really an excuse. Now I include myself in this group; there have been times where I've been asked to go out but what I really wanted - and what I needed for my mental health - was to stay at home and have a relaxing night in. However, I end up going out and I don't get to reap the rewards I would have had if I'd embraced my me-time. So the best thing for you, personally, will sometimes be to do something by yourself, to have that time on your own. Pamper evenings One thing I have recently discovered and now love is an everything shower. I first heard of this from a friend, who had seen it all over social media. And if you're reading this and thinking, what is an everything shower? I'll tell you. An everything shower is a shower where you wash your hair, shave, cleanse, exfoliate, wash your body - basically everything you need to do to make sure you're super clean. I love having an everything shower on a Sunday, particularly in the evening, because then when I come out, I can put fresh pyjamas on, maybe a face mask, sort out my hair, moisturise, and just generally feel as though I've been pampered. This tip is probably more for the skincare and beauty lovers that read this blog, but trust me when I tell you how good an everything shower can make you feel. It rejuvenates your whole body, makes you feel clean and fresh, and gets you ready for a lovely night's sleep before the next day. But if you're not an everything-shower type of person, then pampering yourself in other ways is just as advantageous for your mental health. Do what you enjoy In life, lots of people can get bogged down by what they think they're supposed to do than what they actually want to do. But when it comes to your mental health, doing what you enjoy is the most important. If you're finding yourself wishing the day or week was over before it's really just begun, or if you find yourself feeling 'meh' most days, having a hobby or something you love can really help. It's very easy in today's society to let life pass you by but you should try and embrace every moment and every opportunity that comes your way. And one way to do this is to do something you enjoy. There are so many different hobbies out there for all kinds of people and if you can find at least one hobby you love and schedule some time to do it, your mental health will be all the better for it. Release the endorphins Endorphins are hormones our bodies release when we feel pain or stress. However, they are also released when you do things such as exercise. So if you love exercise, if you're an active person and like doing some cardio or weight-lifting, then one way you can better your mental health and improve how you feel, is by getting that blood pumping and doing exercise. Not every exercise is for everyone; for instance, I have a friend who loves running. I don't run unless it's away from something bad. But I do love swimming and I love dancing and I love Pilates. To improve your mental health, you need to find the right exercise for you and schedule time to do it. Releasing the stress in your body, getting the endorphins flowing, and working up a sweat can have a huge impact on your mental health - but it's a good impact. Mental Health Charities If you ever need someone to talk to or need help regarding your mental health, there are several charities and organisations that are out there to do exactly that. Anxiety UK – www.anxietyuk.org.uk Men’s Health Support – www.menshealthforum.org.uk Mental Health Foundation - https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/ Mind – www.mind.org.uk No Panic – www.nopanic.org.uk Papyrus – www.papyrus-uk.org Samaritans – https://www.samaritans.org/ Young Minds – www.youngminds.org.uk Until next time...

Are you looking for a new TV show to watch this Autumn? If so, I have some recommendations. It's that time of year when the days get darker, the weather gets colder and the leaves get crisper. October is here, which means it's officially Autumn. Autumn is one of my favourite seasons and I love this time of year because I'm an introvert and being inside, watching a cosy TV show or snuggling up with a book makes me so happy. But what if you can't find anything to watch? Well, I have some recommendations of Autumn TV shows for you that you can binge-watch this season. If you looked up Autumn TV shows online, there would be hundreds to choose from - the same with movies for Autumn - and if you're anything like me, it isn't easy to decide. But I thought I'd share some of my favourite TV shows that I love and will probably be re-watching in the next couple of months. So first up is... Gilmore Girls I couldn't recommend a TV series for Autumn without mentioning Gilmore Girls. Yes, it is sometimes classed as a teen drama, and yes, it includes romance, but everything about Stars Hollow and the mother-daughter duo of Lorelai and Rory screams Autumn. Gilmore Girls spans seven seasons with a separate sequel - Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life - and there are roughly 20 episodes per season. It is one of the shows that I absolutely loved when I watched it. There will be characters that you may dislike, but aren't there in nearly everything? Throughout the show there are some heart-warming moments, but also some rather sad moments. However, Gilmore Girls is one of those shows that began in 2005 and is still a favourite among many. The character of Lorelai, especially, will forever be a timeless character because she is very relatable, very funny and has some great quotes throughout the series. Each character is vastly different and whilst Gilmore Girls is more popular among women in their teens and early 20s, it's still an enjoyable show for everyone. Next up is... Charmed When I talk about Charmed, I mean the original series that ran from 1998 to 2006. This TV show is one of my all-time favourites because it has everything you could ever want in a TV show: action, humour, romance, family, friendship, life lessons...it has everything. So this Autumn, especially in October when it's spooky season, a show about three sisters discovering they're witches and what happens to them from then on, is one of the best shows you could watch. There is a remake of Charmed but personally, it has nothing on the original. Charmed stars Holly Marie Combs, Alyssa Milano, Shannon Doherty and Rose McGowan as the main characters with Doherty leaving after season three, making way for McGowan. There are so many aspects of Charmed that I love and I can't tell you how many times I've watched edits of the show on YouTube or TikTok because it is just that good. And with it being supernatural, that brings me on nicely to... The Vampire Diaries The Vampire Diaries is a classic TV show that is watched again and again by many. The TV show is actually based on the book series by L.J. Shen with some slight differences. It follows the story of Stefan and Damon Salvatore, two brothers who are actually vampires. It is modern-day with flashbacks to the past, but the show is centred around Stefan and Damon and the town of Mystic Falls, where Elena Gilbert lives. The Vampire Diaries is a teen, supernatural and romance drama with vampires, witches, werewolves, hybrids and originals, which funnily enough have their own TV show The Originals. I loved The Vampire Diaries when I first watched it and I have rewatched the odd episode here and there. In fact, I'm currently studying the script for the pilot episode and whilst reading the script, I could picture exactly what was portrayed on screen. That shows just how good it is because it stays in your head once you've watched it. But another good supernatural TV show to watch this Autumn is... Buffy the Vampire Slayer I can't quite remember how I first came around to watching Buffy the Vampire Slayer, but I'm glad I did. Like The Vampire Diaries, it does have vampires in it and it is based on a high-school student becoming a vampire slayer - hence the name. It includes other supernatural creatures like witches and demons but is more about the life of Buffy and her friends as they tackle having to save the world every other day - as you do. It's been a while since I've seen the show but it is perfect for Autumn and October if you're stuck with what to watch. Buffy the Vampire Slayer has eight seasons, all very different, and it hooks you from the very beginning. If you like a darker supernatural programme, then Buffy the Vampire Slayer is for you. Moving onto a darker, non-supernatural, programme... Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin Now, full disclaimer, I have only watched one episode of this TV show so far. A friend introduced me to it and I got hooked. Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin is a spin-off series from the original show Pretty Little Liars. But whilst this one still has a tormentor/stalker, the storyline is quite different and to me, it seems darker. It's still a teen show, but from what I've seen so far, it is tailored to the older end of the teen/young adult demographic. It follows a group of five girls, all at high school, but not necessarily friends, as they're punished for their mothers' mistakes. So far, I'm loving it and I think it's the perfect show to watch in the build-up to Halloween. And moving on to more light-hearted TV shows... Once Upon A Time Once Upon A Time is probably what you guessed...a TV show about fairy tales. And you may be thinking that that seems more suitable for a child audience, but I can assure you it's not. Once Upon A Time follows the story of a saviour, the daughter of Prince Charming and Snow White, as she discovers her true identity and is forced into a world that she thought only belonged in books. The magic and fantasy elements of the show are probably some of the most realistic I've seen and the detail of all the fairy tales is incredible. There are seven seasons of Once Upon A Time and once you get started, you'll want to watch the rest because there are so many intricate storylines that you get hooked on the characters' journeys and want to see how it ends. And finally, my last recommendation... Hart of Dixie Hart of Dixie is one of my favourite TV shows that I will always rewatch. It is more of a late summer, early Autumn show in that it's set in Alabama and some of the episodes give off summery vibes. However, it is such a wholesome, light-hearted show to watch that it also has cosy vibes for Autumn. It follows the story of a New York City doctor moving to one of those small towns in Alabama where everybody knows everybody and nothing is really a secret. It's humorous, it's romantic, it's addicting. Hart of Dixie will make you smile - I guarantee it - and if you haven't watched it yet, what are you waiting for? So now that you have seven recommendations for Autumn TV shows, you can now snuggle up and escape reality for a moment. And if you fancy a reality Autumn TV show, I recommend Strictly Come Dancing or the Great British Bake Off. If you've got any other TV shows to watch this Autumn, let me know in the comments below. Or if you give any of these a go, let me know what you think of them. Until next time...

I had the pleasure of interviewing romance author, Chelsie Hart, to talk all about her journey as a writer and her debut novel, Golden Hour. As an aspiring author and book lover, I've read many different genres and works of many different authors. I have my go-to authors that I will always return to but I also enjoy reading new authors. One of the new authors I've discovered this year is Chelsie Hart. Now, Chelsie was a fellow book reviewer but is now a self-published author. Recently, after having followed Chelsie's journey from reader to writer and reading her debut novel, I had the opportunity to interview her. Much like in my interview with Cressida McLaughlin, Chelsie and I spoke about her writing journey, her first published book, and her current work-in-progress as well as a game of Would You Rather. Chelsie was so nice and lovely. I'm really grateful I got the opportunity to speak to her and meet her - even if it was virtually. So read on to see my interview with Chelsie Hart. My interview with Chelsie Hart WriteWatchWork: Chelsie, you started out as a book reviewer on bookstagram, but now you're a self-published author. How did becoming an author come about? Was it something you've always wanted to do? Chelsie: When I was in high school, I started writing a book because I've always loved reading. It was terrible; I found it when I was cleaning out my closet in my childhood home and I was like, 'Oh my gosh, this is awful!' I've always wanted to write. I've always felt that I had cool stories swirling around in my brain. But it wasn't until I started reading romance that I found what I was good at writing. I had tried several different genres and nothing had ever really clicked for me and then I started reading romance and I was like, 'Hey, I could do this.' I would say reading the likes of Lexi Ryan's books really helped me find my voice. She's one of my favourites and then also Nikki Castle and Lulu Moore were pretty big influences on me starting to write. WriteWatchWork: And you're an indie author having gone down the self-publishing route rather than a traditional publishing house. What was the reasoning behind this? Chelsie: Traditional publishing is kind of intimidating generally. Who knows if you would ever really make it that way? But apart from that, I just like to do what I want and I don't like people telling me what to do. So the thought of someone being like, this is what your cover is going to look like or I don't like this part of your writing, change it to something else, I don't think I would handle that well. I'm generally really good at handling criticism, but I think if someone was talking to me like you have to change this stuff in your book otherwise we're not going to publish it, I think I would have a really hard time with that. So I felt like indie publishing was the way to go for me. Plus, I don't work well under deadlines. WriteWatchWork: How did it feel to publish your book and hold the physical copy in your hands? Chelsie: It was wild! When I got my author proofs back that still had the grey band across the front of them, I was like, 'Oh my gosh, this is the most beautiful thing I've ever held in my hands.' I was so excited. It's just so crazy to have a physical piece of something you've worked so hard on. It's not just a Kindle copy, it's a physical thing, so that was really cool to be able to flip through it and be like 'I wrote this.' WriteWatchWork: Has publishing Golden Hour changed your approach to writing in any way? Are there any lessons you learned that you can bring forward to writing the other books in the series? Chelsie: Actually, I started writing another series in 2021, I think, and with that one, I was just writing it in order. I didn't have anything planned out, it was a fly-from-the-seat-of-my-pants kind of thing; I was just writing whatever I wanted. And then when I started writing Golden Hour, I plotted everything in an Excel sheet, each chapter and what I wanted. I plotted out each chapter and what I wanted to happen in each chapter and then I would write whatever the vibe was that day. I would pick a chapter and then start writing it. WriteWatchWork: As you just mentioned, you plotted out each chapter for Golden Hour. But when coming up with the initial idea, did you start with the plot first or the characters? Chelsie: The characters, definitely. I'm a big country music fan, not so much stuff that's come out recently, but my family, our history is a lot of country music. My family has blue grass bands and they're all very musical, so I grew up listening to '70s and '80s country music. And so, I always imagined all of these women, country music artists from that era, what they would be like if they were all friends and not famous. So I wanted to write a book about that. I wanted to see what it would feel like to have all these normal, sassy women from rural America being friends. WriteWatchWork: That's really cool that you've taken inspiration from your childhood and what you knew growing up. But my next question is how do you get yourself into the writing zone and how do you overcome writer's block? Chelsie: I think my husband would laugh really hard if he heard you ask if I have a routine. I am the least regimented person ever - it's awful and not great both in writing and motherhood. I need to be better at it. I'm terrible at getting routines started and following through on them, so when I was writing Golden Hour, I was working part-time most of the time, so I would either text my husband and say, I've got to go to Starbucks once you get home from work so I can get some writing done, or I found this little Bluetooth keyboard and it hooked up to my phone. I'd take it to work with me and write on my breaks. It was pretty much just between working part-time and taking care of my kids, it was just writing here and there, whenever I could find the time. I wish I had a routine, that would be amazing, but I also don't think it's in the cards for me. As for writer's block, I would either just listen to music or get on Pinterest and look at my aesthetic boards. Or I have a note on my phone for each book where I'd write little ideas and so I'd go on there and pick a quote that I had thought of and written down, and then try to write off of that. WriteWatchWork: As we mentioned, you were an avid reader before you became an author. But now, when you read books by other authors, do you find yourself having an author's eye and noticing things that perhaps you wouldn't have prior to writing your own novel? Chelsie: Yes, it's a blessing and a curse because I feel like I'm more picky with what I spend my time on. I've always been pretty picky; I don't read books that I'm not into, I'll DNF a book 10 pages in if I feel like it's not what I want to read right now. But I feel even more so now if there are even just two sentences in a row that start with the same word, I'm out. I have such a more critical eye that it's hard to break out of that. WriteWatchWork: If you were to ever try your hand at another genre, what genre would it be? Chelsie: So actually, whenever I was in college, one summer I read 20-30, which is not that much now that I read romance books, but one summer I was home from college and I read a bunch of Young Adult dystopian, like The Hunger Games and Divergent and stuff like that. I have a notebook filled with dystopian world-building, I did the whole thing, I thought of literally everything. So if I ever wanted to switch, I think I would try to pick that back up, but I don't know if I would ever switch. WriteWatchWork: And how do you deal with both the positive and negative reviews of your book? Do you read them at all? Chelsie: A lot of the advice that authors I've known for a while gave me was to not read the Goodreads reviews, the negative ones, but I can't stop myself. So I read them anyway. But they don't bother me. I try to keep in mind I don't like every book that I've read, it's not going to happen. People aren't going to like my book and that's totally fine. If they're mean about it then I will just send a screenshot to my friend and be like, make me feel better about this. But more often than not, I'm okay with it. I was a journalism major in college so criticism is kind of the name of the game. So no big deal, I just let it roll off. WriteWatchWork: That's good, a good mindset to have because sometimes you can get bogged down so it's good to let it bounce off you in a way. Chelsie: You definitely can, but I was like, if you're going to read these reviews, you've got to be able to let it go. WriteWatchWork: In Golden Hour, there is such a vast cast of characters and they're all so different. Which character resonates with you the most that you've written? Chelsie: It would probably be a mixture of June and Louise. I'm from a really small town and when I was growing up, there is this pressure when you're from a small town to look a certain way, be a certain way because news travels fast. It's very gossipy and people know all your business and they all have opinions that they will freely share with you. So I feel like there is a lot of pressure when you grow up in a small town to put on a façade of perfection. But with Louise, her character is really - you guys don't know her a ton yet - but her character is really like a nurturing type of person. She likes to care for Goldie and her friends, pretty much anyone she can get her hands on. And I like to think I'm like that - I try to be, I like making people feel special and cared for. WriteWatchWork: Which character was the most challenging to write? Or will be if you haven't written their story yet? Chelsie: I think Beau is going to be a little bit hard to write. Just because he is more quiet, not grumpy, but kind of quiet and only says something when he feels it's important to say that thing. So writing a character to depict what they're thinking and feeling without having to say a whole is going to be challenging, you know. I feel like authors sometimes really depend on a lot of dialogue to tell instead of just show, and so I feel like Beau will be challenging having to really flex those show muscles instead of just using dialogue to get the point across. WriteWatchWork: Out of the characters you've written so far, were there any you disliked writing? Chelsie: I don't think so, I had a really good time! As far as the three best friends go, I wrote them based on all of my favourite parts of my friends and family members. I just wanted them to be a mixture of all the best parts of all of the women that I loved. And yeah, they're flawed, but not that flawed. So I've really enjoyed writing them. The men have been an interesting little journey for me. Grady started out as one thing and then ended up completely different for me. I loved writing his character and everything that he went through. So far, I've really enjoyed writing all of my characters. WriteWatchWork: You just mentioned Grady's character changed throughout the writing process and Golden Hour is in dual point-of-view. What was it like writing Grady's chapters and having to be in the mindset of a male character? Chelsie: That was harder than I thought it was going to be and I asked my husband a lot, obviously we're not writing men that are actual men because that would usually suck, but I would ask my husband, is this something so off-base from what a man would say or do, if I felt something was iffy. So he was a big help to me in trying to find my way. But it ended up being a lot easier than I thought it was going to be. It just kind of happens when you start writing from a male point of view and I did rewrite a couple of his first chapters because by the time I'd reached the end of the book, I thought his voice was more established in my head, so I did end up rewriting a couple of things, but it just kind of happened. WriteWatchWork: One thing I particularly struggle with is coming up with the names for characters, locations, etc. How did you come up with the names for places, characters, etc. in your book and the trilogy title, Porch Bitches? Chelsie: As far as the three main girls, I just go on Pinterest - that's where I find all of my names - and I looked for Southern names and Western names. I really like old-fashioned names so that's where June and Louise came from. Delia's was a magazine, a clothing magazine, that I got in the mail way back in the early 2000s and I have always loved that name. That's the only reason that's Delia's name because of that magazine and how much I loved that magazine. Maple Creek, I just wanted to name it something really salt-of-the-earth. It's not anything special, it's just a little town and then as far as the trilogy title, I knew I wanted them to have a place where they always went and I liked the idea of it being at Louise's house because she's the caregiver of the group. Some of my best memories growing up were sitting with my mum and my grandma on the porch swing, enjoying the quiet of living in a small town and that's where you solve all your problems. You're just swinging and talking and then by the end of the evening, you're like, alright, I've got it all figured out now. So I obviously wanted it to be on the porch and then I was like, what is this book about and what would make it funny because I like to be funny so my thought process led there. WriteWatchWork: You're currently writing book two in the series, Wilder Days, which is Delia and Kacey's story. How is that going so far? Are there any details you can tell us at all? Chelsie: I'm terrible at being hush-hush at anything, so I'll tell you anything you want. It's going well. I think I've shared this a little bit here and there, but me and my husband and our two children, are currently living with my parents. We moved from St Louis where we'd been living for the past five years, and we got some land and we're getting a modular home. And so we're living with my parents, I'm working on the family farm and it's harvest season so my life has been super hectic lately. So I'm writing literally every spare moment I have. It's been a challenge. So far, I'm loving both of the characters. I was so excited to write Delia in more detail and get inside her head because she's like who I always wanted to be; I always wanted to be the person who's like, I said what I said and consequences be damned, this is who I am, get over it. But I am so far the opposite of that. Inwardly, I feel like I'm like that, but outwardly, I'm not like that at all. So it's been super fun to get inside her head and it's just a stream of consciousness that I'm word-vomiting out on the paper. I'm going to go back and maybe get rid of some of it, maybe not because that's just who Delia is. When it pops into her head, she just says it. So that's been super fun and it's been fun to write Kacey. I just wrote his very first scene where he's still in the city and his life there and how he's coping with his life. I've written scenes with him in them already when he's already back in Maple Creek and the part where he and Delia are already back together. So it's fun to get in his head. WriteWatchWork: If you could give one piece of advice to aspiring authors, what would it be? Chelsie: It would be to write for yourself. I feel like especially if you've been in the Bookstagram world for a while, it would be easy to get caught up in the tropes that people are enjoying right now instead of writing the story that you want to write. I know small-town romances are really big right now, but if that's not your wheelhouse then don't write a small-town romance. Write the book that you want to write and people are going to read it. WriteWatchWork: One final question. This is related to books but not your books. I saw on your Instagram that you like Lexi Ryan's series. Now I love this series but I've never found anyone else who has read it and liked it, so I have to ask: Which book is your favourite and which brother is your favourite? Chelsie: I think my favourite one - I get all the titles mixed up in my head all the time - but it's Molly and Brayden's book, Wrapped Up in Love I think it is. I loved them so much. I love Molly's whole vibe, I loved her from the moment she appeared in the third book. And my favourite brother, I really liked Carter. I never understand why I don't see that series more often, I think it is incredible. And I'm rereading them now, because like I said, they were some of my very first romance books way back in 2020, and so I'm rereading them now to be like, was it just because they were some of my first books or are they actually as good as I remember. And they are. And that's a wrap! I hope you enjoyed my interview with romance author, Chelsie Hart. Until next time...

In modern society, it can be difficult to maintain a work-life balance between our professional lives and our personal lives and have boundaries. But it is an essential part of life to ensure we stay healthy and avoid burnout. Having a work-life balance is one of the most important things we can have to help ourselves daily. But it is also one of the toughest things to accomplish. Trust me, I know. Recently, it was the Japanese Grand Prix for Formula 1 and living in the UK meant the track action started at 3:30am most days. As a sports journalist, I was awake for all the sessions for three days on the trot. On top of that, my university modules had just begun. I was still getting acquainted with what the courses entailed as well as battling COVID-19, which had invaded our household once again. So I've had a lot going on and it's had a negative effect on me because I have burnt myself out. I always advocate for a work-life balance and setting yourself boundaries, but I'm not that great at actually implementing what I preach. However, I'm going to start. So, here are some ways to implement boundaries into your life to achieve that work-life balance, decrease your stress levels and hopefully, avoid burning out. No-phone day Since mobile phones were invented, people have relied more and more on those devices to help them live. With smartphones, such as iPhones and Android phones, it is so much easier to have everything you need and want at your fingertips. We can read the latest news, see what our family, friends and celebrities are up to, check our emails, watch a programme on Netflix, spend hours on TikTok, buy new clothes and so much more all from our phones. But having access to our phones all the time can be detrimental. As someone who relies on their phone for aspects of their job, I know how difficult it can be to switch off from our devices. It is very easy to become addicted to checking your phone every ten minutes. Trust me, I know it is, but it is so much better for you and your mental health if every once in a while, you can break away from that. The other day, I didn't have my phone on me for the whole day. I left it somewhere in the house and didn't need to check it. I wasn't in the middle of a conversation with someone, I wasn't expecting any important emails and I didn't need to post on social media for work. And you know what? It was liberating. So when you're struggling with a work-life balance, when things are getting too much, maybe have a no-phone day. Have one day a week - or fortnight - where you leave your phone in a drawer and turn it off. Out of sight, out of mind as they say. Turn off notifications If having a no-phone day sounds daunting and not that plausible for you, then turning off notifications could be the next best thing. A friend of mine on LinkedIn recently shared a post about how turning off notifications for everything over the weekend really helped her create boundaries between work and play. With smartphones, we can get notifications for all sorts of things, it isn't just messages. We can get them when there's a new episode of our favourite podcast, when a colleague or a client sends you an email and even when there are new stories on Apple News. Notifications can be for everything but having them light up your phone screen all the time - and remain in your notifications centre if you don't look at them right away - can have a detrimental effect on mental health and our moods generally. But if you turn notifications off for a couple of days - apart from the essentials (e.g. if a family member is going away and they may contact you) - then it can help cleanse your mind, and it can help you destress and focus on things away from work. Having just one day a week, or perhaps just a few hours, where you're not constantly looking at your phone, has more benefits than we all probably realise. Schedule in downtime In the digital age, I think one of the more challenging things to do is to set aside time for ourselves. This is especially difficult because a lot of people can work from their phones, or at least check emails etc. But if there's one thing I've learnt from constantly working is to take breaks. If someone asks me when do I take breaks from work, my usual answer is when I go to bed. And that's true. My downtime for myself is usually once I'm ready for bed and from nine in the evening onwards. But whilst I enjoy reading and listening to music at that time, it isn't that good for me in the long run because it impacts my sleep. So, I'm learning to schedule downtime where I do something fun and enjoyable away from work. This not only gives me a break and gives my mind a rest, but it means that when I return to work, I can be more efficient in tackling the tasks I have to do. And I know it's easy to say, I'll have a break tomorrow or I won't work all the time over the weekend, but unless you schedule in time for yourself, it probably won't happen. So, schedule it in, and don't be afraid to prioritise yourself. Even if a friend asks you to go out for the evening, if you don't want to or would rather stay in, saying you're busy is okay - it's not a copout, it is a valid reason because it can make all the difference. Lower cortisol levels I recently saw a TikTok video about how cortisol levels have a huge impact on our bodies and daily lives. Now, cortisol is the stress hormone and when you're feeling stressed, the levels of cortisol increase. And when you're stressed, things can feel out of control; it can take a toll on your health and you may feel guilty if you don't work or accomplish the things that you think need to be accomplished. But if you try to lower your cortisol levels, you'll feel better generally and less bogged down by everything on your to-do list. It's easy to say, reduce your cortisol levels, but it's not as easy to do. So, some ways you can lower your cortisol levels are: Get adequate sleep - at least seven to eight hours a night Practice gratitude and journaling Go outside for walks or for a coffee to be among nature Take deep breaths and practice somatic movements Use the Eisenhower Matrix I first heard of the Eisenhower Matrix back when I was studying at Sixth Form, but my sister recently reminded me of it. Essentially, the Eisenhower Matrix is how you categorise different tasks in levels of urgency and importance. Doing this with work tasks, but also things you need to do in your personal life, can help you create those boundaries and ensure you have more of a balance and aren't overdoing it. So, what is the Eisenhower Matrix? The Eisenhower Matrix categorises tasks into four different sections: Important and urgent Important but not urgent Not important but urgent Not important and not urgent The idea is that you group your tasks on your to-do list into one of these categories. Then, depending on what category the task is in, depends on what you do with it. If it's in the 'Important and Urgent' section, then the tasks usually have a deadline or consequences if they're not completed ASAP. So those tasks are marked as 'DO'. The jobs in the 'Important but not urgent' section are ones that need to be done, but not necessarily straight away, so you want to schedule them. Moving onto the 'Not important but urgent' tasks. These ones you can afford to delegate with. They need to be done urgently, but it doesn't have to be you who does them. And then finally, the 'Not important and not urgent' tasks are ones you can forget about. Delete them from your mind. Structuring your to-do list this way will help make your day more efficient because you'll be wiser when it comes to spending your time. It will also help you create those boundaries between life and work creating a more harmonious balance where you don't get too stressed. So hopefully, these five tips can help you create a better work-life balance so you can avoid burning yourself out. If you have any more tips to create boundaries, let me know in the comments below. Until next time...

Crime TV shows, both fiction and non-fiction, have grown in popularity with more and more being produced for our viewing. I love watching TV; getting invested in a programme and attached to the characters is a great way to escape from reality. And recently, I was thinking about the TV shows I really like to watch after a conversation with my family. It turns out, a lot of people in my family actually watch similar shows. They mainly consist of medical dramas like Grey's Anatomy but crime dramas are also rather popular. So I thought I'd share my top crime TV shows with you all and see if we have watched any of the same ones. The Rookie The Rookie is a US crime show that consists of five seasons. It begins focusing on a rookie cop, John Nolan, who is older than most recruits. Whilst he's the protagonist in the first series, as the show develops, we get to see a group of central characters and their storylines. This show is one of my favourites because it combines humour with the traditional aspects of a crime show. I recently watched the season finale of season five, and let me tell you, the way the show grips you and keeps you hooked throughout the episode is amazing. Also, as a budding screenwriter myself, the different ways they portray episodes, for example, through police cameras, is intriguing. Chicago PD Chicago PD is another American crime drama but it's part of the One Chicago universe. It is a spin-off from the show Chicago Fire and often has cross-over episodes with Chicago Fire as well as Chicago Med. The show is centred around the Intelligence Unit within the Chicago Police Department, which is run by Hank Voight. There are currently ten seasons of the show - the latest season finished quite recently. Each season has different storylines throughout with each episode centred around a specific case. The reason I love this show is that it features the darker side of crime and how police officers are affected by what they see on the job and also what happens when they're threatened. I know it is fictional, but Chicago PD is a great piece of escapism if you love some drama, dark detective work and also a bit of romance. Magnum P.I. Now for those of an older generation, you may be thinking of Magnum P.I. with Tom Selleck as Thomas Magnum. And whilst that is Magnum P.I., I'm talking about the 2018 reboot. Magnum P.I. with Jay Hernandez and Perdita Weeks as Magnum and Higgins is one of the shows I love to watch because it is such a feel-good show that incorporates a more light-hearted take on investigating crimes - kind of like The Rookie. I must admit, I haven't actually watched the first season. However, I have watched every one since because it is so good. Magnum P.I. is set in Hawaii, so you have the Hawaiian feel to the show with the ocean and sunny weather. And the key characters - Magnum, Higgins, Rick, TC, Gordy and Teuila - make the show what it is. There is action, humour, romance, which I'm very happy is happening, and so much more in the show that is Magnum P.I. NCIS: Los Angeles When it comes to the NCIS universe, there are many different versions of the show in many different cities within America. There is the standard NCIS: Naval Criminal Investigation Service, NCIS: Hawai'i, NCIS: New Orleans, and NCIS: Sydney, which is the new series that has yet to be released. But my favourite version is NCIS: Los Angeles. NCIS: Los Angeles has actually now finished completely, so if you don't like starting tv shows that have lots of seasons and are ongoing, now is the time to watch it. It follows the story of the Office of Special Projects with the Naval Criminal Investigation Service. The main characters are G Callan and Sam Hanna, but over time we also get Kensi Blye, Marti Deeks, Hetty Lang and many more. Sometimes NCIS: Los Angeles can be difficult to follow, but only because of the intricacies of the cases the team work. There are so many subplots that run throughout the entire show in addition to the general cases of each episode. I feel that as the show goes on and you get to the later episodes, the humour and comedic element increases, which is one of the aspects of the show I really enjoy. Also, all the characters and their relationships are portrayed incredibly well. MacGyver Much like Magnum P.I., the version of MacGyver that I love to watch is the reboot. The 2016-2021 version of the TV show stars Lucas Till, who was actually in Hannah Montana: The Movie, as well as Tristan Mays and George Eads. Now, I've written about MacGyver before because the TV show has, in fact, been cancelled. There was a petition trying to get the show picked up again, but unfortunately, it remains cancelled. And for me, that's a shame because I really enjoyed watching the show. Yes, it is centred around government agents saving the world and bringing people to justice, but it was also a fictional TV show that taught the audience a lot. MacGyver, the character, has an incredible brain that is often the reason he's able to save the day - not brute force. So, the show taught people about science and brought humour and action together as well as onscreen friendships. So these five TV shows are some of my favourite crime shows. There are plenty more out there to watch, I just haven't got round to them yet. But if you have any recommendations for your own favourite crime shows, let me know in the comments below. And also let me know if you've seen any of the above and what you thought about them. Until next time...

Romance author, Eliah Greenwood has just released a new book, P.S. I'm Still Yours and oh my goodness is it good. Eliah Greenwood is an author I will always read. I've read every book she's published and so when I received an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) of her latest novel, I was over the moon. Thank you Eliah and Wildfire Marketing for giving me an ARC of the book. P.S. I'm Still Yours is set in the same universe as Dear Love, I Hate You and the Everything But You duet. It features characters from the Easton Boys series and I loved that it was intertwined but also a separate novel in itself. Having absolutely devoured it in about 24 hours (I did have breaks, lol), I just wanted to go back and reread it. P.S. I'm Still Yours is one of the best books I've read this year and so here is my spoiler-free ARC review. My review of P.S. I'm Still Yours by Eliah Greenwood Tropes: Second chance romance Enemies-to-lovers Childhood best friends Rockstar romance Forced proximity Brothers best friend 'No one but you' vibes Where do I start? P.S. I'm Still Yours is a standalone romance that follows the story of Kane Wilder and Hadley Queen. Kane is a completely new character in the Easton Boys universe, but we have seen Hadley before in the previous books. However, you don't need to have read them to understand the story of P.S. I'm Still Yours. Hadley and Kane are childhood friends who have kind of grown up together because their mums are best friends. Every summer, Hadley, her brother Gray, and their mum, travel to Kane's beach house in Golden Cove. One particular summer, whilst staying at the beach house, Hadley stumbles upon something she was never meant to see. This kickstarts Hadley and Kane's friendship as a few months later, both the Wilders and the Queens are forced to live together. From there, despite his best efforts, Kane and Hadley open up to each other and grow closer. But then things happen. P.S. I'm Still Yours has two different stages of the narrative, by which I mean there is a time jump in the novel. So, fast-forward several years and we get to the enemies-to-lovers part of the story. Hadley and Kane are then very much not what they used to be and their lives have completely changed and they are different people. But they still have remnants of their younger selves and we see this push and pull between them. Eliah takes us on a journey through the whole transformation of a relationship. In the beginning, we see the start of a friendship and two people building a bond between them, but we also see conflict that disrupts that relationship and forces Hadley and Kane to re-evaluate everything. From the opening line of the prologue, you're immediately hooked as a reader. Eliah captures your attention with a single sentence because you're thrown into the middle of the action and then from Chapter One, the words "Before he left" create questions from the reader, making you want to read on. Now focusing on the protagonists, Hadley Queen is a strong, sassy heroine. She stands up for those who need it and will always fight for the ones she loves. Her passion is painting, which Kane discovers, but Hadley's confidence isn't always present when it comes to her art. She's intelligent, kind-hearted and a stubborn woman, who has been through a lot. Her resilience to keep going and be positive no matter what happens is something to admire and I must say she was a rather refreshing protagonist. Kane Wilder is a rich boy but there is so much more to his character. He's had a difficult life, especially growing up, and then overnight he's launched into the lifestyle of a rockstar after becoming a musician. He's confident, good-looking and loved by many people. But he does have his flaws, which crop up throughout the novel. Kane's character transformation is a beautiful one; he has a certain innocence to him in the first part of the book, but then when he's famous, you see how the industry has changed him. I love Eliah's writing - I have in every book of hers I've read - but I particularly liked reading the prose in P.S. I'm Still Yours. It was the perfect balance of exposition and action, and it wasn't too fast-paced. It felt natural and the change in POVs for each chapter, allowed us to get an insight into both Hadley and Kane and see the two sides of their relationship. But also see them as individuals rather than just a couple. The plot of the book was intricately written and well-thought-out - there were no plot holes. And I can't tell you exactly what, but there is a major twist at one point in the book. Now I had a feeling about this plot twist and I got part of it correct, but the other part...Oh my goodness, Eliah I was not expecting that! P.S. I'm Still Yours has a lot of different tropes, it has a lot of different characters but everything works. You see some of the characters from the Easton Boys series but also new ones including Drea, Scar, Jamie and Shay. I would love a book on Drea's story because I really liked her character and thought she had a complex history, which would be interesting to find out about. The entire novel is a heart-warming tale of second chances and redemption but it is also emotional to see what the characters go through and Eliah handles it incredibly well in terms of conveying the emotion and difficulties of events. Overall, P.S. I'm Still Yours by Eliah Greenwood is an incredible romance and definitely worth the read. To buy P.S. I'm Still Yours on Amazon or Kindle Unlimited, click here. If you've read it or are going to read it, let me know your thoughts in the comments below. Until next time...