Life Updates

In my last post I mentioned I felt optimistic that spring was just around the corner so it's somewhat bizarre to be writing this while watching snowflakes flurry outside of my window, a cotton wool coating on everything in sight. The UK is notoriously rubbish at dealing with snow and we've been dealt a heavier hand with it in this spell than I've seen for many, many years. Of course although it seems silly that everything seems to grind to a halt in this weather, it's sensible advice to only make journeys that are absolutely necessary, and I'm taking it as a reminder to stop and take a good look at what is actually important.

It's never my intention to be cryptic about my personal life but I am always conscious that people don't want or need to know the intimate details through this blog: I like to use this space to muse on my interests more than my personal situation. However I am aware that my current situation is affecting my life in many ways, costing a lot of time and money, therefore affecting my ability and motivation to do things I love including blogging. Therefore I wanted to write a little bit of a chatty life update, about what I've been up to and some of changes going on for me right now.

Moving house
So it's official: my partner and I are moving house again at the end of March. We have adored living in our little cottage but due to various changes in circumstance we are upping sticks. I have found this to be quite a tough time - over the past year we have made some wonderful memories in our first (just us) home together and have truly tailored it into a sanctuary that reflects us both well. The feeling and hygge of a home is very important to me and it has taken a little while to overcome feeling this as anything other than a loss in my mind but now that I've started packing I am focusing on looking forward to challenges new, making our next place our own - a brand new project and exciting opportunity.

Learning to drive
As a direct result of where we are moving to, it is imperative that I learn to drive as the area we are moving to has no public transport links and the most financially viable commuting option will be to drive. I started lessons when I was having my gap year but when I went to university I couldn't afford to continue. It's been seven years (!!) and I'm enjoying the lessons much more now and feel much more optimistic about driving as a whole. I have booked a date for my theory test and am just trying to focus on getting more experience and not putting too much pressure on myself.

Decluttering
One benefit of moving three times in two and a half years is that it really makes you ruthless with your possessions. I work in a charity shop so I like to think that clearing and sorting items is one of my skills because, well, it's my job - but when it's your own stuff it can be different because you get irrationally attached. I cleared out a lot of items both of the last times that I moved, but this time I am being even more brutal than before because if I still haven't used an item, if I don't love it, find it beautiful or believe it to be useful, it's not coming with me. Needless clutter breeds negative energy! The one thing I'm struggling with (and will always struggle with, honestly) is my wardrobe. I'm excited for my friend Kimberley to come and stay shortly after moving to help me KonMari my life even more.

Being a cat (and dog) Mama
One huge, giant benefit of where we are moving to is that we will be able to take the cats and will also be looking after the dogs for a period of time. The cottage we are currently in we are currently living in is situated on a busy road meaning we never felt it would be fair to bring the cats along with us, but from March we'll have them full time. I apologise in advance for the Instagram influx.

Vegan junk food
This is a new one for me and it's not what I consider at all to be a good habit but this is a life update and it ought to be an honest one. Right now, I am living for vegan junk food. Vegan garlic bread, sausages, chips, hash browns, beans, biscuits, and SO MUCH BREAD, I have rediscovered processed food and I am craving it. I am used to a whole foods diet and I usually cook all of our meals from scratch (we spend a lot of time on food in our house) but currently at least twice a week we are eating food you nuke in the oven and devour. It's all stuff that's high in fat, salt and sugar, and to be honest I'm anxious I'm putting on weight, but I've been feeling inspired by Ruby Tandoh and the way that she encourages a healthy relationship with food and to destroy our self-imposed rules around food. I absolutely know I look and feel my best eating a whole foods, plant based diet but at the moment I don't have the time or energy (or space) to dedicate to cooking from scratch every day, planning and preparing things in advance, or denying myself vegan chocolate. So I'm trying to be kind to myself and look forward knowing that after the move I will have a lovely kitchen to make good food in, and hopefully a slightly shorter commute that allows me more time for these things in the evenings. In the meantime, if you have any good vegan diet hacks or time saving tips I am all ears, because as somebody who usually loves to cook I'm feeling a little burnt out with it all right now.

So that's where I am right now. I'd love to hear what's new with you, or any tips you might have for any of the changes I'm going through right now - any advice is much appreciated. Until next time, keep warm!