5 Different Kinds of Journals to Keep

I'm someone who has way too many journals but not enough downtime to keep a diary. Luckily for me, there are plenty of journals out there that don't necessarily need a paragraph of writing the way daily diaries do. If you're like me and also struggle with the journal to time ratio, hopefully you'll find this post useful in some way. The journals I've included below require very little daily attention and rather than keeping track of your life as a whole, focus on just one part of it.

1. Happiness Journal
Every night write a sentence or two about something that made you smile that day. This could be a compliment someone gave you, a joke a friend or family member told you or a action you took that you're really proud of. Anything that left you with a nice warm feeling inside afterwards. Then if at any time you're feeling blue, you can flick through this journal and relive all your happiest moments.

2. Gratitude Journal
There is always something to thankful for. Take a few minutes to write about a couple of things that you want to express your gratitude towards. Jot down a new list every day. You could be grateful for a person, a place, a book or even a song. The options are endless. When life gets busy/chaotic, we often forget to appreciate the little things in life. It's so easy to get caught up in your past or future, you can neglect living for the present. This journal will really force you to think in the moment which is really important for us to do sometimes. 

3. Dream Journal
If you're a light sleeper, you're sure to have some pretty strange but seemingly symbolic dreams. Keeping a dream journal is a great way to look into these further by finding reoccurring patterns or ideas. Make sure to keep this journal on your bedside table so you can record your dream the moment you wake up. When it's still fresh in your mind, it's easier to get a more accurate description.

4. Goals Journal
This journal is for any goal setter who wants to track their progress and be able to acknowledge every little step they make towards their ultimate accomplishment. By putting your goals to paper, you're more likely to stick by them. In this journal you can write down a plan of attack and make yourself a checklist for the smaller achievements within your bigger goal. So no matter how far out of reach your end point may feel, you'll still know that you're getting closer to it every single day.

5. Ideas Journal
Keep this journal handy in case of any lightbulb moments you have on the go. Fill it with diagrams and brainstorms. Don't be afraid to make it messy. As long as your getting your thoughts across, that's all that matters. Remember that no idea is too small or too crazy. Whether it's a tiny inkling, an elaborate picture or a question you can't stop asking yourself, if it gets the cogs turning, it's worth noting down. You never know, it could be the start of something big.

Out of this list, what type of journal appeals to you the most? Thanks for reading! 

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Being a Healthy Perfectionist

A perfectionist is fuelled by their need to not only achieve but excel. I know perfectionism well and while I believe in the self-driven nature of this personality trait, you have to acknowledge the destructive side as well. As perfectionists, we're never fully satisfied with our accomplishments. When we reach our goals, we can't properly celebrate because our minds are too busy giving ourselves a new target. One that is just as tiresome and exhausting as the last. When we have these unrealistic expectations of ourselves, that's when working towards "perfection" can really start to take a toll on us. 

Concentrate on The Bigger Picture
Time is precious so we want to make sure we're using it on the right things. I definitely obsess too much over the minor details. If you're having to redo something again and again, take a second to think about how significant it is to the end result. The more you keep touching on it, the more paranoid you become. Know when to move on. Tell yourself you'll come back to it later and I guarantee you that by the time you've finished up, you'll realise just how small and unimportant it was.    

Allow Yourself to Make Mistakes
You're human, it's normal to slip up sometimes. We learn from being wrong and we make better choices because of this. It's true that our achievements define who we are but so do our mistakes. You must embrace this if you want to grow as a person and gain self acceptance within yourself. 

Don't Focus Too Much on One Thing
Don't let everything you do revolve around just one job or one class or one friend. Make sure you're tending to all aspects of your life. It's all about finding the right balance between hobbies, school/work and social life. If you were to spend every hour of every day "perfecting" your skills in a sport you play, you're likely to neglect all your other commitments. Which means if something were to go wrong and you were out for the season, you'd have nothing else to fall back on. 

Find The Silver Lining
Perfectionists often recognise the bad before the good. The voice inside our mind criticises our every move and floods our heads with insecurities. You're allowed to self-evaluate and reassess situations, however if these internal reflections are consumed by negative thoughts, they won't get you anywhere. Applaud yourself every once in a while. Instead of focusing solely on improvement, give yourself a chance to reflect on how far you've come and take pride in where you are now. 

What are your thoughts on perfectionism? 

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It's Okay to Say No

For me, no is the one of the hardest words to say. Declining people is a personal weakness of mine. If someone were to ask me to join them in an after school club or activity, I'd accept their invitation without stopping to consider whether or not it was something I had an actual interest in. I'm a people pleaser. I feel like I have to say yes to everyone and everything. I don't like drama and I don't confrontation so I'll give the response I know people want to hear, sometimes sacrificing my own happiness in the process. I thought that saying yes was the only way to avoid disappointing my family and friends and for a long time, I was so focused on pleasing the people around me that I began to feel out of touch with what made me most happy.

Learning to decline someone's offer was tough. If it was my insecurities holding me back, it didn't seem like a legitimate excuse. I had to be genuinely unavailable and if I wasn't, then no other explanation mattered. What I've learnt is that saying no is a right and if something doesn't sit right with you then that's reason enough not to do it. Every time I used yes when I really wanted to say no, I was putting other people's feelings before my own and that's fine to do from time to time but if you're constantly committing yourself to things you don't feel okay about doing, you can begin to lose sense of what you really enjoy and are most passionate about.

I've definitely gotten better at saying no now that I know the people who truly care about me will respect whatever choice I make. If I had continued to take part in everything my friends and family members had asked of me, my life would have revolved around their interests and values instead of being shaped by the things I liked and believed in. Saying yes to things without taking yourself and your feelings into consideration leads to a very negative way of living. I had no idea how much control that simple, three letter word had over me. Knowing how to say no is an important life skill that most will be able to do with ease, however for those who struggle like me, just remember that your happiness and wellbeing matter so if you're not enjoying something, stop doing it. If you know you're not going to like something, don't sign up for it. It's okay to say no.

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20 Inspirational Quotes For Bloggers

I can always count on a good quote to pick me up when I'm feeling down. If I'm in a negative mood, it's always so uplifting to come across a quote that feels like it was meant for me to see. When it seems so relevant to something I'm experiencing/going through, there's no faster way to give me the happiness boost I need. Today I'm going to be sharing with you my top 20 inspirational quotes for blogging. This post is for any blogger out there who needs their daily dose of motivation. And if none of my favourite quotes work for you then I really recommend searching online yourself. Make a little list like I've done here and keep it close by because sometimes when you're feeling a little bit lost or uninspired, a few words of wisdom can make all the difference.

1. "If you can't stop thinking about it, don't stop working for it."

2. "Small progress is still progress."

3. "The only person you should try to be better than is the person you were yesterday."

4. "Success doesn't come and find you, you have to go out and get it."

5. "Don't give up. Good things take time."

6. "Believe that you can and you're halfway there."

7. "You get what you focus on so focus on what you want."

8. "Life begins at the end of your comfort zone."

9. "If it doesn't challenge you, it won't change you."

10. "Little by little, a little becomes a lot."

11. "Don't compare your beginning to someone else's middle."

12. "To live a creative life, we must lose our fear of being wrong." 

13. "Every accomplishment starts with the decision to try."

14. "Never doubt your instinct."

15. "You're always one decision away from a totally different life."

16. "It won't be easy but it'll be worth it."

17. "Grow through what you go through."

18. "If opportunity doesn't knock, build a door."

19. "You were born with the ability to change someone's life, don't ever waste it."

20. "Work hard, dream big."

Thanks for reading! And if you have a favourite quote you'd like to share, write it down below!

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How to Get a Part-Time Job

Getting part-time work can be tough especially when you're starting out and looking for your first paid job. This is because most employers look for those who have been previously hired making it harder for those who've never been employed, to get work. In most cases, you need experience to get experience however getting a first job is definitely doable and with a little persistence, you'll soon find your way into the workplace.

Keep an Eye Out For Any Open Positions
Job vacancies are actually easier to find than you'd think. You just have to know where to look. Like with most other things, I'd turn to the internet first. Online sites are a great because they're able to narrow down your options for you, helping you find a job result that both interests you and works with your schedule. After online sites, I'd probably check social media as most companies post any open positions they have on their pages. Then if I still hadn't found a suitable job opening, I'd turn to the more traditional places such as newspapers and shop windows. 

Communication is Key
Don't be afraid to get in touch with businesses you'd really like to be a part of. Even if they haven't advertised an open position, it's never a bad idea to share your interest in employment with them. Though it's likely they will turn you down - which is understandable if they're not hiring at the moment - it doesn't hurt to leave your CV with them in case they need someone to help out in the future. While you can flick them a friendly email with you resume attached, sometimes going in and talking to them personally makes a really nice first impression.

Talk to Your Family And Friends
Get in touch with those who have already been through the job hunting process before. They're sure to have some good advice for you. And if you're keen to work at a company a friend or family member is part of, tell them. That way you'll be able to hear about possible job openings first hand. They may even be willing to recommend you to their employer themselves. As well as talking to the employees you know, talk to any business owners you know also. If you have a friend or relative that runs a company you think would be the ideal workplace for you, arrange a meet-up and let them know you're looking for part-time work. If you're really close to them, it's likely you won't have to worry too much about the interview/introduction process which definitely takes some of the pressure of you. 

I hope this post was helpful if you're still on the job hunt. Do you have a part-time job? If so, what is it?

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5 Ways to Get The Creative Juices Flowing

I'm someone who's constantly drawn towards any artsy task or project. Whenever there's opportunity to express my creativity or think outside the box, I'm always willing to take it. While I would describe myself as "creative" there are definitely times where I feel like my imagination has deserted me. Because I don't think I'm alone in getting this feeling, I decided to dedicate today's post to overcoming creative block.

1. Make a Mood Board
Doing some visual research is always a good place to start. Find artist models online that you can draw ideas from. Print off some of their designs and stick them to a pin board along with some motivational quotes, magazine clippings and a selection of your favourite photographs. I love being able to refer back to a mood board whenever I'm in need of inspiration.

2. Get Outdoors
If you've been sitting at a desk for a majority of the day, whether that's in an office or classroom, it may be time for a change in scenery. While a walk around the block usually gets the job done, I find scenic trails a great source of inspiration. Take a chance to really focus on your surroundings. When I go on these nature walks, I like to let my mind wander. Instead of forcing inspiration, I let it come naturally. Usually my best ideas come when I least expect them to.

3. Go to the Library
Reading is great way to help generate ideas. When you open a book, you're opened up to a whole new world of possibilities. Books are pretty much snippets of a person's imagination so what better place than a library to spark your own creativity. Libraries are great because their supply is so big and varied therefore you're almost always guaranteed to find something somewhere.

4. Put Pen to Paper

Keep a notebook with you at all times. As I've said before, inspiration can come at random. So make sure you're ready for it when it does. Anything that makes you stop and think, write it down. It's a good idea to record your ideas as soon as you get them because sometimes they disappear just as quickly as they come. Even the most crazy and impossible ideas can reawaken the imagination which will then go on to boost your creativity levels. 

5. Go to Bed
I know sleeping is probably the last thing you want to do but most of the time that overnight break is all you need to start that creative flow up again. Just because you're stepping away from something for the time being, doesn't mean you're forgetting about it for good. Don't feel bad about going to bed with your project unfinished because letting yourself sleep on your ideas will put you in the best possible mindset for the next morning.

Have I missed anything? Let me know if you do any of these or if you do something I haven't included!

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10 Facts About Me

Blogging relies a lot on connection and interaction. In order to get to know you're readers/other bloggers, you have to allow them to get to know you and sometimes finding that common ground is the first step to an online friendship. I liked the idea of sharing 10 facts about myself and while I struggled a bit around the 8th/9th point, I really enjoyed writing today's post. 

1) I'm obsessed with pigs, especially teacup pigs. A teacup pig is my dream pet. 

2) I'm really bad at finishing book series/trilogies. I prefer independent novels because you know you'll get a somewhat satisfying conclusion at the end.

3) I'm very indecisive. For example, I'll spend ages in one shop tossing up between two items I want to buy and then leave the store having bought something completely different instead.

4) I was born in New Zealand.

5) I've done ballet for over 10 years of my life. I only stopped this year so I could focus on design and finding a part-time job.

6) I can say the alphabet backwards. My friend taught me a couple of years ago and it's stuck with me ever since.

7) I'm short sighted but I wear night contacts that improve my vision while I sleep.

8) I love buying room decor and spend a majority of my savings on pretty fairy lights and pastel coloured desk accessories and throw pillows. 

9) I'm an introvert. I take a while to warm up to people and can be a little awkward at times. 

10) I hate clowns, planes and going to the dentist. They're my three worst fears. 

I hope you liked this post! Tell me something about yourself down below!

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Displaying Your Polaroids

Ever since I got my Instax Mini 8 camera a year and a half ago, I've accumulated quite a number of polaroid pictures. One of my favourite things about this kind of photo is that they're slightly unpredictable. You can't really trial a shot when camera film is involved so you're never guaranteed a perfect turn out. I think it's nice the way the image doesn't always come out the way you expect it to. It makes it much more exciting. With my collection of little images, there's always plenty for me to put on display. I've found that there are quite a few fun and creative ways to showcase your photos so I decided that for an inspiration post, I would share some of these ideas with you today. Here they are! 

Make Wall Art With Them
Use your polaroids to liven up any plain space you may have in your room. If you don't have any posters or wall stickers handy, polaroids are a great alternative. You could use them to form a shape or simply stick them up in rows. It's a simple and fast way to revamp any blank wall.

Attach Them to Some Cord
If you have a ledge shelf in your room, you could use a long piece of cord and drape it along the edge. Then just use small magnets to attach your polaroids. A photo garland can be nicer than any store bought room decoration because its more personalised to a specific person. Fairy lights and scrapbook die cuts also make a nice addition to this polaroid display. 

Make a Hanging Photo Mobile
All you need is a branch for the base of your mobile, some twine, some mini pegs and some beads or feathers to decorate. Then the design of your mobile is completely up to you. If you can't find a nice branch, a coat hanger works just as well. This display is easy to move/shift and is ideal for those who, like me, are constantly rearranging their room. 

Frame a Few of Your Favourites
Find some frames and then place a polaroid inside each one. To stylise this display, you could use washi tape to border your mini photo inside or make a pretty backdrop with watercolour paints. Place the frames on your desk or bedside table and keep your favourite memories close by. 

Thanks for reading this post! Let me know what you like taking photos of the most? 

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My Blog Journey so Far

I'm still pretty new to the ins and outs of blogging but I feel like I've definitely come some way since deciding to start a blog in mid 2016. Because I had absolutely no idea where to begin, I turned to the internet for some sense of direction. I went through heaps of youtube videos and existing blogs to learn pretty much everything I know now. I definitely underestimated the amount of time and effort involved in putting together your own blog site. A lot of the process relies on persistence. You can't expect to get things first time round and that's something I really struggled to come to terms with in the first couple months of blogging.

Last year was definitely a lot of trial and error. Before The AnnieChanie Blog, I had started 3 other blogs, all of which I neglected in the first 2 months. I felt like the niche of these previous blogs didn't fit quite right with me and their names and webpages never really showcased my personal style or taste. After my 3rd unhappy attempt at blogging, I felt like I was trying really hard to keep the passion alive. All of that initial excitement and anticipation for starting my own web page had been replaced by a strong desire to have a great blog with great content that I could claim my own. Looking back, I think my problem was that I was more in love with the idea of blogging rather than the blogging itself and that's why my first couple of blogs didn't really feel that genuine to me. I knew The AnnieChanie Blog would be different from the moment I decided on its name. It felt like a true reflection of me and a broad enough title for what I wanted to write about - lifestyle.

I'm still a newbie blogger and there's so much for me to learn but I can't say I haven't found out a lot already! For one, you can't give up too easily. If you're really determined to start your own blog then there's no reason why you shouldn't. Keep trying and eventually everything will fall into place. Another thing is that you shouldn't be afraid to put yourself and your content out there. Making myself known to other bloggers is something I've only recently started doing. Create a bloglovin' account, promote your posts on twitter and get your images all over Pinterest. What I've found is that when your using social media to connect with other bloggers, you're on your way to feeling like you're truly a part of the blogging community.

This has been my experience with blogging so far, what has your blog journey been like? What's one thing you've learnt from blogging?

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20 Random Acts of Kindness

For me, there's no better feeling than the one I get after doing something nice for someone else. It's amazing the way an unexpected act of kindness can instantly brighten a person's day. Here are 20 ways you can bring a smile to someone's face. Whether it's a stranger or loved one, your actions have the power to really work wonders on someone.  

1. Contact a relative you haven't spoken to in a long time

2. Sneak a nice little note into your friend's bag

3. Hold the door open for someone

4. Start up a conversation with someone you've never talked to before

5. Give your place in line to the person behind you

6. Gift someone a present, completely out of the blue

7. Shout your friend morning/afternoon tea

8. Write an uplifting message on a post it note and stick it in a public place

9. Compliment someone's work

10. Print out several inspirational quotes and leave them in mailboxes around your neighbourhood

11. Make a surprise visit to someone you haven't seen in a while

12. Give your change to a busker or street performer

13. On a busy bus or train, give your seat to a person standing

14. Leave a supermarket voucher in one of the trolleys

15. Tell your Mum and Dad just how much you appreciate everything they do for you

16. Bake something for someone special to you and leave it at their doorstep

17. Bring a sibling breakfast in bed

18. Smile at someone as you walk by them

19. Spend some time with an elderly person who may be lonely

20. Help someone who appears lost or in need of directions

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How to Stay on Top of Homework

Today's post is all about keeping up to date with school assignments outside of the classroom. Because of the subjects I take at school, I get little to no homework throughout the year and then an overwhelming amount at the end. While its not always possible to avoid homework stress, here are a few different ways you can make handling the workload a bit easier. Especially if you're like me and get all your assignments at once!

Keep a Planner to Record All Your Assignments And Their Due Dates
It's always good to keep a study planner with you so that the moment you receive homework, you can record it down straight away. When you know the deadlines for each of your assignments, it will help you to complete the work accordingly. People tend to gravitate towards the task they are most looking forward to doing however it's better to refer to due dates when deciding what assignment to work on first. Ordering your assignments by their deadline is the most effective way to get all your homework handed in on time and having a study planner will make sure you're prioritising the right task over another.

Set Yourself a Time Frame And Then Stick With it
Time management is essential when it comes to staying on top of your homework. Decide how long you want to spend on something and then follow it through, otherwise you can end up going overboard on just one task. This is especially important when you're given a lot of homework at once. If you focus too long on one assignment, the others lose out. Try and be consistent with your timeframes because then you're not working hours on one task only to work 15 minutes on the next.

Don't Leave Things to The Last Minute
It's understandable to set your homework aside when you have other chores and commitments to attend to but the best way to keep up your assignments is to get them out of the way as soon as you can. Don't wait until the night before to complete them. If you're really busy outside of the classroom,  make sure you're making the most of the down time you get inside of school such as lunch breaks and study periods. The amount of work you complete during that time is just less work you'll have to complete later on.

Know What Conditions You Study Best in
Find out when you're most switched on and where you feel most inspired, whether that's alone or with others, outdoors or indoors, morning or night. When it comes to studying, having a time and place that you can can rely on is really beneficial. Everybody's different so make sure you know what works best for you and you only.

Hope this was helpful in some way! Thanks for reading!

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DIY Desk Calendar

Today's post is a do-it-yourself tutorial. Something that I haven't done yet on my blog. I'm sure you've seen this DIY around Pinterest as it's quite well known for being both practical and ornamental. This desk calendar is quick, simple and doesn't require any expensive materials! 

Here's what you'll need...

A wooden picture frame (remove the glass)
3 metal hooks
26 white gift tags
Gold foil stickers (letters and numbers)

1. Once you've gathered your equipment, make sure 3 of your gift tags can fit inside the frame. 

2. After that's been checked, you can insert the 3 hooks. You can either space them evenly or distance the first hook slightly so the month and date are more separate. 

3. Divide the 26 gift tags into piles of 12, 10 and 4. Use your stickers to label the tags. The 12 are for the months, the 10 are for numbers 0-9 and the 4 are for numbers 0-3. 

4. Hang your tags on the hooks and you're done! It's a great addition to any office space and you'll never not know the date again!

Hope you enjoyed this quick and easy DIY! 

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