What I'm Doing To Look After Myself Right Now

Outfit: Nike

Everyone’s going through their own motions at the moment, whether it be by by their own circumstances or that of the world because let’s face it, I don’t think we ever had as collective as an experience than that which has been the last year.

Some of us are in lockdown again (my Sri Lankan and Aussie loves, especially Melbourne, I feel for you), some of us are transitioning back to “normality” (England, I’m talking about you girl and oh do I miss a pub garden right now). Whatever it is, we’re all making little changes and as we do, it’s important we do little things to look after ourselves. Here’s a few things I’ve been doing to keep myself happy and energised when things are a bit tough.

1. Moving My Body

I dropped off the wagon on this one for a little. From January, I was on a roll with my fitness, working out 5-6 days a week and I moved into HIIT for the first time properly, loving every minute of it. And then a few weeks ago I went flat, just lost my stamina and motivation. But I made an effort to move somehow, even if it was less times a week. I’ve slowly worked my way back in, taking it easier because honestly I think I burnt out, and now I’m just making sure that I move my body. Whether it’s for 10, 20, 30, or 45 mins, or even an hour, I move. And it’s exhilarating once your done; your energy and mood is refreshed, which is exactly what you need in a time like this. There was something I heard Jay Shetty say that resonated me; we make excuses and hate working out before and whilst we do it, but after? We are so alive and energised. So even if you’re not feeling it sometimes, try and push through to do even the smallest thing like a dance party in your room. 

2. Hydration & Detox

A few months ago I decided to start my days without caffeine and substituted with green tea instead. I’ve always loved green tea, I usually have one every night anyway. It makes me feel a lot better and detoxes my system, so making the switch in the mornings too has been super beneficial. Another thing I love is hot lemon water or just lemon water in general. It’s great for digestion and detoxing, it’s also supposedly good for an energy boost! It’s basically just got a load of benefits for you so try adding it into your everyday!

2. Skincare

My skincare journey has been a long one but I’ve finally got into an amazing groove with it and found a routine that works perfectly for me, which you can watch on my YouTube channel. I also recently purchased a rose quartz roller and gua sha to up the ante on my routine; best decision ever. An everyday face massage? Yes, I think I will. It’s just working wonders for me. Also, if you’re looking to revamp your skincare I could not recommend The Ordinary products more! They are game changing. Try making sure your skin is hydrated and glowing from the inside out, it’s so important and such a luxury.

4. Dive Into Your Passions

For me lately, I’ve been thoroughly enjoying doing the things that I love like creating for this blog and YouTube channel, or planning content across all my platforms. I’ve just changed up my vibe a little bit and that’s so enjoyable for me. Another thing I’ve finally got back into is reading - again, I dropped off the wagon but I’m back and the best thing about reading is that it’s a perfect time to just unwind and zone out. Even just watching a movie or TV show (or Formula One on a weekend because let me tell you it’s the best), listening to music, drawing, cooking, whatever it may be that just brings you joy so easily, do it. It’s important that you take the time to just relax and do that by doing what you love. 

5. Allow yourself to wallow in the dips

Everyone is guaranteed to have down days or lazy days or just days that are blah. For me I know that as a perfectionist I put a lot of pressure on myself to keep going even when I just don’t have the energy anymore. So lately I’ve learnt that it’s is completely okay to have a day where you don’t do a damn thing. Just sit around and binge watch Netflix, sleep, eat, do all the things your mind is telling you you shouldn’t. You shouldn’t punish yourself for having a day that is a nothing day. Sometimes we have to ride the wave of blah to comeback racing. So yeah, you feel like doing nothing one day? Absolutely bloody fine. 

These are just a few things that instantly came to mind that I’m doing regularly right now to look after myself because let’s be honest, none of this has been easy. The most important task for us individually is to take care of ourselves, both mentally and physically. So do whatever you need to do to keep that energy kicking. I know it’s hard and trying at times, but find the little and good in every day. 

I hope you’re all staying safe and well! Sending you lots of love,

Emily xx

Family vs Institution: Racism & Mental Health Pushed Behind Image of the Royal Family | GUEST EDIT by Waruni Smith

PHOTO CREDIT: MISAN HARRIMAN via TWITTER
NO COPYRIGHT INTENDED

For the first time ever, I am bringing in a guest editor and of course I couldn't start a guest editing series without beginning with the lady who has taught me everything I know; Mrs Waruni Smith. If you don't know my mum, she's a passionate, caring, sarcastic, kind and loving human being. She gives the best advice and gives her whole life to my brother and I. I'm so excited to have her write a post for Seventeen James. I hope you enjoy it!

~ Emily ~

Guest Edit by Waruni Smith

When my daughter asked me to write a post for her blog, I was surprised and honoured at the same time, puzzled about what I was going to write. This week been a eventful one. The interview with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex has got the world talking...

Racism and mental health have been the main topics of focus. The world was so shocked to know the Royal Family, the biggest and oldest institution in Britain and the head of state for 54 Commonwealth countries around the world, was unable to recognise and support the members inside their own institution. However at the heart of all this is a family, as the media and the news outlets continue to reiterate. And I do agree. But my confusion is that this family (with the  Queen’s statement pointing out that "this is a family matter") is one that is choosing to ignore and to not recognise the problem; that the 2 members that left, were given a 12 month transition period and then stripped of all their patronages. Yet you are quick to tell the world that you didn’t know that racism was present and that “recollections may vary". And that you didn’t know how challenging the last few years had been for the couple? 

I’m sorry that you felt that way because the whole world was watching and for the rest of us, recollections may vary. 

As a Family you failed to protect your grandson, son, brother, daughter-in-law, sister-in-law, but most of all your great grandson, grandson and your nephew. They are much loved members of your family. Family don’t do this to each other. 

Though l sympathise with 94 year old Queen I blame her for not protecting her grandson who gave his life to protect our county but she instead went great lengths to protect her alleged paedophile son, Andrew. 

I, as a mother, would never let my children go through this kind of pain, regardless of whatever they have done. I would never put my children against each other. To me family is a unit; we have our ups and downs but we will protect each other no matter what. 

So the point that I’m making is if the institution is falling to protect its own, why are we so supportive of it? Do you think that it will protect us? 

Being focused on fame and popularity has made the Royals forget the route of humanity. We as a country have watched a woman of colour get bullied. We have seen a soldier that protected our country have his protection removed. Yet we rush to protect a institution that failing to make impactful progress and relate to the world that we are living in right now. Whilst it says a great deal about them, it also show us how naive we are as a society.

When the foundation has cracks, the empire will collapse.

Why I'm Dressing Up For The Rest Of The Year

 Outfit: Dress - Pretty Little Thing (*affiliate link used, this does not cost you any extra)

I feel like I've both said and thought this following sentence more times than I can count lately; "2020 has not been the year". It's very easy to get down on ourselves this year because of everything that's going on, not that I need to remind you. And as we come to the end of the year, looking forward to the next, trying to forget this one, I want to urge you to do something.

Look back on 2020 and reflect on the good things because I can guarantee you there were some good ones, even little ones. Maybe you learnt something new, maybe you worked on yourself or maybe you had some major milestones in your education or career. Find those things and express gratitude for them.

It's probably a great time to do it as well with a lot of us going into second lockdowns or being more precautious as the Holiday season is almost upon us (*I am screaming inside with joy*).

Christmas never fails to make me happy. If you haven't learnt that about me by now, well now you know. I get into the festive mood from September, much to the dismay of my family and friends. Christmas, as well as Thanksgiving for my American lovelies, usually brings parties, gatherings, dinners and so much more where we have more than enough excuses to get dressed up. Those things may be put on hold or cancelled altogether and that seems like another downer to add to the list. But I want to encourage you to not allow this to get you down. 

How? 

Dress up. 

So what if you're at home? So what if it feels a little extra? Why wouldn't you want an excuse to get dressed up? Ditch your loungewear and pjs for that outfit you've been itching to wear, or buy the one that's been sitting in your basket that you've been umming and ahhing over. Give yourself a pick me up by dressing up.

Whether you're locked down or social distancing with family, your significant others or your friends, make a spectacle of it. Keep the festivities alive. Christmas Parties cancelled? Zoom it. Get yourself dressed up, get on a Zoom call, play all the Christmas tunes, drink some wine, eat some food, play some games virtually. 

I don't think the festive season has to be lowkey this year, it just has to adapt. 

Dressing up, putting on a full beat of make-up never fails to get me into a good mood and I know there's some of you out there who feel the same. I mean look, I've been living in leggings and t-shirts pretty much the whole year, more so now that I'm sat in front a computer most of my day watching and attending lectures for uni. But I've decided that I'm going to make a bit more of an effort even on a regular day. Maybe not in a bodycon dress like you see me in here, but at least a floaty day dress or a pair of shorts and tee that I would maybe wear for a lunch date. 

I know that I've been feeling a little down in the dumps at times, even not having ideas for the blog because I haven't bought anything new or haven't really worn anything interesting that would then interest you. But I've decided that it doesn't matter - I'm going to post when I post and hopefully you'll enjoy it. And with my new decision of dressing up more, you might just see more of me. 

Times are tough and it's okay to feel down, it's inevitable. It's how you lift yourself up again that matters. So dress up on those days were you're feeling rubbish or organise something to get yourself dressed up for at home. Allow yourself to feel your best.

I hope you're all staying safe and well! Sending you lots of love, 

Emily xx

What To Watch, Read & Listen To To Make Your Days A Little Brighter

Outfit: Jumpsuit - H&M (old, similar here and here)

We've all mentioned enough times and more how rather rubbish this year's been and even if you're the most positive person in the world, you're going to have your down days. And especially as different places across the world are going back and forth between restrictions and not. 

Last Thursday, we headed into a weekend lockdown here in Colombo but that has now been extended to next week. I know that England is going back into lockdown from a month from Thursday, France has gone into a one month lockdown. If you've been watching the US Election, you might be on edge like I have been. Numbers of COVID-19 cases continue to grow. It's just such an uncertain, scary time. None of us want to go back into a full fledged lockdown, so it's worrying. 

When that worry kicks in, we all need a little pick me up. Even I have found myself finding or turning to things that I know are going to make my soul a little happier. So I thought I'd share these things with you.

What To Watch:

The Binge-Worthy Show That I Couldn't Stop Laughing At - Grace & Frankie: This is one of those shows that I continuously laughed at. It's refreshing and hilarious. You cannot go wrong with Jane Fonda & Lily Tomlin.

The "Watch Easy" Show That'll Give You Fashion, Fun & French - Emily In Paris: If you haven't heard about this one or seen it yet, then what are you doing? It's got fashion, romance, comedy and clichés, what's not to love? The title alone is what I want the title of my life to be, so of course I'm suggesting this one.

A Series That Is Addictive And Brilliant - La Casa De Papel (Money Heist): Yeah, I might be late to this party but this has to be one of the best shows on Netflix. Insanely well written, keeps you on your toes and you will not stop watching it. My tip: Watch it in Spanish with English subtitles.

A Movie To Watch Forever - The Holiday: Look, I know it's far too early for Christmas movies (not for me though, I get in the Christmas mood come September 1st) but I've watched "The Holiday" countless times and it never fails to make me feel all the feelings. Plus, Nancy Meyers never fails with her films. I don't even need to say much else. 

A Classic Rom-Com With A Lot of Laughs - The Proposal: You may have noticed, I love a rom-com and I have no shame. The Proposal is one of the best, it's a fact. Sandra Bullock & Ryan Reynolds were the combo I never knew I needed. It's one of those movies you could watch over and over. Also, Betty White as Grandma Annie? Iconic. 

YouTuber That Never Fail Me - Lydia Elise Millen-Gordon:
I've been watching Lydia for the longest time and I cannot tell you how grateful I am for her hour long vlogs. From fashion to beauty to gardening, Lydia just delivers a place of escape when you need it. Lydia is one of those real people on the internet who isn't afraid to speak her mind and be emotionally raw too, which is something we need more of in the world of social media. 

YouTuber That Always Makes Me Laugh & Give Me Fitness Motivation -  Sarah's Day: I absolutely adore Sarah; she's just this amazing ball of energy and she's another truly real person on the internet. I've watched her journey for years now and her life with Kurt, Fox & Abby never fails to make me smile and laugh because they are hilarious. Also, her abs are killer! Her workouts inspire me, as does her food (I can't wait to see the cooking project she's working on). Honestly, you cannot go wrong with Sarah. 

What To Read:

The Book I Couldn't Put Down - 28 Summers by Elin Hilderbrand: This book was the most unconventional love story I've read and I loved every single minute of it. The title of the book outlines exactly how the story goes; 28 Summers of love between Mallory Blessing and Jacke McCloud, who decide to base their summers off of the movie, "Same Time Next Year". They both go through life together in the most interesting of ways, with obstacles and triumphs along the way. I just loved this book more than you know and even though it can be bittersweet at times, it can just make you feel a whole range of emotions. 

The Book To Make You See Things Differently - The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F**k by Mark Manson: In a time where worry is on our minds and we're trying to figure out where life is taking us, it might be a good time for self-reflection and looking within to see how we can take care of ourselves better. This book really taught me a lesson about how I am in life and what I needed to change. Manson gives you the hard truth, bluntly and it's so refreshing. I would consider this one or any "self-help" books (I like to call them more "self-awareness" books) that can lift your mind and spirit, as well as give you a bit of hope and clarity. 

The Books For Nostalgia & Escape - Harry Potter: If you are a Potterhead, this is a given. Whether it's watching the movies or reading the books, Harry Potter provides a place of timeless escape. I'm planning to re-read the books because I know they just bring me so much joy. So pick a book or series that you know you will always go back to because you loved it the first time around.

What To Listen To:

A Song To Make You Dance - Woke Up Late by Drax Project ft. Hailee Steinfeld: I found this song randomly one day whilst I was in the car. The radio was on, I was alone in the car and something about it caught me. The sunroof was open, the sky was the bluest ever, the sun shining and I was in the best of moods - this song now encapsulates that mood for me every time I hear it. I never skip it when it comes on shuffle and I can't help but dance. Trust me, if you want to escape and dance your troubles away, this is the song for you. 

A Playlist Genre That Gives You Nostalgia & Good Vibes - 90s/2000s R&B: If you know, you know. I'm talking Ne-Yo, Usher, Destiny's Child, Craig David, J-Lo, Mario, Rihanna and more. Honestly go on to Apple Music or Spotify and just type in "90s-2000s R&B"; I promise you, you will not be disappointed. There's something about that era of music that can't be touched. 

All Hail The Girl Power: Okay, the women have been doing it for me lately. Selena Gomez, Ariana Grande, Meghan Trainor, The Pussycat Dolls, Beyoncé and more. Honestly, my brain just stopped and I can't think of more. Plus, if I do we'll be here forever. There's something about girl power music that makes me feel good, whether it's by a single artist of multiple. They've got these songs that make you feel strong, beautiful and happy. They make you want to dance and sing into your mirror with your hairbrush. So put on the artist or artists that make you feel like you're ready to strut your stuff.

There's probably plenty of other things I can suggest, like immersing yourself in your favourite hobbies or something that isn't technology based, but these are just the little external things that you can switch on or grab when you're in a super funk to tune out the noise within.

We all need a little something sometimes and I hope these help you, like they have me. And remember, if you need a friend, I'm here for you. 

Hoping you're staying safe. Sending you lots of love and positivity!

Emily xx

I'm Going Back To University, Virtually And Here's Why

Dress - Cotton Collection, similar here

Let's be real, 2020 has not been the year. And I'm still feeling heavy after we lost another King this weekend; Wakanda Forever. 

Pretty much everyone in the world is telling 2020 to, for lack of a better PG rated expression, f*** right off. And I couldn't agree more to be completely honest. I'm usually one person who never wants a year to end because I like what that time teaches me and also, I don't want time to run ahead of me. But this particular year can go fly a kite. 

It's natural at time like this when everything feels as uncertain as it is that you get down and you start to question what you're doing with yourself. Trust me, I was at that point quite early into lockdown. I work as a freelancer and it was so much harder to get work. I work on my blog, which I know doesn't get as much traction as others and I was trying and failing to find the right inspiration. I was wracking my brain trying to figure out, "okay, what next? What do I do with my time? How do I not make this year useless?"

These thoughts definitely did take up a lot of my time because I hated sitting around pretty much doing nothing productive. So I decided that even though COVID has put a lot on hold, there might be a few things I can take back into my own control, just in an alternative way. 

So I made the decision, a late one might I add, during the Summer to actually start my Master's Degree in September like I had originally planned to, the only difference is, I'll be doing it virtually. 

Yes, may the powers of the Internet be thanked at this point in time because if we were living in a world where we didn't have access to it or technology, we'd all be going a little bit loopier. 

I'm so excited to be returning to my alma mater back home in the UK in just a matter of weeks through the comfort of my home in the tropics. My course will be 100% conducted online for the first term, so I have no worries about actually attending classes and even if they do reopen later on down the line, there's no obligation to attend as everything will still be run online. Win-win I say. 

Obviously you may read this and think, "yeah but don't you want to actually be at uni for the experience?" It's something I definitely had to weigh up in my mind because of course that's a big part of taking a course. But what was more important to me was finally actually taking the leap into my MA as opposed to not. I realised I had an opportunity to study regardless of this global pandemic and I thought, why waste any more time? 

If there's anything I've learnt during this time of reflection is that time is fleeting and this year really has been a shit show. I didn't want to feel like that anymore and I know that there's a lot of people that feel the same. So I made a concrete decision that would give the rest of this year more structure and purpose because I didn't want it to be spent doing nothing. 

I know that's easier said than done; people have lost their jobs, can't go back to school and will have to miss out on experiences, opportunities or plans that you had for this year may be put on hold and it's not easy. Mentally this has been a hard time for us all and the reason why I wanted to write this post is to give advice where I can, to the best of my ability.

Things may not be in your control right now, you may be broken or disheartened at this uncertain time - that is okay. It is okay to not be okay. It's okay to not have it figured out because at this point, it's hard to. You need to prioritise your mental health first before you make plans for the future. So take the time to do the little things that make you happy again. It's a little bit harder when there's restrictions like lockdowns or social distancing, which will understandably build the frustration, but if you can safely see the people you love, try to do so. If you can take those leaps into what you had planned for this year, do it even if you have to rearrange the way you do it. It's important you take the steps to make yourself feel like you again. Find something to look forward to. 

I'm not saying you have to go out on the job hunt or go back to school or become an overnight millionaire - no. I'm saying do what you can in your capacity. It doesn't have to be monumental, it shouldn't be for someone else, it has to be for you and make you happy. It can be the littlest things. 

I can say that going for brunch with a friend the other day after the longest time made me so insanely happy. One thing I did two days ago and I still feel the good from it.

I finally read "Normal People" by Sally Rooney the other day and completely fell in love with it, proceeded to watch the series, fell even more in love and that just gave me an overwhelming good feeling. 

These little things can really lift your mood, I can't stress this more. Ever since I got my acceptance into university for my Master's, I have been absolutely buzzing and that has kept me positive in moments where I feel down. So if there's something in your world that can make you feel that way, if you have something you can look forward to, then make sure to keep that close to the forefront of your mind. And remind yourself that this life isn't always going to be this way. It might seem like it for now and for the near future, but know that you can adapt and make the changes you need to feel a bit better. 

So be a little selfish, find the things that make your heart soar and do them. This year doesn't have to be completely crap. 

Sending you lots of love and hoping you're staying safe,

Emily xx