An Updated Reading List

It's been a while since I last wrote about the books I've been planning to read, I know. I must admit that I've picked up these books in September, but haven't even opened them yet as I meant to put this post up a while ago. But with returning to university, life got a bit in the way. I've also just realised that I usually feature more books than this at once, but a girl can't spend all her time sat reading now can she? ~ Even though one might wish she could ~

Little Women - Louisa May Alcott // I thought I'd read this when I was younger, but I'm not sure I did since picking up a copy. My mum always used to tell me about how she read it as a child, and so it finally made it's way into my shopping basket. I really look forward to reading this over the coming weeks, but I do hope it's going to be an easy read! Even if it turns out that I have read it before, I don't have a copy of it lying around anywhere!

The Man Who Couldn't Stop: The Truth About OCD - David Adam //  You know when it's 2am and you're browsing Amazon for something and end up getting totally lost in your recommended items list? (Just me?) Well, every once in awhile, alongside the garden tools and the disposable razors, you find a hidden jem. In this particular instance the hidden jem was this amazing book from David Adam. I clicked on it, out of curiosity more than anything else, and it seemed right up my street. I saw that Matt Haig (author of Reasons To Stay Alive) had given it a good review, and it went into my basket immediately. And I mean immediately. I'm super excited to get into this because I've just finished my mental health module at uni, and I'm already missing the 'proper' psychology. As soon as I've finished my current book ('The Little Book of Hygge' by Meik Wiking FYI), I'll be popping this into my bag to read on the train!

Eat Pray Love - Elizabeth Gilbert // I feel as though every young woman should read this book. It's like a rite of passage into adulthood. I've seen the film more times than I'd care to admit, but there is something about the storyline that appeals to me and so I picked up a copy in the hopes that it may take me on some sort of journey (lol) with the start of the new year. 

The Graduate - Charles Webb // To be completely honest I have no idea why I wanted to read this, and I admit that I may have been persuaded by the aesthetically pleasing front cover. I think most people have seen the film adaptation starring Dustin Hoffman, or at least heard of the book from the various pop culture references floating around. I must say that I'm probably the least excited to read this book out of the ones I have bought, but I will let you know how I get on with it!

What are you currently reading?

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A Reflection: 2016

Well, we did it! We made it through yet another year. And keeping with tradition, I'd like to take this opportunity to reflect on the passing year. 2016, for me, was one of those years where everything unexpected seemed to happen. Where every time I made a plan or set myself a goal, something decided to come along and ruin it. All in all, I'm pretty happy with how 2016 turned out, but it was a really tough year for many reasons so I'm pretty glad to be seeing the back of it. 

As you will probably know, 2016 was a big year for my health. I was diagnosed with osteoarthritis in my ankle and have been in constant pain for the last 6 months. I spent the year being prodded and poked by numerous doctors. Having scans, x-rays, and blood tests. Along with weekly physiotherapy sessions that leave me feeling exhausted and achy. Obviously, like any right-minded person, I would have liked to be in perfect health for my entire life, but clearly things weren't meant to be. And, although I would do anything to wish the pain away, or to be able to do anything a normal 20 year old can do, I am thankful for what has come out of this bad situation. 

Surprisingly it has done wonders for my mental health. It has allowed me to focus on the smaller things that most people take for granted (like walking to the kitchen to make a cuppa), and concentrate on the things in life I do have and not what I don't (the Gucci Soho Disco bag for instance). And, although other people may not be able to notice a change in me, I certainly can. I am so much happier than I was this time last year, and I feel so much more confident in myself. 

This change allowed me to do something that shocked even me. I've never been happy with my weight, and it's something I'm really self-conscious about. So joining Slimming World in October was a really big deal for me. And although it's pretty pricey, investing more in myself has been one of the best things I have done in my entire life. I've lost around 1½st (9.5kg) so far, and I've gained a bucketful of confidence along the way. I'm currently at my lowest weight in years, and I couldn't be happier. 

2016 was also the year that I was unsuccessful with my teacher training application. Being a teacher is something I have dreamed of my whole life, and having to put my dream on hold is daunting. 2017 is going to be the year of big changes for me. And even though it's only the beginning of January I am both excited and terrified of what it's going to bring. My year is not at all planned, and is definitely going to be a year of me 'going with the flow'. 

2017 is the year that I graduate from university with a degree in Psychology. The year that, after 17 straight years of education, I am no longer a student. 2017 is the year that I leave education and enter the "real world" and get a "proper job". And 2017 is the year that I turn 21 years of age.

So I am excited to see what 2017 brings me, and I hope that it brings you as much happiness as you deserve.

How did your 2016 go, and how do you feel about 2017?

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Inviting A Stranger Over For Christmas Dinner?

Some of you may be very confused and shocked by the title of this post, and if you'd have suggested this to me a couple of years ago I would have probably run away in terror (stranger danger). But last christmas my family and I invited a stranger into out home to share Christmas dinner - and it was quite honestly one of the best Christmases we have ever had. There were last arguments from my grandparents, we were forced to get dressed (and not stay in our pyjamas all day) and made much more effort to chat! 

There is a big emphasis on spending time with family over the festive period, but what does this mean for those who have no family? Well last year Bisto launched a campaign where you give up a spare chair for the elderly and share your Sunday lunch with someone who would otherwise be eating alone. Sunday dinner is the one meal we all look forward to, where we sit down with firiends and family for good food and conversation. Yet for 1 in 7 older people, it is one of the loneliest times of the week, with over one million elderly people going days without communicating with anyone. So you can imagine how loneliness is a massive problem, especially around the festive period. 

I live in the countryside, in a very small and rural village that is probably made up of around 180 people - 90% of which are elderly. We get on with pretty much everyone at our end of the village, but very rarely venture down where the majority of the older residents live. My grandma (who also lives in the village), likes to go to the local coffee morning and regularly chats to a lady who's husband had died several years ago. My grandma being my grandma, instantly invited here over for Christmas dinner as soon as she found out that she usually spends the day alone. She didn't stop to think about the logistics, or the fact that she wasn't even hosting the dinner (my mum always has everyone over to my house and we cook for everyone), she just invited her along!

At first we were all a bit skeptical, we hardly knew this woman, yet she was going to be sharing our special day with us. Eating our food and joining in with our little family traditions. I remember being terrified just before she arrived, I thought she might ruin the day. I thought everyone would feel too awkward to talk, and what if she didn't like the food! What would we do then? But as soon as she arrived the day just seemed to flow. We got her a drink, we gave her a present, we sat down for dinner. Conversation flowed and she loved the food - she even asked for a few of our recipes. She stayed, watched a film with us, we gave her a little doggy bag and she went home! We enjoyed having her over, and she enjoyed being with us! I'm pretty sure she's coming back again this year!

So all I'm saying, is just spare a thought for those who aren't as fortunate as you this Christmas. I'm not saying that you have to scour the streets looking for someone to have over for Christmas dinner, but if someone you know (or even someone you don't) happens to mention that they are spending the day alone, just consider sharing your day with them. 

Would you ever invite a stranger over for Christmas dinner?

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