Do you ever have severe insecure moments?

                                                                                 ((This picture was taken a while ago))

Because today.. I'm having a big one.

There's a woman that I work with. Let's call her Alice, for anonymity purposes. She's made it clear from Day 1 that she doesn't really like me. I've even heard her talk about me when she thinks I can't hear her- and she doesn't say kind things. I can't say anything though because she's a manager and everybody loves her; they think she's the best person in the world. Being the new person they wouldn't take too kindly to me badmouthing their favourite manager. She has a way of looking at me that makes me feel bad about myself. Why doesn't she like me? What did I do? But today I already feel bad about myself and her 'look' is kind of making me loathe myself.

At the weekend I was trying something new with my hair and managed to burn my neck quite badly with my curling iron (stupid I know). Now that means I have to wear this whopping great big bandage on my neck and every single person that talks to me stares at it. Some are too shy to ask what it is but the people that do seem to question my story as if they don't believe me.  Straight away that makes me self-conscious because what else do they think it is? A love bite or something that I'm OTT trying to cover up? But if that's what they think it is then they must think I'm the kind of girl to hookup with random guys at the weekend and that is the total opposite of who I am.

I also, on the same day, had a spot come up the size of Jupiter. I have a relatively clear complexion but when I do get spots they are HUGE- I'm talking Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer huge. This one is on my chin and no matter how hard I try I just can't cover it up. I've watched endless tutorials, bought the right makeup, but no matter what it still shines through it all. Anybody who isn't looking at my neck when they talk to me is looking at my chin and I don't think I've ever felt so insecure about myself.

It probably doesn't help that I have the cold from hell which is preventing me from getting to sleep at night (the black bags under my eyes are unreal). So not only do I have multiple appearance flaws but I don't feel good about myself on the inside.

I can't walk down this insecure road because otherwise it can get me really depressed and I start to question everything in my life and my own happiness. But what can I do?

Everybody gets spots...

This is something I'm going to keep telling myself. A spot that looks like the end of the world to you some others may never notice. A lot of the women I look like are over the age of 30 so they've passed that awkward spotty stage but no doubt the majority of them would've suffered from them at some point. I need to remind myself that a spot is a part of life. It may look bad for a week but there's nothing I can do about it- it shouldn't get me down.

If they don't believe me then that's their problem...

To be honest it's not actually any of their business what happened to my neck. Why should their judgements and opinions impact how I feel about myself? It's easier said than done but I need to ignore their questioning tone and be confident in the fact that I know it's a burn. It doesn't matter what they think. Even if it was a lovebite/hickey- I can live my life the way I want to and no judgemental person can tear me down for it.

Go to bed twenty minutes earlier than normal...

It takes a bit of time to wind down at the end of the day right? I think tonight I'm going to go up earlier than normal and just lay in the dark. If I dose up on my cold and flu medicine right before bed, use vicks and olbas oil to relieve the sniffles then just maybe I could get to sleep at a normal-ish time.

Hopefully making these few changes into my routine and way of thinking then I'll start to feel better about myself and life can get back to the way it was. If you have any stories about feeling insecure or a person that makes you feel bad about yourself please talk to me about it. I'd love to hear from you.

As always, much love to those of you that read my posts.

Signing off, Lauren

xoxo

10 Things to do in Autumn

It's time to wave goodbye to Summer and hello to Autumn. Don't you just love that Autumnal feeling? No? Well here's 10 things you can do to spice up your Autumn:

1. Go for a walk.
Now to most people this probably doesn't seem very fun. It helps if you have a dog that you can take with you as dogs make everything better but either way walks are still 100% relaxing. Not only are they a great form of exercise but the fresh air can really clear a foggy mind. Try your local park, maybe a lake? Whatever you do be careful not to find yourself alone and in a position of danger. Here's a picture from a walk I took at the weekend...


2. Plan your Halloween costume.
If you've got the post-summer blues then you need to give yourself something to look forward to. I love Halloween. Dressing up in costume, hanging with your friends and eating your body weight in sweets? Yes please. You could ask a friend or your s/o to do a partners costume with you and go as Cosmo and Wanda or Ketchup and Mayonnaise or something totally wacky. Whatever it is- have the most fun that you can with it!


3. Have a movie night with the girls.
When the cold weather sets in what could be cosier than 5 of your best friends, duvets, chocolate and your favourite chick flick? Sometimes a late night gossip is just what us girls need; to talk about our crushes or our problems, to cry over The Notebook or laugh with Bridget Jones. Just try not to stay up too late otherwise you will not be feeling relaxed and refreshed the next day.

4. Go to the movies.
Whether its alone, with friends or on a date there are always awesome films out around Autumn time. It's like the season for new releases. So grab your popcorn and get to your local cinema. Just don't forget to take a jumper because some of those movie theaters can get a tad chilly.

5. Attend a sporting event.
Autumn also means the start of many sport calendar seasons. Whether it's your school team or the football team for your town; sports is a great way of spending your evening.

6. Start a diary.
I don't think there is a person alive that at some point hasn't tried to keep some form of journal/diary. Now if your like me then that attempt probably started on the 1st January and ended some time around the 9th. Most people can't find the time to write about their day because they're too busy living it. However it is important to get some 'me time' sometimes and a diary is the perfect way to do it. You see it's not about 'finding the time' it's 'making the time'. Try to go to bed 10 minutes earlier and write a brief outline of your day, how you're feeling or a list of what you want to achieve the next day. Writing is a great way of expressing yourself so write away! Why wait for the new year?

7. Start a new book.
Now that it's not hot enough to spend every minute outside it is finally a good time to start the book you've been putting off starting. If you've got nothing lined up then I recommend the Hamilton series of books by Kody Keplinger (if you're into teenage fiction). If you can't think of a book then go into your local book shop and spend a bit of time finding one you do think you'll like. Getting lost in a story whilst sat by a window with a blanket is most lovely in Autumn so try it out. You might even find a new favourite book.

8. Spend some time with a family member.
'Tis the perfect time of year to go visit that family member you haven't seen in fooooorever! Go see your Grandad, Uncle, Auntie or if you don't have any family in the area then travel to see them. Spend a shopping with your mum or tag along with your Dad to the DIY store or whatever your parents like to do. Any time with family is quality time and you will feel better for it. Trust me.

9. Re-organise your bedroom.
A new layout of your bedroom can leave you feeling like a new person. Even a tidy bedroom can leave you feeling better. A tidy bedroom equals a tidy mind- or so my mum used to tell me. Whether it's moving the furniture around or tidying the way it already is an organised bedroom is bound to beat those summer blues. You could re-organise your wardrobe and put your summer clothes away. Then those shorts you wore every day of summer won't be laughing in your face every time you open the doors. Get those Autumn decorations out; like fairy lights. Fairy lights will brighten up any bedroom and leave a warm glow for the cold nights ahead.

10. Make a scrap book.
A way that I deal with saying goodbye to Summer for another 8 or 9 months is to scrapbook. I print a load of pictures off that I've taken over summer, lay them on the pages so they look pretty and stick them in. You can then get some colourful pens and decorate around them. Add dates, places, names or other mementos that can help you remember details about the events pictured. I also like to collect train tickets or cinema tickets to stick in as well. I still have my actual tickets to see The X Factor Live Tour from 2009.


I hope a few of these suggestions give you some inspiration for things to do this Autumn.

Autumn is the best season for new beginnings so don't let it go to waste.

Thanks for reading :)

Signing off, Lauren xoxo