Self-Care A Thon - Day 1

In these times, we'll be learning about ourselves as well as learning more about each other. So far I've seen and spoken to more of my neighbours than I have since moving here 3 years ago, I talk to my dad everyday and have a laugh and I try to remain upbeat and positive throughout this period. It's because self-care is just as important as looking after others is.

A couple of years ago, around this time, I did a few posts on my Instagram mentioning @theblurtfoundation, a non-profit organisation that helps people affected by depression, and I've decided I'm going to do it again, this time on here. Talking about yourself is difficult, most people find, but it's also therapeutic, particularly when talking about subjects that don't necessarily get talked about a lot.

At the moment, Social Media is the way we are all finding out about the world. I check the BBC app every morning to see what the latest coronavirus fatalities are and what's going on across the world... I check Instagram to see what my friends have done over the weekend and what my favourite actors are up to. I text my friends and my family to make sure they're okay, and I search the web for funny memes to send on... Social Media is such a powerful tool. So why not use it to do something good?

If you like these posts, become a member to the site and share your top tens with me (or comment on Facebook) or maybe do one of these yourself. Trust me, after 30 days, you'll have learnt a lot more about yourself than you realise.

Day 1: 10 Things About Me

1. I love films. I absolutely LOVE films (except horror) and so far this isolation hasn't been too bad (entertainment-wise) because we've had so many things to watch. I can name every single film in this picture most likely, and even though some people think I maybe watch too many films, I don't think I watch enough. Sure I watch nearly 400 movies a year... but am I watching the right movies? Got any recommends? Comment me your faves!

2. I love my family. This one shouldn't surprise anyone, because everyone should love their families, but I really, REALLY love mine. We're a varied bunch - stretching from comms (me) to a GP to Insolvency - but I love when we can all get together as a huge group because I get to hear what my cousins and my aunts and uncles have been doing and how much they've accomplished. The photo below was from my Grandma's 80th birthday, and since then, all my cousins have grown taller than me and finished school and are studying REALLY smart things at university. There may be a few more grey hairs amongst us (given the photo was 13 years ago) but I still love and will always love every single one of these people with everything I've got.

3. I love my friends. I have a whole bunch of friends from all parts of my life: home, cinema, singing, work and school and there isn't anything I wouldn't do for them. I've known the bulk of these people for my whole life, and I've grown up with them. Others I've met more recently, but they've all done nothing but encourage me to do what I love and be who I want to be. Some I don't see as often as I'd like to, but that doesn't mean I forget about them. I try to keep in regular contact with everyone, checking in, sending something silly or sending them things that remind me of them. The guys in the picture, and the guys who aren't in the picture, are the best. Frendz 4 Eva.

4. Scotland is the best place in the world, and no one can tell me otherwise. I've had the best times in Scotland, both with friends and family, and if I don't retire there I think I'll be doing something wrong. The green, wide open spaces, the beautiful scenery and the fresh air are only a few of my favourite things about it, and whenever I go I feel like I've come home. As soon as I leave I start planning when I can go back. I'm just waiting for the time I go and then I never leave. This photo is Loch Lomond, on one of my trips to the middle lochs with Kateland, Dad and Kateland's Grandma, and the smile says everything.

5. I live on an Island. And my island has the best island name in existence. I'm still not entirely sure why it's called that but I love that it's called that. Over these last few weeks, I've explored a lot more of it on our walks, and there's a lot to offer. Also it's pretty. This is it when we got snowed on a couple of years ago. This is after Josie and I ended up walking home because the DLR wasn't running. Took us nearly 3 hours, but the photos we got out of it were epic. Check out the cute paw prints!

6. I love dogs. Furry four-legged best friends are the best companions humans can have, and I can't wait for the day I can finally get a companion of my own. For now, I look after my friends' little chihuahuas (a breed I used to really not like but now am fully in love with) and when they come to visit, it makes me so happy. I can't walk down a street and not get emotional when I see a dog. It's a sign that I need one. And pronto. Here's a picture of one of the chihuahuas licking me so furiously he put his tongue up my nose. Lovely!

7. I think Marvel is the greatest film studio in history. To be a part of the Marvel generation has been an absolute pleasure. From the release of Iron Man in 2008 to Avengers: Endgame last year, through to every future Marvel release, I have loved and will love every single minute of action, emotion and passion put into making these films as big of a success as they are. Thank you to all actors and directors who have given me hours of joy, plot-twists and laughs.

8. Outlander is probably the best TV show. I mean the TV show is about the life of a time-traveller in Scotland. From the 1940s, she travels back in time and falls in love with a highlander. And they had me at the vistas alone. The green spaces, the history, the accents, the storyline, the action, the drama. The characters. I even have a funko of my favourite character, who comes with me on holiday whenever I go to Scotland.

9. I'm writing a book. Well... actually that's not true. I've written one book all the way through - Whirlwind - and I'm writing four more. I have always loved writing, and when I heard of Wattpad, I jumped at the chance to finally get all the stories bouncing around my head down on technological paper. Those of you who follow me on Instagram or are friends with me on Facebook have seen my chapter updates on The Unknown Road, and the book has taken me over a year to publish. But I'm nearly there. I'm so close, and I can't wait for you to read the next books too. This picture's an excerpt from Whirlwind. My books are mostly about family, and I've found it easier than most to write because I've had such great support from mine.

10. I sing. And film music to boot. When my friend mentioned she was in a film choir, I had to join, and for the last four years I've been singing along to my favourite soundtracks, and meeting new and amazing people along the way. Singing has helped a lot with my confidence - pinnacled in the fact I did an Acapella solo of Hallelujah at Christmas in 2018, something I never thought I'd be able to do - and it has also showed me just how much my love of films is influenced by the music. The soundtracks we've sung are from classics and some of the newer movies, but altogether GREAT composers. Hans Zimmer still rules all though.

Stay tuned for Day 2 tomorrow.

(Shameless self-advertising loading...)

My books can be found here:

Whirlwind: https://my.w.tt/NFnJKr0pO5

Proof of Belonging - A Whirlwind Sequel: https://my.w.tt/ONjQy2XpO5

The Unknown Road: https://my.w.tt/z9hDVG1pO5