A guide to Positivity

Hey guys, so this is a bit of an odd blog :D 

But I got to thinking lately about the toxic negativity people are letting into their lives and what it's doing to them. 

With depression and anxiety on the rise, the world is fast becoming a place dominated by people's image and self obsession. Nobody wants to be themselves anymore! Everyone wants to be Kim Kardashian, or Khloe, have the perfect body, perfect abs, fitness, perfect life etc etc. Everytime I go on my social media accounts all I see is #health, #fitfam, #lifegoals, #hyliejennerlips and so much more. What happened to just being YOU? People have become so obsessed with being fit and beautiful, drawing eyebrows, lips, contouring in cheekbones and a cleavage (I'm guilty of this myself) destroying our bodies with protein shakes and fast food, before agonising at the gym. Meanwhile not realising what this is doing to our bodies. 

Call me old fashioned, but whatever happened to the odd treat, can of coke or bag of munchies and just exorcising regularly? Rather than gorging on peanut butter and fast food and breaking your legs doing squats and burpees the next day. If you ever take a look at our grandparents era, they worked and worked all day, in the bog or the fields etc (I'm sure we've all heard the stories) they walked everywhere and they only had so many meals a day. Yet they had plenty of fatty bacon, apple pies and sweets. The difference is unbelievable. I tried doing it the old fashioned way for a few weeks, just cutting out the crap, sticking to a few meals a day, not stressing over it and making sure I got my daily walk in. About a week after I noticed a difference in myself and I stopped caring about other peoples bodies and weight. Everyone is made unique for a reason, not to be a carbon copy of anyone else. We each have our own finger prints, our own dna, so why do we try to be like others? Only when we realize our unique value will we be able to be positive in our own beings.

Somebody said to me not so long ago, that after they lost weight and changed their image, people noticed them way more and they got more attention on facebook. I was in shock, but I noticed it too. Every day my feed would be riddled with 'transformation tuesday' pictures of people who lost weight or toned up and they would get 100's of likes. So this is the only way to get noticed anymore?

 What is the world coming to? People might post photos or statuses to get attention, but they will start to depend on them and their insecurities will grow when they don't get enough.

Personally I am all for a person wanting to get healthier, in a natural way, but do it for yourself, not for facebook or instagram. Because you are only going to be happy if you do it for yourself. Comparing yourself to others on social media is worthless, because realistically, it is all a front! People aren't always what they post to be. So do everything in life for yourself, life is too short to do it for anyone else. Here are some steps I have to being happier and being more positive n your life. 

It is hard to transform into a positive person overnight and even the happiest of people aren't always happy. Everyone has bad and good days. But the trick to overcome the bad, is to remember that good days happen and will happen again. Think of a day you were extremely happy and remember what you felt. You will feel that happy again. 

Be thankful for you, have an attitude of gratitude! Try to be grateful for everything good that does happen in your life. This boosts the positivity. Slowly you will start to notice good things happen to you more and more and you will appreciate them.. Be thankful for your life, your health, friends, family, job, etc, even that nice cuppa you made at lunch! It will make you appreciative of every thing.

Cut any negative people out of your life. Negative people feed on negativity like oxygen, they literally live just to see you unhappy. Just like pulling out a thorn from your skin, you have to get rid of what does you harm. Even just spending less time with them and more with people that bring out the best in you will help. Delete them off facebook, block them, etc. Because some people literally live to see you upset and want to do better than you. Once they see you ignoring them and living a happy life, they try what they can to break that bubble. 

Preach positivity to others. If you teach others around you what you have learned, they will start looking on you as a dependable person and someone to help them. It will even make you feel helpful and proud of yourself. Even sending a nice quote you saw on pinterest to them may brighten their day and make you feel good for helping them. 

Have positive friends. When you grow older, you will start to notice your circle of friends get smaller. People change, as will you , it's all part of growing up. But it is also necessary to cut any negative friends from your life and keep the positive ones closer.They will grow with you and nurture you, rather than dragging you down.

Some people will always try to drag you down or talk about you and spread negativity like a plague.  It is best to just ignore it and stay away. Unfortunately some people get dragged down into the negativity and can't think for themselves, Stay positive always and be yourself! I myself have dealt with this situation plenty of times recently and always it is the same negative person coming back to cause drama, Just ignore it and move on like I have!  

I hope this blog helped you if you are feeling down and lacking positivity :) I just had some issues myself with people and decided to take my own advice of preaching to others :P 

Hope you enjoyed ! 

Sandy.S

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"We Were on a break!!!"

Hi guys, so again I'm back with a rather odd one :) I have been talking to a lot of people recently about this and seen or heard a lot of people asking about it :) I have decided I am going to write my opinion on it and hopefully give advice to those caught in an emotional roller coaster because of it :) 

So, what is the term 'to take a break' about, in a relationship? Is it like a holiday, or vacation from them? Do you see other people? How long does it last? etc. ( All I think of is Ross from Friends :p) 

To be honest I can't exactly answer all of that for you, because it depends on the person you are with. All I can say is, as soon as your partner says these words to you, you run, and keep running!!

Based on conversations with people I have discovered that the person who says this is just looking for a cowardly way to tell you that they want to see other people for a while and then snap their fingers at you when they want you back. It is such an Americanized term for ending or 'pausing' a relationship. They will use terms like 'It's not you, it's me'...'I just want to focus on my studies' or 'I need to discover myself' or some crap like that. I personally think that people need to grow a pair and say what they really mean. We're not in some American High school drama!

If two people are in a long, committed relationship, it may be because of stress or issues with marriage or whatever. Sometimes the person can need a break from the other person, just to breathe for a while. After all, absence makes the heart grow stronger. But still, maybe go for a long walk or shopping or whatever hobby it is you do. If you need longer, maybe you need to reconsider this relationship, why make both of you miserable and stressed? 

When it is a relationship that has only been going on for a few weeks and one says to the other "I think we need a break!" It's basically a cowards way for saying 'sorry, I'm not really sure if I still like you' and they want to see other people without having to do the awkward breaking up. This way they can say maybe you could get back together sometime and they won't feel as bad about it as they would a break up.They may even suggest being friends with benefits if they can't get anything off anyone else. Playing you like a puppet on a string. I knew a story, where the person wanted a break, but wanted to get back with the other person,when they were older and settle down. I was thinking..."What??" Basically she wanted to keep him on hold and wait for her...?? I laugh at people that think this way, either you want someone or not. Sin è/Simple as :) If you are in this situation, get away from it as fast as possible. I guarantee as soon as you do and meet someone that is worth your time, that other person will appear straight away again trying to cause hassle :) 

I see these issues every now and then on problem pages or 'Dear Deirdre' or wherever and I feel so sorry for the person, because you think you are in this great relationship and someone says the 'b' word as soon as things get a bit rocky. It can be so upsetting and you will feel so insecure and worthless, but just remind yourself it is THEIR loss. not yours! More than likely it's just what they think is a polite way of dumping you. You will move on realize that maybe that sweet guy you sit beside in the lab everyday or that pretty girl behind the till is someone that will accept you and treat you for who you are :) And if you are someone considering taking a break, for your own sake and theirs, just end it. 

Hope this helps :) 

Feel free to comment and share your opinions :) 

Sandy.S

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November, A month for Memories

Hello everyone :) So tonight I began thinking about the month of November and what a month it has been :) As I mentioned in a recent blog I really hate this month for a personal reason. This week coming, especially, I always get a bit lonely as it was this week ten years ago I lost a cousin of mine, a beautiful 17 year old girl called Marguerite or 'Mags' as she was fondly known. I was only 11 at the time but I can remember her as though she was standing in front of me, with that smile she used to have. I can remember following her and my older sister around like a puppy, wanting to talk about boys and makeup with them, as older girls do. It was only later in life I realized what a pest I must have been :D

She was just stunning :)

I think every girl has an older cousin, or female figure, that she looks up to and that was Mags for me. She loved cats, the color pink, Johnny Depp and I believe there was a man from the town she lived in that we both had an interest in at some point (his name or profession I won't mention because I was picked on enough for it at the time!) I can remember at a wedding we went to she had a black flower clip in her hair, which she asked me to hold while she danced to 500 miles with a younger cousin and it was like asking me to hold the crown for the queen! Another memory I have is of another cousins (I have many :D) confirmation day where we went to Bunratty Castle. I was only small at the time and was too scared to go down in to the dungeons of the castle, so she said she's stay outside with me. She sat on the wall beside me and we talked about random things. That was the way she was. She was such a funny, lovely girl. She taught everybody how to dance to cha cha slide by dj casper at that wedding, which I still think of whenever I hear that song. Of course the song that reminds me most of her is Brown Eyed Girl, which was hers. Whenever I hear it I know it's her way of saying hello to us.

I realize that people reading this might think what sort of a depressing mood is she in? but I like to blog and decided that I would share my memories of her this week. 

My family and I were supposed to go to Lanzarote that week on holidays, and locusts were plaguing the island at the time. All that worried me was whether we'd be able to go on holidays or not! Oh the innocence of it all :) In the ten years since, my nose grew more hookish like hers, we've had about 20 cats, all whom have gone to meet their maker (partly thanks to my mothers driving) bar one, which has strangely decided to stay with us ;)We managed to keep one :D Whenever I see them it's like her keeping an eye on us. I know people might think I'm crazy but I definitely believe she's around me and my family at times. I might hear her songs or see somebody that looks exactly like her on TV. When things are tough I talk to her and when things go right I'll thank her for them. I'm told I act like her in ways and look like her as well, so thank you Mags, for gifting me :p 

Literally the same nose!

Even ten years on, I still find it hard to believe she's gone. There's still that empty seat or that lack of laughter she brought. The lovely, brown, side parted hair I was always so jealous of. I even remember in school, the kindness of a particular nun, god rest her soul now, who would remember her anniversary every year without fail and say a few prayers with me, Little things like that went a long way with me and helped me cope. 

This year I'll do as I always do, attend a mass for her and be thinking of her 24/7, I just hope that she's happy and smiling down at us.

Just remember that everyone has their cross to bear and try not to judge them, you don't know what problems they might be trying to cope with.

I'm sorry for the randomness of this one :) but I felt I had to share my memories of her this week. If anyone else is feeling the loss of a loved one and needs a talk, feel free to message me :)

Mags <3

Thank you for reading,

Sandy.S

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How to get over a broken heart ?! Keep Reading :)

Hey again :D I know some of you that know me might think this is a random thing for me to be writing, since I am obviously not somebody that is going through the above title, but that doesn't mean I'm no stranger to it :) 

Yes I've had my fair share of it, from stupid crushes to flings that didn't come to anything and by god it can literally feel like you're broken into pieces and everyday you wake up wondering did that actually happen...

Well unfortunately yes it did, and that fact will wash over you like those ice nominations that were all the rage not too long ago...

No matter who it was that did the heart breaking, it's no easy thing to get through, no matter what age, seven with that boy/girl that gave you gum on the bus, or 45 with your husband/wife who left you with three kids. 

I'm no Dr. Phil, but I'm just here to help you by giving some tips to ease that pain. 

If only Nurofen could come out with a heartbreak remedy eh?? Unfortunately they don't but chocolate is something that might help a bit :D! Chocolate has been proven to release Endorphins, which are hormones that basically make you feel happy! I'm not saying go obese with it, but there's no harm in going to your local and buying a few tubs of ben and jerry's, some galaxy(personal favourite) and some cocoa. Take a day off work if needs be, light the fire and watch some crappy chickflicks, (he's just not that into you is a fave, or Sex and the City! :P) 

Go on to your facebook and delete them from your life, I don't care how you're going to still be friends or any of that crap, you can be friends after you have allowed yourself time to heal! There's literally no point wearing shoes that gave you a heap of blisters over and over again is there? Well imagine he/she are the shoe...delete all pictures off any social networks and phones. It's extremely harsh but necessary.

Go out with your friends and get drunk, I know alcohol can cause you to be extremely emotional, and you will probably spend your night crying to the door of the toilet, but do it anyway! Why? Because it helps!! First comes the tears, then the anger and then after a while the indifference :) Meet a guy if you want to, whenever you are ready! But I would advise enjoying singledom after a break up, it will build up your independence and confidence again :) 

You will feel the need to stalk the ex and any of their current misses or misters, do it!! By all means! Show them to your friends, family etc and have a good rant about how ugly they are, I know most people would say out of sight out of mind, but it's hilarious rating the new persons nose or thighs :P Im not saying do it every 5 minutes, but do it enough to make yourself feel better, sure, we all do it!!

Go shopping or get yourself a new hobby :D I mean anything even pottery making!! (you might meet a Patrick Swayze :P ) Buy that sexy Little black dress or for the men, that aftershave :P you saw in town, who cares if rent is due! Go get your hair or makeup done and feel great!! 

Most importantly of all, learn to trust again, they aren't all out to break your heart :) Some are just not suited and that's all there is to it !! 

And p.s, this isn't going to happen overnight so don't expect miracles :) 

made for heartbreaks :)

I hope I can be of some assistance to anybody suffering this disease :) :) 

Happy reading :D 

Sandy.S

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Summer so Far Ƹ̴Ӂ̴Ʒ

Hey everyone!! So, since it's summer, I've decided to do a summer picture blog about what I've been doing so far! :) The weather in Ireland has been, as per usual, very temperamental, but we have had some amazing days so far!! :)

Meee, nightout in Galway :D 

My beautiful friends & I, night out in Galway :D

My amazing boyfriend & I :)

My beautiful friends & I, dinner and a catch up :)

Staying in the plaza hotel in Dublin, with my boyfriend :) great night :)

Bus timetable to Carlow, had a GREAT night out here, defenitely returning :D

My little sisters 10th birthday cake :D cookie monster

My pet goat Frisky, sunbathing herself :)

Got this milkshake in the Shake shop in Dundrum, galaxy with cream,  was HEAVEN!

The hoodie I stole off my boyfriend, so comfyyy :)

The racessss, saw this ad in the paper and got soo excited :D ladies day 2013 whoop!

My gorgeous dog, Rocky relaxing in the heat :)

My new favorite drink, Peach lemonade from Costa..omnom

This is a Eurasian Eagle Owl, they are amazing, my favorite animal as well :D saw him recently in the Bird of Prey Center

Love this picture, think he looks a bit like James Bond? :P

Love him :D this is us on a night out in Galway 

Got my haircut! finally my hair is healthy again :)

Last but not least, home during the summer :) beautiful!

Ok everyone, thats my summer so far, I hope yours has been just as eventful!! :)
What have you been up to?? Let me know ;)

By the way, You may have noticed alot of these were taken by instagram, I am obsessed and put up a new picture at least once a day :) add me! Sandralyne993 or on twitter, @Sandralyne93 

Thanks for reading :)

Until Next time!!

Sandy.S
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