PSYCHE LESSONS

I found it so satisfying that January 1st was a Monday. Since this date I can honestly say I've put into practice my new outlook on life and psyche rules for the next year. I've learnt a lot in 2017, even the bad times often became blessings in disguise. 

Working hard; this is something that towards the end of 2017 really started to pay off. I've found my feet at work and are now able to add in my own style and ideas. I'm not one of those who needs to shout about like 'oooo like what I've done', just knowing what I have achieved is enough for me. In 2018 I plan to focus more on my career, both inside & outside of work. I'm feeling more determined then ever and luckily have like minded friends whom I can build my empire with. One thing that I find annoys me about people is the need for competition. Often things in life are carried out as a team, it doesn't matter who did what, the point was you all did it together and therefore, all deserve the same rewards.

Focus on yourself; I've learn to stop worrying about what others are doing. This goes hand in hand with my point above. Focus your time & energy on what you are doing, not on what others are doing. That's not your concern. I promise you, you will start to feel so happy!

Learn who your true friends are; 2017 has taught me who I can keep close and who I can't. Learning to distance myself from 'toxic' people. That doesn't always mean they are evil or cold-hearted, it just means the relationship is toxic. Sometimes it's a hard pill to swallow but, there really isn't much point keeping people in your life if they aren't going to help you along the way. I found myself completely exhausted by certain relationships and that is not how they should make you feel. 

Spend more time doing what you love with who you love. I've spent the weekend planning my future, working on the blog and also shopping for interior design ideas (see photo above). Sad perhaps to some, but to me it's been a perfect & productive weekend. I've spent a lovely weekend with my family and a catch up with some of my closest friends, plus some much needed rest. I've decided to spend less time & money on nights out or just buying 'stuff', and more on activities and people that will actually benefit my life & my health. 

I'll be setting myself small goals each month in order to achieve my dreams. This past week has been amazing (despite being ill) and I'm so excited to discover what else 2018 has to offer. 

LLC xo

2018 PSYCHE RULES TO LIVE BY

Typography by: DesignByWas

I'm sure at this time of year many of us have been sitting back, sipping some bubbly (or other bevvy of your choice) and reflecting on the events which have happened throughout the past 365 days. 2017 has taught us all a lot, each in our own way through our own experiences. I'm not one of these cliché people who's going to ramble on about a 'New Year and a New Me'. I see myself in 2018 as the same me, just a better, extended version. I don't see these as resolutions as such, these are more rules for life, which are to be practiced throughout 2018. Little tips to make your successful year that little bit happier.

- MAKE PEACE WITH YOUR PAST

This is something I've struggled with for a long time. Sometimes if someone has done us wrong in the past it's not to assume everyone else is going to do the same thing to you. Truth is, they usually aren't and if they do, it's time to get rid. Past events are what shapes us into who we are today, they are so important and something to be often proud of.

- WHAT OTHER PEOPLE THINK OF YOU IS NOT IN YOUR CONTROL
It's also not your problem either. It's time to spend a little less worry on what others think about you, and more focus on what you actually think about yourself.

 - LEARN THAT TIME IS THE BEST HEALER
We've all been through some kind of heart break. Whether it's loosing someone close to our hearts, going through a break up or perhaps being unwell. It hurts so much at first and often you have no idea how you're going to cope. Trust me though, you will. Eventually, in time things do get better. You naturally adapt to certain situations and remember, if it's meant to be it will be. Nothing in life should be forced. Often when we face a difficult time it's actually preparing us for something even better in the future.

- YOU NEED TO CONTROL YOUR OWN HAPPINESS, NO ONE ELSE CAN DO THAT FOR YOU
I'm one of those who often seeks happiness through others. Like I need to feel wanted and valued by others in order to be happy. I've learnt that actually, you'll only be disappointed. Save yourself the heart ache and learn to give yourself the values you seek from others. Learn to love yourself and value your own self worth. Learn to be comfortable within yourself and to be completely happy having time on your own. There is no point relying on others you give you the love you desire, most of the time they are not capable. 

- DON'T COMPARE YOURSELF TO OTHERS
I am the worst when it comes to this. I'm forever scrolling through my instagram wishing and searching for ways to look like someone else. Or thinking, maybe they'd like me if I looked like her... They've liked her photo so I should look like that... Oh, they like her then, maybe I should adapt the way I am to be more like her. 
NO NO NO. Just stop before you literally drive yourself crazy. You are you and that is your power! We all have things we don't like about ourselves. I'm certain that most of us would like to have nose jobs or boob jobs or some sort of surgery. There really is no need. I am one though, for believing if you're doing it for yourself then fine. If it's really going to boost you, benefit your life then fair enough. If you're just changing yourself in order to impress someone else, or because you feel that's how society has taught you to be, then you need to snap out of that and fast.

- STOP THINKING SO MUCH
We have thousands, millions of thoughts passing through our mind each and everyday. It's knowing which ones to block out & which ones to focus on. The quality of your day, or even life is dependent on your thoughts. So many times we are put off new adventures as our sub-conscious kicks in and we talk ourselves out of taking risks. Think of all the amazing experiences we miss out on and how potentially our lives could be oh so different.

- POSITIVE THOUGHTS CREATE POSITIVE THINGS
The thoughts & attitude you hold each morning determine how good your day is going to be. Ever wondered how some people just get so much in life? Well, most of the time it's because of their positive, can-do mindset. Every situation can be completely different when you learn to view it from a different angle. When you see yourself in a negative situation always try to focus on the positive, there is always a silver lining.

- SMILE MORE, LEARN TO EMBRACE IT
Smiling is something I'm self-conscious about in photos. I would say, in life I am pretty smiley, yet when the camera comes out the anxiety kicks in. I'm not particularly confident with the way I look when I smile. Especially because of my gap teeth. This is something nowadays people actually desire to have! Well, I guess we often want what we don't have, and don't always want what we do have. 
I'm learning now that I am who I am. I need to learn to embrace my 'unusual' features and stay true to myself.

- LOVE YOURSELF
When scrolling through instagram I see so many girls (especially) reposting quotes such as; "love yourself", but in life very few of them actually do. Well, practice what you preach, we all need to. It's time to accept the way you are, things of course can be changed if not too dramatic. Really, we are all so lucky and beautiful in our own way, we need to have the confidence to match & show the world. 
You first have to love yourself before you can expect anyone else to love you. Your own self love is the most important love you will ever receive.

- KINDNESS IS FREE
This is one of the easiest things you can practice every day and it wont cost you a penny. Whether it's saying a few extra thank yous, complimenting someone or even fulfilling a simple act of kindness to brighten someones day.
I can not explain how important it is to be kind. You never know what battles people are facing behind closed doors. That being said, Mental Health is a subject so well spoken about these days. Simple, kind words can make someones day. We're all here for the same reason, so why not be kind to each other along the way? You never know when you may need them or when they may need you. 

If you have any rules that you are going to live by in 2018 please comment below. I'd love to hear them!

LLC xo

 





  

 

PSYCHE MINIMALISM

So many of us feel trapped in the chaotic world we know today. Dreamers focus on their taught idea of success; money, things & social status. When you really experience & fine tune those ideals you become to realise they aren't what you think. Money and people will not make you happy. Perhaps for a hour or a day but I can assure you not many will give you long life fulfillment.

My way of looking at 'minimalism' is a lifestyle to stop the madness, stop the unnecessary noise around us. The situations that divert our daily thinking into a negative place. It's the idea of being able to live with less, whether that's possessions or relationships. It's knowing what you need and discovering what will truly help you on the way to happiness.

It's essential these days to be a good example, to allow others to follow from your lead. Whether that's your family, children, friends or even just like-minded people needing guidance. My journey through minimalism has allowed me to connect closer to others, it's allowed me to embrace myself in my true, genuine form.

"People do things to hurt you and make you jealous when claiming they are trying to win your heart."

So little of us are actually thankful for what we have already. Having a home, family, friends, feeling safe in the place we live, waking up and being able to breathe. So many of us fast pace beings take the most simple things for granted.
Many of us have strong, supportive relationships which we take for granted each and every day. We become annoyed or 'pissed off' over the most petty of things. Whether it's through harsh conversation or social media. How many of us have stupid arguments and slam the door shut. Later regretting our choice of words as one day, they maybe the last. Blanking someone in the street or refusing to congratulate someone through jealousy, these are basic life choices which in turn, say so much about ourselves. We are reluctant to help people unless we receive something in return. We refuse to give up some of our time watching Netflix in order to help others. We waste days, weeks, months scrolling through social media and limiting conversation with our loved ones. The average person checks their phone over 100 times a day, searching for information, attention and answers. People do things to hurt you and make you jealous when claiming they are trying to win your heart.

Take a step back and reflect.  
Why not spend more time loving someone instead of making them jealous? They not spend more time visiting someone rather then text? Why not spend more time looking and speaking to the people around you, instead of focusing on the unrealistic, virtual world you find on your phone?

"We should be identified by what one does, not by what one owns."

Society has grown attached to worshiping consumption. Buying things to make us feel better, to have that 'fix' and to fill the void we are missing. Fast fashion has become an obsession, an addiction to buying the latest items. Being told by the media that we are now out of trend, being told what to buy and where to buy it. Having pieces that last a month rather than a year. Spending money on a quick fix that we soon dis-guard a short while later when they now have no value. The pressure of Black Friday to queue for hours in the cold in order to get the best deals. To max out our credit cards in order to buy masses of gifts and to attempt to keep up with the market. We believe we are receiving good deals, yet really, it's making us buy more. When we will ever have enough?
Our emotions are now connected to things rather than people. We find joy from the latest iPhone rather then conversation or a hug. We believe we are of value if we have things of value. We believe the clothes we wear identify our social status.
We should be identified by what one does, not by what one owns. People hurt us and apologise by buying us a 'thing' to say sorry rather than words. Until it happens again and the negative process continues.

It's learning to possess the things that give you value, things you need and things that help you through life. Being surrounded by things of purpose, in order to help you. Not to define your purpose. It's finding a balance between treats & essentials. Society has taught us to spend spend spend. Constantly working for our next pay cheque in order to fuel our habits. Perhaps if we really take a look at our spending we can save. We have to get rid of items, experiences that no longer serve us or give us meaning.

Wherever you are on your journey it's never too late to review. Gradually clear your wardrobe, social list, negative relationships or surroundings in order to give us a more fulfilled life. To choose a life that's good for you and others around you. Finding happiness from within, not through others or things. Each day revise your choices and ask yourself, is this giving me or anyone purpose? Does this hold meaning? Is this a true reflection of who I am? If you change your choices, you change your social attractions. If you do good, you attract good people. Clearing unnecessary things or people from your life allows you focus and have more room in your mind for what truly matters.

Love people & use things. The opposite never works.

When you realise this life is yours and this is the only one you will have, when it's distant from 'hippy bs', when it really seeps into your bones, that's when everything changes.
Love people & use things. The opposite never works.

LLC

PSYCHE FLORALS

Florals are a psyche essential when dressing a home for a special occasion. They add a little lux and happiness to those dull days, we all have them. Floristry is something that's always been an interest and why not add 'another string to my bow' when the opportunity presents itself. I'm a believer in everything happens for a reason and this was something not to be missed.

As a Halloween treat we gathered for a pumpkin flower arrangement lesson. Ideas like this are always such a good investment of your time and money. Not only did I learn a lot (although I've forgotten so many Latin flower names) but I also had such a lovely time doing it! For any special occaision or bouquet I buy I always make them up myself. I think it comes naturally as a creative but I can't stand some of the bunches they make up. I like a mix of texture, shape & also of course in-keeping with my aesthetic. Prosecco, good friends & beautiful flowers, what more could you want?

It's pretty obvious that I didn't opt for the typical Autumnal/Halloween style colour palette but ay, it's not within my style. The Psyche Style is a focus of many neutrals colours to adapt and wear all year round. I'll get round to adding more colour at some point I promise.... 

 Thoughts when arranging flowers reminded me of those we go through when arranging our personal styles or homes. There's always a focal point, in this case it was the white rose. A white rose is my most favourite flower which symbolizes purity, same aesthetic in homes now too, the more white the better. The leaves are added around the edges and the top, scattered randomly. This mixes in lovely with the whistles for a wild, unpredictable look. It's knowing how to get a balance between plan/strategy and natural. Other coloured flowers are used to balance, this is something to do by eye.

Flower arrangement is something that will always be different between person to person. Again like style and taste. It was interesting to see the outcomes, which were so different despite each being open to using the same flowers. All beautiful in their own way.

The Psyche Style flower arranging style tips:

- Plan your point of focus (main beautiful flower)
- Gather enough leaves, wild flowers to add depth and bulk to the desig. Scatter these roughly
- Opt for a range of different leaves, textures and colours when bunching together foliage
- Plan your colour palette and know your desired style
- Don't be afraid to try new ideas, if they don't work you can always take them out
- Choose smaller beautiful pieces to scatter
- Choose pieces of a similar colour palette and balance the colours across the bouquet
- Add height towards the back, it doesn't need to be even
- Plan the eyes journey to cover all aspects of the bouquet. You should be able to plan a journey for a frog to jump from level to level

Never let your skills limit you. All these are relevant to flower arranging however, many of us also use these when creating our key style. Especially within interior design.
I'd highly recommend courses/sessions like these. They're so much fun, you learn so much and have a giggle whilst doing it. We've signed up for the Christmas one which I'm so excited for. Christmas is my favourite time of year.

Happy Halloween! :)

LLC