This blog is to discuss some beautiful products I recently received from CGD London ( ‘HOMELYBLOGGER10’ gets 10% off! SHOP HERE) and tell you how to use them, for the best chance of totally transforming your life for the better.
I saw the Agenda in Sage Croc and was OBSESSED immediately. I think it looks so stylish but it’s also hard-wearing so it’s great to travel around with too. You can select one of 2 different inserts, one is dated and one is not – so you can start at any time of year.
Stress Less – well, who doesn’t want to do that? I adore the concept and I have detailed this more below. The products on the website are perfect for all of the different journaling approaches I have mentioned in this blog. Literally, PERFECT ‘Christmas Gift’ material.
Alternatively, possibly even more wonderfully, a gorgeous idea to buy for yourself. Getting yourself set up for a strong start to the New Year is SO important.
It’s almost 2025, guys.. how did that happen?
This is a topic I have raved about time and time again. However, Let me give you a little recap on a few habits I absolutely adore & will never fail to recommend.
There are various types of journalling and wowee I am a HUGE advocate for literally all of them!
I think it is easy to underestimate the power of getting your thoughts on paper (be it literal paper or a digital screen, I’m a huge fan of both)
I use all sorts of methods and I think it is important for you to work out what works best for you. One thing I am certain of is that at least one (probably more) will hugely benefit you.
Keeping your mind as de-cluttered as possible is a huge benefit for your day to day clarity. This starts from when you wake up in the morning and feel prepared to get going. To falling asleep at night, tossing and turning because you are in a total state of overwhelm. By the way, if you fall asleep as soon as your head hits the pillow; this is not a good sign!
Something as quick and simple as bullet point lists can help. I don’t physically write down pages and pages of a diary, all the things that happened to me that day with my thoughts and feelings. I think the world of ‘journalling’ has hugely expanded in recent years and I am here for it. It can be as much or as little as you need.
Here are some key benefits that you can gain from trying a variety of methods:
JOURNALS/DIARY/ LISTS:
EMOTIONAL PROCESSING
Journaling helps you process emotions by providing a space to release thoughts and feelings without judgment. This can reduce stress and anxiety and improve emotional clarity.
SELF REFLECTION AND GROWTH
Writing encourages self-reflection, helping you better understand your goals, desires, and patterns over time. This awareness often leads to personal growth and better decision-making.
CREATIVITY AND PROBLEM SOLVING
Free-writing in a journal can spark creativity and help you come up with solutions to challenges, as it encourages you to think more freely and flexibly.
MEMORY/FOCUS
Putting thoughts on paper helps reinforce memories, organize your thoughts, and improve focus on your daily tasks.
DAILY GRATITUDE BENEFITS:
I am a huge advocate that focusing on the good, makes life seem a little better. This can be easier on some days more than others but there is NEVER ‘nothing’ good in the day. It doesn’t take very long to consider how much worse your life could be, and to be honest, that is still pretty much true even if we are undergoing huge stress or upsetting periods. ‘Things could always be worse’ is a saying I regularly refer to myself – because they genuinely could be. Life is wildly unpredictable and it is worth looking on the bright side as much as possible – Do you have a home? Do you have any loved ones at all? Do you have your immediate health? Do not let yourselves take ‘little’ things for granted.
MOOD BOOST
Studies have repeatedly shown that gratitude improves happiness and life satisfaction. A daily gratitude list shifts focus toward the positive, which can enhance overall mental health and happiness.
IMPROVING RESILIENCE
Cultivating gratitude can make it easier to handle setbacks and challenges because it encourages a positive outlook and highlights the resources and support in your life.
MINDFULNESS/ FOCUS ON THE PRESENT
Taking time to acknowledge what you’re grateful for pulls you into the present moment, fostering mindfulness and awareness of simple, often-overlooked joys.
RELATIONSHIP BOOST
Recognising and appreciating people in your life can strengthen relationships, as you become more aware of the positive interactions and support you receive from others. This can also be valid if you need to take a little step back from people too. Notice how people make you feel and pay attention to it.
LIFE ORGANISATION BENEFITS:
TIME MANAGEMENT
A planner helps you allocate time effectively for work, personal tasks, and relaxation. This habit can reduce procrastination and improve productivity. My boyfriend doesn’t really use a diary and part of me worries that I’m totally overlooking the fact that he is clearly a psychopath.
STRESS REDUCTION
With a planner, you have a clear view of what needs to be done, which reduces stress and overwhelm. Knowing you have a system in place makes it easier to relax.
SETTING GOALS/KEEPING TRACK
Writing down goals and breaking them into smaller tasks improves the likelihood of achieving them. Tracking progress can be motivating and help you celebrate milestones.
CREATING A ROUTINE
A planner supports the creation of routines and habits. Consistent use of a planner can make it easier to stick to healthy routines, like exercise or meal planning, and achieve a balanced lifestyle.
FINANCE TRACKING:
This may seem boring or perhaps even stress inducing; if the idea makes you feel a little anxious then perhaps it’s time to assess your spending. It is VERY easy to lose track of a small purchases here and there whilst ending up wasting thousands over the course of the year – this is no exaggeration and a little more awareness can go a long way, without sucking the joy out of everything.
FINANCIAL AWARENESS
Tracking expenses provides a clear picture of where your money goes, highlighting any spending habits you may not be aware of. This awareness is the first step toward better financial decisions.
BUDGET BUILDING
Monitoring your finances allows you to create a realistic budget based on actual spending patterns, which makes it easier to plan for future expenses and savings. If you’re starting from scratch then start small so you don’t overwhelm yourself but don’t give up – it’s worth it!
REDUCING FINANCIAL STRESS
I hugely believe that financial stress, especially debt stress with high interest rates, is one of the MOST stressful situations you can find yourself in. Sometimes you can take steps to help it right away, sometimes it will take a little more time but either way, any little amount of progress is a step in the right direction.
SAVING/ FINANCIAL GOALS
Whether you’re saving for something specific or working toward financial independence, tracking finances helps you measure progress and make necessary adjustments.
BONUS ROUND: MANIFESTING
People may roll their eyes at this but I am a huge believer in it. I’m not talking about wishing a lottery win – I’m talking about true contentment and enjoying the meaning of what you’re living for.
I think the power of your mind is far more than you give it credit for. If you believe in yourself, you are on the right track. If you don’t think you are smart, capable, lucky, worthwhile or deserving of any of the things you see as ‘amazing’ but you consider them ‘out of reach’ – you’re sending the wrong message to the world and to yourself.
Would you talk to your friend like that? I feel so passionate about people feeling their best and living the best life they possibly could. I have clawed myself out of the lowest lows so many times so I truly believe it is possible.
Nothing magic can happen overnight and it is a serious muscle that you have to exercise and work on, consistently. Self discipline is a huge skill to have and an entirely worthwhile one to work towards – you deserve to live a life that you love and makes you happy.
THE OVERALL BENEFIT:
Each of these practices complements the others. For example, writing in a journal and keeping a gratitude list can improve mental clarity and emotional well-being, which enhances your ability to stay organised with a planner. Tracking finances brings awareness to financial health, helping you make more mindful decisions that align with your goals. Together, they create a structured, mindful, and purpose-driven approach to life.
Integrating these practices into your routine can lead to improved well-being, increased productivity, and a stronger sense of purpose, ultimately supporting a more balanced, happy, and fulfilling life.
Working on each different aspect towards making yourself feel a little more ‘on top of things’ and gaining some mental calm is the ultimate goal. Start with baby steps and see how you feel but stick at it. It will be something new that you have to train yourself to do and get used to a new routine. I genuinely think these types of habits I do, have totally transformed my life and saved my rough patches, time and time again.
‘HOMELYBLOGGER10’ gets 10% off!
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CGD kindly gifted me these items. At time of writing, I do not gain commission on sales. It is simply a topic that I feel so passionate about and really love the idea of possibly helping people on their journey to feel their best.