THINGS TO DO IF YOU'RE BORED THIS SUMMER!

Sometimes you've been dreaming of doing nothing for an entire term. However sometimes you get tired of doing nothing! Here's a few things you could do to break the boredom this summer.

Bake something new or old!
I love baking things (even though i'm not that good at it, hence the pre made mix and icing)! If you are a new baker i suggest something you know you can bake just as a safety net. As you build up your confidence start looking for new recipes on the internet and trying them out!

DIY something!
I love DIY's so much. They don't always go to plan or I never get them finished but that's alright because there really fun to carry out. You can even create a DIY photo wall which I am currently trying to do, hence the pegs and the polaroid!

Have a slumber party/sleepover!
I love sleepovers so much! I find them so fun and so versatile. There are so many different ideas on pintrest (a few of which I may have stolen). I am also planning a summer sleepover with my best friend on Wednesday and if all goes to plan then I may just do a blog post on it!

Get Involved!
Not only with this pass the time in the summer, but it could maybe even benefit you in the future. For example volunteering at the local charity shop could make an impact on how future employers see you. Another example is teaching - at a swimming club or at a tennis ground all of these things I mentioned will enhance your personal statement/CV.

Go out to town/Explore!
Get your friends/family together and shop. I did a lot of this last summer some of which I am regretting however in the moment I enjoyed it. Also if you've used up all of your money then go and explore, whether it's a free art exhibition or just a walk around the local park - just get out there and have some fun.

However remember to stay safe at all times. Never do something if you do not feel right and never feel forced to do anything.

Have fun - that's what summer is all about!

Have you got anything fun planned during summer?

Thanks,
Amber

SUMMER READING LIST!

I love reading so much, but sometimes I don't find the time in the day to read. Not because I'm super busy just because I never find the time, do you know what I mean?

Anyways I love reading literature books and I recently looked at some reading lists for some universities that I am interested in going to. I then picked off 5 books and ordered them of amazon. I got a great deal with them as well with all 5 books costing £9.55.

The first book I am currently reading is:

To the Lighthouse - Virginia Woolf 
I am loving this book so far, although it is hard to follow. I love Woolf's style of writing as it is so different to modern writers. Her writing is so well thought out and it doesn't feel rushed at all as it is so well written. The plot although is hard to follow as Woolf doesn't really address her characters fully so I sometimes get confused as to who she is writing about. Other than those few things that I am working on I am loving this book. Woolf has a good knack of describing surroundings so you can imagine you are there which then allows the reader to completely submerse themselves within her interesting writing.

Emma - Jane Austen 
This book will be the first I have read of Jane Austen - long overdue I know. However I haven't started it yet but having just read the blurb I know I am going to love it! It says that Austen 'teased' readers, this then makes me intrigued in to the book as I want to know how she 'teased' us! It also has a small description of Emma on the back and I can somewhat relate to her. She is described as an 'imaginist' which I can resonate with. I can't wait to read this book, I didn't want to read Pride and Prejudice as I felt it too common amongst reads and I wanted to try something different.

Hamlet - William Shakespeare 

I cannot wait to start this play for many reasons. One being is that I love Shakespeare's writing and his style. He obviously writes in old english which means his plays are new experiences for the modern reader. I have studied in depth some of Shakespeare plays in Year 10,  and I found it really interesting to learn about the language used in his plays. Another reason why I love his work is because he was born not to far away from me! Under a hours drive and there I am in Stratford upon Avon, I have also been to the RSC to see some plays performed. If you are tourist or just someone who is interested in him and his life I definitely recommend Stratford upon Avon. The houses haven't been renovated so they all look old and I'm sure you can see the house William grew up in (I really want to go)!

Bleak House - Charles Dickens
I am going to be totally honest with you guys, this is the book that I am least looking forward to read. First off it's size, with 740 pages and 67 chapters it scares me, a lot. The title doesn't help as well - 'Bleak' which makes me fear that the book may also be 'Bleak.' However I doubt that as it's Dickens and he is one of the most famous novelists out there. From reading the blurb alone I am already intrigued as it says that the story is a complex mystery, which I love! It also says that it follows the laws corruption and the city's dark underworld. If that doesn't pull you in I don't know what will! I am kind of looking forward to reading this book I just know if the plot bores me in any way that I will not continue it because it is soooooooo long!

Great Expectations - Charles Dickens
I have high hopes for this book as I have heard some raved reviews and as a result I am looking forward to reading this book. It's seems to follow many characters one of them being the narrator - an orphan with no hope and dreams and his journey into a man with depth of character. The main focus is one character and their discovery of the truth about themselves. I am also looking forward to reading this book as I feel as though this will help me to appreciate the life I now live because it is so easy to take everything for granted. I think this book will be a massive eye opener for me as it will make me see that not every used to live the way I used to, some would struggle. Anyways I think this will be a great read and I can't wait.

That's all the books I have purchased to read over the summer! I hope you enjoyed this super long review! :)

What book are you thinking of reading over the summer? Let me know in the comments below!

Last Post: Me and My Anxiety | Real Talk

BIG NEWS ALERT!
Also guys I am going to try and post Monday to Friday every week (except for NCS weeks July 25 - Aug 19) and publish at 4pm, would you guys like that or not? Tell me in the comments below!

Have a nice day,
Amber

Me and My Anxiety | Real Talk

*I don't know why i'm writing a disclaimer because it shouldn't have to be said but some people online can be mean so here it is. THIS POST IS NOT FOR ATTENTION NOR FOR VIEWS SO READ THE INTRO BEFORE YOU LEAVE A NEGATIVE COMMENT. (Although no one in the blogging community is mean, but SOME people outside of it don't understand that posts are never for views nor money or shit like that)*

So guys, I am going to indulge you guys into another part of my life, the part that i don't share. If you are not interested, i'm sorry but I felt as though I have gotten to know the 20 odd people who read my posts (shoutout to you guys)!

Here it goes. My anxiety is heightened during stressful periods, this means that throughout my GCSE's I felt shit almost every day. I felt demotivated and drained after school and on the weekends!

*not my pic*

What form does my anxiety come in: THOUGHTS
The thoughts I had are intrusive and horrible. They were along the lines of not doing something will cause something horrible to happen. These 'horrible' things were targeted at my family and that's what anxiety does, it uses the people you love most to do the things it says. For example and I know it sounds really silly but 'If I don't close the door in 5 seconds something will happen.' I used to do what the anxiety told me to do but not anymore.

How I overcame the anxiety:
I talked to my family. Talking helps a great deal whether it's to family, friends or people at school (teachers). I understand if you don't feel comfortable, I felt the same. If you really don't want to talk I suggest the internet, look at forums which help people to go through what you are feeling.
Forums I suggest:
Turn2me
Mind
Anxiety Zone
Or write it down. As simple as it may be writing helped me overcome my anxiety. I used to get all my thoughts and feelings down on paper and that was it. You can rip it up or throw it in the bin afterwards because anxiety is not you.

Some KEY ADVICE my brother told me:
You do not enjoy anxiety, therefore it is not you. When thoughts come in to your head just remember that it is not you. Anxiety does not define you.

He also showed me a video and told me to watch it twice. This guy is talking about depression but if you have anxiety then just replace depressed with anxiety .

That's all. I hope you enjoyed this post and that it helped you in some way or another.

Thanks,

Amber