, by Love, Em

13 Little Ways To Make Your Life Happier

This post is collaborative, but all opinions are my own

This year, I am determined to make it my happiest one yet. 2020 was a shocking disaster, but I've learnt a lot from it, and it's time to make a change. It's hard to be happy in a world that always seems to have negative things going on, but it's how you grow from it that counts. I know I've been sulking for a while, and it's not been beneficial to my mental health. The last few weeks have been a big learning curve for me. Here are some of the things I've been doing lately to lead a happier, healthier life!

Cut Out The Negative

There is bad news everywhere at the moment. While it's important to keep up to date with global affairs, there's a lot you don't need in your life. I've seen bloggers hate each other for being successful. I've seen people destroying the planet. Where possible, cut it all out. Don't get involved in arguments, especially where you're not concerned. Unfollow pages that upset or anger you. Let go of all the negativity you have built up, and happiness will follow. Forgetting social media, there can be a lot of negativity in day-to-day life. I don't like the way I look, so I say horrible things to myself. Learning to love your body and accepting yourself also helps you to live a happier life.

Look For The Good In Things

Looking for the good in things can seem like a chore when the world is filled with bad. 2020 was an awful year, but there were some good points too! For example, tampon tax on the 1st of January for England and Scotland now provides free access to sanitary items! When you're unhappy, write down why you're not, and come up with some positives. I get sad about my appearance, but I remember I'm loved, worthy and strong. There are so many good things, it just takes another perspective to realise it.

Do What Makes YOU Happy

This seems like a simple concept when creating a happier life, but it's highly effective. While we must care for others, you shouldn't give up your happiness for someone else. It's easy to put other's wants and need before your own, but it can lead to feelings of neglect for ourselves. Don't do something just because you'll make someone else happy. I was nearly pushed into university as all my friends wanted me to go, but I knew it wasn't the right path for me. I'm now happier out of school and in an apprenticeship. While it's valuable to listen to other people's opinions, you should follow your heart. Do what makes you happy otherwise you could be leading a life you're not excited to develop.

Practice Mindfulness and Wellness

I'm learning a lot this year, and mindfulness is one of the things that has helped me to stay happy. Mindfulness means to be aware of something. It's where you accept your thoughts, feelings and functions and acknowledge when something isn't right. When I am stressed, I take a break. If I feel upset, I figure out what's wrong instead of ignoring the problem. I have also fallen in love with yoga. My goal is to get the best yoga certification over the next few years and see where I can take this part of life. Taking a course means you’ll learn how to develop bespoke yoga routines, alongside crucial breathing techniques and safety protocols. If you want to teach yoga, even on the side, it's worth looking into a certification. I have been a lot happier and less achy since I have started my wellness journey. Working an office job means I need to move my body more and meditate in my free time. It's something I highly recommend doing if you're looking to find a bit of happiness.

Get A Good Night's Sleep

When I'm tired, I stay in bed for longer and feel guilty later. Going to be an hour earlier can boost your mood, improve your productivity and supports brain function. Keeping a good sleeping routine can help you to lead a happier life. I tend to go to bed at 10pm as it allows me to get a good 8 hours before work. Treat yourself to a comfy set of pillows, relax beforehand and aim for 7-8 hours of quality sleep. Waking up earlier can also help you to feel happier. It allows you to get on with your day without too many distractions, and the earlier you finish your to-do list, the quicker you can relax!

Use A Planner & Schedule Your Time

I recently did a blog post on how I manage a blog, school work and my full-job. Planning makes me incredibly happy and helps me to avoid burnout. Whether you make a to-do list or a full-on bullet journal, plan out your week! Organising your time improves productivity, avoids burnout and means you don't forget things. Planning can also be really relaxing and therapeutic. Giving yourself a small schedule can make a big difference to your mood, so don't underestimate the power of a good planner! What are you waiting for? Go and treat yourself to some gorgeous stationery and go crazy!

Spend Time With Your Loved Ones

If the lockdown has taught me anything, it's to cherish every moment and surround yourself with people that love you. If you want to leave a happier life, keep in contact with people who make you smile. Try to book lunch dates when cafes open up again. I love spending time with my boyfriend, so after lockdown, we will book lots of dates. It makes me happy to be in good company with food, games and laughter. It's funny how a few hours with someone you appreciate can change your whole world. Don't underestimate the power of a day out. Maybe say yes to an invite you're unsure about!

Allow Yourself Time To Destress

Self-care is something everyone should embrace more. Things are tough right now, so allowing yourself time to relax is key to your happiness. You could pamper yourself, watch a movie or just simply meditate for 30 minutes! All these things are great for keeping a healthy mindset. If you're looking for more self-care ideas when you're limited with time, I did a whole blog post on it! Give yourself a break. You work hard and deserve it, plus burnout isn't a fun thing to deal with! Listen to your body and what it needs. If you're feeling overwhelmed, take a break!

Let Things Go

Letting go can be very hard for some. I build things up or hold a grudge which doesn't make me very happy. While a difficult task, you'll find yourself a lot happier if you let the past go. You can't change things now, only improve from them. Forgive that person, move on with your life and show them what they're missing. Forget that mistake, work hard and achieve an even more impressive goal. When you're not overthinking things, happiness will find you a lot easier!

Give Things A Makeover

I am obsessed with cleaning and reorganising at the moment. I'm in the process of completely redoing my bedroom before moving on to the rest of the house. Things will get tired, and giving them a fresh look can improve your mood. Whether you set a Sunday for cleaning the house or try out some DIYs, you'll find yourself feeling happier once things look nicer. I pride myself on having a pretty house, especially when it gets a few compliments from guests. Plus, when lockdown comes to an end, it's a nice way to impress your guests as they wouldn't have seen it for a while! I also find that switching up my style makes me feel more confident. I currently love mom jeans and a long-sleeved top with Vans. It makes a change from loungewear and makes me feel a lot happier when I look good.

Allow Yourself To Be Inspired

Being inspired by something doesn't make you weak. The world is a beautiful place, and inspiration is everywhere. Something I learnt recently is that by opening your heart and your mind can lead to happiness. Look at things differently, and you'll find happiness, in things you never even knew where there. Letting go and embracing new things can feel very freeing, and I've been more inspired to write and be productive than ever before.

Know That People Aren't Out To Get You

Yes, in this world there is a lot of competition. You could be applying for college or getting a job, and there are 100 other people all doing the same thing. But they're not there to watch you fail. For a long time, I would think people are against me or trying to beat me. I would get annoyed when people do more than I do, or if they seem to have achieved more. You need to realise that they're on their own journey. Who knows, maybe they're jealous of you? Letting go of jealousy, fear and anxiety over "competition" can lift a huge weight. You're on your path, everything you do is amazing, and you should be proud of what YOU'VE achieved. It may seem like a competition, but when one door closes, another opens. I believe that everything happens for a reason.

It can take a while for you to build a life you love, so don't worry if you aren't happy instantly! You can force happiness, especially when other things are going on. Listen to your body and figure out any issues first. Remember, you can't be happy all the time! Take the bad days with the good and keep growing. You've got this! What things do you do to make a happier life for yourself? I'd love to know what tips I have missed off this list!

15 comments

, by Love, Em

Personal Growth

Improving Productivity With A Life Admin Day!

This is a collaborative post but all opinions are my own!

It's impossible to be productive every day. You may set out some tasks to do, but life changes and those things get pushed to the bottom of your to-do list. Sometimes, choosing a day to get everything done can help you to stay track. Life is always busy, so planning an admin day can help you manage your time and get stuff done. Here's how to plan a life admin day and some admin tasks you should add to your to-do list!

What Is A Life Admin Day?

There is a book called The Art of Life Admin by Elizabeth Emens. It talks about productivity and dealing with life admin. While I haven't read the book, I've heard mixed reviews about it, but I liked the concept. For me, a life admin day is where you create a list of all the things you need to do and see how much you can get done. It's a productivity method that I've found really helpful for getting things done. There are so many things that we all push aside, and a life admin day is a great way to address those things.

A life admin day is beneficial to those who like to get everything done at once. I tend to be busy during the week, so I plan a productive day to get everything in order. It's great for those who don't like giving up their weekends to do more work. I love getting blogging jobs done on a life admin day, but I'll also do more personal jobs. Personally, I feel motivated to do a life admin day because I spread them out. I will do the odd job throughout the week as life goes on, but my admin days are every so often, and it's when I really crack down and sort things out.

Related: Plan with me - how I budget & plan my month!

Should You Be Doing A Life Admin Day?

An admin day should be down to you and how you like to get things done. I find that it's easier to clear a day and get everything out of the way rather than squeezing things in every day. Some people rather tackle a job every day. Others find it hard to and will procrastinate until they need to meet a deadline. There are lots of ways you can get your chores done, but a day of it may make you feel more motivated. Here are some questions you can ask yourself to help you decide if it's for you:

Do you like to get everything done at once?
Do you feel relieved when you have a clear week?
Are you more productive when you do things in blocks?
Can you spread your jobs throughout the week without putting them off?
Do you have the time for a day of admin rather than little blocks?
Will it help you accomplish more?

How To Plan A Life Admin Day

Personally, I like to do my life admin days during the week. I will book off a day from work as I get a lot done when everyone else is at work and school. It also means that all of the services I will need are open, so you don't have a time limit to call people and go to places. The first step to planning a life admin day is choosing when you'd like to do it. I aim for once every couple of months so that I'm keeping up to date with things. Once you've chosen your day, make sure you clear your calendar. You don't want any plans to come up other than your life admin tasks.

The next thing to do is write out all of your jobs. Just make a long list of everything you need to do. From getting birthday gifts to phoning your insurance, you can make your list as extensive as you need. You can categorise your list in whichever way you like. I like to group similar tasks together, especially if they're all done in the same place. You could arrange your list by things you need to do first or how difficult it will be to complete. If you're struggling with some ideas, I've written a whole range of life admin ideas below!

When you brainstorm ideas, you don't need to complete them all. It can put a lot of pressure on you if you're trying to get a year's worth of jobs done in a day. Try to get the highest priority ones out of the way, and then start on the ones you're feeling up for. Otherwise, you'll be unmotivated to finish your life admin day! I love writing a long list and seeing how much I can get highlighted. If you don't finish everything, you can move those jobs over to your next productive day!

Related: Habits that all organised people have!

Types Of Life Adminer

In the book, 4 key life admin types were noted. When I was younger, I loved doing the quizzes to find out what type of person you are. While it's interesting to see what kind of person you are, it doesn't mean you can't do a life admin day. The 4 types just reflect on the personality you may have. I'd love to hear what type of life admin doer you are!

Super Doer - The Super Doer gets it done. They probably have already completed their to-do list and started planning for the next life admin day. You don't have to ask them twice, and they'll do the job they need to do. They may also really enjoy admin and feel it as part of daily life. If you need something to get done or a recommendation, this is the person to go to.

Reluctant Doer - You know something needs to be done, so you put it off until it REALLY needs to be done. The Reluctant Doer understands what needs to be done but will do it when it's right for them. Some deadlines may be missed, and they are often behind on things, but it will get done...eventually.

Admin Avoider - The Admin Avoider leaves things and probably won't get round to doing it. There may be late fees, unread emails and a mound of washing on the back of the chair. Getting stuff done is just not their thing. Sometimes it's because they don't want to grow up and accept responsibility, but they can be unreliable. If you can do it for them, they'd be more than grateful.

Admin Denier - The denier usually has someone to take care of all admin for them. That way, they can get on with their free life. They don't see admin as an issue, as it gets done for them. A denier can be quite successful, but they usually haven't done much of the admin themselves.

Ideas To Add To Your Life Admin Day

A life admin day is personal to you. You can do as little or as much as you need to complete your to-do list. However, it's easy to forget about the little jobs that may need finishing. There are so many things you should keep up to date on. There are also one-off jobs that can just be done and dusted. Here are some life admin ideas that you need to add to your list!

Health & Wellbeing

Book in pill appointments/replenish your prescriptions

Schedule in a routine check-up or book your smear

Replenish your medical cabinet with in-date medication, sun creams and a first aid kit

Make sure your medical insurance is up to date

Write your will and ensure those you love know what to do in case of an emergency

Change your eating habits

Take a first aid class, so one day you could save a life

If you're willing to, give blood or plasma

Book your dentist appointment

Book your optical or hearing appointment

Get all of your paperwork in order, in case you ever need it

Schedule a hair cut to look after those split ends

Book a nail appointment

Start planning a healthier lifestyle
Build a skincare routine to look after your biggest organ
Clear out any old skincare and make-up
Book an appointment to get those retainers fixed or get an aligner appointment
Get your eyes booked and tested - you may even be able to claim on your workplace
Test your hearing at a clinic
Check in on someone you know who could be struggling mentally or physically

Money & Finance

Write a will to protect your finances if anything happened to you

Budget for your monthly expenses
Scheduling restaurant staff for your business

Start a savings account or sinking fund

Create a plan to get out of debt

Pay back anyone you owe a small amount to

Check your bonds, shares and investments

Ensure that all of your tax documents are inline

Sell anything you haven't used recently

Ask your boss for a raise!

Start putting away for your pension

Begin your credit building journey

Phone your utilities to ask for better or cheaper rates

Review your finances and move money around if need be

Renew any insurances or policies you may have

Cancel any unused subscriptions

Get all of your paperwork filed

Update your passwords and PINs for security

Service your car and get it booked in for an MOT

Start a side hustle

Start budgeting for Christmas or another event

Home & Lifestyle

Send back any parcels you have lying around (return those ASOS orders!)

Order that new thing that will kickstart your career or improve your life

Schedule tweets and pins for your blog or business

Start looking for quotes for that new project you're starting

Send emails for things you've been meaning to ask

Take a new course and learn something

Deep clean your house
Study for an upcoming exam
Do some portfolio work
Change your bedsheets and do some washing
Put away any clutter on open surfaces

Review your personal goals and set new ones

Go through your emails and DMs
Create a media kit for your blog/website/youtube

Book off important days at work

Renew your driving licence or passport

Wash your makeup brushes
Pitch some collaborations to brands

Change the batteries in your smoke detector

Unsubscribe from spam emails

Get rid of any clutter you have, especially the bits you don't use

Update your CV & apply to new jobs if necessary

Write thank you cards after a celebration

Back up your blog, school work or portfolio!

Write birthday or Christmas cards in advance

Tips To Keep Motivated & Productive

Having a whole day for life admin can be stressful. There are reasons why we put these things off, but they need to get done at some point. I find that after lunch, things slow down, and you no longer want to finish your tasks. Here are some of the ways I like to stay motivated while I complete my to-do list:

Block time for each activity - Block together the same jobs, and complete them all at once. For example, you could blog, schedule tweets and return comments all at once. Grouping activities also saves time, so you can get more out of your day and finish early!
Break things down - When you write down your tasks, break each category into smaller, manageable steps. Instead of writing sort out taxes, give yourself a list of things like file paperwork, register for self-employed or look at finances.
Create a pretty to-do list - I love lists. The night before your day, write out a few lists. The first list should be general jobs you need to do for the day, and the second could be breaking the first one into when you'll do each thing. Make it look nice, and give yourself the space to tick things!
Reward yourself - For some, finishing a to-do list isn't the end goal. Set yourself little treats as you go to push you to continue. A life admin day can be exhausting, so maybe you treat yourself to chocolate and a face mask in the evening!
Take a break - If you're not feeling a life admin day, you need to take a break. It's not good to force yourself to do everything. You'll get bored and want to put off everything further. Try to do what you can. Not everyone can remain focused for a whole day, so take a break when you need it.

Writing in a floral journal. Planning & productive

A life admin day can be full-on, but I love ticking off everything on my to-do list. I find that booking off days that everyone else is still at work or school helps me get more done. I love the feeling of getting everything done and enjoying my weekends again. Maybe you don't like doing everything at once, and splitting up life admin across evenings is better for you? What things are you adding to your list? I'd love to hear how your life admin day goes and what things you're still putting off!

17 comments

, by Love, Em

Love, Em

Blogging Investments You Should Make This Year

13 Little Ways To Make Your Life Happier

Cut Out The Negative

Look For The Good In Things

Do What Makes YOU Happy

Practice Mindfulness and Wellness

Get A Good Night's Sleep

Use A Planner & Schedule Your Time

Spend Time With Your Loved Ones

Allow Yourself Time To Destress

Let Things Go

Give Things A Makeover

Allow Yourself To Be Inspired

Know That People Aren't Out To Get You

Improving Productivity With A Life Admin Day!

What Is A Life Admin Day?

Should You Be Doing A Life Admin Day?

How To Plan A Life Admin Day

Types Of Life Adminer

Ideas To Add To Your Life Admin Day

Health & Wellbeing

Money & Finance

Home & Lifestyle

Tips To Keep Motivated & Productive

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