An open letter to my TV.

Dear TV,

I am writing this open letter to tell you how much I am forever grateful to you and the service you provide for me and my family.

You are the backbone of our home, no joke of a lie especially during these hard times at staying at home during the Corona Virus. 

I don't think I needed anyone quite like you in my life especially now that I am a mother, you are basically another member of my family right now. You bring me so much joy along with my husband and children. 

You are central to our family, I class you as a helping hand. When I am in need you are always around to be available in my hour of need and help keep me calm before I lose my rag.

TV you're so important because without you we would feel lost. You allow me to have that break to do things without the need to think about how I am going to entertain children. 

If I feel my kids need education you still provide with having the subtitles on the box for my little darlings to read, that means they are learning right?!

I can get s**t done such as doing my cleaning like the washing or do the vacuuming without interruption from the kids. 

This may seem like a bad thing for a parent to do but you know what things need to be done or else the Social Services will come knocking on our door asking me why my home such a pigsty.

Not only do you help me in my hour of need but you bring us together as a family. When we watch movies when it's cold outside and we're cuddling on the sofa munching on popcorn. 

During this hard time with the broken world we live in with the Coronavirus, therefore, you have been a useful tool to help escape when life seems pretty stressful. I can wind down, close the curtains forget life for a while, which is much needed right now. 

What is really good about your TV is the variety of shows so that means everyone gets to enjoy your services at some point in time. Your variety is what makes you glorious from serious news updates right through to silly videos on You Been Framed, you got it covered for all of us to enjoy you at some point.

At times life can feel lonely but watching TV and talking to others about shows gives us connectivity where common ground can be met. It can be challenging or funny but the most important thing is it makes us think about the ideas your project which can only be a good thing. 

The TV gives us time as a family to bond which we enjoy watching Dr Who and being together as a family. This is a simple pleasure and probably may end up being a cherished one years later for my sons. 

Therefore, from the bottom of my heart, I love you my little 42-inch tv you will always have a spot in the middle of my living room and be part of my family.

Cheers for reading  x

59 things to do after lockdown ends.

Hey readers,

I know it is hard to imagine a time when the lockdown will end but we can all dream right?! So, in this post, I am going to reminisce on the good old days before Coronavirus and without restrictions. Here are 60 on the things I will enjoy once this lockdown will end.

1. Going out for a walk more than once a day.

2. Going to the pub.

3. Sitting in McDonald's.

4. Grabbing a coffee.

5. Going for a picnic.

6. Going for a long drive.

7. Checking out a theme park.

8. Visiting family.

9. Enjoying the sunshine outside.

10. Not feeling paranoid.

11. Not having to check regularly government guidelines.

12. Going to the beach.

13. Staying at a hotel.

14. Go on holiday for a few days and getting away from the day to day life.

15. Hearing the ice cream van reminds me of summer.

16. Buying ice cream from the ice cream van.

17. Buying a pic n mix.

18. I know a lot of Chinese takeaways are open but my favourite one where I live is closed during the lockdown so I enjoy a good old takeaway when lockdown ends.

19. Visiting a museum and taking your time to explore the exhibitions available.

20. Pass within two metres of someone.

21. Impulsively go to the shop without thinking about it.

22. Get a haircut.

23. Watch the Labour Party tear each other to pieces.

24. Visit Primark for a bit of retail therapy.

25. Taking my kids to school 😉

26. Grateful for the work teachers do.

27. Being thankful for not having to homeschool anymore.

28. Enjoying the peace to have an adult conversation.

29. Going to see a film at the cinema.

30. Being able to get food supplies without struggling.

31. Seeing a Doctor.

32. Not have stress about my long term medication running out.

33. Not feeling frustrated being trapped.

34. Visiting the garden centre.

35. Going for a swim.

36. Using the outdoor gym in the park.

37. Sitting down when out for a park.

38. Seeing the economy grown again.

39. Not constantly think about snacks.

40. Grabbing a sausage roll from Greggs.

41. Asking the taxi driver, 'so is it busy tonight?'

42. Cloud spotting in the park.

43. Go to another city and being a tourist.

44. Just freedom to have a choice.

45. Just sitting and watching the world go by.

46. Go watch a live concert.

47. The feeling of your teeth clean when visiting the dentist.

48. Not being terrified if you need to go to A & E.

49. Checking out charity shops and finding a bargain.

50. Petting random animals in the street.

51. Going window shopping with actual shops.

52. Having a barbecue.

53.  Remember to check your child's bag after school.

54. Remember to fill out school letters.

55. Being more thankful for what you have.

56. Enjoying doing the small stuff.

57. Having a good night sleep again.

58. When the government says it is all over.

59. Sunbathing in the park.

What are you most looking forward to when lockdown ends? Love to hear your thoughts in the comment section below.

Cheers for reading X

My Sunday Photo 19/04/2020

Bubble Beard!

Quick and easy chocolate sponge cake recipe

Hey readers,

Looking for a simple effect chocolate sponge cake. Then check out my recipe below.

Ingredients.

* 150g milk chocolate.

* 6oz self-raising flour.

* 6oz sugar.

* 6oz butter.

* 3 eggs.

* 7-inch cake tin.

Method

1) Preheat the oven 170c and grease the sandwich tin and line with parchment paper.

2) Put all the sugar and butter into a bowl and mix together with an electrical whisk.

3) Crack all the eggs into a jug, then slowly pour a little egg into the mix and whisk. The consistency should be creamy.

4) Next, gradually add the flour and mix into the mixture until the flour is all mixed in.

5) Melt the chocolate in the microwave for a minute and then mix into the mixture.

6) Pour the mixture into the cake tin.

7) Place in the centre of the oven. Cook for 25 minutes then checks the cake with a toothpick to check if the cake is cooked. I had to constantly check it a fair few times (5-minute intervals) until the stick was clear.

8) Take the cake out of the tin and place it on to a cooling rack to cool down.

9) Enjoy.

Cheers for reading X

Reality

Everything is falling apart,

I want to hide, 

But reflections of reality 

Are at every corner I turn. 

Positives about lockdown and autism.

Hey readers, 

So I was thinking about the Coronavirus and the whole situation of lockdown in terms of the benefits of the restrictions we currently have to face regarding being autistic like myself.

 Of course, there are lots of elements that heighten my anxiety regarding lockdown. However, this post is focusing on the positive aspects of the lockdown and autism. 

Whilst walking on my daily walk (for mental health cause I need that fresh air) how lovely it was that there was fewer cars and people about.

There feels like a relaxed atmosphere whereby people aren't rushing around in a chaotic manner like pre-Corona times.

 It feels calm even though yes it is totally uncertain and it sucks being told to stay at home under certain conditions. However, I believe there is always good and bad elements in any situation. 

So, I think lockdown can be helpful for people who are autistic like myself. For one reason fewer people are going out meaning quieter times, less noise and more ability to think without loads of busyness occurring around me. 

Going shopping (because there is no chance of getting a shopping slot where I live) therefore I have to go out. However,  I do aim to go out in quieter times so that means fewer people in the shop anyway, therefore, meaning I can focus more on what I need to do. 

Let's not forget the 2-meter rule in the shop which means that people are keeping their distance. It is much better for me as there is a space between people which pleases me because I like my space.

 I don't get as anxious because there are fewer people about in the shop which makes it is so much easier to handle doing the task of getting food when needed. 

If I have to get a bus it is often empty and my God is it something I hardly ever before experienced especially during the day. 

It is so much more relaxing because people don't get in your personal space or try and sit next to you on the bus. With the social distancing makes me feel less dread going on public transport because I get my personal space and people keep their distance. 

Therefore, I don't need to worry about social distancing as I don't like closeness like that anyway so for me I don't need to change my behaviour in regards to that. 

I feel more relaxed going out and when I come home I don't feel as tired because there is fewer things in the outside environment that are triggering for me. 

Before the current situation we are living in at the moment I would have to have some time alone after going out to bring back my anxiety levels down.

I am not as anxious going out because I know it is a lot quieter with fewer people around. I don't have to feel so paranoid when it comes to catching someone's expression because no one is around or people don't like making eye contact during this Corona period I have noticed.  

As I am more relaxed, I am able to do shopping correctly without forgetful or dropping items on the floor because of my shaking hands.

I can focus without my mind chattering 90 miles an hour to the dozen because of the heightened anxiety. 

So as you can see due to the quietness of the impact of the Coronavirus lockdown this means in some situations it can actually help me with my autism. 

Thanks for reading X 

7 ways to find blogging motivation

Hey readers,

I think after a while of blogging you may stumble and find yourself struggling with ideas to write about and have no motivation. 

One of the reasons in my personal experience as a blogger when I struggle is with finding my mojo, which made me feel so demotivated. Every now again I just lose motivation and all interest to simply just write.

So, in this post, I am going to explore ways to overcome the feeling of demotivation and how to motivate yourself to get that sparkle back to continue to write. I hope then this will be useful for when you need to co

Routine.

This may not be for everyone but having a routine can be helpful for some. I find having time set aside each day to do all blogging stuff really helpful. 

If I do it every day have that time set aside then it can create a positive habit to get into the mood and know that at that time is when I am going to do blogging.

 I like order and structure, I find forcing myself sometimes can trigger a response to get sh*t done.

Go out in public.

Sometimes, there are just too many distractions at home when you are trying to find time to do some content writing. 

I find that staying at home can lead me to not do a lot and spend far too much looking at memes rather than blogging. 

That is why my next suggestion is to go outdoors in public, whether it be in the park on a sunny day or a coffee somewhere.

 You can take your electronics, pen, and pad and do the work away from home. Being in public there are fewer distractions.

 If your in a popular place where there are others working then that can motivate you to take action and do some work.

Take a blogging break.

I have written previously a blog post about the importance to have a break and not quit. 

I do think blogging breaks can be really beneficial if you are struggling to get motivated. It allows you to have that break and reconnect with creativity.

Read other blogs/articles etc. 

I find the idea of reading blogs, articles, newspapers etc a great way to explore topics that you find interesting and can really inspire or make you come with other ideas to write about. Knowledge is power and it is a brilliant technique to come up with new ideas.

Mindmaps. 

I love mindmapping where you use colour and visuals to create ideas that connect to the main theme in the centre of the map.

 I find colouring and doing something therapeutic with my hands instead of hitting the laptop first can inspire me greatly. 

Just focusing on a theme such as relationships and exploring the subgroups that are associated with relationships such as sexual/personal/ work/ business/school. 

Then exploring deeper into the sub-categories to come up with further related issues can pull together ideas that can be brilliant content for your blog.

Just go out and live.

Most of the best ideas come from the experience of my life and what I have personally done, seen or heard. 

There are many different angles you can write a blog post on from your own experience whether that be a rant, a letter to someone who has touched you or even a review that you want to tell the world about what product or service that has been beneficial in your life.

I hope this has been useful to learn how to be better at getting that motivation back when you lose that get up and go.

How do you get motivated when you're uninspired?

What is your blog writing tips?

Cheers for reading X