Friday Night In #BEDN 6

Sorry that the below post is late. When I signed up for #BEDN I didn't realise I was going to get struck down by a rotten snotty bug and spend two days off work asleep. But even though I haven't blogged everyday I am trying to catch up and I still want to make an attempt at each topic.

 

Friday Night In

Friday night in. Is there really any other kind? Well, of course you can have Friday nights out but these aren't really my thing. Especially not those those out on the town, dancing till some crazy time in the AM. Call me old, call me boring, call me anything you like but it's just not for me. If it's for you, then that's awesome and I hope you enjoy it to the fullest.

At the moment, my Friday nights aren't really anything special. I am a create of routine, and if I am totally honest, I go to bed at pretty much the same time as I normally do during the week. I know that is massively boring, I know. But I just can't stay up. I'm tired. I've been at worku all week. I start to fall asleep on the sofa.

 

But, given a better opportunity, I do like a good Friday night in.

You know the kind. The traditional kind. The kind that involves getting a takeaway or having a really comforting home cooked meal. For the home cooked meal option I would like it to be a collaboration with whoever is joining me for the big night in. I enjoy cooking and I find cooking with my friends or boyfriend to be a very good way to go about it. You don't have to do all the work. There's always some sort of banter and laugh and if you have my friends, a really, really good pudding!

 

I know a lot of people might crack open a bottle of wine or pop some beers in the fridge but I'm quite happy with a j2o or a Pepsi. I like a cheeky fruit cider though on the odd occasion if I'm feeling crazy!

 

I'm not really into films that much. I'll normally opt for a box set. I like the sense of achievement you get from marathoning through multiple episodes and also the flexibility to stop and do something else (board game anyone??) or fall asleep!

 

My Friday night in might look different to yours. But all that matters is that you enjoy yourself. If that means growing a party or sampling different types of cheese then go for it. Not what I would do, but as we've established, I'd probably fall asleep during it and offend you anyway.

 

Love Charlotte x

 

 

Escaping

The world is a busy place.

 

I might have mentioned before that I am a commuter.

I get a busy train. Walk through a busy train station. Spend 8+ hours in a busy office. Walk back to the busy train station through a busy city centre. Get on an even busier train home.

My weekdays are crowded, loud and hectic. Is it any wonder that sometimes I just want to get off the ride? You might be in the same situation and if you are, I feel your pain. (Unless you thrive on this sort of environment - good for you).

 

Sometimes you just need to escape. I know I do. But you can't just suddenly get up and say:

"Enough is enough! I'm going on holiday. See you in two weeks!"

Well you could... But you'd get sacked. And I don't know about you but I'm really keen on not getting sacked. Even if I do want to escape sometimes.

So what do you do instead? I don't know really but here's some things I think might help.

1. Nature sounds: I stole this top tip from this lovely lady. If I feel overwhelmed by the commute, I pop my earphones in and try to pretend I'm at the seaside or in a forest.
2. Music: Again, stolen as above, but nonetheless useful. Find a song that you find relaxing and listen to it. I find singing along very helpful but this isn't always possible if you're in a crowded place and don't want to look slightly mad.
3. Take a break. I don't smoke, but people who do go out for a cheeky smoke break. So why can't I have a break too? Make a tea, heck make a round! Or, just say you're popping it the loo. No one needs to know you're not actually desperate for a pee! It's 5 minutes way from your desk and that stupid phone that won't stop ringing.
4. Lunch: I used to work through my lunch break when we got busy. Now we're always busy I make sure I take my 30 minutes every single day. And I make sure I leave the office, even if it's raining.
5. Find water: I appreciate this might not be possible for everyone but I find water hugely relaxing and I am fortunate to work just about within sensible walking distance of the river. By just about I mean 10 minutes there and 10 minutes back leaving a 10 minute sit down in the middle. For me, this is totally worth it.

This is where I have started trying to go to at lunchtime. It feels like a world away and really let's me clear my head ready to tackle the afternoon without cracking up.

 

It is so important to take time out to look after yourself. Nothing is worth feeling horrible about. I am the worst at doing this but I am trying to retrain myself. Take those five minutes, you've earned them so thousand times over.

 

Love Charlotte x

 

 

Summer time...

It only takes a hint of sunshine to make Britain go crazy. Today has been the first properly lovely day in ages and people were out in shorts and t-shirts and sandals.

Photos of beer gardens are popping up all over twitter.

My boy was probably attempting to catch skin cancer by sitting out in the back garden.

Even I got into the spirit walking home without my jacket. (I am almost always cold).

There was one crazy girl though, walking through town though in a full on parka with the furry lined hood up at lunch time. There's always one.

 

The only downside to the sunny weather is not being able to enjoy it to the full. Today I watched the sunny weather from my desk while day dreaming about picnics and trips to the beach. Imagining going to a theme park and purposefully going on the water rides to cool down. Thinking about star gazing and not having to be totally freezing. Planning the perfect BBQ. Just because I am trapped inside doesn't mean I can't plan how I would spend my time in the sun if only I were free.

Yesterday, I bought a maxi dress. I also bought suncream because it was on offer and when you're as pale a me you need to stock up on factor 50 when it's on a good deal. I am also on the look out for a straw hat. Because you know, those are cool right?

The weatherman tells me this nice warm spell is meant to last over the weekend. Make the most of it because I can only conclude that, by doing the above shopping, I have jinxed summer and we will all have to put up with rain and probably snow flurries. I can only apologise.

Toodle pip, Charlotte xx