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Mind full or mindful?: TLG's mindfulness blog!
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The_Lonely_Goatherd
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#21
Btw, I'm anticipating being on here infrequently over the next few days. There will most likely not be any blog posts for a while.
So please allow me to wish you and your loved ones a very Merry Christmas/Season's Greetings, and all the very best for 2017! Thanks for reading my posts and letting me banter away
So please allow me to wish you and your loved ones a very Merry Christmas/Season's Greetings, and all the very best for 2017! Thanks for reading my posts and letting me banter away
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jessyjellytot14
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#22
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#22
(Original post by The_Lonely_Goatherd)
Btw, I'm anticipating being on here infrequently over the next few days. There will most likely not be any blog posts for a while.
So please allow me to wish you and your loved ones a very Merry Christmas/Season's Greetings, and all the very best for 2017! Thanks for reading my posts and letting me banter away
Btw, I'm anticipating being on here infrequently over the next few days. There will most likely not be any blog posts for a while.
So please allow me to wish you and your loved ones a very Merry Christmas/Season's Greetings, and all the very best for 2017! Thanks for reading my posts and letting me banter away
Edit: Excuse the Santa woman doing the duck face
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The_Lonely_Goatherd
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#23
(Original post by jessyjellytot14)
I hope you have a very lovely Christmas!!
Edit: Excuse the Santa woman doing the duck face
I hope you have a very lovely Christmas!!
Edit: Excuse the Santa woman doing the duck face
Merry Christmas to you for tomorrow 
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The_Lonely_Goatherd
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#24
DAY 6 - 26TH DECEMBER 2016
What I'm grateful for today
Today I am grateful for: a peaceful, conflict-free Christmas Day
A random act of kindness I've done
I'm trying to keep asking my younger sister if she's OK/if she needs any help, rather than being lazy and not taking an interest
A random act of kindness someone has done for me
I got nice Christmas presents, even from my dad
Things I did well
When I got tired of the socialising, I took an hour and a bit out for myself to recharge the batteries, rather than sitting and suffering in silence as I'd usually do
Something I could improve on
Being a bit more conversational
What I've achieved today
Nothing yet but the day is still young
What I've done to look after my mental health
Got some good sleep and just taking things very slowly to conserve energy
Something I have to look forward to
Going back home later today, where I should be able to get more 'me' time in
What I'm grateful for today
Today I am grateful for: a peaceful, conflict-free Christmas Day
A random act of kindness I've done
I'm trying to keep asking my younger sister if she's OK/if she needs any help, rather than being lazy and not taking an interest
A random act of kindness someone has done for me
I got nice Christmas presents, even from my dad
Things I did well
When I got tired of the socialising, I took an hour and a bit out for myself to recharge the batteries, rather than sitting and suffering in silence as I'd usually do
Something I could improve on
Being a bit more conversational
What I've achieved today
Nothing yet but the day is still young
What I've done to look after my mental health
Got some good sleep and just taking things very slowly to conserve energy
Something I have to look forward to
Going back home later today, where I should be able to get more 'me' time in
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The_Lonely_Goatherd
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#25
DAY 7 - 27TH DECEMBER 2016
What I'm grateful for today
Continued peace and quiet at home. No fights yet, though some are inevitably round the corner
For now though, I'm thankful that there have been no fights
A random act of kindness I've done
I gave some advice to someone on the PS Review section
A random act of kindness someone has done for me
My dad got me some sausages for dinner OK so they're not specifically for me, but it'll be nice to have something that's not turkey and/or curry 
Things I did well
Went to M&S with my sister. It wasn't too busy which helped, but still pleased I managed things OK
Something I could improve on
Need to do more reading
What I've achieved today
Um, I've skim-read a chapter?
What I've done to look after my mental health
Had an epic lie-in so that I was fully rested
Something I have to look forward to
Going to an ABBA cabaret/pantomime show tomorrow. Not too sure what to expect: it's rated 18+ only
What I'm grateful for today
Continued peace and quiet at home. No fights yet, though some are inevitably round the corner
For now though, I'm thankful that there have been no fights A random act of kindness I've done
I gave some advice to someone on the PS Review section
A random act of kindness someone has done for me
My dad got me some sausages for dinner
OK so they're not specifically for me, but it'll be nice to have something that's not turkey and/or curry 
Things I did well
Went to M&S with my sister. It wasn't too busy which helped, but still pleased I managed things OK
Something I could improve on
Need to do more reading
What I've achieved today
Um, I've skim-read a chapter?
What I've done to look after my mental health
Had an epic lie-in so that I was fully rested
Something I have to look forward to
Going to an ABBA cabaret/pantomime show tomorrow. Not too sure what to expect: it's rated 18+ only
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The_Lonely_Goatherd
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#26
OK it's technically the 29th now but meh
DAY 8 - 28TH DECEMBER 2016
What I'm grateful for today
Getting to and from the ABBA pantomime show safely. I'm not sure I've ever been to Hackney before but I managed to get there and back all by myself. Very proud of myself for that
A random act of kindness I've done
Gave someone begging on the street £1
A random act of kindness someone has done for me
My mum kept dinner for me even though I'd initially said I wouldn't need dinner
Things I did well
Being by myself at the pantomime but not being embarrassed about that
Also finished an academic book today
Something I could improve on
Time management skills
What I've achieved today
Finishing that damn book, haha
What I've done to look after my mental health
Not much tbh
Something I have to look forward to
New Year's Eve coming up
DAY 8 - 28TH DECEMBER 2016
What I'm grateful for today
Getting to and from the ABBA pantomime show safely. I'm not sure I've ever been to Hackney before but I managed to get there and back all by myself. Very proud of myself for that
A random act of kindness I've done
Gave someone begging on the street £1
A random act of kindness someone has done for me
My mum kept dinner for me even though I'd initially said I wouldn't need dinner
Things I did well
Being by myself at the pantomime but not being embarrassed about that
Also finished an academic book today
Something I could improve on
Time management skills
What I've achieved today
Finishing that damn book, haha
What I've done to look after my mental health
Not much tbh
Something I have to look forward to
New Year's Eve coming up
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furryface12
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#27
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#27
That all sounds amazing! Getting to and from on your own is a big achievement, new places are very scary. And the tube and not knowing where you're gojng. And London come to that
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CheeseIsVeg
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#28
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#28
(Original post by The_Lonely_Goatherd)
OK it's technically the 29th now but meh
DAY 8 - 28TH DECEMBER 2016
What I'm grateful for today
Getting to and from the ABBA pantomime show safely. I'm not sure I've ever been to Hackney before but I managed to get there and back all by myself. Very proud of myself for that
A random act of kindness I've done
Gave someone begging on the street £1
A random act of kindness someone has done for me
My mum kept dinner for me even though I'd initially said I wouldn't need dinner
Things I did well
Being by myself at the pantomime but not being embarrassed about that
Also finished an academic book today
Something I could improve on
Time management skills
What I've achieved today
Finishing that damn book, haha
What I've done to look after my mental health
Not much tbh
Something I have to look forward to
New Year's Eve coming up
OK it's technically the 29th now but meh
DAY 8 - 28TH DECEMBER 2016
What I'm grateful for today
Getting to and from the ABBA pantomime show safely. I'm not sure I've ever been to Hackney before but I managed to get there and back all by myself. Very proud of myself for that
A random act of kindness I've done
Gave someone begging on the street £1
A random act of kindness someone has done for me
My mum kept dinner for me even though I'd initially said I wouldn't need dinner
Things I did well
Being by myself at the pantomime but not being embarrassed about that
Also finished an academic book today
Something I could improve on
Time management skills
What I've achieved today
Finishing that damn book, haha
What I've done to look after my mental health
Not much tbh
Something I have to look forward to
New Year's Eve coming up
Did they throw sweets out to the audience?
Nice going with that book
Doing anything fancy for new year's?
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The_Lonely_Goatherd
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#29
(Original post by furryface12)
That all sounds amazing! Getting to and from on your own is a big achievement, new places are very scary. And the tube and not knowing where you're gojng. And London come to that
That all sounds amazing! Getting to and from on your own is a big achievement, new places are very scary. And the tube and not knowing where you're gojng. And London come to that
I was *****ing myself, ngl. I'm not really scared of my end of London but us West Londoners tend not to go East 
(Original post by CheeseIsVeg)
OOH PANTOMIME! Was it good? OH YES IT WAS
Did they throw sweets out to the audience?
Nice going with that book
Doing anything fancy for new year's?
OOH PANTOMIME! Was it good? OH YES IT WAS
Did they throw sweets out to the audience?
Nice going with that book
Doing anything fancy for new year's?
No sweets were thrown out to us, sadly
For New Year's Eve, my family and I will be going to a Sri Lankan-South Indian restaurant for a buffet dinner-dance type thing. None of us really dance but the food will be epic 
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CheeseIsVeg
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#30
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#30
(Original post by The_Lonely_Goatherd)
Thanks lovely
I was *****ing myself, ngl. I'm not really scared of my end of London but us West Londoners tend not to go East 
I see what you did there
No sweets were thrown out to us, sadly
For New Year's Eve, my family and I will be going to a Sri Lankan-South Indian restaurant for a buffet dinner-dance type thing. None of us really dance but the food will be epic 
Thanks lovely
I was *****ing myself, ngl. I'm not really scared of my end of London but us West Londoners tend not to go East I see what you did there
No sweets were thrown out to us, sadly
For New Year's Eve, my family and I will be going to a Sri Lankan-South Indian restaurant for a buffet dinner-dance type thing. None of us really dance but the food will be epic
I hope you enjoyed it though! Shame about the lack of sugar 
OOH THAT SOUNDS REALLY LOVELY! What's Sri Lankan food like? Never had it
I bet it is delicieux!Haha food>dancing
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The_Lonely_Goatherd
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#31
(Original post by CheeseIsVeg)
Ehehhehe you did eh?
I hope you enjoyed it though! Shame about the lack of sugar 
OOH THAT SOUNDS REALLY LOVELY! What's Sri Lankan food like? Never had it I bet it is delicieux!
Haha food>dancing
Ehehhehe you did eh?
I hope you enjoyed it though! Shame about the lack of sugar OOH THAT SOUNDS REALLY LOVELY! What's Sri Lankan food like? Never had it
I bet it is delicieux!Haha food>dancing
Sri Lankan food... I never quite know how to describe it. My older sister describes it to people as a mixture of Indian and Thai-style foods but I'm not really seeing that tbh
Tiz good though 
Though I don't really like South Asian food tbh
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CheeseIsVeg
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#32
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#32
(Original post by The_Lonely_Goatherd)
It was bizarre but good
Sri Lankan food... I never quite know how to describe it. My older sister describes it to people as a mixture of Indian and Thai-style foods but I'm not really seeing that tbh
Tiz good though 
Though I don't really like South Asian food tbh
It was bizarre but good
Sri Lankan food... I never quite know how to describe it. My older sister describes it to people as a mixture of Indian and Thai-style foods but I'm not really seeing that tbh
Tiz good though Though I don't really like South Asian food tbh
Ooh haha, I will have to try it
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The_Lonely_Goatherd
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#33
DAY 8 - 29TH DECEMBER 2016
What I'm grateful for today
The fact I didn't fall over even though some of our area is a tad icy. I have a huge phobia of ice/sludge/falling over so was relieved to get home in one piece with the shopping
A random act of kindness I've done
I carried all the shopping bags up the hill when my mum started struggling with the bag she was carrying (I was carrying the heavier two). Oh and I was the first person to wish my friend a happy bday via text
A random act of kindness someone has done for me
My mum bought me a light snack dinner from Comptoir Libanais And then my dad, not knowing we'd eaten, bought loads of cool party food packs from Tesco, including a melting Camembert 
Things I did well
Not getting mad at my mum and sister when they spent literally almost an HOUR mm-ing and ah-ing over shoes in Debenhams
Something I could improve on
Keeping up with my therapy homework. Getting behind and forgetful (I'm meant to be keeping a diary of ways in which I self-soothe)
What I've achieved today
I bought a new pair of leggings
What I've done to look after my mental health
Now that we're back from shopping, I've gone into hibernation to recuperate
Something I have to look forward to
Tesco party food
What I'm grateful for today
The fact I didn't fall over even though some of our area is a tad icy. I have a huge phobia of ice/sludge/falling over so was relieved to get home in one piece with the shopping
A random act of kindness I've done
I carried all the shopping bags up the hill when my mum started struggling with the bag she was carrying (I was carrying the heavier two). Oh and I was the first person to wish my friend a happy bday via text
A random act of kindness someone has done for me
My mum bought me a light snack dinner from Comptoir Libanais
And then my dad, not knowing we'd eaten, bought loads of cool party food packs from Tesco, including a melting Camembert 
Things I did well
Not getting mad at my mum and sister when they spent literally almost an HOUR mm-ing and ah-ing over shoes in Debenhams
Something I could improve on
Keeping up with my therapy homework. Getting behind and forgetful (I'm meant to be keeping a diary of ways in which I self-soothe)
What I've achieved today
I bought a new pair of leggings
What I've done to look after my mental health
Now that we're back from shopping, I've gone into hibernation to recuperate
Something I have to look forward to
Tesco party food
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The_Lonely_Goatherd
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#34
DAY 9 - 30TH DECEMBER 2016
What I'm grateful for today
Slippers keeping my feet warm. Our central heating is broken so sometimes this flat can get very cold despite the portable heaters etc
A random act of kindness I've done
I skewered loads of pork kebabs for my mum instead of pretending to be busy
A random act of kindness someone has done for me
I didn't have much choice in it but I did let my dad give "my" Camembert to my younger sister
Things I did well
I decided not to do uni work today (on mental health grounds) and actually stuck to it for once
Something I could improve on
Again, keeping up with therapy homework
What I've achieved today
Washed my hair and engaged in lots of self-care
What I've done to look after my mental health
Had a nap and took a day off from uni work
Something I have to look forward to
Writing my reflective Facebook status about how my 2016 has been, to post tomorrow
What I'm grateful for today
Slippers keeping my feet warm. Our central heating is broken so sometimes this flat can get very cold despite the portable heaters etc
A random act of kindness I've done
I skewered loads of pork kebabs for my mum instead of pretending to be busy
A random act of kindness someone has done for me
I didn't have much choice in it but I did let my dad give "my" Camembert to my younger sister
Things I did well
I decided not to do uni work today (on mental health grounds) and actually stuck to it for once
Something I could improve on
Again, keeping up with therapy homework
What I've achieved today
Washed my hair and engaged in lots of self-care
What I've done to look after my mental health
Had a nap and took a day off from uni work
Something I have to look forward to
Writing my reflective Facebook status about how my 2016 has been, to post tomorrow
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jessyjellytot14
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#35
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#35
Well done for allowing yourself to have a day off from university work . In the long run, it will be more beneficial than forcing yourself to do too much of it.
My house has also been very cold today- but only because I left the windows wide open all morning!
. In the long run, it will be more beneficial than forcing yourself to do too much of it. My house has also been very cold today- but only because I left the windows wide open all morning!
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The_Lonely_Goatherd
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#36
(Original post by jessyjellytot14)
Well done for allowing yourself to have a day off from university work. In the long run, it will be more beneficial than forcing yourself to do too much of it.
My house has also been very cold today- but only because I left the windows wide open all morning!
Well done for allowing yourself to have a day off from university work
. In the long run, it will be more beneficial than forcing yourself to do too much of it. My house has also been very cold today- but only because I left the windows wide open all morning!
And oopsies
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The_Lonely_Goatherd
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#37
A C&P job from my Facebook:
REFLECTION ON THE YEAR 2016
It has been a tumultuous year for many of us, not least due to political upheaval and deaths of many much-loved celebrities. As the year comes to a close, it’s time for me to look back on how 2016 has been for me, personall
Safe to say that in many ways, 2016 was not my year at all. It was a year of extreme ill health (even by my standards!): 2 manic episodes, 2 long mixed episodes, 1 depressive episode It may have been more than that tbh, but I stopped counting at some point! 
I had to pull out of a lot of things as a result, including my church volunteering, various one-day symposiums I was going to attend (but not present at), and of course I had to pull out from getting an article published in the IASPM academic journal 
I freaked out massively over things that shouldn’t have affected me at all, lashed out at loads of people along the way, and didn’t make it to any Holy Week church services as the pain and paranoia were too great
It’s not been a completely bad year, though! I saw lots of my older sister this year, compared to most years, which was really lovely
I started working with a new disability uni mentor and with the lovely RHUL chaplain, C 
On 1st February, I started delivering assemblies and workshop presentations on mental wellbeing and mindfulness with the Mindkit project (Richmond Borough Mind). That has become such a galvanising force in my life and I’m proud to be a part of it In August I started a third round of therapy and we’ve been doing lots of painful, hard work on trying to help me lead the life I ultimately would wish for myself. Progress is slow but steady. We’re starting a big new piece of work in Jan which could go horribly wrong, in terms of being explosive, so keep your fingers crossed for that! 
2016 highlights include travelling to Stockholm unaccompanied for the ABBA Fan Weekend and meeting lots of lovely people, who I am so glad to know! I featured on Swedish national evening news too, which was a bonus, haha! Another highlight included facing my fears head on by attending a short religious retreat with uni in November 
I have also enjoyed building up a good support circle at uni, consisting of professional help and amazing friends too, the latter group with whom I had a lovely birthday party with. Personally, my biggest achievement has to be managing to keep my mother happy and entertained (with financial help from both siblings) on Mothers’ Day 2016, whilst both my sisters were on different continents! 
In 2017 there is much to look forward to: weddings; doing my upgrade/transfer of status to ‘proper’ PhD student-ness; more therapy, and some 10-year friendversaries with important Oxford mates in the autumn. New Year’s resolutions are: be nicer to poor long-suffering RF (one of the disability staff at my uni); get some much-needed confidence regarding the PhD; somehow upgrade successfully when I’m meant to.
I wish all of you a very happy, healthy, successful and (where appropriate!) blessed 2017
REFLECTION ON THE YEAR 2016
It has been a tumultuous year for many of us, not least due to political upheaval and deaths of many much-loved celebrities. As the year comes to a close, it’s time for me to look back on how 2016 has been for me, personall
Safe to say that in many ways, 2016 was not my year at all. It was a year of extreme ill health (even by my standards!): 2 manic episodes, 2 long mixed episodes, 1 depressive episode
It may have been more than that tbh, but I stopped counting at some point! 
I had to pull out of a lot of things as a result, including my church volunteering, various one-day symposiums I was going to attend (but not present at), and of course I had to pull out from getting an article published in the IASPM academic journal 
I freaked out massively over things that shouldn’t have affected me at all, lashed out at loads of people along the way, and didn’t make it to any Holy Week church services as the pain and paranoia were too great It’s not been a completely bad year, though! I saw lots of my older sister this year, compared to most years, which was really lovely
I started working with a new disability uni mentor and with the lovely RHUL chaplain, C 
On 1st February, I started delivering assemblies and workshop presentations on mental wellbeing and mindfulness with the Mindkit project (Richmond Borough Mind). That has become such a galvanising force in my life and I’m proud to be a part of it In August I started a third round of therapy and we’ve been doing lots of painful, hard work on trying to help me lead the life I ultimately would wish for myself. Progress is slow but steady. We’re starting a big new piece of work in Jan which could go horribly wrong, in terms of being explosive, so keep your fingers crossed for that! 
2016 highlights include travelling to Stockholm unaccompanied for the ABBA Fan Weekend and meeting lots of lovely people, who I am so glad to know!
I featured on Swedish national evening news too, which was a bonus, haha! Another highlight included facing my fears head on by attending a short religious retreat with uni in November 
I have also enjoyed building up a good support circle at uni, consisting of professional help and amazing friends too, the latter group with whom I had a lovely birthday party with. Personally, my biggest achievement has to be managing to keep my mother happy and entertained (with financial help from both siblings) on Mothers’ Day 2016, whilst both my sisters were on different continents! 
In 2017 there is much to look forward to: weddings; doing my upgrade/transfer of status to ‘proper’ PhD student-ness; more therapy, and some 10-year friendversaries with important Oxford mates in the autumn. New Year’s resolutions are: be nicer to poor long-suffering RF (one of the disability staff at my uni); get some much-needed confidence regarding the PhD; somehow upgrade successfully when I’m meant to.
I wish all of you a very happy, healthy, successful and (where appropriate!) blessed 2017
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The_Lonely_Goatherd
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#38
HAPPY NEW YEAR PEEPS 
DAYS 10 and 11 - 31ST DECEMBER 2016 and 1ST JANUARY 2017
What I'm grateful for today
Yesterday I was glad that our new year's eve plans went off well and were actually quite enjoyable! Was kinda dreading it, ngl And today I'm grateful for seeing my cousin and her partner
A random act of kindness I've done
Carrying a giant chocolate box home on behalf of my family?
A random act of kindness someone has done for me
My cousin bought our drinks today
Things I did well
Dancing til 1am and enjoying myself last night
Something I could improve on
Doing uni work
What I've achieved today
Not much, but had a nice day and a good start to 2017
What I've done to look after my mental health
Not much tbh but just saw the end of today's EastEnders episode and def need to engage in some self-care now
Something I have to look forward to
The rest of 2017
DAYS 10 and 11 - 31ST DECEMBER 2016 and 1ST JANUARY 2017
What I'm grateful for today
Yesterday I was glad that our new year's eve plans went off well and were actually quite enjoyable! Was kinda dreading it, ngl
And today I'm grateful for seeing my cousin and her partner A random act of kindness I've done
Carrying a giant chocolate box home on behalf of my family?
A random act of kindness someone has done for me
My cousin bought our drinks today
Things I did well
Dancing til 1am and enjoying myself last night
Something I could improve on
Doing uni work
What I've achieved today
Not much, but had a nice day and a good start to 2017
What I've done to look after my mental health
Not much tbh but just saw the end of today's EastEnders episode and def need to engage in some self-care now
Something I have to look forward to
The rest of 2017
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username1339858_
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#39
The_Lonely_Goatherd
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#40
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