What can I say? April was a bit of a shit-show! Work was slow, my energy levels dropped and I’ve had to be very cautious with my budget. Whilst nothing particularly drastic happened, it just felt like everything was just turning to crap! However, the month is nearly over, and a new month signifies a new start. Let’s look at April 2023 in review and then forget it ever happened!
SPRING RESET
As I’ve said in a previous blog post, I’ve been in a bit of a funk lately. The start of spring really did feel like a proper fresh start. Despite the weather being still wintery (when will it warm up?), the end of April has felt like I’m finally feeling lighter. I’ve deep cleaned the house, set up my spring capsule wardrobe, and decluttered my laptop. It doesn’t seem like a big thing but cleaning and decluttering always helps my mind clear itself too.
75 SUSTAINABLE
Speaking of resetting, I’ve started a new challenge: 75 Sustainable. It’s a challenge set up by Shelley from Let’s Live and Learn and it’s designed to be a ‘softer’ version of 75 Hard. The idea is that you choose around seven habits or areas that you’d like to focus on. For me, I’ve chosen AM routine, PM routine, nutrition, movement, and ‘me time’ as my key areas. I’ve jotted down some habits underneath each and have then written a progress diary every day. Here, I write which habits I didn’t do that day and why.
EASTER WEEKEND
My Easter weekend was quiet and chocolate-filled. In fact, all I did was watch sport and eat Easter chocolate! Easter chocolate trumps Christmas chocolate any day! Mini Eggs, Galaxy Enchanted Eggs, Malteser Bunnies, need I say more? It’s rare that I get an actual Easter egg, rather lots of small packets and bars of all of my favourite chocolate!
ARSENAL WOMEN ROLLERCOASTER
We’ve had some real highs and some real lows. The main low in April was our third ACL injury of the season. With Mead and Miedema already out, Williamson is now joining them as ACL3. We also had a season-ending injury to captain Kim Little too so we’re doing it the hard way. However, our first-leg Champions League semi-final draw was one of the proudest moments I’ve ever had of this team. We were expected to get hammered away from home and a 2-2 draw felt like a huge win! Onto the Emirates on Monday, I’m so sad I can’t get there!
SHEFFIELD TRIP
Travel in 2023 is being put on the back burner because everything is so expensive. However, I already had this Sheffield trip planned. I didn’t do a great deal there, other than work from coffee shops, spend an M&S gift card, and watch Sister Act at the Lyceum. The show was amazing, of course! I saw it in the West End last year and it was just as good, with most of the cast still with the tour. Unfortunately, Sheffield city centre looks as dilapidated as Hull does nowadays.
NEW WORK OPPORTUNITIES
2023 has been a very slow start for my freelance business. However, I’m hoping that it’s starting to pick up. I’ve had one call with a potential client and am writing a trial article for another. Ironically, both are in the fashion industry! May is going to be a much better month, in terms of clients and income!
DANCE MOMS ADDICTION
Whilst it’s not shown on TV anymore, I’ve curated my own YouTube playlists of each season and I’ve already got through the first five seasons. If you’re also a big fan of the show, please let me know because I have many opinions, some not very popular!
PREPARING FOR MAY
It seems weird but to quote Wicked, something has changed within me, something is not the same. Towards the end of April, I felt like my motivation and energy shifted. I don’t really know how to explain it but I think I’m finally feeling more myself. In the past week, I’ve focused on my morning routine, organising my life for May, and working out what I want to prioritise for the month. People, May is going to be my month!
Now my April 2023 in review is complete, it’s time to move on. After all, it’s gonna be May! If you don’t get this reference, you’re too young or need to work on your pop culture references! You can find me on Twitter and Instagram, where I’m hoping to be more active during May.
