The Over-thinker Club!

Hi guys,

Hope you're all well. I'm enjoying writing this blog series and I am finding the writing to be very therepeutic. I never really know what I'm going to write about week to week. I usually just go with what ever comes to the forefront. I had a funny week this week. As an outsider, you might think having Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday as days off this week being a good thing, and you'd be right. Having time off is lovely! I made a mistake though, a big mistake - I started overthinking. 

I've dealt with anxiety over nine years and I know my triggers. This week I made a mistake that I've made several times over. A thought came in. I overthought it and it spiralled out of control. Some people try to mask it by keeping busy. I'm not very good at that though. My mind will try and go back in time and work out the thought or the situation or try to change whatever happened in the past and I can't do that. I know I can't but my mind keeps wanting to try. It's so frustrating and I find it really hard. It's nearly like I can't accept things that haven't gone my way, taking more responsibility than I should for certain situations.

I've definitely asked why do I have to have this? Why me? Why can't I just get over this? I suppose we have to play with the cards we've been dealt. I do think it's part of my make up and as I said before, I often turn to the saying "This too will pass". 

When you start to overthink you can feel guilty. I know I have little to complain about in the grand scheme of things. I've a wonderful family, great friends and a very understanding boyfriend with the patience of a saint!! I always say talk it out though even if you do feel 'guilty' for burdening them because as they say, "The people that mind don't matter and the people that matter don't mind". 

What I do When I Start Overthinking

Talk to someone - I usually tell Kev and he can talk some sense into me. That doesn't work all the time. Other times I just have to ride it out.

Walk it out - Sometimes when the anxiety hits I feel way too overwhelmed for intense exercise. I can always manage a walk. Put on a warm jacket and a bobble hat and off you go.

Use the STOP ACRONYM - I've talked about this before. I learned it in CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy). It only works though if you use it straight away. 

STOP SIGN - You visualise a flashing neon stop sign when the thought comes in.

Take Three Deep Breaths - Take big deep breaths in through the nose and out through the mouth.

Observe the thoughts - Don't engage with the thoughts, gently observe them.

Proceed with kindness - Be kind, always.

Read a book - Sometimes getting lost in someone else's story can free you from your own troubles.

Watch your self-talk - I like that saying "Fake it until you can make it". If you watch your self talk and act like your own best friend, eventually you will start to believe it. This takes a lot of practice and maintenance.

You really aren't alone if you're an over-thinker. I feel for you, I know what it's like. You end up creating problems that weren’t there to begin with. However, as long as I feel I'm managing it overall, I'm happy!

Again, I'm always here if anyone wants to talk.

Mind one another,

Love 

M

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Thriving In The Sun: A Pale Gal's Guide!

Hello all,

Hope you're having a good week.

We are well and truly immersed in the middle of summer now. The evenings are long and we've been getting the usual 'exam weather' as they say, it's been brill. Well up until yesterday. I don't think we're ever really prepared for the 'fine weather' in Ireland though - well, I know, I certainly am not. 

Although I do enjoy the odd bit of sun here and there, I'm a winter girl at heart. I LOVE my winter clothes. I adore winter coats, woolly jumpers, warm boots and the general cosiness of the season. I am looking forward to my Autumn/Winter wardrobe posts later on in the year!!

HOWEVER, I have to embrace each season as it comes and now it's all about summer! Even if I do have pale skin and have to wear factor 50 every time I'm exposed to the sun, I can deal with it! 

On a serious note though, I do find it more difficult to dress and feel my best this time of year. I'm just not as comfortable in summer clothes. I don't thrive in the heat like others. I thought I'd share some of the ways I feel more at ease in this season - at home or abroad!

Factor 50 - The first thing I would suggest to anyone who is like me and is sun shy is factor 50. I know it's not rocket science but, if you're as pale as the snow and burn - go red and peel there is absolutely no point in sitting out and trying to get a a tan. Some people just don't tan, take it from me, I'm one of them.!! Don't ruin your holiday by getting burnt!

Tan the Arse out of it - You're much better off getting your tan from the bottle and putting the factor 50 on over it. If I'm self tanning for the weekend, I put on Dove tinted moisturiser (shade medium to dark) the Thursday night, shower on Friday and use two coats of Bondi Sands Ultra Dark Mousse tan on the Friday night, then shower it off Saturday morning. I know that seems like a lot of tan but as I said I am naturally very pale!! I always moisturise my joints, knuckles and toes before applying tan. Everyone knows the hands and feet are the hardest part to tan so for these areas I use a cheap Penney's brush for a more even finish. It does the job! If I'm going on a sun holiday I'll usually get a spray tan.

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Look After those Tootsies: Why not treat yourself to a pedicure? As nurses we're not really meant to have our nails done but no one said anything about the feet! I know I always feel better in summer footwear knowing I have them in top tip condition! Comfortable footwear is also key. 

Flowy dresses: When it's roasting outside and you feel like Monica from friends in the heat, a nice loose fitted flowy dress is what you need to be wearing. Nothing worse than the feeling of something being STUCK to you. I loved this dress from Miss Selfridge that my friend Laura wore to a hen a few weeks ago. 

Miss Selfridge 

A good pair of shades - They don't have to be expensive. I love these ones below. I think they were about €4.00 in Penney's. I tend to bring a cheaper pair with me when I'm out and about and keep the Ray Ban's for driving.

I know there's a lot of Irish girls in the same boat, so mind that pale skin! I'm heading off to Spain in three weeks for my friends Michelle and Trevor's wedding and that's what got me thinking about handling the heat. I've been looking online for dresses so if anyone sees anything suitable for a wedding abroad please let me know. 

Hope you've enjoyed this post and have a good weekend!

Love,
M
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*None of the products mentioned in this post are sponsored.

Aran Islands: Inis Oirr - The Ultimate Staycation!

Hello all,

Hope you had an okay week and are well recovered after the Bank Holiday weekend. I won't lie, I found it so hard going back to work on Tuesday. I had one of the best bank holidays ever last weekend. My friends, Ann Marie and Cathy both turned 30 this week. To celebrate the momentous occasion, Ann Marie suggested that we all went to Inis Oirr - the smallest of the Aran Islands!

Ann Marie and Cathy

Anthony, Anna, Lorraine, Sarah, Niamh and Diarmaid with their cousin, Annie.

How Did We Get There?
We got the 10:30 boat from Rossavea, Cp. Galway on Saturday morning and got the return boat at 11:30 from Inis Oirr on the Monday morning. The price of a return boat ticket was €22.50 and it cost €5.00 a day to park the car in Rossaveal, not too bad!

Where Did We Stay?
Ann Marie found the accommodation online. She booked two houses side by side and eight stayed in each house. It was €370.00 to rent each house for the week. If anyone is interested in visiting Inis Oirr and has a big group, then these houses are ideal and in walking distance of the main village. Message me for more details if interested.

What Did We Do For Entertainment?
We entertained ourselves most of the time. I brought my ukulele - I'm not great but can play a handful of tunes. I'd say by the end of Saturday night the gang wanted to belt me over the head with the thing. All joking aside, it's a great little instrument, so light and portable and it's well worth learning a few tunes for a sing song.

Tigh Ned
We went to Ned's on Saturday night to celebrate the girls' birthdays. There was live music here and it was a real lively spot!

An Hotel Ostan
We continued the celebrations here on Sunday night. They had live karaoke and it was the best karaoke I was ever at. The music was hopping and the dance floor was full all night long. This place also does food during the day, although we didn't eat here on this occasion.

Food
We had heard there was only one grocery shop on the island so we came prepared and brought food over on the boat with us. We packed the freezer with pizzas, burgers, and Muireann even made a lasagne which was absolutely delicious!! On the Sunday we went to Teach on Tae for brunch. I got the cheese and chutney sandwich on toasted brown soda bread with salad. I forgot to take a photo but it was lovely - trust me on that!! They also do refreshing smoothies which was ideal for the morning after the night before. There was a fine atmosphere here and the staff even wore badges saying 'Ta gaeilge agam' letting people know they were fluent Irish speakers. I thought this was a lovely touch. In the evening we had a barbecue outside the house we were staying in. Thanks to Michelle and Andrea for manning that!

Other Things To Do On The Island
Visit Tigh Ruairi - We didn't get round to visiting this pub, however everything is in walking distance.

Rent a bike - This costs just €10.00 for the day. Inis Oirr is a small island and is only 3km by 3km wide so it's easy to get round in a day.

The Plassey Shipwreck - This is the shipwreck that features in the opening credits of Father Ted. 

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O'Brien's Castle - The highest view point on the island.

Horse and Cart trip - You will see these from the minute you get off the boat. There seems to be plenty of them on the island.

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What to wear?
Don't go packing any high heels because you'll be on your own, that's for sure! This is such a laid back place and I lived in denim shorts, runners, light jumpers and tops for the two days. Having said that, we got the gorgeous weather for it, so maybe replace the denim shorts with jeans if you're coming at a colder time of year. Also, be sure to bring a good jacket. That boat crossing can get very cold!

#OOTD1 Lucy and I

#OOTD2 Myself and Ann Marie

#OOTD3 Laura, Andrea, Michelle and Myself

Who would I recommend Inis Oirr to?
Inis Oirr is really suitable for all ages. It would be a lovely holiday for a couple with young kids who wanted to go away, but didn't want to have the hassle of dealing with security and airports. Plus the boat journey across would be a huge novelty for the kids. I'd highly recommend it for a hen or even for a birthday like we did. If you're looking for laid back, chilled and safe, Inis Oirr is the ultimate staycation for you!



Hope you enjoyed this post. If any of you have visited Inis Oirr and feel like I've left anything out please let me know. Have a great weekend!

Love,
M
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