Writing From Home

 Hello!

If you don't follow me on my Instagram or Twitter, you may not know that I started a new job!  I am a trainee copywriter who currently works from home, I started last Monday. I have been having an absolute blast.  

My only worry going into the job was how I would adapt to working from home and getting the right work vibe going. One week in and I think I have it all figured out, I thought I would share my techniques with you:

1) Declutter - the week building up to starting the new job I decided to have a good clean & sort. I’m a bit of a hoarder so lots of things round-up around my room. I decided to be tough, I also managed to rearrange all to Funko pops & furniture to make the space feel new almost.

2) Writing Space - not everyone can fit a desk into their bedroom. I couldn’t so I transformed the top of my drawers into a workspace. A place to work on my laptop, take notes and sit to write. I wanted to make it a space that helped me feel inspired. To achieve this I added a few favourite things like my Wicked singing SnowGlobe, my gemstone tree & various Funko pops. 

3) Move Around - I found that staying in one space can get a little tedious so around mid-day, every day, I have been moving around my room. I do a little shuffle around, changing my sitting positions. Sometimes sitting down on the floor to write at my little table or making a cushion fort on my bed and writing there. Using a laptop for work has certainly got its perks!

4)  Snacks - I don’t know about you but I love working & eating. Having something small next to me that I can munch on whilst I’m working. It really helps! Chewing gum is always good to have at hand, something about it helps me concentrate. It is important to remember to always have a drink beside you, truth be told in the past week I’ve drunk more tea than I ever have in my lifetime. As well as endless cups of tea I always have a water bottle beside me. Stay hydrated!

5) Comfortable Clothes - I was constantly being told by everyone around me that I should wear proper clothes each day working at home. Dress fully to put me in the right frame of mind. I see where they were coming from but I am not wearing smart clothing on a day no one can see me. Don't get me wrong I dress the part when I have meetings and briefs but other than that I am wearing comfortable clothing. When I don't have meetings I am in a t-shirt, that's it. I write best when I am not feeling restricted by clothing. A bonus is on hot days you can wear the bare minimum, no coworkers to accidentally flash when the heat makes you want to rip your skin off. Just the comfort of yourself at home.

6) Leave your house - this is easier said than done if you’re not working from a laptop. Despite my previous point you will have to be fully clothed I am afraid.  Plan an afternoon to work in a cafe or find a little office space or library you can work in. Alternatively, if you’re more of a computer person or looking for ways to spend your time off try and make sure when you’re not working that you spend as little time in your workspace as possible- this will prevent you from getting tired of your surroundings easily. 

I am sure this list will increase within time, if you are also working from home are there any recommendations you have? I hope this has been insightful and helpful. Keep an eye out for our next blog post!

Writing From Home

Monday 19 July 2021

an opinion that will matter

When I was younger, a few years back, I came across a video online. It was a man speaking into a camera, and women would send him photographs of themselves and in these videos, he would respond to these photographs. Complimenting them and comparing their bodies to nature, I remember him once saying 'bountiful curves like blessed mountains'. My initial thought was, he is a nice guy and he is trying to make these women feel better about themselves, but as I think about it now the sad reality of it kicks in.

Those women were essentially sending themselves to a stranger for validation, they are putting their self-worth into the mouth of this man. But, what these women perhaps do not know is; any stranger, or even a person you know, can tell you you're beautiful, but it will never mean as much as you telling yourself you are beautiful.

The only person's opinion that will truly ever matter is your own. How many compliments have you received and actually accepted at face value? What you tell yourself in the mirror matters much more than any comment on a screen. You have spent your whole life with yourself, and if you like it or not you will continue to do so. So, love yourself now because you will save yourself some trouble in the future. Know your self-worth.

I wish those years back, I could read this. I wish young Lauren was as self-aware as I am now. She was naive  and so obsessed with other people accepting her, admittedly that is somewhat a little true today, but I like to think I've picked up a thing or two.

an opinion that will matter

Tuesday 14 March 2017

Tinder Advice

As my blog has previously become aware, I am a Tinder user, and it's not a secret I have the the worst luck. By worst luck I mean I  attract all the wrong people, like fuck boys, weirdos and guys who just want sex. I'm not even sure why I attract such people, my profile isn't sexualised in anyway, not even any of my pictures who cleavage, which truth be told I don't have much of that to begin with.  Over time I've accumulated some advice or things to look out for whilst on Tinder. I suppose this could help your experience (if you're unlucky enough to be in a similar situation as myself).  So I'll be giving advice on what will make your Tinder better or guess it what I look for when I'm swiping I guess.

1) I'm probably judging you on your selfie skills, there is nothing worse  than person who can't take a good selfie. I'm not asking you to model photo shoots but please pick better angling, seeing a low photo pointing  up showing your underchin will not help you at all. Maybe this is on me, because I'm slightly self obsessed I love taking selfies and I've mastered the angles and things over time. This is also important because people love taking photos with their partners it's adorable and potentially I need to know you're down for that.

2) Bio - there are three pieces advice I have for this.  First being, read the persons bio you're swiping right to, especially before talking to them. A lot of people put their intentions or what they're essentially looking for in their bio, this you can play to, read what they want and see if it's what you want. Do not ignore what they're bio says, so my bio for instance states clearly I'm not looking for one night stands yet guys still swipe right and ask me if I want 'fun' this is ignorant and hell of annoying even if he was actually was adorable and had a puppy in his picture with him. Second advice, be honest with what you say, include some hobbies. Sometimes if conversations get dry bios are the biggest help, seeing what a person likes allows room for conversation and something to talk about if you don't know what to say. Plus it shows you're paying attention and taking and interest in them.  Third piece of advice on the bio situation, try and be unique, I swear the whole of Tinder is travelling the world or is a Chef. Really? Cool what makes you different from the last 5 cooking travellers I just swiped left on?

3) dry talk- I understand first conversations can be awkward but you could at least try and engage in conversation instead of throwing out the 'hey you okay?' Or 'what's up' those essentially aren't going to get you very far. This could easily link with the bio, the bio helps you! Start a conversation differently, recently I've had experience of guys starting with gifs yeah it's odd but it's amusing and different. Chat up  lines, people usually tell you to stay away from them but I personally love them, not because they work (because they don't) but just how they're so bad and hilarious, I love laughing so those amuse me dearly.

That's all for today, I'll see you soon and maybe in the future you'll get some more Tinder disasters from me, it seems they're never ending!

Tinder Advice

Monday 19 September 2016

It's okay

Sometimes when things get tough, and bottling in your every emotion just isn't enough, when your feelings and fears are pouring out of the seams. Those are the times you need someone you love, someone who is dear to you, someone you can sob on their shoulder and they'll understand perfectly. Life throws challenges at you, one after another and it's okay to admit you're hurting, it's okay to admit you're struggling. Most important it's okay to not do it alone. You are loved, and you are not alone. Ignore every doubt you have, you're not being stupid, you're not crazy. Talk it out, hug it out, cry it out if you need it. It is our loved ones who make us stronger, it is our loved ones who make things feel alright.

It's okay

Wednesday 31 August 2016

Blog?

Just a little talk about having a blog, the reason I have a blog and why/how it helps me.

  First of all, it is productive. As a writer its important that you write as daily as possible, and I find that since starting a blog I am certainly writing a lot more. Even if it isn't a creative piece, sometimes it is good to just write whatever comes to mind, then at least I am filling my daily writing quota. It may be a load of junk one day and a heart felt piece the next, either way I am writing and hopefully becoming better at it.

  Portfolio? I have found that having a blog is a really good place to display your work, it is good to have all your things in one place instead of searching through hundreds of different documents or diaries. Having a blog you can post all the work you're proud of. You are creating a portfolio almost, so in the future if you're ever asked about your work you can direct them to your blog instead of sending them tones of links, emails and what not. 

 It's fun. I genuinely look forward to updating my blog, it's good to share whatever I have. It also makes me feel proud in a way, even if no one reads it I know it's there and I can easily go and reflect on what I've written and in time I will see the improvement in myself. Plus I reckon in a couple of years times it will be quite amusing and sentimental to look back on.

  I highly recommend everyone to start a blog, even if you're not a writer. You can display endless amounts of content on here,if it be your a photographer or I don't know a full time fan girl, you can write or post about whatever you please, it really is a good feeling have a blog. 

Blog?

Saturday 26 September 2015

Best For Me

I'm all about change lately, first I will explain why and the build up to my most recent change. On the 10th of September I started year 13 in sixth form, and well between me and you it didn't go well. There was talk of English Lit being stopped, and well I was told to think of another option. I was devastated, English is my passion as you guys know. 

So Friday came along, my tutor had a meeting to find out the deal and English had definitely been stopped. Which was annoying as I had already done my first year, only to be told I can longer continue it. Disheartening, I basically let myself be talked into another subject. Which I was told to produce work for over the weekend (I worked my ass off) so Monday comes along and I realize that I miss English, genuinely miss it but I just went on. This new subject teacher basically told me all the work I did over the weekend wasn't what she wanted and told me to produce something else for the following day. Can you imagine how annoyed I felt. 

I did spend the night drawing and what not, and fast forward to this morning. Where I realized the only reason I went to college was for English, and it is something I want to do, and I had a breakdown, to be honest I felt let down. If I had known this was going to happen I would have went to a completely different college. I had enough, and I know English is my passion and I shouldn't have to be forced not to pursue it. My parents were being so supportive, my mother made me take the day off she rang up telling them how much the college let me down especially since I had been promised at the end of last year that there will be an English course to return to. 

My parents suggested that I looked for a new college, I was a little wary I mean this is packing my whole life up I have known my sixth form for 6 years now (due to is being a part of my high school) my mam told me to look online and what not. I found a college that interested in me,the courses seemed appealing but being my nervous self I had concerns. My parents talked me into calling the college and seeing what the deal is, I asked if it was possible to attend for one subject and carry on my other two with my original sixth form, which turned out to not be an option. However, they got me thinking and they suggested I changed sixth form completely and I was welcome to come in for a meeting. 

I had a change of heart, I found myself feeling excited so I looked into the courses and was more than happy. They offered much more than my last, plus they offer a course I originally wanted to do which was English Lit and Lang. I felt ready to move on with my old sixth form, and I was eager for my possible new one. So I went to the meeting only to fall in love with the whole sixth form, the vibes were amazing, and I enrolled immediately. I have never felt so ready and willing for change ever in my life.I know it means not seeing my best friends as much as I do but I have  to do what is best for me. For once I wasn't going to allow my future to be in someone elses hands.Today I took control and did what was best for me. I will be restarting my AS levels, my subjects are now English Lit&Lang, Media Studies and Film Studies. Tomorrow is my first day and I am excited and ready to take control.

Never stop chasing your passion, whatever you do make sure you stay true to yourself

Best For Me

Tuesday 15 September 2015