advice

I DON'T CARE ANYMORE

September 30, 2018

I hope that my dramatic title caught your attention. I lied...a little. I do still care, I mean, I'm Eve Johnson. Over-thinker is my middle name. I am, however, learning to care less. I have come to the realisation that a lot of the choices I make and things I do have a lot to do with what other people think, rather than just going with it and doing what I want to do. I have let the worry of what people will think hold me back. I have always feared someone's opinion changing of me if I do certain things. I am learning to think more about myself (in a non-narcissistic way) in order to really live my best life (yes, cheesy, but it's the truth!)

I have so often let little worries get in the way of me doing things. So many 'what ifs'. So many times I have started things and let fear stop me from pushing forward. I mean, my YouTube channel is a great example, I think I have started a YouTube channel about 4 times in the past because it's something I have always wanted to do, but have put all of my videos on private due to me being in complete fear of people's judgment or what it could mean for my future, instead of just going for it and seeing what happens. I think it's so easy to fall in to the trap of letting fear dominate your life and your decisions; what if I sound dumb? What if they don't like me? What if I fail? Instead of thinking; what if I can have a positive impact on someone or something? They might actually like me for being me! What if I succeed? Life is all about making choices. Sometimes you make the right ones and sometimes the wrong ones. That's how it is. Trying is the most important thing. Grow, don't rot. Keep moving and trying things. I am so determined to do things in my life. To go places. Take risks. I cannot settle for boring. 

 I am learning not to care as much. I am working on not caring too much about people's opinion, because the only people I need and want in my life are those that push me, that encourage me, comfort me, celebrate with me and care for me. People who judge and hold us back are not good for our progress. 

 So, I'm going for it a little more. Worrying a little less. I will always be someone who cares, especially about people's opinion, but I don't want that holding me back. 

 Worry less about failure, worrying about it only holds you back. We are all going to fail at some things. Failure actually shapes us as humans, it can make us; stronger, smarter, more compassionate, more sensitive, or less sensitive, more resilient, less arrogant, more switched on, more determined. etc. etc. We can choose to either let failure stop us or inspire us. Failure has the potential to give us the inspiration to be better, to learn, to grow. Always remember that everyone fails at some point at something, everyone is on their own journey and will overcome their own obstacles; big and small. Stop let fear hold you back from just having a go; fear of what people will think, fear of not being good enough, fear of failing. Have a go. Just go for it. You may win, and you may lose, but at least you won't be asking yourself 'what if?'

 Caring is so important, but don't let that stop you from growing to reach your potential and living your fullest life. ♡♡♡♡

Love always,

Eve

Wanna hear more from me? 
I'm on twitter: click here
& I'm on instagram: click here

xxx

advice

I WEIGH

September 23, 2018

Hello friends,

 Today I wanted to write a post about what I weigh. Now, I'm not talking about my physical weight, because quite frankly I haven't weighed in years! I'm talking about what I, as a person, ACTUALLY weigh. If you haven't heard about the 'I weigh' campaign started by the wonderful Jameela Jamil, read her blog post here: "i-weigh". 

It is incredibly sad, disappointing and quite frankly toxic that so much of a person's worth has become so associated with their physical appearance. Humans are continuously being scrutinized for what they look like. How much they weigh. Whether they are too thin, or too fat. Or if they have small boobs. Or big boobs.  A big bum, a small bum. You only have to go on the Daily Mail's website to see the constant criticism launched towards people's appearance. It's such a toxic message that is being sent out, that we must be a certain number on the scales in order to be 'worthy'. Much of a person's self-perception has been tainted by the messages continuously being projected by the media, whether that be by the press or even by social influencers. I mean, I think the abuse Tess Holliday has received for her Cosmo cover is evidence enough. People masking their abusive words as them 'looking out for her health' or 'being concerned for her' just as a way for them to pick away at someone's appearance without being perceived as a bully. She's happy. She's confident. She's beautiful. That's something that should inspire us. The same as if someone of a different body shape was on the cover and is happy. They are worth far more than what they physically weigh. 
I was actually watching Lorraine the other day, and Lorraine had Candice Brown (winner of the Great British Bake Off back in 2016) on as a guest. In the interview, Candice emotionally opened up about the abuse she has received over her weight and appearance after bikini photos of her were released all over the press. It made me so mad. So mad that people think that it's okay to criticise and bully someone over how they look. Why is this okay? How has this become okay? It is so toxic and so disgusting. Candice's interview was really great, so I'll link it here: Candice on 'Body-Shaming'. 

Through the 'I Weight' campaign Jameela stresses the importance of us thinking past the numbers on the scale when it comes to what we weigh. We need to start celebrating who we are; our achievements, our progress, our relationships, our interests etc. It's all about moving away from being defined by a number, whether that be dress size or weight. It's about actually thinking 'okay, what is good about me? what have I achieved?' It's about saying 'F you' to the ideals and being proud of who YOU are and how YOU look. Life is far too bloody short, and yes, we have our days where we do feel insecure, but it's about not letting those insecurities take away from the celebration of life. The 'I weigh' stories are so inspiring. People of all backgrounds, ages, body shapes, ethnicities, professions etc. coming together and celebrating being them. This can be anything from celebrating being someone who has recovered an eating disorder to taking pride in the fact they have given birth to a child or celebrating their academic achievements or even being proud of their fashion sense. 
I got so inspired by this movement that I thought I'd do one myself...(and I think you should do it too!), here goes:

 I WEIGH:
  • laugher (a lot!)
  • chatterbox
  • people person (i love people)!!
  • friend
  • a family member
  • cat lover
  • (animal lover in general!)
  • Vegetarian
  • student (that loves her degree and loves studying!)
  • inspired
  • lover of carbs (and food in general!!)
  • hard-working
  • kind
  • overthinker (working on it!)
  • fitness instructor
  • Zumba instructor
  • qualified PT
  • happy
  • life lover
  • coffee lover
  • feminist
  • lover of Welsh folk music 
  • ABBA lover & Mamma Mia! lover
  • huge Grey's Anatomy, Grace & Frankie, Gilmore Girls, Friends, This is Us, Killing Eve, GBBO, Strictly Come Dancing, Santa Clarita Diet, Scandal, HTGAWM, Vera, Parks and Rec, Modern Family, Gavin & Stacey, Call the Midwife (etc. etc. etc.) fan!! 
  • love Medieval literature
  • listener
  • sensitive 
  • Welsh speaker (and proud!)
  • love clothes
  • self-critical (working on this too!!)
  • outspoken
  • loyal (why does this word now automatically make me think of Georgia from LI??)
  • supportive
  • nerd
  • bonkers
  • a little bit weird
  • bubbly
  • smiler
  • blogger...ish!? 

...and I hope to continue to add to this list in time. There is actually something quite fantastic about seeing a list like this and appreciating WHO YOU ARE, valuing yourself on far more than how you compare to society's construction of an 'ideal' person. Do it. Make one. Whether you post it publically or keep it for yourself, there is something so powerful and inspiring about it. Thank you, Jameela. Please check out the @i_weigh instagram account to get to see all of these inspiring, heart-warming and emotional celebrations of people, by looking 'beyond the flesh on our bones'. 

 Thanks for reading. I hope you liked this post :) I promise my next post won't be as focused on me...!!
YOU ARE AWESOME
♡ ♡ ♡ 


Love always,

Eve

Wanna hear more from me? 
I'm on twitter: click here
& I'm on instagram: click here

xxx




autumn

AUTUMN FASHION PICKS | ASOS

September 16, 2018

I absolutely love this time of year for fashion. No more having to worry about shaving your legs or pits for the shorts and t-shirts. Hello, comfort. Autumn and winter fashion is my favourite, I spend endless hours browsing online and in stores for some new pieces to add to my wardrobe; whether that be the essential staple pieces, or something a little more adventurous. I am a huge lover of ASOS for clothing and accessories, just because it seems to have it all. Today I thought I'd share some of my favourite pieces from the ASOS website that I am so very tempted to be adding to my wardrobe soon. All photos are screenshots from ASOS.com and clicking on the photo will take you to the item on the website (just to make life easy for you!)

♡ 
♡ ASOS DESIGN animal print midi tea dress | £35.00 ♡ 

♡ 
♡ JDY button denim skirt |£25.00♡ 

♡ 
♡ ASOS DESIGN fluffy jumper in rib with roll neck | £25.00♡ 

♡ 
♡ Stradivarius check trouser in multi | £19.99♡ 

♡ 
♡ Miss Selfridge jumpsuit in grey check | £45.00♡ 

♡ 
♡ River Island wrap front waisted shirt dress | £50.00♡ 

♡ 
♡ ASOS DESIGN rainbow long woven scarf | £18.00♡ 










♡ 
♡ My Accessories light grey super soft extra long scarf | £18.00♡ 

♡ 
♡ ASOS DESIGN Electricity heeled boots | £45.00♡ 


♡ 
♡ Stradivarius heeled ankle boot in leopard print | £25.99♡ 

Happy Shopping!!

Love always,

Eve

Wanna hear more from me? 
I'm on twitter: click here
& I'm on instagram: click here

xxx

(none of the links featured in this post are affiliate links).








































life

life update | going with the flow, changing my degree and feeling happier.

September 14, 2018

hey there,
Welcome back to the blog! 

I have missed posting but truthfully have had no drive to write as I had no idea of what direction this blog was taking and that stressed me out. I have taken some time away to think and reflect on me and my direction, and my blog and its direction. It has been a confusing few months, filled with uncertainty of who I am as a person and where I am aiming to go in my life. I think it's pretty normal at my age to be confused about your path and your 'purpose', nonetheless, it is still very difficult. I am someone who likes a plan and a structure, and I have slowly come to realise how life is something that cannot really be planned out. I mean, we can have hopes, dreams, and targets, but nobody knows how their life will turn out. This has been a hard pill to swallow but also has somehow made me feel a lot more relaxed about my path. My main concern has been my career path, I have been so conflicted, being inspired by so many vocations. Believe me when I say at some point during these past few months I have wanted to work towards becoming; an actress, a singer, a TV presenter, a full-time blogger, a 'YouTuber', a teacher, a writer, an academic, a business owner, a full-time fitness instructor...and many more things, I'm sure. I know how ridiculous that all sounds, but I get so passionate and excited about things that I want to have a go at it all. Even though I know that it's not really possible. It all made me panic because I didn't know where to focus my energy. I have been thinking so hard about what I am meant to be and how I'm going to get there, that I have forgotten to just go with it a little more, to stop panicking and just embrace life. Because it is so easy to get caught up in stressing about an uncertain future and forget to enjoy and appreciate what you have. 

I thought today I'd write out a little life update post just to begin this new blogging chapter with all the updates of where I am at, and some little personal goals I have set myself.

I have had a busy few months between everything. I finished the first year of my degree which was a magnificent achievement for me. I had a really amazing first year at uni (despite me actually really not enjoying it until the second term) and felt like I really grew as a person and am so much happier as a person since starting my degree. As you may recall, I have been studying a degree in English Literature and Geography, two subjects that have meant a great deal to me for a number of years. Through studying these two subjects I feel like I have learned so much about the world, about history, about culture and so on. It has been truly great. In February, I (reluctantly) started studying a Medieval Literature module (I believe it was fate!), and in a non-dramatic way, it really changed me in several ways. Up until that point, I wasn't exactly happy at University. I didn't think I was good enough and I didn't really feel passionate enough to continue. But, this module left me so inspired after every lecture, I felt truly inspired by my lecturers in the way they taught and empowered us as students. I felt good. I felt like I had found my thing. My passion, my drive. I had role models in the Uni, which is something so important to me. That's when I knew that I had to be studying a single Hons degree in English Literature because although Geography is such a fantastic, enrichening subject, it did not make me feel like English Literature had the ability to make me feel. So, I changed my degree (of course, I had to pass both subjects in year 1 to be able to transfer). I transferred to BA English Literature, and I am so happy I made that choice for myself. A few years back, I'd have done nothing about it, but I made the change and I'm so flipping happy that I did! I have even been considering going down the academic route in the future, as I have such a huge passion for literature (particularly Medieval!)
I think what I have come to realise over the past few months is that I can achieve things when I really put my mind to it.  For example, I re-sat one of my A-level exams in June. I know that sounds ridiculous, but it's something I had to do. I spent a small fortune to get to do it (I had to pay room hire etc.), but I ended up getting the grade I wanted, so it was bloody worth it! I don't give myself enough credit, I am my harshest critic. Whether that be not believing in my potential, not having confidence in my abilities and certainly not being kind about how I look. But, I'm learning. It's odd because I am quite a positive person and always try to lift and encourage others, but I need to start practicing what I preach and do the same for myself, instead of accepting sh*t. I am setting myself the targets of having a little more faith in myself and to start using my voice more. Also, I need to stop putting others on a pedestal above myself, I really have to stop doing that. I am truly excited about life and the future and am ready to go with it a little more. Gratitude is something I try to practice often, and I am truly, truly grateful for the things and people I have in my life. That's all that matters. Also, Strictly is back, so how can I not be happy and grateful?

I am going to start enjoying blogging a little more. I do feel I made it more of a chore than it needed to be. I am going to change it up a little on here. I am going to start posting more about fashion, favourites, and things, whilst also incorporating the advice/lifestyle and fitness posts! I am excited to see where I can take this blog. 
I was lucky enough to visit Italy twice over the Summer. It is my favourite place. Here is me and my wonderful mam in Piazza Tasso, Sorrento x
So, there's a mini update of what has been going on recently.
I'll be back with new posts every weekend. 

thanks for stopping by xxxx

Love always,

Eve

Wanna hear more from me? 
I'm on twitter: click here
& I'm on instagram: click here

xxx