Probably time for an update

Clue: We’re back

Back in the Caribbean that is.

Yup. We have moved back with the dogs and all. I’m pleased to announce we are thriving. Thankfully having relocated internationally before we’re becoming PRO’s at this now. Honestly found it a lot less stressful this time around. Don’t get me wrong the last three months have been *busy* but not terrifying.

The hardest and most stressful part was definitely sending the dogs. Popping your precious babies on a 9 hours flight without you is very scary. Tears were shed. They managed absolutely fine and have settled in brilliantly. The company we used really exceeded expectations which was absolutely lovely.

We managed to sort a house out fairly easily on our last visit here and now just setting up a new business to run along side our current one. Fun fun fun.

My gorgeous dogs back living the island life

Lockdown Blues

Anyone else feeling them? Short days, miserable weather and the feeling that I’m living the same day on repeat. It’s not doing much for a positive can do attitude. I like to think I’m ‘naturally’ a happy person, I tend to wake up feeling excited for the day ahead. I think I’ve learnt it’s not so much ‘natural’ but orchestrated by myself subconsciously. This has got me thinking I need to sort out these lockdown blues and make myself happier once again.

I like to think I know myself fairly well, however its not as easy as you’d think to say what makes you happy and how you can bring more of that back to your life during lockdown rules. For example and easy one for me is that I love horses and riding, but due to relocating I’m between horses and can’t just go book a hack or riding lesson.

I’ve decided to section out my life into ‘parts’ that make me happy and give me value. These are now my to do list, to ensure I am giving some time to each part of my life that adds value to me. On top of this I’ve set myself some ‘good’ habits to get into, including getting up at my original normal time (not 8.30!!!) and righting in my planner every morning.

How are you all finding this lockdown?

Hello Fresh – Have you tried it?

One of the things I was really excited to try when coming back to the UK was Hello Fresh. Living abroad showed me how hard it was to get hold of good, tasty, health food and honestly made me bored of cooking from scratch. The worst bit for me is deciding what to make. My husband always just says ‘I don’t mind’.

If you don’t know what Hello Fresh is, it’s a company that deliver all the ingredients you need to make a chosen amount of meals each week. You get to pick the menu and just wait for it to turn up. There is a good choice each week of quick, veggie or luxury meals.

We chose to get three meals a week to start us off, and my goodness we haven’t been disappointed and look forward to picking what we’re going to eat each week.

The kind people at Hello Fresh have given me a link for for £20 off 🙂

https://www.hellofresh.co.uk/pages/raf_lp11?c=HS-LYCH2U5OT&utm_campaign=native-share-panel&utm_couponvalue=20&utm_invitername=Harriet&utm_medium=iOSReferral&utm_source=raf-share

Enjoy cooking!

Making New Friends as an Adult

‘Hi!’

‘Hi! Let’s be friends?’

‘Best friends’

Simple. I would guess that most children have had this conversation and as a result a lasting friendship. Someone to do random stuff with. Literally pick a human and go on adventures together. It’s not quite so simple as an adult.

Having moved around a fair amount (Dorset – London – Edinburgh – Dorset – Barbados) in the last five years, I’ve learnt that making new pals isn’t as easy, but it is definitely not impossible. So here are my top tips for making friends as a grown up person!

The best source of future friends are those with a common interest, so either work colleagues, people who have a common hobby or in a similar situation i.e. have children the same age. So make sure you talk to people at work in the lunch room and make sure you stay a little longer after classes or events.
Be friendly, obvious I know. Offer out that you’re new to the area and don’t know loads of people, or if you’re not new, offer out that you would like some friends with a similar interest e.g. ‘Oh it’s lovely to spend time with someone (who has also got 5 children, who loves riding, who is interesting in make up or who cares about health and food etc.) would you like to go get coffee sometime?’
Make note. Physically or mentally if you’re able. Remember people’s names, their kids names, their birthdays. Sounds a little much but people love to be remembered.
Say yes. ALWAYS SAY YES. People often take a ‘no, I can’t tonight’ as a ‘I don’t want to be your friend’, if you actually can’t offer up a time you can.
Don’t play games. Like all relationships the second you play games it becomes confusing. Just don’t. Be nice, be kind and treat others how you would like to be treated.
Be brave. Taking the first move is always scary, but you’ll either learn or gain.
Don’t take ‘rejection’ personally. If someone doesn’t have time to be your new friend, it may be because they are busy with their own life, or they are too caught up, it’s very unlikely to be personal. You’re better off just saying as aqantancies and trying with someone else.
Finally, friends can come in a form you may not expect. Do not exclude someone as they aren’t a carbon copy of yourself/your sister/your old bestie.

These are the things I try to remember every time I move. It has done me quite good stead and I can happily say I have always managed to make friends and some have even lasted distance and moving

One final and very important point is that you do not need an army of friends, all anyone needs is a few reliable people that you can confide in, plan a fun day with and trust to have your back. Great if you have a super large group of gal pals, but in my experience this is just more drama!

Over and out! As always please follow my instagram (@harrietkristina) for more 🙂