It’s been a great month on the whole; lockdown has eased, it feels like there’s hope in the air and I’ve so much to be grateful for. I’ve seen friends, done some shopping & finally feel things are a bit more normal.

I’m constantly reminded of how far I’ve come in the last 18 months  – and how much things can change…leaving a career as a travel journalist that had taken years to cultivate; venturing out as a full time blogger & vlogger; changing career path three months later to become a publisher and entering into a business partnership; getting cancer at the start of that journey; undergoing a lumpectomy, 6 months and chemotherapy and a month of radiotherapy – all while working full time; getting the all clear from cancer and planning the holiday of a lifetime; Covid-19 comes along; the holiday is cancelled so I decide to ‘holiday at home’ for a week and redecorate the lounge; I then launch two new businesses; lockdown is eased; and here I sit contemplating it all. Wow – there’s almost enough drama here to last someone a lifetime – and I failed to omit a few things along the way.

So now what? Well, as I write this I’m about to embark on a solo getaway to Margate. I feel I need time to contemplate what has happened to me over the last 12 months, to fully appreciate how far I’m come – physically by overcoming breast cancer, emotionally by not letting people grind me down and professionally – by daring to dream about being successful.

My family think that I’m nuts running three businesses, raising a family and running a blog. And maybe I am. I’m mindful of not overdoing it, but believe it or not, I really enjoy being busy. It reminds me I’m alive and that I’ve everything to live for. It gives me purpose and I feel like while I’m here I’m going to make the most of life – never regret the things you’ve done, only the things you haven’t done as they say.

I’m very lucky in that I’ve got a very supportive family. And although they mock me for having my fingers in a lot of pies, they always go out of their way to help me. And my friends (who I choose carefully) are equally as supportive; if you’re reading this and I’ve bent your ear on a few occasions about circumstances beyond my control (and you know who you are), then thank you.

Learning that I’m an empath I’ve struggled to take on board those who I find ‘emotionally draining’ (those who often complain about their life, constantly put up barriers or fail to see the bigger picture). I’ve learned that I have to put an imaginary bubble around me and let these people bounce off it. I have had to change my behaviour accordingly – and whereas I’d try to ‘fix’ these people in the past, now I look after no 1 first and foremost – me.

The #BCDiaries

And talking of looking after myself, I had a bit of a scare this month. I kept quiet about it (ignoring it until I had the hospital appointment), as I’ve come to the conclusion that worry achieves nothing. Fortunately, it turned out ok, but you never stop worrying.

My hair continues to come back thick and fast and it looks completely normal now. I had my first proper haircut since my hair started to grow back which was great – choosing to keep the top long and the back and sides short. I really like it and love that it dries in just two minutes when I get out of the shower!

Blog life

Blog life has been put on hold the last month (read the business updates below to see why!), but I find it so therapeutic to write freely to publish on the blog, so I can’t see the day I’d ever give this up. I just need to aim to upload a blog post every week (ideally).

I moved my host provider from TSO Host to 20i and what a drama that was! Someone suggested that they were more reliable when it came to things like site speeds etc, so I decided to give them a go. Once I got up and running, it was okay, but because 20i doesn’t have the live chat (you have to open ‘a ticket’ on the platform), what should have taken a couple of days to sort out ended up taking a couple of weeks.

Because I’m not technically minded when it comes to website issues, I had problems with SSL certificate, retrieving emails, not transferring over the homeandhorizon.co.uk domain name (which I’ve decided to lose now and I don’t need to pay for the privilege). Just yesterday I sorted out the emails and had over 700 between my two blog email accounts to sift through. It made me realise that most of them were totally irrelevant (I’m unsubscribing from a few!)

Business updates

During lockdown I became a Tropic Ambassador and to date I’ve sold over £3,000 worth of Tropic products to friends, family, neighbours… What I particularly love about this is that every £50 spend on Tropic Skincare funds a day of education where it is most needed for children in countries like Nepal, Cambodia and Myanmar, thanks to Tropic’s partnership with United World Schools.

So the people who’ve purchased from me have helped educate children to 60 days in school – a whole two months! It’s an amazing achievement and feels lovely to be part of something whose ‘infinite purpose’ is to make the world a better place. Here’s a great video to highlight this. A HUGE THANK YOU if you’ve purchased Tropic products from me – you’ve also helped make the world a better place for the next generation.

If you’re reading this and have no idea what Tropic is, it’s a company that sells 100% naturally derived skincare and cosmetics – there are no nasty chemicals in it, it’s vegan, cruelty-free, green and clean beauty – and works wonders for the skin. I’ve been using Tropic for the last 18 months and my rosacea has completely gone. Having had cancer, I’m incredibly mindful about using products with any preservatives or parabens (or any chemicals for that matter!) and Tropic is guilt free beauty. You can check out the catalogue here and if you’d like to order, send me an email.

The second business that I started during lockdown was a videography company. I have long enjoyed making videos for fun and came up with the idea while watching luxury yacht tour videos! In the first week of announcing to a few friends and business acquaintances that I was now offering video editing, I had five projects on the go.

I have to admit, I was a little overwhelmed by the sudden rush in demand – I had no phone number, no name, no logo…nothing. Since then I’ve come a long way, investing in better equipment, better editing software and finally getting myself a Limited company! I still have to get a FB page or website (I’m undecided at this stage!) and a new phone number, but I’m considering an e-sim so I don’t have to carry around a second phone. I’ll keep you posted!

Personal development

I’ve been mindful of paying more attention to my welfare over lockdown – and next week, while I’ve got my feet up in Margate, I’ll enjoy the quiet to think and reflect about my life.

In fact, I bought an energy bracelet from Cuddle Fairy recently to remind me of my health and wellness – and I love it! Becky’s bracelets are made from Grade A, natural gemstones and either sterling silver or rose gold plated accent beads. Becky clears the gemstones to return them to purity, before attuning them our Guardian Angel’s energy. Becky created a channelled bracelet for me (tuning into my higher self, angels and my energetic team) to choose the gemstones and beads for healing, personal growth and support.

My latest purchases

Other purchases from blogger friends included some lovely earrings from KelZo (Kelly and Zoey at Our Transitional Life on Instagram), and I also purchased some books from Kate at Dream, Plan, Explore – find her here.

It’s lovely to support friends’ businesses and I’m always super grateful when they support mine too.

I was so pleased to pop along to TKMaxx this month – my first non-essential outing since Covid-19 – I had received a birthday voucher from my lovely friends Jo and Ruth and picked up a few goodies (pic). Along with a bag (not pictured) for my new videography equipment I bought…

• A bag of Panda liquorice for £1.79
• Two hedgehog glasses from Scion Living £2.49 each
• Storm sunglasses £9.99
• Coloured pasta shapes from Raffaelli for £2.99

What I’m grateful for this month

Meeting up with my lovely friend Kerry from Kerry’s Life and Loves – we went to Lakeside Retail Park and hit the interior shops (my favourite downtime activity!) including Homesense, The Range, Dunelm Mill and TK Maxx. We finished with a lovely lunch and a good old chinwag.

I’m so grateful that I have made new friendships during lockdown. Business hasn’t stopped and friendships have grown from my new businesses and for that alone, it’s a HUGE perk of the job. Thank you to everyone who has supported me, given me advice or just lent an ear to bend!

My goals from last month included…

1. Continue updating the blog – hasn’t quite gone to plan, but here’s hoping that’s on my radar for September!
2. Start decorating the kitchen – well, I bought the paint so I’m full of intentions!
3. Aim to sell more items online – yes, I had a big clear out and I’m making a concerted effort to do this!

My new goals for September include…

1. Get either a FB page or a website for the new business – and order some business cards!
2. Get some more blog posts written!
3. Have some downtime in Margate! (the easiest one!)

I’d love to hear how your August went – and what you’re looking forward to in September!