Learn to love the small things

You can’t really escape the fact that people are struggling to be happy in this modern world. I can understand why - there’s just so much pressure from so many sides, and social media is a real curse as well as a blessing.

I’ve always been on platforms like Facebook because they allow me to stay in touch with people who I’ve met at different times of my life, some of whom live thousands of miles away in other countries. I like having a community of friends from around the world and this gives me an easy (and lazy, let’s be honest) way to stay in touch with them all.

That’s the upside. I don’t have to remember phone numbers, store email addresses or keep track of physical postal addresses. Everyone is there, at the end of a message if I want to get in touch with them.

The downside is that you can easily get caught up comparing yourself to other people and looking at their lives thinking, ‘why don’t I have all that?’. Not to mention the ridiculous amount of time you can waste on there.

Anyway, while I understand that some people have problems with social media, the point of this blog wasn’t actually to debate the pros and cons of these platforms - it was to talk about how important the little things are in our lives, and how recognising those will make you happier (or that’s the conclusion I’ve come to).

I feel like I’ve got a lot better at just being happy in my everyday life in the past few years by taking the time to appreciate the little things. When I’m out walking with my dog I’ll notice birds hiding in trees, or I’ll stop to enjoy a beautiful view, listen to the waves on the shore, or even to watch bees buzzing around flowers. Beauty really is all around us, you just have to take the time to stop and look for it.

There are a few things in my life that I think have helped me cultivate that attitude and led me to where I am. The first is scuba diving. I learned to dive while I was at university and I’ve since done hundreds of dives. But having learned in the UK, there were very rarely exciting large creatures to look out for - everything is small, and for the most part pretty well hidden or camouflaged.

That was when I really started to look closely at the world around me - it started underwater but I’ve since noticed I do it when I’m on dry land too. With diving, it’s got to the point that almost all my favourite creatures are what’s termed macro life - basically tiny.

I was recently lucky enough to go and dive in a place called Lembeh Strait in Indonesia - one of the meccas of macro diving. I saw so many cool little creatures in my time there - it was incredible. I’ve shared a few of them at the end of this post.

A pygmy seahorse. It was about the size of my little finger nail.

The other thing that’s helped me appreciate the small things in life is yoga. Through my yoga practise I’ve been able to focus on being present in a moment. Again, it’s something that started on my mat, especially as I tackled challenging poses (or even just a flow of what you’d think are basic poses until you put them all together), but that’s spread into other areas of my life.

I’ve also realised the importance of being grateful for everything I have, and not just in the physical sense of possessions, a roof over my head and so on. I mean in the sense that I have a body I can bend, stretch and move; I have incredible opportunities in my life to travel; through my choices with work I have amazing freedom over how I spend my time; and I have amazing friends and family who have been supportive and who I also have a lot of fun with.

One of my yoga teachers in particular often talks about gratitude and it’s been a wonderful reminder of what’s important in life, and of just how much I have.

When I think about my life I feel so lucky to be where I am. I’m aware that I’ve worked hard in certain areas and that I’ve made particular choices, but that’s only part of the story. I’m lucky to have been born in a country where women are able to work and live independent lives; to have had incredibly supportive parents; to have a British passport that allows me to travel really easily.

All of these things are nothing more than luck, and I’m grateful that I got these gifts every single day.

I’m not saying that I’m always happy with my life - I have days where I don’t feel good about myself or what’s going on just like everyone else - but I do think it’s easier to get through down patches when you can focus on the positives, however small they may seem.

For me, learning to love the small things has been really important in helping me be happy. So I invite you to take a moment today to notice something small and beautiful in your life, something that you’re grateful to have seen, experienced or just to have in your life. I bet it makes you smile.

And if not, hopefully at least one of these little things that I was lucky enough to encounter on my dives will make you smile.

A baby flamboyant cuttlefish hiding among the remaining cuttlefish eggs

A baby frogfish

A creamy chromidoris nudibranch (sea slug)

Another nudibranch, this time a desirable flabellina

Tips to avoid distractions when working from home

When I tell people that I work from home, most of them find it hard to understand how I get anything done. When someone tells me they work in an office, I think exactly the same thing.

I’ve done my time working in offices and I find them incredibly distracting environments, which has only been amplified since I’ve worked from home. In one of my previous jobs, I spent nearly four years working from home and leaving that job to go back to an office was a huge challenge.

People come over to ask questions all the time, there are tea rounds every half hour (which is great in some ways) and there’s constant noise from people talking, phone calls, keys tapping and just other people moving around the office.

As far as I’m concerned, there are literally distractions everywhere. Don’t get me wrong, I see the value in sharing a space with your team and at times I miss the lively atmosphere in an office. But when I actually need to get work done I’d rather be at home, in my own space.

That’s tip number one - make a space for work. If you’re lucky enough to have room for a home office, that’s brilliant. I’m not, so I have a corner in my living room where my desk and all my work paraphernalia lives. When I start work, I sit down at my desk. I try really hard not to move my laptop to other spots too often.

Tip number two is to set working hours. When you work from home it can be really easy to think you’ll just do one more thing before you finish, and before you realise it, it’s 9pm. I’m not too strict with myself about working 9-5 every day, but first thing in the morning I think about what work I have to get done and I set myself a start and finish time for that day.

My third tip is to take regular breaks, but to use them wisely. One thing I often hear is that people get distracted by household chores when they work from home. I’ve found that doing things like the washing up while I’m waiting for the kettle to boil helps me make the most of my time.

So, a tea break becomes so much more useful. I can put a load of washing in, clean part of the kitchen or even write my shopping list.

As an add-on to that, you should also make sure you take a lunch break. Give yourself an hour away from work-related stuff. I walk Franklin, which means I get out of the house and get some fresh air too.

Tip number four is don’t turn the TV on. It’s so tempting to think you’ll work with the TV in the background, but you will get distracted (trust me, I’ve tried). Music is a much better option. Personally, I find listening to albums I know really well is great when I want to concentrate. I’ve also got some good playlists on Spotify - their music for concentration and reading playlists are ace.

My final tip is to make a to-do list each day. I used to do this when I worked in an office too, so it’s far from just a tool for homeworkers. I find it helps focus me on what I need to do. Usually I’ve got an ‘absolutely must get done today’ list, then a ‘great if I can fit it in’ list.

For me, being efficient when I’m working from home is all about focus. When I first started doing it I found it hard at times too. But work through that - it’s definitely worth it to be able to enjoy all the benefits working from home brings. Just think of the time you’ll save because you’re not commuting, the little jobs you can do on your tea breaks, and the fact that you’ll always be in for parcel deliveries. And yes, you can work in your pajamas (although I wouldn’t recommend doing this all the time).

Life as a freelancer: One year in

To say that my life has changed over the past year feels like a bit of an understatement. One year ago today I left my full-time office job. I took a leap into the semi-unknown and hoped that my gamble would pay off; that I’d be good enough to find and retain clients; that I’d find a bit more of the balance I’d been craving.

A year later I’m still working as a freelance copywriter and SUP instructor and not once have I regretted my decision. I have certainly had moments of panic over my workload (there’s too much, I can’t cope/there’s too little, how will I pay my mortgage?), but I’ve pulled through.

Taking a moment out, a deep breath and remembering what’s important helps me focus. So does Franklin, who constantly reminds me I’d rather be napping.

My last 12 months has had some difficult personal patches too, which have led to wobbles. Every time I hit one of those though, I’d tell myself I’d worked too hard and for too long to get to this point to lose it now; that things had been hard before and I’d always come out the other side stronger.

I’ll admit there have been times I’ve buried myself in work this year, partly from a fear of the work running out (as all freelancers have) and partly to avoid other things happening in my life. But that’s also made me realise the importance of taking time for myself.

My time as a freelancer has taught me a lot of things. I know I still have a lot to learn and that I’ll keep developing and changing my working habits as I do.

I’ve learned that taking time for me is just as important as hitting that deadline. I’m not working at my best when I’m tired and run down. That means the hours I spend walking the dog, doing yoga or reading a book are just as valuable as those spent in front of my laptop.

Now when I start to feel as though I should skip my morning yoga practice, or work late into the night, I’m better at stopping myself. There’s always something else I could be doing, so at some point I have to draw a line.

I’ve learned that I love the variety of working as a freelancer. One day I’m at the beach teaching kids how to paddleboard. The next I’m writing a series of blog articles. A week later I’m jumping into a big project with a new client. It’s never boring and I constantly feel as though I have to push myself to be better.

Professional development is something I want to make more time for in the coming year. There’s so much more for me to learn, and so many incredible people out there who I can learn from.

I’ve also learned not to take earnings for granted. Until the money is in my bank account I don’t factor it into my calculations. I’ve been lucky that I’ve only had one person not pay me for work I did for them, and I was luckier still that it was a very small job, but it served as a bit of a wake-up call.

Similarly, you shouldn’t count your chickens before they come home to roost (as the saying goes). I’ve had jobs that have just taken longer than I anticipated, meaning I don’t get paid until the following month. The money always arrives, just maybe not when I’d originally hoped.

I’ve learned the value of flexibility in my approach to work and my finances. I’m gradually getting better at letting go of the stress attached to money, but I know the importance of keeping on top of my records and invoicing.

Away from work, I’ve been grateful to have such supportive family and friends who have always been there when I needed a rant, a confidence boost, a large glass of wine or a bar of chocolate (or sometimes all of them at once). Spending time with those wonderful people has become even more important now that I’m not going into an office and interacting with people every day.

This year seems to have lasted a long time and it seems to have flown by all at once. I’m excited for what the next 12 months have in store.

I went on holiday (and the world didn’t end)

As someone who’s relatively new to freelancing, the thought of taking proper time off was a little bit terrifying. I’d taken trips away before, but I’d always had my laptop with me and done odd bits of work while I was gone.

This time, it was going to be different. I purposefully didn’t take my laptop as I knew it would remove the temptation to ‘just do a bit of work’. I really needed a proper break.

In the weeks leading up to my trip, I worked really long hours. I had a couple of projects that I needed to finish before I went away, plus my usual work for regular clients that I wanted to get through as well.

I didn’t feel particularly organised and there never seemed to be enough hours in the day, but I got through everything, set up an out of office reply on my email and eventually turned my computer off and didn’t look at it again for a week.

And it was brilliant. I really needed time out for myself, to refresh and just relax. I hadn’t realised how tired I’d been getting until I stopped. So, I spent a week exploring Ireland with my mum. We visited some family and friends and drove wherever we felt like each day.

Following the road less-travelled

Lots of nice walks, stunning scenery and a few pints of Guinness. I barely thought about work the whole time. I checked my emails on my phone a couple of times to make sure nothing urgent had come up and, of course, everything was fine.

When I got home, I felt energised. I wanted to get back to work and I felt good sitting down at my laptop again. It didn’t feel like a chore. None of my clients had missed me and I realised that I need to stop stressing and take time out more often.

In this world where we’re always connected it can be hard to get off the grid. I’ve written before about trying to kick the addiction to our mobile devices and it’s certainly a challenge.

As a freelancer, where you’re not paid for any time off you take, it can be really difficult to let go. But I’ve realised that at some point you have to. If you don’t you just burn out and then you’re no good to anyone. I was getting to that point and it made me realise that I need to be more careful.

Since I’ve come back from my holiday I’ve made a conscious effort to chill out and to plan downtime into every day; and I’m feeling better for it. And after months of telling myself I’ll do yoga every day I’ve finally slotted that into my routine too, which has made a big difference to my back and my mood.

With my work balance shifting now towards more SUP teaching and a bit less writing, I need to be careful that I don’t take on too much. Saying no to work when you freelance is scary, but sometimes it’s necessary and I’m getting more comfortable with it. I’m also excited about the idea of going on more holidays in the coming year, knowing that I can relax and that my work will still be here when I get back.

Getting off the grid sometimes is important

Paying it forward

When I decided to take the leap into the world of freelancing, I knew I’d have a lot of hard work ahead of me to build up a client base and find new work. I mentally prepared myself for networking events, pitching via freelance job sites and contacting agencies.

What I hadn’t accounted for when I thought about finding work was how my previous actions might impact the opportunities that came my way. Although I decided that I’d like to give freelancing a go two years before I actually took the leap of faith, before then it had never occurred to me.

I hadn’t been actively laying the foundations for a career where contacts were going to be vitally important to my future ability to find work. But it turns out I’d been doing it without even realising.

In the autumn, a former colleague contacted me about doing some freelance work for the agency she now works for. She’d heard through our old boss that I was working for myself and wondered if I could help out. Of course, I jumped at the chance.

The work was similar to what I’d done in the past, and it was regular. I was really excited and happy to have the opportunity. But I didn’t think much more about why that had come my way until I told my best friend.

I said I was surprised by the opportunity but was really excited. My friend just laughed and told me it was no surprise at all that the chance had come my way, because I’d always worked hard, done a good job and left things on good terms with everyone I worked with. She thought it was obvious I’d be approached for jobs in this way.

And it made me see things from a new perspective. I’ve since found two other clients as a result of recommendations from former colleagues. Because I haven’t actively put any effort into seeking those clients in the first instance, they feel like amazing bonuses - and they are. They’re a gift, but one that’s come from hard work and good deeds years earlier.  

What I specifically did to warrant being remembered I’m not sure, but I thought I’d share some of the ways I approach work and working relationships in case it helps.

Firstly, whoever I’ve worked with in whatever setting, I’ve always tried to be kind. If I’m having a bad day because of something away from work, I do my level best not to take it out on anyone who I see in the office. Even if I’m in a bad mood because of work, chances are it’s not as a result of anyone I work directly with, so while I have the odd rant, it’s always just been a way of venting frustration and isn’t directed at anyone in particular.

Secondly, I’m helpful, sometimes to my own detriment I admit. If people ask for a favour politely, I’ll almost always help - even when I’m completely snowed under. I was always brought up to treat people the way you’d like to be treated, so whenever anyone extends that courtesy to me I’ll do my best to help if I can. If I can’t, I’ll sometimes go out of my way to help them find a solution.

Thirdly, I’m conscientious. I work hard and when I tell someone I’ll meet a deadline, I do. I think that’s my training from my journalism kicking in, but deadlines are hugely important to me. I can’t even begin to list the number of times that my life has been made more stressful or difficult by other people missing deadlines that impact my workload. As a result, I endeavour to never be that person who makes someone else’s life harder than it needs to be.

I’m not trying to suggest that I’m something special for behaving this way. I’m not, and have worked with plenty of people over the years who have the same values as I do and who take the same approach to their interactions with others and their work.

But until recently I hadn’t appreciated how important that might be to my future, so I thought I’d share my realisation. Be kind, be helpful and be conscientious - you never know who you might help, whose day you might make better, whose life you might make easier and who could return the favour when you need it in the future.

I’m not always right, but that’s ok

No one is right all the time. We all know that really, but sometimes it’s hard to accept it. And being told that something you’ve done isn’t right can be difficult to deal with, especially when you’ve put a lot of effort into it.

I’ll be the first to admit that I don’t always deal with criticism in the most productive way. I don’t mean that I get angry with the person who has been critical, more that I take their comments away and dwell on them.

Over the years I’ve realised that I’m quite easy to please. I like being told I’m doing a good job (who doesn’t?) and I definitely don’t like feeling as though I’ve done a bad job. I thrive on positivity.

But it can be tricky sometimes when you’re freelancing - or, in fact, working in any creative role, in-house or freelance. Not everything you write/design/create is going to be spot on first time. It’s taken me a little while to realise that.

And that’s one of the challenges with the creative industry - it’s so subjective. I’ve recently been working with a company that specialises in user experience. They are constantly testing, evaluating, redeveloping and evolving ideas. I’m trying to learn to do the same.

Evolve

One of the most valuable things I’ve learned from working with them is that it’s ok to not be right all the time.

You can’t possibly get everything spot on, on your first attempt, day in, day out. It just doesn’t happen. And I’ve realised that I need to accept that and not take feedback too personally.

I know I work hard at every stage of a project. Sometimes I’ll do two or three drafts before I even send it to a client for their first read. It’s all about evolving my ideas and adapting my writing to suit them and the project.

And I’m beginning to appreciate the multitude of reasons why there might be changes to my copy. Sometimes they’re down to me, others they’re down to the client. But changes don’t mean I’m doing a bad job.

Not being prepared to talk to people to evolve my copy and change it to suit the client and project means I’m doing a bad job.

Working with my clients to improve their copy - whether it’s something I’ve written or existing content - is what makes me a good copywriter. Of course, it’s amazing when you send in a first draft, receive minimal amends and everyone’s happy. But that doesn’t happen every time. Amends are part of the process.

I’m learning to be a bit more detached in how I approach my work. I want happy clients and I want to do the best I can for them. To do that, I have to remind myself it’s their project, not mine.

I’m also learning to embrace the challenge of getting things right. If something isn’t right, why? What can I do to fix it? How can I improve my copy to make sure I’m hitting all of my client’s goals? Talking to people is the best way to get to the answers I need.

So, I know I’m not always right, but I’m ok with that.

Kicking the mobile addiction

It’s easy to forget just how much times have changed. I constantly feel relieved to have grown up in a world without mobile phones, without the internet, without the stress of maintaining a social media account (or five) before I was out of my teens.

Honestly, I don’t know how young people today cope with all of that and growing up. I didn’t get my first mobile phone until I was 18. I first used the internet at the age of 16 on a college open day. And yet, despite having managed half of my life without this technology on tap, I suddenly find I can’t live without it.

It’s crazy. I find myself idly flicking through articles, Facebook posts, YouTube videos and wondering why I’m doing that instead of something more productive. I have to make a conscious effort not to reach for my phone when I’m on the bus or train, forcing myself to appreciate the world around me rather than the little screen in my hand.

Even my dog has noticed that I use my phone too much. You can laugh, but I’m serious. A few time now, when we’ve got home from our morning walk and are having a cuddle on the sofa, I’ll reach for my phone to check my messages. Franklin will actively nudge my hand, on one occasion he made me drop my phone, to bring my attention back to him.

Franklin, showing me just how easy it is to chill at home

In fact it was that incident that made me think about writing this blog. How can you switch off in a world that relies so heavily on connectivity? And as a freelancer, when you never quite know who might email or phone, how do you switch off without worrying?

I can tell you now it’s a struggle. In fact, some of my favourite places to escape to are ones where there is no phone signal. Bizarrely, when I know that no one can get in touch with me, I’m ok with it. I’ll check my emails when I get a chance, but until then there’s nothing I can do about it.

Walking the dog is another great escape for me. When I’m out with Franklin it’s our time, work isn’t something I can do while I’m throwing stones for him on the beach, or trying to keep him from chasing deer in the forest. Not being connected at those times feels fine, it feels right.

It’s when I actively decide to switch off for a bit at home that I struggle to relax. I feel like I should be available because I’m at home, even though no-one but me knows that. But even though it’s hard, I’m intensely aware of my need to switch off. Of my need to not be staring at a screen every hour of the day. Of my need for time to myself.

Don’t get me wrong, I love technology. The internet, smartphones, laptops and WiFi are all things that enable me to have a lifestyle I love and truly value. But I need to put them away from time to time. Life is about more than a screen. Sometimes you just need to stop and look around you. Watch anything from a beautiful sunset to a seagull hunting for worms without reaching for a phone to take a picture. To just enjoy the moment and know that it’s a private one for you.

I’m not saying never post on Instagram again - I actually really love Instagram, it’s made me really enjoy taking photos again - but do remember that things are better viewed with your eyes than through the screen of a smartphone or tablet.

Get out and see the world. Explore it. Experience it. Enjoy it. And live it. I know it’s something that I’m trying to make a conscious effort to do more.

The freelance learning curve: all those extras

When I was considering going freelance, I spoke to a few other people who had already taken the plunge, some who had been freelancing for years. They all gave me great advice, but nothing they said fully prepared me for all the extra bits and pieces you have to do around your work.

Essentially what I've discovered is that you have to become a multi-tasking master, and if you're like me, you make lots and lots of lists.

Money, money, money

As I’d been doing odds and ends of freelance work for a year or so before I left full-time work to focus on it, I already had an idea of what I was letting myself in for on this front, but there were a few things I wasn’t quite prepared for.

Firstly, you need to keep track of jobs, who you’ve invoiced and how much for, and what expenses you have. I have a multi-tabbed spreadsheet, and I update it religiously with new work, the time I’ve spent on my ongoing projects and any jobs I’ve quoted for.

Then there’s invoicing itself. Sending invoices promptly is a must, especially as different companies and people have different processes for paying invoices. And in certain situations you might need to chase those invoices for payment as well.

All of this takes time - and it’s something I hadn’t initially factored into my working day. I try to invoice for jobs as I complete them, rather than leaving them all until the end of the month, as I find it’s easier to keep on top of them and it feels like a less arduous task.

Finding new work

Sadly, work doesn’t tend to fall into your lap - you need to put in a fair amount of work and time to get new projects. So, networking is essential - you can read about my first networking experiences in this blog - and I’ve found it’s worth paying to attend events. But again, these take up at least a few hours at a time and you need to allow for that.

Don’t forget to also factor in a good hour or two the following morning to contact everyone you swapped cards with, whether that’s sending a quick email, or finding them on LinkedIn and messaging them on there.

Then there are websites like People Per Hour where you can bid for jobs. I’ve had a bit of success with this kind of site, but it’s always difficult to know just how long you should spend formulating a proposal, given that many of the ones you send on this kind of site are ignored. There are no hard and fast rules, it’s just something you have to gauge on a case-by-case basis.

Marketing yourself

With everyone online these days, you can’t afford to neglect your online presence. You need to update LinkedIn with new projects, share pieces of work you’ve done, or articles you find interesting.

I also have this blog, which as a writer is essential. Writing for myself can often get pushed to the bottom of my list when I have deadlines for clients and work stacking up, but I know that I need to keep on top of my blog to avoid it falling into disuse.

My way around this is to write a few posts when I’m a bit quieter, so I have a few that are stored up and ready to publish. But it still takes time and it’s still time that I need to factor into my general working day/week/month.

Since going freelance, I’ve realised there is so much more I could be doing to promote myself and find new work, but I’ve had to be realistic about what I can achieve and do well. There are certain jobs I don’t let slide - like my invoicing and records - and others that I slot in as and when I can, such as my blog, but I try my best not to stretch myself too thin.

So, if you’re just starting out as a freelancer, I’d recommend thinking carefully about all the extra bits you’ll need to do to get your business started and to keep it going - and to allow for those in your working week.

And if you’re already a freelancer, have you got any tips on how to manage those extra jobs that crop up around your actual work? Is there anything you’ve encountered that you think I should be considering too?

Lessons From 2016

2016 has been a year of significant change for me. This was the year I finally had the courage to become a freelancer. It was something I’d considered for a few years before I actually did it. And 2016 was the year that I took the plunge.

Personally, I felt like I was in a ‘now or never’ situation. If I’d moved on to another secure, full-time position, I probably would never have taken the leap and gone freelance. It was something I’d always wanted to try, something I was prepared to accept might not work, and the thought of it not working somehow didn’t scare me anymore.

I’ve learned that I always regret not doing or trying something far more than I regret trying and failing. How many times have you heard someone say that? I think so many people say it because it’s true.

One of the most important things I’ve learned from this year is to trust myself. I know I can doubt my own abilities at times, and this journey, albeit one that’s been just six months long so far, has shown me that I need to have more faith in myself and in what I can achieve.

If I doubt myself, I certainly can’t expect anyone else to believe in me. And as a freelancer, getting people to believe in me is what I have to do on an almost daily basis.

Another lesson from 2016 has been to follow what makes me happy. I can honestly say I’ve never been happier with my work-life balance than I am right now. I feel an enormous sense of freedom and I thrive on that.

I’ve certainly had weeks where I’ve worked long hours for days at a time to meet a deadline, but I know that’s time that I’m investing in myself. And I know that any long days I work can be balanced out by more relaxed days somewhere along the line.

As well as my writing, I also spent a considerable amount of my summer teaching stand-up paddleboarding (SUP). Being able to have that balance, spending more of my time on the water in the summer, was one of my main motivations for going freelance in the first place.

I feel incredibly lucky to have had the opportunity to pursue both my passions, and to have found a supporting, friendly and beautiful place to work when the weather is good and there’s nowhere better to be than out on a SUP.

When I initially thought about splitting my time between watersports instructing and writing, I knew it was possible, but that I had some work to do to make it happen. It took two years, but I got there. I did it because I thought it would make me happier and healthier, and after my first summer on the water, I believe that it has.  

There have been other things happening in my life away from work that have made 2016 a wonderful year for me. But making changes to how I work has had a positive impact on many other aspects of my life, and I believe that continuing to be mindful of what I want from not only my work, but also my life, will help me have a wonderful 2017 too.