What makes you happy?

I was having a little think earlier about what sort of things make me happy - procrastination of getting out of bed after my exams has sort of led to this. It seems to be a philosophy or feeling that I can't always seem to completely grasp in all its glory.

At first I was questioning what really defines the word "happy". Maybe it is that fuzzy feeling in your stomach when you see someone you like, maybe it's the endless laughter over a few drinks with friends, or maybe it's the feeling of delving so far into a book that you find it impossible to get out.

No matter what makes you happy, there is no denying that feeling content with life has no comparable feeling. Being able to sit back at the end of the day and just let out a sigh realising things might just be falling into place is no better end to a day.

Obviously this isn't always the case. Something you might be finding hard to deal with may be playing on your mind, there may be a lot of exam stress, or maybe someone in your life is just really getting you down.

It is at times like these where picking up a pen and a piece of paper and making a list of all the things that make you happy can work an absolute treat. Then embrace those things; bring more of them into your life, or even go and find something completely new that makes you happy.

I recently did this as part of an exercise I was recommended a few years ago. I discovered that I had three top things that make me really happy.

1. My friends

2. Writing

3. Seeing my family happy and proud

I have a fantastic set of friends who, no matter how long I have known them, have been there for me from day one. Writing is always a great outlet for any feeling I have, whether it be through here on my blog or through interpreting it into the novel I am writing. Making my family proud has always been my number one priority, even though I was a hellish teenager. So knowing that they are happy and proud of what I am doing can always put a smile on my face.

Figuring out how to balance my not-so-good days out with a helping of happiness was quite difficult at first. There are many things going on which are completely out of my control and I found that I felt helpless a lot of the time. So to balance that out I would pour my feelings into some writing, or go out to see a friend, or even just give my mum a quick call. 

It definitely takes some getting used to; I know how awful a down day can really be. But I have been using this little technique for a while now and even writing things down that make me happy can really have a positive effect.

When times get tough, come back to that list. Go through it and do a little bit of everything; even a little smile from a friend can brighten up any crappy day. 

So I want to know, what sort of things make you happy?

I've been nominated for the Liebster Award!

Hello there, buddies. 

Well I have been nominated for the Liebster Award by the lovely +Destiny Hanks (all say thank you to her and check out her blog here).

This is basically an award for bloggers who have a following of less than 200 who people think should take a look at. I am very flattered to have been nominated for this! I feel like I need to make an acceptance speech!

There are rules to this award: each blogger who is nominated must write 11 facts about themselves, answer the 11 questions that they have been asked by the person who nominated them, then nominated 11 new bloggers who they think should have the pleasure of this award!

To the people I nominate: you also need to do the same!


11 facts about me

1. I am 100% addicted to YouTube.
2. I love travelling and want to travel the world.
3. I have had the pleasure of meeting the lovely Tom Daley.
4. One of my eyes is a different colour to the other.
5. My name Lovely Chubly is due to the fact that I am slightly chubby!
6. Pepsi Max is the best invention in the entire world.
7. I named my car, a Vauxhall Corsa, Bert in the hope someone would name theirs Ernie.
8. I love sarcasm.
9. I am highly allergic to every kind of pollen.
10. I absolutely love social networking.
11. My life goal is to work in youth justice.

Hope you are thoroughly intrigued by my unbelievable amount of utterly boring facts!

Here are my answers to the questions asked by Destiny:

1. What is your dream vacation?

I would absolutely love to go all around Australia and New Zealand and do all those amazing things you see on the TV like the zoos and diving and whatnot.

2. Pie or cake?

Pie. Every time. Oh my God, pie. Especially apple pie. Mmmmm.

3. What was the last dream you remember?

I dreamed last night that Walt Disney World in Florida opened a Monsters Inc. ride. It was soooo cool!

4. How did you come up with your blog's name?

Well it has been my Twitter username for years, and I love something that plays on words. Also, I am lovely (she says) and chubby, hence Lovely Chubly - like lovely jubly.

5. Favourite candy brand?

I love Cadbury's dairy milk. There is nothing better than that.

6. Any hobbies besides blogging?

Does YouTube count as a hobby? I like travelling and going places, like I am heading to London on Monday!

7. What is the biggest lie you ever told?

I once told someone that I was on holiday to avoid seeing them. Please note, I found out before this that they had done some horrible stuff, so it wasn't all in cold blood.

8. Are you happy to be nominated?

Yes I am! I am sooo happy! Also I am shocked, I didn't know that people actually enjoyed reading my stuff.

9. Any silly childhood fears?

I once got chased by a bull, so I am scared stuff of cows.

10. Have you ever had a deja vu moment?

I did once, I went somewhere and seriously thought that I had been there before. It felt sooo weird.

11. One chore you absolutely hate to do?

I despise washing up. I don't know why, but I really do. I hate the fact it makes my hands feel gross after.

Here are my 11 questions:

1. What is your most embarrassing moment?

2. Why did you decide to start blogging?

3. Where is the once place in the world that you want to visit?

4. If you won the lottery, what would you do with your first million?

5. If you could have a super power, what would it be and why?

6. What is your favourite band/singer?

7. If you were invisible for a day, what would you do?

8. What is your favourite movie?

9. If you had to eat one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be and why?

10. Do you collect anything?

11. What is your lifetime ambition?

Ok and these are the 11 people that I nominate to complete this also:

1. James: http://theblogofagod.blogspot.co.uk/p/home-page.html

2. Alice: http://alicepyne.blogspot.co.uk/

3. Alex: http://justaldreamer.blogspot.co.uk/

4. Deanne: http://itsthesoundofsunshine.blogspot.co.uk

5. Majo: http://majochaves.blogspot.co.uk/

6. Iris: http://www.iris-hanlin.com/

7. Deon: http://treatingherright.blogspot.co.uk/

8. Jessica: http://www.jessicasbeautybook.blogspot.co.uk/

9. Ellie: http://itselliejemima.blogspot.co.uk/

10. Teo: http://bubblesgr.blogspot.gr

11. Divya: http://divyarevindran.blogspot.co.uk

I hope all the people I nominate complete this! I love all the blogs I listed above, so do check them out.

People I have nominated: don't forget to tag me in your posts so I can read them and learn more about you!

Thank you once again to Destiny for nominating me!

Toodle-oo, peeps!

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Ultimate Blog Challenge Day Three: July 3 - Compliment Your Mirror Day

Hiiii-aaaa!

Welcome to day 3 of the UBC! Today is Compliment Your Mirror Day!

I know what you are thinking, your mirror really isn't that good....it might have some scratches and some chips, or maybe is covered in make up like mine. Well hold your horses! This isn't about your actual mirror, it is about what you see in it....YOU!

Go grab your nearest mirror, or go stand in front of it if it is a wall mounted one, and say hello to yourself! Now go ahead and compliment yourself! Don't feel stupid, you don't even have to say it out loud if you don't want to, but pick out some things about yourself that you like.

This might be a good day for all you people out there who have low self confidence, like myself, and could do with a bit of a pick me up. Everyone loves a compliment now and again, so who says it cannot come from yourself?

There is no known creator or origin of this day. It would appear as if it is made up (it probably is), but I personally think this is a good day to have! Even though it isn't an official calendar date, I think this is awesome. Especially for the likes of teenage girls who are severely pressured by the media to look a certain way, but that really is a but of a rant for another day.

So here is my challenge to you for today: grab 5 post-it notes and look in the mirror. Now I want you to pick out 5 individual things you really like about yourself and write each one on a separate post-it. I want you to stick them all around your mirror so that you can see them each and every day as a reminder!

I know there are going to be people scattered about the world who think this sounds stupid. But I tell you what, as a girl I find that a single compliment goes a long way in my head. There can be a day where I feel slightly shit about myself, whether it be because I just do, or I am remembering something someone said about a year ago. This day might even save someone's life if they are feeling that depressed about themselves. 

Now if you take anything from this, I want you to take this: a single compliment can go a long way. It only takes a few seconds to say, but can stick with someone for a lot longer than that.

That is all for now.

If you enjoyed today's UBC then please subscribe to my blog at the top on the left and click "join this site", and follow me on all the links to your right.

Toodle-oo!