Currently… #6

gv

  • listening: The Spice Girls are talking cause I’m watching the cinematic masterpiece that is Spice World.
  • eating: Nothing, but I’ll have some pasta later.
  • drinking: Mango tea.
  • wearing: Comfortable black leggings, a long shirt, a cardigan, and fluffy Christmas socks.
  • feeling: Pretty relaxed. Just not looking forward to the weekend being over.
  • weather: It’s dark outside, but I think the usual cloudiness with a chance of rain is going on.
  • wanting: Living in a house in the woods with no neighbors in sight.
  • needing: Putting together my birthday wishlist.
  • thinking: About what to put on my to-do list for the next week.
  • enjoying: All the time I spend reading books.

Find me on social media: Twitter Instagram Facebook Pinterest Bloglovin

Posted in Currently... | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Goodbye to the last four months

Goodbye, to the last four months,

and hello to the new year. I can’t believe we have made it to 2023. I would say 2022 wasn’t the best year but also not the worst. Can’t believe I, once again, went through a whole season and more without working on my blog. Do people still even read blogs? And will the new year finally be the year I go back to writing regularly? Who knows…

Mix Sep-Dec 2022 1

The last time I wrote, I was looking forward to going on vacation, and what can I say: It didn’t exactly go as planned. We went, the weather wasn’t great, and on top of that, we caught Covid. I managed to dodge it for 2,5 years – I did a lot for that – only to end up catching it while being on vacation from the person I was traveling with, who was also more on the careful side. I still can’t believe it but don’t want to get into much detail and be upset all over again. I hope I’ll get the chance to go again this year and make it my happy place again.

Mix Sep-Dec 2022 2

Anyway, I can honestly say I didn’t just sit around doing nothing these past few months, even though I often struggle with socializing. Especially December was super busy. Overall, I attended six birthday gatherings, two work seminars, and a super fun swap party. I also did lots and lots of Christmas stuff: baking, decorating, enjoying advent calendars – so did my dog – shopping for presents, writing, and sending out cards. I spent time with my family, my co-workers, my friends. I crashed my brother’s class reunion and had a great time, even voluntarily attended some dinners.

Mix Sep-Dec 2022 3

A highlight was driving to Holland to visit my best friend. I always miss her so much, and I just had to go for a second time this year. We had so much fun and did lots of laughing and shopping. I especially enjoyed the big second-hand store around the corner from her. We just roamed around for hours, and it also had a little café, where we had tea and cake. Hopefully, I’m going to visit again in February. We always have the best time together. I’m glad we saw each other several times after Christmas as well when she was visiting her family.

Mix Sep-Dec 2022 4

The past three days, I enjoyed some time to myself after the busy holidays, rewatching Harry Potter, reading – my TBR pile is absolutely insane – getting a lot of sleep, eating all the Christmas chocolate, and writing a bit. Shout out to pre-Christmas-me for getting all my household things done beforehand so I could have a good time. And I really hope my motivation will last a bit and I get to experience lots of fun adventures this year. I did buy a planner, and I intend to fill it.

And what we see beyond the discomfort zone is in fact a deeper comfort. The comfort of being the best possible version of you. – Matt Haig, The Comfort Book

Tons of love,
Hailey 

IMG_4387

Books I loved
Taylor Jenkins Reed – Carrie Soto is Back
Jenny Colgan – The Christmas Bookshop
Gabrielle Zevin – Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow

Lovely life
bubble tea Wednesday Addams anxiety journal cute doggy sweaters book presents chocolate everything Christmas related candles plans Chinese food good talks puppuccino galaxy lights family time laughter advent calendars grandma’s cooking Harry Potter snail mail fried fish face masks House of the Dragon a successful shopping spree sunshine when it’s cold outside cheesecake on a stick fall fashion sprinkles Mettbrötchen Celebrity Big Brother lemon cake Christmas sweaters cheesy crust pizza swap parties strawberry jam chilling in a towel trying new things

My Instagram
Sep-Dec 2022
Find me on social media: Twitter Instagram Facebook  Pinterest Bloglovin

Posted in Goodbye 365 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

New year, new me? The thing about resolutions…

Well, here we are. It’s the last day of 2022, at least as I am writing this. But I guess, once this post is online, the new year will already be here. So HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Right now is probably a good time to reflect on the last 12 months, and to figure out what you want to achieve in the new year. Then again, isn’t anytime a good time for that? But there is just something about starting new and fresh. Although I have to admit that the first day of a new year usually looks nothing like a new me, and honestly, I don’t want a completely new me – just some minor adjustments.

I did come up with some resolutions and the important thing is to set realistic goals. Sure, losing a few pounds wouldn’t hurt but I know that I won’t start dragging myself to the gym anytime soon or eating healthy. And I also don’t really care, so that’s definitely not going on the list. I have a yoga mat and a hula hoop – I’ve never used either of them. That’s how it usually goes. Working on my terrible sleeping schedule will probably also never happen. I go to bed too late, and just sleep through half the day if I can.

So I thought about what I want to achieve, what I already started but could optimize, and what would really make me happy. I made a list that I would like to share. And feel free to let me know what your plans are for this year. I hope 2023 is filled with lots of laughter, fun, and adventures for all of us.

Hello 2023

    • Work myself through the Home Edit books in hopes of creating more space – especially for more books. I’m pretty organized but one can always do better.
    • Get rid of everything I don’t want to have anymore. Which would help with the first thing on my list.
    • Less online shopping, more money saving.
    • Trying to socialize more actively and getting my new planner filled with fun dates.
    • Taking care of mental and physical health issues. And also calling in sick when feeling really terrible.
    • Read more books. I have so many fabulous ones waiting for me. Managed 24 this year, and am now aiming for 30-40.
    • Taking more pictures and maybe also improving on Instagram. I guess I really have to try figuring out reels. Man, how cool would reaching 1000 followers be?!
    • Going back to writing regularly – not just for work.
    • Working on my scrapbooks. I still have so much material from years and years of activities, and I want it all in place.
    • Relearn to properly ride a bike and even manage to take the dog with me in a basket. I did buy myself a bike in 2022 and never took it for a spin. So that finally has to happen.
    • Not letting any of my plants die.
    • Look through some cookbooks and maybe eat something other than pasta once in a while.
    • Try harder to accept the things I cannot change and not get all worked up about it.

Find me on social media: Twitter Instagram Facebook Pinterest Bloglovin

Posted in A Rollercoaster Ride | 6 Comments

Goodbye July and August 2022

Goodbye, July and August,

and hello, September. I admit, I’m very late with this, but I just had so much on my plate. This time for real. And in July, not many exciting happened, so I decided to wait another month, hoping to have something to write about.

Mix July-Aug 2022 1

Anyway, it’s September, which is one of my favorite months of the year. It marks the beginning of fall – my favorite season. And boy, did fall hit fast. It has been raining almost non-stop, and it’s super cold. I don’t mind too much – walking the dog in this weather is a bit annoying, though. And the switch came too fast. I’m pretty much stuck with a constant cold now. I also haven’t figured out the right amount of clothes to wear yet. I have started putting on a beanie and a scarf when going outside. Finally, it’s the season for hiding my unwashed hair again.

As I’m writing this, it is Sunday. I wanted to work on my scrapbook all weekend, but I had a reading day and a writing day instead. And the best thing is, I don’t have to work today, tomorrow, or the next two weeks for that matter cause I finally have some time off. And I really need it. While most of my colleagues had vacations during summer, I did not. Since I don’t have kids, it does not make sense for me to take my leave during summer break when everything is more expensive and there are kids everywhere. I always take a break in September, but this time, it just felt like forever to get there. And as usual, in the days leading up to it, when you’re already nothing but exhausted, people hit you left and right with stuff to do. Not fun.

Mix July-Aug 2022 2

So for once, I’m in a good mood on a Sunday night. I’m planning on having a rather chill first week with running some errands, doing things like visiting my grandma or going shopping with my mom, doing some housework, reading, writing – things like that. And then, next Monday, I’m finally going on vacation with my mom and the doggy. We’re going to the place that makes me the happiest, ever since we went for the first time a year ago: Norddeich. It’s a place by the Northern Sea, and I don’t even know where to begin when describing how being there makes me feel. Pure JOY.

But back to the last two months, which were not the most interesting, as usual. If only I had a blog as a teenager. Oh, the stories I could’ve told. Probably better that they’re not all over the internet, but still. With each year I get older, I become more boring. Seriously, my grandma probably has more exciting stories to tell. And she’s 93. But I just love sleeping, watching TV, reading, writing, scrapbooking – all the indoor stuff. And yeah, I love my friends, but in most cases, we just all live such different lives, and it’s just not as easy as it used to be. And almost everyone I know had Covid in the last two months, and I’m still trying to stay away from it as good as possible. Still succeeding. Furthermore, I had massive car trouble for weeks.

Mix July-Aug 2022 3

I think my highlight was a work thing. The whole firm was invited to a boat cruise with food, drinks, music, and all. I admit, I usually decide to opt out of these things, but one of my colleagues made me go, and I’m glad she did because I laughed so much that my cheeks hurt. I guess I do have to say yes sometimes. I also went to the small local fair (Kirmes) and drank beer at 3 in the afternoon. I was also social and friendly. I’m sure my parents were never prouder.

I ate McDonald’s with my grandma, and you wouldn’t believe how much joy that brings her, which makes me so happy. I hung out with my parents, and I love that I now live down the street from them. It makes everything so much easier. I enjoyed the beautiful lake that is nearby. I bought myself a bike, which my brother picked up for me, but I still haven’t taken a ride cause I instantly lost motivation and am also scared of hurting myself. I’m clumsy and haven’t ridden one in forever. I tried working on my tan but didn’t get very far. I drove to a shopping mall, went to my favorite bookstore, picked up food and Starbucks, and went back home. I attended my brother’s birthday, socialized, and had a good time.

Mix July-Aug 2022 4

I drove my car a lot because I had to check if things are fixed, but that cost me my last nerve cause there was no trust there. It made me feel sick to my stomach every time I got in. It’s better now and seems to be fixed. I had a panic attack when I found a spider almost as big as my hand in my bedroom. And that seems to have triggered heart palpitations, which I know have whenever I get nervous or worked up about something. Which happens a lot. I really need my time off.

So yeah, that’s how my life has been going. Not too bad, not too great, but overall definitely ok. I’m sure we all have our moments, but I’m currently in a good mood, and I’m willing to keep it that way. At least for the duration of the next two weeks. I’m gonna try to enjoy every moment as best as I can.

Mix July-Aug 2022 5

Loneliness isn’t an absence of company. Loneliness is felt when we are lost. But we can be lost right in the middle of a crowd. There is nothing lonelier than being with people who aren’t your wavelength. The cure for loneliness isn’t more people. The cure for loneliness is understanding who we are. – Matt Haig, The Comfort Book

Tons of love,
Hailey 

IMG_3879

Books I loved
Pipp Williams – The Dictionary of Lost Words
Taylor Jenkins Reid – One True Loves
Bella Mackie – How to Kill Your Family

Lovely life
barbecues all my plant babies 90s toys lake view beautiful sunsets McDonald’s dates with grandma scrapbooking waffles vacation planning tanning gifting bubble tea birthday cake new bike pink helmet meeting new people you instantly click with blue skies fairs crêpes self-care book stores Starbucks hanging out with friends laughing boat cruise family time scented candles fall saying yes to things sleeping until noon face masks water

My Instagram
Insta July-Aug 2022

Find me on social media: Twitter Instagram Facebook  Pinterest Bloglovin

Posted in Goodbye 365 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Goodbye June 2022

Goodbye June,

and hello, July. I’m probably sounding like a broken record, but how fast is this year passing by? We’re halfway through, and I’m starting to panic that I’m not doing enough with my time. Seriously, it’s crazy how much of a homebody I am. If it wasn’t for my dog, I would hardly be outside. I also have too many indoor hobbies, which I enjoyed a lot last month. I just love hanging around in my own space.

June 22 2

Most of the time last month, I was busy getting my new apartment into shape, and I used pretty much every free minute to try and make it perfect. I’m not one of these people who won’t have lamps on the ceiling three months in. I want everything done in the blink of an eye, which of course didn’t work out and was a bit frustrating. But I’m pretty much done, and it makes me so happy. Still waiting on a wall clock to be delivered, and that’s it. I’m also really feeling it now, especially all my plants. My living room looks a bit like a jungle, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Unfortunately, moving, furnishing and decorating the place, going on vacation, and my little online shopping addiction does not make my bank account like me very much. It’s pretty mad at me, and I’m trying my hardest to stop spending money on things I don’t really need. After all, I need to pay my bills, and I also want to go on vacation again in a few months, and I tend to go a bit nuts with the shopping when I’m in vacation mode. So, I eat lots of pasta – which is totally not the worst thing in the world – and try to stay away from Amazon.

June 22 1

Overall, I would say that June wasn’t super interesting. I decorated, bought lots of stuff, started planning my next vacation, spent time with my parents, went back to the office on some days, got back into reading lovely books, and finally found time to work on my scrapbooks. Sometimes, nothing makes me happier than going down memory lane and putting all my souvenirs into an album. I wish I could do scrapbooking for a living.

June 22 3

So my life hasn’t been exciting, but I feel like I’m happier. I’m trying to do more of what I love, and if that doesn’t involve seeing people or leaving the house, so be it. Everybody is back to having Covid anyway. But I do plan on having more social interactions this month. Suppose it’s not too hot cause I am definitely not a fan of summer. But every little hermit crab has to leave her shell eventually.

You don’t need to be busy. You don’t need to justify your existence in terms of productivity. Rest is an essential part of survival. An essential part of us. – Matt Haig, The Comfort Book

Tons of love,
Hailey 

IMG_3703

Books I loved
Taylor Jenkins Reid – The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo
Sally Thorne – The Hating Game
John Strelecky – The Cafe on the Edge of the World

Lovely life
bubble tea anything by Taylor Jenkins Reid Pop Punk Stranger Things plants everywhere Barbie pink vacation planning bank holiday’s Britney Spears finally finding happiness Prince Louis Chinese food video calls with my bff fresh sheets fun podcasts all the pasta blue skies good music Disney movie marathons scrapbooking stickers penny press

Find me on social media: Twitter Instagram Facebook  Pinterest Bloglovin

Posted in Goodbye 365 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment