Take The Bull By The Horns || Motivational Monday

Hello Glitterbugs, 

I spend a lot of my time not doing the things I want to do because I'm scared. For the past couple of years I have had fits and bursts of pushing myself (I bought a car and forced myself to drive on motorways which now feel easy, I said yes to more local social activities and made new friends) but lately, I'm really going for it. 

(Source - Pinterest)

If you watched this video you will know that the guy I was dating since Jan/Feb time broke up with me (I'd love to sit and moan about all the reasons why but you'd hate him and I'm not about spreading bad feelings so let's leave it be) and for a while, I hid away. I had a little cry and mope and vowed to never do fun stuff again. Then, the clouds cleared and I felt good again. I started going out lots, taking good care of myself, loving who I am and the gorgeous life I have been given. I decided to have a summer just saying yes to (most, ;) haha) offers. 

Last week the opportunity came up for me to go to Malaga, Spain for 2 nights. There was a quick work opportunity but also a friend of mine from waaaayyyy back in my Liverpool days was travelling round the south coast and would be in town at the same time as me. He (yes a boy, no not a romantic scenario boy though- just thought I'd quell any excitement there) suggested I go out and just enjoy the town and hang out and in a moment of bravery, I said yes!!

To you, this might not seem like a big deal. To me, a person with quite severe travel issues, these are the things that freaked me out- 

Having to book my flights myself. I was worried I'd do it wrong. 

Having to navigate the airport alone and time manage by myself. 

Seeing a friend I haven't seen for over 5 years. 

Being in a country I can't communicate well in. 

Booking and staying at a hotel alone that I haven't been before or has recommended by a friend.

Ordering food from a menu I don't understand well. 

Trying new foods. 

Being too hot and not knowing my friend well enough to say it's hugely bothering me. 

The potential of getting lost. 

Ordering, communicating in and paying in a foreign currency in taxis. 

All the flight stuff but for the return journey. 

Yes, I know, these to some people sound absolutely pathetic but to me, they are very real. Fear is all subjective. Put me on the world's biggest roller coaster and I'll love it, stand me on a stage in front of thousands and I'm fine, leave me with a screaming baby and I'm chilled but travelling, no. 

I could have said 'no thank you'. Left the work thing and wished my friend a good trip. But, I didn't. My life is for living. Each day is the opportunity for an adventure and so is yours. Your days are limited and you energy won't last forever. Do things. Try stuff. I'm not saying I'm off to go backpacking round the jungle any time soon but a city mini break at 3 days notice, yeah, maybe that's doable. 

The airport had it's challenges (I didn't bring enough money to pay my taxi durrr) but I sorted it, the taxi driver in Malaga understood which hotel I was at, it was super hot but there was shade, my friend was really lovely to me, I tried fresh fish in a cheesey sauce thing and whilst I won't have it again, it wasn't awful, I enjoyed wandering about and seeing where it led, I learnt that euros are basically the same as pounds and I took deep breaths whenever I felt the fear swirling in. It was fine. I saw things I wouldn't have seen (a harbour with water so clear you could see every fish, a brass band procession winding through a tiny little alley, art by Picasso!! It was a new and exciting experience. 

I've been home one day and I've notched up my personal bravery points. I feel really bloomin' good about that. Thank you to my friend (who preferred not to be in pics or vlogs) for encouraging me to grab the bull by the horns. 

I encourage you. I encourage you so, so much to do a brave thing this week. You don't need to go absolutely wild but just take a little step into the danger zone. It's very liberating to take control of your fears. I'm going to to do it more. 

Toodlepip! 

xx 

Playlist - Your Questions Answered!

Hello Glitterbugs!

If you've been a Glitterbug for a long time now you might remember THIS post from 2013 when I answered all your questions about Vidcon. I thought it might be fun to do the same kind of thing but for Playlist Live, the convention I just attended in Orlando and shed some light on some of the things you have been wondering about!

All questions are taken from my Facebook Page. It's quite a chatty community over there so do be sure to give it a follow and get involved.

I'm going to answer everything very honestly and in as much detail as appropriate <3

Maha - I wanted to ask, does the YouTube company make all the arrangements for the YouTubers for their stay, like your hotel and airplane tickets?

For an event like Playlist (a convention about online video content) it depends. Generally the event will cover the cost of flights and accommodation for some of it's guests. I am very fortunate to be supported by an incredible management team who liaise with the event to arrange this kind of thing. In the past, when my channels were smaller, I have arranged and funded my own expenses.

Elizabeth - Do these conventions possibly create a larger divide between fans and creators by providing them with 'celebrity' status and controlling all interaction? (Don't mean it negatively! Just curious!).

This is such a good topic of discussion, with lots of points to look at. Broadly, I don't think so. It's important to remember that it's not Playlist that controls the interactions, it's a number of people. The creator firstly decides what they are willing to do. So for me, I chose to do my usual- a panel, a Glitter Time and an interview with Hollywire. I'm happy to do lots of panels and stage things. I also spent a little bit of time walking around and talking to guests. I tend not to say yes to traditional meet & greets because I'm dubious as to how worthy they are of everyone's time. Everyone is rushed and waits for hours to just have a quick hello and a selfie. I don't think that makes me feel like a valued human (more just a thing to stand next to and photograph, like a statue or landmark haha) and I don't think fans should be encouraged to partake in that when there are so many better learning opportunities or ways to enjoy the convention. To be crystal clear, I don't think less of other creators or fans who do this, I just don't think that right now, it's for us. Hang outs yes, queues and soulless selfies, no. 

Playlist has to step in with a level of control for safety at some point. It has to provide security (for ticket holders and guests) to ensure that the event runs smoothly. No, I don't like that there are barriers in the carpark but I'd like it even less if a fan was overcome with excitement for someone, ran to the car to bang on the windows (this happens) and had their feet run over or something. I think Playlist do a good job with keeping everything secure and calm and well organised. Initially these kinds of events could be a bit crazy but these days I think everyone has the hang of stuff and it runs well, for everyone. I'd be interested to hear what ticket holders feel on this. So whilst some experiences can feel a little 'them and us', I think if we look objectively at why there are security measures and negative things that have happened in the past (girls getting squashed, people being over crowded, all the connotations of those experiences etc)

I think the divide is subjective (as is the term 'celebrity'). I don't feel like a celebrity and I would hope that when I interact with people, it's with warmth and kindness. I think that yes, there might well be a few creators who enjoy the celeb 'status' and let that go to their heads but that feeling won't last because I don't think their fans will be fans for long. There are certainly perks to the job and perks to these events but the key is to see them as luxuries rather than entitlements.

Not sure I've answered this one very clearly but I hope some sense can be taken from all that!!

Talia - YouTube Conventions are improving all the time. What things did Playlist do right this year?

I'll answer this but I might be biased because I only saw it from a guest view rather than ticket holder. I think Playlist are incredibly organised. My hotel room and information pack was all ready when I arrived and everything I needed to know was in there. I love the attention to detail throughout the venue with the branding and design work stuck and projected everywhere. I thought there was a really interesting range of panels to attend and lots snacks available in the greenroom!

From a guest standpoint I liked that you all had a lot of things you could go to- panels, signings, performances etc. I enjoyed that pool parties and evening entertainment was put on for you too. I think I would like to see more things in the expo hall for ticket holder though. Vidcon does a pretty good job with this but I'm not sure there was much this year at Playlist. I saw a lot of ticket holders just kind of chilling out in halls and the lobby so wondered if that was a choice or because they were out of other options. 

Talia - What makes you want to attend YouTube conventions? What attracts you to them? 

I love the interaction between viewer and creator. Making videos can be a bit lonely sometimes, especially as I don't live near any other creators (most of whom are dear friends now) so it's really lovely to see so many friends and also meet so many of you, it's a very social weekend. 

I also like the glitz of going away, flying, feeling nice in dresses each day and having a bit of a change of scenery. Saying that, I suffer quite a lot from homesickness so in the coming years I'd like to see if Darcy or one of my sisters will come with me. 

Chloe - Where are your favourite places to visit in Orlando? 

I love this question because I love being in Orlando! Rather obviously, I love DisneyWorld but also I always like to try and stop by Bahama Breeze for yummy food and cocktails and Mall of Millenia for a mooch round.

I hope some of those answers have given you a bit more insight into conventions and how they tick! I enjoyed answering. Thank you to every lovely person who has ever made my convention experiences so good, I look forward to many more! My vlogs of this year's playlist are now up on my channel, Sprinkle of Chatter. You can watch them HERE. 

Toodlepip!

xx

Summer Listings

Hello Glitterbugs,

Not a Motivational Monday today, I looked and looked at quotes and I couldn't really find anything that suited. Last week was quite challenging in my personal life (although great in my work life) so I won't try to preach to you how to do something when I'm not feeling it myself. 

Instead, I thought I'd do one of my favourite blog activities, a list! 

Lists bring me the greatest of joys. I wrote a similar one last year and remember enjoying trying to tick everything off. As life has progressed there are new things to try and more adventures to be had so I thought it would be nice to set out a hopeful goals list of things to do this summer. I'll check back in September and see how I got on. 

Summer Listings

Buy new garden furniture. 

Host at least 5 'Drinks on the Decking' afternoons.

Spend time with Darcy outside.

Build her picnic table.

Have a day at the seaside.

Organise a Mummy Group picnic somewhere beautiful.

Cheer for Darcy on her first sports day!

Absolutely stuff myself with strawberries.

Have an afternoon at a PYO farm with friends.

Have a grown up night out with nice dresses and cocktails.

Go to the health club at least twice a week. 

Take Darcy to the play farm place with her friends. 

Write more.

Download and watch Darling Buds of May. 

Have long evenings in the garden with friends.

Pick a month and vlog every day of it. 

Work towards de-cluttering my office. 

Take a big trip to Seattle with Darcy and love each moment!

Learn to cook one amazing thing.

Learn to bake one amazing thing. 

Find an amazing party shop and stock up on themed supplies. 

Clear out my kitchen (so many junk drawers) a little bit. 

Create a summer playlist and lay listening in the hammock. 

Just once get up early and watch the sun rise. 

Spend more time at my parent's house. 

Film and Mummy and Darcy lookbook. 

Print off nice pictures, frame my art and make a gallery wall in the lounge. 

Drink more water. 

Explore London again. 

Relax, properly. 

For now, I think that will do. I'm walking into this new season feeling stronger than I did last year. I am so grateful for all my blessings and all the sweet things that I have and intend to enjoy each and every day. 

What do you look forward to in the Summer? 

Toodlepip!

xx