Can YOU Handle It?

Oh Hai,

Merry Monday my dear readers. Did you have good weekends? We did. It was a weekend of friends and a full house. On Saturday I had my ladies (that sounds weird. I mean, my chums who are women and we hang out a lot as a group because we all like each other. Yes, good. #LongWinded) and their kindereggs (children) round for the evening. 

We ate, watched Strictly Come Dancing, the kids went wild upstairs (how do they cause SO much destruction in such a small space? Where did they find the blue-tac?? How did they adhere all that glitter to their faces???) and we chatted in the cosiness. Nights like that are my favourite. They're the stuff of childhood memories- all the Mum's downstairs and children playing together in the dark evenings. Love love love. 

Anyway, Motivational Monday today. I'm typing this at 9am to get myself going for the day too and this week, it's a tough love post. 

(Image found on Pinterest)

Last week I spent some time with someone who was definitely a 'glass if half empty' kind of a gal. She found the bad in everything, moaned about her life and when we talked about a few things she wanted to achieve, she said she couldn't do it. 

When I left, I felt a bit flat. Life is hard, achieving the things we want to can take a long time, sometimes people along the way will be unkind, there will be set backs, things can be unfair. 

Do you know who can change that for you? You. Do you know who's job it is to get you what you want? You. Do you know who can do whatever they want in the whole word? YOU. 

If I've learnt anything over the last couple of years, it's that you can do a LOT more than you think you are capable of. The things you think are really scary really aren't that bad when you face them head on and when needed, you can muster up a lot more strength than people think you can. 

You are in charge of your life. Nobody owes you anything and nobody is going to do it for you. Just you. To some people that will sound really harsh and perhaps a bit upsetting. I've been that person. I've wanted to be rescued many a time. But, the minute you achieve a tiny thing you thought you couldn't, you are invigorated to try more, motivated to exceed. Taking a positive charge of your life is one of the most liberating things you can do. 

This week, think about ways in which you can do something you didn't think you could. I'm not talking climbing mountains (unless that's you're thing of course!) but maybe make that phone call you've been putting off, ask that guy on a date, tackle that pile of paper work that felt daunting and then see how amazing you feel afterwards. You've got this, you can handle it. 

Good luck!!

Toodlepip!

xx

Tour Announcement!

Oh Hai, 

This week I released the official trailer for my LouiseLIVE show DVD (watch it here) and you guys went gaga! THANK YOU!

So many of you pre-ordered it in fact that it shot to the number one spot in the Amazon Movers & Shakers charts so that felt really freakin' cool! I'm glad you are all so on board!

Since so many of you are excited for this DVD, now seemed like the perfect time to release the signing tour dates so that you can get your tickets and pencil your diaries. Yay!

In case you're confused, a DVD Signing is just like a book signing but with a DVD instead- easy! I'd absolutely love to see you and thank you for being part of this community and supporting this amazing, fun project, so do come along and say hello! 

Those crazy kids at the BBC (they're the gang that made the DVD, yasss), wrote a little bit to explain how you can attend. Thanks Beeb!

You can obtain a wristband for this event by pre-ordering the LouiseLIVE DVD in person from the store now. Strictly one wristband per person. 300 wristbands are available, while stocks last. Customers who pre-order their DVD will receive their wristband on collection of the DVD from day of release on 24th October. 

Essentially, if you'd like to come, pop into any of the stores below, pick up the DVD/pre-order it and ask for a wristband. If you have further qu's, leave them below this blog post and I'll add edits of answers in if needed. 

Can't wait to see you there!!

Toodlepip!

xx

Gimme Some Credit Yo.

Oh Hai, 

Merry Monday to you. I've said it before and I'll say it again, I bloomin' love a Monday. Contrary to most people, I think Monday's are dreamy. They're a fresh start to set new goals, wipe last week's slate clean and start afresh. You can re-organise your mind and go forward with pep in your step. Failing that, you can at least moon about thinking how great your weekend was. Was it great? I hope so. 

(Credit)

A few days ago I was driving in my car and feeling really relaxed and happy. My music was playing, I was changing lanes comfortable on the dual carriage way and thinking about what direction I want to take Sprinkle of Chatter (my second channel) in between now and Christmas. Everything felt good. 

And then I realised, only a year ago I was a nervous driver. A year before that I was a terrified driver that made my (then) Husband do all the driving. And now look!

It snuck up on me- driving confidently. Doing something I used to be petrified of and now, I actually enjoy it. I love the sense of freedom my car gives me and I love how easily I can tailor my day, without waiting for lifts or planning routes I know don't have 'scary' junctions. 

It got me to thinking about all the other things I've achieved without noticing. The things nobody gives you a certificate or 'hooray' for. The non-tangible, abstract bits of life that you either nail or flop at. You have to really think about it, but you'll find them.

In the last 12 months I've done a lot of things I'm proud of that I didn't notice. I have a really great routine that works beautifully for my tiny family, I feel confident with Motherhood, I know my self worth and stand up for myself, my house stays quite tidy, I have a wonderful social group and, I am travelling a lot better. 

Good for me. I've done well. 

It doesn't have to be big to deserve recognition, it just needs to be a bit of progress. And in the car the other day, that was progress.

Say that to yourself today. Think of a thing that you've completely bossed this last 12 months and praise yourself. It's OK to do that. You can be your own cheerleader, you deserve it. 

Happy Monday!

Toodlepip!

xx