Positivity Round Up

I love a good post on positivity and how to spread it. So that's my goal with this post today - spread a little positivity around the blogosphere with some of my favourite posts on the subject. I've found myself needing a little positive boost in recent years and thanks to these ladies I'm well on my way to living a more positive and present life. These are my go to places for daily reads too, so once your done reading these awesome posts be sure to check out the awesome ladies behind them!

*Click the pics to read each post.*

 

Let's start with Chimerikal. This was a great post about flipping your bucket list in to a more positive and encouraging thing. Focusing solely on what you want to achieve in the, if you're like me, can make you feel like a bit of a failure if you don't start ticking things off your list. Instead celebrate the amazing things you've already accomplished. I've done this myself as part of my Weekly Wishes and it felt great. Looking back and remembering all the things I've already done is a great motivator to continue trying new and different things.

Melyssa is a highly positive gal and aims to spread that positivity around the world with her blog The Nectar Collective. I've only been reading Melyssa's posts for a couple of months now and I'm hooked. Her positive voice is infectious and has certainly played a massive part in kicking my blogging ass in to gear and thinking more positively about work and life in general. This post is full of ideas to spread positivity throughout your life in simple, but effective ways. My favourites include making a sunshine box, challenging negative thoughts with positive ones and... get a dog!

Jen is an artist based in Tasmania whose work I just love. Her 50 simple ways to feel better now are fun and inspired. From as simple as drinking more water and breathing {my favourite relaxation technique that's so easily forgotten} to as fun as wearing colourful socks and having a shot on the swings in your nearest park. I did this the other day and had forgotten how magical it felt *swiiiing!
I also love Jen's post on inventing her own job. It hit the nail on the head for me in accepting the way things are with work at the moment and to push myself to work on my designs as a career. Thanks Jen!

I read Crystal's post Protecting Your Joy on Wednesday and loved it so much I've read it many times since! They are obvious things when you think about it and yet we all forget them. Taking the time to empathise with others who may not be having as good a day as you works wonders. Believe me there's been plenty of times I've felt less than perfect at work and been faced with greeting the public with a welcoming smile that was hard to muster. However there's always that one customer who says something nice {or just acknowledges you} that changes the rest of your day. This is my post of the week and I'll be reading it more alter :)

So those are my favourite positivity posts from the interweb at the moment. Now I think you should all spend some time reading them and getting to know the lovely ladies behind the posts. You won't be disappointed by their blogs and content they share. Thanks for reading and spreading the joy that wee bit further.

Got your own favourite posts on staying positive? Or have you written one yourself? Share them in the comments, I'd love to read them.

//Website//Twitter//Facebook//

Make It So

Behold... My new greeting card designs. 

I'm posting this with a skip in my step and a smile on my face. This past month or so, since I started the Blog Everyday in May challenge I've learned a lot about me and about being more positive and kinder to myself. Today when I was planning this post I looked at my cards and felt something I've not felt in a while - pride and confidence in myself, my skills and my ideas.

I've been on a bit of a downer since Christmas due to the loss of a job that I thought could really go somewhere. By January I was telling myself all sorts of rubbish; you weren't good enough, they probably never even liked you and all the usual nonsense that comes with that kind of situation. However it was all mixed with happy feelings as Peter and I had finally made the big grown up move of buying ourselves a flat and starting on the next phase of our lives together. I don't know whether that made things more confusing for me, but my head was all over the place. 

Jump to late April when I vowed to make a proper go of blogging and really push it in order to start some work that could really go somewhere if I, in the words of Jean Luc Picard "make it so". I tried my best in the challenge and am really happy with all the writing I did. I'm now beginning to feel more comfortable and like I'm on my way to finding my voice in the blogging community. I've met lovely folk and found loads of information, writing and creativity to be inspired by. Not to mention the endless amounts of encouragement I get from you, the folk that read my blog. As a previous life-long self doubter you have no idea what that means to me.

It's made me look back at all the other things in my life I have achieved and think positively about them. The easiest to think of is the image above. Just over two years ago I never thought I'd be able to use Illustrator, and look at me now - working the pen tool like a boss! I taught myself Photoshop in Uni, I've taught myself the basics of HTML and CSS, I became a dress making tutor after only 10 weeks of lessons when all I'd done before was break my Mum's sewing machine. How had I been missing these accomplishments?! Negativity that's how. Now I'm on my journey of positivity and mindfulness things are looking better and I'm recognising these things for what they are, my drive to learn and learn until nothing else fits in my brain.

So the point of this post? To tell you to go find your ideas, dreams, whatever you want to do and do whatever it takes to...

 

I also wanted to share something exciting that's going on over at The Nectar Collective. The Snail Mail Collective is a new idea from Melyssa at TNC and Chelsea over on Lost in Travels that involves bloggers from around the world getting to know one another and after a couple of weeks we send each other a wee prezzie native to our homeland. I'm super excited to be part of it and can't wait for all the fun to kick off.

Rules & Information

In order to participate in the Snail Mail Collective this July, please fill out this form. Filling out the form means you commit to actively participating and following the rules below. 

1. You will be paired with one new person. We will do our best to make sure this person is from a different country, or at the very least, a different area of your country. We will strive for you to make international friends, but it’s also nice to get to know the different parts of our own homeland.

2. Each month’s gifts will have a theme. The first theme (for July) is to introduce where you live – what’s special about it? 

3. Each month, we will be taking sign-ups until the 7th day of the month. After that, the pairings will be posted on our blogs on the 9th or 10th of the month. Please check Lost in Travels or The Nectar Collective to find out who you’re paired with.

4. You will have 72 hours to contact your partner (both partners must communicate together). If your partner does not respond within 72 hours, please e-mail Melyssa or Chelsea.

5. You will have about two weeks to get to know your partner. After that time, your gifts must be sent by the 22nd of the month.

6. Gifts: Your present(s) should not total more than $5. We want this project to be affordable for you, so think small, but meaningful. Also, all packages must include a postcard (preferable) or a letter to your partner. Motivate them, tell them all the beautiful things you learned about them this month, and make them feel special! We could all use a little encouragement, especially from our new friends.

7. Once you receive your gifts, we highly encourage you to write a blog post about your experience. Share what you gave, received, and learned through participating in the Snail Mail Collective and meeting your new buddy.

8. At the beginning of each month, we will hold a link-up on our blogs (The Nectar Collective & Lost in Travels) where you can share and link-up your SMC blog posts. This way, you can see how people around the world interpreted the theme, learn about other cultures, and meet even more new friends.

//Website//Twitter//Facebook//

New Directions and Being Positive

Lately I've been thinking of the directions I'd like DaisyBisley to take. I've been doing tattoos for so long now that it was beginning to feel like a different kind of commission would never appear. Luckily the lovely Katherine at Meltemi Dive came along and asked for two t-shirt designs, a fantastic change of scene that pushed me right outside my comfort zone.

Now, hungry for more and looking for new ground to cover, I have finally put a ten year old idea in to action - greetings cards. It seems more and more folk are getting in to this area, making me wish I had just got my ass in gear all those years ago and done it. Alas I was just finishing high school and was more interested in the year off I was about to take before uni. 

Flash forward to a few weeks ago when words started to appear in my sketchbook and it hit me - You really should put these words on cards, someone might just like them.

What do you think? Are these the kind of card ideas you'd be interested in? I'll post more designs posted in the coming weeks as things get rolling. I'm feeling positive about this, even more so thanks to a fantastic post found in my feed yesterday morning over on The Nectar Collective.

Sometimes positivity is a little hard to come by. It's not that I'm a pessimist or depressed, I just get a little blue sometimes due to the pressure I put myself under to be awesome at art and life. I was always told as an artist you'll never be 100% satisfied with your work, but sometimes it just takes over and all my work will go in the bin - ridiculous and a terrible habit that needs to be broken. Needless to say I will be looking through Melyssa's post every morning from now on to give myself a good boot up the ar*e!!

How do you stay positive? Read 15 Tips for Being Positive here.

  //Website//Twitter//Facebook//

Don't forget to leave your blog link in the comments   

Letting Go

Day 30: React to this term: Letting Go

I have to admit I'm finding it hard to put this one in to words, so a list will have to do. Here are a few things I'd like to let go of:

• The negative part of my brain that tells me I'm crap at something or that I "can't" do something. I'm working on this one with a lot of research in to mindfulness and meditation... hope it works.

• The 15lbs I've gained in the past two years - I'd like to get back to my fitter, healthier state.

• The evil procrastinator in me that has a hand in why nothing has been done about the previous statement.
• The annoyance I feel when someone from Glasgow asks how I spell my last name.
•  The nerd rage that builds up when someone bashes Lord of the Rings - I'm looking at you Peter! - It's the source of my nerd power.

Other than that I don't think I need to let anything else go. However I would like to pick a few things up; a wee boost in self confidence, a 100% foolproof regime for my unpredictable auburn curls, another tattoo and to improve my cooking repertoire. So if anyone has any tips on feeling more confident, tricks on taming curls or some really good recipes please feel free to share and I'll get started!

  //Website//Twitter//Facebook//

Don't forget to leave your blog link in the comments   

No Cameras... Please!!

Two things bug on a regular basis - Folk taking pictures in the theatre and those that use their phones in the cinema.

 < RANT >

Before I worked in the theatre, I must admit, I would have to count myself among the annoying folk who whipped out their camera at a gig to try and get a good photo to capture the moment, always to be disappointed by the outcome. Too far away, badly lit or someone's flailing hand getting in the way just as I hit the button.

Now it bugs me on so many levels. It is one of the most annoying things to have to deal with as an usher in the theatre. Pretty much 99% of the time you're not allowed to use them due to copyright and it can distract whoever's on stage - pretty dangerous if it's a travelling ice show. And sometimes there is even an announcement which is just blatantly ignored.

So why is it so annoying? I'm talking directly to those that do it now, yes you camera hound! *wags finger*

Well aside from the fact that you have clearly ignored any announcement, it's completely distracting for everyone around you, it's pointless and we're the ones who have to climb over disgruntled patrons to get to you and tell you to stop. When we get to you please take a moment to look at the patrons we have just disturbed in order to get to you. They're mad at us, but really should be mad at you.

Here's a thought. Enjoy the moment, be completely in it! Don't worry so much about capturing it - just be there. It's being there 100% that makes the memory. Not the shoddy, badly lit, shaky picture you've just taken. Savour the event, take it all in and enjoy it!

All of the above also really sums up my thoughts on phones in the cinema. If you can't go two hours without your phone and/or Facebook please refrain from visiting the cinema and visit a professional for your addiction to social media.

< /RANT >







//Website//Twitter//Facebook//

Don't forget to leave your blog link in the comments   

10 Things That Really Make Me Happy

It's Day 14 of the Blog Everyday in May challenge and todays topic is 10 Things That Make You Really Happy. It's list time again - I do love a good list, wouldn't have got through my honours year at uni without them!

1. This piece of music:  


2. Seeing a design piece come together

3. Memories from my childhood running around nuts with my brother and cousins

4. My family & friends

5. Puppies!



6. Babies laughing - Just warms the soul!

7. A really beautiful landscape

8. The smell of the air just after it rains - feels like summer! {A Glasgow one anyway}



9. Peter's hugs



10. Seeing my daisies on the window sill have survived another day - maybe I can be a gardener.

//Website//Twitter//Facebook//




Don't forget to leave your blog link in the comments

My Favourite Quote

"Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it."

Seeing as it's Saturday and I have a day off, my favourite quote fits pretty well.
I did my fair share of skipping school {apologies to my parents and teachers}, but none of my days off were as eventful as Ferris'. Instead of singing in a parade I spent my time reading Lord of the Rings, which took almost my entire 6th year of high school to read - again apologies to Mr Clark for missing Graphic Communication!

There are times I've been stressed, tired, anxious or run down and each time I've remembered these words, I've stopped the noise in my brain for a few minutes or hours. Not really enough!
Now that I'm on my mission to be more mindful, the quote has a deeper meaning. In order to look around I stop, breathe, notice and just be. If we focus on the positives for as little as 5 minutes a day, we could all feel less stressed, recharged and that little bit happier.

It sums up how we should all live - take it easy, appreciate what we have and most importantly enjoy life.

And if we ever get the chance to fly around town in that Ferrari... take it!

//Website//Twitter//Facebook//

2013 Challenges and Goals

Last year I challenged myself to read the entire collection of Sherlock Holmes stories. Well I completed my mission in under 10 months and enjoyed most if not all of them. This year I'm on another reading mission. I want 2013 to be the year I become more creative, structured and mindful.

I took part in a mindfulness class back in September last year and loved it. I came away feeling more relaxed than I had felt in a long time and since then have thought about going to other classes. Unfortunately they always seem to clash with work, so I've opted for the teach myself method using online forums and books - Mindfulness: Plain and Simple is the book I've opted for a long with various pocket/short Mindfulness books and eBooks I've found around the net. Loving the ones from Tinybuddha.com especially, they're short and sweet and full of lots inspiring words.

Another goal is to get better/more efficient at being creative. By more efficient I think I mean to let it flow more instead of worrying so much about whether my work will be any good or not. I've read loads of reviews of Brenda Ueland's If You Want to Write and have discovered that its more a book about creativity on the whole rather than just writing. I have to say, I've only read 5 chapters and already I'm beginning to feel more open and creative - which feels fantastic!

So that brings me to my other reads for 2013. Most are to do with writing/blogging which I do think I need a bit of help with, so I've opted for Blog Wonderful by Dana Fox, who writes fantastically over at The Wonder Forest and as I love little nuggets of info, 101 Blogging Tips by Tristan Higbee. I'm sure I'll add others to the list as I go one, but I think both of these are good places to start.

I'm looking forward to getting stuck in to these books and start learning and growing with each one. Hopefully I'll start some review posts on here too to really push my blogging and writing skills. This is turn, I hope, will be the building blocks to a routine throughout the day to really get things on track. 

I've also added Game of Thrones in there as my big reward for finishing them! Think I might throw The Outsiders in to the mix as well, it's been far too long since I read that one :)

Wish me luck

Got any blogging or mindfulness tips?  Catch me on Facebook and Twitter

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

//Website//Twitter//Facebook//