I've always needed ways to motivate myself through tedious jobs.  As a child, when tidying my room, I would write all the jobs on pieces of paper and then select at random till they were all done.  I still make lists of housework that needs done and cross it off as I go!  There are lots of campaign months throughout the year aiming to help you quit or improve habits and lifestyles; Stoptober, Dry January etc.  I’ve never participated in any, but for the last few years I’ve challenged myself to take part in a self-created ‘Frugal February’.  

Basically, for the entire month (you’ll notice it’s a short one!) anything that is not deemed essential does not get bought.  Therefore no clothes for me or the kids, no extravagant days out, less wine (some wine IS essential), no home accessories, no takeaways and so on.  I feel like it’s a good time of year to do it, not right after Christmas when spirits are already low and before the summer holiday season.  The money I saved, I transferred to a savings account at the end of the month.  Said money unfortunately went on some expensive dental treatment not long after but hey!  I loved the sense of achievement at the end of the month, and the benefits have lived on as it resets your expectations of what’s necessary and worthwhile.  

Towards the end of Frugal February I was chatting with a friend who had had a baby in January and she was telling me that she was going to do a ‘No Munch March’ to try to curb her (very much allowed) desire for delicious cake!  I was so excited that someone else was championing my notion of motivational months that I have decided to think of another for myself.  

Therefore, here comes ‘Mend It May’ which I think will be particularly satisfying!  I have so many little jobs that need done around the house, sewing on buttons, glueing things back together, putting pictures on walls.  So I am making a list and getting supplies ordered so that by the end of May it’ll be done and dusted.  The jobs themselves would probably only take half a day to complete but if I was that motivated I wouldn’t need motivational months!   I would love to hear the simple ways you motivate yourself in the comments below! :)

A couple of weeks ago I attended a preview of the IntuMetrocentre’s Fashion Live and watched some of the Metrocentre’s stores unveil their new, colourful looks for spring/summer.  Like any good blogger event there was a goody bag; this one was packed full of sample sized beauty products and some vouchers.  What really caught my eye, however, was this custom made notebook created especially for the event by Note.

Note. are a North East company specialising in “ethically crafted, authentic and minimalistic journals” and this one really was chic and eye catching, sitting on the char tied up with a pencil in a red ribbon.  It has been making a fantastic blog planner and everyday list maker, and I love the full A4 size.  You can see more of their collection on their Twitter, Facebook and Instagram and order your own bespoke notebook.