HOW I’M LOWERING MY SCREEN TIME | THINGS I’M LOVING RN

This blogpost started out as a sort of “self love” style blog post, that was the inspiration when shooting for it. And whilst it is SO important to discuss loving yourself, flaws and all, it was only when I did a recent Instagram Q&A where I got a very innocent question asking “What is your greatest body insecurity? Which I happily replied to with the following response;

“I have a few- my ribs (they stick out a lot) my forehead (larger than normal) and my feet (but who really likes their feet?)”

I then moved on to the next question before checking my DM’s a little later on, only to have some really lovely messages sharing their concerns and apologies that I had to receive that question and felt like I needed to answer it. The points made by those who sent this kind of message really did open my eyes to why this type of question can be so damaging and why my response can also be damaging too. Whilst I personally saw it as a way of allowing my audience to remember that we are all human and we all have things that we don’t love so much about ourselves and I know that by me sharing my "flaws" it did help others who also have sticky out ribs and larger than normal foreheads. However, it really did allow me to realise other ways to interpret this type of question which in-turn made me revaluate how I was to approach this blogpost entirely.

So with the blogpost taking a slight detour I thought it might be quite interesting to share some of the things that are getting me away from my screen and allowing me to switch off a little bit recently. It’s been important for me in the past year or so to find the time and the determination to take some time away from my laptop and my phone. My work can often be all consuming and a 24/7 job and I’m definitely not perfect when it comes to striking the balance. I tend to fluctuate depending on where I’m at in my personal and work life, for example when I’m super happy in one aspect of life I’m often happy in the other aspect too, do you know what I mean, it all naturally balances itself out.

So first up, from one screen to another but at least it’s not work but good ole fashioned television huzzah! Since switching off for Christmas I’ve binged watched a fair amount of television in one go. Over Christmas I was juggling around 6-7 shows at once before realising that I simply couldn’t keep up with any of the story line so went back to just one at a time viewing instead. The shows that have had me hooked have been Gilmore Girls (bet you saw that one coming hey!) I loved it more than almost any other programme I’ve ever watched (perhaps tied with Sex and The City) I adored each and every single character, I loved the set, the styling, the storylines, the music... Literally everything. My fave characters are of course Lorelai Gilmore, I did adore Rory too but Lorelai is ma gal! I loved Miss Patty, Kirk, Luke, Sooki, Michelle and of course the delicious Jess played by Milo Ventimiglia… WHAT A DREAM BOAT!

Speaking of Dreamy Milo Ventimiglia, that leads me on the next show that has dragged me away from work and that is This Is Us PLEASE TELL ME YOU’VE SEEN IT!? If not, get over to Amazon Prime right away and start with episode one! It is truly the most beautiful and clever programme of all time and I simply devoured each and every episode. It’s a storyline that follows the most wonderful family of 5 and it jumps from the past, present and future tense. It’s a genius concept and I really adore the cast so much, especially Mandy Moore who may well be one of the most beautiful women of all time!? SERIOUSLY she’s something! Mandy, plus Milo (heart eyes) plus the most wonderfully heartwarming storyline of all time, yeah you’re gonna love it!

I finally got to start season 5 of How To Get Away With Murder and whilst it took me a while to get into it, mainly because so much happens in every one series that I tend to forget what on earth has gone on. However, as always it was an incredible season and I was completely and utterly hooked. The story comprises around a group of law students who work for the power house Annalise Keating and is basically based around how to get the criminals off with things such as murder. However, SO much goes on within the personal lives of the students, Annalise and the rest of the cast, it’s honestly so damn juicy!

And finally with television, I told you I’ve watched a heck load of TV lately… Is Next In Fashion, something I wanted to watch when it first came out on Netflix but as I said I was completely hooked on all of the above shows…
I love a good fashion design contest so I knew I was going to be into this, if not only due to the fact that Tan France and Alexa Chung are the hosts and boy did they rock it when it came to the outfits for each episode… FIRE!!!
It reminded me a lot of Project Catwalk/Runway but a little more light hearted with really gorgeous, likeable contestants, for the most part.
I fell in love with Angelo, Minju Kim and Daniel but honestly I really did have a soft spot for most of the contestants. I devoured this show in a few days, love love loved it!

Next we have books, I have to say I was on SUCH a roll with reading in January, I think I read around 5 or 6 in just one month and then out of nowhere I lost my mojo and only got back into the swing of it last weekend whilst struck down with food poisoning…
But alas, reading is one of the only things that truly takes me far, far away. It allows my brain to completely switch off from every day, normal life and to transport myself into the every day life of somebody else. I just love reading so so much and I truly am so passionate about it, however, like most things in life it comes in waves and sometimes I struggle to focus my mind enough to get stuck in. I’ll have a book review blog post coming up in the next week or so sharing the books I’ve read so far this year (or in January) but if you’re after some recommendations do check out my previous book club blog posts here.

NECKLACE- MY NAME NECKLACE, BRA- c/o DORA LARSEN, JEANS- & OTHER STORIES

And finally you know what I’m into in a big way right now… JIGSAW PUZZLES! Yep, you heard me right I, Megan Ellaby of 27 years of age am a sucker for a puzzle… Old before my time? Me? Never!
Tbh I blame our recent trip to Andermatt in Switzerland where we experienced both a storm that meant we were skied off AND an electricity cut which meant we were without technology for around 4 hours… The horror! But no, actually it was super fun and it provided George and I with a new hobby, jigsaw puzzles!
We’ve managed to smash 2 so far and a very small way into our third and you know what it is SO RELAXING! Both George and I work heavily from our phones and laptops and it’s so good to do something together where we need to completely concentrate and not look at anything other than the jigsaw, each other and the glass of wine we simply have to have alongside it…
Honestly, give it a whirl, I don’t think you’ll ever regret it!

So there we have some ways I’ve been reducing my screen time lately and some recommendations to boot. I truly hope you enjoyed this post and it’s inspired you to step away from you phone this coming weekend. I’m hoping as spring gets a wiggle on I’ll be able to include some non-phone related activities that are outside but hey, until this rain buggers off I ain't going nowhere!

As always, please do let me know of any screen reducing tactics you have, I’d love to add to my list 🙂

x M