Category: Lifestyle

1. Top tips to help you go freelance

   Posted on 12:00pm Sunday 15th Aug 2021

   With many students receiving GCSE and A Level results recently, there are discussions in households across the country about future career choices, with many parents wanting their child to choose carefully and wisely. When it comes to the job that you do, as you get older you may find that you are stuck in a rut with your career. It might not have been your first choice and is not be something that you feel passionate about.

   However, you may have gained skills and experience that could be utilised when working for yourself and going freelance. Picking and choosing the work that you do and finally getting that work and home life balance right. So how do you change that? 

   

   Going freelance can be quite scary. You have the loss of security of that consistent wage, and it can often feel overwhelming when it comes to managing the work and home life balance. But there are so many incredible benefits and finally being able to choose your workload or even do something you are more passionate about far outweighs the worries. So here are some of the top tips to help you go freelance. 

   Have the confidence to take that step

   One of the hardest things to do when it comes to going freelance is to have the confidence to do it. Right now you may be secure in a job. You feel you have security, and a consistent wage each month. This gives you the comfort that bills are paid and things are getting done, but that’s all it gives you. Have the confidence to step away. If at first you think it is too much of a leap use any spare time you have to start working on the side, and then build it up gradually. Be confident in your ability and also your decision that inevitably will give you what you want in the long term. 

   Seek out work opportunities 

   Going freelance doesn’t need to be as scary as you might once have thought. So many people are now taking this route to live the life they want to live and are getting to the stage where they are able to do it. There are websites out there that advertise freelance opportunities. Websites like People Per Hour and Fiverr are great places to start. You can also advertise your skills directly on there. You can even use Facebook as a way of advertising for jobs or seeking out work opportunities through groups or using the marketplace. There is also the fact that you can start to easily advertise your services through your own website and through social media content. This is one of the bets things to get you started as a website can hold all of the relevant information anyone would need. Whether that is sample of your work, feedback from previous clients, and any pricing information. You can also reach out to potential clients through platforms like this and pitch to them directly. 

   Make sure you are professional in all aspects 

   Once the work starts to come in it can be quite hard to not be overwhelmed by it all, but the one thing that you can’t let slip is the professionalism that you need to contain at all times. Being professional in all lines of communication such as phone, email and social media messages helps you to continue that working relationship. Also, the same can be said for when an invoice needs to be raised, Ensure that you display all of the correct information. A great tip is to use invoice templates so that you can get things right. Websites like PayPal are great to use at the start. This will also help you to get paid quickly rather than needing to amend and resend when information is forgotten about. 

   Your working environment matters 

   Finally, it might be a good idea to ensure that you consider your working environment. Most people who freelance work from home, and this can be distracting if you don’t have a dedicated area to work. If you can, create an area in your home that is dedicated for working. It might be a desk in the corner of your living room or your bedroom. Having a desk area helps you to segregate between working and home life. If you have the space in your home, a home office could be a great option to consider. The idea is that you can walk away from your work, or feel productive and work mode when you are sat at your desk. 

   Let’s hope these tips help you if you think going freelance is an option.  

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2. Top tips to live a more sustainable life in 2021

   Posted on 11:00am Friday 2nd Apr 2021

   2020 was quite a year, especially since most of us were stuck at home for a large part of it. But, being stuck at home opens your eyes- we don’t know about you, but it’s made us want to work on ways to live a more sustainable life. Living and maintaining an eco-friendly lifestyles takes effort, but not that much. The more you learn about the issues that affect our beautiful planet, the more determined you will be to make sustainable choices on a daily. That doesn’t mean you have to change your lifestyle completely, but every little change counts.

   

    

   Here are 3 ways to live a more sustainable life in 2021. 

   Use a different mode of transportation

   You create about 4.6 metric tons of carbon dioxide when you drive to and from work, which ends up releasing into the atmosphere each year- leading to the greenhouse effect, causing global warming. Do your part by making use of public transport, scheduling a carpool with your friends or co-workers, you can even walk or ride a bike if you’re in close distance to your work place. This isn’t just healthy for the environment, it’s healthy for you as well.

   Shop locally and eat seasonally for your groceries

   Shop from your local farmers' market to get fresh food items that were grown naturally without adding waste or carbon emissions to the environment. You’ll be eating healthier and supporting the community. Eat fruits and vegetables that are seasonal, as you’ll be eating the farm-to-table lifestyle which means you’ll be buying foods that were harvested recently by the local farmers. Not only will the foods be tastier, but you’ll be helping the environment as well.

   Make use of eco-friendly products around your home

   Most of the products that we use at home to clean the house, wash our clothes, or do the dishes contain chemicals that are harmful to the environment. Especially chemicals like detergents, foaming agents, and preservatives. Instead, switch to products that make use of sustainably grown ingredients rather than ingredients that are synthetic so that they don’t harm the planets eco-system. These eco-friendly products are also beneficial to people that have weak immune systems and health conditions as they pose less health risks. After starting to work alongside SaveMoneyCutCarbon last year, we have been making small steps in our sustainable swaps journey and being a member of their Home Club means we get regular updates on the positive impact we can all make. 

   Right then, I am off to use my EcoCoconut Scourer and Ocean Saver cleaning products to get this house clean! 

    

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3. How to understand burnout signs while working from home

   Posted on 12:00pm Wednesday 20th Jan 2021

   

   2020 saw the advent and popularization of a new way of working; remotely. Although some people had exposure to working from home, this was a new system to others. Many started experiencing burnout signs. Burnout is when you feel exhausted emotionally, physically, and mentally that it inhibits how you operate. This exhaustion can take a toll on your professional and personal life. Here's how to understand if you are having burnout signs while working from home and how to deal with them.

   Physical signs

   Are you constantly feeling tired, lots of back pain, strain in your eyes, pain in the neck? Are you feeling nervous or having stomach upsets all the time? Does fatigue always set in when you think about seating behind your computer to work? Chances are that you may be having burnout.

   Mental and Emotional signs

   Are you feeling angry all the time, irritable at your loved one? Are you feeling disconnected from those you love or finding it hard to hold and maintain a conversation? Do you keep procrastinating your work without a good reason? You might be experiencing burnout.

   How can you manage this burnout?

   The first step towards the management of any problem is by acknowledging that the problem exists. Working from home burnout is a real problem that could have adverse implications on your personal and professional life. Once you understand how it makes you feel and operate, there are several strategies you can apply to manage the issue.

   1.      Ask for support

   Maybe you have too much to do around the house, the sheer thought of these obligations overwhelm you. Ask for assistance from your family members. Maybe all it takes is having a certain obligation taken away from you. A supportive environment is a critical element for a wholesome mental state.

   2.      Take a break

   If possible, take a moment away from working from home so that you can rejuvenate. During this break, stay away from work-related activities. Find something that makes you happy. Take a walk, watch a movie, sing, dance, or engage in some activity that delivers happiness to you. Have a 'me time' to decompress before you get back to work.

   3.      Exercise

   Sports and exercise activities release the 'feel-good' hormones. When you are feeling stressed, take a short break and engage in a short physical activity. Repeat this exercise frequently throughout the day.

   4.      Talk about it

   A problem shared is a problem half-solved. If you have close confidants, talk about what you are feeling. They may be having ideas on how to make it easier. If you have burnout because you have too much work, ask your company to lessen the workload or allow for more time to finish the work. Some companies have offered excellent training and resources to support their employees during these trying times.

   5.      Replicate the office environment

   Some people find it easier to work in an office setup. Since you are working from home, this becomes a challenge. They may now know how to manage their time or organize themselves accordingly. Create a specific space within your home and designate this as your office. Every time you are in this space your mind is triggered to treat it as you would a normal office set up. This may help you avoid burnout and increase your productivity levels.

   

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4. Tips to save money in lockdown

   Posted on 12:00pm Friday 8th Jan 2021

   Lockdown has completely changed how we live our lives, but it can be seen as an opportunity to stay home and save money. We are undoubtedly spending less money going out but it is easy to spend money on Amazon or online stores, so we have put together some handy tips to help you save your pennies for your future lifestyle, while saving lives by staying at home. 

   

   1. No matter how much you are currently saving per month, be it £50, £ 100, or more, make a conscious effort to save a little more. If you can, try to double the amount you save. Of course, you can always dip in this pot when needed, but hopefully, this is not a requirement, and you will have a few extra pennies to enjoy once the lock is removed. There are numerous modest methods to mark savings as well as an investment a part of your ordinary life. A Terramundi pot is a simple way to add loose change or pound coins and you have to smash it to get access, so not so easy to dip into. 

   2. If you are craving your favorite takeout but are just off or don't want to spend a lot of money on food, consider making your own "fakeaway" at home. Not only is it likely to be cheaper, but it is also a great way for couples and families to hang out together, and it is probably a healthier version as well. While many gyms across the UK have consistently cancelled membership, there are currently other ways to cut costs, including temporarily suspending their sports membership, from calling Sky to suspending monthly subscriptions.

   3. If you can't resist shopping online for door-to-door delivery, be sure to look for discount codes, deals, and cash-back deals before checking out. However, it is important to resist the urge to motivate yourself. Right now, we are all in a time of uncertainty, and it would be wise to be a little prudent about our frivolous expenses. 

   4. Pay with cash. There is so much talk about a cashless economy but spending physical cash always make you think about how much you are spending, much more than when you are swiping or tapping a card to purchase.

   Lockdown in the UK has become part of life at the moment but saving habits can last through the lockdown and beyond. If you are consistent.

   Good luck! 

   

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