Hi everyone! It’s definitely been a while, and it’s starting to feel like every June/July I do this same post, apologizing for not being around. But I’m going to change that this year😂

Life has been A LOT. Some great things have happened in the past 6 months, and some really bad things have happened too. So I think it’s about time that I check in.

Back in January, I said that one of my unrealistic goals for this year was to buy a house with my Boyfriend. That is part of the reason that I’ve been so quiet, as on February 4th we viewed a house, and put an offer in on the spot. Our offer was accepted, and on April 23rd we got the keys to our first Reno project. We are still renovating, but hoping to be ready to move in by my Birthday at the end of July🤞 Our house is amazing, and I can’t wait for us to move in with Toast and Marmalade.

That comes to point two. On June 13th we picked up the newest member of our family, Marmalade. We had to do an 8 hour round road trip along the West Coast of Wales, but it was definitely worth it. Marmalade is a ginger and cream Maine Coon kitten and we couldn’t love him anymore if we tried. Toast is a wonderful big sister, and we can’t wait to move into our house as a family of 4.

Staying on the topic of new family members, I also made another of my unrealistic 2021 goals come true. And I did it pretty quickly. On January 5th, my mother finally caved and we brought home a whippet puppy who we named Cledwyn. He is my parents dog and he will stay with them when I move out, but we’re only moving around the corner so I’ll be seeing lots of him!

In other news, I am still working as a content writer with the fabulous company that I started with back in September. I absolutely love my job and the flexibility that comes with it. It has been a lifesaver since we’ve had the keys for the house, and I’m so thankful that I got the job with this company. They really are amazing!

In terms of reading, it is about half way through the year and I am 23 books off reaching my 2021 reading goal of 100 books. I am currently half way through book 77 which is ‘They Both Die at the End’ and I am loving it. I have so many recommendations and reviews that I want to upload on here. So, I really need to get my arse in gear and start writing them.

But 2021 hasn’t been all roses. Back in February, my Grandad passed away, and this was very hard to deal with. The last time I saw my Grandad was March 9th 2020, so it was heartbreaking that we didn’t get to say goodbye because of covid. The restrictions at the time also limited the number of people who were allowed to attend the funeral, so I didn’t get to go. It was hard not getting to have a proper goodbye, but once restrictions allow I’m sure we’ll celebrate his life in a way that be deserved.

There has been lots of difficult times so far this year, and everyone has been effected. As we come into the Summer months, I’m praying that we will start to have some proper normality, and life can start bringing good news for people.

My current obsession is ‘Grey’s Anatomy’, and I’ve spent every spare minute of the last month watching it😂 I’m up to season 7 and it’s just sooo good, I don’t know how I went so long without watching it.

In terms of goals going forward this year, I mainly just want to be happy. As cheesy as it sounds, I just want life to be a lot more stress-free, and I want to be able to have fun without worrying. We’ll hopefully be moving into our home over the next few weeks, and I just want to enjoy and settle in.

If the last year has taught me anything, it’s that life is too short. Life is too short for a full face of makeup, or for a lifetime spent trying to please others. It’s too short to spend every minute worrying about upsetting people, or fretting over what is the right thing. Sometimes you have to focus on yourself, and if that means upsetting people in the process, then so be it.

Surround yourself with people who you want to be with, and don’t bother with those who make you feel like crap. Focus on becoming a better person, and don’t compare yourself to others. People are rarely honest, but if you do encounter an honest person, you will find that they go through the same trials and tribulations as you do.

I’m sure I’ll be back soon to check in, or maybe I won’t, who knows. If there’s one thing I’ve learned is that I shouldn’t put pressure on myself to do the things that I love. I write 25,000 words every week in my job, so if I haven’t got the energy to write in my spare time too, then that’s okay.

Until next time pals,

Charlotte x