Hi friends! I hope you're having a wonderful Monday and that the start of the work week isn't getting to you too much. Recently I asked on an Instagram poll what you guys would like to see and the consensus was an honest life update (I'm really surprised that my boring life is interesting to you guys and these blogs and vlogs about me personally do better than the "more interesting" topics). But hey, I'm all for it. I'm a pretty open transparent person, I always have been, so why not turn it into a career ya know?
I don't do life updates as often as I did last year (mainly because I stopped doing daily blogs - hmm not sure if I should go back to that though) but I was kinda inspired to do something like this because there have been some people who ask other people (for example, someone asking Luke about my life when they could easily ask me because they see me regularly) for information on what's going on. Why am I doing this? Why am I doing that? Oh, "she should do this". Yep, I get it, people are always gonna have a say in your life and I know I don't have to listen to them, but sometimes it just really rubs me the wrong way. It also sucks because I probably beat myself up over my health a helluva lot more than you do, so leave that to the expert LOL (jk jk) but seriously, people who make fun of "invisible" illnesses and chronic health conditions suck a**. Empathy can go a long way - i.e., understanding and stepping into someone's shoes - you don't have to be sympathetic, but people who can be empathetic go a long way.
Anyway, I just want to say that if I was in a position to do a normal corporate job, then that's what I'd be looking for, but right now, I don't feel up to it and I'm trusting that my doctors have given me the right advice to follow my gut for what I want to do in life. But do you know what does work for me? The freedom to write blogs, make vlogs, and create content that I enjoy. Sure, I'm not making a ton of money, but that takes time. I'm still able to pay my bills and live comfortably and yes, sure Luke might pay for a thing or two but we're partners and that's what partners do (I'm sure some of you are aware of how many people I've helped out in the past).
I did originally write a draft of this life update and it was really b*tchy but I kinda wanna move past that, but here's a run down of some general life updates in 2024 and what my plans are for this year. And yes, I know it's getting to 6 months of me not having a "proper" job and don't worry that scares me as much as it might scare you, but we're safe, we're happy, and we're focusing on our health and also a new career path (and I finally feel like I'm doing something important - even if that is just an important thing for me).
General Life Updates
We have moved into a new rental as you all know and it's reverse living so it's kinda odd with the main areas all being upstairs (good to get some steps in) but I'm slowly starting to feel a bit more settled here. I still find it strange though and I don't want anyone to call me an "ungrateful b*tch" for complaining about our house because that's not who I am, I'm super grateful to have a roof over my head, clean drinking water, hot water, power, etc. It's just taking me a bit more time to get used to than I thought - and it doesn't help that I've already had to move so many times in Melbs
We got a puppy - I'll post more below but Benji is the sweetest and I don't know why a few of you thought I wouldn't be able to do it, sure it's hard sometimes, but he brings so much joy and that's helping my mental health (plus I would do anything for Benji Bear)
People ask me A LOT about having kids or why I haven't had them yet. I don't think it's really a fair question to ask a woman without kids - do you know if they have any health complications? Do you know if they're fertile? Do you know if they have the income to support children? Do you know if they've gone through miscarriages? It's not really a question you should be asking. Be diligent, because you never know what someone has gone through (like no one wants to have to explain this stuff)
I think my photography is continuing to improve (both DSLR and phone photography) - idk why I put this here but I wanted to have some positive things here too
I've had a few friend catch ups this year and I appreciate them so much, but I think I'm lacking in the socialising department as people are overseas or super busy with work and whatnot and that's not their fault. It'd just be nice to have some social time with someone other than Luke's family (no offense, but I can get drained if that's the only people I see)
I started a herb garden with some raised garden beds on the balcony and I'm super proud of it, even if they all die, it's a learning experience and good to try new things. Most of them are doing well except the parsley so we'll keep and eye and see what happens
Every morning I write a daily gratitude list as I put that on one of my 2024 goals
I don't meditate as often as I like, I think I feel bad if I'm not alert enough for Benji but honestly the worst thing that could happen is he has an accident so idk why I'm so worried
I want to focus on my appearance more like making sure I look after my hair and skin more but some days I get lazy. However, I am struggling with my weight at the moment - it took me so long to be able to put on weight and now I actually feel like I'm "fat" even though I'm probably a perfectly healthy weight for my height and shape
I am missing some kiwi mates so I like getting NZ snacks or doing the stuff quizzes to feel a bit more at home (we will be going over when we know when mum's surgery is so if anyone wants to house sit and look after Benji at that time, they are more than welcome + of course we'd pay you, but it's likely still a while away)
I want to start baking more - we have so many frozen bananas because they go bad fast with how much sun the kitchen gets with the reverse living
Health Updates
I would say my health is improving every day, some days I can go the whole day without a nap but others I can't. I've been taking my iron every 3 days now and can move onto once a week next month so that might help the IBS symptoms but we'll see how we go
The dizziness has started to subside - I mainly just get tension headaches or migraines now instead but it's a bit easier to get out of bed
I still do get quite fatigued and allow myself to rest and I think I often push myself too much because I get c*cky
IBS still sucks - especially when you're having attacks in the middle of the night
I've been focusing on more healthy eating (I like to follow intuitive eating as that works best for me and my body) and adding in more red meat, b12 things like eggs, and just snacking a lot less. I used to snack ALL the time and now I barely do
Because my doctor recommended to skip a few periods, I feel like my hormones are a little out of control and I can get emotional more easily (soz Luke)
I wish chronic fatigue would go away and I have been trying to limit caffeine again (so like every 2nd day with coffee and I'll slowly decrease it) but still allowing myself to have it when I'm craving it
I'm getting back into exercise - some days I can do a 10 minute workout and the other day I managed a 30 min HIIT workout but I was wrecked after. Same with walking, some days it's 20 minutes and other days it's 40 minutes I just have to listen to what my body wants. It has been a bit harder around the new suburb as there's heaps of hills and it'll help once Benji can go for a walk next week
I finally have a psychologist in Melbourne (something I've been putting off). I'm nervous for my first session but I'm hoping it will help in treating a heightened nervous system due to IBS
Career Updates
Ahh I'm really excited for this - I actually was scared I was never going to be able to monetise my blog but I have and I'm also excited that my YouTube is growing and people are watching my vlogs. A lot of effort goes into all this. Research, editing, filming etc. and it's the type of job (even though it's not traditional) that works for my health. Where if I'm doing something, I can go sit down for 5 minutes if I need to and come back to it. You'd never be allowed to do that in the corporate world
I want to write a book (but that's as far as I've got) maybe something true crime related for non-fiction or a fiction murder mystery type thing. Sometimes I tell dumb stories to Luke before we go to bed and make them up on the spot. I could even write a book about my dream journal or use a dream as a prompt. I'm not sure what it will be but I'm sure I'll get inspired soon - I probably just need to go outside more
I'm enjoying making "pet influencer" content for Benji and really want to monetise that for him because he just brings so much joy (and yes I know I can't stop talking about him, he is so cute)
I'm also delving into freelance work like selling prints on the blog (I'd love it if you supported me in any way you can), photography work, writing, surveys, user testing etc. This will likely never be full time for me but I'd love it if you did support me by buying a print "here", DMing me if you want a physical print or session, or making use of the "buy me a coffee" widget on my blog. Doing this will help me keep my blog up and running and also let me continue to provide you with free interesting educational content (plus this lifestyle stuff)
Puppy Updates
Aww puppy update time yay! As ya'll know, we recently got a wee corgi puppy called Benji. I feel like he's been settling in well and is happy and healthy. I'm also thinking of doing a separate post later on about "all the things I've learned since having a puppy" because I think people will relate to that so this one's just a general update
Benji has been to 3/4 puppy school classes and next week is graduation. They are helpful and it's good to learn how to train a puppy. However, I find that the teacher isn't that good with people specifically, like she won't learn our names, only the dogs and she gets REALLY upset when you get something wrong the first time and calls you out in front of the whole class
Benji has now had his 3 puppy vaccinations and will be able to go for his first walk and to the dog park this weekend
I've never had so many shoelaces or jandals chewed up before
Training is going well and Benji is really smart (we are still working on toilet training and bite inhibition but everything else he picks up straight away)
I'm trusting my gut that I'm doing things right with Benji
A lot of people have said I'm doing so well with him so hopefully my gut is right
We'll also look at obedience training with a different trainer later on, we want to see how he goes on walks and what not first
The vet gave us permission to start cooking some food for Benji and giving him something new every day (like chicken, fish, cucumber, lettuce, tomato etc. - only things that are safe for dogs though)
His puzzle enrichment toys are very easy for him so we're gonna try new ones soon - the kong has been the hardest but he's gone down from 20 minutes eating to 8 minutes eating a meal. Very smart
I knew corgis were smart but I didn't actually realise how smart - smarter than you think
It's therapeutic to watch a puppy sleep or play
I'm paranoid about fleas even though we have given him his treatment regularly like the vet said to (even though they're pretty obvious)
Here's some cute photos of Benji (Let me know if you'd like to see "Benji of the day photos" on the blog and we can sort something out - but you MUST let me know. You can also follow Benji on IG and TikTok under the username benjibear_thecorgi (and he will regularly feature on my YouTube channel).
Also, he's the new vlog I've just posted on YouTube also - it'd be amazing if you checked that out (I would say this is a boring one, but I'm sure life is about to get WAY more interesting as we get further into 2024).
Thank you so much for checking out this blog, I really hope you enjoyed it and I do apologise if it came across as "too b*tchy" or anything like that. I'll see you soon!
Much love,
Ash xx
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