Corralejo, Fuerteventura 2015

Hey! It feels like it's been ages since I last posted on here. I've just returned home from a two week holiday to Corralejo with my family, and I had such a lovely time (despite the lack of a tan I've came home with!!) Fuerteventura really is a lovely island, filled with lovely people, places and food! So, I thought I'd get back into the swing of blogging by sharing some of my holiday snaps with you.

I'm so lucky and extremely grateful for the opportunity I have to visit new places and make amazing memories with my family! Thank you for reading, and I'll be back soon. X

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Instagram Moments - January & February

I love using Instagram, so here are my Instagram moments of January and February. This is something I might do every month, but make sure to follow my Instagram (@dxni.lee). 

~ Polaroids ~ Spectacle selfie ~ Throwback to the Bruno Mars concert ~ Cosy day in watching GG ~ Prettiest sunset ~ Black and white selfie ~  Finished reading Looking for Alaska, it was fab ~ Pancakes and strawberries ~ Best bud ~ Cute little sister's birthday ~ I cut Shanice's really long ponytail and she donated it to the Little Princess Trust, I'm v proud ~

Have a good day, and thank you for taking the time to visit my blog. Don't forget to follow me on Bloglovin' and find me on Twitter too (@dxni_lee). Huuugs X.

Anxiety.

Everybody experiences feelings of anxiousness at some point in their life. It feels horrible, but overall, if you feel anxious before a test or interview it's probably because it matters to you and pushes you to do well. Everyone gets that feeling of nausea, sweaty palms, heart palpitations etc when they feel nervous. It's normal. But imagine having those feelings everyday, but even more intense.

General Anxiety Disorder, Panic Disorder, Phobias, OCD, PTSD and Social Anxiety are all examples of conditions that fall under the general 'anxiety condition'. When a person suffers from anxiety it's a constant battle between what you want to do, and what your anxious thoughts want you to do. Personally, I love the idea socialising, travelling, going new places, but far too many times I've had to miss out as a result of all of the negative and anxious thoughts that come to mind. 

"What if I have a panic attack when I leave my house?"

"I'm being stupid."

"People will look at me if I start panicking."

"Where's the way out?"

"What if I'm sick in front of all these people?"

"I'm gonna pass out."

"People think I'm doing this for attention."

"I've let myself and everyone else down."

"I can't breathe."

For people who deal with severe anxiety will probably experience these thoughts on a daily basis, I do, and it's physically and mentally exhausting. I spend so many hours of my life worrying about what other people think of me, and worrying about things that shouldn't need to be worried about. Getting out of bed and leaving the house in the morning is a challenge most days, never mind leaving the house and entering an unfamiliar situation. 

Many people who suffer with anxiety, well, they suffer alone. They don't feel comfortable with talking to friends and family about how they are feeling. I went through a stage where I avoided social situations just to avoid the terrifying idea of taking a panic attack in front of my friends and strangers. I hated the questions and too often made excuses to stay home by myself. There's still so many occasions when I do this, and my hope for the future is that one day I won't let my negative thoughts ruin positive opportunities. 

While there are so many amazing charities and organisations that help people deal with and overcome their anxiety issues, too many people don't get the help they need. YoungMinds is a charity that provides help and support to children and adolescents (their families too) that suffer from anxiety and other mental illnesses. In the UK, around three children/young people in every classroom suffer from a diagnosable mental illness, and many of these people will not receive the help they need for many reasons. So, on a more positive note, I am organising a sponsored fancy dress walk with my family and friends to raise funds for the YoungMinds charity. I've also set up a JustGiving page that I've inserted a link to in case anybody decides they would like to donate. It's an excellent cause, and every penny counts!

If you suffer from anxiety, please remember that you are not alone, and it's just a small part of you no matter how severe. I'll leave some helpful resources for you to look at if it interests you.

If you know somebody who suffers from anxiety, don't make them feel more uncomfortable than they already do. When they cancel plans, or seem distant, don't get mad at them. Do what you can to help them, and generally be understanding. Unless you've experienced it, you don't know what it's like to experience these physical symptoms and the dark and scary thoughts. So next time you see anybody, even a stranger, look like they are at optimum stress levels as they rummage through their purse for their bus fare in front of you, or look like they want to run for their life out of a crowd of people, you don't know their situation, and don't stare at them, it only makes it worse.

If anyone has any questions, feel free to drop me an email and I'll try and answer them to the best of my ability (tartanvibez@hotmail.com).

Thank you for taking the time to read this slightly more serious blog post, and I'll be back in a few days with a new post! Stay positive and see ya later!! X

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Resources

http://www.youngminds.org.uk/
https://www.anxietyuk.org.uk/
http://www.mind.org.uk/
https://www.headspace.com/

25 Facts About Me

Hey everyone! I haven't had much time to write a proper blog post for this week yet, so I thought I'd post something easy and fun until I get a decent post written and uploaded. So for now, here are 25 facts about me. 

1. My name is Danielle, and almost everyone calls me Dani, except for my two best friends (ironically). 

2. I live in Fife, Scotland. I have all of my life, and as much as I complain about it, I love living here.

3. I'm in my fifth year of high school. I'll be doing my Highers this summer in maths, english, human biology, chemistry and modern studies.

4. I want to be a primary teacher when I'm older. I currently volunteer at a local primary school every week and I love it!

5. I want to visit California, Hawaii and Florida so much.

6. I have eight siblings. Five brothers and three sisters. As much as it is always chaotic, it's like having eight extra best friends who will stick by you regardless.

7. I became an auntie to my niece Jessica when I was 12 years old, she's turning four in a few months and I love her so much!

8. I swallowed a battery when I was younger and it was rather traumatic.

9. I find it hard to trust people, and that makes it hard for me to make new friends etc.

10. I'd love to start a YouTube channel one day, but I'm a tad awkward.

11. As mentioned in my first fact, I have two main best friends who I love lots, but refuse to let them know that. Their names are Rachel and Shanice. Rachel has a YouTube channel where she has started posting covers of songs, and you should subscribe! Shanice also writes a blog, which is always fun to read. Check it out!

12. I'm sure I've mentioned before, but since 2010 I've been madly in love with Bruno Mars. He is just amazing. His music is incredible, and his studio recordings do his live performances no justice. If you ever have the opportunity to see him live, then please do!! I can't help but feel so proud of how far he has come in such a short time, from performing in bars and his first music releases with Travie McCoy and B.o.B, to his Grammy awards and Superbowl half time performance. The man has so much talent it's unbelievable. (Sorry, I'm getting a bit carried away haha)

13. I tried to learn guitar, but my hands are so small that they couldn't even fit around the neck of a 3/4 size guitar, so instead I'm determined to learn to play ukulele.

14. I hate rollercoasters and rides so much, I'd much rather go to a water park instead!

15. I went years thinking I had no tonsils after being told by a doctor that I must have been born without them, until one day I got tonsillitis and I became very aware of my tonsils to say the least.

16. I used to have a needle phobia, but I've kind of gotten over it. They do still creep me out though.

17. I hate maths.

18. I met former UK Prime Minister, Gordon Brown, when I was little. It was before he was Prime Minister, but he was a fairly famous politician. I met him at Forth Park Hospital just after my little brother was born in 2001.

19. I really want a golden retriever puppy, but my brother has a dog allergy. It's heartbreaking really.

20. One day I'd love to attend a YouTube event like VidCon or Playlist Live and meet all my favourite YouTubers, but I'd especially like to meet Charles Trippy.

21. Hoodies or checked shirts are my go-to wardrobe item. I have so many of them haha.

22. I have an irrational fear of sponges. I hate the feeling of them, and the sound they make when someone touches them. It freaks me out.

23. I'm the queen of procrastination. I spend way to much time tweeting about how I've got so many things to do, or how I want to try new things, rather than actually getting on with it and doing things.

24. This blog post is actually me procrastinating instead of finishing biology homework. 

25. I'm obsessed with Harry Potter.

That's about it from me. Thank you for taking the time to read this post (if you actually got this far, I've just realised how dull I am). Have a good week, and I'll get a decent post up when I can. 

Huuugs x 

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Stop the Stigma

So, this blog post is one that is slightly more serious than usual. Last week I watched Jack Harries' most recent video, and it inspired me to write this blog post. I've linked the video for you guys to watch if you like, but overall it was about ending the negative stigma attached to mental illness.

For as long as I can remember, I've suffered from anxiety. I experience these anxious feelings everyday, but during stressful periods of my life they are a lot worse. It's hard to face the world when you have an ongoing battle between how you want to feel and how you really feel. But it is even harder when people are constantly judging you and making assumptions about your life.

I agree with Jack Harries when he says that we must speak out. People shouldn't be ashamed of themselves. Having a mental illness such as anxiety, depression or eating disorder shouldn't determine who you are, it's only a small part of you. So, it's time we speak  out about mental health, and no longer be ashamed.

If you suffer from a mental illness and need some help and advice, then here are a few helpful links. Don't suffer in silence. You are loved<3.

https://www.anxietyuk.org.uk/

http://www.youngminds.org.uk/

http://www.moodcafe.co.uk/

http://www.mind.org.uk/

http://www.sane.org.uk/

Find me on Twitter (@dxni_lee) and Instagram (@dxni.lee). 
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Room Tour 2015

My room is a pretty small space, so it's easy to achieve a cosy vibe. I wouldn't particularly say that the decor in my room reflects my personality much, but it definitely is a place where I enjoy spending time doing homework, chilling and mainly sleeping. The quality of these photos aren't very good as they were taken on my iPhone 5C, but anyway, here's my room..well parts of it haha! 

I love this little hanger, it fits the "shabby chic" feel of my room, and is obviously useful for hanging bits and bobs!

  

My dresser (that is actually tidy for once!) and a few candles to make it cosy..

I have a guitar...that I don't know how to play oops!

Dancin' to the jailhouse clock ;)

Cutest little owl!

My favourite place in the whole world...

Fairy lights and candles, two of my favourite things.

 

This is probably my favourite part of my room. It's a wall decal of a Marilyn Monroe quote that helps lift my mood when I'm feeling down. Above it, I have a string of my favourite polaroid photos of family and friends, hung up with the cutest miniature pink pegs!

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