Writing

I'm going to keep this one short and sweet. 

This is a creative outlet for me. I wish I was better at this, I really do. I wish I had that magical way with words that sweeps people off their feet. I wish I was talented (at well basically anything will do right now).

I feel pretty ordinary. I know that it's hard to ever be the 'best' at something, but it's just one of those days where I question, "Why can't I be the best at something for once? Why does there always have to be someone better?"

I should probably mention that these thoughts are mostly just coming from the fact that I am 300 words away from completing my 2000 word essay due this Thursday afternoon (it's Monday) but I have also deleted and started over several times because reading over my work I realised it's just not good enough. It's bumming me out that I can never be the best. No matter how hard I try, there is always going to be someone who will get a better mark, be more creative and write a better essay. I also know that someone has to be #1, but I would really like to know what that feels like someday...

Study harder they say, well I'm here as living proof it literally isn't that easy. You either have it or you don't. And sadly most of the time, hard work and dedication can not beat hard work, dedication and natural talent. 

Coming from my computer desk at 11:50pm struggling to keep my eyes open but knowing I am probably going to die if I don't get my 'shit together' (so to speak) and finish this essay without deleting and re-writing whole chunks of it again. 

Thanks for reading this (kind of pointless) mini rant (if that's what we are going to call it).

Kristelle

Instagram: @krristelley

p.s. still sitting here wondering why I can't have some natural talent when it comes to putting words to paper (or more appropriate, words to keyboard)

Everything Happens For a Reason

I am (and always have been) a firm believer that everything happens for a reason. Even when things aren't going my way or turning out how I had hoped for or planned. I know that's the hardest time to believe in something you swear by (when it's not working out for you).

Now I believe in a lot of things. Some of those beliefs have changed over time (I can't say I am 19 years old and still believe in Santa or the Tooth Fairy), but for the most part my beliefs have just grown with me. 

I believe in fate.

I believe in karma.

I believe in love.

I believe in science.

I believe in the power of positive thinking. 

But I also believe hard work and consistent effort will always work out in the end. 

And now even though I truely believe everything happens for a reason I can't help but wonder why some things happen to me at all. 

Like did I deserve to do badly on that assignment I tried so hard on?

Do I deserve for it to be so difficult to find a job that I actually enjoy?

Did I deserve to get hit in the face from some fight some randoms guys had while clubbing?

Do I deserve to be miserable, even though I 150% know what's going to make me happy, but I still can't have it?

I guess I'm just feelings gloomy, which might be why I've neglected my blog a little bit for the last couple of weeks. 

I feel like I need a sign from the universe just to let me know that I'm okay and that I'm doing okay at life right now, because I can honestly say it doesn't feel like it. 

Thanks for reading, hopefully I'll be more back to my bubbly happy self soon.

Kristelle xx

How to Save Money

Hey everyone. So today I thought I would make a post on how to effectively save money. These days I think way too many young people have no idea how to save their money. I have way too many friends and know too many people who are always complaining that they only have $20 left in their accounts and "can not wait until their next pay so they can go and spend their money". I'll give you a brief overview of my working life & savings habits and then share some of my best money saving tips I have! 

Working Life Overview

• Pre-working life (under 14 years old): 
• Typically got money off my mum every now and then when I asked to go to the movies or something
• Other than that the money I got came from birthdays, christmas and doing chores for my mum or my aunty. 
• I used to always try and go by the "save half and spend half" rule
• First job (14-15 years old):
• Worked at McDonald's
• Wasn't very good at saving lots of money
• Would save for short term goals, i.e. concert tickets
• Mum used to make me save at least $20 each week from my pay into a savings account
• Having a key card was a bad idea: I didn't pay attention to what I would spend
• 16-17-start of being 18/the remainder of high school
• Didn't do 'formal' work
• Money came from babysitting over the years
• Saved all of that money to spend at schoolies (didn't spend it all- bonus)
• Post-high school/uni student life
• Became a workaholic
• Focused on the future
• Saves more money than I spend
• Got a job straight from school and have worked there ever since
• Each summer holidays I get an extra job (e.g. Christmas casual job and a seasonal theme park job)
• Work as much as possible during all holiday breaks so I can ease off a bit during uni time to study and focus on the uni work

So that (in very basic terms) sums up my life to do revolving around working and saving habits!

BBG Lifestyle

For a long time I have struggled with my body weight and self-image. When I was younger (13 years old and below), I was extremely skinny. I was in to all kinds of sports and I loved netball and athletics above everything else. I was fit and I was a young girl. I had muscular, yet skinny legs and I even had abs (looking at photos I still can't believe it lol).

10 year old me loved little athletics

 I kept with the sports through high school, but as I got older I became more and more self conscious about how I looked. I didn't really know how to handle it at times either.

During Year 11/12 2012

There were times when I got extremely skinny and I was underweight for a period of time (I won't post these photos). My first year out of high school was difficult for me. I went through a lot and I ended the year about 5-7kg heavier than I started. Out of shape. Unfit. Untoned. 

Then I decided it was time to purchase Kayla Itsines Bikini Body Training Guides. I purchased the Training Guide and the HELP Nutrition Guide. I am motivated to try and get back into shape. The workouts are amazing and I haven't been seeing much progress yet (then again, we are all our own biggest critics) but I can feel it in my body and I just feel more energetic and happier after I have worked out. 

I try and maintain a healthy balanced diet. It is hard at times and I try not to give myself a hard time when I eat something I shouldn't. I don't necessarily go out of my way to eat bad food (i.e. I have stopped eating McDonalds). Having a balanced diet is hard. But it's a lifestyle change for me so it is going to take time. 

I love looking at all of the transformation photos of other people, it gives me so much hope and makes me happy. I really am starting to feel better about myself and I can't wait until the day I can write my blog post and post my transformation photos. I am happy to say that I am enjoying the BBG Lifestyle.

Thanks for reading, 

Any tips + recipes + advice anyone has I would love! Feel free to email me at kristellemaytee@homail.com if you want to talk about your fitness journey with me !

Stelle xx

New Year, Not So New Me?

It's almost two weeks into the new year and we all know what that means. For most of us our new years resolution goals have fallen off track and the promises to ourselves to become better people (spiritually, physically, emotionally) whatever the case has probably fallen off track too.

sitting around with my green tea, Kayla Itsines bikini body guides, 2015 planner and my favourite book trying to concentrate and remember
how I wanted to 'better myself' for this year

I am no exception to this. Although I mock and joke about new years resolutions (because they never stick) I found myself unconsciously making them and setting goals which just seem to have already fallen apart. Everyone knows the usual I'm going to get into shape in the new year and start hitting the gym or I'm going to start working harder and saving more money or my personal favourite I will do better in school this year. My new years resolutions/goals included the following:

1. Drink less alcohol
2. Get into better shape and lead a healthier lifestyle
3. Work harder to save more money
4. Look for a new job when uni is starting up for the year
5. Be more adventurous and try to say yes more instead of no
6. Get better grades this uni year

Well I haven't exactly fallen off track with all of them yet, but I think that's mostly because I haven't had the opportunity to mess them up yet face those hurdles yet. But I can give you detailed and specific reasons why I have already 'messed up' several of those goals. 

1. I started 2015 on a holiday. I drank every day. It is the 13th of January and I have had alcohol at least 7 of those days.
2. I want to do this so so badly. I just lack discipline. I haven't been eating well since I got back from holidays because like I spoke about here healthy foods are just so damn expensive
3. Okay I haven't exactly messed this one up, but I haven't been living up to my full potential
4. N/A
5. I'm really trying on this one too. Instead of saying no to something when I'm not bothered or too tired, I have been giving stuff a go. Would I like to go on adventures? Yes. In fact in a few weeks I will be going on one, so stay tuned!
6. N/A

Okay, so I'm not completely off to a horrible start. It is basically just #2 that is making feel like, well #2. I think it's important to remember why you set yourself these goals in the first place (that's another thing, I would prefer to call them goals not resolutions because goals are something you are aiming for and working towards, and resolution is just well, this ). Ask yourself, did I set these goals because I want to achieve them for myself? Will this make me a better person? Will I be happier if I achieve these goals? My answer to all three is definitely yes. 

Next you need to remember that you aren't the only person who ever gets distracted from a goal. You just need to get back in the right frame of mind and jump right back on the horse- so to speak anyway. Remember that these goals are something you want and give yourself time to work towards them instead of giving up right away.

I hope you found this insightful or some advice in this short piece, I know I needed to remind myself that it's okay to mess up towards my goals, as long as I get back into it. I feel one step closer by simply acknowledging "I am not doing all I could or should be towards achieving my goals for 2015".

Thanks for reading

Stelle xx