Sundaze 166

This week I hit a few huge milestones on some personal goals, which of course means bloggers’ block has hit hard. In fact, I’ve been staring at this same screen for about three hours on and off, confused about where to begin. And believe me, that never happens. Writing this blog is one of those things that’s always felt completely natural to me. I suppose it goes hand in hand with the confidence crisis I’ve experienced this week, which I’ll talk about later.

Even so, the best way to get started is to start, so here we are.

Future-thinking, during lockdown

As you can probably tell from this week’s posts, I’ve been doing a little future-thinking recently. Whilst I personally won’t be regularly going out again anytime soon, I thought it might be useful in general to think about what life after lockdown could look like. I don’t do well with change at the best of times, so I’ve already voiced my worries to my very-understanding manager at work, and I’ve been making a note of what has and hasn’t been good during lockdown. One big thing is that I reached my new, house deposit goal! My arbitrary saving goals have constantly shifted as the housing market shifts, but I hit my goal… and now, of course, it looks like the housing market is about to hugely change again. Either way, I’m taking it as a small win, and I’m going to play it all by ear. Chez Daisybutter is finally, finally on the horizon!

Finding new forms of creativity

Instagram is one of those love-hate platforms for me. My content and self definitely lends better to words, and so it’s a place that has always just about managed to elude me. And this week was one of those weeks where I felt really, genuinely, absolutely lost. Every time I opened the app, I’d feel even more anxious and self-critical or pressured to create what everyone else seems to be doing so well. But as my priorities shift, so does my ‘grid’, and I’m realising that’s okay. Maybe solely using it as a highlights reel and moodboard is what works for me — I certainly don’t create content solely for Instagram…

Having said that, this week I started a little side account for my Animal Crossing adventures! And it has brought me SO much joy! In fact, today (Saturday) it’s having a bit of a halo effect as I’m enjoying Instagram again, and a shoutout from Hannah Gale sharply prompted me to remember why I do this: because it’s fun, and worthwhile to share your loves.

Links I’ve Loved

Although I don’t keep a reading journal, I’ve always thought it’s a good idea. Simone and Her Books shared their journal, and a snippet about how Simone write reviews. The last time I kept a reading journal was probably when it was mandatory to at primary school!
I’m desperate to try making Tania’s Vegan Caesar Dressing. I LOVE Caesar salads!
As I’m now finally daring to believe I might buy a house soon, I’ve been gobbling up Fifi McGee’s renovation posts. This one about visualising layout ideas is really handy.
The Spines is one of my favourite book blogs: Megan recently wrote about the top book cover trends she’s noticed so far in 2020.
Here for more Animal Crossing: New Horizons content? Michelle and Lauren shared mini island tours, and they’re both gorgeous!!
When a group of girls went away to celebrate Ghenet’s birthday a few years back, Carrie and I bonded over true crime podcasts. Here are some of her favourites.
And finally, there’s a brilliant, easy-to-digest guide to SEO for bloggers on Jodie Melissa.