How to go Back To Work after a Holiday | LINK UP

If you're anything like me, returning to work after a holiday (or any kind of break) is HARD.

I LOVE my blog but my other job is much less fulfilling.
I used to enjoy my '9-5' work but recently (in fact for a long while now) politics, pressures and lack of 'support' has made my job a real chore.

As a scientist, the lack of vision and forward thought is infuriating and I often resort to resigning myself to the circumstances.
Switching off my naturally questioning brain.
I have to surrender to the madness or I would go crazy!

I've worked some seriously crappy jobs in my time (I needed money and did whatever was available to make it) so I know it's not the WORK I dislike... it's everything else that goes with it.

You may be in the same boat as me?
Feeling bored and frustrated?
Infuriated?
Undervalued?
Taken for granted?

You may also feel trapped and that you can't do anything to help the situation?

In reality, we aren't always able to change our circumstances.
Sometimes looking for a new job is not a realistic option.

Maybe you can't change what's going on BUT, what you can change is your attitude to it.

1. Be Proud to HAVE a Job

Without sounding like a nag... please remember that having a job is a positive thing.
No matter how frustrating your job might be at the moment.
Ignore anyone who thinks to be jobless, and on benefits is an easy life.

Having a job not only gives you money, it gives you self-respect.
It sets a good example for your children.
It makes you feel like you're doing your bit to help keep the cogs turning.

Every job is important, and everyone does an important job.

2. Pick 3 things you Like about your Work Situation

This can be quite tricky but it doesn't have to be the actual job you do!

Mine are...

• I appreciate the importance of my work and the fact I'm doing my bit (and my best) to help people who are unwell.
• I love breaktimes! Getting peace and eating good food.
• (some of) My colleagues are fun to be around.

When you're having a rotten time of it remind yourself of your 3.

3. Start Changing Things

It sounds obvious, but start looking for another job... if that is an option.
Even the process of looking will make you feel better.
There could be a chink of light at the end of the work tunnel.

If a new job is out of the question (for whatever reason) try and find a way to do something different at work.
A pet project.
A little niche you could slip into that plays to your strengths.
Find a way to do more of what you're good at.

4. Break your Day Down into Sections

This is the big one (for me) and stops my mind from going into meltdown.

I don't focus on:

"I've got to go to work tomorrow for 8 HOURS OF HELL!!"

I break it up into positive slices to ease the pain.

• I take a really good coffee with me and sit outside for 10-15 minutes before I start, watching the world go by and catching up on my favourite blogs!

{We don't get a signal or WiFi at work}

• I split the day into "Time between Breaks" and make sure I have something delicious to eat/drink for each time I away from my station. My bag is stuffed full of yummy things! I cherish each minute of downtime.

{Much as I love a good blether, I actually love going for breaks alone (when possible) to focus on relaxing and munching!}

• I try to look for more challenging or time-consuming tasks... which is easy as most people avoid these. I love anything to do with maintenance and getting my hands in amongst the equipment. More difficult tasks make the working day go much quicker!

• I always have something to look forward to at the end of the working day. This can be meeting a friend for a walk, a yoga class, watching a film with my husband, something delicious for dinner. They don't need to be big things and they help a lot. Tomorrow (Monday) I'm going to a Bodybalance class after work and I can't wait!

How do you feel about your day-to-day work?
Love it?
Hate it?
Tolerate it?

Maybe you're a stay-at-home-mum of young children? How do you get through your working day with its long hours and zero breaks?

Maybe you're retired and fill your day with things you LOVE to do?

Maybe you moved from a job you hate to your dream job??

I'd love to hear all about it... and any tips you have for getting through a crappy day.

An InLinkz Link-up

Styling a White Dress in Summer

Today I'm wearing a wedding dress and no, I'm not going to a wedding...or a fancy dress party.
Neither is this a joke.

Don't worry.
I've not turned into a 'Miss Havisham' or completely taken leave of my senses.
Nor have I decided to dress in a more avant-garde style, channelling an eccentric vibe.
BUT...
I am wearing a wedding dress for real.

Let me explain myself...

Black and White Striped Jumpsuit, over 40

Today I'm styling a loose and comfortable jumpsuit, not for any reason other than I've put on a few pounds during my break last week.
{Read about why HERE}

Piling on a handful of pounds makes me feel pretty good.
{See more about weight fluctuations and goals HERE and my attitude to food HERE}

I'm Dropping off the Face of the Earth | LINK UP

I wanted to share something with you today.

I'm taking a break this coming week from, well.... life.

When I say a break I mean a REAL break.

No TV.
No computer.
No work.
No emails.
No blog.
No Social media.

No digital technology of any kind.

{I'm even leaving my Fitbit in the drawer!}

I'm turning off my phone and pretending that part of my life doesn't exist.
Just for a wee while.

I plan to read plenty of books, papers and journals this week.
I plan to do pointless crosswords, word searches and sudoku!
I plan to be drinking a little and eating A LOT!

A total digital detox!
As well as a step back from life's problems and issues.

I plan to return refreshed and ready to make lots of lovely new content for Fake Fabulous!

In the meantime know this...

I REALLY appreciate your visit and support, here at Fake Fabulous.

I know our lives are busy so the time you take out of your day to pop over and say hello means the world to me.

If you'd like to link up some of your fabulous work, the linky below will be running for the next two weeks.

I will check out all of your content when I return to the 21st Century.

So, cheerio for now, and have a wonderful week... whatever it brings!
XXX

An InLinkz Link-up

Orange Floral Wrap Dress | Simple Summer Outfit

Orange is such a bold and cheerful colour.
Perfect as a pick me up at any time of year but especially easy to wear in summer.

How to Avoid FOMO

FOMO, or fear of missing out, is SO common in people of all ages.

So, what causes this feeling of missing out on something important?

In a word... Media.
Whether it's clever marketing in a glossy magazine or Social media stories.
The fear of missing out on the latest wonder-product (or event) is real.

{Read about my experience with Heist tights HERE when my friend bought me a pair after seeing an advert on Facebook}

Social media can be the worst culprit.
Or, more specifically too much social media.

Facebook and Instagram are notorious for bombarding us with adverts and videos.
Telling us all about the latest amazing item/product that will change our lives.
Or, portraying other peoples lives as perfect.

According to Social Media, everyone else has...

• Perfect skin, makeup, brows and hair.
• Children that never misbehave or argue.
• Teens that are a delight to be around at all times.
• Perfect attentive husbands.
• Amazing immaculate homes.
• A calendar filled with non-stop fabulous social events.

Life appears to be one big-perfectly-coiffed-party.

You may end up feeling like your life, family, friends (and appearance) are falling seriously short.

Well, guess what?
It's all a load of old bollocks!

If that face cream was so effective why don't women in their 50's all look 25?
If the party was so amazing why were the guests on their phones posting on Social?
If you have time (and inclination) to get your phone out at a party then that tells me the party was bor-ing!

FOMO may sound like a stupid fad BUT it is a real struggle.
So, how can you manage those pangs of envy, or urges to shop?

1. Realise the grass is NOT greener, and the roses don't smell any sweeter.

That face cream or magic tights will NOT make you instantly look younger and thinner.
Only filters and photoshop do that!

{Besides, the model is about 15}

That person's life is NOT perfect.
Nobody has a perfect life.

Anyone who is keen to tell you about how amazing their life is probably has more problems than you do!

2. Try to cut back on Social media.

Be honest with yourself.
How long do YOU spend scrolling and watching videos?
It's probably way too long.

I know I spend too long, and I hardly ever look at twitter or Faceache (oops ... I mean 'book')

Watching the seemingly beautiful doing glamorous things in designer shoes is depressing.

Try to take things with a pinch of salt and restrict your 'checking up' to once a day... and no, once a day does not mean from 8am until 10pm!


3. Host your own REAL party!

Why not arrange a meet-up, party or event with your friends/family and focus on having fun.

Try and avoid 'posting' and simply enjoy the moment.
You could even put a lighthearted ban on devices!

It will feel great to let loose with no fear of it being recorded and shared.
You'll have some serious fun for real, instead of trying to prove to the rest of the world how much fun you're having.

Are you guilty of spending too much time on Social Media?
What about FOMO?
Do you ever buy items because of clever marketing then feel let down?
Or feel a pang of envy as you scroll through your feed?

I'd love to hear about it!

Leave a comment... or contact me by sending an email to fakefabulous.com(at)gmail.com

This week's LINK UP is open for 3 weeks... it's the summer blog slump and I'm going to be doing some bloggy housekeeping.
Please pop back and add more of your work, if you'd like to... and let me know if you're making any changes to your blog this summer.
I'd love to hear all about them!

{Read more about preparing for the summer slump HERE and try THIS POST which has some housekeeping ideas!}

An InLinkz Link-up

What to Wear for Work When it's Too Damn Hot!

Is it hot where you are just now?
Warm enough or too much?

I love it when the mercury rises.
It's such a rare treat for us, here in Scotland.
And it's especially great when you have some time off work!

{Guess who's been loafing around in the garden for the past week?? 😊}

However, if you're squashed up on public transport while commuting to work then the heat is no fun at all.

{There is nothing as disgusting as being pressed up against someone's sweaty armpit on a tube, or bus, journey.... yuck!}

Commuting and working in the heat can be a miserable experience.

That uncomfortable clammy feeling.
Crumpled clothes.
Damp armpits.
Hot swollen feet.
Even your makeup slides off your face.
Hideous.

Denim Dress and Comfortable Sandals | Summer Outfit

Summer has hit Scotland hard for the first time in, well... forever!
Skin is on show everywhere.
Summer clothes (that never normally get an airing) are being dusted down and we're soaking up the heat as often as possible.

I've been blogging for 3 years and this is the first year I've been able to sit outside and work.
It feels great.
My legs are even off-white!

Can you OD on Vitamin D? 😜

Over 40? Time to get your Twin Set out!

If you're anything like me you probably have memories of aged relatives and their twee knee skirts, navy pumps and coordinating twin sets.
Stylish in their day (a homage to the film stars of the 40's) twinsets served a purpose, but were certainly nothing you wanted to wear back in the day!