ad – this post contains affiliate links + gifted items marked *
I can’t remember how many weeks we’ve now been out of lockdown but, however many it is, I’m still not used to it. I haven’t quite created a routine and it stresses me out; I suddenly have a lot of free time in the evening which I would usually spend blogging or drawing but the last thing I want to do right now is look at my computer screen. I keep trying to find other things to occupy my time but it then results in endlessly watching TikTok videos. It’s so tricky! Anyway, here’s what has been happening over the past month…
Black Lives Matter
Before I go on, here are a couple of things you can do to help during this time (credit: das.penman on instagram):
Donate – The Floyd family have set up a GoFundMe page to help cover costs for George Floyd’s memorial
Sign the Petition – ColourOfChange have started a petition to get the officers who murdered George Floyd charged for their crime. It asks for a US postcode, but I guess…. well… We could always just, erm *cough* Googlearandompostcodeandusethat *cough*
Personal Thoughts
This month has been a roller coaster. I was completely fine one minute, and then ready to give up my blog the next. I feel like I’ve been so caught up in what everyone else is doing on their blogs that I forgot my “why”, but I’ve also learnt that blogging simply because you enjoy it is a good enough “why”! You can do things purely for the love of them.
But it has led me to the decision that I really, really need a break from blogging… So I’ve deleted all plans that I’ve had for July and have dedicated that month (or at least the first two weeks of July) to not doing anything related to blogging. Hopefully this will allow me to reflect and figure out my next steps, going forward.
May Highlights
House decorating – We finally bit the bullet and painted the living room, got rid of the bookshelves that were slowly falling apart, and did a big clear out! I’m so happy as it’s the first step to creating a home I’ve always wanted. I want to say thank you to you as well for helping me make a lot of decor decisions over on my instagram stories!
Face masks and chill – I have finally started a new series on this blog where I review the face masks that I’ve tried! I’ve been wearing face masks once a week over the past year or so, and now I want to document everything so that I can remember which ones worked and which ones didn’t. I’m so excited! If you know of any small businesses that sell face masks, then please let me know.
Molang!* – I received an adorable lil’ plushie from Molang! Dream collaboration or what? I’m so happy to welcome Molang into my life (after using Molang gifs repeatedly during work conversations… they must think I’m a crazy lady) and do a little photoshoot with him. I’ll be posting my photos for next Sunday’s post and I’m super excited. Click here* if you want to purchase your own lil’ Molang.
Grow & Glow Birthday Party – G&G had their very first birthday party, and it was so nice to see everyone again (virtually) since the Manchester event. I’m so happy to be a part of this community as they’ve really helped me figure out where I want to take my blog to the next level. Click here* if you’re want to become a part of this amazing blogging community!
Lettering + Illustration – I picked up my pen and have started doing illustrations again, keeping them simple and sweet so that I can do it in the pockets of time that I have time/energy. It’s been quite fun and a nice break from blogging! I’ve included my art instagram below if you’re interested.
Books I’ve Read
The Flat Share – I totally get the hype now. I thought it would be one of those books that everyone talks about but ends up not being as good as I hoped, but it was SO good. I loved the variety of characters and how the author managed to easily separate the two different viewpoints. I managed to complete this book in one sitting and I really hope to read more nice and easy books like this!
Snot Girl Volume 2 – my bestie Amy treated me to the first issue of Snot Girl last month so I had to buy the second volume! And I love it just as much as I did the first. I read these two graphic novels now whenever I feel down about blogging and it gives me such an inspirational boost!
Posts I’ve Written
Do Substyles Help or Hinder Us? – May started with a bit of a think piece where I discuss whether or not gyaru substyles help us, or if they stagnate creativity and makes us feel inadequate if we don’t “fit in”.
It’s Pretty but… Does it Actually Work? Feferafe Ice Cream Mask – The very first post of my skincare series! It drew me in with it’s pretty packaging but did it actually work? Click the link to find out.
8 Things I’m Going to do Once Lockdown is Over – I can’t wait to see my family and friends and go to cute cafes again! I listed out more things in greater detail as a way for me to have something to keep me going through this lockdown lull.
Bardia’s Coffee Review – A peek inside one of Stratford-upon-Avon’s loveliest family-run cafes, Bardia’s Coffee! I had such a lovely time there with my friend Isobel so wanted to write a lil’ review about it.
Lockdown Looks – A roundup of all of the lockdown outfits I’ve been serving over the past few weeks!
How to Juggle Life as a Gyaru Mama – I had a chat with the lovely Melissa on how she juggles parenting and being gyaru as part of my interview with a gaijin gyaru series! It was incredibly insightful, so I would highly recommend it for those fashionable parents out there.
What have you been up to this month?
Love,
Lizzie xx
Aaliyah
May 31, 2020Its really weird ending another month in lockdown, I haven’t actually worked since the end of March! The weeks are going by quite quickly and it’s strange not knowing when we’ll be back at work! X
hellolizziebee
May 31, 2020Yeeeeep! I’m trying to create a schedule but I just… I don’t know, it’s so weird still!
I think we will be returning to work soon but I’m still a bit cautious as I think there are still quite a lot of cases x
UnhappyGraduate blog
May 31, 2020You’ve had a great month! And I just learnt what a molang is 🙈
hellolizziebee
May 31, 2020It’s one of the cutest characters I’ve ever seen tehe! And thanks so much
claire
May 31, 2020Looking at your month, it certainly sounds like it has been a good one for you. I know the world is a tough and pretty horrid place at the moment with all that is going on, but keep bringing your positivity. It shines through.
Scheduling a blog break is a really great idea as well.
Heres to a better June for everyone x x
hellolizziebee
May 31, 2020Thank you so much, Claire! That means a lot. I hope you have a lovely June too! xx
Maisie
May 31, 2020I took a blogging break earlier in the year and I came back fresher than ever!! You’re so right, just wanting to blog is reason enough to do it! I’m a big believer in doing what makes you happy when it makes you happy!!
Sounds like a fairly nice month despite everything ! <3
I REALLY want to read The Flat Share!! I'll hopefully be able to get my hands on it soon.. although I have SO many books I already own that I need to read hehe, I managed to read a record breaking (for me) 9 and a half books this month.. tbh I've not had much else to do haha!!
Sending love as always! xxx
hellolizziebee
May 31, 2020I’m really hoping that this break will do the same for me, too! I really, really need this break. I feel like my brain is running over 100 miles an hour every day and it’s exhausting trying to keep up!
The Flat Share is SO GOOD. Like. I was really surprised how good it was??? And I managed to read it in about a day so it’s quite an easy read. But gosh that’s so many books in a month! I get lucky if I can manage to read 1. Do you read them on your kindle or read physical copies?
Thank you so much cutie pie xxx
charlotte
May 31, 2020I’ve heard so many people talking about The Flat Share!! I’m tempted to get it. I can relate to what you said about blogging too – I’ve taken a break before and it has definitely helped! x
– charlotte / https://charlottesspace.com
hellolizziebee
June 1, 2020It’s such a good book and quite easy to get stuck in to! I need more books like it to be honest to try and ween me off social media. Aah that’s so good to hear! I’m really looking forward to a break to be honest
Madi Dearson
May 31, 2020You are so right! This month was insane highs to lows and back again. I spend two days this week feeling awesome professionally, happy with what I managed to do, got out of lockdown, about to launch my online services, and then the ugliness humanity is capable of came rushing back and all over the news and I have spent these past few days on the verge of tears at any given moment. Thank you for sharing how we can all help if only a little. I so get needing to take some time off from everything. It’s important that you do. I hope you will have a great time.
hellolizziebee
June 1, 2020It’s really awful, isn’t it? And we should all do our bit to help out those who need it <3
Claudia
May 31, 2020This is the adorable Sanrio’s rabbit, save the money! 😁 I am Italian woman. Thanks.
hellolizziebee
June 1, 2020It’s so cute!
Britt K
May 31, 2020I think this current situation has really been testing all of us. I know that I’ve definitely had my shares of highs and lows as well. As for TikTok, I fully admit that has become an obsession of mine as of late as well… specifically animal TikTok. I even created an account to share videos of my dogs and cats and have been having WAY too much fun making them lol
hellolizziebee
June 1, 2020Aaah animal TikTok is the best! They are just so pure and I’m so happy when they grace my For You page.
Nancy
May 31, 2020What happened with Floyd was SO WRONG. I am glad that we are banding together to raise awareness. Sometimes we need a break from blogging and that is OK. Hope June will be a better month for yourself and all of us!
Nancy ♥ exquisitely.me
hellolizziebee
June 1, 2020I know right?! It’s absolutely awful. I really hope that he (and all of the other Black people who have suffered at the hands of police brutality) gets the justice he deserved. Yes, here’s to hoping for a better month!
Sophie Wentworth
May 31, 2020YOUR ILLUSTRATION LOOKS AMAZING. I had no idea you did that kind of thing and it looks so good! May feels like it went so unbelievably quickly for me until the events of the last few days started now everything feels like it’s moving in slow motion as I’m trying to process it. I hope you feel better after your break! x
Sophie
hellolizziebee
June 1, 2020Awh thank you so much Sophie ! Haha yeah I had a big art block for the past couple of years so I’m trying to get back into it again. Gosh, yes, me too… I really hope things will change soon….
Soph
May 31, 2020Thank you for sharing those George Floyd resources- I’ve been sharing and donating wherever I can. I still can’t quiet believe that May is over but we’ve been doing some home decorating too- it’s so satisfying isn’t it?!
Soph – https://sophhearts.com x
hellolizziebee
June 1, 2020You’re welcome! We should all do our bit to help!
And gosh yes. I think we’re going to move on to the dining room next and I really can’t wait! x
Teresa
June 1, 2020Aaawh, so sad that you feel so down about blogging, but I totally understand that the break might actually do you good too! Many people come back from a break twice better 😉
Also been loving your TikToks and house decorating updates on Instagram, as always. And the illustrations must be such a therapeutic way to fill time. Gosh, I wish I could draw…
Have a sunny May, Babygirl! xx
hellolizziebee
June 1, 2020Thank you so much Teresa <3 And thank you for your sweet messages over the past couple of weeks about it... I think it's best for me to take a break and let everything sink in so that I can emerge (hopefully) in a better mind set!
Tehe thank you! I'm going to update this post in a few days once the living room is actually complete so that I can share a before and after. I'm so pleased with it! xx
Jenny in Neverland
June 1, 2020So sorry to hear you’re taking a break from blogging but I’m glad you’re doing what feels right for you. The whole feeling not good enough thing can REALLY get to you – I’ve definitely had that more times than I’d have liked. But we’ll be here waiting for you when you get back! ❤ May was a rollercoaster; shame it ended on such an awful note xxx