Hey guys, 

One of my New Year Resolutions was to make time for reading. I'm always a hit and miss, I've only had 'time' for reading when I went on holiday and I would go through the phase of loving it and then trying to get back into books and then weeks later I would give up.

October/November last year one of my friendship groups decided they was going to create a book club and we would take it in turns. Some of us managed the whole book, some managed a few chapters and I think the odd person hadn't even started. Admired the inspiration but the motivation could have done some work ahaha. Therefore, this book club failed.

My second friendship group are more readers as they are slightly older than me and are settled; when they tell me about the books they read within a certain a mine of time - That is admiration and motivation. We decided to put the different genres of books into a Spin the Wheel so we have a variation of range.

Elisha went first with starting book club and chose the book Birthday Girl by Penelope Douglas.

Photo Credit: Google Images

Jordan has nowhere else to go when her boyfriend offers to let her move in with him and his dad. Working a dead-end job, with her relationship sputtering, she jumps at the opportunity, expecting to help out around the house in exchange. What she doesn’t anticipate is for her heart to race every time Pike pulls into the driveway, or to burn when their eyes meet over the breakfast table. He’s kind and listens to her and protects her in a way no man ever has before. Her sister once told her there are no good men, and if you find one, he's probably unavailable. Only Pike isn't the unavailable one…she is.

As the days go by, Pike’s finding it anything but simple to have his son’s girlfriend living in his house. He can’t stop thinking about her and holding his breath every time they cross paths. It feels like she’s becoming a part of him. Except he knows they’re not free to give in to this. How could they when he’s her boyfriend’s father?

Review:

Omg, is it possible to be in love with a character? Pike is just so dreamy, we all need a Pike.

I got straight into the book and was hooked. The way Penelope writes you can literally picture the characters. I remember in school reading The Fault in the Stars and could picture The characters and the film came out, I was somewhat close. I literally wish they had brought this out into a movie as it's so detailed. Same for It Ends With Us by Colleen Hoover - cannot wait for that to come out this year (Blake Lively as Lily Bloom 🤩). I envisioned Cole to look like Noah LaLonde (Cole from My Life with the Walter Boys). I envisioned Pike to look like Tom Welling (Superman in Smallville or Cain in Lucifer).

I went to Blackpool with some friends in the month of reading this book, so when I had a quiet downtime moment I would try and read a tiny bit. I then went to Ireland solo to see one of my best friends so it was the perfect opportunity to read at the airport and on the plane. Trust me to get to the saucy parts on the plane hahaha. 

I love a forbidden romance of will they or wont they. Even though it was a slight slow burn I just knew it would pick up from reading the blurb. It was kind of obvious what was going to happen from the get go but still it was one where there's surprises and couldn't put the book down. The sexual tension & chemistry in this book was incredibly high.

This was the first book I have read of Penelope Douglas' and can definitely say it won't be the last. At the time of reading this book, me and my ex were on a break so this was the perfect distraction as I was totally absorbed and loved escaping reality.

This book starts with Jordan who is a 19 year old hardworking and independent girl who finishes work and heads to the movies whilst waiting for her boyfriend to pick her up. As it's her birthday, her boss gave her a box of wine which she has a situation of spilling the wine and dropping her phone, which leads to the perfect set-up of meeting a stranger called Pike. She highlights that she has a boyfriend even though they both feel the instant connection but when they leave the movies they realise they have someone in common so it won't be the last time the two meet. So we know this story is going to be a when, where and how kinda situation.

Another thing I loved about this book was how the chapters alternated between Pike and Jordan. I love when you get that person's perspective especially With the age gap between them both and how they are different but the same. Penelope did so well in letting their story develop and their love story flourish. We seem them go from strangers to living together to then falling in love whilst trying to hard not to be selfish and succumb to their desires.

I would definitely rate this book a solid 4 out of 5.

Hey guys,

How's everyone's 2024 going?

Everyone who know's me know that I am the most anxious, overthinker and struggle with self-confidence and self-belief. I always have doubt and my mind is always doing 360s, in which everything gets heightened.

Here are some things I have learnt about how I can boost my self-confidence if you're feeling the same:

• Recognise what you're good at - If I got asked 'Nadine, what are you good at?' I would definitely have to sit there and think hard but really I'm pretty good at being there for people, being an Auntie & really good at my job. I'm also good at skincare and giving facials. I don't know why but when my Boss highlights a mistake I instantly think it's me and I have to double check to see if it was me. But so what if I did make a mistake? I'm not perfect and definitely not a robot. My boss put lots onto me as I'm always up to date and I am good at my job. Another self-confidence thing is that I'm good at facials but I won't take this up as I'm always like what if I cause a reaction, what if I'm not as good as I think I am, what if I get no clients?...
• Positive relationships - I would be lost without my support base. I have so many people to talk to but I don't talk, I don't like sharing how I feel and making myself vulnerable or wanting to feel like a burden. But that's not true. So many people are there and do listen and guide me. Enough said.
• Celebrate small wins - The waking up, the getting the shower, etc. Big or small. I've got a Journal in which I reflect morning and night and god this helps.
• Do kind acts for others
• Move - Go for a walk, go the gym, throw a Youtube video on. Just move!
• Be kind to yourself - Calm your mind, spend time with people who care and love you (vice versa), compassion, celebrate your growth, don't live online and as soon as a negative thought pops into your head, pop 2 positive thoughts into your head by reading affirmations or highlighting 2 good things that you have achieved with your day or about yourself. 
• Hobbies - Do more of your hobbies and what you're good at and just lose yourself within that.

Hey guys,

Happy Sunday. So ironic when we love a Sunday but we hate a Monday ahaha. As much as I love having a chilled day of staying in pjs and binging a Netflix series' I actually prefer getting my s***t together as I feel so much better and calmer within the week. Those who know me, I get overwhelmed easily which leads to be ending up in a mood & irritated if I don't feel organised or have a plan. Which is even more mad as I struggle with mojo and having the get up and go. It took me weeks to clean out my room, which is a still a work in progress - But in my defence, I'm having a big clear out of my room.

1. Plan out your week - Appointments, intentions, habit tracker, schedules, meetings
2. Clean out your purse & receipts
3. Grocery shop & meal prep
4. Clean your home & tidy away things that are left around
5. Laundry
6. Set your goals
7. Check your bank accounts & make notes on your tracker - I keep a spreadsheet of my payslip and then I highlight my monthly outcomes (I do do this on a monthly basis but on a weekly basis I go into a bit more detail), expenses I have planned for the week (I used to do this on a monthly but who plans a month ahead like dates, meals, etc). I also do a No spend document so I update this. 
8. Indulge in self-care - Have a bath, light a candle, do a face mask 

Hey guys, and welcome to 2024!!

Hope you all had a lovely Christmas & New Year?

A vision board is a goal-manifesting collage that helps motivate you to transform your dreams into action. It features images and words/quotes, or whatever you want it to feature. They have become so hyped up (and worth it). So many people are visual people and having what they want to achieve all in one collage can help inspire. Visualisation is powerful for brain as it involves using the Reticular Activating System (RAS). RAS helps us be successful in our actions and even if our actions fail we learn and take different actions. Without having that vision that you can look and reflect upon, it’ll be harder to pinpoint and direct your efforts to see your end results. You have the power of manifesting, choice, to visualise and be pro-active.

I actually created my vision board in the middle of December when I was reflecting on my 2023 goals and what I had accomplished. I am one of them who screenshots (A LOT) of things on my phone from the likes of Instagram, TikTok, Lemon8, Pinterest etc but then because I love to take pictures, I forget all about them until I decide to have a phone clear out. I was going through my photos the other day and I was like omg there’s my goals and inspirations for 2022, oops. Deleted. The second part of 2023 I felt like I was in my Manifesting and Wellness Zone – I started Yoga, went to a Pilates, Yoga & Reflection Day Re-treat, Went to a Float Room a few times etc.

This time around, I have collated my goals and inspirations for 2024 and used Canva (free version) to create a collage and set it as my Home Screen background on my phone and laptop so it hits me every day. Who isn’t on their phones or laptops daily?! By regularly looking at your board it’ll hopefully reinforce connections associated with your aspirations and make you more conscious of achieving these goals.

The best thing about a Vision board is that it is your board – You can add as much as you want and as little as you want, and you can’t be judged. I recommend starting off small as this will make less terrifying and when you look at back you won’t be as disheartened and not continue on in the following years. But it’s entirely up to you. Its YOUR vision board.

1. Define your goals & aspirations – wealth, career, relationships, health, spirituality, hobbies, etc. - The first few things that enter your mind focus on them. For instance, it's my dream to go to New York at Christmas and this will be the year I get to do that.
2. Finding your inspiration - Get onto Google Images, Instagram, Pinterest, Magazines and find them images you want to put onto your collage. There is quotes for everything these days so type into Google them certain keywords and you'll find what you are looking for.
3. Mapping out your board - Are you more an arts and crafts kind of person and want to create it on a cardboard or are you more tech savvy and want to create it on an app - I used Canva free but there is plenty of apps and Photoshop to create your perfect board.
4. Bringing your vision board to life - Put it above your bed so it's the first and last thing you see when you're in bed, put it in your studio, save it as your desktop on your tablet, personal computer or work computer. Save it as your wallpaper on your phone...
5. But remember there isn’t any rules....

Attract what you want. Ask for what you want & be prepared to get it.

Don't forget it can be as big or small as you want depending what you are after for the year and whether you want the stress or peace. You just need a vision board for clarity of the goals you want to set for the year ahead with clear and targeted intentions. Here is what my vision board looks like. 

Nadine Alex x

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Are you a winter or summer person? Personally I'm either Spring (my birth season) or Autumn as neither season is too hot or too cold. That fresh crisp air. The sunrises. Easter. My birthday. Warm clothes. The budding flowers. Daffodils and Sunflowers. Yellows, reds and pinks and oranges and browns. 

Have you got any plans or ideas for Autumn? Check out my Bucket list and ideas if you want some inspiration. One of my favourite things for the early darker nights is having a movie marathon with hot drinks and my favourite snacks. It's a bit too early for Christmas films but perfect time for Halloween films... even if you don't like Horrors.

Non Spooky (My favourite type)

• Casper
• Hocus Pocus 1 + 2
• Halloweentown Franchise
• Harry Potter Franchise
• Hotel Transylvania Franchise
• Scooby Doo
• Twilight Franchise
• Edward Scissorhands
• The Haunted Manision
• Caroline 
• Twitches 1 + 2
• Sweet Home Albama
• The Lost Boys
• Ghostbusters - Original and New version
• When Harry Met Sally
• You've Got Mail

Spooky

• Haunting of Hill House
• The Conjuring
• ET - This actually has haunted me as a kid so it's going in the spooky genre haha - Don't ask...
• The Addams Family
• The Woman in Black
• Labyrinth
• Gremlins
• Beetlejuice
• Series of Unfortunate Events (And film)
• Monster House

Horror (My worst nightmare)

• Eli
• Candyman
• The Sixth Sense
• Halloween Franchise
• Nightmare on Elm Street Franchise
• Scream Franchise
• Final Destination Franchise
• Insidious Franchise
• IT
• Scream Franchise
• The Mummy

What kind of Halloween film do you like? Are you braver than me haha?

Hey guys,

It's offically Autumn!!

If your looking forward to Autumn and are looking for some plans (whether it's solo, with friends, family, partner etc) get that notebook (or the Notes section on your phone) and jot down some of these activities you can add to your list:

• Visit a pumpkin patch & do some carving
• Get some clear cups & glasses and decorate with autumn themes 
• Walk - That feeling of the leaves falling and stepping on them crunchy leaves
• Seasonal hot drinks - Pumpkin spiced latte, Hot chocolate etc.
• Firework display - Get them sparklers out
• Light autumnal candles
• Blackpool Illumination lights
• Bake Halloween goodies - Cookies, Cupcakes etc.
• Do Halloween crafts
• Trick or treat (If you have kids)
• Roast marshmallows/smores on a fire
• Take photos
• Apple picking / Apple bobbing
• Cook seasonal foods - Apple crumble, Scouse (or stew depending where you live), Pumpkin soup, Hotpots, Casserole, etc.
• Have a bonfire
• Build an indoor fort 
• Play board games/jigsaw
• Autumnal films - Get them winter pjs on, fire lit, your favourite snacks with hot drinks and throw on Halloween films - Whether it's Horrors or Disney-related; some of my favourite are - Hocus Pocus, Halloweentown, Casper, Edward Scissorhands, Bedknobs and Broomsticks 
• Make an autumnal wreath/garland
• Decorate your home with some autumnal decor
• Declutter 
• Time to get the darker nail polishes and lipsticks out - I'm a sucker for red with purple undertone lipsticks and dark orangey-brown nails,
• Enjoy the darker mornings on your days off
• Star gaze
• Harry Potter Marathon - And if you can go visit Harry Potter World in Watford - Read my Experience here

Nadine Alex x

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Hey guys,

With today being a Sunday, beginning of the month & with us being more than halfway through the year (scary I know), what post is better than an Organisation/Reset kind of post. My goals at the beginning of the year was to stop procrastinating, be more organised with aspects of my life (including blogging) and some other things I want to achieve. But in January I put myself out there and started dating and now it's July - I have a boyfriend, we've been on countless holidays, I have been given more of a role in work so it has consisted on quite a bit of overtime and training and I became an auntie to another little one. I cant believe I'm an Auntie of 4 under 4. Hectic haha. 

Anyways, I have had quite a few hits during the year (which is too long winded to put onto here and I'm trying to be positive & not get off track with this post haha) so why not reflect and give myself a 'reset' ready for the remainder of the year. Blank exciting canvas. A new opportunity to get prepared & organised. Why wait for the year for goals? Actually, why wait til the following month to get organised and set goals? Try doing it on a Sunday, so you can have a good week and then that good week could progress to a good month. 

Brain Dump

I am so, so, so bad at this. I have so much going on in my brain of things to do and then I feel overwhelmed to the point where I just crawl into bed to binge watch a programme. I have always wanted to do facials& reflexology on the side but it means having clients and renting a room so currently it's not a viable idea but at the same time I am also thinking of starting an Etsy job. Also, I have been thinking of maybe putting my head back into the books and doing my AAT's, but wanting to keep on top of my blogging and being sociable. As I said, a lot going through the brain and nowhere for it to go. The best idea is to get a spare notebook or even make a Word Document on the laptop where you can just throw the ideas. You'll feel the weight off your shoulders. Even if it's breaking down the tasks into priorities and what you can put on hold.

Finances

I am trying so hard this year to keep on top of my Finances on a day to day basis - including using a Word Document in which I highlight the days of the month in which I haven't spent any money. Basically, I create a 7x5 table and label the boxes 1-31 (or amount of days in the month) and then I highlight the days where I haven't spent. The days I do spend I write in the column what I did spend (minus bills) and how much. I then at the end of the month can do a summary of the total expenses. I set myself a target of not spending as much as the previous month. See below for an example. This has actually beneficial and has helped me keep track and feel much more in control of my expenses. 

Finances should definitely be kept on top of (if you can't weekly, aim for monthly) in order not to miss a payment, become overwhelmed or forget what you have spent. Amount of times I have checked my bank account and been like 'what the heck is that payment' haha. It's also good in highlighting the pointless and non essential purchases you make and how to limit it the following month. It is even more important now to keep on top of your Finances & Budgets with the current climate and ongoing rise in prices. 

I have also been using an app called 'Plum'. Omg this app is a dream. I didn't realise how much I can actually save without having to think. This app is linked to my main account and weekly it'll take a certain amount. There are different toggles you can switch on and off (depending if you have used premium or not) which includes;

• Automatic - It analyses your income & expenses and it calculates what it can safely set aside without affecting you massively
• Weekly depositor - Sets aside a certain amount every week
• Round ups - It rounds up your transactions to the nearest £1 - You can even do Pound Ups - This rounds anything that's .00 exactly - e.g. £5, it'll put away £1
• Rainy Days - This is quite similar to Weekly depositor
• 52 Week Challenge
• The 1p Challenge

Reflect & Set Goals

Take the time to sit & reflect on the month you have left behind. Grab a cuppa, get your daily journal, a word document, whatever will help you 'brain dump' and list what you achieved in the previous month, what tasks you haven't completed and what you want to achieve in this current month. This is the perfect opportunity. Reset your alignment and focus. As I said at the beginning of the month I have so much going on in my head that dumping into a notepad, word document or even a draft blog post helps me clearer my mind, get a better aspect of what I want to achieve and not feel overwhelmed. From looking at the brain dump you can then set your goals into certain focuses whether it's health, finance, professionally, socially or personally. But remember to be realistic and smart.

For example:

• If you exercise twice a week - Try aim for 3 times a week
• If you manage to drink 4 glasses of water a day - Aim for 5
• If you manage 3 blog posts a month try 4
• If your trying to break a habit - Try a day at a time
• If your trying to save money - Go a day at a time of not spending 

It's always good to reflect on your month and acknowledge the small wins. You may be surprised on what you have achieved. Even if you've got depression or anxiety and struggle to get out of bed - getting out of bed that one day is an achievement. Before thinking of new goals, analysis the goals you had made the previous month and think about what their priority is to you - Will it help you grow? What are the benefits? And what does it mean to you? Don't create a big list as this will overwhelm you, keep it short and simple and then build it up when you have ticked them off your list or keep a note for the following month. 

Clear Out

Clear out everything. Whether it's your phone, emails, photos, purse, bag, your bedroom, wardrobe, makeup/skincare, makeup brushes, workspace, other aspects of your house etc. I am useless at clearing out & decluttering things whether it's because I haven't had the time so it's built up to being a huge task or whether it's because I'm a hoarder for useless things but coming up with a valid reason of why I need to keep the items. 

As I still live at home technically I only have my bedroom to clear out (and some of the attic haha - I have a tendency to throw things up there haha). Therefore, I have currently made a list on my Notes app on my phone of different parts of my room to do (such as makeup drawer, dressing table, junk drawer, wardrobe, chest of drawers, etc etc) and I can tick them off when I have completed them. 

I have 3 personal email accounts and 2 of them I am quite good at keep on top of and and only keeping the essential emails and unsubscribing to the pointless (and shops) emails. I even have folders created on my main email address for payslips, important events, tickets, receipts, refunds I am waiting for etc. But the 3rd email address I hadn't touched for years so its very overwhelming to deal with. I still haven't got the encouragement yet...

Having a clear out not only helps reduce stress & anxiety but helps you feel clearer and focused. Don't ask me to clear out my phone though as I am constantly on it and as I have a passion for photography I actually have 51,400 photos and 13,000 videos. I pay for monthly storage and if I did clear it out I wouldn't have to pay but hey ho. I am trying to get there with clearing out the photos as I do have a hard-drive but it's just getting the time management correct. I am good at clearing out the 'Recently Deleted' though haha. And halfway through removing the Screenshots haha. 

If you do have your own home, there is quite a lot of checklists on Pinterest that look helpful in getting your house decluttered and organised. There are checklists for things to clean and tidy out on daily basis, weekly basis and a monthly basis. Whether it's kitchen drawers & cupboards, the fridge, desk drawers, bathroom cabinets, under the sink supplies, the pantry, etc. For my makeup and skincare drawers I actually use drawer organisations and oh my goodness it has made cleaning them so much easier as I can see the products clearer and can just put them out of the drawers neatly to give a deep clean.

As for paper I tend to just throw them in the junk drawer but I actually bought myself a Box File which has dividers in. I then sort the paper into statements, important documents, receipts, bills, car documents, etc. This has benefitted me so much as it literally takes me 5 seconds to find what I'm looking for instead of rummaging through the junk drawer. Why do we even consider it normal to have junk drawers haha?

Example of Pinterest Cleaning Schedules

Hey guys,

As you may have seen from my previous post (click here) I passed my driving test before 2022. Woo finally. I thought I would share some pointers that helped me and some tips that I learnt on the way. Hopefully you find this useful.  

This is one meme I found last year and I saved it to my Notes section on my phone

1. Instructor - Find one that is right for you and you feel comfortable with, ask around and get reviews on different instructors. Would you prefer a female or a male instructor?. At first my instructor was my mum's cousin and as he was just starting he didn't really have the best patience. I moved to another instructor about 2-3 years later (after a big break) who has such a great personality, the patience of a god send and was just so lovely. Unfortunately, he ended up with some health issues and had to take a step back and with the pandemic all the instructors had a backlog. Luckily, my mum's cousin took me back and had developed the patience and we could have a laugh and it felt a lot more chilled as we was talking about the family and how everyone was.
2. It's okay to change instructors - At the end of the day, it's how you feel and it's you whos got to pass
3. Lessons take time - Driving is a huge life skill that you don't want to rush your lessons with. They'll be some aspects of driving that you'll be amazing at and some that you'll be less good at. But, practice makes perfect. And to be honest, everyone says that driving lessons don't stop after you've passed your test. 
4. You'll have at least one bad lesson -  Heck I had a few, I bumped the kerb on my own road - would think I would know my own road by now. My mum has been driving for 25+ years and the other day she was messing with her gears, wasn't prepared for the traffic lights so ended up stalling and then rolling backwards haha. You definitely need concentration and to always keep your eyes on the road. Don't get distracted. It's okay to panic sometimes. Definitely talk to your instructor as they are there to help and try and resolve your problems. It always works itself out in the end.
5. Everyone learns at different paces but you'll eventually get there. 
6. Don't book if your instructor doesn't think your ready - Tests are a lot of money, especially if you fail. Keep in contact with your instructor and always have full honesty between yous both. My instructor was telling me that one of his pupils thought she was ready for her test, he said she wasn't and she went on to do the test anyways and failed within 5 minutes of the test. Your instructor does know best (majority of the time haha).
7. It's okay to not pass first time - Nerves and anxiety definitely play a key factor. My  leg wouldn't stop shaking - especially as my instructor had been a male but then the examiner was a female who had the complete opposite personality. Plus, failing the first time at least you know what to expect for the next time around. The examiner gives you a good understanding as to why and what you failed on. This helps give your instructor a good understanding of what they need to focus the next lesson on ready for the next test.
8. Buy lessons in bulk - Make sure you can afford to keep on top of your lessons 
9. Time slot/day - Luckily as I don't work Tuesday's I found this was a perfect day to focus on my lessons. Prior to this, I used to work a 0 hour contract and quite a lot of them hours were night shifts so I found I was cancelling all the time and losing so much money.
10. Theory test - Make sure you have passed your theory test in plenty of time. Theory tests run out after 2 years so if you haven't passed your test there could be a chance that you may have to redo your Theory test. This means more money and more stress. Due to the pandemic I know in my area that there is currently a backlog of people waiting to take their tests. 

I hope you enjoyed reading this and found some of these tips useful. If you have any other tips please leave them below :) 

Hey guys,

As I am approaching 25 years old in the next few weeks I received my Smear Test letter a few months ago. This is a must do task!! If you are reading this and haven't had yours yet - book it in. 

What is it?

This cervical screening checks the health of the cervix which is basically the opening to your womb. It is a bit awkward as obviously they have to observe down there but if you want children you'll get used to it or if you have had children then your more likely not bothered. I definitely want children when I'm older but I have also got the IUD so I have already been through that awkwardness. Plus, I always think if you can let a guy see down there why can't you let a professional nurse? This test is to to gather some cells from the cervix which are then sent off to a lab to check for Human Papillomarvirus (HPV). If they find these cells they will then check to see if there are any changes. If there are you will get sent for further tests but if they don't spot any changes they recommend you go back in 3 months time just for a little check up. However, if the cells aren't present you don't have to go for another test for 3 years. Luckily, if they do spot the cells they can usually be treated before they get a chance to turn into cervical cancer. You usually find out your results by letter 2 weeks later (maybe slightly later due to a backlog in tests with this pandemic).

**Side note - HPV is actually quite common and my Nurse was saying at some point majority of people do get cells as there are numerous factors such as - sex (any type) , sharing sex toys, and skin to skin contact of the genital area.

What happens at the appointment?

The test usually takes about 5-10 minutes by a female nurse or doctor. Unfortunately, (if it wasn't awkward enough), as I have the coil the nurse had to check the coil was in place but she couldn't find the threads as they had tucked themselves away. Luckily, the coil was still in place though. But this meant she was back and forth using 2 different length tube-shaped tools (speculum) to make sure she was getting the cells from the right place. 

Before starting, the nurse explains what will happen during the test and answers any questions you may have. The nurse showed me a diagram of the cervix and what tool they use. You'll need to undress from the waist down and there is a extra sheet on the bed for you to put over yourself. The nurse will ask you to lie back on the bed, with your legs bent, feet together and knees apart. On the ceiling, my nurse had this funny poster of a cat and it was such a good distraction. The nurse will then gently put the speculum into your vagina. Don't worry they will use a small amount of lubricant so it shouldn't hurt. They will then open the speculum so they can see your cervix and then using a soft brush, they take a small sample of cells from your cervix. Once the sample is taken the nurse will remove the speculum and leave you to get dressed. (There are a few non-graphic videos on the NHS website if you want more detail). 

Photo Credit: Google Images

Tips:

• Be as relaxed as you can
• Don't be alarmed if you have some spotting or cramps afterwards - or in my experience, if your next period is slightly delayed
• Wear something you can leave on during the test - a long jumper or a skirt
• Before the pandemic you could bring someone along with you for support - hopefully this will be allowed again soon
• Breathing exercises - My nurse was doing this with me to keep reminding me haha
• Ask if it's an option to lie in a different position if you don't feel comfortable - As my appointment was a bit longer than usual my back was starting to hurt so the nurse suggested making fists and putting them underneath my hips; this actually helped us both
• You can ask them to stop at any time
• Bring something to listen to - My nurse had a little white noise machine which is the best thing - I understand why babies love them too
• Talk to your nurse to distract you - Mine was talking to me about my job, hobbies, what my plans were for the weekend etc
• It is best to get an appointment a week after your period has ended

 Hey guys,

So I can finally and proudly say after so many years of being on and off with driving lessons and so many hurdles, I have finally passed my driving test!! 3rd time lucky... Well I actually passed 23rd November 2021 but I have been so busy, oops. Make sure you have a cuppa (maybe a teapot haha) ready as this is going to be a long post haha.

When I was around 16 years old (btw I'm 24 now) I was telling my parents about how I was wanting money so I could start my driving lessons when I turn 17 (in the March). But in the February my brother and I were messing around near the stairs and he thought giving me a little shove wouldn't do any harm. Anyway, I ended up with 3 broken bones and many months back and forth with hospital appointments in plaster, having scans, an operation and around a year having physio. So there goes my driving plans. I then got a job in Subway which was a zero hour contract with many, many night shifts so it was difficult to book driving lessons. Then uni came about with the biggest student life. See...no time for driving lessons. - I mean I could have done my lessons but you only get your student life once really.

With my theory test I kept booking and re-scheduling because I get anxious so quickly, unconfident and felt under-prepped. I have always struggled when it comes to tests and revision. It goes in one ear and out the other. I then felt ready for the test and this global pandemic happened. As soon as the theory test centres opened I was just like yanno what I'm just gonna do it. To make myself less nervous I went for a 7pm appointment so when I got to the centre it was just me, the staff and 2 other girls who were already half way through their tests. Anyway...I passed. 

I had to stop and start (again) thanks to the 3 lockdowns but I never lost the mojo. One time I was so ready for my test but then lockdown made me change it. And again. Then the 3rd time I booked my test my Driving Instructor, Mike, had some unfortunate health issues to where he was having to stop being an instructor to focus on his health. Therefore, I went back to my old instructor, Stephen, from years ago. I only actually managed about 5 lessons from him years ago before all the night shifts kicked in. Therefore, I was so nervous incase he brought up about the fact I just left him and then years later moved to another instructor. Thankfully he was understanding and was positive in getting me passed. 

The first driving test actually went so good. I had a guy called Dave, and he was so lovely. My show me, tell me questions were 'Tell me where you'd find the information for the recommended tyre pressures for this car & how tyre pressures should be checked' and 'When it's safe to do so, can you show me how you wash & clean the rear windscreen?'. The test was using a sat-nav and then following the examiner's instructions aswell as a front bay park. I was coming back to the test centre as a pass with 4 minors but unfortunately with 5 minutes to go I got a serious fault. I was coming out of a road taking a right and a van was coming into the road I was leaving, and he hadn't fully got into my road before I pulled out. My instructor was more like it was a what if, how did I know there wasn't a vehicle behind the van. Completely understandable but I was so gutted. My instructor took me back to that spot and he explained that it was quite harsh as the road was a long stretch so it was easy to see if there was vehicles or not. But nonetheless I felt quite positive for my second test.

The second test was shambles. I had a woman (I'm sorry I cant remember her name - can you tell I have tried to forget this test). She treated it like test conditions, was no conversation at all. My left leg was shaking madly so I was quite heavy on the clutch. I was entering the busiest (and probably the most awful) roundabout by mine where I accidentally stalled. But because of where I stalled I thought I just need to go, where I shouldn't. So back to the test centre it was. I was so disheartened, it was completely different to my first test. TI honestly felt like I wanted to give up and told my driving instructor that I wanted a break from lessons as I had lost my confidence and just need to get my focus and mindset back. I then re-booked my test for January. 

However, my instructor (luckily) wasn't listening to me. He had hold of my Driving reference and Provisional ID so he could keep an eye for cancellations but I said I didn't mind if there wasn't any cancellations. Anyway, I got a text message on 21st October saying I needed to check my emails. He had found a cancellation for the 23rd November at 1:15pm. I went into panic mode as I was only able to do Tuesday's but I had Harry Potter one Tuesday, he was away for another Tuesday so I was only going to be able to manage 2 lessons before the test. 

Now for the 3rd (and final) test. I turned up and was in the mindset of like I really can't be bothered, I've already failed because I've only managed 2 lessons and my confidence still hadn't fully come back. I had another woman called Sue. Because of my past experience on the 2nd test, I was a bit disheartened to have another woman and she was trying to get me to read the vehicle reg from a further distance than everyone else. I admitted that I couldn't make out the reg and she laughed and said she couldn't either. I thought brilliant. My tell me question was 'Tell me how you switch your headlight from dipped to main beam and explain how you'd know the main beam is on.' My show me question was 'When it's safe to do so, can you show me how you'd de-mist the front windscreen.' My manoeuvre was pull up on the right hand side and reverse 2 car lengths. The test was using a sat-nav and then following the examiner's instructions. Again, I was so nervous and was trying to make conversation in which I did get a little bit more out of her compared to my previous test. I had a no entry road which I completely passed, a few hills and an angled start. But one or 2 times I did roll back to where I thought 'oh my god' but managed to save them. And with the no entry road you come out an up hill and the road was so busy it took ages to be able to pull out so I put the handbrake on and I felt my palms sweating and anxiety starting to kick in but I was completely fine, I did talk to myself sometimes haha. But hey it helped. I noticed we had got to the test centre earlier than expected and then she asked me to pull into any convenient space. I was convinced I had failed again so I literally threw the car in and wasn't in any of the white lines and was like 'Oh sorry I haven't got the car in between the lines.' She was like 'Don't worry dear do you want your instructor present?'. I remember feeling so disheartened when saying yes and was shaking my head at my instructor as if to say I've failed again and I give up. But instead she said the words 'I'm glad to say Nadine you have passed with only 3 minors'. Omg I was completely shook, my hands were shaking, I got so teary and was like omg really. It was finally over and now it's onto the next chapter...