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Mindfulness

Mindful Painting: A Guide To Creative Zen (Ad)

By Rebecca Watterson on Tuesday, July 14, 2020
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Finding new and exciting ways to practice mindfulness makes me so happy! I love to share the things I have discovered or tried that make practising mindfulness easy, creative and personal. Mindful painting is one of those activities. I have been a huge fan of mindful coloring for a long time. I find it so …

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Lifestyle

The Best Christmas Movies Ever & Of All Time

By Rebecca Watterson on Monday, July 6, 2020
The Best Christmas Movies Ever The Best Christmas Movies Of All Time HappyIs Happyis.co Happy Is Pin

Christmas is one of my favorite times of year. I fill my holiday season with food, music and movies. What could be more perfect?! The moment Hallmark announce the Christmas movies just makes my heart fill with joy. I have a list of movies that I have to watch every Christmas (and Christmas in July… …

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Lifestyle

Christmas In July Party Ideas: The Ultimate Guide

By Rebecca Watterson on Wednesday, July 1, 2020
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July is upon us once again. Is it just me or has the year felt like it has been flying by, but also like it is crawling at the same time? However it has felt for you, I think we can all agree that by the time we reach the middle of the year we …

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Lifestyle

My Monthly Goals: June 2020 (+ May 2020 Recap)

By Rebecca Watterson on Thursday, June 4, 2020
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We are already a few days into June 2020 and time feels like it is moving so quickly. It only seems like a week ago that I was writing my May 2020 goals post to share with you all. I have taken some time to think about my monthly goals for June 2020 because I …

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Make & Save Money

7 Work From Home Online Jobs To Earn $100 Every Day

By Rebecca Watterson on Monday, May 18, 2020
7 Work From Home Online Jobs To Earn $100 Every Day HappyIs HappyIs.co Happy Is

A major element of my freedom lifestyle relates to financial security and abundance. This is something I have struggled with for years and have only recently started to focus on properly. Since I shifted my focus, I have smashed so many financial goals and I am on track to keep going! But simplicity, living with …

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Make & Save Money

5 Best WordPress Themes For Lifestyle Blogs

By Rebecca Watterson on Saturday, May 16, 2020
5 Best WordPress Themes For Lifestyle Blogs HappyIs HappyIs.co Happy Is

Finding the perfect WordPress theme for your blog can be difficult. I used at least 8 different free themes and wasted a lot of time trying to code to make my blog look exactly like I wanted it to. It was a constant struggle! That is why I want to share the 5 best WordPress …

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About Me
Hi! I'm Rebecca, a Phd Researcher and self-employed writer from Northern Ireland. I have spent the last 10 years devising ways to make money on my own terms to live the life I desire. A life filled with travel, simplicity and caring for the environment. Money worries deeply impacted my mental health and wellbeing for a long time, but no more! If you want to earn some extra pennies, pay off some debt, or go on some extra holidays every year then this is the space for you.
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    • Is The Marks and Spencer Sparks Card Worth Having?Is The Marks and Spencer Sparks Card Worth Having?
      August 3, 2021Make & Save MoneyI am a huge fan of loyalty and reward schemes. They are a great way to save some money and even get some extra treats for yourself. One loyalty scheme I use regularly is M&S Sparks. It is a very different scheme from some others that you may be used to like Nectar or Tesco Clubcard, but if you ever shop in Marks and Spencer then Sparks is for you! Here is my Marks and Spencer Sparks review. Read on to discover is the Marks and Spencer Sparks card worth having? What is M&S Sparks? The Marks and Spencer Sparks card is a free loyalty and reward scheme to say ‘thanks’ for shopping with M&S. It’s filled with treats and rewards! You can use Sparks in M&S stores, online and via the M&S app (excluding international stores and BP garages). It’s so simple to use. The choice of name for the scheme is genius! M&S is often called Marks and Sparks, which is what we call it when we are heading for our Christmas shopping in particular, because it’s just such a festive and sparkly environment. So how apt that they chose Sparks as the title. It really shows how they listen to customers and consider their brand. I appreciate that level of effort. How does M&S Sparks work? The Sparks motto is: Good things happen every time you shop. So, Sparks is a reward scheme for customers who shop in M&S, but there are no points like other loyalty schemes. Instead, M&S gives you the chance to get treats, rewards, tailored offers and more! What are the benefits of M&S Sparks card? What will I get with M&S Sparks? Because there are no points some have questions if the Marks and Spencer Sparks card worth is high? I definitely think it is worth it. Despite not accumulating points, the offers are usually very good! For example, at the time of writing this blog post I currently have four offers: 20% off women’s pyjamas20% off patterned towels20% off patterned bedding20% off women’s socks 20% is a massive saving! And the lowest percentage off I have ever been offered is 15%. I think that is pretty generous. This week I have also had three freebies through M&S Sparks! This is what I got: Apothecary Sleep Scented Candle (Worth £7.50!)A bag of Percy Pig sweets (Full size!)Apothecary Calm Hand Cream (Worth £4.00!) These freebies and treats really delighted me! And all within the same week – how amazing is that?! I don’t get freebies or treats offered every week, but I have had other freebies such as a fresh pineapple. For me, that definitely makes the Marks and Spencer Sparks card worth it. Another little perk is the possibility that you could get your shopping for free. Yes. That’s right. FREE! Each month one lucky shopper has the chance to get their shopping free and you will find out when you get to the till or when you are paying online/via app. How exciting would that be?! When you join Sparks, you get to choose a charity to support. Each time you shop, Marks and Spencer will make a donation to this charity. This costs you nothing, and is just another great element of the Sparks scheme. My chosen charity is The Black Curriculum which has received £7,076 since June 2020 from the Sparks scheme alone (at the time of writing this blog post). There are a number of charities being supported through Sparks including Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity, Woodland Trust, Refugee Council, and RNLI. How to get a M&S Sparks card? You can join easily on the website or on the M&S app. M&S describe Sparks as a ‘digital first loyalty scheme’ which I absolutely love, because it means I don’t have to worry about forgetting my card or adding another fob to my keyring! (You can pick up a physical card in store if you prefer that.) This is what really makes the Marks and Spencer Sparks card worth it for me. The absolute ease. In fact, with the M&S app you can now Shop & Scan in-store making it even easier to use your Sparks card! Have I convinced you of the Marks and Spencer Sparks card worth? If so, you can download the app or join online, and get started straight away! How to use M&S Sparks card? How do I check my M&S Sparks offers? Just scan every time you shop in store, online or via the app. You will see your offers on the website or the app, and you just select the ones you wish to use. It’s that simple! Even if you have no available Sparks offers, make sure to still scan your Sparks card/app because the more you shop, the more likely you are to receive tailored rewards, treats and maybe even a surprise or two! Is the Sparks card any good? Is the Marks and Spencer Sparks card worth it? Definitely! It always amazes me when I read comments saying it isn’t worth it, or that it isn’t as good as other loyalty schemes. I rate it so highly! I like that it’s different and the freebie are such a perk for me, plus I love being able to choose a charity for M&S to support. So my answer to the question, is the Marks and Spencer Sparks card worth it, is a resounding yes! Will you sign up? Are you already a Sparks member? What do you think of M&S Sparks card? If you are interested in learning more about earning an income online, check out these posts: 3 Digital Side Hustles Which Can Boost Your Income7 Work From Home Online Jobs To Earn $100 Every DayRespondent.io Review – Paid Online Research StudiesHow To Start A WordPress Blog With Bluehost Quickly & Easily...
    • Be Intentional With Your Time In 5 WaysBe Intentional With Your Time In 5 Ways
      January 4, 2020Simple & Intentional LivingDoes it ever feel like there just aren’t enough hours in the day? Time goes by so fast and suddenly it’s dinner time and the to-do list hasn’t had a dent made in it. We have so many things competing for our time these days – work, home, family, relationships, sleep, shopping, cooking, eating, exercise, commuting… the list goes on and on. Learning how to manage our time better can help, but there is something that can make this even more powerful. Understanding how to be intentional with your time. Our time is so often in short supply, yet it is one of our most important possessions. Focusing on the things that matter most to us or that we really want to be doing can be challenging because we have bills to pay, houses to clean, dogs to walk, and an endless list of “musts” that eat away at more and more of our precious time. The idea of stopping our usual busy routines to become more intentional can be uncomfortable. But it is so worth it. Here are my suggestions on how to be intentional with your time. I have answered a few questions about intentional living beforehand, just to help take away some of the mystery. Related posts: 50+ Ways To Simplify Your LifeHow To Achieve Inbox Zero Quickly & Easily What does intentional mean? Intentional means done on purpose, deliberate, intended and conscious. Being intentional with your time means aiming to do everything consciously and on purpose. Of course nobody is perfect, but striving to live with intention each day means we are allowing only that which serves us and brings us contentment into our lives. Why do you need to be intentional with your time? To be intentional with your time means being mindful of each and every task, each and every day. It is more than a one-off. It is a way of being, or at least striving for a way of being. We live in a rush. Mindfulness and intentional living can stop that rush from sweeping us up into its grip. It gives us back some choice and control over our daily actions and activities. When we are able to create space for ourselves, we are better placed to set boundaries and stick to them. Living intentionally allows us to connect or reconnect with ourselves and our families, to understand our needs and to decide how we can best meet those needs. It is the road to freedom. Will I get less done in my day? I’m not going to lie. You might. Especially if you are used to working all day, doing all sorts, and not having a break. But the point of intentionality is not to make you do less. It is to help bring your focus onto what you are doing, so you can better choose what serves you and what doesn’t. It can highlight areas of your life that can be made more efficient, and indeed things that can be removed. Through living intentionally you will be able to streamline your to-do list, and shift your understanding of productivity to a more positive perspective. Is it possible to be intentional with your time at work and at home? You absolutely can be intentional with time at home and at work. At home or in your own business, you are much more in control. You can design your day in a way that works for you and suits you best. Work can just be a little more challenging to implement. At work we often have little control over designated tasks, workload and deadlines. But, did you know that in an 8-hour workday, we only achieve about 3 hours of actual work. That is because workplaces are not conducive to actual productivity. Productivity is seen as presenteeism. But sitting at our desks, or standing at our tills staring into space and counting down the minutes until the next tea break, are not making your workplace any more money (which is what they ultimately exist for). To be intentional at work will require you to speak with your manager about your ideas and plans. I suggest pitching it to them with a connection to improving your results, but don’t set yourself unachievable goals. Why not suggest that you only check and respond to emails at intervals during the day instead of all day? That is a great way to bring focus back to your day, and your manager might even get on board as well. Being intentional with your time is a way of living, and once you start to introduce it and see the benefits, I guarantee you will want to expand its reach and make your lifestyle even more intentional. Will being intentional with my time really make a difference? It will impact you and your life in so many ways. Being intentional with your time is about you aligning your lifestyle to your values. Living in line with our personal values and principles means we are living authentically. There is nothing more stressful than having to pretend to be something we aren’t. When we are focusing on intentionality in our daily lives, we decide to only spend time on that which brings us joy and contentment, that which matters to us and so we can truly live. Plus you will be spending time doing things you actually enjoy or decide that you need to do for yourself. Having that sense of control over our lives can ease stress and anxiety immensely. This is why I think it is important to be intentional with your time. My Top 5 Ways To Be Intentional With Your Time 1. Create space in your calendar and schedule. You do not have to say yes to every invite or opportunity that comes along. You can and should say no when you aren’t interested or when you have too much in your schedule. Learning to refuse invitations and say no to commitments can be very difficult, particular for people pleasers but you can do it. Being intentional with your time means learning to say no confidently and without guilt. A good first step to try if these feels completely unnatural is to wait for 24 hours before replying to an invite. This gives you some space and distance and might even allow you to get up the courage to politely decline. If not, you have at least created some space for yourself. Your calendar should not be so full that you have no space for yourself or space to be. This is a great way to be intentional with your time. 2. Choose what matters. Intentionality means prioritising what you do each day in line with your values. It is up to you to choose what matters to you, what you need to do and what you want to do. If you haven’t already, spend some time working out your own values to keep you aligned and focused. It is so much easier to schedule your day when you can say that something either is important to you or it isn’t. 3. Get into your own flow. Your intentional lifestyle will look completely different to mine. You are unique. Your family is unique. Your household is unique. How you live and your productivity should be unique to you. If we spend our time trying to get into a flow provided to us by someone else, then we are never truly connected to ourselves. Of course we can get some great suggestions and inspiration from others, but ultimately our flow has to be determined by us. Sometimes through trial and error, sometimes by adopting and adapting other ideas. But it should feel individual to you. Establishing your own flow allows you to shift when you need to. Maybe you wake up feeling tired, or unwell, or just don’t fancy working from your home office. Being connected to yourself means you can change up what you do and how you respond to your feelings and emotions so you can meet your needs in the best way possible. 4. Eat the frog. The things you don’t want to do, but you actually need to do… they are the frogs. They need eaten, and it’s best to get it over with. Like ripping off a band-aid, quick and painless is the aim. I suggest doing the things that are necessary but not enjoyable first thing in the AM or scheduling them into the time of day when you know you are most focused and productive. If it’s your job to eat a frog, it’s best to do it First Thing in the Morning. And if it’s your job to eat two frogs, it’s best to eat the BIGGEST one first.Unknown, often attributed to Mark Twain. Intentionality is not about ignoring the things we don’t enjoy, because that will only bring trouble and anxiety. It is about living connected to ourselves and meeting our needs in the best way possible. 5. Be accountable and intentional about your intentions. Living intentionally and being intentional with your time means holding yourself accountable every day for the the choices and decisions you make. You will need focus every day to be mindful in how you are living. It can help to plan a schedule, write down some goals and journal about your achievements at least once a week to keep you on track. (This is my absolute FAVOURITE journal for intentionality and wellbeing. It is AMAZING.) And remember, everything you do should align with your values or have a very good reason for it needing to be done. Welcome to the art of intentional living. Are you ready to be intentional with your time? Are you going to give it a try? Do you have any tips on how to be intentional with your time? Comment and let me know. Bring financially intentional has enabled me to pay off significant debt and eventually start my own business, check out these posts on how to make money on your own terms: 3 Digital Side Hustles Which Can Boost Your Income7 Work From Home Online Jobs To Earn $100 Every DayRespondent.io Review – Paid Online Research StudiesHow To Start A WordPress Blog With Bluehost Quickly & Easily...

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