Film Review: 1917

Yesterday, I saw 1917 in the cinema.

For those of you who may not of heard of this film, or just aren’t sure what it’s about, this is the description for it:
“During World War I, two British soldiers — Lance Cpl. Schofield and Lance Cpl. Blake — receive seemingly impossible orders. In a race against time, they must cross over into enemy territory to deliver a message that could potentially save 1,600 of their fellow comrades — including Blake’s own brother.”

I will admit, I am not usually one for war films. I just find them boring and historical, and they feel more like school than the escape to the movies that I’d want. But I am slowly being convinced otherwise…

It was stunning! The choice to film it as almost one continuous shot made it feel like you were right there with them. You got to experience the scenery and the chaos as if you were the characters themselves. It was a brilliant choice visually.

The locations and sets were also very well done. You could feel the destruction and devastation of the areas. The trenches and the craters and the destroyed towns. It was very humbling.

And a massive hats off to the makeup department. They absolutely nailed it when it came to the injuries and environmental influences on the characters. It was so realistic and so flawless that you feel more like you’re watching a real-life documentary than a film. Well done to you, you have my utmost respect.

There were some big names in 1917, however all the big names were merely cameos! The whole film was done off the backs of unknown actors, and I think that was the right choice. It made it much more relatable and realistic, rather than having big names be the main characters and getting distracted more by who they are than the story itself.

As testament to just how gripping and immersing the film is, I balled my eyes out. I cried so hard and so much that my bottom lip was quivering uncontrollably. It was a very emotional film. It was beautiful.

As someone who isn’t really into war films, would I recommend this film?

Yes. Undeniably and undoubtably, yes.

xo

“There is only one way this war ends. Last man standing.”

– Colonel MacKenzie, 1917

Wicked

Yesterday I went to see Wicked at the Apollo Victoria Theatre in London!

Admittedly, I have seen the show before, however that does not mean that it wasn’t still a magical experience! Pun intended.

The tickets were a Christmas present for my other half and I, from his mum and step-dad. My other half had never seen Wicked before, but he loved it!

For those of you who might not know what Wicked is all about, it’s the story of how the Wicked Witch of the West became who she was. It’s how The Wizard of Oz story came to be, and how the characters became how we know them. It’s a beautiful story about friendship, love, betrayal, and heartbreak. Not necessarily in that order.

If you’ve never seen the show before, I thoroughly recommend it.

There is also a book! I personally don’t recommend the book. It’s very dry and slow, which makes it difficult to read. I couldn’t get on with the layout and the language used. But that’s just me! If any of you have read it, and enjoyed it, then I applaud you and wish I could have! I had high hopes for it, but it just wasn’t for me.

Now back to the stage show.

I don’t want to give away any of the story if you haven’t seen it, so all I will say is that the music, the choreography, the characters, and the story are all perfectly designed to engage you and amaze you. You might even shed a tear…

This is a short and sweet post for today, but I hope you’ve enjoyed it.

“Are people born wicked, or is wickedness thrust upon them?”

– Glinda, Wicked the Musical

New Year’s Resolutions, 2020

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

Happy New Year everybody!

I actually had a pretty hard time thinking of resolutions this year. Everything seemed too unachievable, or something that didn’t need to be a resolution as such. In the end I had to look back on the resolutions I wrote on last year’s post to give me some inspiration.

This will be the 4th year of the resolution to keep trying new things and get out of my comfort zone! I’ve done pretty well with sticking to that one every year, and it makes me proud of myself when I give something new a go.

My 2019 resolutions started off well, but then we had a massive drop in mental health and spent most of the year trying to get it back on track. I think I still stuck to the essence of my resolutions though, so I’m going to consider 2019 a win!

This year’s resolutions are:

1. Continue to step out of my comfort zone and try new things.
2. Complete the ongoing projects I have, or scrap them completely if they no longer interest me (no more unfinished business!).
3. Put myself and my mental health first as much as possible.
4. Focus on the positives. There is enough negativity in the world.
5. Make more plans with friends and family.

My main aim is to be happier and healthier in 2020, without being unrealistic.

So come at me 2020. I’m ready for you.

I hope you all have an absolutely amazing New Year, and I wish you so much love, luck, happiness, and success in every aspect of your lives!

See you soon. xo

“Stay committed to your decisions, but stay flexible in your approach.”

– Tony Robbins

Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, Blessed Yule, and Whatever Else You Might Celebrate

Photo by Daria Shevtsova on Pexels.com

Another year is over, and I personally am not sorry to say goodbye to 2019!

I did a post similar to this last year, where I gave a quick run-down of the highlights of my 2018, and I’m going to do the same style again this year.

Also very similar to last year’s post, it has been a very up-and-down year again, with a lot of downs unfortunately. It’s not all doom and gloom though! We’re definitely on the up and feeling a lot more like myself again.

Without further ado, the highlights of 2019:

1. I lost my job at Odeon in February, which caused me to become so severely depressed that I couldn’t get out of bed, couldn’t shower, and couldn’t eat. I became suicidal, and so I self-referred back into therapy.
2. I went to a lot of amazing places, and enjoyed some wonderful events! I saw Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, visited the New Forest, went to EGX, and attended FriendsFest, to name just a few.
3. I went on my first international camp (hosted in this country), and met some fabulous new people! Made new friends, and got invited to the Irish camp in 2021! Yahoo!
4. I briefly worked at Game again, where I felt valued and loved by my retail family. They welcomed me back when I desperately needed a job, despite knowing that I was only there temporarily. The wished me luck when I told them I was leaving again, and still greet me wholeheartedly when I stop by to visit.
5. I got a job that I love and enjoy (Matron’s Assistant at the hospital)! It’s still only a temporary job. I’m still planning to become qualified for my dream career as a counsellor/ therapist, however it’s a job that I don’t want to leave in a hurry. I’m good at it, I enjoy it, I’m appreciated, and I work with some of the nicest people I have ever met.

That’s the gist of it.

I haven’t posted a lot this year, and I am disappointed about that. I’m not going to stress myself out about it though, or berate myself for it. It has been a real struggle this year, and I’ve had to prioritise. I’ve had to do what’s best for me and take care of myself while I recovered. I’m very pleased to say that I am now back to being myself again, and I want to get back on track with the things that I enjoy! I make no promises, but watch this space…

I don’t want to tell you about everything I did for Christmas this year, because you know the drill from last year. Here’s a quick run-down for you:

• Girl’s Night – Christmas Edition. Fun and games, pizza, presents, good company.
• Yearly Christmas meal out with the fam.
• End of term Christmas meal with my Ranger group.
• Christmas Day at my auntie’s house, same as always.
• Boxing Day with my dad, same old tradition.
• Dinner out and then a chill night in for New Year’s Eve.

Basically a lot of food.

It does bring me to the part I’d like to end this blog post on though: what I’m thankful for this year.

With everything I’ve gone through this year, all my struggles and joys, I am grateful for my friends and family. This year has shown me just how wonderful the people in my life are, and I honestly couldn’t ask for more positive and uplifting people to surround myself with. You’re all amazing, and I love you deeply.

So that’s it! Another year done, and the promise of exciting new things in 2020.

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas time, in whatever way you celebrated it (or didn’t celebrate if it’s not your thing), and I wish you all a happy and prosperous new year.

See you all in 2020! xo

It’s not where you are in life, it’s who you have by your side that matters.

– Unknown

World Mental Health Day 2019

It’s World Mental Health Day!

I know I’ve been gone for a while, and that’s totally my bad. I’ve been super busy, and stressing about a dozen different things (so no change there really), but I’m back!

And what better way to kick start my return to this blog than with World Mental Health Day?

…

I’ve mentioned in this blog previously about my own mental health issues, my struggles, my fears, and so on. Because of this, I don’t want to write about my experiences again so soon. Instead I want to talk to you guys about all the things that you can do to make yourself feel better when you’re struggling.

Now I know, I know, that sometimes nothing can make you feel better, and you just have to wait it out and carry on the best you can, but just hear me out!

Friends and Family

Let’s start with the “obvious” one. Your friends and family are your support network. They love you and care about you, and would do anything to help make you feel better. If you’ve got a coworker that you’ve got a special bond with, or a friend that you’ve known since forever, or even a favourite Auntie (or Uncle) that you can talk to, it really can make such a huge difference. I’m super lucky that I have so many people in my life that I can turn to, but I know that’s not the case for everyone.

Online Communities

Now take this one with a pinch of salt. Most online communities that deal with mental health have absolutely lovely people in them, that can relate to what you’re going through, offer advice, or just be someone to vent to. But it is the internet, so there is always the possibility of trolls.

I personally am part of a group on Facebook called Inside the Fuzzy Head Tribe. They are the loveliest community ever, everyone is so sweet and welcoming. I’m also part of several mental health communities on Reddit, however I’m not currently active in them.

There are online communities available everywhere – just type it into Google and you’ll find options! I’ve just tried it and the top 3 hits were Mind, Sane, and Mental Health Forum, all of which look like great places to go (I’ve just downloaded the Mind app to give it a try).

Or if you prefer face-to-face interaction, see if you can find a local support group to go along to!

Apps

Sometimes you don’t want to talk about it. Sometimes it’s something that you can sort out on your own, or you just need a temporary or quick fix. There are a lot of mental health apps that are perfect for the little things that can overall make a big difference.

I personally use Headspace, and I find it really helpful. I find the male voice that does the recordings super soothing, and mindfulness is great for a bit of unwinding. I’ve also tried MyOasis, which is beautiful and has really chill music, however I found the progression in it was slow, which slightly irritated me. I’ve installed several other apps to try, so I’ll let you know how they go when I test them out. Let me know if you’ve used any of them and how you got on! – Calm; Simple Habit; Thought Diary; Journal It!; Daylio; Pixels; Reflectly; and DayStressRelief. (I am an Android user, so some of these apps may not be available on other app stores.)

Self-care

Of course, I have to mention the old trusty favourite. So simple, and so overlooked, self-care. It’s so easy to forget to look after ourselves, because life moves so fast that we don’t have a chance to stop and breathe!

There are so many things that come under self-care. Reading or binge watching Netflix while snuggled up in a blanket; a nice long bath with some candles and music; going for a run or doing some exercise (I highly recommend Yoga); doing some gardening; arts and crafts; baking! Whatever it is that makes you happy, or calms you down, do it. You deserve it.

…

I hope you guys have had a wonderful day today, and as always, please feel free to leave a comment or send me a message to let me know what you think! And check out some of the communities and apps! I’d love to know if they’ve helped you at all, or if you have any to recommend.

I’ll see you all again real soon. xo

What mental health needs is more sunlight, more candor, and more unashamed conversation.

– Glenn Close

It’s my birthday 2019

Brighton Sealife – Photo taken by Introducing Me, Myself, and I

Today is my 25th birthday.

I’ve been dreading this age for a long time. I hate getting older. Actually that’s not entirely accurate. I hate the number getting bigger, but I like the extra life experience I gain from each year. My age just reminds me that time is passing, the clock is ticking, and I’m getting older but not more accomplished.

There are so many things that I thought would have happened by the time I reached 25. I thought I would have moved out, gotten married, had a baby, and be in my perfect job by now. But sadly, none of that has happened. Still living at home, my previous engagement ended (and my current other half knows I don’t want to be engaged again until we’ve lived together), and I’m still working part-time hours in a job that’s not going to be what I do for the rest of my life.

HOWEVER, I do like that I’m growing on a personal level. I understand myself better, I’ve gotten over a lot of my insecurities, and I’m a lot happier with who I am as a person. Don’t get me wrong, there is still a long way to go in terms of my self esteem – but compared to what I used to be like, I’m a lot more confident and able now. I can finally be myself more openly and not worry about what other people think of me as much.

…

Moving on to a more cheerful note… I had a lovely birthday in terms of the actual day!

My friend took me to the aquarium in Brighton (I love aquariums!), and even treated me to a glass bottomed boat tour! I got to nerd out and tell her about all the fish that I knew about, with interesting facts and opinions about them. Interesting to me anyway. I probably bored her to death, but she let me ramble on regardless! Then she treated me to some proper chips on the pier, which were so good. And considering I ordered the regular, the portion was HUGE! Good value for money though.

In the evening I went out for dinner with my other half, my dad, and my great-auntie, at one of my favourite restaurants. The food was lovely, as always, and it was so nice to spend time with some of my favourite people and relax.

…

Overall, a rather mixed birthday this year. Not thrilled about my age, but I had a really lovely day, and I’ve been spoiled by the people I love. I’m going to count today as a huge win in terms of mood. We’ll worry about age and not being good enough another day. Today is my day, and I’ve loved it.

As always, thank you guys for reading. I’m sorry it’s been so long!

I’ll see you again soon. xo

We should celebrate every year that we made it through and every year that we’re happier and healthier.

– Ellen DeGeneres

Happy 1st Blogiversary!

That’s right, it’s been a whole year since my first post on this blog!

In some ways I’ve come a long way since then, and in other ways not much has changed at all. I still feel like I’m failing at life, and that I should be further along by now. I’m still dreading the progression of time and getting older – with my upcoming 25th birthday looming over me. I’m still keeping this blog anonymous for now, but I have been thinking more and more recently about introducing myself completely. We’ll see.

This year has had a lot of ups and downs. If you’ve been following this blog for a while then you’ll know just how much of a mixed bag it’s been. But I’m getting there. Slowly. But it’s progress at least.

This blog ended up evolving into something a bit different to what I had originally planned. It was originally going to focus on mental health and life stresses, with some helpful advice on what I’ve found that works for me thrown in there. Don’t get me wrong, it still does have those things in it! However it also has reviews for books and films that I’ve wanted to share with you (and hopefully some game reviews too at some point). It also has seasonal posts, and a series of posts about things “I love…”.

I never wanted this blog to be all doom and gloom. I didn’t want it to be a negative space. But at the same time I didn’t want to lie and be dishonest with you guys. I didn’t want to force myself to act happy and pretend that everything was all sunshine and rainbows. So instead it’s become my space to say anything and everything that I want to. And that’s just the way I want it to be.

…

As always, thank you so much for reading, and please feel free to leave a comment or send me a message. I’d love to hear from you.

I do also have a Facebook page and a Twitter account to support this blog! Currently it’s mostly used just to notify followers that a new post is up, but I’d like to start using them to engage with you guys more soon, so watch this space!

Facebook: @IntroducingMeMyselfandI
Twitter: @IntroducingMMI

I’ll see you guys soon. xo

May this year be merely the first of many great ones to come.

– Megan Rubey