What's New?

I found myself asking this question whilst writing a diary entry yesterday. I gave in on attempting to write daily diary entries some weeks ago as I found I had nothing worth writing about in the day to day, but I’m still attempting to get at least one in a week.

Upon asking myself this question, I realised that although I hadn’t really thought about it specifically, a lot has happened in the last couple of days.

Some of it interesting, some of it mundane. Some good, some bad, as always.

Right now in the media, it seems to me as if all there is to see is bad news. And personally, I hate bad news. Always have.

As a child, it was the reason I used to avoid listening to the news or reading the newspapers. I resolved that if I didn’t know about it, it didn’t have to make me sad.

Now I’m older, I’ve developed an ability to sift through the bad news to find the good news, and I thought I’d share my favourite pieces of good news from this week (I’ve linked the full articles if you want to read them) :

- Cookies, banana bread and pizza bases among top lockdown treats Britons are enjoying http://www.msn.com/en-gb/foodanddrink/foodnews/cookies-banana-bread-and-pizza-bases-among-top-lockdown-treats-britons-are-enjoying/ar-BB14FcSn?li=BBoPWjQ&ocid=DELLDHP17

- ‘I turned 30 alone in lockdown – it was the best birthday I’ve had’ http://www.msn.com/en-gb/lifestyle/family-relationships/i-celebrated-turning-30-alone-in-lockdown-and-it-was-the-best-birthday-i-ve-ever-had/ar-BB14FwiK?li=BBoPOOm&ocid=DELLDHP17

- Easy to grow garden flowers perfect for planting http://www.msn.com/en-gb/lifestyle/home-and-garden/5-easy-to-grow-garden-flowers-perfect-for-planting-during-lockdown/ar-BB14CrgT?li=BBoPOOm&ocid=DELLDHP17

- Ultimate throwback: The best ‘90s hairstyles to recreate http://www.msn.com/en-gb/lifestyle/other/the-90s-hair-looks-making-us-yearn-for-simpler-times/ar-BB14EPH9?li=BBoPOOm&ocid=DELLDHP17

- ‘Gossiping in group chats can be a lifeline while we’re social distancing’ http://www.msn.com/en-gb/lifestyle/other/gossiping-in-the-group-chat-may-be-petty-but-it-s-a-lifeline-during-lockdown/ar-BB14EmoT?li=BBoPOOm&ocid=DELLDHP17

- Postcard from the future: a dawn dip in a Scottish loch http://www.msn.com/en-gb/travel/news/postcard-from-the-future-a-dawn-dip-in-a-scottish-loch/ar-BB14FtuC?li=AAJsPCA&ocid=DELLDHP17

- Divers swim with turtles in the Maldives http://www.msn.com/en-gb/video/animals/divers-swim-with-turtle-in-the-maldives/vi-BB14E6xG?ocid=DELLDHP17

- Two excited dogs jump on trampoline for the first time http://www.msn.com/en-gb/video/animals/oh-boy-oh-boy-2-excited-dogs-in-kansas-jump-in-trampoline-for-the-first-time/vi-BB14Dp0K?ocid=DELLDHP17

I’m sure there’s something among those that you’d like to read about, and hopefully it will cheer you up a little. Or at least that’s the aim.

Here are a few pieces of good news from my life this week:

- I going to be a godmother to one of the sweetest little babies ever :)

- My nana turned 90 this week – lots of cake was eaten – only appropriate on a birthday

- I started writing a new novel last week – it’s very different to anything I’ve written before

- I’ve been considering entering a writing competition – when I started writing, I was never very good at writing to fill specific briefs or prompts (I had no control over my stories really), but I’m better now and thought I’d give it a shot

- I approved an edit of the book I’m in the process of publishing – more on that soon hopefully!

- A week ago today, I officially finished the first year of my degree

- I got a good mark back on one of my final essays

- I have a new pair of furry slippers which are luscious

- Today, I got a stack of photos for my room of all my favourite people <3

- I’ve been playing board games with my family every night after dinner – as I love board games, this is always good news – and often hilarious

- I got to spend quality time with the people I love

As far as I’m concerned, that’s a lot to be thankful for this week.

Let’s share the good news – comment your own piece of good news from this week (or anytime really)

If you’re struggling right now, remember : even the darkest clouds have a pin prick of light shining through them.

P.S. as ever if you need someone to talk to, or just to listen, the comments and my DMs on Instagram are always open @roxyelle01

Reach out to each other. I hope you’re all keeping safe and well.

#goodnews #quarantine #grateful