Everyone should watch Anime / In defense of "cartoons"

 I have vanished off the blogosphere and the face of the Earth for a few days, and coincidentally in that time I have watched the first season of Attack on Titan and in doing so, have subsequently ceased to care about anything else. Unable to fill the series hangover that is well into its ... eighth day or so, I've compiled here a little read about why anime is actually wonderful and why everyone needs to watch it. (Look at me here, trying to dictate tastes. I'm even bossy in blog posts.)


 I find Anime is usually dismissed for a few reasons. The first is that like foreign films, people fall under the assumption that it requires an acquired taste, for those who enjoy subtitles (please love yourself and don't watch badly dubbed anime!!!) and for those who care about Japanese culture. The second is the medium itself - everyone knows cartoons are for children. The third is that the terrifying fanbases can put people off, which links to both the first and second reasons - Anime is only for people who are crazily obsessed and who often cross the border.

 Whilst I'll admit I have grown up with it on TV as the alternative to Disney Channels and so on, and therefore probably have a better cultural knowledge of it that makes it more accessible to me, I'll make a case for it actually being really accessible to anyone. A lot of the humour and stylisation of anime (despite the huge range of subgenres, there are definitely conventions to the medium itself,) might seen very - wait for it - foreign to nonviewers, but it's (a) not particularly... difficult to follow or make sense of, and (b) you really do become more accustomed to it the more you watch.

 I'll also suggest that these conventions are what make anime series really good. Series can last anywhere ranging from 6 - 400+ episodes so it really depends what you're after, but because most of them are based on long-running manga series, there is plenty of character and plot development that can take place. Flashbacks and revelations through flashbacks are a really popular device, and the best series utilise plots within plots to give you a really in depth understanding of the characters and the world they inhabit. To touch upon the fictional worlds as well, anime diegeses are usually incredibly complex. Due to the long runtime of series and detail the manga is able to go into, the fictional world and its coherent rules and established and understandable, often expanding as we learn more about plot x and y. A lot of it does require commitment to a series, its characters, and its rules, but that's the joy of 20 minute episodes that there are a LOT of. Easy and fun to consume!

Attack on Titan, found on google.

 Although it's a cartoon and therefore for CHILDREN, anime is actually not for children. Well, some of it is, but a large majority of popular ones that people on the internet rave about (because that's the judging factor we are using here apparently,) are for a teenaged + audience. Plots are thus gory as heck (Attack on Titan being one of the goriest I've seen...) and complicated enough for an intellectual audience (again, depends on the actual genre / anime you choose.) It's pretty easy to get sucked into a series with good characters, promising plot, and a believably set-up yet mysterious fictional diegesis, right?

Ouran High School Host Club, found on Google.

 As said, however, all of this depends on the genre of your choosing. If you prefer romantic-dramas, you'll probably prefer a shoujo anime like the hilarious Ouran High School Host Club (my favourite!) or Toradora, and if you like Sci-Fi you might like mecha like Gurren Lagann or Code Geass. Horror fans might like series such as Elfen Lied, and if you like straight up action, there are ninjas (Naruto,) death gods (Bleach,) and brothers on an epic quest to bring their mother back to life (ish) (Full Metal Alchemist - watch Brotherhood over the normal though.)There is of course, a huge extensive collection of all subgenres within anime so these are just a few off the top of my head, and some of the most well known ones as well.

 Of course, I'm recommending Attack on Titan to anyone for messing me up like few others have done before. Rarely are TV series so expendable on their characters (yes, I do watch Game of Thrones as well,) and the battles are wonderfully gritty and exciting. Predictability is a feature you do need to be wary of due to Anime (or more realistically, the manga they are based off)'s conventions. New series keep things fresh however, and Titan is a huge contender for one of the best things I've seen pretty much ever.

 In short, give something a chance if you're bored. There's a series for everyone, and most of them incorporate all elements into their stories; I've laughed in horror/gory/intense action animes just due to the ridiculous humour and convention and have been left weeping over endings (Chrono Crusade, I'm looking at you.) Either way, it's easy to watch, easy to find, and offers something a little bit different. OH, but it's really addictive. I guess that's why there are so many rabid fans.

Some Good Revision Playlists

I can't just listen to any music when I revise. It needs to be intensely instrumental and inspirational at the same time. I know so many people who listen to the Lord of the Rings soundtrack whilst they work, but as amazing as it is, I usually gravitate towards game soundtracks of my favourite games just because they make me happy. Even if you don't know any of them though, here are some youtube playlists of my favourite ones. They're all beautiful, beautiful pieces of music.

Sometimes I get distracted and insist on humming along to all the instrumental parts.
*Aggressively tries to sing 3 different notes at once*



Final Fantasy IX Piano Collections
Although I literally love ALL the music in all of the games basically, FFIX may be the winner for most of my favourite songs. The piano collection is great because it's got songs of all tempos and they sound beautiful.




Spirited Away Soundtrack
Half the songs on here make me weepy. One of my favourite films of all time as I'm obsessed and grew up with Studio Ghibli as my Disney so half the time these are on I drift into nostalgic memories. The other half, I'm productive.




Suikoden Complete OST
Another game that has a special place in my heart. There is some really gorgeous music on here, and a lot of it is perfect for concentration. And like the others, a change in tempo to get you PUMPED to revise!




Final Fantasy VIII Piano Collections
I tend to gravitate towards the piano collections as they're a bit more relaxing without the multiple instrumental arrangements going on. FF8 has an amazing soundtrack (Fisherman's Horizon is one of my favourite songs ever,) and like IX, is lovely to listen to in the background whilst you be productive.




Anyway there are four of my favourite ones! I will stop making lists of youtube videos and posting them as "blog posts" soon. I also like keeping these up here because now it's easy for me to find them all... Happy revision!

Revision Season

 Favourite time of the year has once again spring upon us. To be fair, I think it gets a little hate. Once I get into the happy zone where I feel like I'm being productive, I don't mind it too much. I like creating my own schedule.

That being said, I think the record attention span I've held in the last few weeks has been about 15 minutes, so it's not really going as well as it should.

Anyway, here are some photos from the last few weeks.



I honestly didn't get up to anything (even less than usual,) except for a little trip down to London. And of course, as with every single time we go, we went to Constancia for Good Friday dinner! Constancia is an Argentinian steakhouse a short walk away from the flat in Bermondsey, and even though we usually drop 3 digits in the bill, it's never a disappointment. Mind, I wouldn't know, because I eat the exact same thing every time.

Nice weather making me happy! I'm still smashing through my circuits, even if I'm hurting for longer as they get harder. So nice doing them outside, although I renewed my gym membership and went this morning. I know it shouldn't matter... but I am a bit conscious regarding people watching my silly repetitive actions (probably doing the difficult ones wrong too) with raised eyebrows!

We get to walk past this every night on our way home! Tower Bridge is so pretty when lit up. Of course, it's nothing on the lights of home... been feeling really homesick lately.

CONSTANCIA!!! Even thinking about it is making me want to go back so bad. The sad little bowl of porridge I just had can NOT compare.

We went to watch Need For Speed per Joe's request at the Odeon before a Chinatown dinner on our last night. Food was good, even if I kept dropping into Chinese at certain points when ordering. (Didn't want to seem like I was showing off or anything....)

Anyway, I've been nominated by Lauren over at Tangible Treasures for the inspiring blog award which is pretty cool. I'd love to do more proper blogging and networking but really don't have the time to at the moment (I could, but I know I wouldn't stop,) but I'll put it my seven facts and recommend you go and read her blog!

FACTS (In no order)

1. I love, love, love classical soundtrack music. My favourite composer is Joe Hisaishi who is most known for his work on a load of Ghibli films. I also have all the Final Fantasy piano collections on my iTunes for when doing work/revision/relaxing.

2. I hate onions to the point where it's basically a phobia. I won't eat one and won't have them anywhere near me.

3. I get really bad collector tendencies. I had huge collections of beanie babies and pokemon toys and all the such as a child, and I have to be really consciously careful to not start 'collecting' stuff (running tops is a pretty weird one.) 

4. South America is the only continent (if you are the type to count it as one) that I haven't been to (excluding the arctics...) I love traveling.

5. My family on my mother's side doesn't speak English.

6. I really really want to run a half marathon either next year or the one after. Just to do it.

7. I can't do anything in my room if it isn't tidy. It drives me SO MAD.

That's about it for my facts then! Tried to pick ones people wouldn't know. Although if you've dined with me you probably know I'll cry if an onion is near me.

Good luck with revision everyone, you'll be delighted to know my next post will be about my next new Pokemon obsession! (No, I never stop.)

Top 10 Favourite Disney Moments

Okay, I keep opening up new posts, start writing some stuff and ending up staring at the screen blankly, uninspired. I guess I need to just start writing about things that really interest me - there are a few topics that will get me rambling on for hours, and most of them are to do with pop culture. I was sitting happily revising as usual in the living room (that sentence has two lies in it...) when the TV, which my boyfriend had put on for "background noise," suddenly changed to a program about the 30 best Disney moments and I instantly tuned in and forgot about everything else in the world.

I've turned into a massive sop lately and recently watching things has been a nightmare as I find myself getting very overly attached and emotional at the most non-emotional things (pokemon tv series battles for example,) but anyway, here are my favourite moments. There's barely an order, and there isn't really a list of factors asides from "makes me feel mushy inside," but I figured if I'm happy to write about this, I may as well post it.

YES all of these are musical numbers. I love a good musical number and Disney really does the best ones.



10. Be Our Guest - Beauty and the Beast

I can't do a French accent except for when I'm singing along to this. Weirdly, I only noticed the magic of this sequence the first time I saw the Disney Philharmagic Orchestra 3D show at Disneyland, but it's so much FUN! Lumiere is one hell of a performer and you can't say that kitchen utensils singing and dancing doesn't warm your heart. It's just as well they stop there and don't animate the food as well cos I could imagine that would get very dark suddenly.

09. Everybody Wants to Be A Cat - The Aristocats

 This is a collection of some very talented felines, and I definitely wanted to be a cat during this sequence. Isn't Thomas O'Malley the coolest? I remember I had this song on one of my Disney sing-a-long tapes when I was younger and I definitely wanted to be Thomas O'Malley. Big dreams for a six year old girl, huh.

08. Prince Ali - Aladdin
 Another shout out to my Disney sing-a-long video tapes. Aladdin is chock full of amazing songs and musical sequences but Prince Ali was always my favourite. Just look at all the THINGS in it! Robin Williams does a phenomenal job singing as the genie, making this number so fun and energetic. I love Jasmine's eye roll and dismissal at all this spectacle, because I would have been very impressed. (I guess that's why she's such a cool princess.)

07. He Lives In You - The Lion King 2
 I love the Lion King 2. I don't care about its lack of critical acclaim, it's got a decent story, Simba, Timon, Pumbaa, and some beautiful songs. I couldn't actually choose which musical number was my favourite but I picked the opening because (a) I heard it live quite recently watching The Lion King at the West End and (b) it's so emotional. Given that Mufasa's death was one of the most touching and emotional fictional deaths ever probably - I used to cry myself into hysterics and was banned from watching The Lion King at one point - having a whole song dedicated his memory

06. I'll Make a Man Out Of You - Mulan
Is there a more motivational song? Boxing, fighting, sports films of all kinds have used training montages since the very beginning but nothing pumps me up more than seeing Mulan go from useless to her kicking Li Shang's BUTT. A definite crowd pleaser, I can't count how many times someone suddenly starts belting it before a physical task.

05. You Can Fly! - Peter Pan
Disney's Peter Pan is the ultimate story for kids who never want to grow up - pretty much everyone. Transforming the lives of the Darlings and taking them from their ordinary lives in London to Neverland via FLIGHT was absolute magic on the screen.

04. Zero to Hero - Hercules
This number was mainly chosen because of the Muses. I would happily watch any film with them narrating. I wish more Disney films were animated in the style of Hercules too - the colours are absolutely astounding throughout and this number is no exception. Another song chosen for how fun and uplifting it is. Can't help but cheer for Herc, even if Hades is a whole lotta fun.

03. Let It Go - Frozen
 Everyone's probably heard this song one too many times recently, but you can't deny it's not going to go down as being one of the most iconic Disney moments. Frozen was a massive achievement in animation and its Oscar winning song is proof of that. The moment of catharsis that happens just as the chorus kicks in is amazing and it's so beautifully animated. Also helps that it's a great song too, just saying.

02. Colours Of The Wind - Pocahontas

Not only is this song beautiful, but it sums up such a great message. I absolutely love Pocahontas, as unaccurate as it is. It's relatively simple in story and has a great - even if overly obvious - environmental message. Colours of the Wind is beautiful in both song and animation.

01. Be Prepared - The Lion King

Okay, so I've included a Lion King 2 song and a Lion King 1 song that isn't the circle of life... but just listen to this! Disney has some pretty amazing villains who I love almost more than the protagonists (I'm looking at Hades and Cruella in particular,) but Scar has got to be the winner here. No one seems to have as much fun as he does being evil, and he does it with such an attitude. PLUS, Be Prepared is clever in lyrics, great fun to sing and is beautifully animated... even with the third reich of hyenas. I would watch a whole film where it's just Scar singing about being evil.


There are so many other amazing films I haven't mentioned and an abundance of Disney songs that I frequently sing yet have not included, but if I was to include all my favourites it would pretty much just be the whole Disney musical number catalog! Hope this gives you a bit of inspiration to go onto youtube and waste away a few hours just watching musical numbers like I frequently do!

March Healthy Eats & Detox

I'm back! Not just back here, back in the UK! Okay, so I've been back for a week now, but surely everyone knows you need at least a week to adjust back to this miserable cold weather? Especially when I've been in sunny France, right? Whilst a ski tour update will have to wait until I finally sort through and put the photos up, here is a little update featuring... drumroll!... FOOD.

Really couldn't beat this view... even if the gorgeous sunny weather meant that (a) I got a super attractive goggle tan (b) the snow was slushy as something you would find in cone with little fruit bits in it.

 I skied to Switzerland! Which is pretty cool, especially as I can't really ski. I didn't quite go down the Swiss Wall but went around some way. (I'm not sure what way. I may have spent 5 days skiing the resort but I could barely find my way back to the hotel using the one run that gets us back there.)

Now that I am stranded on a remote island in the middle of nowhere, (I'm not even kidding... my boyfriend happens to live on a private island in the Lake District, and you need a boat to get to the rest of the town...!) I've decided to use this time to revise, apply for jobs, and cook and eat healthy meals! I generally eat quite well but a week out on the alps with twenty-ish of my good friends, pretty expensive supermarkets and a tightly-packed schedule has left me feeling not my best. PLUS, a whole week of NOT RUNNING? You can bet I was terrified I would be five minutes in huffing and panting and giving up - I get pretty bad "IF I DON'T RUN AT LEAST X TIMES A WEEK I WILL BE AWFUL," I guess my last few start-running-agains have left me with bad experiences.

Anyway, accusations against my body were unfounded as I managed 6k with Joe when we arrived up in the Lake District... even if it was slightly painful, it was more due to me coughing my lungs out. As I tell everyone - because all I do is talk about running - I can't really run in the cold weather. As someone used to running in hot humidity, the cold air hits my chest pretty badly. A few quick google searches (bloody millenial habits,) suggest that cold air is just generally a problem for those who don't run in it (i.e. stubborn girls who run like maniacs on the treadmill then fall apart of frostbite the minute they break into a jog outside.) However, as something with not-great lungs anyway, I'll be wrapping a scarf around my face and nose for an ultra-sleek, on-trend winter look an extra layer of face protection, as that's what many websites suggest. And STAY TUNED for more super exciting news!

Anyway, here is one of the first documented 'super easy BUT I still scarfed in down in about 3 seconds flat' meals we made this week! A very simple lemon-roasted veggies and sea bass plate. Me and Joe only had sea bass for the first time a few weeks ago and as it so happened, on that day, sea bass was EXACTLY WHAT WE WANTED, even though we had never had it before. It was just so perfectly catered to what we'd been craving for dinner, so we went for it again at the supermarket.

Anyway, this was pretty simple: chuck the oven on, cover everything with freshly squeezed lemon juice, and roast until cooked! (MAN, roasted broccoli is good! I only got the recommendation on ski tour and I may not ever go back.) 

You don't need lemon slices on the plate, I actually just put them there to make the photograph a bit 'fancier.' 

Asides from our first day's run, the weather's been a bit rubbish so I've been doing my workouts indoors - we set up the treadmill downstairs so I kind of have a little home gym! Except it's COLD down there as it's the garden room.

We're also looking after Joe's puppies who are sixteen weeks old now. They may be cute, but they are SO mischievous! I've already had my wellies kidnapped and I've been fighting with them over the 3kg DUMBELLS of all things. 

This is a deceptive outfit. I've been bundling up in about three thousand layers here. I've also managed to lose one of my favourite mittens today, and I'm still a bit in shock.

The next two pictures are the delicacy from two nights ago! I'm kind of obsessed with vegetables so we usually have a salad with every meal (minus breakfast...) and it usually ends up being the same things in it. This time, based on the success of my recommended pesto chicken on ski tour, we decided to go for a pasta salad! Whilst I could happily eat veggies for every meal without so much as a carb, boys generally won't agree with that so I cooked up a portion of pasta to stick in the salad and it made it a whole lot more filling/more of an acceptable meal for the boyfriend.

This had: roasted peppers, aubergine and tomatoes with a little oil, salt and pepper, garden salad leaves (pre-bagged,) mixed salad leaves, pasta, quinoa (accidentally made loads so just put it all in because health benefits,) lentils, an avocado and various beans. We also put chicken cooked with pesto in! (PROOOTEIN) Dressing was extra virgin olive oil, balsamic vinegar, lemon juice - only a splash of all, and hummus!

All mixed together in my plate/bowl! Plate/bowls are the superior combination of both their pre-evolved forms. Especially if you're an unfortunately messy eater like me and usually end up with food everywhere. They do not, unfortunately, stop food getting in your hair. 

Keswick is full of these quaint and lovely little cake shops. Didn't take any pictures of actual cakes, but a few days ago I had a gluten free almond and peanut cake - I don't eat gluten free but will occasionally substitute when there is a yummy looking alternative - and today I had a carrot! Still going strong into lent, although there is NO chance that I am NOT going to devour a horrid amount of malteaser bunnies when it's over.

The rest of the time has been slowly ambling through starting to revise, (I won't quite dignify it with the word 'revision' yet,) applying for jobs in the big scary world, and we're not just playing Pokemon now, but watching it. I'll post the Pokemon update in a separate post though, to try and keep things a bit tidier and so I look a bit cooler than I actually am. 

❤️ SPRING! ❤️ (Or "Look how easily a seemingly normal blog post turns to Pokemon")

 Just to get back into it, here is a little recap of my last few days, and some photos off my instagram/phone. It's finally warming up again! I now say that with DELIGHT, and no longer the hatred of my old sun-hating vampiric self. It's amazing what living in the World's gloomiest country does to you.

P.S. Listen to this! It's wonderful!

 Yesterday/Today General Life Stuff etc. etc.  

Yesterday me and Sophie went to the Solihull shopping center as it's the only place with an Apple store in a bazillion mile radius. It turned out to be a lovely day so we spent quite a while wandering around outside in the sun dotting from shop to shop.

Sitting in Starbucks waiting for our Apple shop appointment. Got the best people watching seats! Not that there was anything interesting going on because it was a Friday afternoon PRE gaggle-of-school-kids arriving time. (YES, for Fridays off!) (And the gaggles of school kids arrived as we were leaving thank god.)

I got the exact same thing from TGI's as I did the first (which was also the most recent) time I went because I have a tendency of clinging obsessively to my favourite foods in any place I go and being afraid of change. WHAT IF I MISS OUT ON A CHANCE TO EAT MY VERY FAVOURITE THING BECAUSE I'VE CHOSEN A SUBPAR THING?! Nope. 

TGI's also got a +1 because they have an allergy menu meaning Sophie can eat there! Always an exciting revelation. There was only one starter on the menu but there was a load of hummus on it and I love hummus so much that I can't see how that could potentially be a bad thing. 

In between all the food we managed to eat - we had to have a lot of powerbreaks - we also managed to do a bit of shopping. I'm actually really good when it comes to spontaneous shopping... I don't have the money to go out and buy stuff-that's-not-necessary for myself a lot - and when I do, I prioritise stupid stuff rather than things like clothes and accessories. HOWEVER, I haven't had to pay a stupid amount of money to silly things this month so it means I'm able to get stuff!!! I didn't actually buy a lot as I'm still in a stingy mindset and trying to only get ~ what I really really need want ~

Main things were more cute lil' socks to wear, some ribbon-y hair ties and a new pair of sunglasses as there's a chance I might get to use them soon! I also got a pair of shoes which I'm in love with but it's really more for the fact that my old boots are falling apart and now when I wear them when the ground's wet my feet get wet and there are really very few things worse than that. 

Today, meanwhile, was the first day I did not have to wear a coat!!! I got to wear a jacket instead which is kind of annoying as I need to dig out a lot of my jackets now and I don't know where half of them are. Today feeling like Spring gave us an excuse to walk to Subway for lunch and then it meant I could go pick up my bosu ball which finally arrived!

I'm a bully who makes my boyfriend take photos of me when I'm super pleased about the little bow thing I've got in my hair.

Apart from that, all I've really been doing is researching for my Psychopathology essay "Explore representations of Mental Illness in popular contemporary films and potential ethical implications" or something like that, haven't actually figured out the title, and playing Pokemon!!

This was the real point of making this post.

Pokemon!!!

Last time I played it was on my DS BUT me and Joe, after binge-watching Kanto season 1 on netflix the last week, decided to actually start playing it. Last time we played it together ended in a series of horrific fights over each other's playing techniques, who we wanted on our teams, and how to do everything basically. This time, we decided to play the same game, at the same time, separately, which actually makes a whole lot more sense.

In playing Soul Silver now, my team is currently Quilava, Wooper, Hoot Hoot & Flaafy. I've always been a grass starter type, mainly due to my eternal love for Bulbsaur. But frequent disappointments in the latest games mean I generally end up using the fire or water starters. I've played with all starters in Gen II (although It's technically Gen IV as it's the remake OF a Gen II game..) and went with Cyndaquil this time - maybe mostly to do with FLAME WHEEL - ! (Joe went with Totodile.) I also end up getting Hoot Hoot and Mareep purely because I love their evolved forms and I'm one of those people who likes having a full team early on, so you can have a nice balanced team.

I'd forgotten how much I loved these games. The perfect combination of adventure exploring and battle action! Plus the graphics are looking so good - the games were great even when they weren't - and I just love the strategising that comes with rpgs. I'm pretty sure my childhood love for the games led to my later obsessions with other RPGS (read: Final Fantasy & Zelda in particular) and I can remember as a child, playing on my first gameboy with barely any clue what was actually going on but still LOVING IT.

Next gym up is Goldenrod (oh no) so that means Whitney (oh no) and Miltank (oh no.) Normal gyms are always so hard. It's like they have to compensate for the fact that in general, normal pokemon just aren't...very good. (Except now they've turned half of them fairy ugh grumble.) I mean, everyone hates rollout and upon looking at Pokemon stats... SLAKING IS RIGHT UP THERE WITH LEG/PSUEDO-LEG what is up with that. (I'm looking at YOU, Norman-from-Petalberg) 

This post has been a bit of a crazy mess BUT I kind of know where I'm going. I'll probably post a little Pokemon update at the end of each entry depending on where I am, but will also try and post more actual content as well. I seem to just make lists all the time now, but not of anything really interesting!

Enjoy the sunshine everyone, IT WON'T LAST.

On Running

I like running. I never thought I'd say that again.

It doesn't always hold true. I don't like running whilst I'm actually doing it sometimes. I don't like running up hills, I don't like running when it's too hot, I don't like running when I inexplicably have a random arm cramp that won't go away despite me windmilling like crazy whilst I run.

Nevertheless, I'm beginning to like it again.
I've stopped putting off going everyday to the point where I never end up doing it. I'm beginning to enjoy pushing myself to run a little bit faster and a little bit longer every time. I'm running to my playlist of carefully chosen upbeat music, enjoying each moment when a new song comes on and I get that extra little burst of energy, and I'm definitely, definitely enjoying the moment when I cross my finish point and can finally slow down, heart still racing with my efforts.

This is different to before, where I was forcing myself to run not for the sake of running. I ran longer back then, but it was because it felt like it was an obligation and not a choice. I would have to set myself a time for when I would go, and then absolutely make myself go against all will and against what my body was telling me.

So here are some lil' tips and what works for me personally!



(1) Go when you (kind of) want to.
This one is more tricky, because a lot of the times I'd much rather just sit on the internet and not run at all. If you feel like you want to go, I find that you'll have a much more positive experience and you'll feel more motivated to push yourself. A great way to motivate yourself is to update your running playlist or start listening to upbeat music. Change into your cutest workout clothes and sit in them whilst you're doing it, so all you have to do is put your shoes on before you go. Hey, you're dressed, you may as well go! If motivation fails though, and you still feel like you should go whilst you also don't, rely on discipline. Tell yourself you'll go at 5, but try not to dread it. Instead, see if you can convince yourself to go a little earlier, and use 5 as a last chance option. This usually works for me - I usually end up going half an hour before my last chance and it feels great because it feels more like a choice. Super psychological, but it works for me!

(2) Have a nice, or few different routes.

Obviously doesn't apply so much when you're running in treadmills in the gym (change up the treadmill? I actually have a favourite one so I'm even running on the same treadmill every time, hah,) but outside, it's always great to have a few routes to run. Just the change in scenery, even if you don't think you'll be paying attention over the sound of you desperately trying to catch your breath (kidding!) you might find you appreciate it a bit, and, one on hand, a new route'll stop you stressing yourself out with markers that you come to familiarise yourself with on a route you run everyday - ("I'm only at the bendy tree?! I've still got so long to run! ~motivation deflates~) and you may find yourself running further than you thought just because you don't really know the route!

On the other hand though, running the same, nice route everyday can be motivating in the exact same sense - you know where you are at all times and how much further to go, which can be quite reassuring. Find out what works for you! Find a nicer, easier run for days when you really don't feel like going, and a harder, longer run for days when you really do.

In short: find a whole bunch of routes and run them all!

(3) Change up your playlist loads!

Skip this if you're one of those people who manages to just listen to nature/the sound of their own feet hitting the pavement etc. when they run. I always need music to run to because I just get so bored. My attention span is just too awful to not have something else to concentrate on besides the running itself. I fill up my playlist with upbeat songs of all genres. I usually also keep my playlist on shuffle - just as one song dies down, another unexpected one - that I suddenly really fancy listening to - will come on and I'll get a little burst of happy energy! Having over 300 songs on there also means every day's workout soundtrack is different so it doesn't feel as monotonous. Finding awesome new songs and putting them on first is also a good way to motivate yourself to go running!

(4) Watch your breathing.

It can make a huge difference when you run! I usually end up breathing through my mouth (although at this point I don't pay loads of attention to breathing anymore - kind of just function on autopilot.) because it's more efficient at taking in loads of oxygen - which you need if you're really working hard and busting your ass! If you feel yourself getting a stitch, take a moment to change your breathing - if you exhale as one foot hits the ground, switch so you exhale as the other foot does (this is a common tip that ~science~ has proved to work, and it's worked for me a few times!) If you find yourself struggling, also take long, deep breaths for a bit to allow more oxygen to flow, hopefully giving you more energy.

(5) Don't feel bad about stopping if you have to!

Especially for those new to running - it's perfectly okay to stop and walk to catch your breath. If you're struggling, it may be a good idea to walk for a few minutes and get some energy back - it's better than pushing yourself too hard and burning out completely. After walking for a bit, you may find it harder when you start running again, so go for a light jog, and then once your body has figured out what's going on, you can run a little bit faster again.

(6) Think

I ran when I was annoyed the other day and managed a new personal best on my usual route, which was pretty impressive. Run with your emotions! It's a great way to release stress if you're angry, and if you're already in a good mood, use it to motivate yourself positively - and imagine how good you'll feel with all the endorphins on top of that! Take the time alone to mull over things you want to, make plans (hypothetical or real!) and just imagine scenarios to keep yourself entertained! I love to think about places I want to travel to and what I'd do there.

Those are all super common-sense tips but nevertheless thought I'd put them here anyway! Always good to remind myself that I don't actually hate running.