Top 5 Motivational Songs

I was out running today and it may sound corny, but it did make me feel almost empowered. As I ran jogged my way along the streets of Gullane I suddenly felt as if anything was possible, any obstacle was surmountable. Which is a nice change considering the frequency with which I have been despairing lately.
It got me thinking about how simple things can suddenly restore your faith in yourself. Take music, for example. Haven't we all at some point heard a song and instantly felt so much better about ourselves? I do love my music; I think life would be a bit dull without it. I love the fact there are songs for every occasion: happy songs, love songs, heartbreak songs. Today, however, is a motivational song day.

I'm not going to lie, I am having a tiny (okay, major) panic about how I'm going to fit everything in over the next two months. Somehow I must juggle dissertation, placement, a part time job and the finishing touches to both Publishers Inc and The Camomile. Sometimes I wish there were more hours in the day! Today, however, I am in a positive frame of mind due to that run and I did manage to get quite a bit of dissertation work done today, including this survey, which I am begging you all to spend five minutes on for me: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1sMvooXWMtY0UkjhMBvlQQWGrNt2b2qy7RmoEtglm5dI/viewform

So, to honour today's burst of optimism I have decided to dedicate my post to my top five motivational songs. These are the tunes I turn to whenever I need a bit of morale boosting.

In descending order...

5. What A Feeling - Irene Cara
It's really all about that immortal line - "take your passion and make it happen". Every time I hear that I think yes, I can fulfil my dreams. The whole song is so uplifting, though. It's always guaranteed to get me dancing away and smiling by the time it's over. Incidentally, I've never seen Flashdance, though I've been meaning to for years.

Fun Run?

One of my goals for this year was to exercise more. To be honest, I've not been doing much toward meeting this goal. Just the mere thought of exercise usually leaves me tired and reaching for the chocolate. I've been making all the work I had to do for uni an excuse, but with classes officially over, I decided to buck myself up and get my bum up off the couch.

Raring to go

Many of my friends run and you know what they say: if you can't beat 'em, join 'em. I figured it would be a good way of getting in shape, plus it's free, so today I boldly ventured out on my first run jog.
In my head I had ambitiously planned out my route - up my road, along the dog-walking path, then round two blocks before coming back. It would be easy, I thought.

I was wrong.

I live on a hill (okay, a slope, but you try running up it of a morning) so by the time I got to the top  of the road I was already out of breath. Determined not to give in, I powered on, managing to do half the original circuit I'd planned. Technically I ran about two blocks, which was an achievement in my eyes. By the time I got home my legs were seriously hurting and I was on the verge of having an asthma attack, but I did feel vindicated.

I'm not quite sure a 10 minute run jog burns off any calories, but considering I haven't ran anywhere (save for buses) since school, I was quite proud of myself. I plan to make Tuesday my weekly run day, and hopefully increase the distance each time. I doubt I'll ever make a marathon runner, but hopefully I can get in shape. Now, where did I put that chocolate bar?

Busy, Busy, Busy

Hope everyone had a good Easter.


It's been a busy old time for me. With less than two weeks now until the London Book Fair (I cannot tell you how excited I am for this) and only three weeks after the Easter break until the end of term, there's a whole load of deadlines approaching.

The good news is that Buzz Magazine is now complete. Those of you who live in Edinburgh, look out for it in coffee shops, bars and hotels from April 18th.