Unpacking: July
A chaotic month of packing, batch filming, renovation limbo, fitness goals, beauty favorites and one very unexpected career highlight.
July has been one of those months where the word “unpacking” feels a bit ironic, because if anything, this month has been about packing. We’re right in the middle of renovating our new home, so I knew before the month even started that July probably wasn’t going to feel calm or organized. As I’m writing, It’s stressing me out thinking about the fact that I still haven’t done half as much as I should have, which is worrying considering we move out of here in three weeks.
We’ll be staying in a hotel apartment for around 6 weeks while the renovation at our new home carries on, and then, hopefully….we’ll finally move into our new home! I say hopefully because I’ve realized with renovations, you can plan as much as you want, but things always crop up that delay the process. At the moment, we’re estimating around 6 weeks of being in limbo, and I’m just hoping it’s not any longer because I hate living out of a suitcase!
I knew July was going to be busy, so I didn’t really expect anything other than that. I knew it was going to be about packing, organizing, filming ahead (which I’ll explain in a bit), trying to stay on top of work and making endless renovation decisions. I knew it wasn’t going to be a month where I had time to relax.
The main thing I was trying to prepare myself for was the fact that we’re about to move out temporarily, and I won’t have my studio for those 6 weeks. That means I can’t film anything studio based while we’re in the hotel apartment, so I knew this month would literally be non stop filming.
It went pretty much how I expected in the sense that it was busy, but it was probably even more intense than I thought. Because I won’t have my studio while we’re in the hotel apartment, July became almost like I was living out of my studio. I’ve been filming around 2-3 YouTube videos a day so that once we’re in that in between stage without my studio, we can focus on editing.
I’m so fed up with filming right now that I’m kind of welcoming a break, which sounds ridiculous because I know I’ll miss it after about a week. But there’s only so much talking to a camera, applying makeup, taking it off, planning content and trying to sound energetic that I can do. I love what I do, but batch filming at that level is not for the weak.
Also something completely unexpected happened this month, and it’s been the highlight of my year so far! My name showed up in Launchmetrics data as one of the voices shaping Gulf beauty, across a report looking at twenty three brands in the GCC and Lebanon with $322.8 million in media impact value! That’s a HUGE moment for me, because data like that cuts through opinions, favorites, industry politics, agents, preferences and all the things that can sometimes make this industry feel very subjective.
It was a very proud moment because it showed me that my work is being seen, and more importantly, the numbers don’t lie. I’m not someone who posts every achievement or talks about every milestone because I find it a bit awkward. Sometimes you’re so focused on the next video, newsletter, brand deal etc that you don’t stop and realize your work is actually landing somewhere with meaning.
I’m glad I pushed through and filmed ahead, even though it’s been A LOT! I know when we’re living in limbo I’ll be grateful that I’m not trying to panic film. It’s one of those things that feels exhausting while you’re doing it, but you know you’re making life easier for yourself later.
I’m also glad I allowed myself to properly take in the Launchmetrics moment instead of brushing past it and immediately moving on. I think I’m super guilty of doing that. Something good happens, I feel proud for about five minutes, then I’m already thinking about what needs to be done next. This time, I really did try to let myself feel it fully, because it was a reminder that consistency, professionalism and years of work do build into something. I still felt a bit cringe talking about it on my Instagram but all the love I received made it worth it.
Fitness has been as consistent as it could be considering our situation, which at the moment means anything from 2-3 gym sessions a week depending on what’s going on with the week. I also know that training is one of the things that keeps me feeling more grounded, so I’ve been doing my best to keep it up.
The next few months are going to be interesting because I’m starting my cut, which means lower calories and stripping some fat, because my PT wants to do a shoot with me in November! I’m nervous, but I’m also trusting her because she clearly thinks I have potential, and I feel like if she believes I can do it, then I need to stop doubting myself and just follow the plan. Plus I find the whole fitness shoot thing a bit cringe…so this is me fully going out of my comfort zone!
I’ve been building strength for the last few months, and because of that I’ve put on a few pounds and can’t see as much definition at the moment. I know that’s part of the process because I’ve been eating more and training to build, but I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t looking forward to seeing some definition come through again.
My rant this month is actually about myself more than anyone else, because why have I got so much on at the moment?! Look, in all honesty I’m never a ‘why is this happening to me’ person. I actually can’t stand that attitude! No one is ever going to tell you why, and it’s such a negative, draining attitude. But I’m saying it out of pure frustration and generally feeling a bit overwhelmed…not because I don’t know why it’s actually happening. I know some of it is unavoidable, and I know the renovation is exciting, but I really don’t like feeling as though I don’t have order in my life. It’s kind of a positive, as it’s made me realize how much I need structure and routine.
Right now, everything feels a bit up in the air, and that is not my favorite feeling. The thought of living out of a suitcase for 6 weeks is stressing me out.
I bought some new gym wear from Oysho, and it’s super comfortable. I wouldn’t say it has the most amazing support, so it’s not necessarily what I’d reach for if I needed something structured, but for comfort and quality, it’s impressive. Sometimes you just want gym wear that feels comfortable.
Other than that, I’ve mainly been window shopping for the new home rather than actually buying stuff. I’m trying to be sensible because I don’t want to buy loads of stuff before we’ve moved in.
I haven’t been getting my nails done because gel finally took its toll on them…and Bobby has hated it. He prefers polish on nails so it’s been kind of funny on my side. My nails became so dehydrated so I had to give them a break….for 6 months!
What’s actually really helped is that I’ve been oiling them myself every night and getting the odd no polish mani pedi just to keep everything tidy. I don’t think I’ll ever go back to the usual gel polish, because I can see how much my nails needed a break from it. I did try a healthier gel polish for the first time using ORLY last week, and so far it’s been great, but I’ll report back once I remove it and see what state my nails are in underneath.
My cart is basically home stuff at this point. Lamps, decor etc. I’m trying not to get carried away! We’re still looking for a coffee table, and I’m super fussy about it. I want something square and low, but I haven’t found the one yet. I’m contemplating Travertine because I love the texture and the natural stone element, but I’m also leaning towards dark wood because I think it could bring a bit more warmth and contrast into the room.
I love the new Charlotte Tilbury Unreal Skin Sheer Glow Tint Hydrating Foundation Stick. It has this slight shimmer finish that melts into the skin and gives a lit from within glow. It doesn’t look like sparkle on the face. It just gives your skin a healthier, fresh look.
The newly reformulated Armani Luminous Silk Foundation is also my new favorite. When I first wore it, someone actually complimented me, saying my skin was glowing, so that was a good sign!
I haven’t been watching much this month, because it’s been so hectic. By the time I sit down in the evening, my brain is done, and I’m not in the mood to commit to anything that needs much concentration.
If you’ve watched anything decent recently, drop your suggestions below because I feel like I need a proper series to look forward to.
July was busy, messy, productive and a bit chaotic, but it also had one of the proudest work moments I’ve had in a long time.
I don’t love the in between stage we’re about to head into, and I definitely don’t love feeling like everything is up in the air, but I know it’s all moving us towards something super exciting. The next few weeks will probably test me, but at least I can say I’ve done as much as I can to prepare. Now we just need to pack the rest of the apartment, not lose my mind, and somehow remember where I put everything.
Until next month…
The New Status Symbol Is Not Needing To Prove Anything
I think the older you get, the less impressive certain things become. There was definitely a time when being busy looked impressive. Having loads of plans, always being invited somewhere, always saying yes, always having something going on. It made it look like your life was full. Like you were wanted, needed, important, successful, in demand.
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