Finding My Rhythm: Coffee, Caraboo, and the Type-A Princess Era 👑



HI EVERYONE! 

This was my week so far, and actually a lot to update, kinda. 
💖📚🍁🍂

Study aesthetic, and bullet journal vibes, and yes I colour code EVERYTHING, because it helps me to concentrate on my notes, as a visual learner with Dyslexia... 📚🕮✐




It’s been one of those weeks where everything’s happening at once — essays, deadlines, volunteer work, and the general chaos of trying to look composed while juggling about twelve plates. But, somehow, I’m managing. Not perfectly, but well enough to be proud of it. To be fair, Council meetings nearly always are such fun, and drag up things that are truly unhinged! I just had the weirdest vibe about this one though, as it was hosted on the 5th November... C'etait, SAUVAGE!



Vibes on vibes in the hub, and also I have never worn less makeup! I just haven't worn as much lately!


I’ve been properly settling into university life on my foundation year, and it’s beginning to feel like home. The museum closes an hour earlier now — 4pm instead of 5 — which was a tiny heartbreak for someone like me who could happily live among artefacts forever. But my brother came to the rescue with a French Vanilla coffee from Tim Hortons (the one I was being a little brat about, admittedly), and all was forgiven. 💅✨ (I also got crayons in the kid's meal, triangle grip ones.... nice... I was of course using these bad boys, to colour code the notes in my lecture... Boujie. 👑



Alexandra Gardens is the most beautiful little short-cut, and honestly looks so romantic in the Autumn. 

The big win this week was getting my first genuinely good grade on an assignment — the first GOOD GRADE in years, also my first ever GOOD GRADE AT UNI. It felt surreal. I actually sat there staring at the screen in disbelief for a moment. When you’ve spent so long second-guessing yourself, that little “well done” feels like sunlight breaking through a window you forgot was there.

My lecturers have been absolute stars. Dr. G is brilliantly direct — passionate about people, literature, and the classics — and you can tell she genuinely wants you to think, not just agree. There’s something really grounding about her approach; you can ask difficult questions and it never feels awkward or “too much.” As an actor, I connect with that completely — it’s that same spark of curiosity, that desire to get under the skin of things. She also did an essay skills sesh for us, to help us to understand structure of things instead of a sink or swim attitude. I have honestly got to say, that I have not seen that before, I learnt a lot... We as students, are bloody lucky little devils to have her. 

Then there’s Dr. J, who teaches history with the kind of joy that just pulls you in.She just speaks about history with such a childlike wonder, and absoloute unbridled joy. Her energy is infectious — two hours with her flies by in what feels like minutes. I wish that lecture was longer, every single week I leave feeling energetic and excited to learn more! It really heals my inner child! Speaking of my inner child.. My inner child loves scandalous royal figures... I wrote about Princess Caraboo for my first assignment with her, because, well, who could resist? The imposter princess of Regency Britain. I love how her story exposes the odd mix of curiosity and prejudice that fuelled Orientalism back then — that fascination with the so-called “exotic East.” I found eight books on it in the library without even trying. Clearly, it was meant to be.
Those portraits that 18th century toffs used to have painted were absurd... 
I also saw the "Chinoiserie" collection in the V&A online website... shooketh... what the HELLIANTÉ?


This week's infusion wasn't easy, and the app was being a bit of a pain in the arse to send off my infusion logs! haha

That afternoon, I was waiting for Dr. J’s lecture and needed somewhere quiet to sit, so I wandered into part of the John Percival building I hadn’t really explored before. That’s when I found The Hub — tucked away inside the John Percy Building. I’d never been there before, but it’s exactly the kind of place I adore: warm, calm, perfect for sneaking off with a cup of tea and a good book. I sat there reading Something Wicked by Carol Ann Lee — about the Pendle witches — and it was the loveliest little pocket of stillness before class.




Seriously recommend this book!: 👉 Something Wicked: The Crimes and Deaths of the Pendle Witches


Not everything this week was easy though. My infusion wasn’t the smoothest — I bruised a bit and had a pounding headache afterwards. Nothing catastrophic, just one of those moments where your body reminds you it has its own plans. I journaled it all (of course I did — the bullet journal is practically a limb at this point), tracked my mood and hydration, and tried to rest. My SAD lamp has been getting a lot of use too; it’s like a little square of sunshine for my desk when the Welsh skies refuse to cooperate.

I also had an anxiety attack, kind of sat there in a weird paralysis, as everything felt overwhelming, and then I did as my doctor told me to do, which was document the thing, as it helps me to analyse them, as truthfully I'm unsure if I have ever been anxious to start with or just overwhelmed? Social anxiety maybe, but otherwise, those were all very reasonable things and the fact that I was able to list the things pissing me off meant I was at least able to differentiate between what was happening and what I had imagined, and shockingly, none of it was imagined, and barely any of it was within my control. 
I was using a little book called "Cards against Anxiety" from time to time, which is full of therapy exercises... I recommend it, but only if you're no longer in fight or flight mode... which I was for years. You can get it here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Cards-Against-Anxiety-Guidebook-Stress/dp/0711260486 



This book is a game-changer! 

And yes — I’ve made peace with the fact that I’m officially in my Type-A Princess era. I’m the girl who colour-codes her planner, keeps gratitude lists, drinks her tea at the same time every day, and still manages to overthink everything. But honestly? I like her. She gets things done, she’s learning to rest without guilt, and she knows when to let go of what she can’t control.


I know this is a bit cheesy, but I will honestly at this point try anything if it's gonna keep me as motivated throughout as I feel right now! I DON'T WANT TO LOSE MOMENTUM!  



If you need a small push towards that balance yourself, I’ve been using the Gratitude App lately, and it’s been such a lovely part of my routine. It has daily affirmations, short articles, journaling prompts, and even guided meditations. It’s free, but there’s also a premium version if you want all the extras. It’s simple, gentle, and actually works.



I even put the main university building on my vision board the other day — a quiet reminder that I’m right where I’m meant to be, even if I don’t always feel like it. Some days are messy, but the little moments — coffee, candles, good books, a well-timed grade — they all add up to something beautiful. I still have more to do and send in, but I am also really enjoying myself right now! and I really love this subject! So much so, that even during downtime I have been watching some really interesting things on Netflix, and annoying my family who keep asking me "CAN WE NOT WATCH SOMETHING TO DO WITH HISTORY THIS TIME????" 
They said it's an obsession... they're right though. It always has been, but now I am not hiding it! 

Until next time,
Clare Alexandra ✨


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