OK, so it's been a while. My plan of writing more while also living more wasn't so well thought out since, well, both take time. Well done me. But, while the inspiration for this post is the reason I've been so slack on the blogging front lately, it's also given me plenty of ideas, hastily scribbled on anything nearby - so prepare for a few posts coming your way. 

Lately, I have been putting myself first (and the site second, evidently). For the past few years I thought that that was what I was doing; surely, that's what you do when you're single, right? But throwing yourself into work, doing the sensible thing because the scary thing is downright terrifying and being the responsible one in the family isn't, as it turns out, the same as being a little selfish. I'm not saying I've been a cow, as my thirteen year old self would say - I've just been doing a little more of what I want and learning how to make decisions that cheer me up. 

So it probably wasn't the sensible thing to spend a further £200 that I do not have on Spanish Level 2 - but I get so much out of it, that I did it without even a moment's hesitation. Oops. And yes there is a pile of washing-up downstairs that requires my attention (they are yet to invent the dishwasher that loads itself, apparently), but I've realised I had come to resent Saturdays because I spent the majority of the precious free hours cleaning, so it now comes second to whatever I want to do. I can still be a Monica, but it fits in around my fun time. 

I've also realised that despite work commitments and the ever decreasing bank balance (or should that be ever increasing overdraft fees?), holidays are necessary. Holidays make the world go round. Taking time out is so underrated, particularly when moaning about the packing and organising that goes into it - but after my recent best-holiday-I've-ever-had-ever holiday in Ibiza (post upcoming), I've been so much happier, more positive and just feeling pretty damn good about life. 

Of course I am now back and missing it like crazy, but I also have hundreds of great memories that keep me going. In those party-filled seven days, I felt more like myself than I had in years; I took risks (good ones), danced all night every night, fell in love with music again, fell in love with the island again and had enough girl talk to last a lifetime (though there is always room for more).

So, 2011 is still going strong... and there's plenty more fun to be had. What about you - how do you make sure you put yourself first every once in a while?

Not so long ago I blogged about panic attacks, and I'm always talking about health and fitness. Recently a study came out recommending that exercise be prescribed for those suffering with depression or anxiety. That makes sense, given that a good run or session in the gym can be the perfect way to let off some steam. 

Well, in my quest for fitness as well as a stress-free life, I wanted to find a fun way to exercise. I love dance classes but rarely find cheap ones or ones that friends will willingly go to with me (you sometimes need someone to look at with a 'thank God we're in this together' face). Gyms aren't fun unless you go with someone and even then, 'fun' isn't the word.

My favourite machine in the gym was always the rowing machine. It was so much better than the bikes, where you feel like your knees are going to break and you wish you were cycling outside round a park instead. But I was always lazy in the gym and worked out better in a class. 

So imagine my delight (seriously, I was actually very very happy) when Havva told me about Water Crew classes. It's rowing... in a class. It may as well be called the Judy Class! Ok, maybe not. Anyway, I went to try it with Havva at Trinity Health Club, an intimate little club in London. The result? I absolutely loved it. I smiled through most of it. I even laughed a bit, because Fabio who runs the class was funny. I came away feeling like my whole body had been energised - which it had, as it actually does work out 84% of your muscles.