Coffee and a Catfish

Pssst, you haven’t forgotten, have you?.. 🤯

Mother’s Day is NEXT SUNDAY! 😱

But don’t panic, we’ve got you. Our cards will be posted out every day on the lead up, and even better - our cards are just £1.50 for this weekend!! 🫶🏼

But be quick - at midnight tomorrow, Cinderella’s carriage will turn back into a pumpkin 🎃 Oh, and our sale ends then, too!!

👇🏼👇🏼👇🏼

https://www.coffeeandacatfish.com/shop-9

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year everyone✨

Thank you so much for your continued support throughout 2022; it’s been so much fun & I can’t wait to be back with you in January for a new year 🧡

See you all soon 👋🏼

Mae x

✨WE’RE CLOSING!?✨

Yep, it’s true. But don’t worry, this is just a pre-holiday warning. Coffee and a Catfish will be closed from 1st-17th October 2022, for my wedding and honeymoon 💍🎉 you can still place orders during this time, but they will NOT be posted until after Monday 17th. There will be notices of this on the website too, but don’t fret, you can still get orders sent up until the 1st. During this time, we will not be available over social media, via the website chat or via email. If you need us you can still message, but it won’t be responded to until the 17th.

Thank you for understanding 🧡

Mae x

Hi everyone,

Ayden here - just letting you know Mae has had to put Coffee and a Catfish on a break this week as she’s poorly, so asked me to put up a post.

It should hopefully be back to normal next week, as long as she is better.

Thanks! :)

A year can change you a hell of a lot. If over the past year you’ve worked out what is right for you and what is damaging to you, don’t stick around to let it break you again. You’re worth so much more than negative environments, people and things that unfortunately just may not change no matter how much you wish them to. It’s about working out what damaged you before, and removing it from your life entirely, even if that means you have to sacrifice something (a friendship, job or situation etc) that you enjoy, to help yourself in the long run. 🧡

Good morning you lovely lot 🥱💤

As you’ll all know, I had to completely redesign the website after it crashed and reset 🥴 after 3 weeks of hard work, I’m SO CLOSE to having it finished!

If anyone would like to check it out and offer me some feedback via DM, I will gratefully offer you a 15% discount code for your time 😘 Thank you so much!

Mae x

👇🏼👇🏼👇🏼

www.coffeeandacatfish.com

Prints, Gifts & Mental Health aids | Coffee and a Catfish | United Kingdom Coffee and a Catfish offers original prints, gifts, mental health aids and a sprinkling of Veterinary Medicine. Why spend a fortune when kindness is free?

Hellooooo my loves!
I’ve had a couple messages this morning about the website not showing certain images etc. Don’t fret! It’s entirely my fault 😂 I’ve been working on updating the website ready for Thursday, but haven’t published it until it’s finished.

The issue is that I’ve removed the old photos to be replaced with the new ones, but silly lil me didn’t consider it would remove them from the old template 🥴 so although it’s all looking a little bare, it’ll be back to normal on Thursday!

Thank you for your patience 🧡✨

HAPPY MONDAY! ☀️

If you’ve woken up feeling unmotivated, or dreading the start of a new working week, remember this: Monday is reset day! It’s a day for you to realign your headspace, work out exactly what you’d like to achieve this week, and kick start a change.

Remember self care is ESPECIALLY important on a Monday - our brains immediately go into ✨panic✨ overdrive at the thought of a new week. So Mondays are also the perfect day to treat yourself, and care for your well-being ✨

Have a great week! 🧡✨

This may be controversial, but these are some things I’ve learnt the hard way when it comes to mental health and work. I’m not saying don’t say yes, you can still be a team player, but make sure you’re making time for yourself, too. It’s so true that no one can pour from an empty cup.🧡

1) Your health is SO much more important than a job title. It doesn’t matter if you’re career focused or not; no job is worth burning yourself out and risking your mental well-being for 🧠✨
2) If you’re struggling, reach out! It could be your workload, time allocation or something else - your managers are there to support you. If you’re burning out, you’re less productive - so it’s better for them, too.
3) If it’s not in your contract, you can say no! Don’t feel guilty for having a personal life. EVER. 🙅🏼‍♀️
4) Why shouldn’t you get to leave at the end of your shift? You’ve done your job! It’s not on you if there isn’t enough staff/time to get things done. That isn’t your fault. ⏰
5) NEVER feel guilty for reducing your hours if it’s right for you. Yes, people may judge you for it, but if it gives you a better work/life balance you’re looking for, who cares!?
5) Again, if it’s not in your contract, you don’t have to answer to work when you’re not on shift. Did you know in some countries it’s now illegal for work to contact you during your free time if it’s not an emergency? That’s how valuable your free time is.

Use it to switch off, do the things you love (which may or may not be job related!) and use it wisely to perform self care. Trust me, your brain will love you for it. 🧡✨

Prints, Gifts & Mental Health aids | Coffee and a Catfish | United Kingdom Coffee and a Catfish offers original prints, gifts, mental health aids and a sprinkling of Veterinary Medicine. Why spend a fortune when kindness is free?

IT’S OFFICIAL - THE NEW RANGE IS COMING 🤯😁🎉

As you’ll know from my last post, I’ve been spending a very long time working behind the scenes to direct Coffee and a Catfish to it’s new destination.

I’ve also 🥁🥁🥁 returned to my vet nursing job during this time! (Personal victory - yay me! 🎉)

The end of this month marks my 26th birthday, and the beginning of - so what better time to launch our new veterinary range!?

I’m so excited for you all to see what I’ve been putting my all into for the past few months. My fingers are sore,’ my brain is blocked, but I’m so so excited!! And I want to kick it off with a bang - so there’ll be games, prizes and so much more!!

If you work in the veterinary profession, you REALLY don’t want to miss this. This venture is my absolute world right now, and honestly for the first time in over a year, I’m actually really damn proud of myself and what I’ve created.

So I can’t wait to share it with all of you!!! 🧡

I’ll be keeping you updated on my stories and through posts on Facebook and Instagram. So don’t worry, you DEFINITELY won’t forget 😜

See you soon!!!

Mae x

Self progress is always about learning from your mistakes, recognising your successes and improving yourself daily. I absolutely LOVE looking at how far I’ve developed in the past year, both professionally and personally. 🧡✨
A fantastic example of this is to examine side-by-side my veterinary reflection pads. The top version is the design I created in March 2021, when I had no idea about whether Coffee and a Catfish would even still be running.
Below it is the updated design, which is available now. This comparison is about so much more than a change in aesthetics. The added features of a mood tracker, setting future goals and documenting improvements shows how I myself have had tremendous self growth. The improved design represents how I’ve worked hard to develop my skills as a creator.
Acknowledge your wins. Reflect on your losses. Pat yourself on the back for once. YOU have gotten yourself to where you are now. Accept that. Engage in self praise.

I’m rooting for you. (Veterinary reflection pads are available on my website (link in bio) or via Molymed Supplies 🧡

Creating my own business during one of the darkest periods of my life will always be the best decision I’ve ever made. At the time, it may have seemed crazy, but believe it or not, it helped save my life.

For the first time in a very long time, I had full control over something. I got to choose EVERYTHING, answering to no one but myself; I made my own schedule, created whatever I wanted, I decided what and when to post.

And the fact that others found Coffee and a Catfish helpful was just unbelievable: whether it was by allowing me to create products that brought smiles to people’s faces, or simply by sharing my own struggles that others could relate to. It honestly meant the WORLD to me.

A year later, Coffee and a Catfish is still the creative support network I’ve worked hard to create. The only difference is before, I didn’t have any idea if it would go anywhere, or if I’d even stick with it. But now, I know exactly which direction I’m taking it, and I couldn’t be prouder.

Take the leap. Believe in yourself. Give yourself the chance that you didn’t think you’d get. By believing in ourselves and our dreams, we can make them happen✨

And that is why creating Coffee and a Catfish will always be the best decision I’ve ever made. 🧡

PSSSTTT!! Attention small business shoppers! 😱😱😱

Don’t forget, it’s Mother’s Day on the 27th March!! That’s under 3 weeks away!! 😱😍

Don’t leave it last-minute, head over to check out our adorable cards, available now!

Don’t have time to write it out and send it? Don’t fret, Coffee and a Catfish has your back! You now have the option to add a personalised message to be printed inside your card, and we will send it directly to your recipient!

She won’t even know you forgot. We promise. Mum’s the word 😉🤫🧡

Check out the full collection 👇🏼👇🏼👇🏼👇🏼👇🏼

https://www.coffeeandacatfish.com/mothersday

This prompt for was probably looking for businesses to feature their favourite products. But it only feels right to feature what the word “favourite” means to me - my family✨

I wouldn’t have been able to start Coffee and a Catfish without the support of my incredible fiancé, Ayden. Not only does he listen to me gush about analytics and design ideas, he’s also a whizz when it comes to helping with my website.

I’m fortunate enough to have two incredible mums - both my mum and my fiancé’s mum. Though I didn’t meet either of them at birth; they’re the two most influential women in my life, who teach me how to love myself every day.

My siblings are actually some of my best friends in the world. Some of us speak hourly (Hey Sofia Morana) and others I only get to see once in a blue moon; but they’re all so special to me, and we have the strongest support network I’ve ever known.

My pets (Tilly, Bailey and Phoebe) have changed my mindset and have helped me learn to heal; whether it’s by playing, walking or having cuddles when I’m not feeling good. 🐱🐶🐱

And finally, my friends, who are just as much my family as the rest. The past two years have taught me who my most valuable friends are: Not only have they gifted me with my most treasured memories (becoming a Godmother to my favourite little girl will always be one of my proudest achievements), but they’ve supported me in ways I could never even try to repay.

If you’re reading this, and you’re part of who I’m talking about, thank you. Thank you for believing in me. Thank you for saving me.

Reach out to your favourites once in a while. Tell them you love and appreciate them. It might save them, too 🧡✨

It’s day 4 of , and the prompt today is “3 things”. When I thought of the phrase “3 things”, the first idea I had was for three goals I’ve set myself for this year. So I thought I’d share them.

1) Finish my website. 💻✨
I've had SO many ideas swimming around about where Coffee and a Catfish is destined to go recently. I've been planning non-stop for the past few months, but lacked the confidence in myself to just crack on and propel it. But finally, I've gotten well enough that I'm finally starting to believe in myself again✨ So I’ve decided; this month I'm going to go for what I'm dreaming of, and I genuinely believe this time next year I'll be so proud of what I've achieved; so watch this space 🧡

1) Marry my best friend. 💍✨
This might not seem like a goal, but it's something I'm SO excited to do. As someone who suffers from severe panic attacks, a social event such as a wedding can be incredibly daunting. I HATE attention with a passion, and I do not cope well in large crowds. But as well as celebrating our love, and having a party with our entire family, something I've been wishing for for 11 years is going to come true at my wedding: all of my siblings will meet and be together for the whole day. And I will FINALLY get to become my best friend's wife - something that just sounds like a dream after nearly a decade together. Planning this wedding has also helped my anxiety massively: I've attended wedding fairs, went out to choose my wedding dress, and have had to make so many decisions, that usually I struggle to do. My wedding isn't just about myself and the love of my life sharing a surname - it's a whole adventure. 🧡

1) Return to veterinary nursing. 👩🏼‍⚕️🐶🐱✨
As some of you know, I’ve been signed off my day job as a Registered Veterinary Nurse since December. It honestly pains me so much to see veterinary posts, and seeing my colleagues and patients without me there. The past few months I’ve really struggled to come to terms with the fact that I couldn’t work. I don’t think it fully hit me how unwell I was until I attempted to return to work too early last month. It honestly made me question my future in nursing, which was heartbreaking, as I genuinely believe I was placed on this earth to be a vet nurse.
But, despite my honestly horrific attempt at trying to return too early, I’m not giving up. On the 19th March I’ll be taking off my coat and putting on my stethoscope for hopefully the first shift of many. And if it doesn’t go to plan and I know I can’t work in practice anymore, as much as it’ll break me, I’ll know I tried my absolute hardest and didn’t give up.

I hope whatever goals you set yourself this year, you manage to achieve them. And if you don’t, still believe in yourself. Sometimes, that’s all you can do 🧡✨

I don’t know about you, but I can’t physically start my day without writing a to-do list. 📝✔️✨
And that brings us to day 3 of - all about “Planning”.

My brother once taught me that at the top of every daily to do list, you should add “make a list”. This means that by the time you’ve finished writing your plan, you can already tick off the first task!

I find self-care to be an important feature of a daily to do list. It’s so easy to overlook, but even taking 5 minutes to focus on and enjoy a cup of tea counts as self care. 🛁 ☕️ 📕✨

I recently created a daily to-do list available on my website, to make it easier to schedule the most important work tasks, what needs doing when you get home and how you will prioritise self-care. With 50 pages (or 50 days!) you can easily record your work schedule, goals, important reminders and everything that needs doing when you’re home! There’s even a mood log and an in-built water tracker, so you can ensure you meet all your daily goals!

I’ve found these extremely helpful, as everything’s in one place. And of course, making a to do list will always be at the top of my list! 🖊 🧡✨

You can find the planners by tapping the link in the photo, or by visiting www.coffeeandacatfish.com!

Happy Wednesday everyone! 🧡✨

I’m SO grateful that Spring is on it’s way. I’ve recently gotten back into reading, and am so excited about it! I’m a psychological thriller fan all the way, but I’ve recently started reading self-care books in the mornings.
If you’re looking for some book recommendations, or fancy a quick read about what I’ve been reading, check out my new blog post!

You can check it out here: https://www.coffeeandacatfish.com/post/wiw-what-i-m-reading-this-month

What are you currently reading!? Let me know 👇🏼

Day 2 of is Brand Values. My brand slogan, if you will, has always been “why spend a fortune when kindness is free?” - Affordability is so important to me; if my products are affordable, more people will be likely to send a card or gift to a friend, which will in turn improve their mental health. 🧠✨

At Coffee and a Catfish, I promise to always adhere to the brand promises. That includes being sustainably conscious, by only doing print-to-order and using reused/recycled and biodegradable packaging. It also includes honesty and integrity - you won’t find hidden fees with Coffee and a Catfish. If I need to increase fees, I’ll be honest about why I’m doing it! For example to be able to improve the quality of certain products, or to allow cheaper delivery. 🚐💨

And finally, Coffee and a Catfish will ALWAYS be about prioritising self care and mental health. This is where the heart of Coffee and a Catfish lies - and it will always be about creating a safe environment that aims to help people improve their mental health and well-being 🧡

Hello everyone! 🤗 Happy March! FINALLY, we should start noticing a few little glimpses of Spring - how exciting! ☀️🌿🧡

If you haven’t heard of the challenge; it’s a fun little daily prompt designed by Joanne Hawker Design & Illustration where, throughout March, creatives can share their business stories using fun hashtags!

Day one brings us - so I’d thought I’d take this opportunity to introduce myself and my brand, for those that don’t know us yet!✨

Hello 👋🏼 My name’s Maisie, although I prefer to go by “Mae”. In 2021 I created Coffee and a Catfish - a brand that aims to improve mental health, boost positivity and banish the awful side effects that go alongside living with mental illness. Whether it’s providing greeting cards to let others know they’re not alone, gift boxes to make people smile, or handmade distraction kits, you’ll find it here.

I’ve also recently started writing a Coffee and a Catfish blog, with Mental Health Mondays, “What I’m…” Wednesdays, and Small Business Saturdays. You can check it out via this link: https://www.coffeeandacatfish.com/blog

My biggest aim will always be inclusivity - Coffee and a Catfish is a safe space for me to share my coping tactics, struggles and to express myself through art that helps others. I hope you’ll find that it is a safe space for you, too. 🧡

Good morning! Happy Monday!✨

I have a super busy week ahead, so thought I’d quickly jump on to share the latest instalment of - my 5-minute anxiety blitz!

Let me know what your go-to anxiety busters are - I’d love to add more!

Mae x

https://www.coffeeandacatfish.com/post/mhm-5-minute-anxiety-blitz

#MHM - 5-minute anxiety blitz As always, before we begin, I just need to add the disclaimer that I am in no way a mental health professional, nor do I have formal training on the subject. These are just some methods that I’ve found useful in combatting the side effects that accompany chronic health conditions. So as I’ve sai...

In case you missed our first Small Business Saturday and fancy a Sunday evening read, you can find yesterday’s post, the Coffee and a Catfish story, here! 👇🏼✨

https://www.coffeeandacatfish.com/post/the-coffee-and-a-catfish-story

The ‘Coffee and a Catfish’ story Good morning everyone! Happy weekend, and welcome to Small Biz Saturday! I thought there was no better way than for my first small-business themed post to be about my own creation, Coffee and a Catfish. If you’re reading this post, chances are you already know what Coffee and a Catfish is. But tod...

As we attempt to branch out a little more, I’m trying to get Coffee and a Catfish launched with Google. But in order to do so I need a few organic reviews, and they can’t be ones I’ve already received on my website.

If any of you are willing to leave a review it would be very gratefully received so that I can continue to progress Coffee and a Catfish to where I’d like it to be 🧡

I’ll post the link below; thank you so much 👇🏼✨

Coffee and a Catfish would love your feedback. Post a review to our profile.
https://g.page/r/CZfGqr8WjhNBEAo/review

Review us on Google Post a review to our profile on Google

It is Wednesday my dudes!! (If you get that reference, yay!!)

It’s time for… “What I’m … Wednesday” - this week, I’m delving into my absolute FAVOURITE things that came out of February. We have the book I’m currently reading 📖 the skincare I’m OBSESSED with (oh hey Facetheory👋🏼) and something VERY exciting I chose this month… 👰🏼‍♀️💍✨

So grab a beverage, pop your feet up and enjoy this blog 👇🏼🧡✨

https://www.coffeeandacatfish.com/post/what-i-m-loving-this-month-february-edition

You’re seen 🧡

✨ IN CASE YOU MISSED IT ✨

What a morning! Phoebe and I almost drowned rushing to post orders out this morning before ol’ Eunice decided to throw a torrential downpour, my iPad keyboard also drowned (note to self: ☕️ + 🐶 = disaster!) and I’m on full blown nurse duty as my fiancé is having a tonsillitis flare up!

BUT did you see that our blog is now live!? And even better, it’s the start of - with today focusing on how I battle trying to keep on top of life at the start of the week 👏🏼

If you haven’t read it yet, grab yourself a cup of tea (but please keep it away from your electronics!) and enjoy! 👇🏼✨

https://www.coffeeandacatfish.com/post/how-to-deal-with-monday-anxiety

How to deal with Monday Morning anxiety. My top tips for fighting off the Monday blues, and turning this anxiety-inducer into a productivity booster! Monday isn't a day to be feared - it's a day to implement new habits, create routine and adopt self-care.

I thought I’d share something that I could’ve really benefitted from hearing today. 🙏🏼✨

When you live with panic attacks, some days are just going to be utterly horrific. Trust me. Today I faced one of my hardest challenges ever, and by my own accounts, failed at it.
But that’s okay. The most important thing is that I tried, I tried SO hard, and everyone around me who cares knows it.

The same goes for you.

If you suffer from a panic disorder too, I’m sorry. But also, well done. Well done for facing every day that completely terrifies you. Every day you tick off the calendar is another beaten. 📆🙌🏼✨

Now, I’m a little mentally and physically exhausted. So I’m going to sign off for the day; so I can get in my PJs, snuggle my pets and write the day off. I have a few posts scheduled so that I can switch off and they will still upload. But I will check in later in the week.

As always, thank you for reading. I appreciate it more than you know 🙏🏼✨

Mae x

The time has come that I can finally reveal…

✨ WE’RE RELEASING A BLOG! ✨

So many of you guessed it - so well done!
We’ve outlined our soon-to-be posting schedule, so you can see when you’ll want to be checking in for the best posts!

Mondays 11am -
Wednesdays 11am - What I’m ________ Wednesday
Saturdays 11am - Small Biz Saturdays

I can’t wait for you all to see what I’ve been working on lately. I hope it helps someone, and I hope you love it,

Mae x

Does anyone else find organising an entire work day completely overwhelming!? 🤯
Between scheduling your workload, maintaining self-care and ensuring you get everything done - it can be a nightmare!

But don’t fear - we have a solution! 💡

Increase productivity and reduce work-related anxiety and stress by having a set daily plan in order! With sections for a morning to-do list, evening self-care and an inbuilt water tracker, planning your work day has never been so easy! 🧘🏼‍♀️☀️✨

Each planner consists of 50 smooth-matte pages, bound in an easy-peel A5 pad. Notepads are printed onto 120gsm velvet stock, giving them a sleek silk finish. They are sealed with a non-toxic adhesive, and secured with a card backboard for comfort and stability. 📒✨

You can find them here: https://www.coffeeandacatfish.com/product-page/daily-work-planner-a5-50-pages

🧡✨



Please note that, as these are printed outside of our studio, turnaround may take up to 14 days.

Depression can make you feel like a huge burden on the people around you.

Sometimes you don’t have the energy to reply to messages, you avoid meeting up, you feel unworthy of speaking to them.

But actually, there comes a time where you realise that your true friends don’t mind! They’re here for the highs and lows, because they love and care about you.

Trust me. When I’ve been at my lowest, it’s the same people who bother to check in. They’re not fussed if I reply, they’re not looking for gossip, they just want me to know I am NEVER alone.

So, even when you feel like you can’t lift yourself up:
Build your friends up. Celebrate their wins. Support them through their losses. It’s OKAY to not reply to messages, to take a step back. But keep fighting for your friends. Keep building them up at any opportunity you get.

Because when you reach rock bottom, they’ll be the ones who build you back up. They’ll be the ones you text at night when you can’t sleep. The ones who send you gifs to make you laugh instead of cry. Those who aren’t interested in anything other than having a relationship with YOU, because they love you as a person.

Depression steals so many things from you, don’t let it steal your friends too.

PSA; to my friends, I will always be grateful for you. 🙌🏼✨

Hey you! You made it through Monday - well done! 🙌🏼🧡

Don’t forget to take a break from scrolling - it’s the evening, it’s time for self care. 🙏🏼✨

Why don’t you have a bath? 🛁
Or listen to a podcast? 🔈
Read a book? 📖
Or practice some mindfulness? 💭

Your brain deserves to have some downtime after working hard all day. Find a way to relax, and have a cosy evening - you deserve it 🤍