Valentina's Vision

Happiest when out in nature on a country walk with loved ones 👣🌲

This was a walk in Miserden in the Cotswolds. It's definitely a hidden gem with a beautiful lake, forest and surrounding trails. 🥰

It's a great place to see lots of wildlife too. On our last walk here, we saw a herd of about 15 deer! 🦌

Also amazing if you want to see a sea of bluebells when Spring arrives 🌸

Delicious smoothie bowls in the summer sun 🌞

What's your favourite flavour? 🥰

Does early morning yoga in this garden in front of views out to the Atlantic Ocean tempt you? 🌞🌴

Very grateful that this was/can still be my daily view when walking to the little village of Luz in the Algarve, Portugal. 🌍

Every day in summer, I would be up early morning before the heat kicked in and would walk the half hour walk along the cliffs by the sea to Luz to buy fresh bread and pastel de natas from the local bakery. 🥖🥐

If you ever go to Portugal, you have to try pastel de natas (especially fresh ones with delicious flaky pastry!) They're essentially a small custard pastry and very tasty! 🤗

I would pass by this garden which would hold several morning yoga classes and just think wow every time! 🧘‍♀️

This walk was food for my soul, as if the rest of the world didn't exist ❤

This was my retreat during university holidays and also made studying 8+ hours a day every single day for a whole month for law exams more bearable! 👩‍💻🎓📚

The dream would be to spend longer periods of time like this here again every now and again, a slower pace of life, peace and quiet, living next to the ocean - my paradise 🥰❣

But for now I have a peace of mind and am happy that tenants can instead enjoy my little slice of paradise while I am in the UK. I am grateful I have this picture to remind me, especially when it's a gloomy day in the UK today! ☔

Swinging into Monday like this 🌴🥰

Seville in winter is beautiful if you want some winter sun, lovely food and beautiful architecture 💫

You are tougher than you think 👊

I saw this quote and thought it was quite fitting at the moment. 🙌

I find managing properties can be quite challenging at times. Some months, I wont hear a peep from tenants, other times like today I will get stressful news. You never know what you will be dealing with from day to day or month to month. Somehow you have to fix it and find a solution and put a brave face on and be thankful that the situation isn't any worse 🤞 you need a 'can do' attitude 👊

Another example from this week. I knew I had a really packed schedule on Tuesday which meant if I was to have any chance of exercising I would have to do it first thing before work. Exercising first thing is really not my thing 🙈 However, as soon as I got going, it was fine and I was relieved when I had finished. It just shows that your mind is stronger than you think. 💥

Similar to starting an online business, there can be a lot of fear, doubt and lack of confidence at the start. However, if you truly believe in the end goal and desire that end goal so badly, you will push through and find a way to make it work. Doubt and fear is normal if you want to make significant changes in your life 💫

Happy Thursday, it's almost the weekend 🤗

Happy Valentines Day to my other half ❤

Forever grateful for you and everything you do for me 🥰

Never stop being goofy and making me laugh! We definitely need that side to complement my serious side (that sometimes comes out) 🙈

Here we are out in nature, on a hike, in our favourite place, watching the sunset - our idea of perfection 🤗

Here's to making many more memories together 🙌

Happy Friday 🎉

This is a reminder that any action you take towards your goals is still action, no matter how small it may feel at the time 👏

Also imperfect action is still action 💫

This week I have been hard on myself for not getting through more things that I had hoped. With 2 days off from work before my birthday weekend, I have been struggling between wanting to use that time to catch up on the tasks I haven't completed versus spending it with loved ones doing fun things ahead of my birthday🎈

Definitely a moment where I need to be more kind to myself and remind myself that I have still made a dent in my job list this week, even if it's not as much as planned, and that's okay! 🙌

Hope everyone has a lovely weekend when it arrives 🥰

With the longer evenings creeping upon us, it feels like spring and summer is coming closer ☀️

Throwing it back to this picture I took in Painswick in the Cotswolds when this house was in full bloom quite literally 🌸

This is one of our favourite villages to walk through at the weekends all year round. 👣

Locals call it 'The Queen of the Cotswolds'. 💫

The houses are so picturesque, it's calm and quiet with amazing walks in nature and endless views. 🌱

Do you have that one place where you instantly feel calm and relaxed? 💆‍♀️

This picture makes me feel very warm, homely and cosy! 💫

Although a candle in bed (I wouldn't advise on that!) 🔥

This is your daily reminder that you are in complete control of today and how you react to situations. 👊

Start the day off with pausing and just thinking of what you are grateful for today. It doesn't have to be or feel like a long or strenuous task to do, a minute is still better than nothing if that's all the time you can give. 🙏

If you do this regularly, notice how instantly your day starts off more positive and how much better you feel.👏

Happy Wednesday everyone! We are almost half way to the weekend 🙌

It's a new week and a new opportunity to work for those goals and dreams 🙌

I have a good feeling about this week! 🤗

I have a short working week as I am off on Thursday and Friday for a long weekend for my birthday 🎈🎉

Tomorrow I am commuting and spending the day in the office, which you may have seen from my stories recently, is my idea of sensory trauma for my ADHD and autism (the painkillers are already packed!) 😥

However, knowing that I have a shorter week which will help me recover from it in the days after, is making me see it in a more positive light 🙏

This is your daily reminder to work for those goals and try to see the positive in every situation! You have got this 👊

Have a great week! 🙌

Happy Friday everyone 💫

I feel like this week has flown by so quickly!

I hope everyone has a lovely weekend when it arrives 🙌🤗

Today is a busy one at work, but I am remaining positive 👊

Having reduced my working hours at my day job, I now find I am so much more productive in all aspects of my life!

It gives me a shorter time to be fully focused on the day job without distractions and then to switch to my other jobs and business and not try and multitask (which always ends up being counter productive when I have tried to do everything at once! 😂)

On the other hand, reduced hours can also create pressure to try and fit everything you need to do into a shorter space of time.

It's important to remember to respect your own boundaries and to communicate with others too so that they know to respect your boundaries as well.

Also this is a daily reminder to not be too hard on yourself, any progress is still progress 🙌

Throwing it back to Bali 💫

My best friend and I planned this trip for 8 months, and it was a dream come true! 🗺

I would come home from university on Sundays so that we could research and plan together (this was before zoom became a thing) 👩‍💻

I love planning trips and creating itineraries, it's one of my biggest passions. Organisation is definitely my forte 🙌

This was picture was taken in the rice terraces of Ubud 🌱

Still learning alot about my neurodivergent mind 💫

I am learning that mindset practices may need to be tweaked at times for neurodivergent minds. Sometimes it will feel hard and frustrating but everyone has to find a way that works for them 🙌

Don't compare yourself to others, you are doing just great ❣

I would love to try therapy when the time is right, but for the time being I have been medically advised against it, until my medication kicks in 🤞

Has anyone else tried therapy? What are your experiences with it? I would love to know more 🙌🥰

It's a new week, a new opportunity to reach those goals 💫

Wishing everyone a happy, positive and productive week! 🥰

And remember, if it's not, that's okay too! Don't put too much pressure on yourself 🙏

Walks in the country escaping the city are my favourite. What makes you feel happy? 💫

"Life is 10% what happens to you, and 90% how you react to it"

I have been listening to Your Wish is Your Command podcast.

The guy said to imagine you get a flat tyre on your way to work. How likely would you complain, grumble or feel negatively about the situation.

He said to instead think of the positives in that situation. For example:

> 'Wow, this is the first time I've had a flat tyre in 26 years, I am excited for this new experience'

> 'I am grateful for the people who will come and help me, maybe they will be able to teach me something, maybe they can introduce me to a new idea or concept, or I can learn a business idea or be inspired'

> 'Maybe I will create new friendships with the people I meet as a result of this'

Try to see the good in every situation and try to tweak the way you react to situations.

It might feel impossible to do in the moment and in the lowest of lows, but I am going to try and implement this 💫🙌

Today I am throwing it back to when I was a ski rep in the Alps ❄🎿

I had a lot of fear of signing up, but it was one of the best decisions of my life hands down. ❣

Here's why ⬇️⬇️⬇️

It's crazy to say but I was in charge of a whole bus load 40+ uni students for a 17 hour bus journey, both ways to France and back. I am grateful I didn't leave anyone behind on the ferry or the service station stops! My confidence definitely grew, with being given this responsibility, as well as public speaking on the bus and making sure everyone got the correct ski pass they needed while on serpentine winding roads up to the Alps (without being ill!)

We arrived at our resort and I ended up sharing a room with 3 other girls who were reps. To me rooming with people I dont know can be quite daunting, but I had nothing to fear, we were amazing friends by the end of the week 🙌

It was one of the best jobs I had.

What could be better than getting to ski in the Alps for a week at a time, making new friends for life, overseeing Aprés and creating so many memories and laughs (as you can see from the pics there was a lot of laughs!) 😂

Here's to the future and hopefully more opportunities like this 🤞❄

Midweek thoughts 💫

Dare to dream big in order to achieve big ✨

Its only recently that I have started reading and looking into manifestation and law of attraction. 📖

Our dreams and goals can appear scary at times or out of our reach. However, if you want something so badly, you need to trust the process and believe in yourself that you will achieve it 🙌

I visited Rome in summer 2018 🏛

It is one of my favourite cities in Europe, so much so, that I even considered doing a Masters in Ancient History when I returned from our trip, as I loved the history of this city so much ❣

I didnt end up doing the Masters (but I did apply!), and instead continued on my path in law.

This is definitely a city I wish to return to in the near future 🤞

Can you believe that there isn't even a filter on this photo?! ✨💫

One thing I have learnt recently is that it is so important to not compare yourself to others. Of course there is some benefit if it motivates you or opens your eyes and allows you to dream bigger.

However, everyone experiences things differently and everyone may have different circumstances. Don't allow comparisons to pull you down in the process or derail you.

One foot in front of the other and slowly wins the race as they say it. Just keep going 👊

And just like that another Monday is ticked off ✅

Feeling positive about this week 💫

Have a great week everyone 🙌

Today, is a new chapter for me. 

💫💫💫
 
I was diagnosed with ADHD and autism at the age of 26 last year. It was also the year that I qualified as a lawyer.
 
I am still a successful young woman, lawyer, girlfriend, daughter, property portfolio owner and now online business owner. My diagnosis does not define who I am and is only one small part of me. 
 
⬇️⬇️⬇️
 
As a trainee lawyer, my challenges quickly became very apparent. The office and corporate environment is when I realised something was seriously wrong.  
 
Many girls go unnoticed/undiagnosed because they learn the social cues and learn to 'mask' although at the risk of burn out. 
 
I realised this happened every time I was in the office. I would require diazepam the night before to allow me to sleep for a few hours, and the energy it took me to 'cope and get through the day' would leave me with a migraine half way through and needing a dark room and quiet, quite literally paralysed, when I returned home. 
 
I based my qualification decisions on the team and the people as opposed to the area of law, quite controversial given the people could leave at any point, but I was undiagnosed and needed a team with flexible working patterns. 

My GP warned me that the waiting list to see a specialist on the NHS was 3 years. 
 
At this point, I was not coping well mentally now, both in and out of work. I was lucky to see a private psychiatrist and realise my fortunate position in being able to do so. My suspicions were confirmed and I was diagnosed with ADHD and autism. 
 
Having both conditions, I have learnt that the two, sometimes cancel or override each other while at other times create conflict. My autism side needs everything planned whereas my ADHD side wants to be free as a bird, spontaneous and impulsive. 
 
After much research, today I am starting medication which I am hoping will help me, as help is now really needed.  
 
Social media is a highlight reel but it is important to show vulnerability and the lows, in case someone else can find comfort and help.

Anytime we go to an Italian restaurant the only food I look for on the menu is pizza!

Pizza is and has always been my favourite! 🍕

What is your favourite food?

You can't change the past, but you can control the future 🤞👊

This was my first trip abroad with my other half ❣

It was just after the pandemic and we were so grateful to be able to get away for some quality time together to Corfu and for some much needed sunshine (although it doesn't look sunny in this picture!) ☀️

There was a small Greek wedding going on in the background which was lovely to witness 💫

My boyfriend hates small boats but by the end of the week I managed to convince him to agree to a small boat trip to the neighbouring island which was called Mouse Island?! I can confirm no mice were seen! 🐭

Grateful for the memories that we made on this summer trip together 🙌

Happy Weekend Everyone! 🙌🥰❣

Looking forward to longer and warmer days to explore the Cotswolds with a picnic! I always feel instantly calmer being out in the fresh air, in the countryside away from the hustle and bustle 🌺☀️

What if every day felt like a weekend 🙌😇💫

Summer 2021 we were not able to travel abroad and instead took the opportunity to explore England, which crazy or not, we had never done before as we would always visit our family abroad previously.

We visited beautiful Devon for the first time and were blessed with amazing weather, coastline, walks and views for days ☀️

Grateful to have booked another trip to Devon for later this year 🙌

"Aspire to live a life that you will not regret" is my absolute goal from now on.

I have always had goals set on what society dictates or what I thought others around me would expect of me.

I envy the people who say if something happened to them, they would be happy with what they did with their life.

Time is so so precious, I know this, especially after losing a parent in the last few years to cancer.

This is the year I want to switch my mindset and start creating that dream life and to be grateful for however long we have been given on our beautiful planet Earth.

You only have one life and you are in control of what you choose to do with it ❣

Missing the Portuguese sunshine today ☀️ theres something very calming hearing the waves when there is a quiet beach around you 💫

One of my favourite things about Bali was all of the food! Fresh fruit, smoothie bowls, all the goodness 🙌

I wish places here had the same food or concepts, instead of endless fast food chains, which don't get me wrong is okay every once in a while. But why not this?!

Eating healthy is a lot more fun and easy when your food looks like this 🌺🌼

Thoughtful Tuesdays 💫

Every action and step you take is one step closer to your dreams and goals 🤞

This is the year I want to travel more ✈

I grew up spending all the holidays abroad as we always visited our family who all lived in several countries across Europe.

This meant we always went to the same places year after year and it wasn't always as glamorous as it seemed as we never saw more of the world.

Although my path was heading towards becoming a lawyer, I did have a spur of a moment crazy decision to apply to Emirates to become air cabin crew and made it to the last stage of the assessment day. I hadn't even thought of the logistics if I had gotten the role, but I think it was a sign of the travel bug that I had within me.

Covid hit and my legal career in a law firm started. I was now limited to 5 weeks a year to fit in any time to travel to see any family given everyone lived abroad, social occasions, self care time and time to explore the world. This is compared to the 24 weeks that I had for 5 years at uni, and 12 weeks while at school. It was a shock to the system.

New Year would arrive and instead of celebrating, I would sit in a panicked state and count the days of annual leave for the next year and try to plan out when I could travel.

As a trainee when you qualify, as a congratulations a lot of law firms give you 5 weeks leave to spend as you wish. Due to my health I had to resign from my position and hence lost that ability to take 5 weeks.

This year I decided to take back that control and now work as a freelance commercial lawyer when it is convenient for me with my other businesses.

Plus I now have a new additional business separate from law which allows me to work from anywhere, at any time and on my own hours.

Time and location freedom is my number one goal and vision.

I hope that this year will be a year of adventure and travel whether domestic or international ✈🙌💫

Do you ever get those Sunday blues or that anxiety that starts to creep in as a new week is about to dawn on you.

I remember as a trainee lawyer this was what we would always speak about on a Monday morning!

Or someone would ask how the weekend was and the common answer was "it went too fast"!

I would often worry so much about getting the most out of the weekend and put so much pressure on myself to have the most amazing weekend given how short it is compared to our working week, that I would end up in paralysis/frozen, unable to decide what I wanted to do because I had SO many wishes. In a blink the weekend was gone.

But what if it doesn't have to be that way? What if you didn't have to live just for the weekend!

Stay posted as I have some exciting news to share soon 💫🤞

In the meantime, you've got this, beat those Monday blues 👊