What’s in your backpack London series?

Today we spoke to the gorgeous Cee, she’s a full time what I call ‘woman on a mission’.  She has one of the most uplifting Instagram accounts I’ve ever come across.  It’s one of the reasons I had to interview her.  She has the writing style of a stand up, with the ability to make the most basics in life so funny.  Her content is honest and at times raw.  It definitely doesn’t gloss over the ups and downs of running her own businesses and steering the ship, alongside her husband the photographer, while raising her two young girls in London.  So what’s it like juggling two careers and setting one up from scratch.  Who is Cee and why she is destined for greater things.  Most importantly what’s in her backpack?

1. Tell us a little bit about yourself? What you do and how you came to be living in North London?

I’m a 40 year old mother of two young girls.  I’m also freelance as a business psychologist.  However I write whenever I can and am working towards that becoming my main gig.  I have a parenting and lifestyle blog, Hey…is that me?  And I’ve lived in North London all my life.

2.  Give us an example of your typical morning?

I am not a morning person.  To be honest, no one in our house is.  We much prefer the other end of the 24 hour clock.  My work means that I am sometimes out delivering in client offices.  On those days, I usually rise early (around 6.30am) and have the luxury of being able to wash and dress in peace.  On the days when I am working from home or not working, I set my alarm for 7am.  I snooze it at least once, maybe twice if I’m feeling lucky.  I try to get up before my girls, so that I can try to get my head around the morning.  I shower and get dressed.  The girls should wake at 7:30am.  They usually end up rising closer to 7:45am.  They shower and get their uniform on, then come downstairs to make their breakfast and as much of their packed lunch as they can.  I or my husband will pick up the slack.  Both girls play the piano, so we will usually scream at them to practice before school.  Then, whichever one of us is doing the school run will realise that it’s time to leave, shout at the kids to put their shoes, coat and bag on, and jump into the car for the mad dash to the school gates.  Once the kids are at school and I am home, I have a cup of tea (with Oatly barista milk for the win) and search the fridge for something to eat. Then it’s checking emails and getting down to either day job work or writing/blogging.

I love your orderly morning Cee!  It’s amazing that your children (which you frequently refer to as Kid 1, or Kid 1 +1) are left to sort themselves out.  Future goals…

3. How do you balance a busy household as a busy mother?

Well…it’s not easy as I’m not the most naturally organised person.  But, you’ve got to do what you’ve got to do, right?  I use my diary and calendar, making a note of important school dates and allocating them to either myself or my husband depending on our schedule.  We are both able to work reasonably flexibly (he’s a freelance photographer), so we manage to cover most things between us.  I’m a bit of a contradiction because although I’m not super organised, I am a control freak and need to be happy with how things are being done, especially when I’m not doing them! 👀 I try to share the household tasks with the other members of my household, giving my girls “chores” that allow them to assert some level of independence and writing a ton of lists for my husband. I am incredibly lucky in that my parents live a short drive away from us.  They help out loads, picking the kids up from school one day a week, babysitting and having them for sleepovers regularly too.  I don’t know how people manage without family assistance, to be honest.  I have the most amount of respect for anyone who is raising a family alone.

I hear you!  They’re what I call a die hard and there are an awful lot of these amazing supermama’s out there…

4. What’s your go to mantra? Do you have any?

Hmmm…good question.  I guess mine would be “don’t put off for tomorrow what can be done today”.   BUT, this often leads to me trying to do it all and not doing it at all.  I am also very sometime-ish with my use of this mantra.  Don’t judge me.

5. Tell us your number ONE time saving hack?

I used to wait until the morning to sort out what I would be wearing that day.  Inevitably, I would spend a significant amount of time looking through my clothes and trying on and ironing and discarding and looking through some more clothes and trying on and…well, you get it.   One day, I spoke to a lady who explained that she sorted out what she intended to wear the following day the night before.  She would choose clothes, shoes and accessories and lay everything out ready, ironing where necessary, for the morning.  I was like “WOW…”  It was a true light bulb moment and I implemented immediately.  Now, in the mornings, I can be efficient with my time (which helps as I’m usually running late 😬).  I encourage my daughters to do the same.  I have tried with the husband, but both his spirit and flesh are weak 😑

6. What’s the ONE thing that you carry in your bag or backpack that helps you organise your day?

This year, I started using an actual diary instead of the calendar on my phone.  It’s a Qyuu Designs diary and it is perfectly bag-sized.  I write EVERYTHING in it, using a pencil, so that if plans change, I can amend without making a mess.  You know I said I was a bit of a control freak?  Well, I can also be a bit of a neat and tidy freak when I want to be #sorrynotsorry

So how do i get in touch with Cee… well, below is the list of her social channels

Blog: www.heyisthatme.co.uk

Instagram: @heyisthatme

Twitter: @heyisthatmeldn

Facebook: @heyisthatme

Nariva Boutique is a lifestyle brand which encourages busy women to take time out for themselves.  We want women to be bold and unashamed of ME time, CHILL time and selflessly doing the possible, (which most call the impossible) for themselves.  We also design and hand make leather backpacks which embody this philosophy.