Welcome to Your Free Scale of Consciousness PDF Printable. Check your inbox for an email from us including this free download for future access! If you haven't already check out the blog about David Hawkins Scale of Consciousness and how you can use it to align with source energy. This website is all about raising our vibration and frequency to connect to the infinite possibilities. Whether that's through healing, and deep inner work, to stepping into your true unlimited potential. In the meantime, you can explore my energy and vibration section on the blog, it's packed with articles on raising vibration and finding our purpose. For truth seekers and those on a healing or spiritual path. Print this out & keep somewhere as your daily check in to stay mindful to the frequency that you are aligning with. Check out our canvas wall art versions in my Etsy Store. “You don’t attract what you want… You attract what you are.” Your Free PDF Scale of Consciousness to help assess where you are up to on your baseline frequency and stay on track raising your frequency until you embody the flow higher consciousness state as your identity and overall baseline. Master your energy, raise your vibration, and manifest with alignment — starting today. This beautifully designed, printable PDF gives you an instant overview of the scale or consciousness in one place — so you can: 🌱 Expand awareness to become the version of you who is calibrated to a higher frequency. 🌀 Because you attract what you are. 🧠 Use this tool to assess what frequency are you living at right now ✨ To Align your energy and rise If you love this freebie, don't forget to Subscribe to my YouTube Channel for more frequency and vibration raising videos.

Understanding the Psychology Behind YouTube Engagement: How to Grow Your Channel Fletch has a BSc. with Honours in Psychology & Neuroscience from The University of Liverpool and specialises in content relating to the Science of Mind and Behaviour. For creators: you are free to repost this media but please credit benothinglike.com on all usage printed, digital or other. In the bustling world of YouTube, content creators are constantly vying for viewers' attention. With millions of videos uploaded daily, how can you ensure your channel stands out? The answer lies in understanding the psychology behind why people watch, like, and subscribe to YouTube channels. By tapping into these psychological drivers, you can craft content that resonates deeply with your audience and encourages them to engage with your channel. The Psychology of Viewing Behaviour Curiosity and Discovery The Pull of Curiosity : People are naturally curious. When users come across a compelling video title or thumbnail, their curiosity is piqued. This drive to discover new information or entertainment is a powerful motivator. Ensure your titles and thumbnails are intriguing and promise value or an exciting experience. Emotional Connection Relatability and Empathy : Content that evokes emotions —whether it’s humour, inspiration , or nostalgia—tends to engage viewers more deeply. Like with consumers of products - Consumers aren't purchasing products. They are investing in emotions and results. If your content makes people feel something, they're more likely to remember and engage with it. Aim to create videos that resonate emotionally, be it through personal stories, relatable experiences, or meaningful messages. Social Proof and Validation The Influence of Popularity : People often look to others' behaviour to guide their own. When viewers see a video with a high number of likes, comments, or subscribers, they perceive it as valuable or trustworthy. To leverage this, focus on building initial momentum with high-quality content and encourage your current viewers to interact. Reciprocity and Support Giving Back : Viewers may feel a sense of reciprocity when they receive value from your content. By providing insightful, entertaining, or useful videos, you create a space where viewers feel inclined to support you in return—whether through likes, subscriptions, or sharing your content. Aim to provide value and ask them if they got value from it. Make them recognise this and they will be more inclined to 'give back' I've highlighted everything in Pink that relates to my story regarding our move to Bali in this niche travel blog. I plan to utilise these pointers in the growth of my own YouTube Channel Growth Series that I'm working on which currently has zero followers. Strategies to Enhance Engagement Craft Captivating Thumbnails and Titles First Impressions Matter : Your thumbnail and title are the first things viewers notice. Invest time in creating eye-catching, informative thumbnails and crafting titles that spark curiosity while being clear about the content. Avoid clickbait; instead, aim for honest and intriguing representations of your videos. Foster Emotional Engagement Build a Connection : Share personal anecdotes, engage in conversations, and create content that reflects your personality. When viewers feel a personal connection, they are more likely to subscribe and interact. Show your authentic self and build a community where viewers feel valued and understood. Encourage Interaction Call to Action : Directly ask viewers to like, comment, and subscribe. Sometimes a simple reminder can make a difference. Be sure to explain how their engagement helps you create better content and fosters a stronger community. Leverage Social Proof Highlight Success : Showcase milestones, positive comments, or user-generated content. When potential subscribers see that others are engaged and supportive, they may be more inclined to join the community themselves. Consistency and Reliability Establish a Routine : Consistent posting schedules help build anticipation and trust. When viewers know when to expect new content, they are more likely to return and stay engaged. Create a content calendar and stick to it to build a loyal audience. Respond and Engage Be Interactive : Take time to respond to comments and engage with your audience. Show that you value their input and appreciate their support. This interaction can build a stronger connection and encourage further engagement. Conclusion Understanding the psychological drivers behind why people watch, like, and subscribe to YouTube channels can be a game-changer for content creators. By tapping into curiosity, emotional connection, social proof, and reciprocity, you can craft content that not only attracts viewers but also encourages them to engage actively with your channel. Apply these insights thoughtfully, and you'll be well on your way to growing a thriving YouTube presence. Happy creating! I hope you gained value from this blog? If so, let me know in the comments. You grow, I grow. And if you did gain value from it or learned something, then you know what to do on the below images...... Can you see what I did there? This is a test to see if you were paying attention to this post (Number 4 in the above blog post). The give back. Follow us on Instagram: On YouTube: And always leave a comment below if this page has helped you.  I only write and share stuff on the blog to help. So let me know. Does it help? Did you get something from it? And what do you want to know going forward? I am at your service, Fletchy McFletchface xx

It was exactly 1 year since I wrote our last blog post about the renovation house. The do-er upper. The vehicle that would allow a dream to happen. Read about it here. I didn't realise but at the time of writing it was my 39th birthday. Re-reading the post this morning, it's clear that I was feeling optimistic that our plans to sell and travel would soon come to fruition. It felt as though things were finally starting to happen and that we were nearing close to the end. Well as per true reno style, we're another year later. Today it's my 40th birthday and I write this post, feeling frustrated at the slowness of selling a house. And also sad that I'm 40 and still living in limbo. Even more so feeling in life limbo and chaos, because we're closing our old life down, letting go of emotional ties and 'stuff' (which deserves a blog post on it's own because this is gruelling emotionally - even for non-materialistic family). We don't have much stuff anyhow. But getting rid of stuff, whilst still living in a life that needs 'stuff' is challenging. We've been selling possessions, doing weekly tip runs, charity shop visits and donating. Getting ready to go. But being trapped and unable to really plan anything until the sale goes through. The reno house is finished and looking absolutely beautiful. It became a home during the process so definitely has emotional ties to it now. We're proud of how far we've come with the reno, the things we've learned, the skills of building that we take with us. Hopefully to use in our own build project. BEFORE PICTURES - a 3 bed Victorian Terrace House Renovation AFTER PICTURES - A 4 Bed Victorian House Renovation So what did we do to this little old Victorian? Damp proof course to all lower floor | New Windows and doors throughout | New Guttering front + back | Partial Re-wire of electrics | Loft Extension | New Kitchen | New Bathroom | Full house plaster | Central Heating installed | New Boiler | Carpeted and wood floored throughout | Painted + decorated throughout | Garden fence + gate. It was a lot. But doesn't it look beautiful now. The whole reno process takes time. And we're not new to the reno process having bought a house previously at auction to do up + flip. Things in reno life just take a long time. Double the amount of time you think you need and budgeted for. And we know all of this, but yet still get shocked at just how delayed plans get. Just how tight cash flow gets. And how emotionally drained you feel. If you have done any kind of renovation work / extension / full house project you'll relate 100%. A little like childbirth: once it's all done, you look back and remember how wonderful it all was. We're not at that stage. We're at the squeezing a giant watermelon out of a tiny hole part. When you were told you were done* (*Si said it's more like the stage when you've had the baby and took it home and had to go for your first poo. I'll give him that edit, cos I was being too grouchy this morning. We're not at max pain I grant him) Did I mention: we're also another year on. We're yet to leave the UK. And I don't know what I'm doing with my life. THE DURING - DUST, CRYING, REGRETS (and the reason this project took such a long time to finish) Update: the house sold 3 days after listing it on Rightmove for full asking price. We had a lot of interest. But we're yet to exchange contracts and as we know things can change at anytime. We could rent it out, which is still a very real prospect if the sale takes much longer. It's another year on and I thought it was a good idea to take stock and look at how far we've come. Despite the money situation. Despite being stuck. We've come a long way. And whether we sell this house or rent it out we'll soon be that step closer to the dream. My Mantra's: Thoughts become things. Step by step and the job is done. We'll look back at all this and smile. Enjoy the Journey. Follow us on Instagram: On YouTube: And always leave a comment below if this page has helped you.  I only write and share stuff on the blog to help. So let me know. Does it help? Did you get something from it? And what do you want to know going forward? I am at your service, Fletchy McFletchface xx

Your Ultimate Singapore Guide for Visiting Singapore For The First Time The ultimate travel companion for first-time visitors to Singapore — curated by a full-time traveling family! Planning your first trip to Singapore? Don’t waste hours trawling the internet — we’ve done the legwork so you can focus on enjoying this incredible city. This instant digital download  is your go-to guide, packed with practical tips, cultural insights, and tried-and-tested recommendations from our own trip as a family of four. Whether you're traveling solo, as a couple, or with kids in tow, this guide helps you feel confident and prepared from the moment you land. ✨ What You’ll Get: ✅ Quick Overview : Language, currency, weather & the best time to visit ✅ Before You Go : Visa & entry requirements, SG Arrival Card, vaccinations ✅ Practical Know-How : Is the tap water safe? Local laws, safety & etiquette ✅ Getting Around : Transport options from airport to MRT, buses, Grab & more ✅ Wi-Fi & SIM Cards : Best SIM/eSIM options to stay connected ✅ Where to Stay : Area breakdowns with recommendations for all budgets ✅ What to Eat (and Where) : Must-try dishes + the best hawker centres to visit ✅ Top Places to Visit : Our can't-miss landmarks and hidden gems ✅ Festival Calendar : Time your trip with Singapore's vibrant celebrations ✅ Shopping Tips : Where to go, what to buy & how to haggle ✅ Emergency Info : Just in case — essential numbers and apps ✅ Bonus Travel Hacks : Save money, skip queues & travel smart 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family-Friendly Insights Created by a family traveling full-time with kids, this guide is real-life tested  — especially for budget-conscious travellers looking for authentic experiences. 🎁 Format: Instant PDF download — perfect for printing or saving to your phone/tablet for offline use. With Clickable links. Some links are affiliate links that we may receive a small commission from at no extra cost to you. Thank You for supporting our blog! 💬 What Others Say: "Loved how easy it made planning our first trip to Singapore. Everything was covered — from airport tips to where to eat with our kids!" — Claire, first-time visitor from the UK Get Yours Here Now: 🇸🇬  Your First-Timer’s Guide to Singapore A curated companion for a smooth and unforgettable trip for first-time visitors to Singapore . Filled with practical tips and cultural insights to make your trip seamless. 📍  Quick Overview Language : English is widely spoken, alongside Malay, Mandarin, and Tamil. Currency : Singapore Dollar (SGD) Weather : Hot and humid year-round (25–32°C / 77–90°F) Best Time to Visit : February to April (dry season); avoid June–August if you dislike humidity. 🧠  Practical Tips Power Plugs : Type G (British-style). Voltage: 230V, 50Hz. Tap water : Safe to drink! Safety : One of the safest cities in the world – but always stay aware. Laws : Singapore has strict laws. Do not bring in drugs, vapes, or prohibited items. Don’t chew gum : It's banned! Stand on the left  of escalators — right side is for walking. Be polite and smile  — Singaporeans are friendly but reserved at first. 🛬  Before You Go ✅  Entry Requirements Visa : Most nationalities get visa-free entry for 30-90 days. Check ICA Singapore  for the latest. SG Arrival Card : Must be submitted online within 3 days  before arriving. It's free and mandatory. Vaccination : No COVID-19 restrictions currently, but it's good to be updated. 💵  Currency Singapore Dollar (SGD) $1 SGD ≈ $0.74 USD (as of early 2025) Cards are widely accepted, but it's good to carry small cash for hawker stalls or taxis. 📱  Staying Connected Wi-Fi & SIM Cards : Airport and 7-Eleven stores sell tourist SIMs. Free Wi-Fi is common in cafes/malls. SIM Card / eSIM  options at airport or 7-Eleven StarHub, Singtel, M1 – tourist packages available Free Wi-Fi in many public areas and malls 💡  Cultural Tips & Etiquette Singapore is very clean – littering, chewing gum (importation), and smoking in public places are fined. No tipping culture – service charge is included in most bills. Always queue (and respect the queue)! Dress modestly when visiting religious sites (cover shoulders and knees). Public displays of affection are okay but keep it respectful. 🛬  Arrival & Transportation At the Airport Changi Airport is often ranked the best in the world. Free Wi-Fi, indoor gardens, and even a butterfly dome! If you can, take some extended time there to explore either side of your flight times. It's pretty amazing. 🏙️ Getting Around 🚇  MRT (Mass Rapid Transit) Efficient, clean, and affordable. Get an EZ-Link  or NETS FlashPay  card, or use contactless credit cards. Trains stop running around midnight . 🚌  Buses Extensive network, and same payment methods as MRT. 🚕  Taxis & Rideshares Taxis are metered, clean, and safe. Apps: Grab , Gojek , TADA . 🏨 Where to Stay Marina Bay  – Iconic skyline, upscale hotels. Orchard Road  – Shopping district. Bugis/Little India  – Culture and budget options. Chinatown  – Food, culture, central location. 🍜 What to Eat (and Where!) Must-Try Local Dishes: Hainanese Chicken Rice Laksa  (spicy noodle soup) Chilli Crab Satay Char Kway Teow Kaya Toast + Kopi  for breakfast Where to Eat: Hawker Centres  – Delicious, cheap, and authentic and you'll eat like a King or a Queen Maxwell Food Centre Lau Pa Sat Newton Food Centre Tiong Bahru Market China Town Complex 💡 Tip: Look for long queues and "Michelin Plate" signs – that’s where the magic happens. Tissue Pack Trick : Locals "chope" (reserve) tables with tissue packets. 🧭 Top Places to Visit - But check out our 21 Things To Do in Singapore for the absolute low down on all things Singapore Marina Bay Sands SkyPark  – View from the top! But failing that view from the Helix Bridge with a cheap picnic here Gardens by the Bay  – Supertree Grove & Cloud Forest Sentosa Island  – Beaches, Universal Studios, S.E.A Aquarium Singapore Zoo / Night Safari  – Among the world’s best Botanic Gardens  – UNESCO World Heritage Site Neighbourhoods of Chinatown, Little India, Kampong Glam  – Culture & colours 🛍️  Shopping Tips Orchard Road = Luxury brands. Big malls. Bugis Street = Bargain shopping & quirky finds. Cheap souvenirs and streetwear Mustafa Centre = 24/7 shopping in Little India GST Refund : Tourists can claim tax back on purchases over SGD 100 in participating stores. 🇸🇬  Local Etiquette & Safety Cleanliness is Serious Business  – No littering, spitting, jaywalking, or chewing gum. No tipping required  – Service charge is usually included. Respect public transport etiquette  – Queue nicely, give up priority seats. Very safe city  – But always be aware of your belongings. 📅  When to Visit Singapore is hot and humid year-round (25–32°C / 77–90°F). Dry months : February – April Festivals  to catch: Chinese New Year  (Jan/Feb) Hari Raya  (varies) Deepavali National Day  (Aug 9) Christmas Wonderland at Gardens by the Bay 🆘  Emergency Info Police : 999 Ambulance/Fire : 995 Non-emergency Ambulance : 1777 Tap into the Singapore Tourism Board’s Visitor Centre  (found in main tourist areas) for help. 🌐  Useful Apps Grab  – Ride-hailing CityMapper  – For MRT/bus navigation Visit Singapore  – Official tourism app Chope  – Restaurant reservations Google Translate  – For occasional sign translations in Mandarin or Malay ✅  Final Travel Hacks Bring an umbrella – sudden rain is common. Avoid rush hours (7:30–9:00 AM and 6:00–7:30 PM) if taking MRT. Singapore is walkable – wear comfy shoes! Book attractions online in advance for discounts. A Free practical travel packing guide for Singapore , tailored for its tropical climate, urban conveniences, and diverse activities 🧳  Travel Packing Guide for Singapore 🌤️  Climate Overview Hot and humid year-round Daily temps: 25–32°C (77–90°F) Frequent, short rain showers (especially Nov–Jan) 👕  Clothing Essentials Item Notes 👚 Lightweight tops Breathable cotton or linen 🩳 Shorts or skirts Comfortable for walking 👖 Lightweight pants For modest areas or indoor aircon 👗 Casual dresses Optional, but great for dinners or photos 🧥 Light jacket/cardigan For cold air-conditioned malls & transport ☔ Compact umbrella / raincoat For daily rain showers 👟 Comfortable walking shoes You’ll walk a lot—museums, malls, gardens 🩴 Flip-flops/sandals For the beach or pool 🧢 Hat / cap For sun protection 🛁  Toiletries & Health Item Notes 🧴 Sunscreen SPF 30+ is a must 🦟 Insect repellent For parks, especially in the evening 💊 Personal meds Bring a small first-aid kit 🪥 Basic toiletries Hotels provide some, but bring your favorites 😷 Face masks Optional, but useful in crowded areas or haze 📱  Electronics & Essentials Item Notes 📱 Phone + charger SIM cards or eSIM available at airport 🔌 Travel adapter Singapore uses Type G  plug (UK-style) 🔋 Power bank For long days out 📸 Camera Optional, phone may suffice 💼 Day bag / backpack Handy for carrying water, umbrella, etc. 🪪 Passport + photocopies Keep a digital backup too 💳 Credit/debit cards Widely accepted (Visa, MasterCard) 💵 Some SGD cash For small vendors, hawker centers 🌴  Optional Items Item Notes 🩱 Swimwear If you’re hitting Sentosa or a pool 🕶️ Sunglasses Strong equatorial sun 🧳 Packable tote bag For shopping sprees or laundry 📖 Book/e-reader For flights or chilling at cafes 🚿 Travel towel For adventures like kayaking or biking 💡  Local Tips Pack light : Singapore has fantastic shopping if you forget anything. Modest dress : Respectful attire is appreciated in religious sites. Reusable water bottle : Tap water is safe to drink. Stay fresh : Consider wet wipes or a mini deodorant for humid days. A Free practical language survival kit with basics that you'll need for your Singapore trip - Coming Soon to this page. LOVE THIS? YOU MIGHT LIKE: 3 Days in Singapore. Search our other Singapore Guides in the search box above Check out our One day in Singapore Itinerary here What to see in Singapore in a weekend? Check out of weekend guide here. If you have more time, you can expand your itinerary to include other attractions from above. I hope you found this post helpful. Don't forget to keep up with our daily updates of our full time travel life below and use our handy travel planning tools below to get best prices for flights, hotels and more. Want help planning your Singapore adventure ? Let me know in the comments & I can help you create the perfect itinerary for you. I hope you found this post helpful. In the meantime keep up with our daily updates below: On YouTube: 💡 HELPFUL PLANNING TOOLS FOR YOUR SINGAPORE TRIP 💡 ✈️ - FLIGHTS -  We use this flight checker  to search cheap flight tickets for our Singapore trip and got flights from Bali to Singapore for just £33 each! But mostly we use Skyscanner for the cheapest mostly. Use to check dates and flight costs to Changi Airport Singapore now or go to our Flight Planning Page fore more 🏨   - ACCOMMODATION -  We use this hotels checker  to search hotels and accommodation for our Singapore trip. Use to check dates and costs to hotels and hostels in Singapore now or go to our Accommodation Planning Page for more 🧭🗺️👣   - SINGAPORE TOURS & GUIDES -  We use Get Your Guide  for most of our trips in Singapore. But we also love Klook  too and it was Klook where we booked this bus tour. TIP: Use both to compare offerings. This post includes affiliate links that we may receive a small commission from at no extra cost to you. Thank You for supporting our blog!

For 1 - 30 days stay in Bali all Foreign Nationals require a Tourist Visa (Visa on Arrival or VoA). If you plan to stay longer than 30 days in Bali you will need to extend the VoA. This extension allows a further 30 days. That's 60 Bali nights. We plan to extend our VOA once in Bali to cover us for 60 days and will blog about our experience of extending the visa as a family of 4. If you applied for your first VoA online like us, you can also extend your visa over the 30 days using your online account too! The below information is our guide to extending our visa's over 30 days and we hope it can help you too. When visiting Bali all Foreign Nationals need a Visa to cover the duration of their stay. Called a Visa on Arrival (VoA). Whether you're holidaying for 2 days, 2 weeks or 30 days the VoA can be applied for online or you can get it at the airport on landing. Whichever option you choose a VoA for each person in the travelling party is essential to enter the country. The VoA covers short periods of time and is perfect visa for short stays of up to one month/30 days (extendable for a further 30 days if a longer stay is required). You can apply online up to 14 days before travel and will need a valid passport, passport photo's and IDR500,000 (about £27) See our blog post about the VoA here. If you plan to stay longer than the 30 days in Bali / Indonesia, you will need to apply for an extension for each person. This VoA extension allows a further 30 days stay in Bali, which can be applied for in the same way that you obtained your first VoA. By using this extension facility you  can stay in Indonesia for a maximum of 60 days in total, after that you must leave the country and go home and cry until your next visit to beautiful Bali. The most convenient way to obtain the first VoA (in our opinion) is online. It's fast, secure and all details are saved in your online Government account. New rules have recently come in that allow the VoA extension to also be made online too through the same online account. This is a fast and easy way to extend the VoA for a further 30 days. This saves you having to visit the airport when in Bali to extend. VoA Extensions cost a further IDR500,000 and will typically take 7-10 working days to process so bear this in mind when applying. You don't want to leave it too late to be without this extended visa. We plan to extend our VOA once in Bali to cover us for 60 days and will blog about our experience of extending the visa as a family of 4. As we applied for our first VoA online, we'll log into our account during the first week to get the extension sorted. The visa's that you will need to live and work in Indonesia, are different to the VOA + extension that we talk about here. These Visa's are varied and many. Something we will cover in future blog posts about visa's for living and working in Bali. We hope that you found this info helpful as a guide to extending your Bali trip for family over 30 days. This was correct at time of writing Jan 2024, so please always check the official gov websites when planning your next trip. Follow us on Instagram: On YouTube: And always leave a comment below if this page has helped you.  I only write and share stuff on the blog to help. So let me know. Does it help? Did you get something from it? And what do you want to know going forward? I am at your service, Fletchy McFletchface xx

Yes, for most visitors to Bali/Indonesia, a tourist visa is required for entry . Different rules apply for foreign nationals but for UK folk a visa is essential when travelling to Bali. Read on below for all the current info as of January 2024. As we embark on our exciting month long trip to Bali to look at school options, housing and locations, we're sorting all the essential to do's off the travel tick list. One of those being arranging family visa for the 30+ day stay in Bali. Theres lot's of information out there on visa's and this blog is a succinct guide as to the visa requirements for travelling to Bali for up to 30 days and the extension process of how to extend a travel visa if you plan to stay for longer than 30 days, as is the situation for us. The Visa on Arrival (VOA) Passport holders from over 80 countries – including the UK, Ireland, US, Canada and Australia must obtain a single-entry Visa on Arrival (VOA) at the airport . If you're entering Indonesia via Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Jakarta or Ngurah Rai International Airport (Denpasar) in Bali. You can also apply for an e-VOA online via The Official e-Visa Website for Indonesia here. Paying with Mastercard, Visa or JCB credit/debit card online. You can apply for the e-VoA online before you depart (e-VoA) from 14 days before your trip and no later than 48 hours before departure. This will save you time when arriving in Bali after the long flight from the UK saving queuing as you'll already have your visa's. Essential if you have kids after the 2 flight journey. The 30 day VOA costs IDR 500,000 (approx. £27) per person and is valid for up to 30 days, with the option to extend once onshore for another 30 days at a local immigration office. If you apply for your first 30 day visa online (e-VoA) you can also apply for the extension online too via your online account. Which is what we will be doing once in Bali and will blog about the process of extending your Bali Visa an extra 30days. If you want to stay in Bali for over 60 days, you can apply for a Visitor Visa (B211A) before travel and this visa is completely different from the VOA. Some things you will need to have to hand before applying for the VOA online to Bali: A PNG/JPG Photograph of a valid passport (valid for at least 6 months (for stays of up to 60 days) or 12 months (for stays of up to 180 days) from the date of arrival. A PDF copy of the same passport A return or onward travel ticket A PNG/JPG Passport Photograph (we initially went to a photo booth to have pictures taken and saw that they would cost £10 each. £40!!! So as cheap northerners, we drove straight home and took them ourselves on our iPhones against a plain white wall. There was no way we were paying £40. That's £40! For 4 flippin passport photos. Not on my watch. Just follow the instructions on the application website for layout and composition to save yourself a tidy penny. The process of applying for the VOA online to Bali is really quite straight forward just follow the online instructions and have to hand: All of the above: Pdf of each passport / png/jpg of each passport / png/jpg photo A pdf return flight tickets for each traveller Your hotels address when in Bali. If multiple, just the first place you will be staying. Your credit/debit card to pay The visa's came through via email within a few minutes of applying. To be printed and put with our travel paperwork as well as having online e-versions. Summary of information for visa requirements for UK foreign travellers coming to Bali (all info correct as of January 2024, please check the Official Immigration website for Indonesia for current rules) : Do I need a Visa to Enter Bali as a traveller coming from the UK? YES How do I get a Visa to enter Bali as a traveller coming from the UK? There are 2 ways. At the arrivals hall in Jakarta's Soekarno-Hatta International Airport or Denpasar's Ngurah Rai International Airport. OR Apply for the Bali Visa on Arrival VOA online here to save queuing in the airport on arrival. When can I apply for a Visa to enter Bali as a traveller coming from the UK? 14 days before your trip and no later than 48 hours before departure. How much does the Visa to enter Bali as a traveller coming from the UK cost? IDR 500,000 (approx. GBP £27 | AUD 50) and is valid for up to 30 days, with the option to extend once onshore for another 30 days at a local immigration office or online if you applied for the first visa online. And that's it! With Visa's in hand you're ready to start the next part of adventures in Bali... We hope you found the above info helpful. The page is for general information only and may be subject to change. It is your responsibility to obtain relevant visa and travel information required for entry, departure and travel to each country or region you visit on your trip. You should confirm these with the relevant embassies and/or consulates. The information was correct for us and our travel arrangements at the time of writing. Last updated Jan 2024.

Rising dramatically from the sea off Ibiza’s southwestern coast, Es Vedrà  is more than just a stunning view—it’s a place wrapped in mystery, myth, and magic. Towering over 400 meters above the Mediterranean, this uninhabited limestone island has captivated travelers, locals, and spiritual seekers for centuries. And after witnessing it ourselves, we understand why. There’s something undeniably otherworldly  about Es Vedrà. This post includes affiliate links that we may receive a small commission from at no extra cost to you. Thank You for supporting our blog! 🧭 Where is Es Vedrà? Es Vedrà sits just off the coast of Cala d’Hort , near the village of Sant Josep de sa Talaia  in Ibiza’s southwest. You can’t set foot on the island itself—it’s a protected nature reserve—but the views from nearby cliffs and beaches are breathtaking, especially at sunset . And we share the perfect viewpoint with you in this blog. Whether you hike up to the Torre des Savinar  (also called the Pirate Tower) or simply sit on the sand at Cala d’Hort with a picnic, the energy here is palpable. And theres a guided tour that incudes 3 hidden gems including this Es Vedra viewpoint that takes you right there (as well as to Space + Time and The Abandoned Club ) All 3 Must Do things in Ibiza that we recommend on our Ibiza Travel Guide . Read on for more ... 🌌 Why Is Es Vedrà Considered Magical? 1. A Place of Powerful Energy Es Vedrà is often said to be the third most magnetic place on Earth , after the North Pole and the Bermuda Triangle. While scientists haven’t confirmed any magnetic anomalies, pilots and sailors have long reported strange compass behaviour and electronics malfunctions  near the island. This magnetic field, some believe, has mysterious effects on technology and the natural environment, causing compasses to spin erratically and birds to lose their sense of direction. Sailors navigating the waters around Es Vedrà have reported strange behaviour from their instruments. Coincidence? Maybe. But it only adds to the mystique. 2. Steeped in Legend Es Vedrà is at the centre of Ibicenco folklore , with tales dating back centuries. Here are just a few of the stories: Phoenician God Tanit:  The island is believed to be a sacred site dedicated to Tanit, the powerful goddess of fertility, life, and the moon—still revered by many in Ibiza today. Homer’s Odyssey:  Some believe Es Vedrà was the inspiration for the home of the Sirens  in Homer’s Odyssey , luring sailors to their doom with enchanting voices. UFO Sightings & Spiritual Activity:  Es Vedrà has long been a hotspot for UFO sightings . The most famous UFO encounter near Es Vedrà occurred in 1979 , when the pilot of a commercial plane flying from Mallorca to Tenerife reported being followed by a strange object emitting red lights. This event, known as the Manises Incident , led the pilot to make an emergency landing in Valencia, marking the first time a UFO sighting forced a plane to divert in Spanish aviation history. Spiritual awakenings have been associated with Es Vedra, and meditative retreats are held close by. Some even claim Es Vedra is part of the mystical triangle  along with the rocks of Stonehenge and the Pyramids of Giza. One of the most enduring myths is that Es Vedrà is a remnant of the lost city of Atlantis. A highly advanced civilisation that disappeared beneath the ocean thousands of years ago. 🧙‍♀️ The Hermit of Es Vedrà In the 19th century, a Carmelite friar named Francisco Palau  lived for short periods in a cave facing Es Vedrà. He wrote extensively about seeing visions of celestial beings and experienced profound spiritual revelations , believing the island was a spiritual beacon and portal to the divine. Some spiritual communities and mystics believe Es Vedrà is an energy portal —a place where the veil between dimensions is thin, or where high-frequency energy flows in and out of the Earth. This idea ties into broader beliefs about “energy vortexes” found around the world, in places like Sedona (Arizona)  or Machu Picchu (Peru) . People describe feeling: Heightened intuition Emotional release Spiritual connection or “downloads” Time distortions or unusual sensations In the case of Es Vedrà, the legends, magnetic myths, and history of Francisco Palau’s mystical visions  contribute to its reputation as a spiritual portal  or even a gateway to other realms or higher consciousness.Today, many spiritual seekers visit the area to meditate and “feel the energy.” 🥾 How to Visit and Experience Es Vedrà While you can’t go to the island itself, there are plenty of ways to experience its magic: 📍 Torre des Savinar (Pirate Tower) The most iconic viewpoint. A short but rocky hike uphill rewards you with panoramic views of Es Vedrà. Best enjoyed at sunset —bring a blanket and snacks. 🏖️ Cala d’Hort Beach A more relaxed way to soak in the view. Popular with families and sunset lovers alike. Several nearby restaurants offer front-row seats to the spectacle. ⛵ Boat Tours Many local operators offer boat trips around Es Vedrà for a closer look (without landing). Some include snorkeling or swimming stops nearby. Book Now at Get Your Guide 🗺️ A Tour that includes This Es Vedra Viewpoint Visit If all this is a bit too much making your own way to this viewpoint. You could join a tour that allows you to experience the viewpoint site plus these other Ibiza: Hidden Wonders too (Es Vedra Viewpoint, Space + Time the Ibizan Stone Henge , and the Abandoned Festival Club )   Book Now at Get Your Guide. 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family-Friendly Magic Even the kids could sense there was something special about this place. Whether it was skipping stones at the beach or watching the sky melt into orange and purple at sunset, it felt like one of those pause-and-remember-this  moments. And the best part? It’s completely free. Just nature, stories, and connection. Whether you’re a believer in ancient gods and magnetic fields or just a lover of epic views and fascinating stories, Es Vedrà is a must-see . It’s a place that leaves you feeling a little more grounded and a little more in awe of the world. In a destination known for parties and beach clubs, this quiet, powerful rock reminds us of Ibiza’s deeper spirit—and why this island has drawn dreamers and seekers for generations. LOVED THIS? YOU MIGHT LIKE THIS>>> I hope you found this post helpful. Don't forget to keep up with our daily updates of our full time travel life below and use our handy travel planning tools below to get best prices for flights, hotels and more: On YouTube: This post includes affiliate links below that we may receive a small commission from at no extra cost to you. Thank You for supporting our blog! 💡 HELPFUL PLANNING TOOLS FOR YOUR IBIZA TRIP WITH KIDS 💡 ✈️ - FLIGHTS WITH KIDS -  We use this flight checker  to search the best flight tickets fall or our Ibiza flights. 🚌🚆🚇 - TRAVEL WITH KIDS -  For Europe Train Travel   ⛴️ - FERRY TICKETS -  We use 12Go for all of our ferry tickets. You can get the Ferry from Barcelona  to Ibiza check out dates and best prices at 12Go here   🏨   - ACCOMMODATION WITH KIDS -  Check our Accommodation Planning Page for more   for best price hotels, hostels and longer term rentals for Barcelona 🧭🗺️👣   - IBIZA TOURS & GUIDES WITH KIDS -  We use Get Your Guide  for all trips. But we also  Klook sometimes. TIP: Use both to compare offerings as trips will be different. Trips in Ibiza This post includes affiliate links that we may receive a small commission from at no extra cost to you. Thank You for supporting our blog!

At the very beginning when we were thinking about selling everything to travel the world , schooling our 2 kids as we go , it felt as though we were the only people in the world that had such drastic life changing feelings. It turned out we were not alone and so many people were dreaming of living this kind of nomadic lifestyle. After researching, we came across so many wonderful blogs and resources that showed us in real time that the dream of home schooling / world schooling is possible for us without the need to be so drastic and sell everything. The main obstacle for us would be financing this seemingly expensive lifestyle. That felt out of reach for us. But we started this travel blog to document the journey (even though we had no clue where to start) and learnt many ways of earning online that made it possible to finance life on the road as digital nomad parents. Which we plan to share our experiences of the many ways to make money online on this free blog, as we get more time, now that we have our own tried and tested methods. Back to the subject of home schooling/world schooling , we were clueless at the beginning and had no idea of how to teach or where to even start. We knew the lifestyle was 100% what we wanted and had been living from the heart listening to our intuition on what was right for our family. We knew that the life we were planning was the life for us. If only for 1 year, with a view to make it work longer term if it was right for us all. This is where this Free Diploma came in handy and I thoroughly recommend it for anyone dipping their toes into the world of home learning / world schooling. The Centre of Excellence is a great resource for those interested in self development anyhow. As a reader of this blog you're most probably the sort of person that loves to learn and grow as a person and if you haven't heard of this online learning centre - then you should. This is one of those posts, where I am NOT paid for writing it. I get nothing from sharing this info other than the warm fuzzy feeling in my heart and knowledge that 'my people', will get something of value from knowing about this little slice of the internet. There's loads of courses on there that might catch your eye. Most are paid for courses, but their Home Education Diploma is completely free to do. If you are thinking about home schooling your kids, but don’t know where to start, I thoroughly recommend The Centre of Excellence’s diploma on Home Schooling . We did it before embarking on our decision and it helped us when making the decision of whether Home Schooling was right for our children. Click on this link to use my refer a friend referral  to sign up for account with them to get your Free Home Education course. The course is more detailed than I thought it would be, especially since it is a free course. So you will need to dedicate adequate time for it to get the most out of it. I got a lot of value from it and I hope you do too. Of course, we plan to world school, which is essentially home schooling but out in the world. The course is still ok for this too. So What's on the Free Home Education course? Module 1: Home Education 6 parts Part 1: What is Home Education? Part 2: De-Registering From School Part 3: LEA Test Your Knowledge Key Learning Points Exercise Module 1 Assessment Module 2: Benefits & Negatives of Home Education 7 parts Part 1: Benefits of Home Education Part 2: The Impact on Family Time Part 3: Further Benefits Part 4: Negatives of Home Education Test Your Knowledge Key Learning Points Exercise Module 2 Assessment Module 3: The Spectrum of Home Education 5 parts Part 1: Home Education Spectrum Part 2: Flexible Education Case Studies Test Your Knowledge Key Learning Points Exercise Module 3 Assessment Module 4: Learning Styles 6 parts Part 1: Introduction Part 2: Aural Part 3: Logical / Mathematics Test Your Knowledge Key Learning Points Exercise Module 4 Assessment Module 5: Materials & Resources 5 parts Part 1: Introduction Part 2: Resources Test Your Knowledge Key Learning Points Exercise Module 5 Assessment Module 6: Preparing Lessons 7 parts Part 1: Preparing for Home Educating Part 2: Further Lesson Examples Part 3: Lessons Continued Part 4: Final Lessons Test Your Knowledge Key Learning Points Exercise Module 6 Assessment Module 7: Mastery, Testing, Grades & University 5 parts Part 1: Mastery Part 2: Grades & University Test Your Knowledge Key Learning Points Exercise Module 7 Assessment Module 8: Myths & Questions about Home Education 5 parts Part 1: Addressing Myths Part 2: Questions about Home Education Test Your Knowledge Key Learning Points Exercise Module 8 Assessment Module 9: Tips, Suggestions & Advice 6 parts Part 1: Top Tips Part 2: Advice Part 3: Other Tips Test Your Knowledge Key Learning Points Exercise Module 9 Assessment Module 10: Considering Home Education 6 parts Considering Home Education Test Your Knowledge Key Learning Points Exercise Conclusion National Curriculum Module 10 Assessment And that's it. Please let me know in the comments if you are thinking of doing the course / or have completed it. If it helped your journey, I'd love to hear about it. Check out our posts on World Schooling: Start here: What is World Schooling? 7 Reasons Why We're World Schooling? Don't forget to follow us on our socials too. We were not the 'homeschooly type' (that's not even a thing btw) but we now have a whole section on the blog dedicated to HOME SCHOOLING  - so I guess you could say I am definitely the home schooly type now. Smirks. Home Schooling / World Schooling it's all the same. We call our home learning situation ' Worldschooling' because we're always somewhere else in the world (mainly Bali), but the principle is the same. Check that section out if you feel lost, overwhelmed, or just want to see what a typical day looks like. I hope it helps you. Follow us on Instagram: On YouTube: And always leave a comment below if this page has helped you.  I only write and share stuff on this blog to help. So let me know. Does it help you? Did you get something from it? And what do you want to know going forward? I am always at your service, Fletchy McFletchface xx

One of the main questions that we get from businesses/brands/individuals looking for Aura photography for their event, is about our set up. How do you photograph an aura ? What equipment do you use to capture an aura portrait ? Can you shoot auras at my event etc. Our aura photography pod all set up at a pop up   So, here’s a sneak peak at what our Aura photography pod looks and feels like and how we can come to your event, set up and offer aura photography for your brand launch, aura photography for your product launch or aura photography for any kind of event.   First off, how much space do we need ?   We can be quite flexible with how much space we need, but usually a minimum of 2 x 2 metres, so that’s 4m squared if we’re getting all mathematical.   We need access to a power point, just a standard plug socket, we have travel adapters so we can photograph auras worldwide.   And, that’s basically it. We bring everything else.   We will arrive early and check the positioning, the lighting etc and test shoot so that we have all of this sorted, ready to capture the optimum photo. We can work in light rooms, dark rooms, inbetween rooms. We have flashes, ring lights etc and plenty of photography experience working with all sorts of conditions to bring out the true personality through an aura portrait.   What does the aura photography pod look like ?   We have a few different options, because every event is different and we always try to cater to your requirements and the specific needs, attendees of to your event and also your brand identity. A little look at how the aura photography for events set up looks   The standard set up comprises of a photography area, so a chair, with some comfy cushions, so that clients can feel relaxed. We also like to sage cleanse the area first, so that the energies are good. We also like to fragrance the area with our unique Aura Cleanse fragrance, we can do this with diffusers and/or candles (although we like to steer away from a naked flame, health and safety first). This really sets the tone for the area, we know from years of experience that events are a bit hectic, we love to take the client out of the event space, just for a little while and allow them to reconnect with themselves, ready for us to capture their aura. We find that fragrance is a great way to do this.   We usually screen the area off, just a little works well, so we have our screens, or for larger events with more space we have our full pod set up.   We like to make the photography area as welcoming as possible, depending on space, there’s some cute mood lighting, plants to help breathing in the good clean oxygen and some other special touches that we like to bring.   Once you're sat down and comfortable we pass you our biometric hand sensor, which simply sits on your lap. The camera is all set up and ready, but might need a few little adjustments to cater for different heights. Then we’re ready to go and shoot your aura.   We have our disco ball laptop (true story, we're pretty sure it's one of a kind) set up, mobile printer to print your photo and add it to the self reading booklet and us….. And that is all we need.   We usually work as a pair, one of us to do the actual physical photography part and the other to bring you in and make you feel comfortable, explaining the process. Then afterwards we like to take a little time with you, to explain the photo and read the aura. What do the colours mean ? Why are they where they are ? What does this represent ? This can be as detailed as required and usually depends on the event specifics and also what the client wants. Some events are super busy and the client wants us to work through as many people as possible, some are more relaxed and the aim is to offer a much more detailed reading, on a smaller number of guests. These types can be much more personal and we really get to chat and go into detail. For the faster paced events, everything is explained in our self diagnosis booklet, so even if the event is crazy busy, you will still have all of the information required to understand your aura portrait. The aura portrait experience really does work so well for any kind of event, so drop us a line if you'd like to talk through how our aura photography could really enhance your event.   The final result, all presented in the self reading booklet You can see more about the aura photography for events options here and also drop us a line. Follow us on Instagram: On YouTube: And always leave a comment below if this page has helped you.  I only write and share stuff on the blog to help. So let me know. Does it help? Did you get something from it? And what do you want to know going forward? I am at your service, Fletchy McFletchface xx

Aura photography is an amazing addition to any event. Obviously we’re biased, but don’t just take our word for it. We both strongly believe that it’s all about people, so here’s a few words on how people find the aura portrait experience. Aura photos of all colours, ready for reading. We found aura photography as we are both fascinated by things like this. We are both a bit far out, don’t really follow the normie way of living and thinking I guess. That’s why the brand is called BE NOTHING LIKE. It’s about being a bit different and being true to yourself. When we shoot auras at events, especially the larger ones, it can be a huge melting pot of so many very different people, different races, religions, backgrounds, nationalities and personalities. If you think that in a huge room, full of hundreds, sometimes thousands of people that you don’t know…. There’s always going to be some you vibe with and some you don’t, it’s all part of human nature. When we are at an event, shooting aura portraits we are in the middle of this, talking to and engaging with people, we get to meet a lot of people. This is one of the main things that we love about doing this, it’s the people. People really are what make the world go round and what keep things interesting. So when people come over to chat about the aura photography, or to have their aura portrait taken we find there’s usually 3 vibes that people have, when they head over to our pod. See some more details about our aura photography pod for events here .   When Clare met me, she said that she could see an aura around me, she said it was attracted me to her… I thought it was more my stunning good looks and sparkling personality, wit and humour…. But never mind, I’m happy with a good aura, I think that’s probably one of the most amazing things that anyone’s ever said about me, so I guess we have always had auras in our life, it’s kind of how we met. So when you are into this sort of thing and you believe in other powers etc, you naturally find more things along this path and so we heard about aura photography and thought it was an amazing way to find out a little bit more about yourself and maybe learn something that you could use to make yourself and the world around you a little bit better. So we were all for it, to cut a long story short, that’s why we now travel around photographing peoples auras.   So this gives us our first type of person that walks up to our pod and wants an aura portrait taken. This is the type of person that knows about aura photography and really wants to have it done, we get this type of person a lot at events, someone who has heard that we will be at the event and is super excited to come and have an aura portrait. This type of person is usually one of the first up… Some even forgo the buffet and come straight to us. To know that you have been prioritised over quiche and sausage rolls is a special feeling. We know we have to deliver a great experience for these people as they are really looking forward to the experience. Naturally they are usually the easiest to talk to and explain their aura, as they already have an element of understanding, but they are also usually very knowledgeable so we have a much more in depth discussion. We have ended up talking for ages with some people, the conversation can lead on to many other topics about personality, feelings, spirituality, work, family and soooo much more.   We then have another type of vibe coming over, this can be the type of person that doesn’t really know what aura photography is, doesn’t really understand it, but thinks it sounds interesting so wants to come over and see what it’s all about. They are interested, maybe they don’t know why they’re interested but they are feeling that they want to do it, usually after watching the process and having a chat with us, they go for it. The reaction from this type of person can be one of the most rewarding, as they are open to learning about new ideas, they don’t have any preconceptions, the reaction is usually one of genuine amazement as they see themselves as they’ve never seen themselves before. Surrounded by colour. We do find that this type of person really gets something from the experience, it’s a nice feeling and a little comforting and inspiring to remind yourself that you are more than just a number, you are a person, you are special, unique and amazing and you have qualities that no one else has. I do think that in this crazy, busy, hectic world it’s easy to forget that we are all people and we matter, so to see someone reminded of this, is a good feeling. For them and for us. We can genuinely feel the joy in some people when we talk them through this. We are all energy and you can feel that. Sometimes someone just needs a little visual cue to help them see this and if we can provide that for them and make them feel even just a bit better then we are happy too.   Now, very occasionally we do have someone that doesn’t really want to have an aura portrait, they don’t believe in all of this, they don’t see the point, what a load of ****, you get it…. A bit of a negative Nancy let’s say ;o)   To be honest these are usually the most fun ones. We just try to encourage them to have an open mind and if they want to….. just try it, try something new, a bit different…. Go on, be a devil. When they do, they are more often than not impressed, even if they sometimes don’t like to show it. The aura portrait can be pretty accurate so when they do actually see a little bit of themselves on that photo, they start to warm up a bit. To believe that maybe we are all a little bit magic.   So, it works and everyone can take a little bit of something from the experience.   Sometimes a surprise is revealed... No matter how many times we do this, we never stop being amazed at what we find out about when we speak to people. We see so many different colours, patterns on peoples auras and it still wows us to this day the differences in people. We love to see how peoples different auras can also match to their job. At a large event we can shoot everyone from the creative designer, to the MD and it’s great to see how the different type of person that is suited to these job roles has a different aura that relates to them and their job role.     So the basic takeaway is that Aura photography works super well for events and that everyone gets something out of it. We’ve had some people that we could literally have talked to all night, if we had time. They loved it that much, they got so much out of it, but not just them, their friends, colleagues and also people they’ve never met before. We do find that usually our photography pod has a little bit of a group around it, all chatting, comparing and contrasting their aura portraits with each other and saying things like “oooh, that’s soooo you”. We love to get involved to, we’ve met so many amazing, interesting and beautiful people through doing this and we know that a lot of others have connected to, maybe people that would have passed each other by in the office without this little connection.   I guess you could say that it really brings people together, by showing them what is unique about themselves and I personally think that’s an amazing thing. Wouldn’t the world be a much better place if everyone could just be themselves and everyone else celebrated that. We really love this about Aura photography and honestly, seeing this type of reaction and effect from what we do makes us so happy, we really love to share this feeling and hope that we can bring a little bit of this human togetherness to your event too.   But nearly always a happy reaction. Even the negative Nancy can leave happy too, as even if they are still sceptical, they have a nice little photo of themselves…. And who doesn’t love a selfie right. That’s why we call the aura portrait the ultimate selfie.   Do you want to find out how the ultimate selfie could go down at your event, drop us a line here and we can talk you through all of the possibilities. Follow us on Instagram: On YouTube: And always leave a comment below if this page has helped you.  I only write and share stuff on the blog to help. So let me know. Does it help? Did you get something from it? And what do you want to know going forward? I am at your service, Fletchy McFletchface xx

We're an affiliate. We hope you love the products/services we recommend on Be Nothing Like! So you know, there is the possibility we will collect a commission should you make a purchase via any of our links. This will in no way affect the purchase price. Thank you for your support, we really appreciate it! Do you suffer from coldsores like me? I completely feel your pain. From the age of 11 I've had a face full of cold sores whenever the sun shows it's face. Or if i'm run down, it's one of the first signs. It's no fun. They hurt and look so ugly. They made me feel self conscious. And the best cure is prevention. I'm pleased to say that I've found the best product to stop these horrors taking hold. This is my favourite product, read on. I'm not usually a reviewer, but when I find a good product I will shout it from the rooftops. And this is one of those products. This is the only product I've found that I stick to and swear by that seriously does stop cold sores from ever appearing. I think it's pretty much down to it's SPF qualities, and in theory I guess any daily SPF could work but when you find a product that works, it's scary to stop using it. If it works it works. We all know that we should wear SPF (sun protection factor) everyday on our skin right, even on a cloudy day in the UK? Our face and lips are exposed to so much Ultra violet (UV) light from the sun every single day, 365 days a year. But did you know that we should be protecting our lips daily too with a sun lip protectant stick with SPF in it? Even in the drab UK greyness. In this lip spf article we: list the best sun lip protectant sticks on the market that will protect your lips from premature ageing, cold sores and keep them healthy and hydrated all year round and discuss the benefits of using a lip protector all year & not just in the sun UVA can cause premature ageing around the lips (so think fine lines around the lip edge or lip line) as well as UVB, which causes the burning. Not such a biggie when it's cloudy - I hear you say? Well it doesn't exactly work like that. The sun can cause serious premature ageing all year round. Some of the best advice my mum ever gave me when I was around 14 years old was about UVA & UVB's and the importance of sun protection for the skin. My mum's got fantastic skin and she's 55. And now I'm older, I'm so glad she passed on her wisdom. And more so, that I followed through on her advice on using SPF everyday on my face. For many years however, I didn't use a SPF lip protector. And I suffered horrendously for years with cold sores. I'd used Zovirax and at one stage had a prescription product from the doctors. But these didn't prevent the cold sore from coming, they just made recovery quicker and less painful and helped with the 'takeover'. I didn't put two together that using an SPF could put a stop to the cold sores. I just suffered on. As the years went on, and I travelled more - it clicked. Using an SPF protector on my lips, not only protected my lips from premature ageing, but protected them from the dreaded tingle onset of a cold sore. I suffer from cold sores and feel the tingle as soon as I'm in the sun. Before I found this item, I suffered it out using a regular lip protector, but as I got older, the outbreaks were severe and never ending. It made me self conscious as the sores can get quite ugly. It stops me from kissing my kiddywinkies, because cold sores are super contagious, I don't want them catching the virus and having cold sores for the rest of their lives. I was conscious of sharing cups, towels and anything else that the rest of the family will use. Anyone who suffers with cold sores will know it's a BIND! Once one cold sore was on it's way out another was tingling ready to appear. I don't go anywhere now without a lip protector. I use one daily when I'm in the UK like you would a daily lip balm, with my make up. I have used many SPF lip creams and protectors but this is my top 5 of the best ones out there. So, what is the best sun lip protectant sticks out there for your lips? heads up: if you click + purchase from links in this page, we may get a small commission. This is at no cost to you. Which we use to cover the costs of maintaining this website. These are not paid ads, but links we use when booking our trips for products that we love and that you may find useful too. Continue.... Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream Lip Protectant Stick SPF 15 - click to compare prices + order from Amazon. This sun protector has Sun Protection Factor 15 SPF15 and is available in a number of colours. I've used the clear and the blush Sheer Tinted. I use this as a daily lip balm to stop me getting cold sores on holiday and it's absolutely flippin amazing. The picture below is of me on a recent holiday to Mexico wearing the Elizabeth Arden sun lip protectant. You can see it gives a beautiful healthy pink lip colour. And the tinted Berry shade is a bright sheer pink, so no need to wear lipstick at all. It gives a natural pink colour to lips and protects from the sun whilst it's at it. wearing berry shade here. You can see it's subtle but a really nice juicy pink colour. once the balm moisture has dried out and you're ready to re-apply (like in this picture) you're still left with a nice lip stain. That pretty much lasts all day or until you wash it off. I don't wear make up on the beach, but a little bit of lip tint looks pretty and is doing my lips good. I don't get a single cold sore now. And I know it's because of this lip tint, because I ran out towards the end of my last holiday to Mexico. And guess what happened? Yep I got a cold sore! So, I'm never getting complacent again and I'll be carrying two of my all time favourite lip savers. The Cons: Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream Lip Protectant cream sun lip protector does have a slight chemical taste, but clearly I don't plan to lick my lip balm off. And I'm happy with it so long as it keeps the dreaded cold sores away. It's pricey. The Elizabeth Arden lip protector comes in at no less that £20 in stores (cheaper via Amazon but make sure you buy from an approved seller to make sure you're getting the real product). I think that any SPF lip protector would actually probably work, but after years of pain and cold sore hell - I've finally found something that works and stops these blighters - and I'm not willing to risk changing it. I am not without this product EVER. This is not an ad but a personal review of a product I love and use daily. WINNER The Number 1 best sun lip protector / protection lipstick out there - Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream Treats your lips to Eight Hour® Care. Helps moisturise, soften and smooth lips. Relieves chapping and cracking. Helps guard against the damaging effects of UV exposure with SPF 15. How to use Step One - Smooth stick over lips whenever needed. Wear alone or under lipstick. I buy it from Amazon as it's often the best price. Shops sell for around £20 but you'll typically find prices between £12-£15 over on Amazon which I think is amazing for what this product does. Link to buy Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Lip Protector here Please comment and let me know how you get on with using this. So many of my friends have tried this and really love it. I don't want to sound dramatic but it has changed my life. I'm no longer dreading that tingle. And then waiting for the onslaught of sores to take over my face when I'm run down. If you have an awesome alternative let me know. Don't forget to subscribe to our newsletter to keep up to date with the latest blog posts.

Hi, I’m Fletch and I wasn't always in a magical space where I was manifesting dream lives and abundance , vision boarding, saging everything in sight, connecting to the Universe and living a beautiful life in Bali . I was struggling. Really struggling to stay alive. I've had depression for most of my life and have always struggled to kick it. This is the most honest blog post I've ever written. I’ve had depression since being little. It felt like a life time of one step forwards two steps back. I could never seem to kick depression. Even though I’d learnt to live with it - it was always just there rearing its head ready to cover me with a black cloud. I'd seen a lot as a kid. But only really realised this as I got older. When my teen years hit and the hormones came I got diagnosed with endogenous depression where I'd get a serious bout of PMT (that lead into depression) and wouldn't leave at the end of every cycle. I usually got a breather from The Black Dog, as for 2 weeks out of every month, I'd be feeling back to myself - and would cram a months worth of stuff into this 'happy' window, knowing that the bad days would be back soon enough. The good days however, got less and less, until eventually, every cycle had no full stop or capital letter. No punctuation between the good and the bad days. Life became about living without colour. Black Dog. Depression. I didn't really find things funny. Have any hobbies that I enjoyed. I couldn't understand how people enjoyed doing the things they did such as be young, go out, having fun. I felt like an alien in many aspects of my life. I existed. I couldn't hold down a job because of my friend (depression) so I set up my first business during uni where I could work on my terms - and then I became a 'workaholic' - because having your own business kind of requires that. I could sleep on the bad days and cram work in on the better days. Working so much forced me to not have to deal with the depression or roots of it. I mostly worked in my PJ's and had little left for myself, anything or anyone. I became a high functioning depressive. I spent most of my 20's avoiding social occasions, having children and giving them as much of myself that was left whilst building the business. It was no life and I don't want this for anybody reading this. There is another way. From the outside, life looked good to others - I graduated from Uni, had nice holidays. Had a good relationship. Ate at nice restaurants. Worked for myself, building a business. People only saw me when I'd made an effort, put on a show of strength of epic proportions. Never on the bad days, depression saves those for your most loved. I constantly worked on improving myself. I tried to consistently show up. Get better from a poorly mind, as I used to call it back then. Nothing worked. After the birth of my second child, I developed full blown post natal depression, which completely floored me and left me unable to function with coping / living with depression. Things inside my head had reached a terrible point where I nearly lost my life. It’s not that I wanted my life to end. It’s just that life with depression was too hard and too much to live with. Things should have been so good too. I'd just had a beautiful healthy baby boy. An easy pregnancy and birth. We had money to take time off work and not the usual struggle. Instead a poison came into our home. I had no choice but to stop working in the business. It was Si that scooped up the kids, ran the business and helped me where he could to get well and mend. I  felt like a failure  and I could see no way out from having this 'thing' but I had to accept this reality if I wanted a chance at life. Things had to change. I couldn't go on living like this, repeating the same patterns. Depression ruled every aspect of my life. Life got put on hold, where I focused solely on my mental health and discovered the things I had to do for myself (alongside medical advice) to really make a difference. That year ultimately led me to recover fully from depression. Although what followed was many years of healing. But the recovery began here. I discovered that the actions that made the BIGGEST difference to me and my mental health and generally coping with life were the smaller things. The things that anyone could easily sustain alongside their day-to-day life. It took me a long time to figure out and formulate plans, checklists, task sheets and a  formula that worked to beat depression  and get me back to living a life that I deserved. Happy. Fulfilled. I also knew this knowledge could help others not have to go through what I had been through. And so this blog was born! And now the exact planners and help guides that I used to implement small changes that helped me beat depression. I took a whole year off from life in order to figure out how to heal my mental health and beat depression using these small, sustainable actions that can be implemented into any of our lives. Once I had the basics sorted, this led me down a whole rabbit hole of learning, how to use energy and vibration to heal and live well. Which led onto the laws of the Universe, quantum physics and manifesting the life of our dreams. All big hitting topics for another day! I’m grateful that I’ve found happiness, and it took me a while to accept that I lost 20+ years of my life living with a beast. Years of my little one's lives where I just existed. So many wasted years of my life that I will never get back. And I’m certain I could have avoided  'losing'  those years to depression had I known what I know now, which actions would actually help me and how to implement them in my life. And I still check in and use these guides today when life gets busy and I've not been taking care of myself - which happens from time to time. The only difference is - I know exactly what I need to do, how to do them - and I have the tools to implement. I want this for anybody that is suffering right now in their life. Anybody struggling with their mental health. It just doesn't have to be this way. And sadly for so many it hounds their lives. I've lost many people to mental health. My own mum tried to end her life when I was younger. My life is now dedicated to living as it was meant to be lived (hence the big move to Bali) whilst using my experience to help others from losing any more years of their lives too. More so it's about living in Alignment to my true self. And from there manifesting the life of my dreams. Because it is there for everybody. We may be just so out of alignment that what we're manifesting is all of the things that we don't want, without even realising it. P.S. These Books below that Changed My Life during my own Healing and Spiritual Awakening: (I hope they help you on yours. I will add to this list as I continue on my own spiritual awakening books that I have found have helped me. Please comment if you know of any books not on this list for me to read). BREAKING THE HABIT OF BEING YOURSELF - Joe Dispenza - As part of my healing journey  before the spiritual awakening happened. I healed myself from a lifelong battle with depression and thoughts of suicide. This book saved my life. And was what started me on a very quick healing journey (practically overnight, but certainly within 1 month of doing his suggested meditations), with what followed a spiritual awakening. The Kybalion: Hermetic Philosophy - Whether you’re new to spiritual exploration or have been on a path of self-discovery for years, Kabalian is a thought-provoking and transformative guide for anyone seeking to deepen their understanding of life, spirituality, and personal growth. A Course In Miracles - A Combined Volume CURRENTLY READING The Power of Now: A guide to spiritual enlightenment  - Eckhart Tolle A New Earth - Eckhart Tolle The Four Agreements: Practical Guide to Personal Freedom: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom Becoming Supernatural: How Common People Are Doing the Uncommon - Joe Dispenza The Neville Goddard Deluxe Collection: All 14 Books By A New Thought Pioneer. - This changed how I manifested and was one of the best things I've ever read on manifestation with proven results. Follow us on Instagram: On YouTube: And always leave a comment below if this page has helped you.  I only write and share stuff on the blog to help. So let me know. Does it help? Did you get something from it? And what do you want to know going forward? I am at your service, Fletchy xx