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HELLO 

I’m Nora. 23 years old. Recent graduate from Ulster University. Coffee enthusiast, Personal Assistant to my dog Toby, retired (but still tapping my feet daily) dancer, and online shopping addict. Like many others, I’m currently at home exploring multiple hobbies (one of which is this blog) and treating Sainsburys like Paris Fashion Week on grocery day.

Almost a year ago I completed the final year of my degree – a complete emotional roller-coaster. I studied Communication Management and Public Relations, enjoyed the ups and downs and everything in between, a tough but well worth it journey. In first semester I studied a module called Critical Perspectives in PR and one aspect of the assignment was to publish two blog posts on the Ulster PR Student blog. Terrifying… I had never written anything beyond an Instagram caption before and the idea was incredibly daunting. However, this particular assignment turned out to be one of the most enjoyable I had ever completed. I did enjoy the Dissertation module too… (by that I mean trailing my bestfriend over to Jordanstown to snap a picture of me for social media to prove to my 300 followers that I actually wrote 10,000 words).

I promised myself I would start my own blog post-graduation, alas here we are bordering on a year later, and this is me just getting around to embarking on a new activity, it only took a global pandemic to entice me (let’s be honest, I need something to do now I’ve been furloughed from my current role as ‘piece of furniture’ in the coffee shops of Belfast). To clarify, no that isn’t my full-time occupation.

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 A PAUSE BUTTON

Lockdown is very strange, there’s no doubt about it. It’s a completely new way of life, a way of life that most of us have never experienced, or ever considered a possibility. 

Personally, I’m very active and lead a fairly fast-paced life. I’m rarely at home, for no other reason than I prefer to cram every day full of activities. In addition to work, whether it be a simple coffee with a friend or a day at the park with my family, I’m definitely the ‘get out of the house’ type. I was an Irish Dancer for most of my childhood and teen years, I have an 8-year-old (soon to be 9) dog to be walked daily, and at least 60% of my wages go directly to Caffé Nero. I enjoy being busy. It’s my normal. 

Following the initial “I absolutely hate this, I miss everyone and everything, I miss my coffee shop friends who make my coffee before I order it….” outlook, that I’m sure most of us have experienced, I decided to adapt my thinking and make best use of this unexpected time at home. It’s a chance to pause, reflect, take a break and just breathe (…if you’re a key worker of any kind, you’re a complete superstar and we are all so grateful for your contribution). 

One thing that stands above all else – how lucky I am to have a close family and amazing friends that are worth missing to this emotional extent. Without a doubt, I now consider myself one of the lucky ones throughout the madness. I have a happy and comfortable home to roam around, lots to keep me occupied (doubt I’ve picked the most enriching activities, but they’ll do), a fully stocked Nespresso, and all else waiting for me when Boris gives us the go-ahead.

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DO YOU FANCY A CUP OF TEA?

Positioned at the table in the back garden (that has had more use this last month than the prior 4 years), having spent £10 on birthday balloons for my dog who will be celebrating in lockdown (by celebrate I mean a few treats and a painstakingly dragged out photoshoot), was definitely not how I had envisaged a typical afternoon in May. I should be on the final countdown to the trip to Tenerife I’ll not be going on in a few weeks’ time, deciding what 40 outfits I’ll take along for my 5-day stay, but here I am at home deciding what mug I’ll use for hot drink number 6 of the day.

With the above in mind, for the first time in our lives so many of us have the ability to help out in the biggest way by doing absolutely nothing (quite literally). Stay home, stay safe, wash your hands, and learn how to make whipped coffee (it’s a game-changer).

A few years ago when I was learning to drive (when I say learning I mean severely struggling), my Mum mentioned a phrase my Dad used to joke about on the roads; If you ever get lost, just keep turning left, and you’ll eventually end up back on the main road you initially veered off. Whatever path you take, wherever the unknown trails of this life may take you, there will always be a plan B. Before sitting my A-Levels that same year, I printed and framed the phrase ‘Keep turning left’ and placed it on my desk. I think of it as a way to remind myself that no decision is necessarily ‘wrong’, but simply part of the journey.

This wee quote has become very special to me over the years, and will probably be used as a sign-off on the majority of my upcoming blog posts. Covid-19 has thrown the car into reverse, but gears are easily changed. That main road will be waiting for all of us.

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THE IMPORTANT STUFF

Anyhow, enough about how much fun I’m having watching Disney+ with my dog. Here it is, my new blog ‘noraellenb’, by me, Nora Ellen Brennan (about as creative as my parents naming me after both grandmothers).

I hope you’ll all join me on my new adventure. I’ll try my very best to be interesting, with a bit of coffee chat and gegs on the side.

Be kind, and keep turning left.

Nora xx

BSc Communication Management & Public Relations First Class Hons. Instagram – @noraellenb / Twitter – @noraellenb / LinkedIn- Nora Ellen Brennan.