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Maddieslifestyle

Lifestyle. Education. Disney.

About a month ago I deactivated Facebook AND Facebook Messenger for the foreseeable future. I am a huge social media person, always have been, I think those of us who are creative people always will be.. however, Facebook, in particular Facebook Messenger, has always been a struggle for me. 

Reasons I deleted:
  • To put it plainly, I was jealous of those people who could have Facebook and just not feel the need to post anything and to sit back and be an observer. I could not have Facebook and not feel the need to post. Feeling like I had to post a picture with a huge caption was something that began to consume me. Not for any reason.. I just love to share, but I needed to realise that sometimes sharing is what gets me into trouble. I tried to tell myself 'don't post for a month' but I would have the app, it was like an itch I needed to scratch. 
  • I was starting to realise that my friends from the UK, High School, or old friends were starting to drift away. I was getting upset that I was no longer as close to people as I used to be and that people move on.. particularly because I am on the other side of the World. I would message people, tag them and get no reply. Not because they're mean or anything was wrong, but because people get busy and I was finding it hard to accept that. 
  • Personal dramas - I hated having messenger in particular as it added to personal dramas and I always felt the need to voice my upset.. with Facebook Messenger, it was far too easy to open the app and let loose. As an adult, I realised I needed to phone and talk in person with friends and family, or sit down with them and talk face to face.. no matter how scary it may still seem. 
  • Deleting messenger, I was hoping to have more people approach me in real life.
  • I just needed to do it for my mental health!

Sound a bit like you? Here are the 10 things I have learnt since deactivating both Facebook and Facebook Messenger a month ago. SHOULD YOU DETOX TOO? 



  1. Your closest friends and family will notice and will make an effort to contact you via phonecall, text, email, in person etc.
  2. You realise very soon that literally nobody will notice you missing from Facebook because it is not a big deal.
  3. Maaaan you will have SO much more time for activities - less mindless scrolling has been amazing, I mean look, instead of scrolling memes, I started my blog again.
  4. I have kept many of my opinions to myself and sometimes that's a good thing, I don't need to read a billion articles that make my blood boil and then feel the NEED to voice my opinion online to strangers. 
  5. I have hoped deleting Facebook/Messenger would mean more people would approach me in real life to chat, that's still an ongoing experiment. 
  6. I miss memes.. but luckily my bestie sometimes sends me screenshots through text.
  7. I have had to ACTUALLY get people's numbers! Shocker.
  8. People look at me funny when I say 'sorry I didn't see, I don't have Facebook'.
  9. More people have been asking me about my life and having conversations - they aren't seeing it all on Facebook, so they aren't as privy to my private life. People are wanting to talk and know more. I have been WAY more social with a variety of people and not just my closest friends. After unplugging from Facebook, I was able to develop new friendships.
  10. I have been 1000+ more productive and more creative.





I could go on, there are still things I am discovering like 'I need to read more news because now I have no idea what is happening in the World' but maybe I'll update you in another month. All in all, this detox has been a good thing. I miss seeing what my friends are up to, but it means that I ACTUALLY have to contact them and ask them, or I ACTUALLY have to approach and socialise, which is a good thing in my books. One thing I have truly learnt, is that.. you truly find out who your 'real friends and family' are.. no matter how cliche that sounds.

23:44 6 comments

I have been asked so much recently (since posting more about Disney and my most recent Disney World Trip) about how it seems so easy for someone in Australia (aka me) to travel to WDW. You see, a lot of Aussies forget Florida exists or even know that Disney World and not just 'land' actually exists. I guess I would probably be the same if I grew up here from a younger age and didn't have the opportunities I had to travel to Florida. Florida is after all, a very very long way away from Australia. That being said, it is SO much easier than you think and it is so amazing and different - Aussies talk about travelling to Bali because it's easy, but so is seeing one of my favourite places in the World.

1. But it's such a long journey Maddie, so many flights and so much travel time

Yes, granted. However.. here are my best tips. DO NOT BOOK THROUGH A TRAVEL AGENT. The internet exists these days and I am sure you are more than capable of researching flights yourself. For the love of Mickey, trust me when I say, booking a 'Disney' trip through an Australian travel agent will cost you your soul. It doesn't have to be that expensive. I have Virgin Velocity points and often fly with Virgin but using websites such as 'Sky Scanner' will find you your best flight. Use points systems such as 'fly bys' or the 'Woolworths Rewards' and link your accounts to their partner airlines. We are one of the best countries for this system, so use it - I have received many a discount on my flights because of these too.

Always choose an airline that only has one stop over, this is SO much easier. I recommend flying (for example) Brisbane to LAX and then onto a connecting flight LAX to Orlando International. You do not need to book separate flights, trust me. Just whatever you do.. do not book a 'package' through an Aussie Agent.. they see Disney and smell the money. It can be done on a really small budget. The first flight is often 14 hours depending on the winds etc.. I always fly first thing in the morning and stay up all night before so I can sleep. This will also help with any jetlag issues. The second flight is 6 hours but you're so tired, you sleep like a baby and you're there in no time at all. Yes it's a long way, but I 100% believe it's like what they say about child birth, you literally forget the pain straight after due to the happiness and joy (right, right?). 

2. Surely you can't do Disney World in less than 3 weeks? I don't get much annual leave

Again, a common misconception shared by Aussies. I have been going to WDW since I was 6 years old, I have had a house there, I have spent weeks on end there, many a Christmas and over 10+ WDW trips and I STILL have not done everything because I had a 12 year hiatus (because I thought it was too hard and too expensive from Australia.. see that was me too, no judgement) and I probably will never do everything. There is simply too much. But why oh why would you make that stop you? You can achieve so much in 2 weeks.. and I will do a separate post on this. Just trust and realise, once you've had your first WDW trip.. you won't stop. You WILL go again. 2 Weeks in Florida is just a achievable as 2 weeks in NZ.. just because it's further way, doesn't mean you need to be there for longer.

3. Stay in a Disney Hotel on Site - It actually might end up being cheaper and because you don't know Florida, it's easier

Most of my Disney World trips, I have had the luxury of staying in my own home (my parents owned a house in Florida) but on my most recent trip, we stayed in one of the Disney Springs Hotels just outside the main property. This was our big mistake! It cost more.. in transport, in food and took up valuable park time. Some days, the traffic to get into the park was simply too busy and would eat into our time. Next time, I am staying in one of the budget Disney resorts on property. You can get free transport to and from the parks, access to the Disney dinning program and extra park hours with your resort tickets alone. If you're an Aussie on your first WDW trip and you don't know the surrounding area, restaurants and shops.. being on property in a Disney bubble is SO worth it. Plus.. trust me, I have done my research. Just because it's owned by disney, on property and looks fancy, doesn't mean it's more expensive. 

4. Watch UK and US Disney Vloggers

They may not be Aussie, but they have great tips and advice - plan everything before you go.. down to the T. 

5. Download the 'My Disney Experience App'

For the love of Mickey, please download the app from the appstore. Whatever you do YOU MUST book your park tickets ahead of time so that you can link them to your account and start booking your fast passes and reservations ahead of time. WDW is much busier than it use to be when I first went in 1998. MUCH busier than the last time I visited before my 12 year hiatus too, and I was not expecting it at all. Do not leave booked your fast passes until the day before you go to the park because you simply will not get a good one.. end off. The app is incredible, you can plan absolutely everything from the comfort of your home in Australia.


A cheeky 6th tip as I could go on for hours:

Do not rent a car unless you know Florida well, this is a waste of money, particularly if you're on a small budget. Disney offers the Magical Express straight from Orlando International Airport to MANY hotels and free transport the entire time.. particularly if you follow my tip and stay on property. 

So there you have it.. I have more. Lots more. If you have any questions about booking, planning or going on a WDW Orlando trip from Australia, please DM on Instagram.








02:04 No comments
Hey guys,

So it's been a busy busy time as I am sure you can understand and I haven't been updating you all stage by stage. So I thought I would show you some progress in pictures. My house is in (and should be in) the final month of it's build. I am going to be doing a HUGE review at the end and I will be doing positive and negatives about CMA. Until then, please enjoy these pictures! Sorry they are not in order but it should give you some idea until my next update. Love, Maddie x













19:40 No comments





All good things come in small, round shaped tubs. Right? 
If you haven't checked out the whole 'Mister Fitz' franchise yet, you definitely should. Dotted around Brisbane, they are a treat for the eyes, taste buds and tummies. 

Dress: Little party Dress
Belt: Sportsgirl
Earrings: Collette
Photos: The TK Collective

About the Photographer: Taylor Kezia is a fashion photography based in North Brisbane. She offers several packages to bloggers and professionals. She takes immaculate pictures and her professionalism shines through. 

Check out more of her work at: TheTKCollective Website

Love,
Maddie xox




20:24 No comments
Howdy,

Straying away from the house build posts today because (as usual) no progress has been made. So instead of getting frustrated, I am putting all of my creative energy into content creating and teaching.



If you didn't know, on the first weekend of the QLD School holidays, Alex (from @whattheteacherwears) hosted a fantastic Brisbane Teachers 'insta' meet event. 

It was held at 'Darling & Co' and it was just absolutely lovely to see Brisbane's gorgeous teachers out in force. Seriously though? Who knew Brisbane's teachers were so stunning and fashion forward?

I had a brilliant day meeting other like-minded people and seeing fellow bloggers and teachers, it was truly a unique little experience. Well done Alex on a wonderfully successful event! I almost forgot to mention - we all received a goody bag with a range of marvy gifts inside. The posters from TeachStarter were a stand out of me. Great day: check. Classroom Decor: Check.


All photographs by my friend, blogger and gorgeous photographer: Taylor Kezia from @thetkcollective and website: http://thetkcollective.com/

Dress from: https://www.littlepartydress.com.au/

Lots of love,
Maddie

20:14 No comments
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Just your average primary school teacher with a creative outlet and hobby! Sharing all things Lifestyle, Disney Lifestyle and travel.

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