Oh what a night at @royalderngate for @jerseyboysu Oh what a night at @royalderngate for @jerseyboysuk tour! 🎸 ad - press night 

This is a show that’s making a hit in Northampton for the next 2 weeks. warning: you’ll come out of the theatre with the songs stuck in your head. Expect a triple threat fast across the board, electrifying music and perfect harmonies and a great night out 🤩

My full review is in the link in bio. Will you be seeing the show whilst it’s in town? ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

#NicoleNavigates #RoyalAndDerngate #TheatreReview #JerseyBoysUKTour
I hope you’re happy. Life is too short 💫 fee I hope you’re happy. Life is too short 💫

feels fitting to share a reel like this over a clip in the destination that’s full of hopeless romantics! What will you be saying yes to more in 2023? 

#lifeisbeautiful #lifeistooshort #lifeistooshorttobeunhappy #perfectxhappier #becringe #behappy #beyourself #beyourauthenticself #solotravel #sologirlstravel #verona #hopelessromantic #hopelessromanticproblems #veronaitaly #romanticitaly #optimisticquotes
Here’s your sign that life does get better and 2 Here’s your sign that life does get better and 2023 lately has been amazing for me 💫

This time last year, my four year relationship broke down and followed that was a very uncertain, messy time filled with guilt, shame and sadness that something that had been built up for a significant amount of time didn’t work out. I felt like I had failed 😔 

I moved back home with my parents and I felt I was just surviving and not thriving and living life. I remember having a conversation with my parents crying my eyes out and my mum saying “your life will be so much different next year”. 🥹

Mumma Navigates was right: March 2022 me never thought in March 2023 she would be in Verona by herself, drinking coffee in the courtyard, living on my own in my dream cottage, fresh out of therapy and feeling positive and alive everyday with a much better positive outlook on life 🥰

Nothing lasts forever but you’ve just got to ride the waves and go with the flow! Here’s to the rest of the year doing what makes me shine ✨

#lifeisgood #nicolenavigates #thingswillgetbetter #healingjourney #thistimenextyear #howsyouryeargoing #howsyouryearsofar #fabulousabsolutely #verona #solotravel #sologirlstravel #everythingchangesinayear #2023goals #lifegetsbetter
Day two in Verona vlog 🇮🇹 Lots of highligh Day two in Verona vlog 🇮🇹 

Lots of highlights from seeing Juliet’s Balcony at House of Juliet, writing letters as one of her secretaries, seeing her tomb to watching the sunset on top of Castel de Pietro. I feel these reels never do justice on what each experience was like, so I’ll do an individual one for each. Probably my favourite day of the trip 🥰

Are you a fan of Romeo and Juliet? What would you like to know more about? 💘

#NicoleNavigates #NicoleNavigatesVerona #NicoleNavigatesItaly #verona #julietsbalcony #julietsbalconyinverona #veronavlog #letterstojuliet #italytravel #solotravel #sologirlstravel
Just having a selfie with Duomo di Milano 🕍💘 Just having a selfie with Duomo di Milano 🕍💘

You know those places and monuments that you’ve always wanted to visit and they live up to expectation? That was this for me. What a thriving city Milan is! 🙌🏻

Going to be sharing a reel on how I spent the day here. Anything you particularly want to know? Let me know 👇🏻 

#NicoleNavigates #NicoleNavigatesItaly #Milan #Milano #MilanoItaly #DuomoMilano #DuomoMilan #SoloTravelGirls #SoloTravel
Pizza in Italy is the way to my heart ❤️🍕 Pizza in Italy is the way to my heart ❤️🍕

I feel like I’ve failed on the going out to eat part as I’m doing a lot of my travelling on a budget, but what I can’t fault is Italy know how to do a good takeaway pizza. Thank goodness for @justeatuk being local and delivering a fresh pizza from Pizza Regina Margherita 🫶🏼

For my last night tonight, I think I will brave heading out to an actual restaurant instead of staying in. What’s your choice of pizza whilst in Italy? 😋

#nicolenavigates #nicolenavigatesitaly #nicolenavigatesverona #travelfoodies #italianpizza #pizzalover #italypizza #veronaeats #justeatitalia
Romanticise your life. It’s the bird flying over Romanticise your life. It’s the bird flying over that does this moment for me 🥹

 #NicoleNavigates #NicoleNavigatesVerona #NicoleNavigatesItaly #Sunsets #RomanticiseYourLife #solotravel #solottraveller #singlesolotraveller #sologirlstravel #veronasunset #veronasunsets #pov #sunsetwatching #untilifoundyou
Navigate with me on day one in Verona! 🇮🇹 S Navigate with me on day one in Verona! 🇮🇹

Second Verona vlog is here and to summarise it all, I did ALOT of walking! I love that the weather is n it too hot but not too cold, light jacket weather, food is just as anticipated and I’m really enjoying socialising with hostel folks from around the world ☺️

Can’t wait to share more with you! 

#NicoleNavigates #NicoleNavigatesVerona #NicoleNavigatesItaly #Verona #VeronaVlogs #VeronaItaly #SoloTravel #SoloGirlsTravel
Wherefore art thou Romeo? Alright, I’ll go to Ve Wherefore art thou Romeo? Alright, I’ll go to Verona myself then… 🤣👌🏼

I finally visited Casa di Giulietta after wanting to do this experience for years. Call me an old school romantic, but I felt the love and I can finally say i stool on Juliet’s balcony 💘 here’s your reminder to not hold back and if you really want to do something, do it for your god damn self and don’t wait for anyone! I’ll share more on my Romeo a& Juliet themed morning via a reel as it deserves its own spotlight! 😍

Have you ever visited Casa de Giulietta before? Would you visit somewhere new on your own? 💭 

#NicoleNavigates #NicoleNavigatesVerona #NicoleNavigatesItaly #SoloGirlsTravel #SoloTravel #Verona #CasaDiGiulietta
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Nicole Navigates

UK Lifestyle, Food and Travel Blog

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Lifestyle · 15th May 2022

Navigating Life: Where I’ve Been (And What’s Going On)

Hello, dear reader (ooh, someone’s been watching too much Bridgerton!)

It’s been such a long time since I sat down in front of my laptop and typed the thoughts that run through my mind onto an internet-based document. 

Get yourself comfy like I have whilst I’m currently typing this (head against a pillow, big cosy throw on me with a cup of tea on the side) because we’re about to dive into a big update since my last blog post (minus theatre reviews, I haven’t blogged since November 2021).

Plus, they say when you’ve got a lot on your mind, you should write, right?

Let’s catch up…

So what’s been going on…

The closing of a chapter…

Well, I guess I have to start with the biggest life change that’s happened recently and probably the reason why I’ve been pretty absent from the blog.

My 4 year relationship ended. 

It feels weird writing this out because I never thought I’d have to. But sadly, for a number of reasons that I don’t wish to air out on the internet, the relationship ended a few months ago and I’m currently navigating single life, grieving the life I thought I would have, grieving the loss of a relationship and currently going through the house selling process. 

It’s been a lot emotionally and mentally even though (sadly) there were good reasons behind the decision. 

I’m thankful that we’re in a good place as we’re amicable and there’s no hard feelings, but of course, I don’t want to go into too much detail as there’s more than just myself involved and I’m sure the other person wouldn’t want me to talk about them. 

The main thing I guess to say is… I’m doing okay. I’m still riding the waves of a post-breakup: one minute I’m up, loving life and feeling good… the next, I’m wallowing in self-pity, crying my eyes out and thinking too deeply about things and not reaching out for help. 

Thankfully, I’m back home for a bit with my parents and lots of people (including some of you lovely lot on Instagram) have reached out and kept my spirits high. 

It’s all part of the healing process I guess… which I thought by now I’d be over, but I’ve come to the realisation that you can’t put a timeline on healing and grief. 

So I guess I’ve just got to ride the wave a bit longer.

New beginnings and keeping busy 

With all this said, post-breakup I’ve been keeping myself busy and this has opened a few new chapters, new friendships and opportunities in my life. 

One of the main things that have happened for me post-breakup is that I’m actually working on MYSELF.

I’ve been getting involved with my passions again, doing some more exercise for mental and physical reasons and it’s actually bringing my confidence back especially since I’ve recently lost some weight.

I won’t lie, I feel good. It’s easy to lack in confidence post-breakup, so it’s nice that I’m taking care of myself and seeing the results. 

One of my favourite things I’ve been doing as a form of self-care is walking. 

I’m walking EVERYWHERE! 

I love nothing more than sticking a podcast or a good upbeat music playlist on, grabbing a coffee and just letting myself walk anywhere and see where it takes me. 

One of my most-walked routes has been around Towcester Watermeadows where I’m usually found grabbing a coffee from Claire’s Cottage Kitchen and listening to the “Single Life Be Like” podcast which I thoroughly recommend if you’re in your late twenties/early thirties and need someone to hype you up! 

I’ve also been taking a lot of solo theatre trips, which again, has been a great form of therapy and something I can enjoy just to myself as a treat (even though I’m constantly finding myself on TodayTix hunting down £20 tickets on a monthly basis!)

I’ve seen & Juliet, We Will Rock You, Singin’ in the Rain and plenty of other theatre shows, with more coming up on my agenda. 

I’m also keeping super busy at work which I’m really throwing myself into right now. 

My colleagues have been keeping my spirits high every day in and out of the office, we’ve had some new people start whom I’ve become close to quickly and the work we’re doing is really exciting. 

And because there’s so much going on at work, including diving into a development plan for myself to hopefully progress in my career, it’s not left me with much time to write and be active on this blog. 

Speaking of which…

What’s going on with the blog? 

I admit it’s been quiet around here apart from the occasional theatre review (of which more will be coming!)

But because I’ve put so much focus on work, my blog hasn’t been a priority. 

And I’m perfectly okay with saying this. 

Because if you were to ask me this time 3 years ago, or even this time last year, the thought of not posting on my Instagram every day or not writing a blog post on a weekly basis used to terrify me. 

The amount of pressure I’d put on myself was ridiculous because it felt like I had to keep up with a certain standard to keep things going.

But the truth is: there is life outside the internet and things have been tough! 

I mean, I know we’ve had a global pandemic that halted things for me a bit too but I was getting to the point where I was resenting my blog and considered packing it in a number of times because I didn’t see the point. 

So it’s actually really refreshing that I’m sitting down now, writing this out and I’m actually in the mood to do so. 

Because life is too short to force shit, right? 

So there’s no promise of “what” is coming to the blog, but I have recently had a bit of a creative lightbulb moment on the sort of content I’d like to share on this blog in the near future… 

Things like solo trip ideas, things to do recommendations and I may tinker with content that’s more than navigating Northamptonshire… but life, work, who knows… maybe beyond Northants. 

Who knows. I’m quite excited. I’m grateful that I named my blog “Nicole Navigates” because it literally is all about me navigating everything that life throws at me. 

And you get the pleasure of joining me for the ride. 

I know it’s been a while, but I hope you’re still here and still wanting to read my recommendations and content. I’ve missed it and I miss talking to those who have supported me through my blog journey in the last 7 years (eeesh, that’s flown by!) 

If there’s anything you particularly want to see me talk about/write about/share, then feel free to leave me a comment below or find me on Instagram or Facebook (sorry, I’ve completely removed Twitter from my socials… I ain’t got time for it anymore!)

Keep navigating and thanks for being here during this time xxx

In: Lifestyle

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Hairspray the Musical at Royal & Derngate

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Oh what a night at @royalderngate for @jerseyboysu Oh what a night at @royalderngate for @jerseyboysuk tour! 🎸 ad - press night 

This is a show that’s making a hit in Northampton for the next 2 weeks. warning: you’ll come out of the theatre with the songs stuck in your head. Expect a triple threat fast across the board, electrifying music and perfect harmonies and a great night out 🤩

My full review is in the link in bio. Will you be seeing the show whilst it’s in town? ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

#NicoleNavigates #RoyalAndDerngate #TheatreReview #JerseyBoysUKTour
I hope you’re happy. Life is too short 💫 fee I hope you’re happy. Life is too short 💫

feels fitting to share a reel like this over a clip in the destination that’s full of hopeless romantics! What will you be saying yes to more in 2023? 

#lifeisbeautiful #lifeistooshort #lifeistooshorttobeunhappy #perfectxhappier #becringe #behappy #beyourself #beyourauthenticself #solotravel #sologirlstravel #verona #hopelessromantic #hopelessromanticproblems #veronaitaly #romanticitaly #optimisticquotes
Here’s your sign that life does get better and 2 Here’s your sign that life does get better and 2023 lately has been amazing for me 💫

This time last year, my four year relationship broke down and followed that was a very uncertain, messy time filled with guilt, shame and sadness that something that had been built up for a significant amount of time didn’t work out. I felt like I had failed 😔 

I moved back home with my parents and I felt I was just surviving and not thriving and living life. I remember having a conversation with my parents crying my eyes out and my mum saying “your life will be so much different next year”. 🥹

Mumma Navigates was right: March 2022 me never thought in March 2023 she would be in Verona by herself, drinking coffee in the courtyard, living on my own in my dream cottage, fresh out of therapy and feeling positive and alive everyday with a much better positive outlook on life 🥰

Nothing lasts forever but you’ve just got to ride the waves and go with the flow! Here’s to the rest of the year doing what makes me shine ✨

#lifeisgood #nicolenavigates #thingswillgetbetter #healingjourney #thistimenextyear #howsyouryeargoing #howsyouryearsofar #fabulousabsolutely #verona #solotravel #sologirlstravel #everythingchangesinayear #2023goals #lifegetsbetter
Day two in Verona vlog 🇮🇹 Lots of highligh Day two in Verona vlog 🇮🇹 

Lots of highlights from seeing Juliet’s Balcony at House of Juliet, writing letters as one of her secretaries, seeing her tomb to watching the sunset on top of Castel de Pietro. I feel these reels never do justice on what each experience was like, so I’ll do an individual one for each. Probably my favourite day of the trip 🥰

Are you a fan of Romeo and Juliet? What would you like to know more about? 💘

#NicoleNavigates #NicoleNavigatesVerona #NicoleNavigatesItaly #verona #julietsbalcony #julietsbalconyinverona #veronavlog #letterstojuliet #italytravel #solotravel #sologirlstravel
Just having a selfie with Duomo di Milano 🕍💘 Just having a selfie with Duomo di Milano 🕍💘

You know those places and monuments that you’ve always wanted to visit and they live up to expectation? That was this for me. What a thriving city Milan is! 🙌🏻

Going to be sharing a reel on how I spent the day here. Anything you particularly want to know? Let me know 👇🏻 

#NicoleNavigates #NicoleNavigatesItaly #Milan #Milano #MilanoItaly #DuomoMilano #DuomoMilan #SoloTravelGirls #SoloTravel
Pizza in Italy is the way to my heart ❤️🍕 Pizza in Italy is the way to my heart ❤️🍕

I feel like I’ve failed on the going out to eat part as I’m doing a lot of my travelling on a budget, but what I can’t fault is Italy know how to do a good takeaway pizza. Thank goodness for @justeatuk being local and delivering a fresh pizza from Pizza Regina Margherita 🫶🏼

For my last night tonight, I think I will brave heading out to an actual restaurant instead of staying in. What’s your choice of pizza whilst in Italy? 😋

#nicolenavigates #nicolenavigatesitaly #nicolenavigatesverona #travelfoodies #italianpizza #pizzalover #italypizza #veronaeats #justeatitalia
Romanticise your life. It’s the bird flying over Romanticise your life. It’s the bird flying over that does this moment for me 🥹

 #NicoleNavigates #NicoleNavigatesVerona #NicoleNavigatesItaly #Sunsets #RomanticiseYourLife #solotravel #solottraveller #singlesolotraveller #sologirlstravel #veronasunset #veronasunsets #pov #sunsetwatching #untilifoundyou
Navigate with me on day one in Verona! 🇮🇹 S Navigate with me on day one in Verona! 🇮🇹

Second Verona vlog is here and to summarise it all, I did ALOT of walking! I love that the weather is n it too hot but not too cold, light jacket weather, food is just as anticipated and I’m really enjoying socialising with hostel folks from around the world ☺️

Can’t wait to share more with you! 

#NicoleNavigates #NicoleNavigatesVerona #NicoleNavigatesItaly #Verona #VeronaVlogs #VeronaItaly #SoloTravel #SoloGirlsTravel
Wherefore art thou Romeo? Alright, I’ll go to Ve Wherefore art thou Romeo? Alright, I’ll go to Verona myself then… 🤣👌🏼

I finally visited Casa di Giulietta after wanting to do this experience for years. Call me an old school romantic, but I felt the love and I can finally say i stool on Juliet’s balcony 💘 here’s your reminder to not hold back and if you really want to do something, do it for your god damn self and don’t wait for anyone! I’ll share more on my Romeo a& Juliet themed morning via a reel as it deserves its own spotlight! 😍

Have you ever visited Casa de Giulietta before? Would you visit somewhere new on your own? 💭 

#NicoleNavigates #NicoleNavigatesVerona #NicoleNavigatesItaly #SoloGirlsTravel #SoloTravel #Verona #CasaDiGiulietta
Navigate with me as I travel to Verona on my own f Navigate with me as I travel to Verona on my own for the first time 🇮🇹

From a smooth journey, delayed flight, getting my legs up on the top bunk to a relaxing evening in anticipation for what lies ahead. Here was my first day getting to the land of Romeo and Juliet! What should I do whilst here? Let me know! 👌🏼 

(Disclaimer: this reel was much longer but Instagram only allows up to 90 seconds, so find the original version on TikTok) 

#NicoleNavigates #NicoleNavigatesVerona #NicoleNavigatesItaly #TravelVlog #TravelReel #VeronaItaly #VeronaVlog #SoloTravel #SoloTravelGirls

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