Every day on my drive home from work, I end up stuck in a traffic jam right next to where they are building a brand new tram/metro station. Set to open sometime in 2024 the new tramline will take people right into the city centre, just like it did years ago. Every time I look at it I wonder what Cardiff looked like years ago. I actually asked my grandparents but I got a swift telling off and was promptly reminded that they weren't actually born when the trams finished in Cardiff.
Chums have used AI to create images of our landmarks from our past to reimagine what they would look like now so I am able to imagine what the new trams will look like. The landmarks included in the Chums campaign are Liverpool Overhead Railway, Dome of Discovery and Skylon in London, Trams on Queen Street in Cardiff, Portobello Pool in Edinburgh and Margate Jetty in Kent. You can see the campaign here The Cities of our Past Reimagined.
I absolutely love the reimagined image of Cardiff. The tram and image itself look really modern against some of the old buildings still seen in Cardiff city centre. Tram usage took a decline in Cardiff with the popularity of using a bus and therefore the last tram line closed in 1936 so it's crazy to think that this image could be an accurate representation of what Queen Street would look like if they were still in use now. I'll have to take a photo next year when they eventually open up again and compare it to this AI imagined image.
How fantastic does the reimagined Portobello Pool look? It actually looks like a holiday destination and reminds me of the outdoor swimming pools in Australia. The pool was demolished back in 1978 and replaced with an indoor leisure centre and a football pitch. I imagine if this was opened now as it looks in this AI image then it would be incredibly popular. Shame about the Great British Weather though, although I'm told cold water swimming and ice dipping is very on trend at the moment.
After seeing the reimagined Waterfront Railway in Liverpool, I think they should reopen it. It looks great and i'm sure it would bring back happy memories from the people that used it before when it was fondly known as 'The Docker's Umbrella'.
This reimagined image of the Dome of Discovery in London does not look out of place with the actual modern skyline we see today. There are many futuristic looking buildings in London so this AI creation is pretty accurate.
It's amazing how the innovative technology in AI can allow us to see what we have never been able to. I think the fantastic technology will be helpful in school lessons such as History. It will allow children to visualise what they can't see to help with their imagination.
What do you think of the images created? Do you remember any of the original landmarks in the various cities? What parts of your city would you like to see reimagined using AI technology?
*This post was written by myself in collaboration with Chums. All words and views are my own.*
When it comes to working we can all face different struggles and obstacles in our way that can stop our career in its track. Whether it is a job that you have studied for or a career that just happened to be because of your very first job, you must overcome anything stopping you from reaching your career goals. But what could hold you back? Here are some of the common stumbling blocks you might face when it comes to your career.
Image source - pixabay - cco license
Needing extra qualifications
One of the first things that can stop you from reaching your career goals is not having enough qualifications or certifications to get you to your next step. This might be that you need to study further in your spare time or look at on-the-job training to help you reach your goal. This is one of the most common things that could hold you back, but with some determination, you can get to where you need to be.
Not being paid fairly
Another common thing that we can face when it comes to our careers is finding out that you are not being paid the same as a colleague to do the same job or that you are not being paid fairly as you may be able to earn more doing the same job elsewhere. This is usually one that can be resolved quickly by sharing your views with the relevant people. You could even apply for another job and then use that as a tool to negotiate a fair salary.
Your physical health
There is one thing that can be quite a difficult block to overcome and that is your physical health. Maybe you have a temporary injury or illness that is holding you back, or you experience things like diabetes in the workplace where you know that it is managed and never goes away. Your physical health is so important, but it doesn’t have to stop your career. Speaking with your employer can help you to have a plan in place to ensure that you can work to the best of your ability.
Your mental health
There is no denying that your mental health is also just as important as your physical health. However, this is often something that isn’t discussed as much as it should be. Your mental health can hold you back if you don’t address how you are feeling. Talking is the first step to improving any mental health situation.
Having a family
For women, having a family can be the ultimate block in your career path as many mothers take some time out to look after their young children. But, don’t let this put you off. Having a family doesn’t mean you can’t have a career. In fact, it can better improve your resourcefulness and motivation to succeed.
Not knowing your next step
Finally, you can feel held back because you simply don’t know what the next step is. If you feel at a crossroads take some time to figure out what you want from your career and what your end goals are. This can help to identify the next move you want to make.
Let’s hope highlighting these things will help you navigate any stumbling blocks you might face in your career.
3 Things To Look For In A Personal Trainer
Many people embark on different fitness journeys to lose weight, develop muscles, adopt healthier lifestyles, and to overall enhance their appearance and well-being. Aside from being committed to the cause and following through with every routine, finding the right partner or personal instructor is necessary. The personal training industry is expected to record a 10% increase by 2029, meaning there will be greater demand for them. Knowing how to choose from such high numbers will go a long way in helping you get the best results. Here are three things to look for in a personal instructor.
Passion and motivation that goes beyond the gym
Personal training has gone beyond regular gym attendance to embracing a more holistic lifestyle. Therefore, it’s best to seek an instructor who incorporates nutrition, mental well-being, and a positive mindset into their clients’ schedules. Someone who goes beyond the call of duty is willing to help you navigate through fitness challenges, struggles, and the experiences that come with the terrain. So, when looking for a personal trainer, don’t only limit it to someone who is in the gym throughout. Their passion and motivation should also count.
Verifiable expertise
Any fitness trainer can take you through the motions of an intensive gym workout, but what sets a good personal instructor apart from the rest is expertise. Expertise is earned through years of experience, training a diverse group of clients with different fitness goals, relevant education, and a dedication to continuous learning. Speaking of education, you should settle for a personal instructor with certification from reputable institutions like the Australian Fitness Academy. Such credentials are a testament to their expertise and enhanced knowledge in the field. It will also be in your interest to look for someone who understands the complexities of human anatomy, nutrition, and personalised training. These are instructors the industry describes as well-rounded and knowledgeable in several areas relevant to personal training. Contact their past and existing clients for further confirmation of their training methods and success rate. Remember that anybody can learn on the job to become a personal instructor, but always focus on expertise you can verify.
Personal connection and effective communication
Effective communication is key to personal fitness and training. A skilled personal instructor should be able to translate their acquired knowledge into words you can understand. In other words, they should not struggle to provide a clear and actionable guide in your fitness journey. Look for someone who can explain complex concepts in simple language that enhances easy comprehension. You should be able to connect on a personal level with your instructor because doing that enhances positive outcomes. Clients who can connect on that level with their personal trainers say it comes with a great deal of trust and confidence. Admittedly, these are elements you wouldn’t see after a first meeting with a potential personal instructor. The best you can do is to ask around or have more sessions with a potential choice until you are certain.
A personal instructor can be your most reliable partner on your fitness journey.
Style is personal, and you should never let anyone tell you that you can’t wear something that you like. It’s not about the designer labels, or how much money you can afford to spend on the things that you like, it’s about what makes you feel good. There is nothing more important than walking around with confidence, and this is only going to happen if you feel good in what you are wearing. Want to know more about this? Keep reading.
Comfort
The first thing that we’re going to look at is comfort. Comfort is one of the most important considerations when you are choosing your style. Yes, there are times where the clothes that you wear are going to be less than comfortable such as if you are attending a formal event and you have to adhere to a dress code. But, generally, you need to make sure that you are as comfortable as you can be. They say that beauty is pain, but it doesn’t have to be. You can look absolutely fantastic, without compromising on feeling good in the clothes that you are wearing.
Look
Of course, the way that they look is also an important consideration for you. There’s no point in wearing things that make you unhappy, is there? Unfortunately, a lot of people do this on a regular basis because they think that these are the clothes that they are supposed to be wearing. Trying to keep up with the fashion trends because you think that this is what you are supposed to do is not being true to your own style, and it’s going to cause you to be unhappy with how you look.
Find your own style and stick to it. Look through all of the different items on offer to you, and try out new things as often as you can. For example, if you find a Moncler jacket that you like, wear it. The label doesn’t matter, the look does.
Confidence
The last thing that we’re going to say is that if you feel good and you look good, then confidence is going to come naturally. There is not a single person in the world who can make you feel bad about yourself when you are content and comfortable. If you can look in the mirror and be happy with what you see, that is the only thing that matters. And trust us when we say that confidence is something that you need to have to get through the world that we live in at the moment. Be true to you, and the confidence will come.
Everyone has their own style, whether they actively realize it or not. Sometimes it takes a little while to actually find the right items of clothing for you that make you feel good about yourself, but if you keep searching then you will find them. Take your time creating your own personal style, and make sure that you are considering all of these things along the way.
*This is a collaborative post*
It is something that can loom large in our minds because we're all feeling that we're fighting Old Mother Time. This is why we inevitably pursue certain beauty treatments that offer quick fixes. But what should we remember about beauty treatments? Let's show you a few simple home truths.
Think Twice about the Major Treatments
We can easily invest so much of our money and our mindset into something that promises the earth. There are so many different beauty treatments out there that can make massive changes to how we look and therefore how we feel, but we need to take a step back and look at it properly and ensure it's genuinely what we want. If you’re using something like the Plasma Pen, having the right Plasma Pen aftercare is undoubtedly so important. But we must remember that in order to feel better about ourselves, we ask those important questions as to whether these cosmetic treatments will give us what we want. Take the time to look at those treatments and weigh up the pros and cons before you dive in.
Remembering the Impacts of Stress
So many of us take it for granted that we should just put up with stress, and that is it. In terms of beauty, stress is one of the major contributing factors, which is why your hair starts to go grey, and you have a couple more wrinkles than you did last year. What we have to remember is that your body releases cortisol when it's stressed. This is a hormone that breaks down the proteins in the skin, elastin and collagen, which maintains its elasticity and firmness. Therefore, having a two-pronged approach to this can make a big difference. Look at reducing your stress as a priority, but also think about whether collagen or elastin supplements are worth your while. Collagen supplements can vary in quantities, depending on the providers, which is quite possibly why you may benefit more from introducing collagen into your diet by making foods like bone broth.
Prioritising Nourishment in Body and Mind
As parents, we look for the quick fix because, very simply, we haven't got the time to look into these things that will make a massive impact in the long run. This is why we've got to understand what truly nourishes ourselves. We can look at external beauty treatments, but we certainly have to operate from the inside out. A balanced diet, hydration, and reducing your stress will all contribute to a better version of you. We can all feel that it's all too much from time to time, and you will see the impacts of this on your face as well as in your life. If you really want to stop stressing out about those lines, learn how to stop stressing.
Because the concept of health and beauty covers a wide range of practices, sometimes we think that quick-fix beauty treatments are the best approach. We have to remember that it is far better to go for a holistic approach.
*This is a collaborative post*