I don’t write posts like this often but I thought taking a break from beauty and just talking about life might be a nice change. Here are some things I think it is important to remind myself now and again.
SOMETIMES YOU JUST NEED TO ENJOY THE MOMENT
With all the various forms of social media available we can forget to enjoy the small things without worrying about angles and flat lays and lighting. We focus so much on preserving or even displaying the memory that we forget to actually experience the moment happening right now. I’m not someone who snapchats at a club but how much fun are you really having if you’re on your phone the whole time anyway?
KNOW WHEN TO WALK AWAY
Not all relationships are going to stand the test of time, it is hard to accept that. It’s hard to stop trying to hold onto something that once was so great. Sometimes you don’t miss the person you miss the memories and it’s important to note the difference. People change, it’s not always a bad thing and although inevitably it will hurt at first it also gives you room for new relationships.
GIVE PEOPLE A CHANCE TO PROVE YOU WRONG
When I am going through a tough time my automatic reaction is to turn inwards. I isolate myself and try to make sense of things in my own mind (hello insomnia), I become quite closed off and distance myself from friends because I don’t want to show any weakness. I worry they won’t accept me or that by revealing my problems and concerns it will change their perception of me. I am, more often than not, just projecting my own insecurities. At the end of the day, you chose them to be your friend for a reason so give them a chance to help you when you’re hurting. They might surprise you.
MOST OF THE TIME, YOU DO ACTUALLY FEEL BETTER IN THE MORNING
Never make big decisions in states of extreme emotion whether it be anger, despair or elation. I can’t count the number of times that I have gone to bed feeling terrible thinking there is just no point to anything. I do most of my deep, what-is-the-point-of-life-we’re-all-slowly-dying-anyway sessions before going to sleep. All the sad thoughts, memories and what-ifs swirl around my head until it feels like a weight is crushing me. It can get very dark and quite upsetting, but there is something about a fresh morning that invites you to wipe the slate clean even if you didn’t get any sleep the night before. You realise dwelling on it won’t change anything and maybe because of all the suffering and heartache in the world you owe it to yourself to try and make the most of this brand new day.
DON’T PUT YOURSELF DOWN, LIFT YOURSELF UP
Most of us, I think it is fair to say, are harsh self-critics. I don’t know why we are so hard on ourselves. I think for me everyone else looks so easy going and well put together and just happy, whereas I do not feel anywhere close to that and as a blogger I feel like such a fraud. When I think about all the things I would change about myself I get angry and frustrated. I want to be comfortable in my own skin and constantly reminding yourself how everyone else is thinner, smarter, funnier really isn’t going to help. Treat yourself like you would treat your friend. Be your own cheerleader.
BE PROUD OF WHO YOU ARE
Just like we have things we want to change there are most likely parts of ourselves that we actually do like and I promise you that those are the things that really matter. Your values, your determination and work ethic, how much you love your pet and the way you treat strangers. Even music taste or your selfie-snapping ability. However inconsequential it may seem all these little things make up who you are and there is no-one out there like you so be proud to be you. You’re the only one.
YEAH, YOU MIGHT FAIL BUT TRY ANYWAY
I’ve always felt that giving up is one of the worst sins but not trying for fear of failure is like not leaving the house in case it rains. I have learnt more about myself trying and failing than I have succeeding in life. The more things you try the more courageous you become, in my opinion.
ONE DAY, YOU’RE GOING TO HAVE A DOG AND IT’S GOING TO BE OKAY
This is my favourite reminder of all time. I have wanted a dog forever, I used to take out library books on raising a pet and how to educate your Labrador to prove to my Dad what a conscientious dog owner I would be. Needless to say it didn’t work and to this day I do not have a dog but I know one day I will and the impending happiness I am going to feel on that day is enough to warm my cold dead heart when its going through the struggles and trials that post-uni life often throws at you.
Thank you for reading, please share your favourite reminders in the comments below and let me know of any future posts you would like to see. Hope you’re having an amazing week. Take care.
What helps you put things into perspective?
Love ❤
Kiran