The one with the life lessons

Hello everybody and welcome back to my blog!

In my 19 years of living, i've learnt a few life lessons, some tough ones but also some simple ones! In this blog post I am going to share my top life lessons with you and explain why I use them feel free to follow any of them!

One: Never compare yourself.

-It's easier said than done, I know. But it is so important that you don't compare yourself to anything or anyone. Someone is always going to have more money than you, a better family, a decent social life. But there's always going to be someone with less money than you, a dysfunctional family, and no social life. Focus on YOUR life, what do you want to do, what are you grateful for, what traits do you have? All comparison does is kill joy and hinder your progress from making a better life. Everyone has their struggles, no-one is perfect. Instead of pining for what you want, work for it, or work for something better. You are you. You are beautiful. You are clever. You are loved.

Two: Don't fake anything.

-If something is supposed to happen it will. You shouldn't have to force friendships or relationships to happen because someone will always get hurt. Friendships fizzle out and a 'best friend breakup' is such a hard thing to get over, but if that other person no longer makes the effort with you despite you trying your hardest, then let it go. It will be hard and it will hurt, I know. At one point that person knew your secrets, celebrated your highs, and pulled you up from your lows, but now they're a stranger, and that's okay. Some people are in our lives forever, and some are just temporary. Never feel like a bad person for cutting someone off, it's so much better to do it now than six months down the line when emotions can change. A friend/relationship might not have worked out now, but there's nothing saying it can't be rekindled in the future and will work out a lot better once you've both matured, worked out what you truly want etc.

Three: Take care of yourself.

-Again this sounds like such a simple one but it' just as important. On your down days you might not have the motivation do anything but watch netflix and eat cake, and that' alright. But it's important you do get up, take that shower you've been saying 'later' too. File/paint your nails to make them look nicer. Put on that face mask you've been wanting to try but never been bothered too. It's crazy how such a small act can have a big impact on your mood. Yeah showering might not be fun but imagine how smooth your skin will be, how silk your hair will feel and how great you'll smell! It will all be worth it in the end!

Four: Don't cut off your nose to spite your face

-You're angry, you want revenge, you want to hurt someone the way you're hurting. But just think, will it matter in 24 hours? Will it matter in one month? One year? If the answer is no then don't do anything to jeopardize your future! Of course you're allowed to get angry and upset about some things, you're feelings are VALID, but please don't do something permanently stupid over something temporary. If someones said something horrible to you, do not react, do not stoop to their level, do not say or do anything that can come back to bite your behind. Karmas a bitch and it will get them, and you if you react. It's so hard to not react when you're angry, but it will be best for both parties if you let it slide. Defend yourself if you feel the need to, but do it in a respectful way, don't say anything to fuel the fire as you'll only give them something to react to which will upset you further. Be the mature person in these situation and future you will thank you for it.

Five: Failure is okay.

-No-one likes to fail, we all want to be on that straight road to success. But it doesn't exist. So you didn't get that job you wanted, or you didn't get onto your university course, you lost at something. If something that you wanted didn't work out, it's because you weren't intended for that thing and better things are coming. There will be more, better job opportunities, you might even be glad one day that you didn't get the other job. Didn't get onto your university course? That's okay, there are ways round it! UCAS clearing, taking a year out to get more experience, getting extra qualifications, or doing a complete 180 and going for an entirely different course that you'll enjoy so much more! Everything happens for a reason, so don't get mad, embrace what's happening now. Mistakes and failures are good, they give you the chance to mature and learn and allow you to develop into a better person. Chances are, you wont even remember in a few years time and neither will anyone else!

Six: Things you don't need to apologize for

-If you've done something or said something wrong then it would probably be best to say sorry. But here are some things you don't need to apologize for! Saying no. It's okay to say no, you don't need to justify yourself, you're doing whats best for you and no-one should make you feel bad for that. Following your dreams. It's YOUR life and YOUR future you're working towards, so go above and beyond to reach your dreams. Your priorities. It's okay to save your money and not go out for that drink, it's okay that you're spending a few extra hours at work and the match. Everyone has different priorities and what you choose to do is your choice. Your imperfections. Everyone has faults, and imperfections are what makes us all individuals. You might have a loud laugh, you might have a lot of body hair, you might sweat a lot, but so what? They are just part of what makes you, but they don't define you. As long as you have a good personality, your outer traits don't really matter, and remember that someone loves you the way you are.

Seven: Commit to healthier habits

-This sounds like such an easy one to follow but making/breaking habits can be super hard. No matter how tired or drunk you are, ALWAYS clean your face, your skin will reap the benefits and you'll be relieved the next morning to not see those dreaded panda eyes. Aim to drink more water, there are so many advantages to consuming more water! If you smoke, find a better alternative such as vaping or chewing gum, you'll save more money in the long run. Always try to brush your teeth twice a day, sometimes you can be too tired or you're in a rush or just genuinely forget, but it's so important to take care of your oral health! It takes an average of 21 days to make and break habits, but if you're in that mindset that you want to stick to it, you will! And it will be so worth it!

Eight: Do what makes you happy

-You should never compromise your happiness for anyone. If you aren't happy with something, then change it, you'll only end up miserable if you don't. You are the creator of your destiny and you're the one who's living your life. Want to move to America? Do it. Want to get that tattoo? Go for it. Want to have cosmetic surgery? Get it. At the end of the day, as long as you're happy, that's all that matters and never let anyone make you feel bad for your choices.

Nine: Love yourself

-This is probably the hardest but also the most important life lesson! We all have insecurities and reasons not to like ourselves, but there will always be someone who loves you despite your flaws. Flaws are what makes us human and make us all individuals. You've survived every single bad day, got through each trauma, stood up when you've fallen down, and that makes you a strong person. Instead of thinking about what you don't like about yourself, think about what you do like! It doesn't have to be a physical trait, it can be personality based, and embrace what you do like about yourself! Overtime instead of criticizing yourself, you'll be finding yourself loving who you are. It might take a while to get there, but you'll be happy when you do! Loving yourself is the most important person you should love, you get one life and one body and you should cherish while you can!

And there we go! Those are my top life lessons, let me know what some of yours are and feel free to use any of mine!

See you in my next post

Love Jen XO

#advice #HAPPY #love