10 Things I'm grateful for

I believe that sometimes in life it's important to evaluate it. even in those times when you physically feel like life couldn't be any worse, there is always hope and always something to be grateful for even if its a really little thing. As I've never done this before I have decided to sum up 10 things I'm currently grateful for


1. My BoyfriendThis pretty much goes without saying because it's obvious to everyone how much he cares about me. He supports my decisions and is always there for me whenever I need someone to rant to or times when I don't want to talk and just need a hug. He's my best friend and I would have struggled to get through some difficult times without him.

2. A supportive family
My family have recently started to realise that I'm serious about the goals that I have set myself and have started to support me more with these. I'm thankful for that because their support means a lot to me by giving me the belief that it is possible.

3. Earning an incomeWhilst work isn't exactly the most enjoyable aspect of my life I am thankful that I have been able to earn an income. It's important to me to be independent and move to my own place as soon as I am able to. It is because of this ambition that I am glad I made the decision to move into work instead of going to university.

4. Sunny Days
There has been some lovely weather recently and I'm thankful that I've been able to get outside to enjoy this. I believe that sunny days gives of a more positive vibe and being able to get outside is healthier than having to be shut up indoors due to bad weather.

5. Owning a carSo I haven't passed my test yet but I'm thankful that I am able to own my own care in order to pratice in. I have a lovely Nissan Micra which is the car that I wanted as my first car so I'm very grateful for that. Hopefully after a few years of driving I'll be able to upgrade my car to a VW Beetle.

6. The ability to travelI am so grateful that I have been able to travel so much to so many amazing places and have a holiday to look forward soon. Travel is something that I value a lot so I am grateful I have been able to have the experience.

7. The water machine in the officeBecause obviously in these summer days, water is a necessity.

8. Ice cream in the freezerMum recently bought some ice creams for the freezer which is lovely to come home from work to!

9. Exams being overThe idea that I'll never have to go to school again!

10. Lifts to workMy mum has been giving me lifts to work which I'm really grateful for! I don't need to wake up ridiculously early to get a bus!

This post proves that even if its only really small things there is always something to be grateful for! Let me know what you're currently grateful for!

J x

Perceptions

Social media has definitely drastically changed our perceptions on how we view not only ourselves but every aspect of our lives. Whilst social media has many benefits in terms of communication, advances in technology also produce a variety of consequences. Take Instagram for example, a site purely based on perception. Every influential 'instagramer' most likely has a crisp white background, matched along with perfectly edited and perfectly timed photos. They give a perception of the perfect life but that's all it is, a perception. A synchronised process of brainwashing designed to make you believe that this is the desired lifestyle and maybe for some, it is. The problem with instagram however is that it is impossible with these images and one line captions to truly get an insight into a lifestyle. We will never know what happens behind the photo, we see not only what we want to see but also what the individual posting wants us to see, it is simply a perception of the truth. A suggestion perhaps, that this is what it ought to be like, this is what could be possible. My instagram feed is full of travel photos. These stunning sunsets and crystal clear waters can only be a perception of the truth. It could of rained 10 minutes after the photo was taken, who knows? Someone does, but it won't be us. The lesson I think is not to trust or believe everything we see. Not everything is a reality and some things are simply based on how we wish they were, not what they actually are. Apps like instagram can be beneficial but they can also be very damaging, especially towards the younger generation. J x

The fear of not living

So today's post is on a slightly more diverse and sensitive topic in comparison to my usual lifestyle post. I have noticed that people only really tend to live when they are told they are dying, or they come to the conclusion for themselves that they are. We make bucket list and put all the dreams we have put aside most of our lives into action. We travel, we start a business, we take risks. We do things that we have only ever dreamt about before, but why? The truth, I believe, is that with death there is no fear, there is no consequences. Death is inevitable and once we have realised that conclusion that is the time that we truly begin to live. We fear leaving it too late, we fear missing our only chance. In simple terms, we don't need to save money. We can travel the world without the worry of coming back with no money. We can start that business without the risk of being in debt. We can take risks that we never could before. Because if it doesn't work out - so what? I want to adopt this attitude before I reach close to death. I want to live now, while I'm young and while I can. I know that life is short and death is the inevitable consequence. I don't want to waste a minute, we shouldn't waste it but of course, we always do. We spend far too much time looking at photos of other people doing what we want to be doing. It's time to start living. J x

Beauty Picks of the month*

So today's a little bit of a different post with more of a beauty theme. It's to share some of my favourite beauty picks from this month. I was sent both of these and have genuinely loved using them both. 

1. LIQ C Serum

After finding this serum via Twitter I was really keen to try it for myself! I rarely used serum but after this I think I will definitely be using it a lot more. The vitamins within the serum definitely made my skin look healthier and I noticed a difference in the softness of my skin too, it's definitely something I would recommend and also use again myself!

2. Spieza Organics 

This is a lovely little set from Spieza Organics who overall are such a lovely company to work with. One of the main highlights of this product is that they are organic which gives a more natural feel. The packaging is also lovely and the products again are definitely noticeable on the skin with very obvious benefits! 

This is just a little bonus post and I will be posting my regular lifestyle themed post tomorrow. 

J x

Exams are over! What now?

So Yesterday marked the day of my last a level exam. It was in Sociology, a subject that I probably couldn't hate more if I tried, which made it even more satisfying when after 2 hours of staring at a clock, it was over. I'd never have to set foot in school again. Well, only for results day. 

So after around 13 years of eduction, what exactly have I learnt? Not much actually. I could probably tell you about Merton's Strain Theory or Porter's 5 Competitve forces, but could I show you how to pay a bill? Could I explain how tax works? Understand a financial statement? Networking? Saving properly? There are so many essential life skills that are not taught in school and they should be. I feel that most of the things that school taught me I will never use again and that's the same for most people.

With A-Levels we cram everything we have learnt in the past year, into an exam that at most will last a couple hours. It's not pratical and is merely just a memory test. How many people? How many theories? How many dates? It is not just about what you know, it's about how much. It doesn't matter if you've been an A* student in every mock exam you've done, if you've got an F in the actual exam then you're classed as an F grade student. Is it fair? I wouldn't say so. 

Now that exams have finished this has made me so much more relaxed and it's only now I realise how stressful school was. It's a very pressurised environment and from a young age we're forced to make a decision on the rest of our lives. It's not that I don't appreciate the education I've had, I just believe the system should be different. 

Life isn't about finding yourself, life is about creating yourself 

J x

50 Followers Giveaway!!!

I am so happy that this little blog has reached 50 followers already that I am launching a little giveaway to say thank you! The giveaway is to win a collection of some of my favourite facemasks. It will last for a month and the winner will have their prize posted to them the week that the winner is announced. This is my first giveaway on this blog and I'm very excited to launch more giveaways in the future too! a Rafflecopter giveaway J x

The relevance of dreams

It amazes me that I've actually managed to blog for three weeks running now without forgetting or having some sort of block. 

I wanted to talk about something different today and something which isn't often openly talked about in public, although I believe it should be. Dreams, we all have them whether we decide to share them or not. 

It's hard to define what exactly a dream is. A place, a moment, a person, something we wish would happen or something that maybe already has. It's something we crave, something we long for, maybe we're born with pre-existing dreams to build us as a person, they make up who we are. 

Phrases such as "life's too short" and "follow your dreams" are throwaway cliche phrases that are used far too often. Despite this, they carry a very significant message and that is that dreams are important and that if anything, you must believe that they are possible. 

They act as a source of hope, a source of achievement, something that we can measure success by. It may never happen, but there is always hope that one day it will. 

My dream is to open an event planning business and I have worked for that from a young age and am still now continuity to work for it. I know it will take time, it's a long process but I refuse to give up on what I define as a dream. 

To dream is to live