Important life lessons

I’ve learnt a lot about life in the past couple of years, especially as I’ve grown in confidence. There are some things that I’ve learnt that I wish I knew at a younger age. I really feel like it would have helped my younger self! So, hopefully, at least one important life lesson will help at least some of you in any way possible!

Not everyone will like you but that’s okay!

I used to make my whole life revolve around making others like me and quite frankly, it’s exhausting! My methods didn’t work anyway. I was so shy and they weren’t very effective! Also, when I moved to my new school, I befriended a group of girls, it turned out, they didn’t like me at all! When I found a new group of friends, I wasn’t as affected by their opinions anymore. It really lifts a weight off your shoulder when you don’t care anymore. It’s an important but difficult life lesson to accept.

You don’t need makeup to be beautiful/love yourself

There was a time when I wore makeup every day, even if I wasn’t going anywhere. Sadly, I felt so insecure without it. Thankfully, I kept up with my skincare routine and my skin paid me back. Slowly, I started to love myself. A couple of months ago, I started to not wear makeup to school. Honestly, I forgot I wasn’t wearing any and I felt good in my own skin! It also saves so much time in the morning. I can fit in other things instead of makeup taking up a significant proportion of my time.

Hard work pays off

A-level maths is difficult. Many say GCSE maths is impossible, A-level is that x1000. I was very close to giving up after the first year. I consistently cried every day because I was so convinced that I’d fail and therefore not get into medicine. Thankfully, I decided that instead of giving up, I’d force myself to practice more questions. My mum was an absolute saviour and found me a maths tutor. She has also helped! In the end of year Maths test, I got a D. In the latest maths test, I got an A. I was absolutely over the moon! It really has proved to me that hard work pays off. Now I’m trying to spend equal amount of time on all my subjects. I’m just praying that I’ll get the grades I need for medicine! This was so important for me and it’s provided a great life lesson.

Find your own style

This is an important one for me. I used to try and copy everyone’s style and it just lead to a huge jumble in my wardrobe. A huge jumble of clothes I didn’t even like but bought because other people wore it. Since then, I’ve developed my own style. I feel like this has really contributed to my confidence; you feel so comfortable in clothes you actually like. If you dress in clothes that you think society wants you to wear then you’ll constantly feel you need to look perfect. If you dress in your own clothes then you don’t feel so conscious. You like how they feel on you and you just know that you look good in them. Years ago, I would always tend towards navy and grey to turn attention away from me. Now I love wearing bright blues and yellows!

Making time for friends counts as self care

Sure being with friends contradicts the term self care but self care means being stable with yourself. I always feel so much more positive after spending time with friends. In my old school, the friends I had barely wanted to meet up and go out. It meant I used to spend so much time in the house. I had no plans. In this new school however, my friends always want to meet up and we always want to see each other. They know just how to make me feel better because they’re all so funny. I don’t think there’s been a time where I haven’t laughed with them; I can’t stay in a bad mood! If you haven’t seen your friends in a while and you’re feeling a little down, schedule a meet up. I promise you’ll feel better.

Do what you like and consider the consequences after

Obviously, this doesn’t apply to everything, if it’s illegal then definitely do it but in my case, it’s my blog. I’ve been wanting to create a blog or YouTube for ages. Sadly, it’s the fear of people finding out and judging me for it that stopped me. Now however, I’m so glad I blog, it’s something I enjoy doing and I don’t think I’d be paranoid if someone found it, I’m proud of how far I’ve come with it and in my opinion, it’s an aesthetically pleasing website though that is ultimately down to self-opinion. If you want to start a blog/channel but the only thing stopping you is the judgment of others then forget it and do it! It could be one of the greatest choices of your life, my blog has definitely only had a positive impact on me so far and I’m more than pleased.

Family can be your best friends

I wasn’t as close to my mum when I was younger and I really regret it because now she’s the person I tell everyone to, I wouldn’t be able to cope without her, she’s my rock! I also spend every weekend with my nan and we just sit for hours and talk which is lovely. Then my sisters, well I have 5 and I used to ignore them as much as possible because I just used to think they were annoying but I was horribly mistaken. They’re always there if no one else is and they can be such good fun when you’re out! I talk to them about anything and everything and they’re actually a lot more entertaining than I could imagine! I’m just upset at myself for not realising earlier!

What’s something you wish you had learnt earlier? Which important life lesson can you relate to most?