'I'm feeling 22'...what does that even mean?

Hi everyone, Happy Friday! Today I will be talking about the things I have learned before turning the age of 22. 

It was recently my 22nd birthday, and apart from feeling further away from my teenage years, I just didn't feel that excited for the year to come. It was a mixture of hope that this year was going to be 'my year', the year that my life will finally get going in the direction that I have been waiting for, but also disappointment as I haven't had any new interviews in a while so why would my luck suddenly change? I've been reading so many posts on social media with the same post-lockdown feeling, that it's set everyone back by such a great amount, and now we're all competing in a job market that is so over-crowded, with so many skilled professionals entering unemployment by no fault of their own. 

However, there have been so many positives that I can take from this year, that have given me a much greater appreciation for life and the people that I have around me, and I needed to remind myself of the things I had learned before lockdown. So, I will be sharing with you the top 5 things that I have learned by the age of 22. I hope that this could inspire anyone to feel more confident, to appreciate all that you have rather than what you don't, and that things will always get better! 

Things that I have learned in my 22 years on Earth

1. To always appreciate the people that you have in your life

Some people have only just come to the realisation that your loved ones aren't guaranteed to always be there for you, as lockdown has shown how easy it can be for someone to fall dangerously ill. This life lesson has taught me to never hold grudges, everyone has their 'off' days, and you may have just been temporarily in the firing line. Lockdown has made me appreciate the time that I spend with family, friends and loved ones, even if it is just for a quick catch-up over coffee, as you never know when you will be able to see them again. Sounds a bit morbid, I know, but we've all been through a global pandemic, and come out the other side safe and well, but thousands of people haven't, so you have to have these reality checks to ensure that you are living life being kind to others and appreciating every moment.

2. Try and make the most of every day

I'm not saying to try and cram a million different things in to one day, just use your time wisely. If you've got the time and energy, try and do a couple of productive activities during the day, as it could make your life much easier in the future. In the summer holidays between university, some weeks I would just lounge about doing nothing until I realised that a whole week had passed and I was literally in the same position that I was the week before. A whole week is such a long time, I could have achieved anything, but instead I chose to waste it! Also ensure that you make time for yourself, as self-care is the most important part of your day. Always make time for an activity that makes you happy, whether that's having a bubble bath, or just writing your thoughts down in to a notebook. This will also help with your mental health, so you can be the best version of yourself.

3. Don't put too much pressure on yourself - everyone is allowed an 'off' day

Referring to point 2, do not dedicate yourself to trying complete way too many things in one day, you will likely then feel exhausted and this would lead to you being increasingly unproductive on the days after. If you feel down or over-worked, then take a day off! Otherwise this could lead to feelings of reoccurring unhappiness, fatigue and frustration with those around you. You do not need to apologise to anyone, sometimes your body just needs rest and you can't feel bad about that. Write a list of all of the things that you need to do, highlight them with different colours in terms of importance, and pick it back up tomorrow so you're prepared for a more productive day. If you're finding that these exhausted days are happening more often than not, then you need to re-evaluate the tasks that you are completing, whether that is your job, or goals that you have just set yourself. They are clearly making you unhappy and are actually counter-productive to achieving your desired goal.

4. Never be embarrassed for what you like or your hobbies - Do what makes you happy

This one seems to pop up a lot within the Disney community! I love all things pink, cute and Disney, and my bedroom reflects that😂 I am not ashamed to say I have 'childish' tastes, but there are also a wide variety of other things that I like, but I don't feel the need to post about them as if to justify my life choices. I fill my life with everything that makes me happy, and for you, whether that is the latest fantasy novel, or a funky notebook, or the latest gadget, then never be ashamed. Life is too short to be worrying about what others think of you, I honestly don't care about the negative opinions of others unless it is from my closest friends or family. We all have our days where some things are more likely to affect us, but that's just because we're human! It happens to everyone, so turn that frown upside down and get back to doing what you love!

5. Don't compare your appearance to others - being confident is beautiful and inspiring

Linking to the last point, to stop comparing yourself to others is much easier said than done, especially when we're surrounded by social media. However, I think that the most beautiful trait about a person is when they look confident and happy. Everyone would much rather see pictures of someone smiling and having fun doing something that they love. So, being able to be confident, even if you have to just pretend for a while, will hopefully build your confidence and positive outlook on life. This would be achieved the more you start to believe that you are beautiful, and then your inner beauty will shine through. I believe that if you put positive energy out into the world, then positive things will happen to you in return. You are more attractive to other people (not just in the fancying sense), and will look more approachable and genuine, and then others will in-turn feel more comfortable in your company.

Thank you for reading if you got all the way through! I hope this has been helpful to those who were feeling a bit lost or those who were feeling that post-lockdown dread. You are not alone in feeling this way! I am so grateful to have found confidence at such a young age, as I know that many others still struggle throughout their whole lives. By no means do you just magically gain this confidence as you turn 22, but getting through your teenage years builds up a confidence and resilience to knock-backs, that I believe you can reflect on the further into the 20's that you get. I hope that you have all found your inner confidence, but if not, then I'm hoping that you find it soon! Sending lots of love💖

Check out my Instagram account for more: @carlylauren_ 💗