Glowing up isn't fun.

It has been a little while since I've written an opinion post. I listened to a podcast episode a couple weeks ago (click here to listen), which really inspired me to write about this topic. In this generation, the "glow up" transformation is often glorified and romanticized without regard for what the process actually entails. Today I just wanted to share my thoughts on my experience going through growth and character development. This will only be brief, as I could talk about this for AGES. If you want a more in-depth discussion on it, I would HIGHLY recommend listening to the 'To My Sisters' podcast episode. I agreed with absolutely everything mentioned, and some of those points will be made in this article today. 

Disclaimer: As mentioned this is an opinion post and is based on my own experience, so it may differ to yours. Everybody's journey of growth varies, so please bare that in mind when reading this.

Lessons I have learnt in 2020

It is safe to say that 2020 has been a rollercoaster of a year. Nobody expected the things we have had to endure, but without a doubt, we've learnt so many valuable lessons. This year has simultaneously been the hardest but most rewarding and I will always be grateful for it. It is in the toughest situations that God shows how much he loves you and teaches you what your heart needs to grasp. Without the trials of 2020, I don't think I would have changed for the better, as much as I have. It has been an amazing year for personal development and I look forward to entering 2021 with this new mindset. In this post, I am going to share just a few of many lessons I have learnt this year. 

The Dangers of Flex Culture

Hi, I'm Rochelle....just in case you forgot. It feels like forever since I last posted. I've taken time away from this page due to other commitments and I've definitely missed this. I'm currently on my break from uni work and I got a burst of inspiration to write. I have no idea when this will get posted but in my opinion, the topic is pretty timeless. I haven't written an opinion post in a little while and like I said, I had a sudden burst of inspiration to do so. One thing I love about having this page is knowing that I've built a tiny community that actually care about what I have to say. Today I want to "rant", or rather give my piece on flex culture. 

Disclaimer: This is an opinion post and therefore nothing should be taken as Bible. I have no intention of causing offence and all opinions are my own. 

For those of you who don't know what flex culture is, it is essentially showing off abundance of wealth, through social media. This could be doing luxury hauls, posting pictures of luxury goods or even vlogging from an all inclusive holiday on a private island. My point is, flex culture is all about showing off expensive lifestyles - and I say lifestyles for a reason. There is nothing wrong with sharing luxury goods and being proud to possess money for expensive items and experiences, however when it becomes a lifestyle to present your wealth to the world, that is when things get dangerous. 

Society is built on class systems. Whether we like it or not, there will always be people living at the top and people living at the bottom. Is it fair? No. But is it real? Definitely. With that being common knowledge, we know that there are always going to be people at the top that want to share what and where their money has gotten them. Sometimes that will be a couple of dreamy holidays throughout the year, and other times it's being able to afford designer products and household names. If that money is yours, you have the right to splurge on whatever you wish, and you also have the right to share it with those around you, however flex culture has quickly become more prominent than ever and has somehow reshaped the values and motives of this generation. 

I think that a massive contributing factor to the rise of flex culture is the appearance of influencer culture. I have many opinions on influencer culture all on it's own, but I'm only going to touch on it, when relating to this particular topic. The world of online work and influencing has now given us a new opportunity to generate wealth. Just as celebrities often do, influencers can use themselves as their brand. You no longer have to be the best at something to achieve status and fame, you just need a personality that people are drawn to. That can look completely different for many groups of people, therefore making it an amazing thing for those who are creative; however, it also means that wealth and abundance is a lot more accessible. That sounds like an incredible thing, but actually there are some dangers. 

Hence the name, the role of an influencer is to influence the consumer and their spending habits. They bridge the gap between the regular consumer and business. We no longer solely look up to celebrities for inspiration, but now we have other "regular" people to be inspired by. Suddenly, we're not just influenced by Victoria's Secret models and successful actors, but we are influenced by other beautiful women and men who share their favourite products in their bedroom. It's the whole idea of trusting that if Zoella for example, said something was good then we had to have it. "She looks amazing and lives just like me, so I know it will work for me", type of mentality. If we think about it, it's absolutely genius. Think about how much money we've spent on products, just because influencers use it. They don't even have to directly promote it, if they have it and love it, that's sometimes enough convincing. The problem now though, is that influencers are no longer those regular people we looked up to, they're practically celebrities in their own right and yet we're still influenced. Now, that is no fault of the influencer, it just means they're doing their job right; however, our generation are falling into the trap of mimicking these lifestyles, without the means to do so. 

Influencers are getting paid THOUSANDS, if not MILLIONS to do their job and therefore they can afford to have the lifestyles they do. We see them in Bora Bora twice a year and think "wow I wonder how much that cost", but to them that expense might not of been an expense at all. I mean, even recently I've seen so many influencers post pictures in Mykonos during a pandemic and you can't help but feel somewhat defeated that we can't do the same. I don't believe money can bring you happiness, but it can sure help. When you don't have it at that sort of level, you can find yourself comparing and eventually planning how one day you will. That's the danger. Our generation have become so desensitized and out of touch with reality, that everything is about making money and showing it off when it's made.  Decades ago, people dreamed of living financially comfortable, with a family unit but being rich wasn't necessarily the goal. People just wanted enough to make memories and do things with their loved ones, without having to worry about how they were going to pay the bills. Now, that goal remains but to an extreme. As a whole, our generation don't want comfortable, they want complete abundance. They want RICHES. 

Like I said, there's nothing wrong with wanting money and wanting a certain lifestyle, but to a certain extent. If it's all that you care about and work towards, it's no longer a healthy goal. People put money above healthy relationships and good morals. Take Cardi B and Offset for example. Their relationship is outright dysfunctional and yet Cardi stays whenever Offset makes a grand gesture that cost him funds and buys her expensive gifts. She'd rather be consistently cheated on but have a nice car. She has her own money and yet, its not enough. This isn't me calling Cardi a gold-digger in anyway, but I definitely think she has an unhealthy relationship with wealth and that goes for many. Even the average person. 

Now it seems to be normal for people to make fun of you for just being....normal. Earning the average amount for your age, having a 9-5 job and living comfortably isn't desirable to people. Social media has normalized being rich by 25, and if you don't achieve that, something is apparently wrong. Everyone is expected to by driving and having an apartment or home by a young age and if not, people look at you sideways. We rush life, and then look at people in a dodgy way when they don't pick up the pace. When people aren't driving at 18 and still have to take public transport, somehow it's an issue. And it shouldn't be. There's nothing wrong with taking your time and taking things slow. Not everyone has the money to be driving and living out of their parents' home. Not everyone can afford expensive trainers and designer drip, yet social media will make it seem as though you're useless for not being able to. Now that wealth is continuously shoved down our throats, if you don't reach it, you're nobody. To the social media world, you're not enough if you're not in a certain tax bracket. People make songs all the time, putting you down for not being on their level and we sing a long as if we are. If you live on a council estate, people automatically assume you're an unmotivated individual, with no aspirations, living off the tax payers money and unemployed. That isn't always true. In some cases it may be but there are so many brilliant and talented minds, with so much ambition, that simply can't live in a big ol' house with a mortgage. Yet, those same people will feel pressured to go to school with a designer bag and full drip on non-uniform day or go to work in an expensive car that they can barely afford. 

Flex culture has turned our generation into phonies. We play fake it til you make it and then laugh at the person next to us who are financially comfortable and happy. Maybe they can't buy a Burkin bag, but who cares? The amount of times I've seen people equate appreciation in their relatioships with whether they can buy you a Burkin or PS5 is ridiculous. It's not about the heart behind the gifts anymore, it's "how much did this cost you?". It's a façade and this generation are falling for it. We wonder why our generation is so unhappy and I truly believe part of it is because our priorities are in the wrong place. 

So, to end this post I just want to say this. It's OK to not want extreme abundance. It's OK to not want multiple successful businesses and streams of income. It's also ok to want those things. There's nothing wrong with wanting a multi-million pound company, but don't hold it above all else. When you get there and you have that money, what's next? You've made it but now what? Live your life! You don't need money to do that. 2020 has been rough for a lot of people financially and I get how hard it is. I'm right there with you. But there's a global pandemic killing people like flies, yet you're here breathing and being able to read this message. That is such a blessing that so many people take for granted. When we pass, we can't take our money with us but we can leave behind the love we shared with others and the lives we changed with our character. Don't let flex culture erase what is important. 

Thanks for reading,

Have a great day x

Dear Black Community.

I wouldn't usually post so randomly like this, but I really feel that what I'm about to say, needs to be heard. I usually plan my posts and schedule them, but I'm writing this with no plan and I hope it reaches the right people. 

I have been sick to my stomach at the pain that our community is suffering. It has become physically draining to have to stand up for our community, just to have freedom. It hurts so much to still have to tweet #blacklivesmatter in 2020. I'm tired. We're all tired. But why is it that my frustration is viewed as less than others just because I'm lightskin? I saw a Tik Tok of a beautiful dark skin girl showing her beautiful features. I LOVE seeing black women embrace their beauty and I thought everyone else would too but some of the comments were appalling. "You're not dark skin", "You're not even dark" etc etc. Why does it matter? Why do we place each other on a scale? She is a BEAUTIFUL BLACK WOMAN. One comment in particular that really hurt to read was when a lighter skin girl commented that she has also had to deal with not loving her black features and so many black women attacked her for that. One even said that "dark skins have to deal with it more" or something along those lines. Just because someone has a broken arm, doesn't mean someone else's burn doesn't hurt. It may be a different type of pain but it is pain nonetheless. 

As a lightskin black woman I completely see and understand that I have a certain privilege that many in our community do not, and it's not fair. I wish that was not the case, I really do, however, just as you did not CHOOSE to be dark skin, we did not CHOOSE to be light skin. Why should we be seen as though we're not as much of a member of this community because we don't have as much melanin?  Why should we not feel just as tired as everyone else in the community? Perhaps my insecurities and problems have not been a result of my skin tone, but I've had to deal with insecurities that many black women do. 

I have 4C hair. I grew up hating it. I felt abnormal with it. I went to a predominantly white primary school and although the children never said a bad word about it, I felt like an outcast. Every other girl could sit on the carpet and just listen to the story but I was always the girl who had their hair touched. Everyone with natural hair knows that feeling. I was a part of a dance group and whenever we had to put our hair in a high ponytail or half up, half down style for shows, I felt like an outcast because I couldn't have my natural hair in order to do that. My options were extensions and braids. Even then, I stood out because it would never look like theirs. 

I have a "black nose". Yes there are people with bigger and wider noses than mine but my nose is not eurocentric. Again, I grew up hating it. I was determined to get a nose job when I got older because I hated having a wide nose. It was the first thing I would notice on myself and I hated it. When I first got into makeup I tried contouring it and when it didn't work I was frustrated. 

My point of sharing all of that is not for pity or sympathy, it's to show that just because I am light skin, it doesn't mean I haven't experienced self hatred BECAUSE I AM BLACK. Even the fact that I am the lightest in my family and people would ask me if I am adopted, made me hate my skin. Just because my pain isn't the same, does not mean the pain wasn't and isn't there.

This has to stop. All this competitiveness and downplaying each other has to stop. If we as a community cannot be united, how are we supposed to expect other communities to unite with us? We experience prejudice too. People thinking you're arrogant just because of the colour of your skin. People thinking you're less black just because physically you have less melanin. It has to stop. 

As a daughter to a black man and black woman. A sister to 2 black brothers, I am just as frustrated as you. We are not your enemy. We are on your side. 

And to the people reading this that say 'I see no colour', I leave you with this. See it. See it VERY clearly. See every detail. Every fine line (or lack of because face it, we age well). See the colour and honour it. 

I could keep writing until my fingers bleed but if I'm being honest I should hope this is enough. We all want the same thing, please don't forget that. 

Whether dark skin, light skin or in-between, you are enough. 

Justice for George Floyd Petition: If you have not signed it, please do. It takes less than 2 minutes but the impact could be more than you know.

https://www.change.org/p/mayor-jacob-frey-justice-for-george-floyd

6 Things Dance Has Taught Me

Last week, I competed in my last dance competition of the year, so I thought it was only appropriate to do a dance appreciation post this week. As most of you may know, I have been dancing for most of my life and it is one of my favourite things in the whole world. Dancing has taught me so many wonderful lessons over the years, and I want to share those lessons with you all. Hopefully all these lessons can be applied to areas of life outside of performing too.

Lessons I've Learnt in 2019

Christmas is only a few days away and we're so close to the end of the decade. That's exciting, scary, crazy, all the words. This year has been an absolute whirlwind and it's safe to say I've learnt a lot. I thought it would be nice to share some of those lessons with you all. Some of them are big life lessons that will really stay with me long term, and others are just little things I've learnt about myself and the world around me.

Disclaimer: They are in no particular order

1. You won't always meet your goals - and that's OK.

I made so many goals for 2019. I had a total of 19 things on my vision board, and after looking at it last week I realised I had only achieved 6. Six is better than nothing but I instantly went into overthinking mode and was super down about it. I thought I would achieve at least half, so when I saw I didn't, I began to really doubt myself. After talking to friends; who really encouraged me and made me realise I was being stupid, I got out my rut and came to the conclusion that it's OK. In life you're not going to reach all your goals when or how you want. Somethings aren't meant for now. It's OK not to have everything figured out.

2.  I put too much pressure on myself

This links quite nicely to the first lesson. I've always known that I'm a perfectionist, but I only understood how severe it is this year. I put such unrealistic expectations on myself. I know the potential I have to succeed and be the person designed in my head, that I put tons of pressure on myself to do well. I've realised that it's pretty unhealthy to constantly expect myself to always win. It makes failing so much harder to deal with. Although I know failure is a huge part of life that I'm inevitably going to come face-face with, it doesn't make it any easier. I get stressed and worried by the tiniest inconveniences and setbacks.

3. You can be super productive with just a laptop and Tesco Meal Deal

This year has been a really productive year in terms of academia. I didn't realise the power of a Tesco Meal Deal until second year of university.  It helped me to pass an exam with flying colours that I definitely didn't think I was going to pass, get assignments in on time and catch up on 2 hour long boring lectures. Every little REALLY does help.

4. When friendships end, it's for a reason.

I have struggled with friendships this year. What has made it so frustrating is that there has been nothing to cause it. No arguments and no change. I spent a lot of time wondering why and what happened. I started to blame myself and think I was an issue, because it was becoming a pattern, but actually I'm not the issue. There is no issue, sometimes friendships just reach it's expiration date. There is always a reason for friendships ending, even if we don't know the reason. I've learnt to just accept it, wish them the best and carry on.

5. Grief is hard.

This year was my first experience dealing with grief. I had never dealt with a loss like this before. Grief is hard and it comes in waves. It has almost been 3 months and although it's getting easier to cope with, it will never be easy. It's becoming harder again now that Christmas is coming up.

6. Eyelash Extensions are addictive.

I had my eyelashes done for the first time in years in the summer and they have been one of my favourite things to come into my life this year. I feel so bald without them and they just make me feel so much more put together. They're pretty addictive. I had a 2 month break after summer, to let my natural lashes breathe, but now they're back and bigger than ever haha.

7. I'm stronger than I think.

I doubt myself a lot. Perhaps it's because of my expectations and perfectionism. This year I've cried lots and felt so emotionally exhausted, but I've learnt that I'm a lot stronger than I think I am. I look back at the struggles of this year and I'm proud of myself for getting through it. There were times when my mental health was basically on the ground, but here I am typing away and sharing my lessons with you all with a smile.

8. You can't tell stupid people why they're stupid

I'm not being literal here. What I mean is that when someone has a stupid opinion or view towards something, you can't always prove to them why their view is wrong. I've learnt that some people really begin to believe their own lies and the lies of the world. You can't change that. Just leave them to believe what they believe and don't waste your energy trying to convince them of the "right" way of thinking. It can be pretty hard to bite your tongue, but stubbornness is hard to fight, so don't.

9. Booking holidays can get stressful

This year I booked my first holiday without my parents and although it was a fun experience, there were times where it got pretty stressful. Mainly when it came to cases and things. I really don't know why some airlines don't include baggage within the price. Where are we going to go with no belongings? I know it's a way of making extra money but it's a bit ridiculous. Anyway, there were some moments of stress and panic but it turned out to be one of my favourite holidays ever and now I have experienced my first holiday booking shenanigans. YAY

10) Boundaries are Important

Boundaries are important. They protect you. Without boundaries we are vulnerable to danger, heartbreak and consequences. It's important to make and STICK to boundaries, no matter how much you may want to break them. A lot of the problems I have encountered this year have been a result of lack of boundaries. This year more than anything has taught me that it's good to have boundaries and you should never feel pressured to remove them. They're for your own good and you have to put yourself first.

So these are some of the lessons I have learnt this year.

Thanks for reading,
Have a good day x

5 Lessons My Mum Has Taught Me

So this week we will be celebrating Mother's Day. My mum is one of the most hard-working, kind, wise people ever and most of the life lessons I have learnt have been from her, so what more appropriate time is there to share those lessons?

The first thing my mum has taught me is the importance of prayer.
My parents gave their lives to Christ when I was 3-years old, so prayer has always been something my parents- especially my mum, encouraged me to do. My mum has been a massive influence on my faith and my own walk with Christ. She has always encouraged me to pray as much as possible. Pray to say thank you, pray when I'm stressed, pray for others etc. But more so than the encouragement itself, she has taught me the importance of prayer, just by DOING. My mum is a prayer warrior and I honestly admire her for it. I'm not great at praying but my mum can wake up at 5am and pray until like 7. I don't know how she does it.
I've seen our family be so blessed because of her constant praying. I've noticed how my life looks when I do pray vs when I don't. I'm glad I was raised in such a Christ-loving home.

The second lesson I have learnt is to let love come naturally.
Mothers are full of wisdom from all their experiences and own mistakes. I can imagine that one of the most rewarding things about being a mum is being able to prevent your daughter from making the mistakes you did when you were younger. My mum and I are very open with one another and of course we occasionally have the good ol' boy talks. She has shared a range of stories about her dating life from back when she was a teenager and it's always nice to have those chats. She was my age when she met my dad and it really was a "when you least expect it" story. Whenever we have our girl chats, she never fails to remind me that the right man will come when you least expect it. Just focus on yourself and he'll join your journey when the time is right. My mum was going through a "I want nothing to do with men" phase when my dad came into her life. Typical.

I don't know if this is a skill that gets activated as soon as you've been through labour, but mothers are INCREDIBLE at identifying fake friends. My mum's fake friend radar is A1. I've learnt to trust her instincts when a new person comes into my life. She always knows if a person is bad for me and she is never wrong.

I've learnt so many life skills from my mum that I have been able to put to use since I moved out my family home. One of the big ones has been cooking. I've been learning to cook since I started secondary school pretty much. It started off as the basics like different ways to cook eggs and obviously got more complex as I got older. I'm definitely no master chef but I do know how to make a good meal. Being Jamaican, there is not a chance that she would have let me move out unless I could cook. For real, cooking is ESSENTIAL when you're Jamaican. For as long as I can remember I have been told "What if your husband comes home from work and wants some Yam?". My answer was always "I don't like yam so there won't be any in the house anyway".

One of my favourite things my mum has always said is "Do not accept anything less than a happy home". Everyone has problems in life, but I have been super fortunate that family and my home has never been one of them. My parents are so loved up and I admire it everyday. Not everyone has the privilege to live with both parents who have such a solid marriage, and I don't take it for granted at all. In fact, it makes me so determined to choose my spouse wisely. They don't have a perfect marriage because those only exist on the big screen, however they're happy. That in itself, makes my home really warm and safe for me. Just having so much love around me gets me through other problems. My siblings can be annoying-like all siblings can but I love them lots (don't tell them that though). We argue at times but we get on and genuinely love one another. I couldn't ask for anything more. My mum has taught me not to settle for just an OK home life but a great one. She has always subconsciously taught me how to be a wonderful mother and wife.

So these are just a few of the MANY lessons my amazing mum has taught me throughout these 19-years. What lessons have your mum taught you?

Happy Mother's Day to all the incredible women who raise and support their children. You deserve to be showered with love and affection all day long!!

Thanks for reading,
Have a great day x

Dear 2018

Dear 2018,

You've been a year of ups and downs to say the least. You've given me some of the highest highs and lowest lows and I wouldn't change a thing about you. I've met so many goals this year that have helped me to grow but I've also been down difficult roads that led to growth. If I could describe you in one word, it would be 'valuable'. There were times where I sat alone in my room and cried endlessly because of the trials I was going through but now I can see the value in those tribulations. Twenty-Eighteen, you have taught me to trust God. The challenges you threw at me taught me to put my life in his hands. My faith has grown in ways I could have never estimated. The person I am today is such a change from the person I was a year ago. You've taught me to value myself and my beliefs. There were times where my self esteem was on the ground but I'm ending the year knowing my value. I've learnt that sometimes you have to go through life, to really value yourself and see how important your beliefs are to you. I stood my ground and saw what was important to me.

You taught me that hard-work pays off. That you should always put 100% into everything you do and that you'll be rewarded for it. You taught me how to let go. Let go of friendships that were no longer pushing me towards purpose and let go when my feelings got in the way because the relationship would never work out. You taught me to learn from others and their mistakes. Twenty-eighteen you have taught me to speak up when I feel alone and you've taught me that I never am. You've taught me that some people are mad but there's always a story behind it. You taught me to be straight up with guys, but they won't listen anyway. You've taught me that beauty can shine from the inside out.
You taught me the value of money. I got my first wage back in January 2018 and since then my views towards money have changed so much. From relying on my parents, to being financially independent, I've learnt that money really doesn't grow on trees (My parents' favourite thing to tell us as kids) and I've learnt how to make money stretch. Learning how to budget has been a life skill I had never really tried to obtain until you came along.

You came with so many adventures.

• I took a family trip to Barcelona back in February
• Had my first night out
• Went back to Florida in August 
• Traveled all over the UK for work. 
• Went to a few parties
• Went to a concert
• Went to a glow in the dark Zumba class which was so much fun
• Had numerous days out with my best friends that I'll never forget. I have so many amazing memories with some of the greatest people. 

This year has probably been the closest I have been to adulthood.

• Back in January I had a meeting at the bank BY MYSELF for the first time. That's probably not a big deal to some but it definitely was for an introvert who hated ordering food over the phone, let alone discussing important financial decisions in a professional office. 
• I moved out of my family home, which was a HUGE achievement. I learnt to look after myself and stay organised. Having your own space comes with so much responsibility. You have to cook for yourself, remember things your parents would usually remind you to do, clean up, make sure you don't sleep through all 200 alarms etc. 
• I voted for the very first time, which just screams adult to be honest. I turned 18 back in September 2017 but there wasn't any opportunities to vote until we had local elections in May of this year. 
• I also started university, which again just screams adult. I still can't believe I'm doing a degree....

There have been lots of proud moments this year.

• I got full marks in my EPQ Presentation (which ended up being pretty worthless in the end -long story, but I'm still proud of that). I'm not the most confident person when it comes to public speaking, so to get 100% was such a surprise. 
• I got an unconditional offer for my university as part of a 'high achievers scheme'. When I got the email, I literally burst into my mum's room in shock. I had to read it about 3 times because I thought it was a scam. I didn't quite understand how and why I was considered good enough for it. Even when I accepted the offer and was given my place, I didn't understand it.
• I graduated sixth form, finally. Those 2 years felt like 2 decades and I was so excited to finally be done. 
• I hit my first MAJOR milestone on this blog. I reached 10,000 hits and now I'm approaching 17,000 which is kind of insane. 
• I was able to save for my first designer bag. I honestly fall in love with it all over again whenever I wear it because I worked so hard to be able to get it. I had no plans to even get a bag but I knew that I wanted to push myself to make a splurge this year. I've always been money conscious and spend more on other people than myself, so I made a goal to treat myself. I'm so glad I did. You appreciate things so much more when you work for it. 

I made some goals for you back in December 2017. Let's see how I did: 

•  Grow Spiritually - I 100 per cent achieved this. I can't explain how much my faith has developed. God has blessed me in so many ways and I'm so grateful for the change that 2018 has brought. 

• Look After My Body - I can say that I've achieved this, although not to the extent I hoped. My fitness levels have been great as I started dancing again. The celibacy journey is still going well too (we thank God), however my eating habits did take a turn, which I aim to fix next year.  

•  (Repeated Goal) Be Organised - Moving out of my family home definitely pushed me to be more organised. I kind of had no choice but to step up when it came to organisation. I still forget things and leave tasks until the last minute sometimes though so there's definitely room for improvement.
• Form Strong Friendships - I challenged myself to do this as I have always loved my own company. I am happy to eat at McDonald's alone, shop alone and chill alone. I wanted to push myself to make a conscious effort to make strong friendships. I would say I achieved half of this goal. Although I did meet LOTS of new people and made friendships in 2018, they're yet to be 'strong'. I'm sure that will change next year though. 

• Learn To Handle Stress - I made this particular goal because after doing my GCSEs and AS levels, I was able to see that I put myself under a lot of stress and had a lot of social anxiety. I of course wanted to change that. Unfortunately I still deal with anxiety, HOWEVER I have succeeded with being able to handle it. I have learnt how to minimize it and also prevent it in certain situations. 
• Read More- I definitely succeeded with this one. For the first half of the year, I read at least 1 book per month. Towards the end (when I started uni), I had less time to read so didn't read many books however I had one ongoing, which I am yet to finish. My favourite was probably 'What Alice Forgot' by Liane Moriarty. 

• Take More Pictures (I Remember The Memories But I Forget To Capture Them)- I definitely failed this. I don't know what it is, but I just can't seem to remember! I never fail to write my memories down though, so I guess that's my way of keeping memories. 

• Learn To Look After Myself In Every Aspect - Completed it. I'm so much more independent 

•  Learn how to properly budget and finance - I could definitely do better around the spending department but I've been pretty reasonable considering it was my first year of financial independence. My mum always said when I earned my own money, I could buy whatever (legal and reasonable of course), so I'm proud of myself for not going overboard. Also, thank God for student discounts. 
• Help As Many People As I Can- It's funny because I did this without even being aware. Recently I've received a fair amount of lovely messages from people saying how much my blog has helped them or just my personality in general. A couple people have said that I have a really positive and kind nature, which makes them want to be more loving themselves or just makes them feel better when they're in a bad mood. To me that is one of the best feelings and words to hear. 

So, 2018 I just want to say THANK YOU. Thank you for it all. The smiles, the tears, frustration, excitement and laughter. Every emotion felt on this roller-coaster has led me to greater. As I leave you behind, I will never forget.

Love, Rochelle. 

4 Things Working Part-Time Has Taught Me

If you're a regular reader of my blog posts, you will have noticed the lack of content these past few weeks. The title of this blog post is the reason for that. I have been working A LOT this summer. In fact I have done more shifts than I originally thought I would. There are many benefits to working during your summer. One of those benefits is being able to make money (obviously).
With moving out of my family home to live on Campus for University, I have had to save up as much as possible. I have also had money on the side, in order to do fun things on my days off.

Despite money being the biggest benefit of working, I have also learnt a lot, which I feel will come in handy.

Today I thought I would share with you, the things that working part-time has taught me.

1) Patience is important

I work in hospitality, so service is the heart of my role. Of course I do other things behind the scenes but ultimately my job is all about the happiness of the clients/customers. I meet some lovely people on my shifts, however I also meet some....difficult people. There are people who aren't the most considerate and often make my job far harder. With that, I have had to learn to have patience. I have never been a confrontational person, so in that aspect, everything has been fine, but sometimes clients make you feel super anxious and frustrated. It is very easy to let certain comments, looks and demands get to you but with time I have learnt to be patient and just take the punches. Sometimes it may be a case of the client not enjoying their meal but because you're the first face they see, they take it out on you. Another example may be that you are working in front of house and a client wants to move seats but company policy prohibits that and they start to complain. I have come across some of the most stubborn people but i've just had to learn to be patient. Sometimes it's hard. Very hard.

2) Be Open-Minded

Working for an agency comes with many opportunities to do a variety of shifts and meet tons of people. I've done weddings, company events, concerts, sports games, ceremonies etc. I'm constantly doing something different. No shift is ever the same, even when you're doing the same event all week. When I first started back in December last year, I never thought I would do the things I have done this year or been to the places I have. I have done shifts all over the country, this summer alone. I also thought I would stick to the shifts within my own city and didn't really think to do so many different jobs but I have and I'm so grateful. I have done bartending in Bristol, Waiting in Cambridge, a wedding in Worcestershire and so much more. My job has taught me to take more opportunities and try new things.

3) Talking will always beat Online

I am on casual contract, which means that I don't have a certain amount of hours I must do per week and I don't necessarily get given shifts at any time. Most the time I book shifts for days I am available and they respond by confirming it or giving me something else. For MONTHS I booked my shifts online and my applications would get ignored or rejected. At first I thought it was because they just didn't like me or perhaps they had favourite employees but actually it's just because talking beats online. When you book shifts online, it gets completely lost in the system. My agency has over 500 employees which explains why that would happen. A lot of the time your application won't be seen at all because of the amount of applications made. However, when you call up or go directly to Head Quarters to book your shifts, they will always have work for you since they can give it there and then. I have ALWAYS gotten work whenever I have called, whereas I rarely get them when I use the app or book via website .Although this is a lesson for my place of employment, I feel that it has taught me to do more things traditionally. We get so caught up in doing things online because it's easier than talking, but actually there are many benefits to picking up the phone or visiting in person. You see results a lot quicker, you build relationships and develop communication skills.

4) There is nothing to worry about!

I used to always get nervous before a shift. I still do sometimes but I have gained so much more confidence compared to when I first started. In fact, I have gained confidence this summer alone. I used to work myself up over little things and panic because of fear that I would mess up. I have learnt that there is nothing to worry about. I used to be so scared to drop a hot plate or spill drinks. I've done both those things at least 3 times and I'm yet to lose my job over it. I really did used to believe that I would get the sack for dropping a plate. It's basically a part of the job. Nothing ever goes perfect. You have good shifts and not so good shifts but you learn. I have gotten better at waiting and I know there is far more to learn.

These are just 4 of many things that working part-time has taught me. I don't always enjoy working but I never regret doing a shift.

Do you have a part-time job? If so, what have you learnt from it?

Thanks for reading,
Have a great day X

Where do we start?

Mental health is something that we have began to talk about more openly but we have yet to tackle the problem. We are having more conversations and it has become more accepted in society. It is crazy that it has taken us so long to even discuss the topic but at least we are now, right?

The sudden death of ex Love Island contestant Sophie Gradon has caused a great wave of concern across the country about the high suicide rate. Although her cause of death is yet to be formally announced, the words of friends and family, as well as her long history of depression has led to assumption that suicide may have been the cause. Whether this is true or not, it goes without saying that mental health disorders need to be tackled.

According to UK national statistics, there were almost 6000 suicides in 2016 alone. Although 2017 statistics are yet to be released it is very evident that it will have been very high. This number is the UK alone, leaving us with the question, how do we change this? Suicide is a worldwide problem caused by our lack of ability to treat mental health problems correctly and something needs to change.

Mental health is just as important as physical health and should be treated with the same urgency. It is not something that should be taken lightly and it needs to be treated well. Way too many families and friends have lost loved ones all because they couldn't get sufficient help or suffered in silence.

Where do we start? How do we change this? Rather than spending tremendous amounts of funds on defence, we should be funding the treatment of those suffering with mental health disorders such as Depression, Anxiety, Bipolar, ADHD and PTSD. ALL types and degrees of mental health conditions should be treated and ALL people should be given the right to help.

Where do we start? We should start from young. I remember being taught about the eat well plate and exercise from a very young age back in primary school but mental health was not a topic of conversation until I went to High School. I don't know whether that has changed now, however it is important that we teach children about its importance as soon as we can. We need to stop the stigma that mental health carries and ensure that it is understood. We need to demonstrate to young boys that it is not a "girl thing" and that they should never suffer in silence. We need to educate the future generation and cut this problem from the root.

With the rise of social media, mental health has become more of a problem daily. Hate comments. Heavily edited photos and videos. Distorted stories portrayed by the media. All causes of deteriorating mental health. Where do we start? We start by regulation. All social media platforms provide a list of terms and conditions, including the forbidden actions of users yet they are breached every single day.  I've seen violent language towards others, harassment, death threats, cyber bullying everyday this week on several pages across Instagram and Twitter. Why are they not being monitored? Social media platforms MUST regulate and monitor comments, images and videos posted to their sites that fuel or trigger mental health problems.

There needs to be somewhere that people can get help without needing to ask. Gyms, sports activities and classes are always being promoted, so why is it not the same for mental health? There should be regular drop in centres for conversations, social groups and check ups for mental health. Not only should we have check ups for our bodies but our minds.

There are many things that we could do to fix this problem, but where do we start? We start with us. Call a friend to make sure they're OK, donate to charities helping those in need, pray for one another and have each other's back. It can be hard to help others when we need our own help, but you never know what someone is going through.

If anybody needs professional help with anything mental health related, here are some resources:

Anxiety UK:

- Phone: 03444 775 774 (Mon-Fri, 9:30am-5:30pm)

- Website: www.anxietyuk.org.uk  

Calm:

Campaign Against Living Miserably (For Men age 15-35)

- Website: www.thecalmzone.net

Depression Alliance:

- Website: www.depressionalliance.org

Samaritans: 

- Phone: 116 123 (Free 24-hour helpline)

- Website: www.samaritans.org.uk

Young Minds: 

Service for parents and professionals on child/adolescent mental health 

- Phone: 0808 802 5544 (Mon-Fri, 9:30am-4pm) 

- Website: www.youngminds.org.uk

OCD UK:

- Phone: 0845 120 3778 (Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm)

- Website: www.ocduk.org

I tried my best to find a range to cover different things, however if there isn't one applicable to you, there are lots more helplines and websites on the NHS website here.

Thanks for reading, 

Have a great day x 

If Life Isn't Going Your Way, Read This.

You might think that you're at breaking point, you might think you've hit rock bottom, but you know what is so good about hitting rock bottom? The only place you can go is up. Life throws curveballs and sometimes it throws way too many for us to handle. It can be so easy to feel like giving up when life gets tough but you are going to get through this. No matter what it is that you're going through, you're going to make it through the other end.

You woke up this morning, which is the perfect reason to keep on going. Someone this morning did not have the privilege of waking up to see another beautiful day, yet you did. Surely that means you have so much more to offer to the world and things are going to get better.

I've found that the funny thing about life is that it is ever-changing. If things can go from good to bad, it can be reversed. I totally understand that it doesn't always seem that way when you're going through rough patches, but its true. Maybe you're broke, maybe you're insecure, maybe you're lonely, but all these things can change. Look at all the successful people in the world. All of them had to face challenges and make sacrifices but they kept going and look at them now. Their name is known for their great achievements. This could be you. Don't let your story be what defeated you, but what made you. Your story could prove to someone else that things really can turn around. You could be that person who makes someone see their worth and get a little stronger day by day.

It may not get better overnight, but you'll pull through. You may still cry yourself to sleep until your pillow is drenched for a while, you may still struggle to get out of bed in the morning for a while longer but you'll soon be ok. You may overthink until you're shocked at your own mind, you may isolate yourself from the people you love most, but one day, one day, you'll smile a little wider and laugh a little harder. You'll see the light at the end of the tunnel.

One day, you'll finally be able to wear whatever you want with confidence, meet new people without fear of rejection, buy your dream house, wake up next to the person you feel entirely comfortable with, who loves all of you unconditionally and look back at this day knowing you made it through.

Everyday is a step closer to the exit of this rut. Keep telling yourself you're almost there. Happiness is behind the door, so be prepared to see it. You just have to take it one day at a time.

It's OK To Be Alone

Being alone. The thing that people seem to fear. We live in a generation where being alone has become an irrational fear. We crave attention and we want to be wanted. As a whole, the idea of being alone is made out to be the worst thing possible but the truth is, that isn't the case. Being alone can enrich your own self esteem and allow you to focus on other important things than a companion. There are so many benefits to being alone, both physically and in terms of relationships.

When you are alone, you have time to figure out exactly what you want. What you want in a partner, what you want in a friendship, what you want in life. Don't waste your time feeling sorry for yourself but use this time to focus on setting your standards and goals you want to achieve. People often settle for less than they want and then this causes problems within relationships. Katy Bellotte said it perfectly. It's kind of like being stuck in quick sand and instead of trying to get out of it, you settle and just accept that that's the way it is. When you purchase a shirt online and it looks nothing like the picture and you don't like it, you don't just settle and keep it anyway (unless you forget to return it), so why is anything else in life any different? You deserve to be happy and satisfied with everything in life. Being alone can give you the opportunity to figure out exactly what that is. Then, once you've met someone, you need to make sure you don't settle for anything less than what you want. It's time to be selfish.

Just like I said earlier, being alone lets you focus on other important parts of your life. For example, school, work, your interests and hobbies etc. You don't have to compromise. You don't have to give up certain things for anybody or watch other sectors of your life deteriorate because you've focused so much on maintaining a relationship or friendship. I feel like its for the best that I'm not with anybody right now. I'm so tied up with other things that the poor guy would barely see me and that wouldn't be fair on him. It's OK to focus on what is important to you and again, be a little selfish.

I personally feel that a relationship can not be successful without self love. I don't know about you but I don't want to only feel beautiful when my boyfriend/husband tells me I am. I want to feel beautiful because I am beautiful. I want to feel confident because of my own experiences and my own character. Without self love, a relationship just doesn't seem to work. This is why being alone is great. When you're alone, you have time to work on yourself. Get real comfortable because you're going to get real familiar with yourself. When you're alone, you have no other option but to love yourself and learn to feel comfortable being on your own. If you have enough time to really get to know yourself, when somebody else walks into your life, they can not change you. You know who you are and you love yourself enough not to be dependent or reliant on anybody else. If anybody ever tries to change who you are, you have enough self love to walk away from that situation. Of course just walking away isn't easy but self love makes it a whole lot easier, don't you think? How many of you have dated several people because you feel that you need someone to love you? How many of you have stayed in a toxic relationship because you are afraid to be by yourself or without someone by your side? How many of you have allowed yourself to be repeatedly cheated on by the same person and stayed because you hope that one day they will see that you are enough? If you have ever felt that way, its time to face your fear and be alone.

Being alone doesn't just shape your character but it reduces the heartbreaks. I've never had my heart broken but I'm sure it sucks.In fact I know it sucks. If you're alone enough to know exactly what you want in a relationship, when it finally comes, hopefully its a success! Would you rather date 10 people and the 11th be the one or date 1 person and they be the one? I know which one I would pick.

So yes, being in a relationship is beautiful and love is beautiful but you know what else is? You. You're beautiful and you're enough. You don't need anybody but yourself. Of course it is important that we are surrounded by a good support network but how is that possible when we don't know what makes a good support network in the first place?

Remember there is a difference between feeling lonely and being alone.  My advice to you if you're feeling lonely is to get to know yourself and once you're familiar with that person, introduce them to others. Network and socialise with people you may think will benefit your life. Of course not everybody is religious but personally the first thing I do when I feel lonely is pray or study the bible. I instantly feel closer to God and no longer feel lonely. Believe me, if you believe, it 100% works.

I hope this has helped you guys and if you've had a negative view on being alone or the single life, you'll see it in a more positive light.

Thanks for reading,

Have a great day x

The World Needs Love.

Today, is Valentines Day. For some. To be honest for me it's just another ordinary Tuesday but to those who celebrate Valentines Day, I hope you had an amazing day spent with your loved one!

In this blog post, I'm going to be talking about another kind of love. Love within relationships is of course beautiful but this love is more of a general type of love. A type of love that the world is lacking. A type of love that the world needs. A type of love that we need to show.

The world is at a questionable place. With terrorism, hurt, social tensions, disrespect to the earth.

Everyday there is a new tragedy shown on the news. Whether it be kidnapping, murder, attacks and abuse, robbery. It's gotten to a point where I never want to watch it. I know I need to because this is reality. This is the world we live in and I must be aware of it, but it's always pure acts of hate. I just want to hug the families of the victims and some how guide these troubled people onto the right path, but how?

Ever since I was little I always said I wanted to change the world. I do. I will. One day. But how? I guess it starts with the little things.

There is now a man leading a multicultural nation called The UNITED States. He is segregating a nation who is supposed to be about liberty and freedom. It's a nation built on inmigration and made up of several different cultures and it's falling apart! Now I'm not an American citizen, so I had no say in this decision to make such a man leader, however I'm praying and hoping that things work out and that God's will for them will be done.

There's nothing anyone can do about him now, its what is going to be done from now.
Anyway, enough about that, let's carry on with what I was saying.

It's the little things. Listening to each other, communicating and hearing personal stories. That's the thing about modern society. With all this technology we sometimes forget to talk to one another, and I don't mean when we need something, but small talk, deep conversations, getting to know somebody's heart. The world lacks communication. Active listening. Really REALLY paying attention to someone and listening to their problems. Helping them out when they need somebody. Being there when somebody needs us the most. The world needs more love. Sometimes it's not a case of wanting advice or a solution but to know that someone understands and supports you through the hard times.

Letting people know how much value they have in this world when they don't see it themselves is important. Life is busy but not busy enough not to save another. Kind, genuine words can stick with someone for a lifetime. Someone's time and patience can mean more than we know. When somebody is feeling inferior and worthless, simple words like "I care" or "You're loved" can shape the outcome for the rest of their life. Words and actions are so powerful.

You may speak differently, look different, act different, think different but we were all crafted with the same amount of care and we all decompose in the same way. We're all human. It is 2017 and we still don't get that.

So today, I leave you with this. What are you going to do to change the world?

You're a Failure.

Failure. It's inevitable. Everybody HAS to fail. I'm a failure, you're a failure. At some point. I don't know about you but at some point in life I feared failure immensely. I have always been a go getter and determined to suceed in life. I remember back in year 10 I cared so much about grades that I would get upset over what I considered to be a low grade. People would tell me that they WISHED they had the grade that I had but I just had such high standards for myself that I didn't care. One's failure is another's success. We need to remember that.

I've definifely learnt a lot about failure and failing over the years, especially 2016. My mum is a huge contributer to that. My mum is the best advice giver. I go to her for pretty much every problem because she always knows what to say.

All those role models and influencers that are practically rolling in money, known world wide for their achievements and enrich our lives daily, all failed at some point. Whether it be rejected, told they weren't good enough or didn't have the finances to do what they do. They all failed. When one succeeds we hear of their successes but how often do we learn of their failures?

I used to be that negative nancy who would moan and groan whenever I didn't succeed. I remember seeing that B grade next to English on my GCSE results paper in year 10 and going to the bathroom just to cry. It wasn't that a thought a B was bad, I just knew I was capable of better. In every mock beforehand I had always gotten higher than a B so when I saw that the only time I got a B was in fact the real deal, it was heartbreaking. I've wanted to be an English Teacher for a very long time so a large part of my mind started to assume the worst and my heart shattered thinking that I would be incapable of teaching English when I myself didn't get an outstanding grade.

My mum really put things into perspective for me. She told me that I shouldn't be upset that I didn't get the highest grade, it should make me more determined to be a teacher. I should have the mindset to prove that you don't need to be the best to achieve your goals. I could actually inspire young people by showing that you don't need to be the top of your class to succeed in life.

Having that talk with my mum was really inspiring and really motivated me to think differently about the idea of failure.

Failure isn't an excuse to give up but an opportunity to try harder and to better ourselves. We should take our mistakes and weaknesses to make us stronger. I actually re-sat my English exam and got an A the second time around. I knew I was capable of it so I tried again. I could have remained defeated but I chose to get back up. When we fall, we should get back up, dust the dirt off our knees and keep going.

You only fail if you stop trying. Let's be frank here, there is always going to be someone better than you at whatever you're good at but something gives us that special touch. Whether it be that we have a  better work ethic, a unique story or method to our progression, something makes us great.

My favourite quote about failure sums up everything. "I can accept failure, everyone fails at something. But I can not accept not trying" - Michael Jordan.

As long as we take a chance and try to be the best version of ourselves possible, failure won't hold you back. Failure isn't the opposite of success but part of the process to success. So my challenge to you, with everything that you do, is to keep on going because whether you're first or last at the end of the marathon, you made it!

2016 has Taught Me....

2016. A year that has taught me so many valuable lessons. I guess Kylie Jenner was right, it was a year about realising things.

For the world, 2016 hasn't been the greatest year but it's been a year for us to learn and help us progress in the future.

2016 has taught me that everybody is going through something. So much has been happening in the lives of individuals this year, and that can make people bitter. I've always wondered why some people are so rude to people online and in person for no reason (so it seems) but I feel like 2016 has taught me that people become bitter because everyone is going through something. Whether it be mental health, family problems or any other reasons, people take out their heartbreak and anger on others. Because of this lesson, in 2017 I will make sure to respond back with kindness because only they know what they're truly feeling and going through.

2016 has taught me that God hears your prayers. I have really started to strengthen my faith in Christ and built my relationship with God stronger each day. In 2015 I became very distant from God and only really looked to him when I felt like I needed him but this year I pray just to say thank you and I pray for others more than I pray for myself and I truly know that he hears my prayers. I have seen more blessings come my way this year than ever before and it's not a coincidence that it's the same year I finally got closer to Christ.

2016 has taught me that you have to choose your friends wisely. Fake friends exist and sometimes it can take a long time to see that they don't have your best interests at heart. Simple as that really.

2016 has taught me that being yourself brings happiness. I won't talk about this too much as I am hoping to do an entire post on this and I briefly mentioned it in my Best Year Ever post.

2016 has taught me that you have to think better to feel better. Nobody is going to be a happy person if they keep focusing on all the negative things in life or dwelling on what could go wrong. If you want to feel good you have to think good thoughts.

2016 has taught me that you can't have real friends without being a real friend. You have to be selfless and always be there for other people. Don't let people take advantage of you and don't be a door mat but try to be that friend that someone is grateful to have. If you have their back, they'll have yours. If you're a rubbish friend then I'm pretty sure people will start to question your intentions and that is when friendships will shatter.

2016 has taught me that not everyone is going to like you and that is OK.

2016 has taught me you should say yes to opportunities. This is more so something I have realised towards the end of this year but now I can go into 2017 ready for new adventures.

2016 has taught me that self love is a lot of work but it's worth the energy. 

2016 has taught me that this was just the warm up but 2017 is the real deal.

2016 has taught me so much. It has shaped me into the person I am but 2017 is by far going to be the best year of my life. I just know it. I've had my fair share of challenges this year but I've learnt how to deal with them. So no, I'm not going into the new year, blind to the fact that I'll have challenges thrown at me but with God I am strong, I am bold and I am ready. Bring it on!

Thanks for reading,

Have a great day x

Day 3: Life Hacks (Christmas Edition)

Christmas is the greatest time of year but it can also be the most stressful time of year. Here are 5 life hacks to either make life easier or keep you relaxed during this busy season.

Hack 1: Got small gifts?

I love giving smaller gifts to people, also known as stocking stuffers, however I don't really know of anybody who actually owns a stocking. In order to fit smaller gifts, chocolates, sweets etc, this is all you have to do.

1. Grab yourself a toilet roll or kitchen roll (yeah you read that correct)

 2. Place your small gift inside

3. Cut a piece of wrapping paper big enough to wrap around the roll

4. Tape this wrapping paper wherever is needed to be secured

5. Grab each side and scrunch them up

6. Tie these edges with an elastic, ribbon or string

8. Decorate as you wish! I added a gift bow

YOU'RE DONE! Looks like a Christmas Cracker!



Hack 2: Tired of loosing the end of your tape?

Wrapping presents can be stressful enough, and nothing is worse than loosing the end of your tape when you're already frustrated and in a hurry. Well fear no more!

All you have to do is get a paper click and slide it at the end of your tape! Fold the small end over and you're good to go! Easy right?

Hack 3: Got some boring lights?

This is probably my favourite of the 5 hacks. Its such an easy and cheap way to spice up your christmas lights.All you need to do is obviously have a set of fairy lights, get some cheap ping pong balls and scissors or a knife.

1. Unravel or spread out your lights

2. Test that they work first, just in case (but take them out after)

3. Poke holes into each of your golf balls

4. Slot the lights into the balls

5. Turn on your brand new £50 lights! (So your guests shall believe)


Hack 4:Wrapping paper keep wrinkling?

If there is one thing you want when it comes to a wrapped present, its smooth aesthetically pleasing paper. This hack will ensure that the paper stays as neat as possible when stored away. All you need is kitchen roll, a pair of scissors and tape.

1. Roll your paper back if its messy

2. Cut straight through the kichen roll

3. Slot your roll around the centre of the paper

4. Tape the middle of the card into place

TADAR! Neat paper


Hack 4: Night time movie run?

I love watching Christmas movies and YouTube videos. Its one of those things that just gets you in the festive attitude. However watching it at night or in the dark can sometimes hurt your eyes with how small your phone is. This DIY projector will be the end of your problems. This is all you need to do.

1. Grab a box big enough to fit your phone in (preferably with a lid)

2.  Wrap your box with wrapping paper or paint it (Looks a bit nicer that way but this step is obviously optional)

3. You'll need a magnifying glass. Make sure its good quality as this will make the videos clearer.

4. Use force to pop out the glass from the frame or if you have any REALLY sharp tools at home (Ask permission first if you're young) then slice off the handle.

5. Draw around the glass onto the inside of the front of the box

6. Cut out this circle shape (You may need to go slightly bigger for the next part)

7. Slot the glass into this hole so that its wedged inside and secure or use a hot glue gun to stick it directly behind the hole

8. Grab some foam (The sell packs in poundland in the craft section) and cut this up into two pieces to create a stand so your phone won't slide.

9. Turn your phone up to the brightest setting, put on your video or movie and place it at the back of the box. Make sure the video is playing upside down so when its reflected, its the right way up!

YAY1 You have your very own smartphone projector. Of course you can use it all year round and its MUCH cheaper than buying a real projector.

I hope you enjoyed these life hacks. I really enjoyed trying them out. Make sure to come back for Day 4 tomorrow and if you missed Day 1 or 2, go check them out too.

Thanks for reading,

Have a great day x

Valuable things I've learnt from Disney!

So, I was sitting in my room writing down blog ideas in my journal and it came to me that Disney movies and Disney channel has been such a big part of my life. It was my childhood. I learned so much from Disney programs and movies that I still use in my everyday life, regardless of my age. Like they say, you're never too old for Disney. I've wrote about things I've learnt in 16 years, so why not write about one of the biggest sources that taught me a lot of what I know...DISNEY.


Snow White: Your prince will come at the right moment in time.

Cinderella: Have patience, your time will come. No matter how tough life is, know that if you work hard, you play hard.

Beauty and the Beast: It really is what's inside that counts. Looks only go so far.

Mulan: Girls can do anything they put their mind to!

Inside Out: You are nothing without Joy.

That's so Raven: Don't try to change the future and it's OK to be different.

Cheetah Girls: You can get through anything with good friends

Kim Possible: I guess it is possible to get out the friend zone...good job Ron.

16 wishes: Popularity means absolutely nothing

Good Luck Charlie: You can learn the best advice from your older siblings...Arron, Nathan pay attention to this.

High school Musical: Music makes everything better!

Phineas and Ferb: Be spontaneous and make the most of everyday

Let it Shine: Stay in church kid

Hannah Montana: The best couples start as Best Friends first...Oliver, Lily you two were goals.

Sonny with a chance: Your worst enemy may actually become your boyfriend...ok most likely no but it would be nice to think that xD

Suite life on deck: You don't have to be from the same background to be best friends. London and Bailey were total opposites but they were always there for each other.

Well I hope this was relatable in some way and I hope you enjoyed this!

Have a great day x