TWENTY ONE

We learn something new everyday. Sometimes we discover something small, like how peanut butter and jam really is a match made in heaven, and sometimes it's a lesson we will carry with us for the rest of our lives.

I am going to share with you twenty one lessons I've learned from twenty one years of living.

1. Every now and then it's okay to spend the day in bed. I don't allow myself to do this very often because I start to drown in guilt, but spending a day to re-charge and just totally relax is ok. Watch Netflix, eat some junk food and just UNWIND.

2. You should always give people a chance. We are all guilty of judging based on first impressions (which usually are correct), however this last year I've actually ended up building strong relationships with people I never expected to get on with! People aren't always what they seem.

3. Life is about balance. Eating healthy and doing exercise is important for your physical and mental health, but it's also vital to allow yourself treats. I ensure that I keep a good balance of doing what makes my body happy, but also my heart,(pizza).

4. Be confident in yourself. This is a hard one and probably a lesson we could all work on but I really do try my hardest to be confident in who I am. How can I expect anyone else to love me if I don't love myself?

5. Planning is the key to success. If I don't plan out my days and make lists, I would never get anything done. I always feel like I've been productive when I have a list to follow, although that is probably because I add simple tasks like 'brush teeth' or 'eat lunch', cheating I know, but it's something to tick off, hey?

6. COFFEE is my one true love.

7. Friendships are a two way deal. I think we have all been guilty of letting friendships go in the past that have been difficult and required a lot of effort. If you find a good friend, keep them.

8. Whether you work, or are at University, it's always important to have another project or hobby on the side that is FOR YOU. Don't spend your life dedicating it something or someone else, work for your own success.

9. Making plans and having things to look forward to is the best way to stay positive. I try to always have a trip away or a holiday booked to keep me excited and on track with my studies.

10. Less is more, especially when it comes to beauty. I've created some rather over-the-top looks in my time and I like to think I've finally discovered that sheer and natural is the way forward. After all, I still want to look like me.

11. Plants are very hard to look after. I have managed to keep alive approximately zero plants over the last few years.

12. Always step forward in your life, never ever backwards. I made that mistake one too many times and you're never going to get anywhere.

13. I'm not very good, or fast at it but reading really does fill the soul with warmth. It's refreshing to pick up a book and escape reality for a while.

14. You can't make an omelette without breaking eggs (I love you if you understand this reference). It is true though! Sometimes you have to step out of your comfort zone and accept change in your life to be completely happy and satisfied.

15. Do what's best for you! Over the last year or so I've had to make quite a few big decisions, which were scary but ultimately you have to choose the best option for you and what will make you happy.

16. You're not always right and everyone has an opinion. One we probably all struggle with from time to time.

17. Be nice to everyone and treat them how you wish to be treated yourself (unless of course they really do suck at being a genuine human being).

18. Backing up your photos on iCloud (or something similar) is so important! A few years back, I lost over 10,000 photos from years of my life and that was a pretty sad day.

19. Cliche, I know but time honestly just disappears. My first year of University completely flew by and second year feels like it's doing the same. The older you become, the faster time escapes you.

20. Stepping out of your comfort zone often opens up doors to the best things in life. The opportunities that terrified me are the ons I'll remember forever. My first photo-shoot with a photographer and appearing on the Superdrug YouTube channel are a few examples.

21. As much as we all want to live a happy life, I finally understand and accept that it's okay to have a bad day. It makes the great days even better.