Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas everyone! 

Today has been lovely, I am back up in Yorkshire and have done nothing but eat, wear hideous penguin pyjamas and watch The Snowman. It has actually been a great day to reflect on this year. Not only has it made me realise how much I value my family and miss them while I am in London, it has also made me realise how things need to change.

Don't get me wrong, I am loving every minute of my life in the Big City, but I feel like I have been stuck in my comfort zone for a while. I know everyone suddenly thinks 'next year I will be different' in hope that they will wake up in 2015 having lost 5 stone with a stomach like Candice Swanpoel and a job as merely a New  York socialite. In reality, your sat on an icy winters night in January, eating a sausage roll, drinking Umbongo and cowering in your onesie. Sometimes I think I am too British for my own good. Anyway, I digress..

I just today wished Merry Christmas to one of my best friends who now lives in Canada and it wasn't until she asked how I generally am I actually took a minute to think. As far as being okay goes, I am fine, but is fine acceptable though? That being said, there are a few things that are a bit off at the moment and they need to change. I am not going to sit here and write every single problem I have on my blog because, well, I am sure you all have your own problems to worry about and half of you reading this probably know me. I don't want to be that debbie downer and make myself monstrously uncool. Kill my rep and all that.

I just know that I have been put through a lot this year, put myself through a lot and forgot what I stand for. That can't happen any more. I have no idea who I am really - I'm 24 years old and have a lot to experience. The big lights of London is definitely the place to do that, or maybe even further afield, who knows? But I won't hold myself back. I won't stand for being treated any less than what I deserve. I won't stop discovering the world or stop following my dreams. 2015 is onwards and upwards.

11/12/14

30 thoughts from women in their 20s

I have no idea what I want to do with my life, in fact I’m going to sit here, ponder over it and eat chocolate and Doritos until I decide. Every night.

Saturday night clubbing? I would much rather sit in with a mug of tea, eating marshmallows, watching Saturday night TV and crying over the fact I don’t look like Cheryl Cole while squeezing the excess flab on my stomach.

I have definitely worked men out. Wait...no I haven’t. Why is he such an idiot. I hate him. Where’s the Doritos?

Am I too old for Disney films? ........................ No.

Look at that huge pile of washing. I’ll do it tomorrow.

This bedding needs washing. Erm, I’ll do it tomorrow.

Why haven’t I washed my bedding for 3 weeks!?

How many chocolate HobNobs exactly is it acceptable to eat from this pack?

Calories don’t count if they are someone else’s chips.

How exactly does a pension work and do I need life insurance yet? Life insurance is a few quid a month?

That’s my box of Yorkshire Tea. No can do.

Of course I can afford this round of drinks Mum *PLEASE DON’T DECLINE, PLEASE DON’T DECLINE*

Seriously how do people afford the clothes out of this Glamour Magazine, that scarf is more than my monthly wage. I WILL ALWAYS BE POOR!

I hate men.

How many glasses is it acceptable to have in my bedroom?

Is it acceptable to eat this leftover pizza for breakfast? Totally.

I obvs don’t need to go to the gym today, because, well, I walked out for my lunch.

Taking the lift to 1^st floor. Sorry, not sorry.

White wine has the same calories as a jam doughnut!? I will never look like a Victoria’s Secret model!

At what point does someone actually become an alcoholic? I mean, just out of curiosity like.

Back when I was a kid...

Oh god I am getting old, even 13 year olds think I’m uncool.

Actually no, I do not NEED this bag of Haribo. I am a strong, confident woma... oooh gummy bears.

AND IIIIIIIIIII WILL ALWAYS LOVE YOUUUUU. Nailed it.

Hang on, is that a grey hair!? Where’s the Doritos again?

You know, I totally understand Bridget Jones’ pain *picks up the vodka, singing all by myself while stroking my cat*

Oh fab, paid £50 of my student loan off. Just another £20950 to go!

Remind me why I did a degree again?

Top-knot, sheep pyjamas and Cookie Monster top to bed. My milkshake knows how to bring the boys to the yard.

WHAT IS LIFE!

London Life

ONE year on and London is still a massive blur. Do you ever get used to it?

Despite it being my 20^th time seeing Piccadilly Circus, 50^th time walking down Oxford Street and 100^th time walking past the Houses of Parliament, I still get bewildered. That being said, I still get homesick. I still miss the beauty of the countryside that you just don’t get in London. It’s fair to say that London is a world of its own and is worlds apart from the North.

I wouldn’t change London though. There is too much to see, from fascinating museums to glittering skyscrapers and from glowing bridges to weird and wonderful people. One thing London has made me realise is how utterly confusing – yet fabulous – spending your twenties in the Capital can be. I am only 23 years old and have a vision of where I want to be and who I want to be. I know I want to be a journalist and work in news and press. No doubt. End of. However, I have come to realise that having a set out plan just doesn’t work and only sets you up for stress and disappointment. You are much better having a goal in sight and enjoying the ride until you get there. Have fun. Work hard. Don’t take yourself too seriously. Take opportunities. Meet people.

One thing I don’t want is to wake up when I am 30 years old and think that I wasted my twenties. Therefore, I am completely throwing myself in to London, visiting galleries, quaint restaurants, landmarks, skyscrapers, dancing, socialising, meeting new people and doing new (and slightly odd) things that only London is famous for.  

Sure, I have a long way to go and with London throwing a tonne of emotion and stress in your life, it can get difficult, but it also throws bags of glitter in your face to sugar coat it. The thing is, London is not  just meant to live a boring life in, it is meant to challenge you, astound you and give you a life experience.

Like many others in the bright Capital, I work myself tirelessly and do other types of journalism work on top of my regular job. I do think I need to cut myself a bit more slack though, remember that I am only 23 and that I am building up my life and professional work experience in one of the best places in the world. London. 

Big City Dreaming

IT'S been a year since I was lured in by the big city lights. You know, the place where anything is possible. Where there are floating lights down every alleyway and the bustle of life on every cobbled street. Where you work tirelessly to succeed the best way you know how and sip cocktails in dim lit bars that swim with city glam. London is all that and more, but only if you manage to breath throughout all the chaos.

I’m not very sure if living in The City changes you. I’d like to think not but then I would be lying if I said I was completely the same as before. You have to learn to adapt and accept the busy life down here. Everything is so fast-paced that if you blink for a split second you find yourself lost in the freefall.

You can also get addicted to the magic that swirls around The City, it falls like dreamlike dust and before you know it, you are mesmerised.

If there is one thing The Capital has taught me, it’s that you have to work hard to succeed, everyone is ambitious and you have to be the best possible version of yourself. However, don’t lose yourself and your values, and most importantly, don’t forget who you are. What you want to be.

My plan in London  – keep writing, work hard, be tenacious, be in love, be smart, be brave, follow my intuition, be truthful, be crazy, don’t take life too seriously and don’t map out my life. Just let it happen – and where better to do that?