A Letter to My younger Self

Recently I've been thinking of how I have changed as a person not just from when I was 16 (8 Years ago! Yikes!) but even in the last year. I wish I could of told myself at 16; " Everything will end up okay". "What you do now won't refine you in your 20s"

Until Recently I have always had a case of FOMO (fear of missing out) . I spent more time on social media looking what other people were doing, how other people looked and just wanting to be someone else. A lot of this is due to social Media. However, I am not here to slate it by any means! I love Mrs Hinch as much as the next! I just wish I had spent more time living my life rather than wishing I was living someone elses.

I now do miss out on things with friends sometimes and see the pictures of them having fun. I don't have FOMO because I decided to stay in and not have the hangover and clean and hang out with my puppy! ( I know, I've Changed!)

So Here it goes.. A letter to 16 year old Katie.

Dear Katie (16),

Being 16 is a blessing. You are young, care free, you live at home with a loving Mother and you don't have to clean or do washing! Enjoy it! You don't have to pay rent, pay for bills, pay a mortgage. You get to learn 5 days a week! Anything you learn now will only help you in the future. Soak up every bit of knowledge you can.

Eat that cake! You are not fat! Your bod shape is just different to your friends, I know you don't believe me as you are 16 but it is puppy fat! Don't diet, eat healthy but don't diet. Spend time with your friends. Not boys! Realistically who ever the boy is you will not even know him in a few years time, your friends however, they are for life.

Stop looking through Instagram, Tumbler, Pintrest and what you think is an 'ideal body' go spend time with your Nan and Granddad, you will wish you did when you are in your 20s.

Don't drink alcohol! There is plenty of time for that at university. Don't waste your time drinking lambrini and making bad decisions. be fresh, healthy and active. Save your money for things you wont have money for later; clothes, Cinema, Ice-cream.

And finally spend as much time as possible with your family. I know you think you hate them and they are out to get you but they aren't. They love you and you will miss them so much when you move out or they aren't with you anymore.

Enjoy Being 16.

KK (24)

What to do when you are feeling down

We all get down no matter how good things are in our lives something can always change that mood. Sometimes you may not know what it is that is making you feel like this. You may think you have a great partner, family and job yet still feel down. This is the most important part of making yourself feel better, actually getting to the route of the problem.

I LOVE making lists, no matter what it is for I will make a list. I make a list before tidying, I make a list of things to do at the weekend, for my day agendas at work and so on. When I feel down I make a list of all the things it could possible be for example;

• ·         Family- Is everyone well and healthy and are we all getting on

• ·         Partner- Are you happy in your relationship , are you seeing each other enough, are you being intimate

• ·      Job- Do you enjoy your job, if you do why? This alone could cheer you up or if you don’t why don’t you? Can you change something at work or do you need to find a new job

• Friends/social life- are you seeing your friend’s enough? This is a major one for me I get so caught up with work and my partner and puppy that I think I haven’t actually seen any friends in months! Just having some time with the girls to chat and laugh can make such a big difference!

Once you have found the route to your unhappiness the next step is simple- just fix it! If you don’t like your job apply for a new one! A lot of people including myself have said before they don’t like their job then when I have asked are you looking for new ones the response is no.  It was the same with myself in retail, I hated working every weekend and bank holiday and missed out on so much yet didn’t even look for a new job.  Things don’t fix themselves , you are in control of your own happiness.

If you’re not happy, Fix it !