Life. How Should We Live It?

As you can probably tell, my lack of posting has been as a result of a serious motivational problem that I have been feeling for the last couple of months. I've been up to various things, one of which packing up my first year of University (physically and metaphorically) which has taken SO much of my time. Now, I am back and settled in Bristol again; it really does feel good to be home. However, over this short period of time that I have been here, spending days at home on my own, really gives your brain the good opportunity to think like you've never thought before!

Personally, I have no idea how I am right now in terms of living. Yes, sure, my heart is beating pretty hard out of my chest, and my breathing is of a consistent rate. But am I really, living? Being a young twenty year old girl, a somewhat shining pearl in this big oyster of a world, it can be quite daunting thinking about life choices and how successfully I am doing right now, for me. I have numerous amounts of aspirations in life, dreams that I want to make a reality. It is my mission to be who and what I want to be, and live my life exactly how I think I should live it. Sometimes though, it can be hard to find the get up and go, as well as the right route, in order to achieve these things.

We are presented with a perfect world left right and centre; celebrities posting videos on endless amounts of social media of their practically perfect lifestyle. But that being precisely the point...Nobody is perfect in this world; we only see what those people want us to see. Why do I sit and scroll on my phone, admiring an unrealistic, picturesque perspective of the world, watching people live their life when I should be living my own? The majority of the time, these people don't make me feel good about myself. They just make me feel like a considerably dim pearl in our oyster of a world, without the pretty clothes and makeup and beautiful holidays and settings around me.

Are these people really, REAL people? They come from completely different backgrounds, lifestyles, families, and riches beyond the mind's imagination. Sure, its exciting to watch their experiences because it opens up our eyes to a completely different world out there. But don't forget who YOU are, and how incredible your life and experiences are right now. Most importantly, how incredible it could be in years to come if you work hard and put in the effort to be a bright shiny pearl. Do you want to be there in the future, gazing out the window contemplating the things you could have done, thinking "what if?". Look at yourself now, and be the person you want to be. You might not even know who that is yet, and that isn't a bad thing at all! There is no right or wrong in this world, the only person who can make a decision for yourself is YOU. Never let anyone prevent you from being the best you can be. If you have crazy, exciting, wild dreams for your future,  I SAY YOU GO FOR IT!! There is nothing, or no one, stopping you. Don't be afraid to take risks, be bold and be all you can be in this world.

The things I want to do are hard to reach, and I have been told so by countless amounts of people. But who are they to say what I can and can't achieve? Even if your goals are somewhat unrealistic, they are YOUR goals and the only person stopping you from reaching them is you. We have all had our knock backs in life, be it big or small, but it's what we do after these knock backs that really make the difference. It doesn't matter how quickly we get back up...It's the fact that we DO.

 But most of all? Believe in yourself. "Promise me you'll always remember: You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, smarter than you think, and more loved than you'll ever know."
(A.A Milne)

 And I really do stand by that!

Soph x

Summer Reading Lists!

With Summer here *jumps with joy* and last minute holidays around every corner *jumps higher with a squeal* I thought I would give you a list of books to read on your travels. Or, if you want to cram in a good read before you go back to work/school then these are perfect short and sweet novels you can enjoy! If like me you enjoy nothing more than sitting by a swimming pool or beach with your nose stuck in a good book (not literally, that would be slightly uncomfortable) then you will definitely want to read this post. If you are one of those people who wish you could read but can never sit there and have the patience to do so, I am going to convert you and give you my word that at least one of these books you will absolutely love!! 

These books I have read religiously over the years and I still don't get bored reading them. Some of these books I have read recently and cant wait to read them again, they are that good! The majority of these are chick flick/romance/comedy/adventure/mystery as those are the kind of books that have me gripped straight away and guarantee a light-hearted summer read. Excuse how long this post is going to be.. I mean, it may as well be a book itself!


1. Twenties Girl; Sophie Kinsella

OPINION:
Of course Sophie Kinsella is going to pop up here!! This book at first I wasn't too sure about. When I first read it, I assumed it was going to be another sort of chick flick kind of book, but I was wrong. It is a more mystery/ghost story with quirky twists and turns and of course an unexpected love story. 

BLURB:

Lara has always had an overactive imagination. Now she wonders if she is losing her mind. Normal twenty-something girls just don’t get visited by ghosts! But inexplicably, the spirit of Lara’s great Aunt Sadie – in the form of a bold, demanding Charleston-dancing girl – has appeared to make one last request: Lara must track down a missing necklace Sadie simply can’t rest without. Lara’s got enough problems of her own. Her start-up company is floundering, her best friend and business partner has run off to Goa, and she’s just been dumped by the love of her life. But as Lara spends time with Sadie, life becomes more glamorous and their treasure hunt turns into something intriguing and romantic. Could Sadie’s ghost be the answer to Lara’s problems and can two girls from different times end up learning something special from each other?

FAVE QUOTE:
“Honestly, it’s so easy to get what you want from people if they think you’re a psycho.”


2. The Fill In Boyfriend; Kasie West

OPINION:
This book is SO brilliant.  The feels from this book are REAL. You will fall in love with the 'fill in boyfriend' and all the scandals that go on throughout. There are so many beautiful quotes and it is one of those books I could see as a chick flick high school rom-com film one day!

 BLURB: 
When Gia Montgomery's boyfriend, Bradley, dumps her in the parking lot of her high school prom, she has to think fast. After all, she'd been telling her friends about him for months now. This was supposed to be the night she proved he existed. So when she sees a cute guy waiting to pick up his sister, she enlists his help. The task is simple: be her fill-in boyfriend—two hours, zero commitment, a few white lies. After that, she can win back the real Bradley. The problem is that days after prom, it's not the real Bradley she's thinking about, but the stand-in. The one whose name she doesn't even know. But tracking him down doesn't mean they're done faking a relationship. Gia owes him a favour and his sister intends to see that he collects: his ex-girlfriend's graduation party—three hours, zero commitment, a few white lies. Just when Gia begins to wonder if she could turn her fake boyfriend into a real one, Bradley comes waltzing back into her life, exposing her lie, and threatening to destroy her friendships and her new-found relationship.

FAVE QUOTE:
“We rarely find a depth by looking inside of ourselves for it. Depth is found in what we can learn from the people and things around us. Everyone, everything, has a story, Gia. When you learn those stories, you learn experiences that fill you up, that expand your understanding. You add layers to your soul.” 

3. Looking For Alaska; John Green

OPINION: 
John Green I feel is an absolute hero in the world of literature. He entices his readers with his thoughtful metaphors and brings his characters to life with their realistic and relatable characteristics. This book was emotional, thought provoking and somewhat beautiful. 

BLURB:
Miles Halter is fascinated by famous last words–and tired of his safe life at home. He leaves for boarding school to seek what the dying poet Francois Rabelais called the “Great Perhaps.” Much awaits Miles at Culver Creek, including Alaska Young. Clever, funny, screwed-up, and dead sexy. Alaska will pull Miles into her labyrinth and catapult him into the Great Perhaps.

FAVE QUOTE:
“So I walked back to my room and collapsed on the bottom bunk, thinking that if people were rain, I was drizzle and she was a hurricane.”


4. Finding Audrey Sophie Kinsella 

OPINION: 
Sophie Kinsella is just so good! A somewhat different approach with a more deep and meaningful message. It is such a positive book, that touches on serious issues of mental health and the beautiful journey of overcoming it. If you suffer with anxiety this book will have you relating to the character Audrey in more ways than one. 

BLURB:
"Audrey can't leave the house. She can't even take off her dark glasses inside the house. Then her brother's friend Linus stumbles into her life. With his friendly, orange-slice smile and his funny notes, he starts to entice Audrey out again - well, Starbucks is a start. And with Linus at her side, Audrey feels like she can do the things she'd thought were too scary. Suddenly, finding her way back to the real world seems achievable. Be prepared to laugh, dream and hope with Audrey as she learns that even when you feel like you have lost yourself, love can still find you.."

FAVE QUOTE:
“Most people underestimate eyes. They're infinite. You look someone straight in the eye and your whole soul can be sucked out in a nanosecond. Other people's eyes are limitless and that's what scares me.” 


5. Boys of Summer (Book One in the Series); C J Duggan

OPINION: 
The best thing about this book is you get so sucked in to the storyline, yet it isn't the end! This fabulous story comes in several books, each with a different narrator from the group. I can't tell which is my favourite yet, but they were each all funny, relatable, exciting and will guarantee you wanting to find a job in a pub in hope of finding your own version of the Onslow Boys. I have included the blurb of the first book. Each of the books has a completely different storyline! They are just one of those books that has you wanting to stay up all night to finish it, even if it means you'll be a complete zombie the next day because it is SO worth it.

BLURB:
Quiet seventeen-year-old Tess doesn’t relish the thought of a summertime job. She wants nothing more than to forget the past haunts of high school and have fun with her best friends before the dreaded Year Twelve begins. To Tess, summer is when everything happens: riding bikes down to the lake, watching the fireworks at the Onslow Show and water bomb fights at the sweltering Sunday markets. How did she let her friends talk her into working?After first-shift disasters, rude, wealthy tourists and a taunting ex-boyfriend, Tess is convinced nothing good can come of working her summer away. However, Tess finds unlikely allies in a group of locals dubbed ‘The Onslow Boys’, who are old enough to drive cars, drink beer and not worry about curfews. Tess’s summer of working expands her world with a series of first times with new friends, forbidden love and heartbreaking chaos. All with the one boy she has never been able to forget. It will be a summer she will always remember

FAVE QUOTE:
“Love is not necessary to life, but it is what makes life worth living.”


6.  To Marry A Prince; Sophie Page

OPINION: 
This book is so magical it makes you believe you can be a princess! (Because why shouldn't we dream?! I mean, Prince Harry is still single?). It will make your heart skip a beat and your adrenaline rush as you take the journey with Bella in her unexpected love story!

BLURB:
It tells the story of an ordinary, unlucky and clumsy girl Bella Greenwood who gets herself in all sorts of situations, one of which being tangled up in a bush of ivy at a charity event full of celebrities, resulting in a mystery man in the dark having to come out and rescue her. It isn't till she leaves her phone at the event and this mystery man calls her that she has to embarrassingly show her face to him again after the incident the night before. As the tale unfolds, we learn that this mystery man isn't just any young man, but the world's most eligible bachelor—Prince Richard, heir to the throne. As they get to know each other properly, their love story begins and Richard sweeps her off her feet. In an attempt to keep their love affair hidden from the Prince super fans, the media, Bella's family and even the Royal Family themselves, they realise it is a somewhat impossible task and their love story becomes public property. Can Bella keep up with the curtsying, negotiating the etiquette of how to address her future mother-in-law, Richard travelling without her and a national scandal caused by an evil blogger?

FAVE QUOTE:
“God, this is why I can never live with women. They go off into corners and think, maybe it’s this, maybe it’s that. Ask, woman. Ask.” 



7. Can You Keep A Secret; Sophie Kinsella.

OPINION: 
Sophie Kinsella has got to be one of my all time favourite writers. Any book of hers that I have read I think I genuinely cried when I got to the end of the book. This book certainly was the case when I first read it, because it is my ALL time favourite book, EVER. I have read this millions of times and each time it never fails to actually make me laugh out loud! Warning; it is so gripping it may make you become rather unsociable. I promise that this book will make your tummy hurt from laughter, will leave you feeling uplifted and definitely teach you to trust who you tell your secrets to! It is one of those books that I could imagine being an amazing rom-com film. HINT HINT FILM PRODUCERS OUT THERE, HINT HINT. 

BLURB: 
We all have our secrets, don't we? Some are big, some are small. Well, Emma has hundreds. A huge list of little white lies that she told and little secrets stored away in her little head. 
Emma is a nervous flyer, so on her way back from her first ever business deal (which of course she managed to screw up by throwing fizzy drink down the boss) the plane hitting some bad turbulence was the worst thing that could happen to someone as nervous as Emma. She really thinks this could be her last moments, so naturally begins telling the dishy American man next to her all the secrets and lies that she had stored away, without even noticing. Things like, how she scans the backs of intellectual books and pretends she has read them. Or, how she's not sure if she's found her G spot and whether her boyfriend could find it anyway. And how she does her hair up like Princess Leia in her bedroom. How everyone at her work uses the word 'operational' and she really has no idea what it means, and how the coffee machine there tastes horrible. Even how she pours orange juice in her colleagues plant at work when she's not looking because she annoys her. 
Emma survives the flight of course, and the next morning she finds herself in work with everyone frantic as the famous founding boss of the whole mega corporation is coming to look at the UK branch. Its then Emma looks up from her desk and realises this mega boss is the man she told all her secrets to on the plane. What will he do with her secrets? He knows them all, but she doesn't know a single one of his. Or..does she?

FAVE QUOTE:
“I feel all agitated, like one of those snow globes you see resting peacefully on shop counters. I was perfectly happy being an ordinary, dull little Swiss village. But now Jack Harper’s come and shaken me up, and there are snowflakes all over the place, whirling around until I don’t know what I think anymore. And bits of glitter, too. Tiny bits of shiny, secret excitement.” 


Let me know your favourite books in the comments below! I have a whole other list to go up of more books I have enjoyed reading recently. These are just a handful of summer reads!! 

Happy Reading and Happy Summer! 

Soph x

Bournemouth and Friendship!

Hello my sweet ones! I hope everyone is enjoying the sunshine and getting excited for summer. This post is about my recent first visit to Bournemouth, and the importance of friendship.

My friend Isabelle lives there, and I have been meaning to visit her for such a long time now. I'm sure people can relate; your lives get busy, things are pushed aside. Nevertheless, you should always make time for those special people who make time for you. So, after what feels like one hundred Skype and FaceTime sessions I finally managed to see her in person! The train journey was surprisingly calm, I made friends with a man who was an interior designer and we chatted about the weather and all those other awkward conversations train buddies have! (Remember kids; stranger danger!) When I arrived at Bournemouth station I got lost and couldn't get out, I felt like Alice in Wonderland but instead of talking/singing flowers overcrowding me it was just people bustling about trying to make their trains on time! The sun was shining, and when we were reunited it was the most exciting moment! Hearts pounding, tears forming, big hugs, just pure joy. We got in our Disney pj's, had a mahooooosive catch up and a good nights sleep before the jam packed fun events we had lined up for the few days ahead.

(Isabelle is wearing Little Mermaid and I am wearing Frozen pyjamas!) 

The sea is a huge love of ours, so myself and Isabelle took a trip into town where they had beautiful vintage boutiques, crystal shops and of course the famous sea front. The weather wasn't brilliant, but despite this the beach was gorgeous.

                                                  

We realised after about twenty minutes of snapping random pictures that the Harry Ramsden's restaurant was facing right out to us, and the people inside probably had a bit of entertainment whilst enjoying their meals because we were flicking our hair and numerous amounts of nonsensical things in their view line. You're welcome people!

    

They had the most beautiful little mini garden with flowers, trees and an old wooden bridge. It looked like something out of a fairytale so I just had to take pictures. If anyone out there can paint and draw.. PRIME opportunity right there!

On the evening we made some super tasty lemon shortbread treats. 

I have written about the making of them on a previous post, click here to read it! 

We also tried out a LUSH face mask for the first time. It was called 'Catastrophe Cosmetic' and smelt like blueberries and violets. It was kept in the fridge so was freezing cold on the face, was really fresh smelling and soothing on the skin. The only downside is when it dries it flakes off EVERYWHERE. Hilarious to watch but pretty annoying to get out of carpet. It left our faces feeling smooth and revitalised and was pretty funny to look at. 

 On another day, we went to see Isabelle's book displayed in an art gallery. For those of you who don't know, she is the most talented artist you will ever lay eyes on. Her work is absolutely breathtaking and you can now view her portfolio online by clicking this link- Isabelle's Wesbite and even buy some of her work if you wanted. Her work primarily draws upon the mystical story worlds of fairytale, folklore and mythology, but also has a very strong meaning behind them. An example being her most recent book which made me ball my eyes out when reading. Being the incredible friend that she is, Isabelle based her book on myself and named it 'Flight to Wonderland'.  Everything was illustrated and written by Isabelle...awe inspiring if you ask me! The time, effort, thought, attention to detail, just absolutely everything put into this book is clear from the finishing piece. It's hard to put into words how much this means to me, and I will treasure it for the rest of my life. 

The book will be available to purchase in the near future, and I will be sure to inform you all when and how nearer the time because it'll be darn worth it!!  The art gallery had some amazing pieces in, and it made me realise how powerful it is that thoughts and opinions can be expressed in art form.

Isabelle if you are reading this, I want to thank you again for letting me stay with you in Bournemouth, I had a wonderful time! I'd also like to thank you publicly for everything you have ever done for me. You have stuck by my side through every bump in the road. You have been there when I have hit rock bottom, and you showed me the way back to the top. You saw the pain in my eyes when everyone else was seeing my pretend smile. Your bright light has shone and guided me through the dark times, and I can't ever thank you enough for helping me become the person I am today. I love you dearly, and I am blessed to have a friend like you in my life. Never let anyone dull your sparkle.

And to everyone else reading this, if you are lucky enough to have a friend like Isabelle in your life don't forget to show them appreciation and time. Because ultimately, friends are so precious to have in your life. They are just like stars, they come and they go. But the ones that stay are the ones that glow.

Soph x

Lemon Fairy Shortbread!

I have never really written about this kind of thing before, but I want to include a lot more foody stuff on my blog! And what better way to kick start it, then with a naughty little recipe for shortbread?

No, this isn't in the slightest bit healthy... BUT its tasty, easy, fun and they look pretty cute too. We added lemon to ours to give it a zesty kick, and did them with a fairy like theme.

Ingredients needed for shortbread:

150g Plain Flour
100g Butter (Softened)
50g Sugar



Ingredients needed for decoration (optional and can be adapted anyway you like!) 

Hundreds and Thousands
White Cooking Chocolate
Pink Food Colouring


Method

1. Preheat the over to 150 degrees celcius

2. Put the butter, flour and sugar in the mixing bowl.

3. Mix together, until it forms a dough like texture. Hands may be required for this step!!

 





4. Roll out the dough with a rolling pin on a lightly floured surface.

5. Cut out the shapes using your chosen cutter.
(Excuse me in my Frozen pj's!)

6. Place on a baking tray and leave in the oven for 20 minutes or until they turn golden brown.

7. Let the biscuits cool before decoration!

For decorating

1. Melt the white chocolate in a microwave/hob until runny. Don't overcook the chocolate!!

2. Add the food colouring of choice until it is the colour you desire.

3.  Lightly wave the spoon of chocolate over the shortbread to get the splattered effect.

4. Add the hundreds and thousands. Of course you can decorate them however you like, especially if you are going with the fairy like theme. You could add edible shimmer, glitter, edible petals, cut them out in flower shapes etc! The shortbread is your oyster!!

ENJOY!! 

Soph x

P.S Please do let me know if you recreate the shortbread, I'd love to see!

"You Shall Go To The Ball!"

Greetings friendlings! 

I thought I would share with you my thoughts on a recent film that I went to see; a modern interpretation of Disney's classic tale Cinderella. For those of you who don't know the story behind Cinderella (Where have you been?!), it tells the magical story of a young girl who loses her parents and consequently is brought up by her evil step mother and two ugly step sisters. They treat her as a servant, forcing her to cook and clean up after them. She is even banished to the attic room after the step sisters complain their room isn't big enough. Harsh right?

Cinderella or 'Ella' was told by her mother one piece of advice which would evolve her into the kind and gentle being we see her as in the film; " I want to tell you a secret that will see you through all the trials that life can offer. Have courage and be kind". So despite her evil in-laws, she keeps this in mind and powers through these 'trials' in her household. She encounters the Prince of the land, (who conveniently is looking for a wife) and when he invites the whole kingdom to the ball poor Ella is trapped in her home and forbidden to go by her evil step mother. EVEN harsher!! 

Helena Bonham Carter plays the Fairy God Mother, who appears to come to Ella's rescue in the back garden. She brings an excitable wit and charm to the role, and is beautifully encompassed in a sparkly gown designed by the film's costume designer Sandy Powell. The costumes look absolutely incredible, my favourite being Ella's blue ball gown and glass slippers. Downtown Abbey's actress Lily James conveys the pure innocence and kind nature to Ella's character, bringing forward the classic damsel elements from Walt Disney's 1950's version. I would recommend to any Disney fan, although there are some scenes I feel children could find slightly distressing. (Passing of her parents/ The animals morphing into coachmen but still looking part lizard...quite creepy!) 

(Photo credit tumblr,inc)

Lastly a quote which proves so true, I wish everyone would abide by this day to day. 

"Where there is kindness, there is goodness. And where there is goodness, there is magic."

So please remember to be kind, be good, and most importantly stay magical. 

Soph x

I am returning...

Hi everyone.. Ive had some personal family problems recently so I've abandoned my blog. I have written a MAHOOSIVE blog post about this and will be back in action from next week. I have plenty of posts on their way to being published so I look forward to returning with full energy and smiling vibes and can't thank you enough for your patience.

See you soon...

All my love Sophie xox

P.s Here is a picture I took the other day. Gorgeous right?!

Something To Make You Think.

Have you ever felt like things can get just too much sometimes? You get one of those days where you walk into things, forget things, a bird decides to poo all over you, you step in something you didn't think existed in this world or someone says something that gets you down? Almost like you are forever doing the wrong things....

Or are you having one of those MONTHS? A huge mammoth of bad luck has made its way into your life and you just want to curl up in a ball and stay there for all eternity?

We have all been there. All got to the point where life throws you things and you just aren't ready and its hard to cope with isn't it? Well here are a few motivations points that I found online a while ago with my own commentary ( I especially thought them relevant considering exam results are coming up) which will make you think and re-evaluate your glum thoughts.

1. At least five people in this world love you so much they would die for you. 

Think about it.... Even if its a few members of your family, those people respect you and your presence so much they would put their own self at risk if it meant you were okay. Their life for yours... because you make that much of an impact on someone. And that's a whole handful of people my dear!


2.  At least 15 people in the world love you in some way. 

That's right! AT LEAST FIFTEEN. There isn't even a limit on that! It could be a love for your eyes, the way you laugh, they could love the way you dress or the way you do your hair. No matter how, there is an element of love for you because of the way you are. Something you chose to do be it from the way you put your outfit together to the way you write your name, those people love you for the things you do. And love is a powerful thing.


3. If you haven't done anything to someone who dislikes you, its because they want to be like you. 

There is always a motivation behind someones actions. Sure, we've all been jealous of people right? But sadly, there are people out there who hold that against you. They don't hate you purely because of your presence. That wouldn't make sense, because they know NOTHING about your fabulous self. Its most probably because of your beauty, your outshining personality or it could be something as stupid as a nice clip you have in your hair. Don't take it personally...They like something about you and are afraid to admit that to themselves. Their problem, not yours. Keep your head held high and you prove to those people why you are so great.


4. Your smile can bring happiness to even a stranger. 

If you went out today, and smiled at someone unintentionally you most probably just made them think of you all day. They could have been having the worst day possible and YOU my friend just gave them a reason to turn their frown upside down. That's how powerful you and your happiness is. Just a smile can give someone the reason to keep on going, to motivate someone who doesn't even know you something to live for. Or on the down scale, it could quite simply just put a smile on their face for what could have been a long time or a short time. But what does that matter? You still had that positive effect on someone and still can.


5. You mean the world to someone. 

There is someone close to you, you may or may not know it, that would move heaven and earth for you. You have such a positive impact on their life, you are their everything and give them a reason to keep on going every single day and night. You are the light in their dark, the clearness in their fog and it is just because you are being you. A dear friend once explained to me I meant the world to them, because I was their "Safety". They explained that I looked past their imperfections, (in my eyes, they are purely unusual perfections), and they knew that no matter what I would always make them feel safe because they could one hundred percent be themselves to the core. We all have a friend who laughs at the wrong things, who cancels plans last minute, who forgets important events or who can't help but talk about themselves (These are just examples!!). But they wouldn't be them if they didn't have these qualities about them, and if you look past that without even realising you do, and you are still friends with people who have similar qualities... you are assuring them that no matter what you will be there without having to tell them directly. You are the centre of their world because you understand. And there is SUCH a beauty in that.

“The most beautiful people we have known are those who have known defeat, known suffering, known struggle, known loss, and have found their way out of the depths. These persons have an appreciation, a sensitivity, and an understanding of life that fills them with compassion, gentleness, and a deep loving concern. Beautiful people do not just happen.” 

[Smiling Snow White Sophie & A Dear Friend]

6. If it wasn't for you, someone may not be living. 

This may seem a little drastic, but if thought well it is most probably very true. Has someone ever asked you to randomly cheer them up? Or has a friend randomly hugged you and said "I needed that"? A smile can hide even the darkest of minds. Just because someone has a hard exterior, constantly laughing and smiling and looking as happy as can be does not mean that on the interior, they are not breaking. If you take a time to step back and think of all the times you gave someone a hug back randomly, invited someone over when they were feeling low or bought someone a little gift just because you thought of them when you saw it. Well, truth be known you saved their life. Something as small as a hug, or just a shoulder to cry on or an ear to listen is enough to keep someone going through a difficult time. If they didn't have you, they may not have got through the dark days without extreme difficulty. Right at this second, someone is thinking of you and smiling at memories you have together, or wondering how you are. You are distracting them from something troubling them, and that is so commendable because ultimately, you are saving them. You are keeping them alive. (Or literally you could have saved someones life in your job if you're a doctor or a nurse etc. And if you are one of those people and you have saved someones life literally? Good on you my friend, good on you.)


7. When you tell someone how you feel, you'll feel much better about things. 

Don't keep things to yourself. I can't emphasise enough how untidy your mind can get if you capture all your thoughts and bottle them up tightly, suffocating yourself from any freedom. Talk to someone. Even if its to your pet or your teddy just let it out. Ranting about your thoughts especially to your friends are the BEST way to offload any negative emotions. Or even by writing it down, or expressing your thoughts in song writing or poetry it all really helps to let off some steam and gives you some empty space in that mind of yours for positivity!


8. When you think the world has turned its back on you, take a good look: you most likely turned your back on the world. 

Just because things aren't going how they should, don't give up on the world. At the end of the day, everything happens for a reason and there isn't much that can be done about that. Dwelling on it, and hiding yourself away isn't a way to resolve things. The world is your oyster, and reoccurring bad events shouldn't give you a reason to turn your back on it because it won't determine your future or who you are as a person. There is a whole world out there waiting for someone like you to shine bright, don't hold yourself back from that.

[Drawing smiles on everything since '96.]

9. From every mistake you make, something good comes of it. 

Most of the time, its that you will learn from it in the future. Just because you've done something you shouldn't have, or made the wrong decision on something doesn't mean that you're going to continue to do so. Even if you make the same mistake hundreds of times something good coming from that is you are gaining experience. Everything in life is a learning curve, mostly rooting from mistakes. So don't give up just because of one wrong turn. Your path is still ahead of you, you just hit a bump in the road, that's all.


10. Someone you don't know exists, is going to love you.  

That is certainly right. Someone out there, walking this earth right now doesn't know you are here. But one day your paths will cross and they will love you unconditionally. Even if you are in a long term relationship or married right now..There is still someone who you are going to meet that will love you (referring back to number 2). They will love you in some way, and you can't give up now when that person is oblivious to your existence. I mean come on petal, you can't give them a life without your wonderful self can you?!


I hope I've given you a reason to think, and smile. I know times are hard, but there is always a light at the end of the tunnel..walk through the darkness with your internal torch. It's in there somewhere, you just have to find it. And you aren't alone.


Soph x

Never let anyone take your sparkle away.