Lifestyle | 18 things I learnt whilst I was 18

In eight days I will be turning 19, ahhh! I can't quite believe it, it only feels as though I was starting high school last week - time certainly does fly. In this post I will be talking you through 18 things I have learnt whilst I have been 18. In this past year a lot has happened and I have learnt a hell of a lot and I thought I should share these things with you.

1. Life is way too short

In this past year I had some health complications/scares, luckily I am absolutely fine now. But during the time when I was having tests and procedures, I was petrified that there could be something seriously wrong with me and it scared the absolute shit out of me. Since then, I have tried to take as many chances as possible and live life to the absolute fullest, because life is way too short and we are so blessed to be here now, living and breathing. 

2. Don't hold grudges

In my time I have fallen out with a handful of people for various reasons but something dawned on me a few weeks ago and I just bit the bullet and decided not to hold grudges any longer. I have always been a big believer in 'Why can't everybody just get on?' so when the opportunity arose for me to make up with some people I grabbed it by both hands. I hate being on bad terms with good people and I hate feeling like there's an elephant in the room. I hate arguing and I hate negativity with a passion. I wish the entire world could just get on, be happy and positive. 

3. See the beauty in everything

I am trying super hard to see the beauty in absolutely everything and anything. You see that tree outside of your bedroom window? Well, it's beautiful isn't it!? That field you drove past last week? Beautiful! That area of town you hate? Well, there's a pretty flowerbed over there and the blue sky with the sun that's shining, so yeah, everything is kinda beautiful. 

4. Friends come and go

Friends come and go. I don't mean falling out with old friends and making new ones; I simply mean they come in and out of our lives. I have friends across the entire country and some in other countries too. I have moved area around 5 or 6 times, which means I know A LOT of people. There's friends that I still class as my closest friends even though they live 200/300 miles away and I haven't seen them in 9 years but we speak every now and again and no doubt we'll see each other again soon. Friends come and they go, but if you both put in the effort, they'll stay close to your heart and you'll meet again soon.

5. Education is important

I can remember when I was buying uniform for a new school I was starting when I was around 11 years old and my nan was talking about University. She would always speak about how she would love for me to go to University and how she really wanted me to. At this point in my life, I was barely had any friends, I was bullied on and off and I could think of nothing worse than staying in education until I was in my mid-twenties. Looking back at this conversation and my stubbornness not to go to University, I can happily say I was totally wrong. I could now think of nothing more exciting and fulfilling than going to University next September and I am so, so, SO excited!! Education is such an important privilege that should in fact be a right, all across the world. Some kids, teens and even adults don't get the opportunity to get any form of education, so I feel super blessed and as though I should grab the prospect of Uni by both hands and hopefully get accepted for September 2017!

6. Do what you love

Do what you love and love what you do. This is possibly the most important thing I have learnt in the past year. I am definitely doing what I love and therefore loving what I am doing. I'm on a college course I adore and I blog and write in my free time as a hobby which I also love. Writing is definitely my biggest passion; writing about fashion, reviewing products I buy, writing advice articles and posts like this too. If you're not doing what you love, what's the point in anything?

7. Don't worry about what other people think

A few years ago when I was in middle/high school, barely had any friends and was bullied, I cared so much about how people perceived me. I wanted to be liked so much that I would change how I looked, stopped doing things I love and was embarrassed with things I loved. I wanted to fit in so much that I completely lost myself, but around the time that I turned 16, I completely found myself and since around that time I don't care what people think; I wear what I want, do what I want, like what I want and I am now completely myself and comfortable with being me!

8. Nothing is permanent 

Everything is temporary. Last year myself and my mum were technically made homeless. We was renting the most gorgeous apartment, situated on the East Sussex seafront and we were loving and living life to the max, until our landlord decided to sell up. We were devastated and then we realised that nothing is permanent. Don't take things for granted, in life we aren't promised or guaranteed anything. 

9. Get a cat (or any pet)

Last year I got my little kitty, Carnaby (click on the tab above 'Carnaby the Cat' to see him!). Since getting him in October 2015, I have been so happy. He is such a blessing. Although he pounces on me sometimes and occasionally bites me, he is the bestest, most gorgeous baby ever, ever! I totally recommend getting a cat (or any other kind of pet!).

10. Take interest in other things

In the UK we are allowed to vote in elections and referendums at the age of 18, so when I turned 18 I decided to take more interest in current affairs and politics - especially as we had the EU referendum this year. I am now totally in love with politics and I love to watch Question Time, Sunday Politics and loads of debates too. I used to think politics was boring but I actually love it.

11. Be more patriotic

In the UK we have a Royal Family, something I wasn't too fussed on a few years ago. But this year so much has been going on with the Royal Family - The Queen's Diamond Jubilee as well as the birthday's of Prince George and Princess Charlotte. I love the Royals and truly believe we, as a country are super lucky!

12. Give Blood

I really want to give blood, as it is such an important thing. I want to help save lives and improve other peoples' lives but sadly after signing up as a blood donor and then speaking to my GP, she said I was too anaemic. I knew I was anaemic but I had hoped that after my Iron Infusion earlier on this year, I might have been okay to give blood. I was devastated when I found out that I couldn't but I am definitely urging all of you to consider giving blood. It is so important and by giving blood you can save lives, improve lives and bring comfort to people's lives. Hopefully one day my health will allow me to, but as I can't - please consider it!

13. Alcohol and clubbing aren't important

I'm unlike other girls my age. When I turned 18 I didn't rush out to a club to get off my face and end up face down in my own sick (okay, that was a bit of a stereotype but I am exaggerating a bit - okay?) I am almost 19 and I haven't been clubbing once. The most I've done at the age of 18 is have ONE glass of Bacardi and coke and play a game of Bingo for my Great Nanny's 100th birthday in June. If you're like me and aren't into getting drunk and going dancing in a dark room (AKA a boring crazy cat lady) then don't feel pressured into it - please? Come and join me in my alcohol free, crazy cat lady, book worm, writing obsessed world.

14.  Google... EVERYTHING

I must use google 100000000 times per day. I LOVE to google weird and wacky things, things I have never learnt before. 'How does American politics work?' things like that. I can't think off of the top of my head but when something comes to me that I have no clue about, I'll google it. I want to be rich in knowledge - knowledge is power!

15. Record your memories

Record your memories in the form of a scrapbook or photo album or artsy planner or bullet journal OR even your blog!! Record your memories because someday they could be all you have left. Keeping your memories in one place is such a lovely thing. I record all of my memories and special moments in my scrapbook and I love it!

16. Watch loads of boxsets

Me and my mum have always loved watching films and boxsets but for the pst year we have been overly obsessed with Bates Motel. I highly recommend it. I think engrossing yourself in a fictional world is a great thing. It's a great form of escapism and a fabulous way to escape daily life and of course, stress!

17. Read loads of books

Similar to point 16, engross yourself in a fictional world. I love Twilight, it's my favourite book series ever and whenever I read it (or any other book) I am transported to a different land!

18. Trust no one

A very grim last point, I know. But it's true. Fully trust nobody (except for your mother). Everyone is in it for themselves and most people will push others down to get where they want to be in life. You are your number one priority and you need to look after yourself, love yourself and look out for yourself.

So yeah, that was my (very long list) of things I learnt whilst I was 18. Imagine if I do one of these every year? They'll be longer and longer.. imagine the list when I'm 30? 40? 56? 62? - they will take forever to think up and type out. But the 18 things above are things that I have learnt in the last year and things I definitely believe in. I hope you enjoyed reading this - I really do!!

Comment below something you've learnt in the past year! I'd love to know!