Thursday 1 December 2016

Thoughts On Turning 18...

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OMG OMG OMG OMG!!!!!! 

Is this a joke? I'm an adult. I'm a freakin adult. Okay, I know I need to calm down. I'm hardly an adult, now am I? I mean, for sure I'm 18, but I still live at home, I don't have a full-time job, I'm still stuck in the mercy of education, and I don't do many adult things like pay bills, or do the food shopping. I know, I'm missing out on exciting stuff!

I know a lot of people read my blog, who are adults, like proper adults. Adults who are married, have proper jobs, who have a mortgage and some even have kids. Yeah, I'm a long way of achieving any of milestones yet. But something I have always wondered is why we define adulthood has having achieved these things. What if you never achieve these things? Or if you have no intention of achieving these so called important milestones. 

Obviously, I'm just starting out on my long journey to adulthood, but even by just turning 18, I have now a greater choice and freedom in the decisions I can make. I can now drink legally, buy 18 movies, get married without my parent's permission, etc. That's the thing about turning 18; it is such a celebrated milestone because, there is so much freedom and individuality in your choices, that you can make once you reach this age.


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Honestly, I'm scared about being an adult. I'm no longer a child, and now I have more responsibilities, which will only ever increase as I age. I now have to mature and can't expect my parents to do everything for me. However, saying that I have always said that I'm wise before my years. I've always been very independent and mature. I've never needed anyone to be there constantly motivating me. Even my teachers think I act like a 21-year-old.

I also think I have quite a mature understanding of the world through my personal experiences. I think I have quite a sophisticated view on different topics that not everyone my age would understand or of had experience with. I'm not trying to blow my own trumpet here or anything; that's just what I think. 

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I guess, 18 years is a long time to be around. I would work out how many days that is but to be completely honest; I really can't be bothered. Which is literally the story of my life. I guess, I have achieved a lot in my 18 years of existing. Firstly, I've managed to survive. Which, ya know I think is quite a big achievement. I didn't run away or do anything stupid as a kid and get myself killed. Academically, you could say that I have done pretty well. I've survived the first part of the terrible education system and came out the other end with pretty could grades.

But, life isn't all about grades. I've been through a lot throughout my early childhood. I know everyone does, obviously. One of the main struggles and I had to overcome throughout the 18 years of my life, was ill health. My mums, my dads and most recently, my own. It's been a massive obstacle in my life, and it still is to this day. Through the countless doctor's appointments, heartbreaking diagnosis and emergency hospital appointments. We've never let it stop us seeing the light, in the darkest of times or laughing at the little things when all we want to do is cry.

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We've never let it stopping us achieve what we want to or carry on living an as normal life as possible. Above all, though it has taught me to treasure life and appreciate the little things because it could easily disappear very suddenly or could not have existed at all. I'm very fortunate for my life to have panned out like it did. It could have all been very different, and I would have been living an entirely different life than the one I have today. 

I think it's important to recognise not only the achievements in your early life but also recent achievements. In 2014, I chose to start a blog. My little piece of the internet where I share my little ramblings. Two and half years later, I have developed this platform, where I can quite confidently say I support, inspire and help many with their mental health issues. I'm so proud of myself for that. I've created this space, which has a purpose. A proper purpose. I've developed this interest in mental health and mental illness, in particular, spreading awareness and reducing the stigma that surrounds this incredibly important topic, which affects so many yet is not given the attention it deserves.

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Now, it comes the blurry and not so clear part of this post; my hopes for the future. I don't think anyone has a clue what they want to do with the rest of their life, especially when you have only just turned an adult. Let's be honest; most of us are just winging it. Well, I know I am. I've come up with a whole host of career possibilities, in my time. All of which, I've grown out of love with for one reason or another. Instead, I've decided just to concentrate on the present. Doing the best that I can at my A levels, working hard on my hobbies now and see where that takes me in the future. I bet you can guess that I'm a teacher's worst nightmare. 

Asides from unsuccessfully having a clue about what I want to do with the rest of my life. I do have some other hopes and dreams for the next 18 years of my life and hopefully many more years beyond that. Firstly, I want to make sure I'm raising awareness constantly. The only way that anything is ever dealt with is by making people aware that there is an issue, to begin with. Obviously, I'm talking mainly about mental illness here, but I don't just want to limit myself to mental illness. I'm happy to talk about all kinds of important topics.

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Additionally, I want to make sure that I'm helping people. I truly believe it's my best quality. I'm one of those people who's pretty good at supporting others and giving great advice but looking after myself, well that's a completely different ballgame. Whether my job involves helping people or I just carry on doing through my blog, I'm fine with that. As long as I'm making a difference to someone's life, somewhere.

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And finally, I want to see more of the world. Whether that be the UK itself or the world as a whole. I want to travel; I want to experience other people's cultures and see how different the norms and values that I have grown up with in England differ so dramatically from other countries. I have always wanted a passport full of stamps rather than a house full of possessions.

I guess that's it? 18, years eh? It's flown by! But I'm looking forward to the next 18 years for sure, whatever challenges they bring, I'm ready! 

Thanks for reading, as always X
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