1) Your Parents never stop worrying about you, no matter how old you are
I had an idea in my head that once I moved out and had my own house and was living my own life that my parents would stop worrying about me, but oh boy was I wrong. I am into my second year of living on my own and still I get messages from my mum asking if I have remembered to go food shopping or if I am sure that I want to attend a job interview in London rather than in the town I am currently living it. I've experienced it with myself and I have seen it with my older siblings, our parents still like to check up on us to see how everything is going, and to be honest, it is nice to know that they still care!
2) I suit having shoulder length hair
My hair was my identity when I was younger, I was known for having very long, very straight hair. All that changed one day when it snapped off after being in a pretty intense style for a show that I did. This lead me to cutting it all off, and I was left with shoulder length hair which I absolutely loved. I have kept my hair this way ever since (until now, I am currently growing it out to donate it). I have learned that this is the way that I like my hair now.
3) Musicals are my life
Musicals were not something that I always liked. Believe it or not, one of my earliest memories was of me watching Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs and skipping past all the parts where they sang. Then one day, my mum bought a DVD - The Phantom of the Opera - and my life has never been the same. From that moment onward, I knew that I wanted to be involved in musicals some how, and here I am today - studying a degree in Musical Theatre! I have had so much fun with my journey with musicals so far, and I cannot wait to see what the future holds for me!
4) You can create your own work
People have been very quick to tell me that being an actress will get me no where in life and that I will never be able to stay employed. While this is true to some extent, people seem to fail to realise that in the entertainment industry you can create your own work. It is in no way an easy route to follow, but it is an alternative to the traditional way of getting into the entertainment industry. I am very interested in writing and directing my own shows in the future, but for now, I am going to focus on completing my degree!
5) Look after your mental health like you would your physical health
This is something I have never really understood till recent years, but it is so important to look after your mental health. I recently experienced a mental burnout like I have never had before because i didn't take my mental health seriously, I now know what to do if I ever feel like that again.
6) You never know what life is going to throw at you
Things happen at the strangest of times. I never expected to be employed by the Walt Disney Company. There was also a time where I never thought I would see my 18th Birthday. Life is weird and strange things happen, sometimes nothing happens, sometimes everything happens at once. There is no way of knowing what is going to happen, but that is totally fine.
7) Not everyone is going to like you
This is something I think people really struggle with understanding, but it is a fact of life. Naturally you are not going to get along with everyone; it may not be a bad thing. You just might not be the type of person that that particular person gets along with. That doesn't necessarily mean that they hate you! So much of my teenage years were spent trying to please everyone, life has been so much less stressful when I came to terms with this and stopped trying to please everyone and was comfortable being the person I am!
People have been very quick to tell me that being an actress will get me no where in life and that I will never be able to stay employed. While this is true to some extent, people seem to fail to realise that in the entertainment industry you can create your own work. It is in no way an easy route to follow, but it is an alternative to the traditional way of getting into the entertainment industry. I am very interested in writing and directing my own shows in the future, but for now, I am going to focus on completing my degree!
This is something I have never really understood till recent years, but it is so important to look after your mental health. I recently experienced a mental burnout like I have never had before because i didn't take my mental health seriously, I now know what to do if I ever feel like that again.
Things happen at the strangest of times. I never expected to be employed by the Walt Disney Company. There was also a time where I never thought I would see my 18th Birthday. Life is weird and strange things happen, sometimes nothing happens, sometimes everything happens at once. There is no way of knowing what is going to happen, but that is totally fine.
This is something I think people really struggle with understanding, but it is a fact of life. Naturally you are not going to get along with everyone; it may not be a bad thing. You just might not be the type of person that that particular person gets along with. That doesn't necessarily mean that they hate you! So much of my teenage years were spent trying to please everyone, life has been so much less stressful when I came to terms with this and stopped trying to please everyone and was comfortable being the person I am!
8) Friendships are most important in qualities and not quantities
A constant worry of mine when I was younger was "I don't have enough friends, what am I doing wrong". I had two of the best friends I could ask for getting through secondary school - people I still speak to now - and I was worried that I only had two friends. I feel like this is a common thing in some people, especially teenagers, but I have begun to truly appreciated that those two good friends that I still talk to in my adult life mean so much more to me than potentially joining a group of 17 friends and not speaking to any of them now. Focus on the people who really matter in your life and don't waste your time with people who do not make an effort with you.
9) Voting is important
A thing that I am super passionate about - voting. There is nothing more annoying to me than hearing somebody say that they couldn't be bothered voting. I don't care who you vote for or your reasons for voting for them, please just express your opinion. So many people in the past have died to give you the privilege to vote for today - it really annoys me when it is women saying they couldn't vote since women died to get the vote only 100 years ago. Sure, 100 years is a long time, but when you consider how long the world has been here for, it isn't actually that long! It's scary to consider that we have only had the vote for 100 years. You have the opportunity to express your opinion, don't waste it!
10) Nobody has their sh*t together
This one took me way too long to actually realise, but nobody truly has their sh*t together. Life is so unpredictable that it is almost impossible to be. I always wondered how my mum seemed to know the exact time and temperature to cook chicken nuggets in the oven when I learned to realise in my adult life that its all about setting the oven to 180 degrees, leaving it in for 20 minuets and hoping for the best. This can be applied to more complex situations but that was the easiest example I could think of. I had absolutely no clue where I was going for my job interviews in London, but it surprised me that people moved out of the way for me to get past when I acted like I knew exactly where I wanted to be, whereas when I was looking at my map and double checking everything people seemed to stop around me or try to push me to the side. Fake it till you make it, that's all I have to say!
11) Having a double bed is life changing
This is probably one of the most first world things on this list, some people are jut lucky to have a bed after all. But I have become a huge fan of having a double bed. Starfishing is my favourite sleeping position now, it is so weird to go home and go back to my single bed. Any future partners take note - get your own bed!
12) Priorities - there is not enough time to read / watch / listen to everything
I am so guilty of buying more books when I have 50 untouched books at home that have not been read. But in my defense, you may buy the book at the time and then when you actually want to read something you may loose interest in what that book is about! Maybe its just me. What is said is true though, you will never have enough time to do everything, so don't feel bad about missing stuff out!
13) It is hard to maintain a career in any field, so you might as well as attempt to do what you want
People cringe when I tell them I am looking to start a career in the arts industry, and I have been told since the age of 13 that it is a hard field to get into. My argument is the same now as it was back then, getting a job in any field is hard so I may as well try and get a job that I actually want. That being said, I am not naive about what being an actress will be like - I know that the odds are pretty against me when it comes to blockbuster movies and Broadway shows, but as long as I am doing something I love I will be happy. I also understand that people within the arts industry have more than one job - this is something I am also prepared for as I have always had at least two jobs at a time since I was 18 years old. You do what makes you happy and don't let what other people say change your mind.
14) Nobody is completely happy with how they look
This one hit me hard when I realised it, but my life changed for the better when I noticed it. Nobody is 100% happy with how they look and everyone has insecurities. Everyone is in the same boat, so it is best to try and be happy with what you have got, and remember, what you hate about yourself may be somebody's favourite part about you!
15) You can choose where your home is
Not everybody is happy with the family that they are given in life, and people sometimes get caught up in the fact that they can't choose who their family is. Although you can't change blood family, you can decide where your home is and who you want to include in your own family. I am lucky that I love my family and they love me, but if you are not so lucky, take comfort in the fact that you can decide who you want and don't want in your life.
16) It is impossible to pick a favourite Disney Movie
A question I dread being asked - what is your favourite Disney Movie? There are so many different categories that I find it a very difficult question to answer - princess, pixar, classic, cgi, live action? What answer are you looking for specifically?
17) Makeup is an art form
Many people ask me why I wear makeup every day and if I wear it to impress a boy that I like. They always miss a key thing - I'm not straight! Oh, and also I don't wear makeup to please other people, its more of a way to express myself. I have so much fun messing around with eye shadows and matching my lipstick to my outfit for that day! It takes skill to be able to do makeup well - hats off to anyone who has mastered the art of eye makeup!
18) Live a little for the moment
It is always nice to have some plans and ideas for what you want to do in the future, but sometimes it is nice to take a step back and appreciate what you are doing in that moment. There was once a past version of yourself who desired to be where you are right now, so appreciate that you have reached that goal while you can before focusing on the future. I am not saying carelessly go out drinking because you might die tomorrow, but just admire where you are now. On the flip side...
19) Nothing Lasts Forever
Nothing lasts forever. All good things must come to an end. The same with difficult situations. You won't always be stuck with a group of bad friends, you failed one test but that doesn't mean you can't ace the next test ect. If you are in a bad situation, focus on the good in your life and try to make changes wherever you can. There is a light at the end of the tunnel.
20) What is important to you now won't always be important to you
Sounds harsh but it is true. As a teenager I really cared about straightening my hair, now I don't really care for it so much. When I first started to perform in musicals I used to be desperate to get the main part, now I focus on what parts I believe I would play well - lead or not. While you might be getting upset about something now, in a few weeks or years even you'll laugh about why you let yourself get so upset about it.
And finally.....
21) Glee is a really problematic TV show
There. I said it....finally....
Thank you so much for reading this weeks post and let me know what you would like to see in the next one!
A constant worry of mine when I was younger was "I don't have enough friends, what am I doing wrong". I had two of the best friends I could ask for getting through secondary school - people I still speak to now - and I was worried that I only had two friends. I feel like this is a common thing in some people, especially teenagers, but I have begun to truly appreciated that those two good friends that I still talk to in my adult life mean so much more to me than potentially joining a group of 17 friends and not speaking to any of them now. Focus on the people who really matter in your life and don't waste your time with people who do not make an effort with you.
A thing that I am super passionate about - voting. There is nothing more annoying to me than hearing somebody say that they couldn't be bothered voting. I don't care who you vote for or your reasons for voting for them, please just express your opinion. So many people in the past have died to give you the privilege to vote for today - it really annoys me when it is women saying they couldn't vote since women died to get the vote only 100 years ago. Sure, 100 years is a long time, but when you consider how long the world has been here for, it isn't actually that long! It's scary to consider that we have only had the vote for 100 years. You have the opportunity to express your opinion, don't waste it!
This one took me way too long to actually realise, but nobody truly has their sh*t together. Life is so unpredictable that it is almost impossible to be. I always wondered how my mum seemed to know the exact time and temperature to cook chicken nuggets in the oven when I learned to realise in my adult life that its all about setting the oven to 180 degrees, leaving it in for 20 minuets and hoping for the best. This can be applied to more complex situations but that was the easiest example I could think of. I had absolutely no clue where I was going for my job interviews in London, but it surprised me that people moved out of the way for me to get past when I acted like I knew exactly where I wanted to be, whereas when I was looking at my map and double checking everything people seemed to stop around me or try to push me to the side. Fake it till you make it, that's all I have to say!
This is probably one of the most first world things on this list, some people are jut lucky to have a bed after all. But I have become a huge fan of having a double bed. Starfishing is my favourite sleeping position now, it is so weird to go home and go back to my single bed. Any future partners take note - get your own bed!
I am so guilty of buying more books when I have 50 untouched books at home that have not been read. But in my defense, you may buy the book at the time and then when you actually want to read something you may loose interest in what that book is about! Maybe its just me. What is said is true though, you will never have enough time to do everything, so don't feel bad about missing stuff out!
People cringe when I tell them I am looking to start a career in the arts industry, and I have been told since the age of 13 that it is a hard field to get into. My argument is the same now as it was back then, getting a job in any field is hard so I may as well try and get a job that I actually want. That being said, I am not naive about what being an actress will be like - I know that the odds are pretty against me when it comes to blockbuster movies and Broadway shows, but as long as I am doing something I love I will be happy. I also understand that people within the arts industry have more than one job - this is something I am also prepared for as I have always had at least two jobs at a time since I was 18 years old. You do what makes you happy and don't let what other people say change your mind.
This one hit me hard when I realised it, but my life changed for the better when I noticed it. Nobody is 100% happy with how they look and everyone has insecurities. Everyone is in the same boat, so it is best to try and be happy with what you have got, and remember, what you hate about yourself may be somebody's favourite part about you!
Not everybody is happy with the family that they are given in life, and people sometimes get caught up in the fact that they can't choose who their family is. Although you can't change blood family, you can decide where your home is and who you want to include in your own family. I am lucky that I love my family and they love me, but if you are not so lucky, take comfort in the fact that you can decide who you want and don't want in your life.
A question I dread being asked - what is your favourite Disney Movie? There are so many different categories that I find it a very difficult question to answer - princess, pixar, classic, cgi, live action? What answer are you looking for specifically?
Many people ask me why I wear makeup every day and if I wear it to impress a boy that I like. They always miss a key thing - I'm not straight! Oh, and also I don't wear makeup to please other people, its more of a way to express myself. I have so much fun messing around with eye shadows and matching my lipstick to my outfit for that day! It takes skill to be able to do makeup well - hats off to anyone who has mastered the art of eye makeup!
It is always nice to have some plans and ideas for what you want to do in the future, but sometimes it is nice to take a step back and appreciate what you are doing in that moment. There was once a past version of yourself who desired to be where you are right now, so appreciate that you have reached that goal while you can before focusing on the future. I am not saying carelessly go out drinking because you might die tomorrow, but just admire where you are now. On the flip side...
Nothing lasts forever. All good things must come to an end. The same with difficult situations. You won't always be stuck with a group of bad friends, you failed one test but that doesn't mean you can't ace the next test ect. If you are in a bad situation, focus on the good in your life and try to make changes wherever you can. There is a light at the end of the tunnel.
20) What is important to you now won't always be important to you
Sounds harsh but it is true. As a teenager I really cared about straightening my hair, now I don't really care for it so much. When I first started to perform in musicals I used to be desperate to get the main part, now I focus on what parts I believe I would play well - lead or not. While you might be getting upset about something now, in a few weeks or years even you'll laugh about why you let yourself get so upset about it.
And finally.....
21) Glee is a really problematic TV show
There. I said it....finally....
Thank you so much for reading this weeks post and let me know what you would like to see in the next one!
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