Hello Everyone,

I am feeling in a very happy and motivated mood today. So I though why not do a blog post. I have seen lately a lot of people doing things they have learned before turning a certain age and I thought as my 21st birthday is just around the corner, why not reminisce on all the knowledge that I have come across in my 20 years of living! So here I go..

1. Happiness is everything! And when I mean everything I am not exaggerating.  You could have everything you have ever wanted in the world but if you are not truly happy, then I am sorry but all you have means nothing. This also takes me to the next one..



2. Happiness is a choice!. You wake up in the morning with every possibility and more than a million choices, so take the happy choice! People might read this and think "It is not that easy", but it really is. Okay, I am naturally a happy person, so maybe for me it is easier. But even I have my days where nothing is going right and I just want to stay in bed all day. But then you just have to think, do I want to feel like this? No. then change something, put on a song you really like, make a list of things for you to be grateful about, go for a walk, just do something to change your mood.


3. Everything happens for a reason! Is the quote I live by. I have had so many moments that I am thinking to myself "WHY IS THIS HAPPENING TO ME" and then days, weeks, months or even years go by and I look back and I am shocked by how things are connected. Something that might seem so bad really is only happening for something to connect with something else and BAM! you are where you are now.


4. Not Everyone Will Like You! Okay, honestly I am still working on this one. But it's true not everyone is going to be your best friend and love you till the day you die. But that does NOT decrease your value! As the quote says "You could be the ripest, juiciest peach in the world, but there will always be someone who hates peaches" But don't worry, there will be so many people that will love you!


5. Always Be Nice! This is another big choice in life. My number one pet peeve is rudeness. I just think there is no excuse not to be nice. You don't know what the other person is going through or has been through. Plus you make more friends being nice. Big thing I have to point out here is not to mistake niceness for being naive and a push over. There is a big difference!


6. There Is Always A Positive Side! Or better there is always a way to make it positive. I think we go through certain situations in life that its hard to find the positive side. But believe me there is always something positive and I assure you when you find it hold on to it, as it will be one of the main reasons you will get whatever you are going through.


7. Laughter Is The Best Medicine. I doubt this has to be explained. And being able to laugh at yourself is even better, there are to many serious people in the world. Be silly and laugh till your stomach hurts.


8. Talk To People! Nowadays everyone is so busy with technology they forget the most important thing that connects people. Yes you can have a conversation with someone over whatsapp but it will never be as good as a real life conversation. And talk to strangers! The last time I was on a plane I started a conversation with the lady sitting next to me and 2 hours and a half later we where still talking and chatting away and we became friends. I could have easily sat beside her with my earphones on playing silly games on my phone and have never learned about her life and her thoughts about things. So next time you are on the bus, plane, train or tube don't be shy and start a conversation, it will shock you how much happier you will feel.


9. You Are Never Too Old! My grandad is 80 years old and he is the most lively, energetic and funny person I know. Last Sant Patricks day he was up dancing and taken shots! Now that is what I want to be doing at 80! I know with age there are restrictions, either responsibility or maybe health issues that stop you from just being a kid again. But you only have one life, why not dancing, sing, paint and forget for a few minutes that you are a kid again! And whoever said you are too old for disney has never been!!


10. Make A Positive Effort. Make an effort with family, friends, clothes, work, your words, your thoughts, your actions. Because when you start making a positive effort with all of the above, you will get so much back from it. And that will lead you to feeling full of happiness.


11.  Live Your Life. If you want to travel, go travel. If you want to dance, go dance. If you want to start a band, do it! This is YOUR LIFE do whatever you want to do and never stop. Don't be told by other people what you should and shouldn't be doing. Nowadays anything is possible! And if it isn't possible? Maybe you should be the one to make it possible!


12. The most important one of all JUST BE SIMPLY YOU. The minute you completely be yourself and accept yourself is the minute your life actually starts. If I could say anything to my younger self it would be "Be Yourself" as normal, weird or extravagant as you are, just be you! You will find so many people that will love you for just being you. And when you do find those sort of people keep them in your life forever.



So there you have it, my 12 things I have learned before turning 21. If you look back on them you will see a theme of happiness but to me those things are the most important. I chose to be happy no matter what and to look on the positive side. And by doing that I don't just enjoy life more but I get more out of life. I hope this has inspired or helped anyone that wanted a bit of motivation or maybe juts fancied a read of something a little happier.

Lots of love
Simply Ashley xxxxx