Things I Learnt After Leaving School

Since completing my A-Levels I have learnt so much. Of course I learnt a lot during education but really, I have learnt a whole lot more post education,

School doesn't teach you 'real life'. School is a bubble which you get so caught up in, when you leave, you see the world differently, well in my experience anyway. Friends, lessons, teachers, grades, exams, homework, sports etc.. all whilst trying to grow up and figure out what you want to do. Everything at school felt like a massive deal and the be all and end all when in actual fact, nothing is the 'end of the world' (if that makes any sense).

I want to share with you a few of the things I have realised since leaving education and working.

1) Nobody cares

 This may sound harsh or mean but seriously, everyone is focused on their life and their own problems. Yes people will care about you and how you are, but we spend too much time worrying about how we look and how we are perceived when, really, everyone is caught up in their own business to even think about yours. At school I was so worried about others opinions, but just months after leaving school I am much more care free, knowing that people are busy doing their own thing.

2) Popularity doesn't matter 

Similar to the previous one but popularity is irrelevant. There is no such thing, we are all just people trying to get on with our lives. There is a 'hierarchy' in the work place or higher education but popularity as such is not an issue. Though in school I didn't strive to be 'popular' it is interesting how you realise that it really is just something for schools.

3) Grades don't define success 

It saddens me how much I let grades affect me at school. I worried about my grades so much and worked excessively hard for grades that I didn't actually 'need'. Yes, getting grades is an amazing achievement but once you leave school there are so many more factors which define your success. To be honest, I no longer strive to be the most successful or to do the 'best', I just want to be happy- which sounds cliche but it is true. Happiness over an A* any day!

4) Getting a job is hard

No matter what grades you have, getting a job is so hard. Whether that be in retail, media, finance, property etc.. it is a challenge and a half to find a job with a decent salary. I thought it would be easy, which was silly of me. You really have to work for the job you want, you have to compete with hundreds of others who also want that job and prove that you are the right one for the role. It is so difficult and grades will only take you so far. But once you find that job you want, and you get it, it is one of the best feelings ever!

5) There is so much more to life

I think this sounds so cringey but again it is so true. In school you are bubble wrapped, you are with the same people all day, all week, you know your routine, you have holidays etc.. I am not undermining school- it is hard, but once you leave school it is quite a shock. I have realised that there is so much more to life than this little bubble of school and routine. So many more people, places and opportunities. Leaving education has been one of the best things for me because I have met so many people already and have found new hobbies which I love.

This post was personal to me, of course we all have different experiences. I left school after A Levels and decided not to go to university and from that experience I have already learnt a lot and I am feeling excited for the future! 

What have you learnt after leaving school? Was your experience different to mine?

Ellie x

My 5 Tips On Getting a Dog

Teddy (my Bichon Frise) is my dog and I could not love him more. He is apart of the family and means so much to us, he is now 2 1/2! Though I am defiantly not a dog expert, I want to share with you some tips on getting a dog- basically lessons I have learnt from! Obviously there are hundreds of more tips, but these are just 5 of my personal top tips I would share with a friend, therefore I am going to share with you!

Just been groomed, look at the smile!!!

1) Be prepared for your life to change

This may sound obvious or ridiculous to you. But honestly, your life will completely change: your routine, the things you do, even your friendships (dog walking friends are a thing). 

Want to book that holiday? Who is going to look after the dog?

Going to work- Have you walked the dog? feed the dog? Who is going to take care of the dog whilst your at work?

Obviously that is just two small examples but, genuinely, the majority of what you do will require the consideration of your dog. It is like another family member.

2) Research

We actually did not research very much about our dog breed before getting Teddy when realistically, we definitely should have and that could have been a huge mistake. Luckily, Teddy's breed (Bichon Frise), it very friendly and suited to our family, however you should definitely research this because different breeds do have different traits and suit different families. Did you know a Husky needs over 2 hours exercise a day? (minimum). Whilst a pug requires around 40 minutes? Obviously this is just roughly and I do not know exactly the amount those breeds require but my general point is, make sure the breed is going to work well with your family.

3) They are like children

Dogs, puppies or adults, are like children. They eat everything, they play, they require a lot of care, and although they obviously do not require the same level of care as a child, I do believe that having a dog, especially a puppy, is like having a child! Like those slippers? You better not leave them about (yes Teddy did eat my slippers).

4) Don't panic

I am not exaggerating when I say we took Teddy to the vets twice a week when we first got Teddy. Every little thing I would worry about and overthink, but really try to stay calm. There is so much to get used to and you can be so unsure about everything but it just takes getting used to- adjusting to the change! For example, it is totally normal for your pup to be a bit off their food because they are also trying to adjust to a new environment with new people. I know that I used to really worry about Teddy when actually he was completely fine. Obviously if there is something to be concerned about and you want to get it checked- DO, but just try to remain calm and think logically. 

Baby Teddy (literally about 12 weeks old)

5) Take pictures

I love looking back at the puppy pictures of Teddy, I wish there was more! Though I took lots there is no such thing as too many, all of those special memories. Puppies really do grow quickly, sometimes I look back and cannot believe how small Teddy was at first. So pictures are  an essential, whenever I am upset  I just look at pictures of Teddy and it honestly cheers me up (which may be quite sad haha but true!).

Thank you for reading, I hope these tips help you out!

Ellie x

Real Talk: The Power Of Makeup

Makeup is powerful- I think we all know that. Not only can makeup change the way we look but makeup can literally change the way we feel, the way we act, the way we carry ourselves and the way people perceive us. Makeup is more than products you apply to your face, but it can be a reflection of your personality or even a mask that makes you feel more 'able'.

 I love makeup, when I wear makeup I find myself feeling more confident and put together, I can choose what kind of look I want to go for that day, there are so many things I love about wearing makeup.

I see makeup as a form of art. People use makeup to express themselves, to show their individuality, to represent their passions or just to be creative. Sometimes I look at peoples makeup looks that they have shared online and I am honestly astonished by what they have been able to create.

Here is a look I created the other day, shimmery, glowy and fairly natural. I loved applying the makeup and I loved the way wearing it made me feel. I felt glowy, fresh, awake and I looked 1000% 'better' than when I was not wearing makeup. 

Would I have liked this picture without makeup? Honestly, no.

When I looked back at the picture, I realised I liked it because I liked the way my eyeshadow looked, the colour of my lipstick and my 'glow'. 

This worries me: makeup is all of the things I have mentioned, all of the positive feelings it brings and the creativity it gives. However, makeup is also controlling, obviously makeup itself does not control you but the way you feel towards it can. I find myself saying 'I need to do my makeup' 'I have to do my makeup' 'I can't because i'm not wearing makeup'.

But I don't need to, I don't have to and I can...not wearing makeup should not make us feel any less worthy or pretty or confident. 

Makeup is a choice (to an extent), but when we find ourselves saying things like ' I need to do my makeup', is it a choice anymore?

 Because I feel as though it isn't. I sometimes feel like I have to put it on in order to look acceptable. But I don't, this is so wrong!

"We should accept ourselves with and without makeup".

If you already do, that is amazing. But I know so many people don't and it saddens me, including myself.

It is hard because I genuinely love makeup, buying it and applying it, and I will continue to wear makeup, most days. But without makeup, my confidence should not drop, and it does.  I am not going to stop wearing makeup, but I am going to try and be more open to not wearing it.

I want to make sure it really is a choice and not a self imposed obligation, I want to make sure that I have enough confidence within myself to not wear makeup and still feel 'acceptable'.

I would never consider posting a picture without makeup, but why? We weren't born to wear makeup, there is nothing wrong with us without it.

Here is a makeup free selfie. The quality isn't great, there is no filter and not a scrap of makeup on my face. Do I like the picture, no- not particularly, but I think it is important to be able to accept the way we look with and without makeup, and be equally as confident.

I dont think we should all stop wearing makeup, I don't think makeup is bad at all. It is amazing that makeup gives us so much confidence, I believe makeup is a form of art and self expression.

But I do think there should be less pressure to wear makeup.

I would love for you to share with me your makeup free selfies or even just let me know your thoughts ( twitter- @_ellabellax).

Fancy some self care? Follow my pamper routine here.

Ellie x