Things i've learnt about myself

I am no stranger to those 20 things I’ve learnt in 20 years post but this one is definitely more focused on the last year to two years or so. I suppose once I finish uni, I will do a more in depth post about my experiences and a whole series on uni stuff but I really think this place has taught be a lot of valuable lessons about myself, ones that have completely changed my outlook on myself and life ahead of me.

1. University really isn’t for me – I feel like I have to explain myself on this because it’s not that I don’t love uni, the way my course is structured really doesn’t bode well with how I like to work. My deadlines fall at the end of the term so it means I do fuck all for like 3 months, do about 2 weeks of solid work and that’s it. As someone who loves to be busy, this, as you can imagine, leaves me many days to just sit in bed and watch the day pass by. Plus, the whole dynamic of university is odd. Think about it, living in a bubble of a bunch of same aged students and forced to make it work almost, life really isn’t like that and if uni is supposed to prepare you for real life, this couldn’t be further from the truth

2. I have a really good work ethic – I don’t know how much I have spoken about my internship in china but as the first 4 weeks of it showed me, if I am given a task, I will give it my all and I will work and work until no more can be done. That was also the case for my second internship and I was actually complimented on that in the end. I always feel that saying I have a good work ethic is something I write on my CV just to get hired, but its an actual fact, and I can prove that

3. Following on from that, I always deserve respect. Respect is a two-way street. You want respect, that has to be earned. You show me respect I will show you respect. Simple right. Funnily enough, people don’t seem to get that, and you should NEVER accept anything less that that. I got less that respect at my internship and it made me feel like shit and made me apologetic for absolutely nothing. Now that doesn’t me you go all cold hearted to get this entitled respect because if you deserve it, you will get it. Don’t force it. Always be kind and respectful and give everything your all.

4. I know what it means to be happy – this is probably just me, but I have always wondered what it means to actually be happy like what does that feel like. Without even realising, I know what that it. I feel it in my gut; when something feels good and when something feels wrong. With this, it means I have complete power over making myself happy and that is one of the most liberating feelings ever

5. I am an ambivert – I don’t know why it took me until now to figure this out but an ambivert is who I am. I am very much an introverted person, more of a homebody than a let’s go out and get drinks but when I do go out, that’s when that part of me is unlocked and released. And that’s because I have a balance of introvert and extrovert features in my personality. Although I have this balance, I think its more like 60/40 or 70/30, more being introverted but this has just explained why I am the way I am on so many nights out, dinners, etc.

Items worn

Jacket – ASOS

Hoodie – H&M

Jeans – DON’T BUY THESE THEY SUCK!

Scarf – zara sale recently check in store

So those are some of the most important lessons I have learnt about myself recently. I think every day, we learn something new about ourselves. Sometimes I think it can take a little while longer in our heads but hey, its taken me nearly 21 years to figure this out, what will I figure out in the next 21?

 stay woke folks x

I took a week off from life | Amsterdam Diaries

Last week I packed my bags and went off to visit my friend who is studying in Amsterdam for the semester. Initially, I was only going to go for a long weekend as it was going to be her birthday. But as I toyed with the idea of staying for a whole week, I realised this was just what I needed. I have spoken about this before, but I really thrive on my own independence and being in new places and finding energy in new places. Sometimes we all need a break from life and this was mine, just before the real uni work was to begin.

As I was there for two days, I realised, this is exactly what I needed. Time away from everything, to figure out where I was heading, what I wanted to do with my final term and almost to come up with a strategy for my final months as a student. Alas, I took a week off but I didn’t stop checking my emails, searching for jobs etc. because lets be real, we cant completely stop everything for a week.

If you didn't know already, Amsterdam is fast becoming one of my favourites cities for a quick getaway. its very easy to get to, flights can be really cheap and its such a vibrant city; really multi cultural, great food, lots of quaint little places and great in the arts, culture and architecture department. Amsterdam also houses many historical and touristic spots such as the Anne Frank house, the van gogh museum, the Jewish quarters and the red light district. If you are looking for your next getaway, take a peek at Amsterdam. You wont be disappointed.

Places visited on all trips that i recommend: Anne Frank house, van gogh museum, red light districk, banksy exhibition, foam photography museum, jewish quarters, rijk museum, vondell park, a'dam lookout, foodhallen, flower market

Because I have been to Amsterdam twice before, I didn’t take as many pictures as this first two times but, I think this time I just used it as an opportunity to soak up every moment there. So here are a few pics from my trip and a video at the end. I hope you enjoy!

Stay woke folks x

What do you want to do after university?

 Aside from my internet lifestyle, I work a lot with kids educating them about their options post 16 and 18. We run a variety of sessions and at 90% of the sessions, we have a Q&A section at the end. And someone always asks the dreaded question, “what do you want to do after university?”. Now, this is a valid question to ask but asking that to a current uni student, they are always reluctant to answer. We don’t mean it in a rude way, we just don’t want to think about leaving the safe haven of university.

I have always thrived off being busy. And although I have uni max three days a week, I will always find other things to do to keep me going. But as I am in the final term of my final year, I’ve realised that this is it. I will be stripped of my student identity and I will have to be an actual adult with actual responsibilities. I always knew that was coming, but a part of me thinks I wasn’t quite prepared for this day coming up. I think kids are always curious to see what we want to do with the rest of our lives, but my answer is always I don’t know, but that’s okay. I am only nearly 21 years old and I can’t know what the future holds.

Coat – check in store, was on sale!

Jumper – http://shopstyle.it/l/xjvw

Trousers – http://shopstyle.it/l/xjvH

Trainers - http://shopstyle.it/l/xjuk

Starting uni really changed my outlook on things; to never say no to free food or other freebie, to always apply because that way, at least you tried and to keep going. But most importantly, the possibilities are endless. Without me even realising, I could go into a job that doesn’t even exist yet. I have said yes to so many great opportunities and has made me reconsider so many different things. I don’t just have to stay in the UK, my degree is a valid career path (as a media student) and I really can do whatever I want (within reason)

So what am I going to do after uni? I’m going to hopefully get a job, move back to London, get a flat, continue creating and see where life takes me. All those things I just wrote, I was too scared to even think about only 2 years ago. To be honest, I am just bullshitting my way through life like I do my essays and its okay that I don’t know what’s next. My university journey is coming to an end but that doesn’t mean I don’t have another great one coming up.

Stay woke

*this post has used some affiliate links. Please check my PR/disclaimer tab for more info

Winter Warmers | Sweet potato & lentil curry recipe

Finally you guys know that I will be working with Coop for the foreseeable future, creating recipes that are student friendly. You guys know I love to experiment with my cooking and share affordable big batch recipes with you guys. So here is the first of many more to come.

Today’s theme is winter warmers and I decided to give you all the details on how I make my sweet potato and lentil curry. What I love about this is that you can make it in a big batch, its suitable for vegetarians and vegans and is completely customisable to your taste buds.

You will need:

1 onion or pre-chopped onions

1 garlic or 1 tsp of garlic granules

1 tsp of mild or hot curry powder

1 sweet potato

¾ of a tin of lentils

1 tin of chickpeas

1 tin of chopped tomatoes

500ml vegetable stock cube

Handful of spinach

Rice or wholegrain and quinoa rice

Salt and pepper to season

Olive oil or carotina oil

You want to star by combining your onions and garlic with some olive oil and once that has softened, add on teaspoon of curry powder and mix together

Then add 500ml of vegetable stock, the tin of chopped tomatoes and the chopped sweet potatoes and boil for 30mins until the sweet potatoes are soft.

After, add your tin of chickpeas, handful of spinach and lentils and then soften for another 5 to 10 mins.

Salt and pepper to taste and add your rice and you are done.

I have made a small video to accompany this post which you can see below. there will be many more to come so make sure you are following via bloglovin

Such a simple meal and can easily be done on a budget and completely customisable. I hope you guys enjoy cooking this and let me know if you happen to make it.

*this post and video was created in collaboration with coop. i am currently a brand ambassador for them. for more details, check my pr/disclaimer page.