They Call Me Cait: Opinion

Showing posts with label Opinion. Show all posts

Teenage years are great.

A whirlwind of emotions, jam packed with memories and life lessons, saying goodbye is harder than you may think.

As I sit here, listening to my "Easy 80's" playlist... Yes, it's one of those nights, I can't help but think of all I have learned over the past 20 years of my life.

Up's, downs and everything in between, I would not be where I am today without everything I have learned along the way.

Goodbye sweet teenage years... Hello twenties.

1. Life is S H O R T

We all know the saying... Time flies when you're having fun.

Embrace every last minute, nobody knows what's around the corner.

2. It's OK not to be OK

Life's a journey, no matter where you go, there will bumps along the road.

Don't let that stop you, use it as motivation to push on and come out on the other end a better version of yourself.

Never be afraid to ask for help, sometimes a chat and a cuppa might be all you need.

3. There's no place like home

Home is where the heart is.

Living away from home for the past 2 years has made me realise just how much home means to me. The comfort of my own bed, Mammy's dinners and arguing with my brother, it's the small things.

Lucky enough to be going to college close to home, I look forward to every weekend with my family. I have no idea how I'm going to cope for 6 months on Erasmus.

4. Value friendship

Your friends are your second family. Never take them for granted, they will stand by you through thick and thin. Love them with all your heart, no matter how much you fall in and out.

If life has taught me anything, it is the true value of friendship and surrounding yourself with amazing people.

You know who you are x

5. Laughter is the key to happiness

Learn to laugh and laugh often.

Don't take life too seriously... Have fun and enjoy yourself.

6. Food is love

If you didn't already know, I love food just as much as the rest of you.

Having switched over to clean eating, I now live by "everything in moderation."

Most days I will chose spinach or apples but when a craving hits, why torture myself?

For me, I eat really well 6 days a week and give myself 1 day off.

There is nothing wrong with allowing yourself a treat, you deserve it.

Healthy or unhealthy, food is there to be enjoyed, don't starve yourself of it.

7. Find your passion

Music, writing, sport, sleeping... Whatever it is, find it and love every last minute. No matter how obscure you may think it is, give it time and allow your passion to shine through.

You do you!

8. Be open to new experiences

If I have learned one thing over the course of my existence, never step back from new and sometimes scary experiences. They might turn out to be memories made to last a lifetime. Jump on that rollercoaster, climb that mountain, try a new vegetable... What's there to lose?

9. Music is magic

I touched on this in my last post but as I've grown older, I've opened myself up to the world of music around me. The power to make you feel things you never thought you could, music truly is a gift. We all have our favourites but if you take one thing from this post, I would love for you to open yourself up to new or maybe even old music. I promise you won't regret it.

10. Forgive and forget

Hold your head up high, shake hands and hug it out.

11. Learn to love yourself

Cringe, I know but there's only one you and you deserve to be loved.

Forget about what other people think. You are a beautiful person inside and out. I only wish it took me less than 20 years to learn that.

12. Exercise can be fun

Before you all sigh, I promise you this is possible, you've just got to find something that doesn't make you want to pull your eyelashes out one by one...

I recently fell in love with the gym and lifting weights. I am by no means a powerlifter but as the weeks go on and I begin to see improvements and grow stronger, it's hard not to become addicted.

Not for you? Why not try Zumba or pick up a new sport? Even walking 10,000 steps a day is great for both your mental and physical health.

Don't knock it until you try it.

13. Confidence is key

Confidence is the key to happiness.

Years of being shy and known as the quiet girl, I have finally decided enough is enough.

Since starting co-op, I have opened myself up to a whole new world of people and self assurance.

Why hide in the shadows? Put yourself out there and have fun doing so. You never know what might come of it.

14. Trust your gut

There is no stronger feeling than your gut feeling.

If you believe in something and are not sure what to do, I say go with your gut, it's never wrong.

At least in my experience anyway...

15. Heartbreak sucks

Yeah, pretty self explanatory...

It's okay, cry into that tub of Ben and Jerry's but don't let heartbreak overcome you.

Wipe those tears, there is a whole world out there waiting to be explored. Don't put your life on hold because of some guy or girl, let it be the excuse or kick in the arse you need to turn yourself into the best version of you.

You go Glen Coco!

16. Drink water

What can't water do?

For those of you who ask how I keep my skin so clear... 2 litres of water every day. Simple.

Cool, refreshing and packed with health benefits, I can't recommend it enough.

17. Shop vintage

Almost every statement piece of clothing I own is vintage.

One of a kind and unique, I love nothing more than finding an absolute steal when trawling through my favourite vintage shops. I've been shopping vintage for years now, from my very first piece to the latest, vintage has and always will be a love of mine. You should definitely give it a try.

I am only dying for it to be winter again so I can pull out my faux fur leopard print coat.

18. Be nice

Personality will get you places. Be kind to people and they will return the favour. Who doesn't love a friendly face? It's nice to be nice.

19. Be spontaneous

Sometimes the most unplanned adventures turn out to be the best. Now, I'm not saying to drop everything and run but should an unexpected opportunity come your way, don't be afraid to act on it. Open your eyes to what's going on around you, strike while the iron's hot.

20. Memories last a lifetime

Take photos, write in your diary, post on Instagram, whatever you decide, make those memories and keep them close to your heart. Looking back and laughing at time gone by with the people you love most, those are the days we should treasure.

As I said at the top, life is short.

Wherever you go, whatever you do, hold onto the good times, have fun and live life to the very best you can.

Katie x

Just today, I was asked what inspires me to write.

I sat and thought... What it is, I don't actually know.

Stories, people, places I have been, all sit on a long list of triggers that spark emotion within.

I have always wondered who I am as a writer. Trying to be something I am not has become boring.

I live for passion, emotion and original creativity.

"Almost Famous," the story of a young boy chasing his dream of becoming a music journalist has pulled feelings from me I never knew I had. Driven by his newly discovered love for music, this young 15 year old boy experienced a lifetime of emotions over the course of one bands tour. I can only imagine how that must feel. Never have I watched a film and been so physically moved by the storyline. Maybe it's because it hits so close to home, given that I am a journalist but very possibly, because deep down, we are all living and breathing for that one dream.

Not necessarily to write or to play music, it could be something as simple as succeeding at a new sport or getting that job once you've finished college. For some reason, this film has made me realise that life is not life without individual dreams and ambitions. The question is though, why do we allow ourselves to give up on them? Surely if we want something badly enough, it's worth fighting for no matter how difficult the journey?

You see, that's the thing...

Everybody tells you to "Chase your dreams." Nobody tells you just how hard that can be...

My dream, to hopefully one day become a successful journalist will no doubt be long and tough, like many others. Currently, I am working Monday to Friday in a job that, although I may love, is very much unpaid. Unfortunately, this is one of the realities that comes with chasing your dreams. In order to come out on top you must endure life at the bottom for a while.

It's not all that bad though, even on rougher days I see and feel inspiration everywhere. Take today for example, exhausted, having skipped the gym and gone to bed, wallowing in self pity, a friend of mine suggested out of nowhere that I watch "Almost Famous" and well, here I am.

It's hard to feel inspired all the time. Heck, we all know that. There are days where I want nothing more than to write a blog post or come up with a great idea for the show I am working on but somehow, the harder I try, the worse I blank. It's mentally draining. Do you ever sit and think what's the point?

That right there, that IS the point.

The second you find yourself drifting from your dream, use that exact feeling of disappointment and defeat as motivation to push on. Dreams don't come without hardship. Sleep it off, we all have the odd nightmare every once in a while. Wake up fresh and start again...

There is something about the music throughout this film that has left a very lasting mark on me. From the very first scene, all the way through to the last, I was completely and utterly drawn into the storyline through its soundtrack. Scenes of rock and roll stars playing passionately to crowds of adoring fans, you can feel the electricity racing through the screen.

It got me thinking about the power of music and how incredibly underrated it is... The ability to make you feel things you never knew you could, I find myself being inspired more and more by the music I listen to each day. Just like in this movie, we listen to music to fit our moods. Happy, sad, heartbreak, celebration, there is a song for every occasion and feeling. In the very middle of Almost Famous, there is a moment where Elton John's "Tiny Dancer" comes on and I have to admit, it reduced me to tears.

A scene where everything seems to be going wrong, all of a sudden, through the power of music, it all seems as though it will be okay again. Beautifully inspiring.

That feeling of inspiration driven by music, encapsulate it and do not let it go.

Swallow the pill, you will thank me later.

Stories, people and places I have been, as you can see from this post, personal experiences are what I write. Almost Famous has rekindled my love for creativity and will forever hold a special place in my heart from now on.

Whether it be the person you meet at the bus stop, a new place you go to for lunch or even a film in this case, I am a firm believer that there is a story to be discovered everywhere. All it takes is a little bit of imagination. People are so fascinating, give them time at all and you will discover a whole new world outside of your own. Don't be shy... Get out there and explore the world around you. It may not feel like it but inspiration is everywhere.

Write that novel, produce that EP, fly that aeroplane, open that bakery...

Do whatever the hell you like.

Live your life.

Be yourself

Chase your dreams.

Katie x

It's 2018 and social media influencers are everywhere.

Facebook, Snapchat, Instagram, Twitter, even our televisions, bloggers are the celebrities of the moment. Maintaining the status as a high profile influencer definitely has its rewards however, life online doesn't go without challenge.

This brings me onto the reason why I am writing this post...

As followings grow, so do levels of responsibility.

The Irish blogging scene has come under fire for their levels of photoshopping and editing of images. This follows the establishment of an Instagram page calling out the influencers, comparing photographs from their past, prior to fame with recent posts.

Before we get into this, I want to say, I have nothing against using filters or blurring out the odd lump and bump.

My issue is with the lies within...

Lies, drawn from insecurities of influencers, filtering into the troubles of their huge followings.

I for one do not condone the public embarassment of any human being, be it social media stars with thousands of followers or your everyday Mary and John going about their daily business.

I do however, completely understand the public's interest in outing these celebrities for changing their appearance online.

In a world where mental health is so prevalent and body image is of huge concern, it is not easy to watch the people we look up to constantly be so "perfect."

We grow up online, surrounded by those we aspire to be.

To be lied to and sold false information, that hurts... It hits hard, deep within.

The feeling of not achieving the fitness goals or perfect skin, hair and makeup we are sold day in and day out on our news feeds is sickening.

That's the thing though... Photoshop, surgery, even glam teams, they are not reality!

Influencers need to start taking the mentality of their followers into account before posting these unrealistic images for the world to see.

As a response to this movement by the public, Irelands high profile bloggers have decided to start an anti bullying campaign with a "plan."

I am totally for this however, if these influencers would just stay true to themselves, there would be no need for it at all.

Stop with the photoshop, be honest about surgery... At the end of the day, who really cares?

Bullying is wrong, no matter what the cause or how worthwhile you feel it may be.

To quote Rosie Connolly...

"Stop and think before you join in on any bullying forums, threads or pages... What else could you do with that time to make YOUR life better, instead of hating someone else's."

Stay gorgeous,

Katie x

Hey guys.

For today's post I'm going to write the first of a new series, "Think Tank". This will be a series of blog posts in which I talk about topics/issues that have been niggling away at me and as a result, feel the need to express my opinion on.

I by no means mean any hate towards anyone as I write these posts and all opinions expressed are 100% mine. I hope you guys like this concept and I sincerely apologise if I trigger anybody as a result of what I have to say. Enjoy!

What is all this you ask? This my friends, is my opinion on a topic that I hold very close to my heart... Beauty standards and the impact they have had on me and I'm sure, some of you. I'm not necessarily speaking to just that of the female gender as I write this post. I would like to think that no matter what gender, you will take into account what I have to say as I feel this topic goes far deeper than our society lets on.

Tell me I'm not the only one who gets completely and utterly drawn into modern society and its unnatural obsession with bikini bodies and six packs? I mean, its hard not to when we're practically surrounded by it 24/7. No matter where we go or what we do, there's always a magazine headline or Facebook link telling us who and what we should aspire to look like... It's become part of our world. However, both you and I know, this form of media can have very negative effects. Why is it that the media of today leads us to believe that in order to be happy, you must have the body of a goddess or the abs of Hercules? I strongly believe that by bombarding us with headlines of "then and now, see how much they've lost" or "do this and you'll be irresistible" we are slowly but surely knocking the confidence of every single human being, even the most self-assured of us!

I for one believe that our society drastically needs more role modes whom we can look up to and aspire to be like, not for their looks but for who they are and what they believe in. Two personal inspirations of mine would be "plus size model" (I hate that term), Tess Holliday and Youtube star, Trisha Paytas. I don't know about you but I believe these are two incredibly beautiful women who really do #effyourbeautystandards!

I will say however, just because I am "pro curves" if you must, I by no means am skinny shaming! People who partake in skinny shaming are just as bad as those of you who fat shame and I for one have no time for that craic... I hope you guys are with me on this.
As for now, I'm signing off with one cheesy piece of advice... Just be yourself :)
To be continued...

Stay gorgeous,
Katie x

Side note: Fair play to Alicia Keys braving a bare face at last night's VMA's... Proving once again that the beauty standards of today's world are there to be broken!

Home Opinion