{pictures and videos | annie jaffrey- bullying and high school}

Sadly, bullying still exists especially in high school. I understand that I do have some people who follow my work who are younger than myself and may unfortunately be victim to this outdated act. I want you to know that high school is but one chapter of your life and it will pass and soon enough become a part of your journey that you can move forward from. Once high school finishes you will part ways with those who hurt and/or humiliated you and you will start upon a new beginning free from those who made your life ever so torturous. Beyond high school you are able to start entirely anew, become who you want to be, act how you want to act, do what you want to do, make new friends and focus more clearly on where you want to go with your life.

I want you to know that you're not alone and that many people, even those who you would least expect, have been bullied before. Bullying will only make you stronger and truly transform you into a fighter. You must see it as preparing you for the world that is out there and the world that exists beyond high school. Bullying will still exist in friendship circles, between family members, in work places, in public between strangers, on public transport and so forth: it is seemingly inescapable. I do not mean to tell you that you are forever stuck in a phase of bullying but I do mean to tell you that bullying exists in many forms and it is carried out towards many human beings. The lesson you learn from this is that you need to still maintain your character and grace no matter how poorly others treat you. You learn to have a good heart even if others show you that they may not. 

I'll make a post in regards to bullying another time but for now it's time to focus on this video by Annie Jaffrey. She begins the video by mentioning an insightful point which is that more than face-to-face bullying, cyber bullying is of great importance nowadays. 71% of students, she states, have reported bullying as being a problem at their school which she finds to be truly heartbreaking for high school is meant to the years of your life that you enjoy and remember. 1 in 7 students from kindergarden through 12th grade is a victim of bullying or is a bully themselves. She goes on to state that people can be bullied for their appearances, nationality, sexual orientation, religious beliefs or basically any characteristic that makes us different, an individual and beautiful.

Annie then makes the video more personal by opening up about her own personal experiences with bullying. She mentions that in middle school she was overweight and under confident and in being picked on and being so young, she didn't know how to deal with it all. Her advice is to speak back and defend yourself. In being bullied, she learned that people will not always be nice to you even if you're nice to them. She then goes on to talk about high school and how girls in particular can often times be exceptionally catty. Even on YouTube, Annie receives the occasional nasty comment or email and she stated that if it's not constructive criticism then she simply moves past it. 

The video then moves on to address why people bully other people to which she states that one of the reasons is because the bully has insecurities themselves and they feel as though picking on someone else and pointing out their flaws can somehow make them feel better about themselves. Bullying can be a sense of empowerment for some who may feel powerless in other situations such as if someone is having personal problems at home, they can go to school and take that out on others. Bullies may be jealous of something that the victim has. For the bully, this may be their way of releasing their feelings and expressions onto someone else which is unfortunate because they don't think of the consequences and how they are making the other person feel.

Annie then moves on to speak about a SOLUTION and how to deal with bullying and bullies. The first thing is to speak out and tell someone whether it be your friends, family, teacher(s) or a principal so that the bully understands that together with those who support you, you are all bigger than the bully and their negativity. Don't suffer in silence. She then states that you have to believe in yourself and realise how amazing you are so that you can have the tools to speak back to the bully. No matter what, people will always pick out a flaw or fault about you but that won't get them far in life because they're busy on focusing on other people rather than themselves. Her next piece of advice is to be the bigger person, especially if you're a victim of physical violence fighting back isn't ideal for it will start a cycle of violence.

Annie states that a rule of life is surrounding yourself with positive, funny and inspiring people and those who you just click with. You may want to join a club to find those who have the same interests as yourself. If someone says that you can't do something or that you'll never be who you want to be simply thank them and move on and allow for that be fuel for you to prove them wrong. The best form of revenge is well and truly success. If you're a bully who wants wants to stop bullying then you need to surround yourself with the right people for negativity only breeds negativity. Truly apologise to those who you have bullied before and put yourself in their position. Hurting and harassing someone is wrong and you wouldn't want someone to do that to you.

She ends the video on an important note by mentioning that even if you don't know someone you should still pay them the smallest compliment. I support this for you never know what someone is going through or how insecure they are about themselves. Therefore, complimenting them can give them hope that not everyone they come across is cruel or a bully and to keep on braving every single day, that they are beautiful or that there is something about them that someone likes or that people see something in them that they can't see themselves.

{pictures and videos | lauren curtis- understand and get over a breakup}

I remember going through my first and only ever breakup and watching this video by the loveable Lauren Curtis and I promise you this honestly touched me and helped me more than one could imagine. To be given that simple reminder that no matter how different all of us humans are and how we all come from different walks of life yet we still share in universal experiences such as breakups and having to cope with them, makes you appreciate the fact that you are never truly alone in your life struggles because out there someone understands and is willing to help you on the journey to healing your heart.

Whilst Lauren gives advice based on her own experiences with love, you can't help but feel so connected to her and what she has gone through because in each of our life experiences, there are exceptional similarities and points of understanding. The reason I've chosen this video to share with you all is because I feel as though it'll assist you so much during a hard time to know that you're not the only person trying to move on from a heartbreak and move on with your life. Lauren is a beauty vlogger but to see her speak on a matter that so many of us may encounter honestly shows us that it needs to be spoken about: it's an issue that matters and can unite people.

Lauren begins by drawing on her own personal experiences when it comes to the opposite sex and how there's a tendency for us to be drawn to those who may not be good for us. In speaking of how one particular young man treated her so well and then ended up wanting different things to her in the end, we come to learn that, often, when first meeting someone they can be whoever they want to be and show us a side of them that they want us to see however that may not realistically be who they truly are. Things are often picture-perfect and that particular person may treat you really well at the beginning but as time goes on things can either change or you simply come to see who they really are once they decide to stop the facade.

Often that leads us to be disappointed because we hold onto the person who they were when we first met them and at the time in which we were still getting to know one another. As time progresses you either see a part of one another that you don't like or can't handle, certain truths rise to the surface, you have disagreements, you realise you want different things and so on. In the video Lauren then shares a quick tip which is that talking it out with your parents, friends or someone you trusts works miracles.

I can definitely support this statement because I found that whilst I had such a lovely support group with me at the time of my breakup, there were often times when I kept matters and my feelings to myself which only lead me to hurt even more. When you talk to someone about what you're going through or what is going through you're mind, you truly feel a weight being lifted off your shoulders and you do feel as though you don't have to go through all of this on your own. The truth is that no-one can help you unless you let them/let them in.

Lauren then mentions a book that she read titled, 'It's Called a Breakup Because It's Broken' by Greg Behrendt which you can buy off iTunes for only $9.99! She mentions that she read the book purely to get her mind off of a situation with a young man rather than to help and I believe that when you're going through a breakup, you do need to have moments where you direct your thoughts elsewhere even if it's through reading a book that reminds you of why you need to look ahead rather than back.

Lauren then mentions her favourite sections of the book and those which that spoke to her:
-The idea that the person you loved took a look at the awesome that is you, evaluated your relationship and said that they will try their luck elsewhere. Anyone that assesses your relationship as disposable isn't worthy of your time or tears.

Here Lauren mentions that she became so emotionally drained from putting effort into making things right that the young man still didn't want what she wanted. Therefore she realised that there was nothing else that she could do and that if someone doesn't want her in the same way that she wants him then what is she wasting her time on? If nothing is going to change and things are no longer the same as they used to be then you simply have to realise that things do change. In the end, what she thought would be great for a long period of time was great for a short period of time. 

-The idea that even if you do have things in common the one thing that you don't have in common is the belief that this relationship can work. It's hard to think of why you two couldn't make it work but sometimes the only answer is that people come together and then move apart, some relationships or love interests are short journeys and some are meant for a lifetime.

Here Lauren mentions that a common matter when it comes to love is that people mention that they don't know what they want and that they don't want to lead someone on because of that. 

-The idea that if someone wanted to be with you, it would cross their mind to think about it. If someone wanted to be with you, they would do whatever it took to make it work. If someone wanted to be with you, THEY'D KNOW. For so long we believe that someone saying "I don't know" meant only that but now we realise that it means NO. I don't know means that one is too much of a coward to tell you the truth because they can't deal with confrontation and that they want you to do the dirty work for them because they don't want to hurt your feelings even more than they already have.

Here Lauren mentions that whilst they don't want to hurt your feelings in reality they need to grow up and just be completely honest about how you truly feel. A person is only hurting someone else more by allowing someone to think or hope that there's something there and that something is going to potentially happen. In reality, she believes that mentally someone is already done with you they just don't have the courage to tell you. 

-Breaking up with someone sucks and you do feel bad about hurting someone else's feelings but once you pass through the initial guilt, you will feel overwhelming relief. If that person who ended things or even if that person who hurt you does miss you the reality is that if that they missed you sometimes and wanted to call you, they are ultimately relieved that it is over. They left the relationship for good and even if they miss you occasionally those feelings are superseded by their conviction that the relationship wasn't worth it for them. Even if they are thinking of you, they don't want to be in contact with you. The relationship ended for real and you need to move on.

-If someone ended things they don't want to contact you or hear from you so as Lauren suggests, don't put yourself in that situation where you continue to chase them and remind them of your existence. If someone wanted to talk to you, they would. If they had the courage to end things (or simply move on with someone else) they also have the ability to contact you.

-It speaks volumes for you to not contact them because despite the heartache and loss, if they're not hearing from you it means that you're too busy taking care of yourself and moving on with your fabulous, new life. There's nothing worse than blowing all of your hard work and successful perseverance on a (drunk) text/call.

Here Lauren mentions that she loves that sentiment for it draws on one's independence and not caring about what that person is feeling, thinking or doing. 

-The demise of the relationship is the result of it not being a fit, a match, meant to be and certainly not a lifetime type of relationship and you need to stop pretending that it is. Remember, it's called a breakup because it's broken and who wants to be or stay in a broken relationship? Not you.

Lauren then goes on to state that you need to take positives away from every situation and to not regret having met someone and shared in experiences with them. Don't see it as a mistake, she mentions, but see is as a learning curve. You won't get far in life if you don't learn from things that have happened to you that you didn't want to happen to you.

We need to stop going for those who aren't good for us and we need to start paying attention and perhaps being attracted to those who are genuinely sweet and know how to treat us well. Lauren looks forward to the day where she finds a nice guy who treats her well and is not a jerk or hard to get and so should we all (yes I'm talking to you, the beautiful person who is reading this!) We need to be treated how we deserve. Lauren draws on her experience with the young man to state that she's happy that things didn't work out because they just weren't meant to.

We, she continues on, will always have moments where we hear a song that will remind us of someone or we will do something and wish they were there but you can't dwell on it and let it consume you. It's not the end of the world and it doesn't mean that you won't find someone else; someone who may perhaps be able to give you what that one particular person gave you. We will find someone when we least expect it. They may not be our life partner but they will teach us something about ourselves or something that we wouldn't of learned otherwise.

We are worthy of everything we seek and a person who can treat us well. We should not lower our expectations or standards because we feel that we are not worthy or that we are not a good enough catch. You will find someone who will treat you as though you are the most valuable person in this universe. The longer you dwell on the fact that the person who you trusted has torn you to pieces, delays you meeting the person who you deserve to meet. There is a light at the end of the tunnel no matter how dark things may seem. Don't dwell over someone who is happier without you.

I wonder if Lauren, till this day, understands how powerful this video is for someone who not only has been broken up with or treated poorly but just anyone who is dealing with a breakup. She has herself spoken volumes and reminded every single person who has the honour of watching the video that you can survive from a breakup and that there is hope even after a relationship or journey with someone comes to a close. She reminds us that she cares and that this isn't a matter of isolation: we are joined in our experience of trying to move on from someone who has already moved on from us.

{pictures and videos| carli bybel- finding happiness}

Hi lovelies,

The very first inspirational and motivational video that I'm posting is by the ever-gorgeous Carli Bybel. The reason I chose this video to post was because I feel as though she not only effortlessly radiates positivity but she is genuinely passionate about setting aside the time to connect with the world and express that we are all on a journey that seeks happiness. 

Here's the advice that she offers in order to find inner-peace:

1) Meditation- she uses the app 'Relax and Sleep Well,' which she believes is exceptionally good for one's soul. As one listens to this as they go to sleep, they fall into a state of "trance" whilst listening to someone speak positively to them. Freeing your mind from negativity and life's problems even 20 minutes a day or as much as you can is ideal for it is the perfect escape from the world and it's beneficial to make time for yourself every now and then.

2) Book- called the 'Untethered Soul' is life changing for it outlines a process on how to train your mind to free yourself from negativity and stress. Her favourite topic in the book emphasises accepting what is and to let it go. Too often we stress over things that are beyond our control which will not serve us well for it is highly unlikely that we can change the outcome by worrying or dwelling on something. If anything, we are only feeding ourselves negative energy whereas we need to put out good into the universe to get it back. If you can't change something in life, let it go. 

3) Stop being so hard on ourselves. We have this idea in our minds of who we should be or how life should be but if anything that is only depriving us of accepting and living in reality and truly experiencing it's beauty and greatness. When you start getting lost in your thoughts, start thinking of the bigger aspects i.e. what you're going through or what's happening to you will never make the world stop therefore you need to carry on and continue living. The little problems, that you choose to let get to you, don't matter when you think of the bigger picture. We must always think of the positives in every situation. Everything happens for a reason: think of something bigger than your own problems. If you cling to hope, you can find inner peace. Do things that essentially make you happy for that will bring you one step closer to where you wish to be. We all have good hearts so we need to stop chasing the wrong things in life and start realising what's truly important in life. 

In the end, we as human beings do want the same things in life such as happiness. In 5-10 years, the things that are worrying you or the people who are troubling you will not exist or matter therefore you need to let it all go. The one person who will stay with us the entire journey is ourselves and for that we must take care of ourselves and our mindsets. 

{pictures and videos | introduction}

Hi my loves,
I've found that whenever I'm not feeling the best, inspirational and motivational picture quotes or YouTube videos really help me in realising that I'm not alone and that someone understands me. I find that they give me a sense of hope to push through and to carry on even when I feel that I either can't or do not want to. Therefore, I'll be posting some of my favourite picture quotes and videos here so that you can feel inspired, motivated and empowered whenever you need it the most. Lots of love!