THE PRESSURE OF 2018

What I’m Wearing

Parka – Represent* (click here)

Borg Sweater – Mennace (click here)

Cropped Denim – HifiFNK (click here)

Socks – Weekday* (similar here)

Yeezy Wave Runner 700 -Yeezysupply (click here)

We’re here in 2018 and the new year is in full swing, I don’t know about you but January always brings me an overwhelming sense of pressure. This year more than ever, since quitting my job at Mr.Porter back in 2015 and doing my blog/youtube full time I already put a hell of a lot of pressure on myself to succeed. I don’t want to blow my own trumpet but I’m incredibly proud of what I’ve achieved over the past 2 years of going it alone. However since 2016 and 2017 were so awesome it leaves 2018 with some big shoes to fill.

No Rush

This sort of January pressure affects everyone, whether it’s personal life goals, financial goals, body goals etc. We all set new years resolutions and we all expect so much from the year ahead. Which we’re right to – the mindset of a new year promises so much opportunity and we’d be silly not to grab it by the horns, however we have to remember that some things take time and there is no rush.

 

 

No Bullshit

Let’s get this out of the way – 2018 for me is a no bullshit kind of year, I’m muting all negativity (unless it’s constructive) and surrounding myself with positive vibes only. Silly backhanded comments left by trolls literally don’t phase me – block and delete, block and delete. I’ve spent years talking to you guys whether it’s here , on my Instagram or my YouTube channel and I’m so proud of what a lovely bunch of people you all are, I’ve gotten to know some of you really well and I’m proud of our community. I know as my audience gets larger that there will be more and more trolls and I’ll be damned if there’s a few individuals who think they can spread their negativity over what I’ve created – I think they must forget that It’s me who’s in control.

Failure to Success

We as a generation are over achievers, I swear every millennial is trying to save the world and I’m so proud to be a part of that. Part and parcel of that is failure and failure is just as important as success. Failure teaches us so many things and is crucial to our understanding of what works and what doesn’t. I myself am in a constant state of feeling like I’m not doing enough, maybe it’s the nature of my job but even when I wasn’t working for myself I still felt immense pressure to over-perform at work – work as much as you can, get the most done,  have little sleep, get a promotion, get a pay rise, be the best you can be etc. All whilst trying to juggle a social life and possibly a love life.

 

It’s Ok to watch Netflix

Everyone seems to be in a huge rush to success and I think that the best and more long term successes are definitely not that easy and not that quick to make happen. Social media is definitely to blame in that sense, it’s a catalyst for negative self reflection – I’m definitely victim to it, I scroll through my Instagram and see all these incredibly talented people doing these amazing things thinking – why am I not out there doing great things? why am I sat on my sofa watching copious amounts of Friends on Netflix? But do you know what, these snippets of peoples lives we’re seeing are just the highlights. I know for a fact that a lot of people are sat at on their sofa watching Netflix too.

 

Lessons

With all of this pressure to succeed, right this second – it’s teaching me something, it’s teaching me that not everything is instant, you’re allowed to go at your own pace, it’s ok to relax and enjoy the little things in life. I’ve taken a lot of time this January to really think about what I want from this year – Long term goals and plans, I’ve written them down and worked out just how I’m going to achieve them and you know what? It’s not going to be easy. I know I’m going to have to work my damn arse off, even more than I have done in previous years and when I do finally get there it will be oh so worth it. But also I think that I have to understand that life is a constant work in progress, I won’t exactly reach one stage of my career or life and be like ‘I’ve made it’, I’ve succeeded’ because there will always be room for improvement, always new lessons to learn and new things to work towards.

“Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.”

I feel like this post has been a huge blur of mixed emotions but if you take away anything from it I want you to remember that January is just a mindset, you have to stay true to yourself and stick to your own goals, have fun in whatever you’re doing, enjoy your life to the full and don’t let someone else’s chapter 22 affect your chapter 3 – or whatever that phrase is haha.