A list of things to help you be happy.

So, this may not apply to everyone, but I have made a list of things that helped me when I was very down, and still do help me get through feeling crappy.


*Dance Everyday.
*Make a "Happy" Playlist.
*Eat healthy with a few snacks every so often.
*Go for walks often.
*Hug a tree every once in a while.
*Drink water every day.
*Do some Yoga every once in a while.
*Find inspirations and aspire to be like them.
*Watch TV shows and films which lift your mood.
*Hug someone who makes you feel better.
*Release emotions productively - Dancing, Lyrics, Art, Poetry, Cooking.
*If you are angry, scream into a pillow.
*If you want to be sad, let yourself. It isn't a bad thing to experience different emotions for a while.
*Remember that every day is a fresh start.
*Lie on the floor when you feel lost, or high with emotions.
*Wear nice, comfortable clothes.
*Try and add colour to your outfits - Colour effects your mood.
*Take things slowly.
*Have a good cry if you need it.
*SMILE.

  L
xxx

Learn to Accept compliments :) You deserve it!

So, almost everyone I know, including myself struggle to accept compliments from others.
Yes, It's hard to come to terms with good things about yourself.
You think all of your faults over weigh all of the wonderful things about yourself.
And you believe that all of your faults are on show for everyone to see.

Personally, when someone compliments me, I just pull a face or say something that completely dismisses it.
I don't like to just accept their compliment and say "Thank you". I think this is because in my mind, It's not true and I don't deserve it.
I think this is the reason others don't accept compliments too.
Either that or they may think that they will sound big headed if they reply with a thank you.

We should all learn to accept compliments from others.
We need to know the wonderful things about ourselves, and if we aren't going to tell ourselves that, then we deserve to hear it from others.

We see ourselves completely different to how others see us.
We see our faults, and the worst features. We think our foreheads are too big, we are too chubby, and just that everything is wrong about us.
When others see us as perfectly fine, just a normal person standing before them.

Treat yourself how you would treat a friend.
Would you be mean to your friends?
Would you tell them how they are too fat and need to lose weight?
Would you tell them they are ugly?
Would you tell them you hate their laugh?
No, so why would you treat yourself like this?

Think about it.
You are worth the compliments.
You deserve to feel wonderful.
Because you are.

Accept compliments and try and be nice to yourself.
Start with one compliment a day!

Smile :)
  L
xxx

List of rules when being my friend :)

So, it's not bad to have a list of things your friends should know right?
Literally, this thought just popped into mind and made so much sense. I sort of imagined it being me typing up a list of rules, printing a few copies out and handing them out to my friends....

In my opinion I think its a good idea, maybe not the part where you physically hand out a copy to someone. I mean, that's just patronising.

So, it made me think about the things that would be on my list of things.

Here are a few I thought of:
* Unlike normal people, I spell OK like this: "Okayy". If I write this to you, I'm not being sarcastic or rude. It is just the way I spell it.
* If you Come to my home unexpected, Do NOT expect me to look nice.
In fact, if you come to my home at all, do not expect a lot from my appearance. My home is the place where I can look crappy and no one will judge me. So please don't judge. You can also look crappy here if you like. I won't judge!
* Another one regarding my home. I have OCD and would kindly appreciate if you tried to keep my room and living room the way it was when you came in...(unless it was messy and you wanted to clean, that kind of works for me).
* I sing a lot and quote things. Do not judge me please, it helps me get through the day. I also laugh at many things, easily get the giggles, and can come out with some very silly sentences at times. I often forget I have company and will just say things that will make me sound awfully stupid ( I'm not though!).
* I don't like confrontation. I'm like a tiny, fragile puppy. Please take good care.
* Don't follow me into the bathroom or walk in whilst I'm inside without knocking please!
*Yes I am a vegan! Please don't start nasty rants about Me not getting enough protein.

So, what do you think?
Sometimes you could use things like this?
This post was mainly a funny one, but sometimes I genuinely think things like this could come in handy.

What would your list be?

Smile :)
  L
xxx

Find the place where you belong.

When I say "Find the place where you belong", I mean this in a few different ways:
*Literally finding a place where you belong, such as a certain city or country.
*A place of work/Education.
*A group of friends.
*A place where you feel comfortable, for example, A stage.
*Or even finding the right place for yourself in regards to the right state of mind and being in a good place mentally.

Below are some ways I have personally found where I belong.

Back in my younger years when I was slightly alternative, I visited the wonderful, quirky Camden.
The art, shops and atmosphere was exactly what I needed to rejuvenate my young mind.
With my converse and skinny jeans I fit right in.
Back then it was my perfect and ideal place!

A few years had passed and I'd changed slightly.
My anxiety had turned into extreme anxiety and I found it harder to do things.
My belonging to Birmingham had been weakening by the day and I felt an emptiness inside.
So for my birthday I decided to visit Brighton.
I'd heard so much about it and was so set that I'd move there when I was older; but I had to see it for myself!
What can I say? It was breathtaking. Well, I felt as though I could actually breathe better!
As soon as I stepped foot out of the car, I took the deepest breath of fresh air and immediately knew how much I loved this place.
I sat on the pebble beach watching over the sea and felt as if all of my anxiety and worries just drifted into the abyss, never to return.
I hadn't felt this at home for years. I knew this was where I belonged.
Ever since, I've been set on returning and one day will hopefully call it my home.

Personally, I believe that being somewhere you feel a belonging to will bring out the best in you; mentally, emotionally and even physically. You may even find your work ethic will increase.
If you are somewhere you love, surrounded by good people, your positivity will reach as high as the stars. My philosophy is, happiness and positivity are the most important things in life. So go find your happy place!

Find the place where you belong.

Smile :)
  L
xxx

What people say :)

Well, as you know. What people say can really have an impact on how we feel.

Today I have come to realize this a lot!
Not in a bad way though, in a wonderful way :)
A way that makes me feel so happy.
A way that makes me feel justified!

Today four people said extremely nice things about me that made my heart warm :)

*A great friend of mine named Colin who i met on a charity walk wrote on my Facebook:
"You're an amazing person Lou, glad i met you last may and got to know you so well in the 9 hours we were walking :) xx".

*My beautiful Mom replied to my friend Colin saying:
"She is a lovely, caring person".

*An absolutely lovely lady named Cheryl who I have known a few days who is helping me said to me:
"You are such an inspiration".

*My best friend Jake from college said:
"You should write a book from your project happiness"
"I cried of happiness" (At my project happiness article about meeting him)
"It's so brilliant"
"You are amazing"
"You are bloody perfect as I always say"
"Literally everything about you is great, i have no idea why you put yourself down, there is no point, you are beautiful, you are talented and Lou that's you being YOU"
"Lou, you may think the world is against you but no, you are against the world, you show them what you are made of, and you are made of epicness"
"You are incredible"

What all of these amazing people said made me feel so proud and happy it's unreal!
I feel like I have had an impact on people which is all I ever want to do in life. With my words and my music.
I feel on top of the world if I'm honest right now.

So, find someone or a group of people who are inspired by your actions. Ask what they think of you? Or just give them a reason to say what they feel about you. It could make you feel like the happiest person alive. Making others happy makes me happy :)

Smile :)
  L
xxx