Don't panic

'Don't panic' is probably one of the common things you are told, leading up to your twenties. From choosing your A-level options, to writing your personal statement, to attending University open days, through to writing your dissertation. But how can you not panic?

As a twenty year old now, I watch my 17 year old brother go through the same stresses I did, and I feel myself flash back to the frantic rush to write a perfect personal statement to a university I wasn't sure I wanted to go to, to work towards a career I had no idea if I wanted to succeed in. 

We sit as adults who of many, did not face these decisions, and underestimate the immense pressure it feels to have so many life decisions to choose from yet with such little life experience. You spend your whole life in education, following not only the 'social norms' which are expected of you, but the law which requires you to learn particular things and engage in a specific curriculum, and then in the blink of an eye, you go solo. 

The sheer anxiety sweeps over you, not only do you want to do good by yourself, but you also want to do what is expected of you by your parents, teachers, mentors. With education becoming much more of an accessible product of our society and culture, the only way to stay at the top, to increase your chances of becoming what is deemed  'successful' is by 'bettering yourself', to keep learning, to not stop with education, education is key. And yet, even then, you aren't guaranteed to achieve your goals. I feel, looking back now, you are sheltered from, and remain blissfully naive of all of the conflicting elements and arguments as a school child, until the adults deem you ready, old enough, mature enough, to take it all on, battle with it, and form a decision which will have an impact on the rest of your life but is that fair? 

A 17 year old, to suddenly be deemed mature enough to decide the next three years of their future, while having no preparation for it up until now. Surely that, in itself is tarnishing potential that they are being 'offered' before any decision is even made.

This is't an argument, nor a political statement, but merely a reminder, that next time you are moaning about an 'off-the-rails' teenager, or a moody son, an emotional sister, to stop for a second, and to take a minute to appreciate the overwhelming processes they are going through right now to determine their next few years. It's an extremely stressful time, and one which you are not prepared for. 

10 reasons your mum is the greatest

March has arrived which means Mother’s day is fast approaching.  We're all guilty of taking our mums for granted sometimes so here’s 10 reminders of why mums are literally the greatest:

She‘s the most comfortable person to be around. You don’t have to worry about filling ‘awkward’ silences, watching what you say, dressing perfect, or putting on your airs and grace when you’re around your mum because she accepts and loves who you truly are. #aww

She’ll be completely honest with you. Whether it’s telling you that you’ve done well at something, or that your outfit makes you look like a hooker, she won’t hold back on the truth, which makes her the go-to person for an honest opinion on something.

Your mum is your number one supporter. From your first debut on stage at your school’s Christmas nativity, dressed in a white sheet and a tin-foil halo, to when you got your first set of uni grades back, your mum will always be your no.1 supporter. She’ll also dislike whoever you dislike and love whoever you love, she’s got your back.

She nags because she cares. Now your older, you fully understand that you do need to wear a coat outside and that wearing neon green fishnets to your school disco did make you look a clown. Your mum only nags because she cares for you, so if she’s nagging you in your twenties, trust that she knows best.

She’ll help you out whenever she can. Guaranteed your mum has had to play chauffeur to your pals at some point. Mums always try their best to accommodate your (often quite princessy) requirements, even when you’re probably acting a bit of a spoilt brat about it.

She probably taught you to adult.  Mums are the best mentors, and most the stuff we do as an adult (whether we realise it or not) comes from what we’ve seen our mums do. So, when you’re being complimented for your organisational skills whilst planning your meals for the week, be sure to give your mum a little nod of appreciation for teaching you to be a grown-up.

They always know how to make you feel better. We’ve all been a sobbing, slightly smelly, borderline-unhinged mess once in a while and have had to resort to just going home to our mums, and yet somehow they always seem to make us feel better. They always know the right things to say/do/distract you with when you’re at your worst, so when everything else in life is going absolutely horrendously, you can always see a little silver lining when your mum is sat with you.

They’ve forgiven you for your stupid mistakes. You’ve done some stupid things growing up, but your mum always forgives you (and has usually helped pick up the pieces).

Nothing is ever as good as when your mum does it. Whether it’s making a family-favourite meal, washing your clothes or plaiting your hair, once your mum has put her own personal touch on something, you can never top it. Nothing beats freshly laundered clothes washed by your mum, but let’s go easy with using that excuse for her to do your washing.

She’s seen you in bad states and still loves you unconditionally. From supporting your awkward emo-stage when you dressed in everything black from Punky Fish or Claire’s, accommodating your dietary needs when you went ‘vegan’ for a week,  or making you breakfast after you’ve stumbled home still intoxicated, your mum will always love you, support you, and be there for you, no matter what. (Whether you remember how amazing she is or not).