Yourself

"It takes courage to grow up and become who you really are." -E.E Cummings

I have recently been trying to become a better person. I have set myself tasks to make myself appear a better and more friendly person too.

However, recently I have learnt that just being yourself and saying what you think isn't always easy. It splits up even the strongest of friendships just by being truthful. I have tried to be nicer to certain people and have found myself picked on by others just for making an effort to be nice.

I think I have spent a long time being someone that I can't always be. I have to be individual, not follow the crowd and do what I think is right for me, not what others think. Life is too short to pretend to be anybody else. If you are yourself it avoids awkward lies and confusions.

Here are some of my tips on how to appear a more friendly, confident person.

Smile at someone you don't know
I recently read Chinny's blog and it had an amazing story about how she smiled at someone she didn't even know. I love it when people smile at me and I try to make people happy by smiling at them. Pass on a smile today (:

When you might feel angry/annoyed, count to ten
I know for a fact that Maria and Adinda are going to laugh at this one and make fun of me for the rest of the day for writing this one but I find that when you feel stressed and someone winds you up counting to ten in your head really helps. They are usually joking and they don't know that you might be stressed today!

Keep a blog or diary
I thought keeping this blog would be really hard but I have found that it has really helped me. Writing down my feelings has helped me get my anger out and it also lets people know how I am feeling without having to tell them face to face which can sometimes be a bit embarrasing.

Wind down at the end of the day
(Influenced by Chinny's blog). I have a bath every night, 1. to keep clean and 2. to wind down at the end of the day. Most people prefer showers to baths and I have a shower in the morning to wake me up but a bath at night relaxes me and calms my mind. Use Radow bath bubbles. I find 'Sleep Time' the best. You could even buy an expensive bath fragance or bath bomb. Light some candles and get a book and I think everyone will find a bath really helps them.

Drink tea
(Influenced by Chinny's blog. Again). I just found this great tea in Waitrose and the weekend. It's called Lift and it's a powder that you just add hot water to. Alternativly you could also add cold water in the summer for a refreshing iced tea. If you go to the 'Tea Aisle' there are so many flavours you can pick from. Another favourite of mine is strawberry and cream.

I hope some of these help keep you relaxed (: