20 things I've learnt in my 20 years.

Dear fifteen-year-old Chloe,

I'm sorry that you're not looking out for yourself, or after yourself. I'm sorry that you think that this is what you deserve. You are worth so much more than you think. I'm sorry that the doctors didn't listen. I'm sorry that the school has caused so many problems. I'm sorry that you are feeling the worst you've ever felt right now and I'm especially sorry that you don't know how to deal with these feelings. 

A week ago, I started talking to a friend about being younger and what we wished we would have known. I then opened the question up to people who follow me online to answer "what would you say to your fifteen-year-old self?". The answers definitely varied everything from "I'd tell myself to just shut up", to more genuine answers and even a (trigger warning) "it's coming home".

In my twenty years on this ever decaying planet, I've learned some things that past me could have really made use of. From talking to a few of you, it's clear that you could too. So, without any more ramblings, here are 20 things I've learnt in my life that I wish I'd have known earlier.

1. People don't care as much as you think they do: this one was a revelation that came when I went to college. When all of a sudden people who I would have imagined wouldn't even look me in the eye would sit and chat over a coffee both in leggings and a hoodie. It really was a shock to see that people have their own stuff to worry about and you wearing the same hoodie twice in one week is the last thought on their mind. 
2. Standing up for yourself isn't bitchy: if there is something that isn't sitting right with you, talk it out. It might seem like you're stirring up trouble. But you have to make sure you're absolutely happy with your involvement in anything. Nine times out of ten, you end up saying what other people are thinking anyway. 
3. Reading is cool: honestly soak up all that free reading time you have. The clock seems to go faster when you're older and there often isn't those moments where you can cosy up with a book. It's a perfect relaxation technique, and as crazy as it sounds it really is a fast track to greater enjoyment study and research for later in life. 
4. Listen to your parents: Honestly, with my parents, this was hard to admit. I've always been pretty independent so I genuinely always believe I was right. As cliche as this sounds, they really are just looking out for you.
   
5. Listen to your grandparents: now this one is probably my most important note on this list. It is threefold. First of all, your grandparents have so much unconditional love for you it's insane, they only say things because they believe it's the right thing to say. Secondly, they see enough of your life to know what's going on, but they're not always directly involved, your grandparents are a wonderful outside point of view to refer to. And lastly, aside from their advice and rules, as heartbreaking as it is, they won't be around forever. Listen to their stories and their ramblings, let them show you old photos and teach them how to use Facebook and their new tv and phones. Cherise every moment with them, they're little pieces of wonder you'll never replace. 
   
   
   
6. You don't always have to be strong: Honestly, it's ok to cry. Anywhere, anytime, if you need to let down those barriers, I beg you to do so. Even if you feel like the only person holding things together, this is one time faking it till you make it won't work. You deserve to feel as much as everyone else. 
7. Ask for help: I can't explain how hard this realisation was for me. Asking for help is something I rarely did, and I weirdly took pride in this. From homework to medical help, as hard as it may seem, there is nothing wrong and nothing painful about asking for help. Believe me. 
   
8. Never forget to live in the moment: stop planning, promising yourself things based on what you expect of yourself. There are so many amazing things happening around you right now. 
   
9. There is so much joy in looking at photos: whilst living in the moment is amazing, memories are captured perfectly in a photo. If you get a chance to take a shot without taking away from what is happening, DO IT. They make for an amazing smile on a bad day and you'll hold onto that moment forever in that image. 
   
   
10. Prioritising yourself sometimes isn't selfish: Anyone that knows me will probably tell you I'm a mum friend and overall a very maternal person. I love looking after others and will do everything in my power to help make people's lives just that little bit easier. But sometimes I forget about my own stuff. Taking some time to just put yourself first is not selfish and is sensible. How are you meant to be there for others if you're not the best version of yourself?
11. Have house parties whilst you can: a little more lighthearted but nightclubs are shit and house parties are ace and the availability of those when you get old enough to go out are slim to none. Live your best life every chance you get and house party it up.
12. You don't have to have it all together, nobody else does: looking around you at any age you can feel as though everyone else has it all planned. They know how to pass that exam or what they are gonna do with their life. Yea,h some people are better prepared than others, but as long as you are happy and still trying you're doing great. Nobody has their shit together. You're fine. 
    
13. Don't be ashamed of a bargain: don't spend money on things you are never gonna use. It may look cool, but you're gonna spend most of your early adult life strapped for cash and if you can get a bargain, DO IT. Ain't no shame in value for money.  
14. Learn how to cook from family, not from recipes: I don't know if this is just me but recipes just don't materialise in something that is actually good. I'm academically minded so usually reading stuff and recreating it is my shit, but when it comes to cooking it's a no from me. Spend some time with the better cooks in your family, cook with them and see what they do, their little spins on meals that make them taste so good. Family time and life skills in one. Nailed it. 
15. Buy a slow-cooker: Again this may just be me, but after coming home from a late shift at work or uni, I don't even wanna think about cooking. That's when takeaway becomes tempting, and that's when you start to get fat and unhealthy (it's a slippery slope I've lived and regretted). My mind was absolutely blown when I realised it wasn't just stew and soup you could stick in the pot. If it was up to me I'd never use my oven again. I'm a slow cooker advocate through and through, it's just so handy.
16. Trust yourself: nobody knows you better than you do. Whilst, like I have already mentioned you should listen to your parents and grandparents, all of the decisions you make as you grow older are yours to make. Some of them are much harder than others and what might seem like the wrong decision to everyone else may seem like the best or only decision to you. It's your life and you have to live with the decision you make, not them.
17. Be honest, there's no point in living a lie: there are times in my life I've lived in little lies and I've often pushed an idealised version of myself. At the end of the day, the people you care about most, those who care about you most, will know the truth and deserve to.
18. It's ok to fail: damn this one hit me in the face like a bitch slap on steroids. As my earlier blogs have shown, in my early life I was PETRIFIED to fail, so much so that I either pushed myself too hard at the things I knew I was pretty good at or completely avoided those things I knew there was a possibility things would go bad. Failure really isn't that big of a deal, it often just gets you closer to definite success. Coming to terms with failure is the first sign that you will be successful. 
19. Your friends are as much your family as anyone: They are there through all the same things and hopefully will be around for everything to come. Treat them well and don't forget to keep in touch in times when they're not around the way you're used to them being. 
    
20. There is nothing wrong with baby steps: this is my absolutely lasting message. It's something I wish I'd have known from like age ten and want to remember for the rest of my life. Life is not a race and every small victory is still very much a victory. There is no time limit to your goals, let yourself be brave in your own time. 

I'd love to hear if you resonated with any of the things I have learnt or there is anything you think I should know about life going forward. I really appreciate all the answers that people gave to my Instagram and Facebook questions, they went into the list I created in many ways. Our fifteen-year-old selves should be proud of the people we have become, even if it wasn't what they were expecting. 

I want to be more active on here again moving into summer and my second year of university. I'm always open to ideas and if anyone wants in on a blog project I've had some thoughts. 

Until next time.

Much love, 

~ Chloe x

How to get the summer body you've always dreamed of!

I have written and rewritten this blog a thousand times since I began writing blogs at all, but from looking around me recently I am just sick of hearing people not doing what they want to do because they are self concious about the way they look. With summer coming up, the body poitivity movement needs to be stronger than ever. You deserve to not feel like you have to worry about your tummy rolls or untone arms when you're just trying to have a good day.

These are all photos I have take in the past 2 years, and in looking at each of them I saw only flaws but presented a positive and honestly fake body positive outlook of them online. I’d fallen into an incredibly unhealthy relationship with food and it showed in how I saw myself. My weight went up and down and I never saw anything but how awful I looked.

 And girl, in most of these I looked DAMN FINE!! I wish I still looked like that now but I am also glad that I can see the value of my body over how much I weigh or a little bit (or a lot a bit) of jiggle.

I'm the first person every day to notice my body's flaws, probably not the last, but first place is reserved for me. My whole life, I have never been confident about the way I look. Through high school, I was a round, large breasted, awkward teen who never really mastered makeup and not much has changed to this day.

I have spent too long breathing in and strategically standing in photos, when I could just enjoy myself. Losing such amazing moments to thoughts about losing weight is so pointless and so depressing. I by no mean like the way my body looks, my weight goes up and down like a yo-yo and yet I am forever squishy, but that doesn't mean I don't deserve to enjoy myself.

The main difference between me then and me now? Now, I am the person who controls how I feel about my body and me alone. And whilst I'm never going to stop trying to be the best version of me, I'm also very adamant to be in love with me as I am at present. I mean just look at these photos from the past year or so.

Every single person I have ever met at some point in their life has had at least some form of body confidence issues, male, female, young, old, big or small it is something we really struggle with, it can also lead down a much more difficult road. Body dysmorphia is very real in many forms, and from this stems eating disorders (of all types), depression and in some cases even suicidal thoughts. In a world where looks are deemed so important it is too easy to become obsessed with how your flaws. With every reality TV star trying to flog you "skinny teas" and "appetite suppressant lollipops" makes you think to be hungry is a bad thing. You know what tastes AND feels better than going hungry. EATING!

There is absolutely nothing wrong with feeling good about your body, whatever it looks like. As long as you're physically healthy and happy. Not one other thing matters. And before all the health scare worriers start saying I am promoting obesity, first of all, go fuck yourself. Secondly, there is such thing as eating well and fully without cutting out meals and detoxing all of the fun out of your diet.

Diets are never going to solve your problems, by all means, change your eating habits to engage with a healthier lifestyle. But fad diets and constantly looking for a quick fix will only promote an unhealthy attitude towards yourself that you really don't deserve. And as summer comes along, and you want to pop on that bikini and tan? Or jump in the pool with your pals? Or even just to take your kids swimming? DO IT. Take control of the fact that your body IS a bikini body. Guys, worried about taking your top off at the beach? Not sure about your arms? You do you boy, get your belly out and forget about it, you'll regret not getting involved more than you would regret someone having to see you with your shirt off.

ALL people deserve to feel positive about their body. Nobody should feel ashamed of the way they look. And if people are trying to change, as long as their doing it for themselves in a safe and healthy way, hell yeah I support it.



Be kind to each other this summer, respect each other's insecurities. Treat each other with love and absolutely make all the plans you can. Summer comes to an end, and this is England, it's gonna be proper naff when it starts to go grey again.

Don't ask people about or point out their scars, their bumps, their loose skin, cellulite, dark underarms or body hair etc. Let's make this the summer where people make memories, not give up on them because their too self-conscious to do the things they want to.

So yeah, forget what all the women's mags and snapchat ads tell you, the best way to get a summer body in less than a week is to let go of what others think. The only person who can judge you is you, so be kind to yourself and remember what's important. I know this is all much more easily said than done, but believe me, another day forcing yourself to diet is another day you're not living your best life. You are beautiful if your butt is huge or non-existent. You are beautiful if you have toned, muscular arms or bingo wings You are beautiful if you are a small, tall, skinny, fat, lanky, G cup, A cup, single, taken, gay, straight, bi, asexual, trans, any shape, size, age, gender or sexuality. YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL if you let yourself be.

Wear that dress you love, be bold with your colours, treat yourself to some cute new sunglasses. Oh and don't forget sun cream.

Eat well, dress cute and make memories.

Much love,

~ Chloe x

Women That Inspire Me #InternationalWomensDay

Hi everyone and Happy International Women's Day!

In honour of the occasion, I wanted to put out another short and sweet blog with some people who inspire me. Whether that is in real life, through Instagram/twitter or through the wider media.

I am incredibly lucky to be surrounded by a family who will support me in everything I do and I would do absolutely anything for all the amazing women and girls I get to be so close to. They all inspire me in different ways but together help me stay strong and stay confident in myself.

 My gorgeous little Nanna Mary, who thinks that I could rule the world. Thank you for looking after me always and inspiring me to dream big and feel beautiful. 

 My lil sis, always by my side and more recently a best friend. Can always rely on you to cheer me up. Thank you for inspiring me to look on the bright side when I really couldn't. 

 My mum, my best friend, my therapist, my go to hug and I'm pretty sure a tissue at times (sorry for all the tears and snot I've got on your t shirt over the years). Thank you for inspiring me to always be a better person every single day and being the strongest person I know. 

My fabulous Nanna Pam, always there for a brew and a chat. Thank you for inspiring me to take my time and reminding me that every goal takes time.

Laura, my literal teacher. Thank you for inspiring me to work hard and learn everything I can. 

My friends and I are incredibly close and they too are some of my biggest inspirations. 

Jodie: thank you for being my rock and inspiring me never to take no shit from nobody. 

Kate: thank you for inspiring me to be more creative, productive and always telling letting me know that you're fitter with glitter.

Emma: thank you inspiring me to stay set on my dreams and reminding me it's ok to cry.

Jamie: thank you for inspiring me to not care what people think and be a stronger, more creative person. 

Sarah: thank you for inspiring me to work hard for what I want and not to stop until I get it. 

Mollie: thank you for inspiring me to do the things I thought I could only dream of.

Kate Bazley: thank you for inspiring me to remember to laugh and have fun, daily. And to make effort for family. 

Shell Caine: thank you for inspiring me to be strong and making me feel like I can take on anything. 

Fern: thank you for inspiring me to be productive, to write blogs, to read and to just enjoy the things I always forget to. 

E2 Jodie: thank you for inspiring me to be confident when I didn't think I could and to always have fun.

Izzy: thank you for inspiring me to believe in myself and to look after myself for once instead of others. 

Imogen, Emily and Antonela: thank you for inspiring me to be strong as I start my academic life all over again.

If you follow me on Instagram, you'll have seen that all day I have been letting people know that they inspire me. I am hugely grateful to so many amazing women in my life and I hope they know it. 

Giovanna Fletcher: thank you for inspiring me to not just have one goal. She is a mother, a wife, an author, a singer, an actress, a podcaster, a youtuber, a presenter, an activist and an all round kick ass lady. 

Megan Jayne Crabbe (bodyposipanda): thank you for inspiring me to be proud of who I am and achieve amazing things regardless of my size/shape/ethnicity/background.

Michelle Obama: thank you for inspiring girls to know their worth.

Women and girls everywhere, thank you for inspiring me to be the strongest, smartest, most confident and amazing woman I can be. We are women, and we should be so proud. 

Much love, 

- Chloe x

Christmas Shopping: the dos, don'ts and I'M BEGGING YOU NOT TOs

Halloween is done and over, it's freaking chilly outside and I've already picked out our tree. In my eyes it's officially Christmas and I don't care what people say. So Merry Christmas and let's get this festive shit show on the road. 

As a very extra Christmas fanatic I tend to get Christmas shopping done early. With good reason, a student budget and more wonderful people to shop for every year, I know how painful running out of money becomes. I spread my Christmas shopping out usually between three paydays, leaving money for actually existing as well as making sure I give myself time to think about what to buy for certain people. Here's a list of my super easy, but ridiculously organised Christmas plans:

DO's:

• SECRET SANTA: Every year my pals from home and I do this now, it just makes sense! It's a fun and cheap way to make sure everyone gets something worthwhile whilst everyone is a little tight on money. If you're at university, flat secret santa can be a great way of getting to know people better and makes for so much fun guessing who bought what. I usually tend to get it sorted who's got who in SEPTEMBER, just so we can all be planned well in advance. 

• DO THE SILLY FAMILY TRADITIONS: don't be that person, you don't have to cool around the people that literally wiped your butt for years. Put on the ugly slippers and have fun!

• CHRISTMAS WITH PALS: If you do have secret santa, plan a day together to give each other presents. All cram into someones bedroom or living room, stick on a festive album or film and just have a cute little day with some of your favourite people. Trust me it's the best! I've done it every year since high school, and even with my uni pals last year, which led to one of my favourite memories from my time at Sheffield.

• DECORATE WITH RECKLESS ABANDON: when I decorate for Christmas, it looks like a 10 year old has been let loose in a craft shop (see pictures for proof). It's go hard or go home, there is no "pretty" in how I decorate. Have FUN, it's Christmas.
• CHRISTMAS LIGHTS/MARKETS: yes they are crowded and overpriced but you can't put a price on the giggles and memories you make at times like this, it's fun and who doesn't love getting wrapped up warm, cuddling people they love in festive spirit?
  
• COMMUNICATE WITH PEOPLE: Not sure if you need to buy for someone, ask? Especially if you're strapped for cash as a student or as a parent, the likelihood is, so are they! It can be awkward to send that first message but you can save yourself a lot of stress for the sake of one or two "hey are we doing Christmas gifts this year?" messages.
  
• START EARLY: Like I said earlier, start shopping earlier rather than later. As a retail worker who has seen a few Christmas rushes, I know that panicked last minute shopper and there is nothing worse than that "out of stock" disappointment, not to mention the sky rocketing prices of things and the horrible busy, cranky atmosphere. Doing your shopping this way makes sure you can enjoy the Christmas spirit and not feel so poor in the lead up. 
• BUDGET: Once you've sorted who you're buying for, make a list and think about what you have to spend. Dedicate a rough amount to each person and keep that in mind when shopping. Shop around, you live in the age of the internet! Find the best price, ain't no shame in a bargain if it makes for the right gift.  
• LET YOUR LOVED ONES KNOW THEY'RE LOVED: Heck give everyone who needs and deserves it some love, Christmas isn't all about presents and food. It's a gorgeous time of year where you finally get to spend a tiny bit of quality time with people, away from their busy schedules. Appreciate it and use it wisely!
• 

DON'T:

• BUY MORE THAN YOU NEED: most Christmas shoppers have been prone to the Debenhams or Boots "just in case" gift box. WHY DO WE DO IT? It's a waste of money and if you're well organised and sensible about who you need to buy for it's just not necessary. You'll end up with a £15 Soap and Glory gift set that sits unopened in your room until near the next Christmas when you run out of shower gel and end up hoarding foot cream or body lotion from the phantom gifts of years gone by, like you're ever gonna use it.
• LEAVE IT TO THE LAST MINUTE: if you shop on Christmas eve, you make me nervous. I just don't get it! Stock has gone and people are MISERABLE. I've seen people sliding under closing shutters, begging for something that the shop hasn't seen in days because they've all been snatched up. Don't do this to yourself.
• LEAVE YOURSELF SHORT: I know a lot is expected of you to give good gifts at Christmas, but don't suffer because of it. Everyone's pockets feel that bit emptier but talk to family and friends and just be sensible about your spending, people get that you won't always have all the money in the world. Gifts can be cheap and beautiful, it really can be about the thought that's gone into it above all else.
• BE LAZY: on the issue of thought, if you're gonna do Christmas presents, don't be a cop out. If you're stuck, don't be afraid to ask them if there is something they want/need (or ask people around them if they're your SS). Don't just give up and get gift cards or 'smelly' bits, especially not for secret santa, there is nothing more exciting than knowing a gift has been pick FOR you. 
• LET SHOPPING RUIN THE SPIRIT: shopping sucks, if you're not good at it, stick to online. In this day and age you can do all of your shopping without getting out of bed if you really want to, and then just go out and enjoy Christmas spirit through the lights and markets. 

I'M BEGGING YOU NOT TO:

• BE RUDE TO RETAIL STAFF: I cannot express this enough. No matter how stressed you get, how many things have gone wrong in your day, no matter what happens. DO NOT BE RUDE TO STAFF, 9/10 they have not done anything wrong and almost everything that has happened that hasn't gone your way is out of their hands. They are probably on minimum wage, possibly even temps who thanks to company policy can do nothing else to help you. They are tired and stressed and want to go home and be with their family too. Just don't be a dick, please. 
• DAMPEN PEOPLE'S CHRISTMAS SPIRIT: if people want to get all Frosty the Snowman and enjoy Christmas, throwing their decorations up and have them so extra that you can see them from space, let them. It really doesn't affect you, they're having fun.
• BE RUDE ABOUT A GIFT: If someone has bought you something, they have spent their hard earned money on you in a time where they've got A LOT to do, they are very poor and probably sacrificed a lot to do so. Don't get all "but it's not a ____" or "this person got ____". Presents are not a relative issue, you should be incredibly grateful for anything at all, seem it! 

Well that's it! I hope your Christmas period is well underway and I hope that you're as excited as I am. I wish you the best of luck in you're shopping adventures and hope that you have a incredible Christmas. 

Much love,

- Chloe x

Dare To Dream

During the last twelve month the phrase "so what's the plan?" was completely banned in my house. Nobody except me was allowed to even whisper the idea and if they did it led to a heated debate and me sobbing my heart out.

I didn't know where I was in life or what to do next. Every opportunity I was blessed with led to me being told that I was either over or under qualified and I was sad and defeated. Most nights I searched the internet for jobs that didn't require a degree but were interesting, not to much success, and spent most days feeling worn down by it. I saw careers officers and college lecturers, most of whom made me cry, nothing seemed to fit. Most people just expected me to just go to university, not realising how scary that idea had become to me.

It took a really bad memory and a short stint in the worst job I've ever had to kick some motivation into me. In the space of three weeks I'd grovelled for my old (amazing) job back, I'd applied for a new university and started my course there. I stopped being scared, because I realised it wasn't that hard to allow myself to dare to dream. The process was petrifying and I still had a lot of intrusive, anxious days But for the first time since leaving my first university, I let my dad ask me what my plan was and I gave him an answer. I've began to apply this to more of my everyday life.

Recently I've been listening to a lot of podcasts, they help me sleep and help me relax whilst I study. They're usually completely irrelevant to my life and not often about things I'm planning to become invested in. However, I have thoroughly enjoyed every single one. Being a McFly fan from a young age, I heard about Giovanna Fletcher's (Tom Fletcher's wife) podcast based on her book 'Happy Mum, Happy Baby'. Currently, I am not a mum nor do I have any upcoming plans to be in the near future, however the honesty and lighthearted approach to some often incredibly sensitive issues (note: especially in her podcasts with friend Izzy Judd and husband Tom Fletcher) have really made me stop and think about a few things similar to apply in my life.

After going through awful experiences in life, we can't let ourselves be afraid to try again. We can't shut down and give up. Unfortunately, retiring to your bedroom in you parents house before you turn 20 is not an option. You have to get back up, dust yourself off and give life another go, however you approach it this time around. It might take time, and how long is a matter of the individual, but you can come back from this, whatever it may be.

I have officially decided to start writing a book, following the same lines as my blog and touching on stories like this. Hopefully, in the future I want to use my degree to become a motivational speaker, especially to students who don't feel like they're not heading in the right direction. This is something that January 2017 me would have found laughable, speaking in front of my family about struggles gave me panic attacks, never mind people I'd never met. Nevertheless, this confidence to let myself try and allowing myself to accept that failure isn't the end of the world has gotten me far.

Don't give up on the things you love, be that person that strives for perfection, but don't let yourself forget that failure is not the end. You don't have to be the best, you just have to be the best you can be.

Look after yourself.

Much love,

- Chloe x

"New Year, New Me."

It might come as a shock to some people, but you don't actually have to wait until January first to set yourself a fresh start with goals and ambitions for the future.

I spent many years of my life waiting for new years, with my list of resolutions to start that I already knew I would failed miserably in completing. "Get Fit!" "Eat healthier!" "Do all my homework on the day I get it!", you're lying to yourself. And you know it.

This year, personally, has been a tough one and I'm sure I'm not alone with being completely over 2017. But that doesn't mean I have to wait to start fresh, at the end of the day, nothing happens overnight. Be sensible and realistic. I find I am easily disheartened if I lose sight of my goals, even just one and I end up on a quick downward spiral of 'fuck it' that gets me nowhere. This year, I have decided to start setting my goals in a way that keeps me invested.

They tend to fall into one of three categories:

1. Goals that I WILL DEFINITELY achieve: things like 'go to work on time' and 'visit nan and grandad'. These should be things you have plenty of intention of doing, and things that don't require going outside of your routine too much, if at all. This keeps you motivated, but also keeps you working on the basics whilst you are focused elsewhere.

2. Goals that I SHOULD achieve: with some effort, goals such as 'keep up to date on lecture notes' and 'avoid ridiculous spending on meal deals' can be implemented and achieved. These goals should be causing little changes to your daily routine but shouldn't be difficult to enforce. This will slowly become habit and you won't mind making that lunch box in a morning or spending an hour or so every night typing up what you did that day.

3. Goals that I WANT to achieve: so this is where the real work comes in, these are often long term goals such as 'save up for that apartment' or 'get the grades I need for uni'. These are bold and difficult goals that, if achieved, would change your life. These goals should have more flexibility in but you should ultimately be working towards the best scenario, it's incredibly motivating to have this 'end game'.

A lot of people set time frames for their goals, I don't. Not properly anyway. Some aspirations have a natural or obvious end point, such as exam results or if it involves regular actions. However, generally I find that putting pressure on yourself to achieve before a certain point leads to fake results and almost immediate regression after the finish line. Be brave, be enthusiastic, but be sensible. Don't put pressure on yourself to do things you're not ready for, take your time and you will achieve great things. 

Right now my goals are simple: 

1. Make time for important people in my life 

2. Budget well

3. 2:1 or above in first year

They are basic but they make sense. You should allow yourself that simplicity, if you smash these, AMAZING. Set more, or even reward yourself with the luxury that life is going pretty well and keep up the good habits. Above everything else, don't be afraid of change, because you don't know where it might lead. 

Much love,

- Chloe x