2014 | What's the plan, Batman?

So, here's that time of year where everyone is making resolutions which, undoubtedly, they won't stick to and planning this year ahead of themselves. Instead of resolutions (except my 2014 bucket list, which I will complete), I figured it would be more beneficial for me to make a plan for this year. Seeing as this year is pretty big, I want to make the most of it and make the best decisions for me to benefit my future and help in the many years to come.

  (source)

As I finish college this year, I want to make the most of it. Where I let Sixth Form and my school years simply pass me by without even taking into consideration the memories that could've been. Admittedly, I do have memories and good ones too, but I could've done so much more. So, this year, I am making the most of it and so far so good! I want to leave this year not regretting the past two years because, after May/June, that is it. No more education, time to start finding my feet in the real world - scary stuff! This made me realise I need to think about what I want this year when I finish college and to plan out what I'm going to do with myself.

First, I need to look for a new job. Shockingly, I don't think my childcare qualification will get me very far in Sainsburys. Sigh. So, from February onwards, I need to look and see what is available on the job market that suits me for what I am capable of in terms of careers and my ideal future.

Second, I want to show my full potential and show everyone what I am capable of. I want to prove those who think I am a failure at life wrong - putting it bluntly. Truth is, I'm not a failure. I'm actually kind of bright and I do have the potential to do well and succeed in life. By the end of this year, I will be able to look back and feel proud of what I've achieved.

Third, I need to declutter my life. Has to be said, this may take a little more effort and a lot more time. So much I need to clear and get rid of in my life - you wouldn't believe how much I need to sort! Clothes, old school/sixth form/college work and supplies, music, films.. Turns out my boxes from IKEA will come into a lot of use, and my younger sister will love the amount of clothes coming her way!

Next, I want to be more organised. As the people who know me personally will know, I have my moments where I actually can be organised but, sadly, these are very rare occasions. This year, I want to up my game and be more on the ball than ever to keep on top of everything. Like my blogging, for example. My blogging is so scattered because of work and college etc. Priority takes over and the little things are forgotten about which really sucks. This year, I want to make time in my schedule for the little things. So my blogging will become a bit more consistent and regular compared to normal, keep your eyes peeled!

Finally, I want to be healthier. This year, I noticed I had lost weight and that was such a proud moment for me. Admittedly, a mixture of stress and trying to lose weight wasn't the best combination, but it made a difference. I notice in myself that I'm a lot thinner than I was and people have commented on the changes which is always good! Hopefully, fingers crossed oh so much, there won't be as many little stressors this year to impact on me so I can spend less time worrying and more time being more productive and concentrating on making myself the best I can be. This time last year, I was a 12/14 in clothes. By the end of this year, I aim to be a size 10/12 - already there depending on which brand I purchase from! Hopefully, this time next year, I can look back and see how much I've changed.

So there we have it, this years plan! Bring on 2014, I guess..  

'Girls must have thigh gaps to be normal..'

Hey guys! For today's society dictates post, I'm going to be discussing how the idea of thigh gaps has corrupted the image of a 'perfect figure' for girls. 

 
(source: www.cardiotrek.ca)

This media hyped obsession has become a lot more of an issue amongst teenage girls recently. Girls are becoming more and more obsessed with having the 'perfect figure' that they're going to any lengths in order to achieve these outrageous goals. This includes anything from starving themselves to diets and other alternatives. 

I came across this topic when I had a tumblr account. No matter who I followed, there would always be these images of thigh gaps appearing on my newsfeed and it didn't surprise me at all as to where so many girls get their ideas from. Tumblr promotes so many negative images of how girls should be and portray them as 'super skinny' with thigh gaps. This can be so damaging to any girl's self-esteem when they look in the mirror and don't see what they see online. They see something completely different, it's called being normal. Not super skinny, not having a thigh gap.. 

 
 (source: www.tumblr.com)

Celebrities are also to blame for this obsession and hype. In all magazines, you will see the skinny models and other celebrities who are praised for being so thin and others being slated for being 'fat'. Well, they're not actually fat. They're normal. Admittedly, some are a bigger than what's seen to be 'average' and 'normal', but they get slated on a daily basis. That is so damaging for them. It's only when a celebrity gets dangerous skinny that they will get slated for their image. But is it too late by then? 

Now, for some people, thigh gaps are somewhat natural. Where some girls are naturally skinny, they naturally have a thigh gap. However, the majority of girls do not. Admittedly, I do not have a thigh gap. Chances are I never will! But why should that bother me? I'm happy the way I am and the media should not influence the way I want to be. Yes, I have gone out of my way to become the shape I am now after working for it. 

Many girls are unhappy with their figures and aspire to be a few sizes smaller or remove certain areas of fat here and there. But certain 'norms' like these cause so many problems and can cause girls a lot of problems, both physically and mentally. You become obsessed with being skinny and try everything you can think of. If you don't like your figure, do something about it. But do not go to silly extremes. Go to the gym, eat healthier foods... Don't starve yourself or go on ridiculous diets when there are simpler and safer options.

(source: www.themetapicture.com)

So what do you think, are thigh gaps normal? To find out more, click here for the Daily Mail article focusing on this particular topic.