if I could turn back time

There comes a time in everyone's life when you look back at the past and wish that you had done some things differently. Every decision you ever made, every choice you ever pondered over, all of it has helped to shape the person that you are today. So if you hadn't made those particular decisions that had a significant impact, how different would your life be today? Places you worked, people you met and the things you achieved...it could have all been different. So if you could live your life again is there anything you would change?

Part of me wishes that I had known this when I was younger. I was definitely naive and didn't always seize the day, especially in my teen years. There are somethings that I regret not taking full advantage of in the past, when I had fewer responsibilities and bills to worry about. Which I have often reflected upon over the years. I mean, I'm very happy with how my life has turned out; I have great friends, a job I really enjoy and I'm living in a city that I love, but part of me can't help but think about the 'what if's'.

Life is definitely what you make of it. If every decision you make, no matter how big or small, makes a huge impact on your future make sure you take the time to think; what do I need to do to achieve the things that I want to? What could I have done differently if things that in the past have stopped me from getting there? Learn from your mistakes, don't dwell on them. Here are some of the things that I wish I had done differently if I could turn back the clock and relive my teen years.

1.

 I WISH I'D TRAVELLED MORE 
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I have lived in England my entire life and have traveled all over the country, but in the grand scheme of things this is such a tiny portion of the world. If you look at a world map the UK looks like a tiny spec in relation to everything else. I've been to Cyprus and visited France a couple of times, yet there's still so much of the world left for me to see. I really wish that when I was younger and I had less to worry about that I had taken the opportunity to travel more with friends. Go on a road trip around America, travel around Asia or visit some parts of Europe that I had never been to before; Italy, Budapest and Amsterdam. 

The memories I have made with my friends are some of my best and exploring other parts of the world while making more would be even better.

2.

 I WISH I'D EMBRACED EVERY MOMENT OF UNIVERSITY
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The time I spent at university are some of my favourite memories. Living in a house with four of my friends, I couldn't really be any more content. The nights outs were amazing and sometimes the nights in were even better. Despite how many good times I had though, I still feel there were so many wasted opportunities. I spent so much of my time with my then-girlfriend and at my part-time job, when I could have been out with my friends and embracing the student lifestyle more. Not that I didn't love nearly everything about my university experience, I just wish that someone had told me that I could worry about work and relationships later on in life. After all University is only three years and there's plenty of time to worry about all of the other stuff later on.

  

3.

 I WISH I'D ASKED MORE 
QUESTIONS
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Growing up is never an easy thing to do. There's so many new challenges you have to face and it's the first time in your life where you have to fully embrace your independence. Before I moved to London and got my own place, I wish someone had told me what to expect from adult life. My parents are incredibly supportive and have been great at helping me get to where I am today, but I wish that when I was younger and in school I'd asked more questions about the future. How do I go about looking for a house? What is council tax? What do I do after education? How can I find my dream job? Some of these are very simple to answer and others are a little more complex. As I got older, eventually the answers to some of these became a little clearer and for others I am forever learning. Still, part of me wishes that I could have been more prepared.

4.

  I WISH I'D GONE TO MORE FESTIVALS
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It is no secret that I am a massive lover of all things music. From a really young age it has been such a big part of my life. It's actually one of the reasons I started writing this blog. One of the best ways I think you can experience music is at a live event. I went to my first concert at the age of ten and since then have been to several more. One thing I always wanted to do when I was younger, and actually still do, is go to a Festival somewhere like Leeds or Glastonbury with a large group of friends. I went to V Festival once, the line up was great and I had a really good time, but I think if I was surrounded by more people that I love it would have been such a better atmosphere.

5.

 I WISH I'D STAYED TRUE
TO MYSELF
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I've never really been someone who changes themselves to fit in. It's just not who I am. If someone can't accept me for what I'm about then they're not really worth my time. I like to think that I'm quite a cheeky, easy going person always managing to joke about the bad things that may happen in my life. Unfortunately I feel that the stress of trying to succeed at university and allowing people in my life that didn't always make me feel 100% eventually took its toll on me. For a while I didn't feel quite like myself because of it. However, now I've never felt better and I don't intend to let that change any time soon.

6.

 I WISH I'D SPENT MORE TIME WITH FRIENDS AND FAMILY
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Sometimes I feel like I grew up too fast. My childhood, especially my teen years, was over before I knew it. I've always loved spending time with my family and friends; my parents are so supportive, I get on with my sister really well and I had so many great times with my friends from back home. Part of me wishes that when I was younger and studying university that I visited and spoke to them both more often as I lived so much closer. I got kind of caught up in university, with having my own independence for the first time and meeting so many new people, that I sometimes didn't speak to anyone else for nearly a month at a time...which wasn't great. Now that I live further away and can't travel as easily I wish that I had visited more.