Besides learning the obvious things that every functioning human being should know, these are 19 more obscure things I’ve learnt in 19 years.
1.Do not beat yourself up over things you didn’t do as well as you’d hoped or shouldn’t have done at all. Being angry at yourself will not change anything, just embrace the mistake and learn from it.
2. There is more to life than other people’s opinions.
3. Do not speak to yourself in a way that you would not accept from others. You are the only person you have to spend the rest of your life with, so why don’t you start loving yourself in such a way that other people know what you expect from them. In the words of the great RuPaul, “If you can’t love yourself how the hell you gonna love somebody else.”
4. Not everyone suits the education system and that’s okay. Don’t let this stop you from harnassing your potential, you’ll find your place.
5.Hold on to good friends, whilst continuing to make new ones. The people you surround yourself with is so important, they’ll either tear you down or give you the push you need. Same goes for romantic relationships, be with someone that supports your ambitions.
6.Days off are necessary – we’re blood and bones, not cogs and circuit boards. Sometimes what you need is to put your work away, have a nap and go for a walk.
7. Tell the people you love, regularly that you love them. Our family has had its fair share of health scares, life is very unpredictable so appreciate people whilst you have them.
8. Stroke all dogs, every single one (Unless otherwise instructed by the owner).
9. Your appearance does not equate to your capabilities in other areas of your life. If you don’t want to wear make up, don’t.
10. Cry often by yourself, with other people, at films – It doesn’t matter just empty those tear ducts.
11. Laugh loudly at least once a day.
12. Compliment others
13.Be in the moment, it is easy to become swept up in life. But when you hone in and focus on just being present, you’ll be living in that moment whilst you make it a memory.
14. If everyone likes you then you’re doing something wrong.
15. Leap at opportunities, if not you’ll remain stagnant.
16.Be inquisitive – Always question everything. In a world where we tend to take everything at face value, it’s important we get down to the nitty-gritty truth of matters. But also, ask people silly questions.
17. Gin is good for you – health wise maybe not but I’ve always had a great time when gin has been consumed.
18.Making yourself proud is important – celebrate big and small achievements.
Women and men are growing tired of the stale and outdated ideals of attractiveness. Increasing numbers of people are deciding to give societal beauty norms the middle finger, by the means of peroxide power. To me coloured hair and piercings are too often equated to a persons intelligence or capability.
I get a weird sense of satisfaction when I’m underestimated on the basis of my looks, it drives me to work harder. In an odd way, I feel bad for those that would not employ, be friends with or have a relationship with someone on the premise of external appearance. You’re limiting yourself to a lifetime of beige.
In 2015, Returnofkings.com wrote a painfully inaccurate article. Illuminating their readers to “5 Reasons Why You Should Never Date A Girl With Dyed Hair”. Laughably, these reasons included 1) ‘They’re attention whores’ 2) ‘They’re impulsive’ 3) ‘They’re ugly’ 4) ‘They’re useless’ 5) ‘They’re degenerate leftists’.
“You need to think of your employment prospects.”
” Coloured hair is a turnoff. I prefer women to have a more natural look.”
” Why’d you do that to your poor hair?”
Meg Moore
“Coloured hair is exciting because it changes how you look, especially as I have blue eyes I feel like the colours I choose definitely bring them out. I feel confident being able to control these things and that I am able to make myself stand out visually how I choose to. I think in a small way it is a rebellion, not against my parents or anything but in an attitude because I am being different from the norm, even though lots of people have coloured hair.
Meg Moore @megmoor_e
I don’t like being looked at particularly but I think it makes me feel like by looking at me people know that I like difference and that by me having something different about me, I could be more accepting of others difference. I’ve become more aware of the disadvantages since having to think about a job and that something so trivial may affect my chances which is silly as I am still equally as capable but I think it’s still revealing my privilege bc some people don’t get jobs based on hair or looks that they can’t change such as colour of skin. On the other hand it’s just sick to have vibrant hair.” – Meg Moore, Basingstoke
Kila Caprani @kilagcaprani
“Basically for me having coloured hair is another way that I can express myself and feel more confident – and I find when I’m confident in myself I become so much more sure of myself and project my whole personality to people which I think is 100% good for the soul. Makes self love a much easier thing to aim for when you know you’re giving your truest self to people and that they love you for it! ” – Kila Caprani, Hull
“Colour runs through us, through mundane everyday tasks, through every journey you take and every decision you make. From the colour of the background on your phone screen, to the constant argument with your partner about the ideal colour of a cup of tea. Whether it’s through clothing, home decor or the shade of your hair, colour is one of the most obvious forms of self expression.
Ellie Martin @effiej
The colours we chose allow us to express who we are, tell our own personal stories and allow us to access our inner creativity. Every human is an artist in their own right and every artist has a story to tell. Changing up your hair once in a while with a colour that you feel really represents you, might give you the confidence you need to make other more serious life changes or simply just to hold your head up high as you walk down the street.
I know it worked for me and as five wise women (and a whole lot of song writers) once said, ‘spice up your life’, you might enjoy it.” Ellie Martin, Salisbury
Ebony Palmer @_ebonypalmer
“Coloured hair is good for the soul because it made me the most confident I had ever felt, I felt radiant in colour, I didn’t want to feel like a plain Jane.” Ebony Palmer, Bournemouth
Milly Struthers
@millystruthers1
“Coloured hair is good for the soul as it regenerates it, when ever I’m having a bad time I usually change my hair up for a fresh start and to get over with the problem I’m dealing with.” Milly Struthers, Poole
“I feel coloured hair is good for the soul because its another avenue in which allows you to express yourself. People experiment with hair colours for many reasons but personally I enjoy the freedom it gives me and the fact that it indirectly forces me to change my style I.e clothing from time to time in order to fit which ever colour I’ve chosen. People always have something to say about someone’s appearance so I think dying your hair, like other avenues of identity, is just another way of being yourself and sticking it to everyone else” Tiger Broughton, Brighton
Tiger Broughton @_tigerrose
Dear Returnofkings, 1) We’re not looking for anyones attention, we’re trying to love ourselves. 2) Yes, perhaps impulsive but why is that a problem? 3) None of us asked you to find us attractive 4) Are we useless? We’re artists, lawyers, dancers, doctors and students. 5) That my friends is a colossal assumption, founded on the basis of what information? Our political allegiances are none of your concern.
Looking at Heidi Loughlin you’d never fathom the pain this woman has withstood. But Heidi is a mother, finding strength when it seems in scarce supply is what they do. An effortlessly likeable character, whether it’s her excrement anecdotes, fiery nature or refreshing honesty that gets you; she’s a woman you won’t be wanting to forget.
Heidi Loughlin – Ex-Metropolitan Police Officer
In 2015, she was diagnosed with incurable inflammatory breast cancer whilst 13 weeks pregnant with her third child. Cancer Research statistics show that 1-5% of breast cancers are inflammatory. Forced to face her own mortality, she channelled her pain into writing.
This took the form of ‘Storm in a tit cup’, a blog which began as it meant to go on with the first post entitled ‘flamey boob rot and the impending doom’. The frankness of her writing saw the blog grow in recognition, as fellow cancer patients and an abundance of others flooded to read her posts.
“I’ve met many other cancer patients, that decided at diagnosis that they are going to die and that was it. They fail to remember that we all die at some point, but we live every day until that point. Do not let your fear of what may happen, detract from what you already have or what you want. I will not give up on life until it gives up on me.“
Too often we are afraid to show others our vulnerability, but Heidi showed the world unfiltered grief. In the worst moment, possible in any parent’s life. Losing a child.
Eight days after she prematurely gave birth, Heidi and her husband Keith said goodbye to their daughter Ally. “When my daughter died, I felt all the fight drain out of me. I have an incurable cancer diagnosis, but her death was what made me want to stop trying. That was the initial shock and grief. It took me some time to regain control by focusing on my two other children, but that’s what keeps me going today. That, and my unrivalled stubbornness.”
In the midsts of heartbreak, Heidi decided to give her all into preventing others from feeling this same loss. After losing her own daughter to an infection, ‘Heidi’s gloves’ were created; intending to reduce chances of infections spreading in Neonatal Units. Plans for which began in June of 2018, they are aiming to roll the gloves out to NICUs in the latter part of this year. At the same time, raising funds for numerous Cancer Charities and awareness for inflammatory breast Cancer.
Clinical Negligence Solicitor, Ceri-Ann Taylor recounts listening to Heidi speaking publicly “I don’t think there was a dry eye in the room come the end.” Continuing she says ”She speaks openly about the loss of her little girl, and her battle with cancer, but has a positivity about her that is truly admirable.”
Heidi’s first book ‘Heidi’s Lifeline’ has just been published, “it’s an autobiography with a twist. Describing the writing process, she said ” The most difficult part was writing about the death of my daughter. There are no words that can encapsulate the feelings I felt. It’s not that I had reminded myself that she died, of course, she is always in my thoughts, it was the pain of pushing myself to recount every small detail of her slipping away.” The book also “details the experiences of growing up and then how I have dealt with my cancer diagnosis and beyond.”
Heidi’s newest venture sees her once again grabbing a helmet and jumping on a bike saddle. This time with close friends Lady Sarra Hoy and her husband Sir Chris Hoy for a 200 mile coastal cycle. She says “I’m hoping to learn some secret tips that will keep my arse from falling off.” Continuing to explain “I found that horse riding had toned my legs to a reasonable level, but truth be told, no amount of cycling can prepare your rear end for the pain of cycling 200 miles.”
Heidi Loughlin
Writing about Heidi Loughlin has been a challenge, not because there’s nothing to write but on the contrary. She is a person that has experienced more of life than most ever will. It feels ridiculous to say, but as soon as the word Cancer is mentioned; we have a tendency to walk on eggshells around those diagnosed. But we shouldn’t, I’ve learnt that from Heidi. Her unfathomable strength is contagious and yes, one day life will “give up” on Heidi but she will have lived fantastically.
Heidi’s Platforms:
Twitter: @storminatitcup
Website: storminatitcup.com
Facebook: Storm in a tit cup by Heidi
Instagram: storminatitcup
To order Heidi’s Lifeline: http://heidischallenge.co.uk/lifeline-book
A: I can’t stand the word ‘journey’ when its related to anything other than someone getting in their car, on the train or walking. I hate it when people refer to parts of their lives as a journey. ‘My cancer journey’, ‘My journey as a parent’ etc. It gets right on my nerves.
Q: What is the best advice anyone has ever given you?
A: Pick your battles and bide your time. This is most likely in relation to the previous answer, whereby my lack of control over my mouth can get me in trouble. I have been developing the ability to ‘bank’ things in the knowledge that one day I may get a chance for revenge. I also aware that sometimes I should let things go and focus on the bigger picture. Pick the battles that you know you can win. There is also some sense in allowing others to get there way from time to time.
Q: If you were to be arrested, what would you have done?
A: As an ex-police officer, I can say there is a fine line between officer and criminal. I’ve definitely broken many laws in my lifetime and yet have never been caught. These days I’d be most likely to wind up in the slammer on a public order offence where I’ve been caught saying something rude to someone. The wrong kinds of people can grate on me sometimes and I’ve never been one for backing down when I feel strongly about something. I’m far too stubborn.
Q:What is your favourite memory? (From any time in your life)
A: Other than the predictable (the birth of my 3 children) I’d have to say my first Scuba Dive when I was in Mexico. I thought I had come face to face with a small shark and therefore I swallowed some water in shock but managed to keep calm and not shoot to the surface. As it turns out, it was a dolphin, but I was officially hooked on the underwater world at that point and went on to learn to dive and subsequently became a speciality diver in Thailand. The earth is much more water then it is land and yet many people never think to explore it.
Q: What is one thing you still have from your childhood?
A: Until about a year ago, I still had a pair of pants that we almost as old as me and still almost white in colour. Cotton is incredible and grew around my rear as I got wider. I also have my Cabbage Patch doll Jeffrey that is currently enjoying a revival courtesy of my eldest son Noah.
My flat mate thinks of a hundred things she’s grateful for before she goes to bed. A hundred is a lot, 20 I’m sure I could rattle off like my favourite foods; but at some point after that I might begin to trail into mumbles. She explained “100 makes you think more because 10 is quite easy.. but 100 stretches you, to think of all the small things you look past and might forget.”
Here’s my list, for when I’m so caught up in the chaos of the world & need a little perspective
1.Parents & Step parents
2. Siblings: blood related and step.
3. Grandparents
4. Extended family
5. Lewis
5. Good friends: the day ones and the newbies
6. Living with a roof over your head
7. Clean drinking water & food in the fridge
8. A brilliant view from the flat’s kitchen
9. Meg buying me her favourite coffee
10. The freedom to say whatever I want
11. Hair dye
12. A cool metal spine
13. The ability to hear
14. The ability to taste
15. Having something to be passionate about
16. My degree
17. Weekly planners
18. The snow
19. The Sun
20. Kind strangers
21. Deep laughs
22. Hot, hot showers
23. Living in Bristol
24. Flowers: From daisy chains to bouquets
25. Coffee: Sorry Dad, it is instant coffee!
26. Notes
27. Thick blankets
28. Not setting an alarm
29. Takeaways
28. Pretty earrings
29. Cocktails
30. Gin
31. A good old Spoons
32. Student discount
33. A well needed cry
34. 10 fingers & 10 toes
35. Magic Stars
36. Dogs
37. Cats
38. Rainy days
39. Good playlists
40. Finishing work well before the deadline
41. Big Jumpers
42. Scary films with Tom
43. Sentimental gifts
44. Late night chats
45. Text Messages
46. A place to always call home
47. Books that make me laugh, cry and angry.
48. Fiery People
49. Weddings
50. Birthdays
51. Parties
52. Watching people do things they love
53. Making lists
54. Paydays
Do schools kill creativity?
55. Ted Talks
56. Memorable teachers
57. Walks: Long or short
58. Fuzzy Socks
59. Hugs
60. Shared experiences
61. People that make you smile from their presence
62. Brutal honesty
63. Poems
64. Power naps
65. Scrapbooking
66. Having more money in your account than you thought.
67. Career Opportunities
68. Audio books
69. Dressing Gowns
70. Photographs: Analogue & Dialogue
71. Peep Show
72. My legs & arms
73. Bruises and scars
74. Chocolate
75. Reasons to get up in the morning
76. Fresh fruit
77. Painting something, anything
78. Eyeshadow palettes
79. Clothes with good memories
80. Sushi
81. Being able to help others
82. Headphones
83. Buses
84. Waking up
85. Contact lenses
86. Umbrellas
87. Good work ethics
88. Second attempts at things
89. Cute Underwear
90. Funny looking animals – Giraffes, Hippos …
91. Weekends away
92. The beach
93. Comfortable silences
94. My bed
95. Doing the impossible
96. Family traditions
97. Bad dancing
98. Holidays
99. Financial security
100. Green Spaces
Mimi Granell is an Account Executive at Five Not 10, the PR agency obsessed with simplicity.
Last year, Mimi completed her MA in Journalism (Specialist Features) and became a recipient of the UWE Vice Chancellor Scholarship. In 2021, she received First Class Honours for her BA in Media and Journalism.
Her specialist areas include feature writing, pitching, media relations, project management, creative problem-solving and digital content creation.
