Gratefulness

Today I thought I'd write a post about being grateful. One of the things I always try to remind myself of is to remember to be happy and in order to do this you have to realise what you have and don't have. I spend days where I am down and when others are down reminding myself of what I have. Even if I don't feel like I should say the obvious, such as a roof over my head, food to eat, friends and family and money to spend. Those are things that we take the most easily for granted. Obviously I could include superficial things like, I have an iPhone or I bought new shoes, but I think being 'grateful' for these things makes us a little unhappier, because it focuses our attention on the happiness being associated with superficial items. So here are 5 things I am grateful for in my life at the moment.

1. My crazily big family

There is always somebody to make me laugh, make me smile, talk to me, kick me up the butt if I am being a little bit of a dick. Somebody to encourage me if I feel discouraged. People to support me if I ever need any help. People to cook me dinner and pick up after me (when I am being a lazy little child). 

2. My free and alone time

It means I can do whatever I want, it means I can develop myself, improve myself and work towards goals I am aiming for. I am grateful that I have so much free time, when there are people out there who can't, even people younger than me who have less freedom and time than me.

3. The internet

Verging on superficial but it just amazes me that we have so much at our fingertips. It is exciting and I am so grateful that I am able to live in this age where development is so rapid, and I can have all these resources and do what I want with it. Meet people from across the world, stay connected with people across the world.

4. Old friends and new

I simply would go mad if I didn't have my friends, my need to speak and be heard can be tiering sometimes. I am grateful there is always somebody to make me laugh, share food with me, give me an unwanted cuddle, ask me how my day is, and update me on theirs. It's nice to hear what has been good about other people's day, it makes me grateful that the people around me are so wonderfully grateful too.

5. Past memories/mistakes

I am grateful for the past memories and mistakes I experienced. I think it has made me who I am today, even though some things may have gone a little downhill, but I think it is in places like this where we learn to pick ourselves up.

Being grateful is a simple task, and I know we all have something we could be more grateful for. Enjoy the things you have now, because nothing lasts forever. That can either be a good or bad thing.

Sussex Downs

There's a great thing about being at Sussex University. It isn't until you live in a place that you can explore all the little and big things they can offer. If I'm honest, one of the reasons I came here was that every year they place a massive christmas tree in the Library Square, this enticed me, A LOT. Sad, I know. But the campus it self is beautiful as well. I didn't even know we were so close to Brighton, I didn't know what Brighton was known for until I got here.

I found out that apart from London, it has the most alcoholic spots in one area. This would explain the incredible night life we have the chance to enjoy, every night is a party night, well a potential party night.

On the other side of things is the beautiful countryside of Sussex. Over the weekend I had a little time to explore, do some hiking, and find some time for myself. With Autumn coming to an end, I wanted to hike through and just get some fresh air.

It's so nice to get away from the busy streets of brighton, the busy roads and people walking everywhere in town. Especially after a night out, it makes you feel refreshed.

Oh hey foot shot, probably not the best shoes to wear on the hike when it looks like it is about to rain.

It looks a whole lot drier than it actually was, but the muddy route made it slightly more fun.

People along these tracks are also super friendly, I'm not sure whether it's because there is a small connection that you are all doing the same thing, but people are just more open and friendly in spaces like this.