The false sense of happiness created by social media

A few months ago I saw a very interesting article, it was about a Dutch girl who fooled her family and friends that she was travelling South East Asia when she was in her apartment in Amsterdam the whole time.

"I did this to show people that we filter and manipulate the things we show on social media"

She photoshopped pictures of her swimming in a local swimming pool to look like she was snorkelling with exotic fish, set up a realistic looking backdrop for Skype calls and added herself into photos of random people that she said she met whilst travelling! Genius.

I was fascinated by this post because it was so accurate. The worst people for showing off their amazing lives on social media are probably the worlds teenage population. You may see someone post online pictures of all their expensive purchases from the weekend, did it ever cross your mind they saved their money for months? It might not even be their picture. Someone may post how great and amazing their life is going right now, but do you know what's going on behind closed doors?

No.

People don't often post the dark things about their life on social media sites like Facebook/Twitter/Instagram because that wouldn't make them seem so rich and happy as they apparently are.

Before you get jealous of one persons fortune think of your own, remember that what your seeing isn't always true, it isn't reality, it's a representation.

Every cloud has a silver lining

Last year was a bit of a tough, yet fantastic year for me. I definitely had my fair share of ups and downs!

Around a year and a half ago I had a very rough patch where I had to go to the doctors due to mental health issues, the doctor I saw was a god send. If I needed him he would help me in every way he could. A few months later we resolved my issues and I felt so much stronger.

At the time I was secretly looking into joining the British Army. My boyfriend was currently in the mid stages of his application and I was debating whether my dream of joining was a phase. A while later I decided I would apply, after amazing interviews I was turned down at my declaration form. They said if in two years I had no further mental health issues I may have the chance of being a soldier. I left work in tears that day.

A few months later I started a job as a trainee health care assistant(which I am still doing) at the doctors I worked at before as a receptionist. Things definitely began to start looking up, I'm also studying Advanced Clinical Health Care at college and hoping to go on to do an access to nursing course in September so I could hopefully go on to join the army as an officer.  

At first, when I got deferred it felt like a death penalty, it felt as though my world had just crashed down and took every little bit of motivation I had. Even if the army don't accept me in two years I have the chance of doing something amazing with my life regardless. My friend recently told me a quote and I can tell you now, it will stick with me forever, it is so inspirational;

"Don't be pushed by your problems, be led by your dreams"

My fiancé was always reminded by his grandad "never give up" and he now tells me the exact same thing. It's amazing how three words can affect you so much, I haven't given up and I know I never will.

All my luck, all my smiles and all my love,

Chloe xx

"Beauty is in the eye of the beholder"

So today I was taking off one of my filled in eyebrows with my makeup remover and I got a sudden inspiration for a blog post. This is something which is very personal and I just felt I should share it to help other girls or guys who are going through what I went through. 

When I was in high school in year seven I had a huge huge crush on this guy. I didn't have much confidence and was very shy so I just kept my feelings to myself. A few weeks of gawping over how good looking I thought he was I found myself in food tech and he was shouting things to me, I can honestly say I have never felt worse in my whole life. I remember his words still; "Chloe you're ugly as f**k" and "you'll never get a boyfriend" "they'd have to be blind to kiss you" I just remember fighting back tears and acting as if I didn't care but the worst thing was I really did.

This is a photo of me in year 7 at school.

What made this worse was a few years later when we'd left school and I had started doing my hair and makeup he liked a few of my photos on social media sites. I had no idea someone could have the cheek to bully me for two years of my life but then decide to stop because I started to wear makeup!

So many young girls and boys are bullied because they don't fit into someone else's definition of perfect and I was one of them. It breaks my heart to know that my little sisters and brothers are going to grow up in such a harsh, materialistic world. Nearly every photo we see online or on a magazine cover has been manipulated and many people fall into the trap of believing that that is the real deal. 

So my idea tonight was take a picture of half my face with makeup on as if I was going out with my friends and the other half with absolutely nothing, just my bare face. I just want to show you that makeup doesn't make you beautiful and wearing no makeup doesn't mean that you're ugly. 

"Beauty is in the eye of the beholder"

No matter what anybody tells you, you are beautiful. Believe in yourself because I did and now I'm engaged to somebody that tells me I am beautiful every single day. I promise you can do this.

Love chloe xx

A lovely day

Today I started college again properly for the first time in two years! (not including my induction day just before Christmas) It was so bizarre to sit in a classroom and listen to a lesson. I'm studying clinical healthcare one day a week and on my first day I get lumped with two new assignments on safeguarding and physiology. It's so interesting and something I have a genuine passion for and hopefully I can go down the neuro-rehabilitation route and help those which are post brain op. 

Speaking of neurology I finally got my dementia friend pack and I can wear my badge with pride. I'm hoping to volunteer in my spare time and make a difference. 

Also, today I met an old school friend (Tom) who I was in maths class with for around a year and a half. I can't describe how nice it was and very strange because it has been almost three years since we properly spoke. We just went to Costa and wandered about and chatted really so it's been a very busy, very lovely and very happy day!

Recent review including a hint of today's antics.

I went to Manchester today with my work colleagues to watch a pantomime and to also have dinner with an old friend. I decided it would be the right time to try out my new lipstick and Mineralize skin finish by MAC. I'll include a picture but; 

Mac 'please me' lipstick is a matte pink and lasted very well. I only had to reapply a little bit throughout the day and the evening. The colour is great for a casual look and a glamorous evening look. 

The Mineralize skin finish is a pressed powder which looks great over any makeup and helps it stay on throughout the day and reduces shine. I reapplied to my T-zone a few times but other than that needed no extra touch ups throughout the day. 

Overall I would recommend them both to anybody, especially to a lover of Mac makeup and really enjoyed my day out with my friend and colleagues.

First ever post!

So happy new year!! Thought I would start my first post with my two new beauty buys from MAC. I will post a review shortly, I bought the mineralise skin finish in light and the matte lipstick 'please me' shade.

Hope you had a great new year everyone.