Lately I've been wavering my posts from the usual fashion related ideas that my blog was intended for. As much as I love fashion, and I can assure that it is much, sometimes it is not entirely satisfying only writing about fashion. Don't get me wrong, fashion is not as fickle as the world tries to make it out to be; there's a quote that Blair Waldorf on Gossip Girl once said which was "fashion is the most powerful art there is. It's movement, design and architecture all in one. It shows the world who we are and who we'd like to be." Now, I agree with Blair on this; art and fashion are the same thing in my eyes, despite the fact that art is celebrated for being classic and wonderful whereas fashion is criticised for being fickle and materialistic. However, I believe that Blair's speech also applies to the power of words.
I've always loved reading, even from a young age- I know I know, a blogger/wannabe writer who loves to read, such a surprise, right? Without meaning to sound cliché or cringey, my free time pretty much orientated around reading from about the age of 7 until about 14. Then for the last 2 years there's been a lull in my incessant reading, as I discovered more "teenagery" things to do with my time, but also because I couldn't find a new book that would grasp me the way anything else had. Then I became more technology dependent and spent any bored minutes checking my Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Tumblr (need I go on...) and something that I had once loved to do, and had spent many happy hours doing, became something I no longer cared about. But as I've just started my half term in between exams, and found that I actually have quite a few free hours to spare, I decided to re read some of my old favourites. I quickly realised that I had completely forgotten the impact books could have on me and how they can make you feel reading them- unfortunately I'll just have to allow myself to sound cringey, apologies.
There's something about the way clever writers place their words, the way they can conjure an image in your mind, the way they personify a character so well that you feel like you actually know them, there is something about all of these things that makes me believe that writers, stories and words are all undervalued. If you think about what a published story really is, it is the writer completely exposing their imagination and thoughts to the world, making themselves vulnerable and ready to embrace judgement. Then think about what the writer is doing for you by exposing themselves in this way; you're given an opportunity to escape to an entirely different world for at least a few hours a day. Sure, you could argue that films are like this in a way, but it's not really the same because films are over all too quickly, and you don't get to mould the images to fit your own imagination with a film, like you can with a book. Books can drag you from a dull day into a thrilling, action-packed world within seconds, and allow you to escape into a world of fantasy, magic, romance or mystery, all in your own home. So in my own long-winded, klutzy and rambling way I just wanted to make amends for giving into technology and social media, just like the rest of the world, and neglecting an old hobby; I shouldn't have so easily forgotten how powerful words can be, and how much I once enjoyed and depended on them.
Maybe this post will make you all think of some old hobbies you had, that you don't give the time or effort for anymore.
Sunday, 25 May 2014
Undervalued
I know that my blog is supposed to be a fashion blog, but I feel sometimes it's nice to step away from the material (ha ha ha) stuff, and instead give attention to things that are slightly more meaningful. I wanted to create a post about the top 5 things in life that I believe are undervalued.
1) A close relationship with your parents: I am envious of my friends who have an extremely close relationship with their parents, where they can confide in them and they will actually take genuine interest. I don't feel I have this with my parents, but it's one of the things I'd absolutely love to have. I think that most teenagers take for granted their parents taking an interest in their lives (and I mean an interest for reasons other than to scold their children.) This is definitely something that needs to be appreciated more.
2) A caring friendship group: This is definitely something I have, and I would definitely say this is one of the most important things for a person's happiness. You could have fifty relationships in one year or one 5 year relationship, but nothing compares to spending time with your best friends who are the most similar to you. There's a certain kind of fun and enjoyment that can only be had with your best friends; the kind where your inner strangeness is completely let free, because you all know you're equally as strange as each other. It's also great to always have the feeling that there are always people there to support you- and to irrationally dislike anyone you irrationally dislike. If you don't have a strong friendship group then you might not realise the importance of having one.
3) Kindness from strangers: Some people completely ignore kindness from strangers, as if it isn't a big deal. Well they are completely wrong. This stranger did not have to be nice to you; do they have any obligations to show you kindness? No. So the least you could do is show your appreciation to this selfless being. Unfortunately, most teenagers have not grasped this concept yet, and quite frankly our attitude towards both people we do and don't know is rather appalling. However, that's not to say adults aren't guilty of this too...
4) Someone sharing their favourite song with you: A person's favourite song is extremely personal to them. Whether it be their favourite because it reminds them of a memory, place, time, or because the lyrics mean something to them, or merely because they just like the beat of the song, if someone is willing to share their favourite song with you then you should listen and respond with respect. In a small way it's as if that person is exposing a tiny bit of themselves to you by doing this, so no matter how god-awful the song is then you should appreciate the gesture.
5) The joy that literature can bring: I think most people underestimate the enjoyment that reading a book that you love can bring, so it is beyond me when people, teenagers especially, ridicule one another for enjoying it. We often deem it as "lame" or "boring", but really what's boring about having a wide and versatile imagination?
There are definitely a lot of other things that are taken for granted, but these are just a few I thought of from the top of my head.
Thanks for reading.
1) A close relationship with your parents: I am envious of my friends who have an extremely close relationship with their parents, where they can confide in them and they will actually take genuine interest. I don't feel I have this with my parents, but it's one of the things I'd absolutely love to have. I think that most teenagers take for granted their parents taking an interest in their lives (and I mean an interest for reasons other than to scold their children.) This is definitely something that needs to be appreciated more.
2) A caring friendship group: This is definitely something I have, and I would definitely say this is one of the most important things for a person's happiness. You could have fifty relationships in one year or one 5 year relationship, but nothing compares to spending time with your best friends who are the most similar to you. There's a certain kind of fun and enjoyment that can only be had with your best friends; the kind where your inner strangeness is completely let free, because you all know you're equally as strange as each other. It's also great to always have the feeling that there are always people there to support you- and to irrationally dislike anyone you irrationally dislike. If you don't have a strong friendship group then you might not realise the importance of having one.
3) Kindness from strangers: Some people completely ignore kindness from strangers, as if it isn't a big deal. Well they are completely wrong. This stranger did not have to be nice to you; do they have any obligations to show you kindness? No. So the least you could do is show your appreciation to this selfless being. Unfortunately, most teenagers have not grasped this concept yet, and quite frankly our attitude towards both people we do and don't know is rather appalling. However, that's not to say adults aren't guilty of this too...
4) Someone sharing their favourite song with you: A person's favourite song is extremely personal to them. Whether it be their favourite because it reminds them of a memory, place, time, or because the lyrics mean something to them, or merely because they just like the beat of the song, if someone is willing to share their favourite song with you then you should listen and respond with respect. In a small way it's as if that person is exposing a tiny bit of themselves to you by doing this, so no matter how god-awful the song is then you should appreciate the gesture.
5) The joy that literature can bring: I think most people underestimate the enjoyment that reading a book that you love can bring, so it is beyond me when people, teenagers especially, ridicule one another for enjoying it. We often deem it as "lame" or "boring", but really what's boring about having a wide and versatile imagination?
There are definitely a lot of other things that are taken for granted, but these are just a few I thought of from the top of my head.
Thanks for reading.
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