I Have Been Forever Changed By You: July 2012

Monday, July 30, 2012

I just saw this post on Facebook that is asking people to comment and like and re-post if they would do certain things if this person had died and that really bothered me. It's the fact that someone feels the need to put up something like that because they don't know who really cares about them and who really matters in their life. I don't know, to me it's a scary thought to think someone doesn't know/think they have people in their lives who care enough to go to their funeral if they die.

Having said that, I know most of the people you meet in high school will not be your friend in the years to come, especially when people go off to college and experience the world. So, the people in your life who care are forever changing with only a few constants, like your family, those few amazing friends you can always count on, and those mentors you meet as you get older. Those are the people that matter, they are the people you should want to come to your funeral.

If I were able to plan my own funeral I would make sure people who really knew me and cared about me were there and that it wasn't a sad day. I don't think funerals should be sad. I want mine to be happy and to celebrate my (long) life. I have said that no one is allowed to wear anything but bright colors to my funeral and they are only allowed to play happy songs and share good and funny memories.

That's what I feel a funeral should be, a celebration of a life. I forget who said it, but someone said "Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened." And I feel like that's an amazing way to live a life. So, I plan to smile because it happened!

Love,
Natalie

You Should Talk About Going To Therapy | Thought Catalog

Sunday, July 29, 2012

19 Pieces Of Advice You’ll Need To Make It Through Your 20s | Thought Catalog

Saturday, July 28, 2012

There's a blog out there called onehelloworld.com and it's amazing. I really think everyone should look it up and just listen to a few of the recordings on there because it definitely made me think about the things I did when I talked to other people.

This website takes phone calls from people and writes music for them, and then posts them online for others to listen to. It's a way for people to express how they feel and still be anonymous and not have anyone judge them.

I love this site and think it's amazing what they are doing for people who need a way to release these pent up feelings. So, if you want, take a look.

Love,
Natalie

Wednesday, July 25, 2012

Having and keeping a best friend is hard as you get older I've come to find out. It's not that the act of being a friend is harder, but the act of taking time out of your life to specifically schedule with this other person can be hard. Since I am home schooled and don't have the regular time that teenagers usually have to spend with other teenagers I have to actively seek it. And sometimes all you want to do is sit at home and do nothing.

The thing is that I think this has made finding good friends even easier to find. Because it takes effort to be friends with someone you know you won't see everyday at school. It takes someone to truly want to be your friend to stick by you when you aren't the easiest person to hang out with.

Trust me I know I'm not the most interesting or entertaining person and I don't have all these stories about school, but I do have amazing friends. I have friends I can talk to about anything, even if it's been a while since we last spoke. And sure, most of our communication is online or through text of some sort, but it still gets the job done. And on those occasions where we do get to see each other it's even better.

I haven't been spoilt by thinking I'll always have hundreds of friends and they'll all care about me equally, like some people seem to think. I know that's not how the world works, but that's okay because as long as I have my few good friends and my family I know I can get through anything.

What about you? What have you learned from your friends?

Love,
Natalie

I Want To Go Back To Summer Camp | Thought Catalog

Tuesday, July 24, 2012

Let’s Remember What’s Really Important | Thought Catalog

Monday, July 23, 2012

10 Moments That Make A Best Friendship | Thought Catalog

Sunday, July 22, 2012

If you could offer a newborn child only one piece of advice, what would it be?

Just choosing one piece of advice is hard, but I think it would be to never pre-judge someone. Never make up your mind about how you feel about someone until you have met them and gotten to know them, because they may surprise you.

This is something I feel like a lot of people need to remember. Just because someone looks a certain way doesn't mean that's how they are going to act. I know it's hard to not make these judgements at times especially in a society where everyone is judged by what they wear and how they look.

I try and remember this when I'm meeting new people and catch myself making judgments on them before I've even talked to them. I know I wouldn't want someone to judge me before meeting me so I try and not judge someone else before I've met them.

When you've made up your made and project that idea onto those people they begin to reflect it. So, even if you do make judgements, try and be positive, because people are only as good as they believe people think they are.

Love,
Natalie

Friday, July 20, 2012

This Is What You Get For Falling Out Of Love | Thought Catalog

Tuesday, July 17, 2012

Why You Aren’t Chasing Your Dreams | Thought Catalog

Monday, July 16, 2012

Crying Is Awesome | Thought Catalog

Thursday, July 12, 2012

25 Things I Realized In College | Thought Catalog

Monday, July 9, 2012

What Doesn’t Kill Us Makes Us Something | Thought Catalog

Sometimes life can be amazing and wonderful. Other times it can really suck. And right now it's really sucking. It seems like if anything can go wrong it is and that's definitely not something I tend to believe. I always try to think on the bright side and think if all the amazing things in my life, but it's kind of hard at this point.

I don't know what to do to get over this really. Usually at some point I just snap out of it, and I'm hoping that's going to happen, but I don't know of a certain way of getting over this feeling.

What about you? How are you and how do you get over these feelings?

New Rules For 2012 | Thought Catalog

New Rules For 2012 | Thought Catalog

#10 is my favorite. Which is yours?

Thank You For Being There | Thought Catalog

Thursday, July 5, 2012

Where Does Love Go When It Dies? | Thought Catalog

Tuesday, July 3, 2012

Worrying

I worry about things in my life that I have no control over. At times this can be a problem. The act of worrying and stressing myself out over something can at times make me sick. It doesn't happen as often anymore, but it does still happen at times. Especially if there's a major change in my life or anything like that.

I've found ways to help myself not to worry and stress. Listening to music and even reading a book helps me relax and not think of whatever has me upset for the time being. Talking to someone about what I"m feeling helps and is definitely something I'd recommend to anyone having the same problem. Just make sure you can trust the person you're talking to. And even writing down what you're feeling in a journal helps to get out the feelings you might be bottling up.

It's an anxiety disorder that not many people talk about, but that a lot of people have and are ashamed of. So, if you ever feel upset or stressed or worried about something, find a way to express yourself, it WILL make you feel better. I'll be here to talk to anyone who needs someone to listen.

Love,
Natalie

25 Things That Are Hard To Accept In 2012 | Thought Catalog

A Letter To My College-Age Self | Thought Catalog