A welcoming into the working world! (my apprenticeship)

So you may recall me mentioning the fact that I was soon to be starting my new apprenticeship with the city of Lincoln council, I started on Wednesday the 13th of July (a few days ago) and despite all the changes I am facing I have been thoroughly enjoying it so far, and I am so happy that I went with my gut feeling to go forward with the apprenticeship!

My first day was blur, a stressful, surreal blur.. It wasn't really I just thought I wold insert a mean girls quote...

My first day... I was so nervous as I had to wait in reception to be collected and then taken to my office and for me waiting just makes it 10 times worse, it's just a way of building up the suspension and adrenaline! I am so lucky as I've been placed in an office with only a few other people (who are so lovely and welcoming) I have already done all-sorts of tasks and so far I have NO REGRETS about my decision to leave school! The work I've been doing is so interesting and also rewarding!

It is weird, not being treated like a student anymore, instead a colleague, a member of staff! I feel as if I am already learning and gaining much more relevant information and skills that I will/have learnt in school, this is just my opinion and I am aware that everyone learns in different ways, but if you are doubting whether to do an apprenticeship (as long as it's something you are very interested in) then I would say go for it!

The other new aspects of starting work are the early mornings and getting buses all the time. For someone who is use to waking up at 7/7:30 on a week day these 6:20 starts have taken a bit of getting use to, as well as getting buses all the time! Although it sounds as if I'm complaining, I am glad that I am starting to become even more independent and gaining experience of what the working world is like.

A part of me will miss the school environment and all the holidays you get there, but as I have now repeated several times I am so happy with my first proper job/apprenticeship, I have already found out so many interesting facts and talked to lots of interesting people as well as being warmly welcomed and settling in nicely.

One more thing is that as you may know I have struggled with anxiety over the last few years and even though I still sometimes find myself in a state over silly things, I have gone into my new job with confidence, pride and an open mind and I feel like in a way I have left a lot of anxiety, doubt and shyness at school! A new start is always a great opportunity to become more confident and discover yourself!

Sorry for the long rambley post but I thought I would give you an update on what I've been doing!

(Not so) Precious Popularity...

I remember a few years ago thinking that being popular was the most important thing in the world, does everyone like me? will people laugh at me for this? will this fit in? am i popular? are just a few of the questions that use to go through my mind on a regular occasion; looking back on myself now i was caught up in something that really didn't matter and really was a waste of time and thoughts- who cares if everyone likes me, or if something i do isn't the exact same as everyone else. Now being a few years older and more comfortable with myself i strive through self acceptance, happiness and confidence- NOT POPULARITY, i know for a fact that many people somewhere around my age will still think about these 'issues' of popularity and I'm not saying it's wrong, but just think how much more self acceptance and contentedness you would have if you stopped comparing yourself with others;how many friends they have or parties they go to. At the end of the day none of this will be relevant in the future, the main thing is that you enjoy yourself and stay kind to yourself especially through the tough time of school; consisting of lots of work and drama and stress! How many people you know or the amount of likes you get on your profile picture DOES NOT DEFINE YOU AS A PERSON. This is something that i have come across and learnt myself as i have got older, i also know for a fact that i adopted this more self-striving attitude when i got in a relationship with Chad, he definitely made me realise that 90% of my 'worries' were pointless and unneeded, basically just giving me extra stress. I was worrying more about other people's perceptions of me than my own feelings and needs, what was i really achieving? is my question. Rating myself over how many likes i got on social media , how many parties i got invited to, debating if i was 'cool' or not.

So before i ramble on too much i just want to say that although it can be challenging, trying to be more care free about what people think and say about you is definitely the right way to go. It means that you will be able to spend more time thinking about other, more important things, you will become loads more confident and the truth is.. if you are happy and confident with yourself then other people will like you for who you are and want to be around you for your confident and happy personality- or whatever good features you have. The saying 'quality over quantity' says a lot, being yourself will definitely attract the right kind of people who will influence you positively and bring out the best in you- unlike getting yourself wrapped up in the amount of 'friends' you have, which will most likely result in being around a group of fake friends who will bring out the worst in you and bring unnecessary negativity into your life.

I just thought i would contribute my thoughts and feelings on this topic in tonight's blog post, as it definitely use to influence me and most likely still influences other people's perceptions of themselves, 3 tips... Stay true to yourself, be you. Find and hold on to your good true friends, they'll the ones you'll keep in touch with. Do not let others define who you are!

I hope you are all having a good week!