How To Deal With Over-Protective Parents

Over-protective parents are something many of us have to deal with at some stage in our lives.  We are always told that they are only looking out for us but it comes to the stage when you just get annoyed and frustrated with them.  You need your parents to understand that you can look after yourself.  The obvious response it to storm off and slam every door behind you.  That doesn't really help the situation so I thought in todays post I would give you a few tips on how to deal with over-protective parents.

1) Use indoor voices and listen:

If we are finding it difficult to get our point across to our parents we think the louder we say it the more it will sink in.  This isn't the case.  Use your indoor voice when speaking and remember to also listen to your parents.  Take in both sides of the argument and then you can compromise.  It's easier said than done but just give it a try!

2) Be organised:

Parents can be over-protective if they think we can't look after ourselves so we need to prove to them that we can.  Try to keep your room clean so they can't nag you about being untidy.  If your heading off to college like me make a list of everything you'll need before you go so your parents won't constantly ask you if you need anything else.

3) Earn their trust:

If your parents let you go out at the weekend don't go crazy and come home late or ignore all their calls.  If your going to college for the first time don't go on a rampage now that you have newfound freedom.  Your parents will only worry more and trust you less.  Try to act responsible but enjoy yourself at the same time.

4) Reassure your parents:

My parents are always reminding me that they are only at the other end of the phone if I need them.  They are always reassuring me especially now that I'm heading off to college on my own.  They don't want me to feel nervous or worried, which I'm not, but I'm sure they are.  At times the tables have to be turned and it's up to the teenager to reassure the parents.  If your worried about something tell them but if your not and you feel perfectly fine tell them that too.  Let them know that you are ready to move on and that you know they are there for you if you need them.

5) Keep you parents in the loop:

You don't need to tell your parents every single detail of your life even though they might ask for it.  Let them know what your up to because they will only worry if kept in the dark.

I hope you found this post helpful and you now know how to deal with over-protective parents.  If you can think of any other tips let me know because I'm currently struggling in this department and until then...

I'll see ya when I see ya! 



How To Relax/ Fall Asleep

We all have those nights when you're in bed trying to sleep but your mind is still wide awake.  You toss and turn and stare at the four walls around you for what seems like an eternity.  The time is slowly moving on as you watch every ten minute interval pass.  You're thinking to yourself, will this night ever end?

I've been having a few of those nights lately.  I've been having so many things floating around in my head.  First it was about the debs and now it's about my Leaving Cert results tomorrow.  I'm sure I'm not the only one who suffers from insomnia now and again so I though I would share a few tips and tricks on how to relax and fall asleep.  These seem to work for me so maybe they'll work for you too!

1) Have a shower in the evening:  I'm one of those people that prefers a shower in the evening.  I feel so relaxed afterwards and usually have no trouble sleeping at all.

2) Change into comfy pyjamas:  Preferably fluffy ones because they are the best!

3) Make your bed:  Nothing feels as good as getting into a freshly made bed.  There's just something about clean sheets that lets you doze off in no time.

4) Have a hot drink:  Hot chocolate or tea before bed is amazing!  Hot drinks are really soothing and help to relax the whole body.  Even if it is technically still summer you're never not in the mood for tea!  The weather is cold after all.

5) Read a book:  Whenever I feel wide awake at night I always take out a book.  I find reading is one of the most relaxing things you can do.  Take out a book that's easy to read and just lose yourself for a couple of chapters.  You forget about your own worries and think about the characters lives instead.

6) Listen to music:  Second to reading, listening to music is also one of the most relaxing things you can do.  Play some soft tunes in the background and you'll drift off in no time.

7) DON'T:  Don't stay on your phone or on the computer late into the night.  They keep your brain wired and you'll have no chance of falling asleep.  Night time is for relaxing, not tweeting!

So those are just a few things that help me relax and fall asleep.  Let me know what you do to relax and until then...

I'll see ya when I see ya!

How To Shop For A Debs/Prom Dress!

It's nearly August and that means that debs season is almost upon us.  Over the next month girls will be getting glammed up to the last and guys will be looking classy in their suits.  A débutante ball is a rite of passage.  You are leaving school and your friends and are preparing for the real world.  It is the last night that everyone you've gone to school with over the past 5/6 years will be together so you want it to be a good night.

Unusually for me, I left everything last minute.  My debs is next week and I only bought my dress today!  Buying a debs dress is tough work.  You want it to be perfect and you want to look fabulous.  I've spent the last two weeks traipsing through shop after shop, boutique after boutique trying to find that perfect dress.  Since I now have my dress (thank the Lord!) I thought I would share my new found wisdom with you on how to shop for a debs dress (because I'm obviously an expert now)!

Discuss With Friends:

Make a group chat on Facebook or find some other way to easily communicate with your friends to discuss dresses.  Give each other advice on colours, shapes and shops to look into.  Without giving too much away, tell each other the colour and brand name of your dress.  You wouldn't want to turn up to your debs in the same dress now, would you?  That would be a bunch of awkward!

Schedule Your Shopping Trips:

Pick a day you want to go and look for a dress, pick the town you want to go to and do research before hand.  Look online and get a list of as many shops and boutiques as you can in that area.  If you need to make appointments, make them!  There is no point in going anywhere clueless.  Have a plan and make the most of your shopping trip.

Try On As Much As You Can:

Go into a shop and try on as many dresses as you possibly can.  Don't pass over dresses if they don't catch your eye immediately.  Sometimes those are the best dresses.  Trust me, I know from experience.  Keep an open mind and you are bound to find the right dress for you.

Don't Shop Alone:

Always bring people along with you for second and even third opinion.  Make sure they are people who give an honest opinion.  Help is much appreciated during this stressful time.  They might be able to see the dress differently and give some advice.  Plus, you could always use them as you personal slave for the day and have them haul hundreds of dresses in and out of the dressing room for you!

Don't Lose Heart:

It's very easy to lose heart when searching for that perfect dress.  Try to stay positive.  Just because you don't find anything in the first shop or even on the first day doesn't mean you will never find anything.

Don't Leave Dress Shopping Until The Last Minute:

"The debs is weeks away, I have plenty of time!"  Stop right there!  Don't make the same mistake I did.  Start early because there are thousands of other girls looking for dresses.  Shops run out of stock, you can't find your size and the clock is ticking!  Leaving everything until the last minute only causes stress.  Start early and relax knowing you're sorted and then you can laugh at all the other girls pulling their hair out (a.k.a. me)!

So those are just a few tips I have come up with after my debs dress shopping experience.  I hope this was helpful.  Let me know if you have any more tips you think might come in handy and until then...

I'll see ya when I see ya!

How To Study

The countdown is on!  Only 25 days until the dreaded Leaving Cert begins.  You're probably wondering where all those months went when you started way back in September.  Time flies when you're having fun (or slaving away with books and notes piled high towards the ceiling)!  You may be feeling slightly panicked like I am so I thought I would help out a little with a few study tips to maximise your potential!

1). Get rid of your phone:  Turn it off, lock it in a safe underground if you have to!  Make sure it cannot distract you or tempt you in any way!  You'll thank me later!

2). Make a study plan and stick to it:  Making a study plan is great and makes you feel very productive but you have to follow it for it to actually work.  Weird, I know.  Don't just throw any old riff raff on it either.  Make a study plan that works for you and that you find easy to follow.

3). Be realistic:  Planning to study 5 Geography essays, complete 2 Maths exam papers AND learn every word in the French dictionary in one night will not work!  You are immediately setting yourself up for a fall!  Don't just say you're going to study History this Tuesday.  Decide what topics you want to look at and what you want to have learned by the end of your study session.

4). Take breaks:  Studying for hours on end will only make you exhausted and nothing will go into your head.  Take a 10 minute break every hour or so or else you will have a mental breakdown!

5). Remove distractions:  Like with your phone anything that is not a text book or study notepad is a distraction.  When you're studying even the fluff on your carpet is distracting and I'm sorry to tell you that there is nothing I can do about that!  What I will say is go into a quiet room where no one can disturb you, remove everything from your desk except your study essentials and then it's full steam ahead!

6). Don't stress:  Don't stress!?  What planet are you living on?  Okay, I of all people know what it's like to be stressed but sometimes you are almost blinded by it.  A little stress is good.  Stress is a good motivator but too much is bad.  As the LC comes closer you stress about not knowing anything but you know more than you think you do.  I'm at the stage now when I test myself I find information pouring out if me.  Sometimes I have to take a step back and say: "Where did you come out of?". Everyone has a box in their brain full of knowledge, you just have to figure out how to unlock it.

7). Put your study to practise:  Like I said in the previous point, I test myself and it is honestly the best way to study and prove how much you really know.  Practise loads of exam questions and time yourself because timing is so important!  Ask your teachers to correct your work.  They won't mind because they want you to do just as well as you do!

So those are just a few study tips I have come up with and they have worked for me so far.  The Leaving Cert is just another hurdle we have to get over and we will.  Until then, I'll se ya when I see ya!

5 Ways to Stay Positive and Avoid Stress

Staying positive can be really difficult at times especially when nothing seems to be going right and your stress levels are through the roof.  People between the age of 18 and 33 tend to suffer the most from stress and although I am only 18 I already agree.  In this blog post I will be telling you 5 ways in which you can stay positive no matter what life throws at you.  They may seem a little cliché but they really do work!

1)  Surround yourself with positive people: 

Positivity can be infectious!  If you are with a group of people who do nothing but complain about everything wrong with the world then you will end up thinking negatively too.  Positive people look on the bright side of things and if you surround yourself with these kind of people you will begin to realise that every cloud has a silver lining!

2)  Do something you love: 

I am constantly being told in school not to give up my hobbies in order to make time for study.  Although exams are consuming 99% of my time I still like to keep that 1% for myself and do something other than study.  For me, I like to read, write blog posts, watch YouTube videos or binge watch Home and Away.  For others it might be music or sport.  Whatever it is, continue doing it.  It will keep you sane!

3)  Exercise: 

This leads on from my previous point.  If you play sport, excellent!  Keep doing it.  If you don't play sport then just go for a walk.  It will clear your mind and allow you to think of something less stressful.  A clear mind means there is more room for positivity!

4)  Eat healthily:

Chocolate and crisps seem great at times but make you feel heavy and drowsy after a while.  Instead of a chocolate bar eat a piece of fruit.  You will feel much more positive knowing you are being good to your body.

5)  Take one thing at a time:

Sometimes we seem to have the weight of the world on our shoulders and things go from bad to worse.  Just when you think that life couldn't get anymore difficult, something else lands on top of you.  To avoid this I would advise making a list of everything you need to do, take a deep breath, and start from the top until you work your way down to the end.  Forget about the million other things you have on your mind and just concentrate on one thing.  Once that's sorted move onto the next and so on.  You'll feel much more positive once that list gets shorter!

So those are just a few ideas on how to stay positive.  No matter what life throws at you, know you can get past it.  There is always a light at the end of the tunnel!

Until next time, I'll see ya when I see ya!