10 things I have learnt in 2014.

Sorry that I haven’t been very active recently, I took a little break, to be with my family for Christmas and I decided to not use the computer while I was down in Reading. But now I am back and ready for action.

So for my first post, I thought I would do ’10 things I have learnt in 2014’. Last year has been a roller-coaster, with some amazing moments, and some I would rather forget, but defiantly I have learnt things and I think I should share them with you.

A Dog is the best friend you could ask for

Back in August, my husband and I decided to add to our family, we got a beautiful Staffordshire Terrier, we named her Leia, and since she has been in our life, I have never felt alone. Dogs are a tie, don’t get me wrong, but they will give all their love and loyalty to you. At the time I was going through a serious case of depression, and my husband was away a lot for training. And she helped so much, she gave me a reason to get out of bed in the morning, and she helped me with my night-time panic attacks. I love her more than anything and couldn’t imagine my life without her.

Being alone makes pain worse

I am in constant pain with my back injury (I would say a 6/10 most of the time) but when my husband was away on training and I was left home alone, I would find that my pain would get considerably worse. There were times when I felt like I needed to go to hospital, and ended up calling 111 many times. I think that when Shane was away, my body would tense up and then it would make the pain more intense. I have found that things like baths and relaxing meditations have helped relieve the pain when Shane is away.

Doctors don’t know anything

Over the last 2 years, I have been in agony with my back and I have been to see many a doctor or consultant. In 2 years no one had given me an answer to why I was in so much pain; I was just given medication and sent on my way. Then a month ago I visited a new doctor who found the source of my pain, which other doctors have told me was nothing to worry about. So I am not saying that all doctors are rubbish, just the majority of doctors that I have been to.

Family is everything

Since I got married and moved to Cambridge, I have been very home sick, my mum is my best friend and being away from her is horrible, but being with them over Christmas makes me realise how wonderful they are. I know that my family are a lot closer than others, but I think family is the most important things. And you mustn’t take it for granted. No matter what happens.

Communication is key in maintaining relationships

I think that without good communication, a relationship cannot blossom. I make sure that I talk to my mother and grandparents every day, and obviously talk to my husband and I think it is very important, not only to talk to, but to express your issues and problems, because I know from experience, leaving things bottled up can lead to trouble, and won’t help in maintaining a relationship

You have to push yourself

Battling depression and pain on a daily basis is very difficult, and I have found (at the end of this year I may add) pushing yourself to do your best can give you a more positive look on life. Being at work and making sure I am taking Leia for a walk every day. I have felt better in myself. Depression still gets likes to have a hold of me, but I am hoping every day it will keep getting better and better

You need humor in your life

I have spent a lot of my life without much of a sense of humor, and I took things far too seriously, and I found that it got me into a world of hurt. Someone would say something to me in jest, and I would take it seriously and dwell on it for days. I have found that I need to stop being so hard on myself and to stop thinking that everyone is saying something horrible about me. You need to laugh, because happiness is the key to life

You need to stop being so hard on the people you love

Just like you need to stop being hard on yourself, you need to stop pushing away those you love. You need to let them do what they want to do, and also try and get involved in the things they like to do too, even if you don’t like what they do, they will be able to see that you are making an effort.

Pictures do really say a thousand words

I love photos, and I have found that looking back over old photos can bring back a world of memories. I was looking back over pictures from the first weekend I met my little sister (she was 4) and She and I were talking about all the memories we have shared together. Also I find that when I am sad. I will look through pictures from my wedding, and I will instantly feel a little better.

Love is all you need

And last but not least you need love in your life, and you need not care about the people that don’t love you back, because they obviously don’t matter. I have spent too long worrying about what other people think of me, and to be honest the only people you should care on how they think of you are the people that love you the most, and they will always tell you the truth. Since living with my husband I have found that love is really all you need.

I hope you have enjoyed that and I will speak to you soon.

Thanks so much

Lauren Hawkins