My 100th blog post!

Aaaaaah hello blog post number 100 on She Thinks Like Me you beauty! This is a personal milestone for me, as I have been in the blog game for a year but I have been writing short stories, poems and 'articles' since way back. Yes, I was the nerd in English class that read every single assigned book (and more), and always had my hand up in class. I fell in love with words and how they could be put together to form meaning, to captivate and to inspire.

I have always been particularly obsessed with magazine articles and how they are set out. Simple, to the point and easy to understand. I would always think 'I want to write for a magazine and have people relate to what I am saying', but it just seemed like a pipe dream at the time. I didn't know what to do with my pieces of writing because the blogging world was foreign to me, so I would just keep them as documents saved on my computer.

When I look back I could kick myself that I hadn't started sooner, because the satisfaction that blogging gives me is something I can't really explain (but lets not get into that for fear of boring you all to death). It is like this community of people who get to share certain parts of their lives, empower others to keep writing, capture life in beautiful photo's and use social media as a tool to be heard. That is barely scratching the surface.

To all you bloggers out there, I respect you for what you do, whether you have 5 views a day or 5000. Remind yourself why you are writing and stay true to who you are. Blogs may highlight only the fun and beautiful parts of our lives but everyone has their bad days and hardships. All I can say is be original, keep it simple. x

Hit the ground running

I had a very successful year last year in terms of reaching my fitness goals, taking part in competitive races and becoming a better runner. How crazy is it that just 3 weeks of holiday can nearly destroy a years progress? Ok that could be slightly dramatic, but I know that I have a lot of catching up to do this year. My new goal is the Maritzburg half marathon in February (soon I know).

A letter to my future child

Dear Charlotte/Hunter/Rome/Saige/Branson/Everleigh/Tanner/Vivienne

Those are my favourite names for non-existent future you, which future me will probably have a good laugh at no doubt. Whatever we decide your name to be, it will become your identity for the rest of your life so no pressure on me or anything!

I think so often of what you will be like one day, whether you will be extroverted or shy, have dark hair or blonde, be good at maths (no thanks to my genes) or artistic, and whether I will see parts of me in your personality . I thought that it would be an opportunity missed if I didn't give you the chance to meet 23 year old me, who is currently writing at her desk in her office in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa.

How to earn cash and save

When it comes to earning and saving money as a young person, you are highly advantaged in some aspects and slightly disadvantaged in others. Part-time work is reasonably easy to find but the pay is inconsistent, and full time work comes with a long-term commitment and certain requirements such as experience and qualifications.

When I had 6 months to do whatever I could to earn and save money, best believe I got stuck in very swiftly and worked very hard. It was so worth all my efforts because I managed to stay motivated and save even more than I was expecting to! As far as I'm concerned, whether you are fresh out of high school, studying or completed your studies, there is a job (or two) out there for you. You have to start somewhere so don't be too picky, and remember that a job isn't just going to fall on your lap while you're watching series reruns on the couch. Go out there and make some money! Here are some ways you can do so:

Why being in a relationship is awesome

I was recently unfortunate enough to have been included in a conversation between a few select males about being unfaithful in their relationships due to boredom. They informed me that cheating is something that most men and women do at some point in a relationship, or at least think about doing, and that I am ignorant if I think otherwise.

Running my heart out

I always enjoyed sport, but the one thing I never took to, however, was running. I had a mental block against it, and I tried to avoid it at all costs (including faking injuries I will admit). More recently, for a somewhat brief period of 3 months last year, my gym contract had ended because I moved cities.