When I was 19, I thought the person I was would be the person who I would be forever. Looking back, I am glad that’s not the case! My three years at university were amazing and I wouldn’t change them for the world, but I am so glad I am not that same girl I was when I started. It’s only been four months since I graduated, so it might seem weird that there has been such a huge difference but in all honesty, it didn’t happen in one big change. It was a series of small changes that led to me being the me of now. And I’m no longer naive enough to think this is who I will be forever!
In my first year of university, I went out three times a week minimum. When I wasn’t drunk, I was hungover. I became nocturnal, going to bed at 4am and waking up at 3pm. I spent every minute of every day with my friends, pissing around. We were all messes, and we knew it, but we loved it. And I don’t regret that one bit because if you can’t mess up when you’re 19, when can you?
It wasn’t until third year I pulled myself together. I swapped late nights drinking for early morning studying, doing nothing with friends to studying with my housemate, and generally acting like an adult. It wasn’t fun, but it was necessary. If I hadn’t of grown up for third year, I wouldn’t have got a 2:1 in my degree. Partying in my second year didn’t exactly give me the best grades!
Now I’ve graduated, I’ve changed again. My days are spent working, my evenings spent blogging and my weekends spent either catching up with friends or exploring with Scott. I am well and truly an adult!
Reinvention isn’t something that happens overnight. Life isn’t the Princess Diaries. I think reinvention is about embracing the natural changes that occur, and not being scared to hold on to what you used to be. I could behave like I was in first year again, but I’d hate it. I’ve drank twice in the past week and I feel gross. It brings me out in spots, makes me over eat and just generally makes me feel crap. I’d much rather go for a couple of cocktails than predrink a litre of vodka, which I used to do.
Looking back at my lifestyle may make me smile, but looking back at myself doesn’t. It makes me cringe to the point I want to die. I was really overweight (three litres of vodka, plus drunk and hungover takeaways aren’t good for your waistline apparently!?) and I used to wear high waisted shorts paired with a top that did nothing for my figure. I was gross. I’ve completely changed my style, thank god! I’ve used some pictures from before I got practically obese, as they’re too embarrassing. And I’d like to add, purely out of vanity, I am a mostly happy size 10 now.
This is what I would wear for a night out back then:
And here is what I would wear now:
dress / denim jacket / bag / boots / watch
I think one reason I’ve changed my style is I’m a lot more comfortable with myself. I actually feel like I can wear fashionable, albeit quite laid back, clothes and not have people question what I’m doing in them. Back then, I didn’t really think I deserved nice clothes and I didn’t think they’d suit me. I wore high waisted shorts to try and nip in my waist, and baggy tops to try and hide my body. Now I’m like, b*tch please I’ll wear what I want. I have to admit, my day to day style is still relaxed and oversized but I don’t feel uncomfortable dressing up and looking good anymore.
If you are fancying reinventing your look, ASOS have some gorgeous dresses to help out. I tried the price slider and you can get some beautiful ones for under £35 (because who has £360 to spend on a dress!?).
How have you changed over the years?
*I was gifted in return for this post, but all opinions are my own.
