Hello beauts!  I hope you all had a Merry Christmas filled with love and amazing family fun times : )

It’s been about a month since my last post and I have been busy breakin’ necks (in the figurative sense) and cashin’ cheques- so sorry for the hiatus but ya girl gotta get dem coins!

 
As you may know, I am a Christmas baby and I write this to you on the last day of my twenties (scary).  This time of the year is all about reflections and goal setting for the year ahead and for me, this is hitting me like a tonne of bricks.  So, for my last post of 2016 and my last as a young gun, I thought I’d hit ya with a little ghetto gospel and the life leanings of KBang thus far.  So kick back, grab a beer and let’s end this year with a (K)Bang…

First, some history.

I’m an only child and grew up as the apple of my parents eyes.  NOT a spoiled brat (although my friends may disagree), but I definitely had all I needed growing up.  Before I was born, my parents were what I guess you could consider ‘poor’.  I love hearing the stories of when they first got together and all of their family gathered all the furniture they didn’t need to furnish their first home.  My Mum always laughs that the carpet didn’t  cover the whole floor and when they reminisce of the days where they dined on plain pasta and salt they always have a nostalgic glint in their eyes.  This is not a sad story (even though it sounds like it).

When I look at what they have accomplished together since, and the life that they have provided me with; holidays, joining every activity club imaginable (Dancing, Guitar lessons, Karate, Girls Brigade, I even had a brief  stint playing the trombone) I know that these things came at a great cost and I can only imagine the things that they sacrificed to give me a good life- for that, I will be forever grateful.  I was always encouraged to be great.  When I think of how my Mum looked after her family, put herself through her Nursing Degree and went from Nursing Assistant to bonefide BOSS LADY I am in awe.  My Dad, starting off as a DJ, went into Nursing and decided it wasn’t for him, and has worked his way up to Manager in his own career and I understand looking back, why I have always been told to reach for the stars- in love, in work and in life. These two crazy kids have given me the most incredible and fun life a girl could dream of, they helped me buy my first house and my second, and no dream of mine has ever been too wild for them not to have my back.  They are my heroes.

I think how you grow up and who you have around you during that time can really make or break a person and I can honestly say that I feel like the luckiest girl in the world. So what did I do with all that nurturing, trombone-ing and unconditional love you ask? Well let me tell you baby…

At 17 I started University.  I was shitting myself.  No friends (Regina George NEEDS friends- its the source of all her power), no money and no clue what I was doing (other than a film degree).  In all honesty, I hated Uni.  I did it to make my parents proud and don’t get me wrong, it was fun watching movies for 4 years, but the exams, presentations and dissertation were a real struggle for me (I’m not super intellectual if I’m honest).  Although I’m glad I did it, I 100% understand when people say it’s not for everyone.

So skip the 4 years- I’m 21, I just graduated with a Honours degree (a 2:1 miraculously) and I have no life experience, no career goals and a degree that equips me for almost zero jobs- perfecto.  I get a job in a call centre- my plan is to save all of my money for year, move to London and get a job in tv- because that’s what I felt like I should do.  That did not happen.  As soon as I had a full time wage I was living the dream- phone, car, shopping, partying and generally loving life.  Naturally the savings didn’t happen and after about a year I realised I hated my job and I was back to square one- dayyyyyyyum.

I hated my job so much I sometimes would drive in and think, ‘how can I crash my car without hurting myself too much, not causing too much damage but I just don’t have to go to work for a while’- which is a terrifying terrifying thing to even read back- I’m embarrassed.  Well ask, believe, receive as they say- about 2 months later I 100% accidentally DID crash my car, I caused ALOT of damage and I FRACTURED MY FUCKING NECK.  I couldn’t walk for weeks, my Mum had to do EVERYTHING for me (shout out to Jackie for showering me and keeping my hair on fleek- u da best!) and I couldn’t work for 4 months- What. An. Idiot.

In my time confined to my bed- not being able to move,  with only my thoughts and Sky TV to keep me company I had a choice- get your shit together or be a miserable bitch.  And as you know honey, Mamma didn’t raise no fool.

From the second I got back to work I was a changed girl.  Started talking about progression with my manager, the next steps, what my talents and developments were and started absolutely SMASHING it- to be honest, I haven’t ever really stopped since.  Like I said, I am not the smartest girl in the world, but my motivation is being the best and in Sales, that’s all you need baby (and a dazzling personality and top bants obvz- and let’s be real, have you MET me? 😉 ).  In my 8 career years I have progressed through the ranks and had some major successes along the way.  I’ve won all expenses paid trips to Spain, Hong Kong and Macau and a ski trip to Chamonix, more cash vouchers than I can remember and worked with some of the best people I could hope for.  Also this month, I have just taken my first step in building my OWN empire.   I owe this ALL to my parents guidance and unwavering support.  It’s been emosh!  So what have I learned in my 29 years and 364 days on this planet? Well let me tell ya…

Friends

It’s easy to assume that the more friends you have, the happier you’ll be- WRONG.  I have 5 ride or die gals in my life and I wouldn’t change them for the world.  Friendship is quality not quantity- find your crew and love them hard.

Family

They come in all shapes and sizes, yours is perfect no matter what you think, because it’s the only one you’ll ever have.  Don’t hold grudges, always try to make time (even when you’d rather be Netflixin and chillin) and cherish the time you have because it won’t last forever.  Take pictures, make memories and you will not regret it.  This is something I really need to do better on- and I will.

Career

Take chances and be BOLD.  If you’re happy with your 9-5 then great! If you’re not, make a move.  I love my job but I also want more.  This month I bought my second house- and its in Turkey.  I get 2 types of responses when I people ask about it, Haters- ‘Are you mad?’ ‘Are you sure thats a good investment?’ and honestly, those kind of questions really annoy me.  It’s my decision and I’ve already done it, so please don’t put doubt in peoples minds when they are trying to live their dream.  Your opinion is simply that, yours.  Then the other reactions – said with LOVE, which I like.  I’m 100% sure that not ALL of the well wishers have total confidence that I can make this work and start my property empire- but they ARE proud of me for trying- and thats all I can ask for : ) One day I will be my own boss, generating my own income and living in the sunshine.  That’s my long term goal- find yours.

Relationships

Ahhh, this is a biggie.  As I approach my 30th year, as a completely single strong independant woman (throw yo hands up at meeeee) it has become abundantly clear that despite being in 2016, some people still have the mindset of a 50’s American sitcom.     Any girl in their 20’s who has a boyfriend/ girlfriend will have heard the following- ‘When are you settling down?’ ‘Have you thought about kids?’ ‘When’s he/ she going to put a ring on it?’

Any girl in her 20’s who dares to not have a partner will have had the unbearable ‘other’ line of questioning.  Since I fall in that category let me clarify…No I am not scared that I won’t find a husband.  No I am not worried that I haven’t had any children.  Yes I am happy.  We good?

I am a girl who could never ‘settle’ for someone.  I have walked out of a couple of relationships that were lovely, but unless I am head over heels, got me lookin so crazy right now, drunk in love with someone all day every day, then dare I say…I’m happier on my own.  Without sounding too judgey (this is soooo judgey), I also find great solace in being asked the afore mentioned questions by ‘relationshippers’ who probably can’t even remember the last time they banged their ‘other half’…but that aint none of my business *sips Lipton ice tea

The moral of the story here is- do you.  In your career, in your relationships, in your friends group- do you.  The haters gonna hate, the players gonna play (thanks Tay Swift).  If 29 years and 364 days have taught me nothing else, its this- find what makes you happy (I mean REALLY find it), and do everything in your power to get it.  If you fail, try again because trust me- I’m not there yet but I am entirely confident that the juice will be worth the squeeze baby!

Oh and one last piece of advice- next time you see a 20-something girl, grafting her butt off to make her own way in the world… don’t ask…she’s doing just fine baby.

So the sun has set on my final day in my twenties, I have started plans for my next adventures and the next chapter of my life. They say your twenties are for learning and your thirties are for earning and  I for one can’t wait- so here’s to the next 10  sweetcheeks ❤

 Love KBang xxx