Aeroplane thoughts...Crete 2014

Heeeey,

The bubble has popped! As I fly home from crete 3 months earlier than I had previous intended what better time to reflect and write this post. Not only to pass the painfully slow time it's taking to get home, but also while everything is so fresh to me. I think aeroplanes are a great place for reflecting and thinking. Many a thought or plan must be made on board. Travelling to new places, for whatever reason, really emphasises on a new experience and a step away from every day life. 

As you know, I set off to experience rep life abroad. A task completely out of my comfort zone and a very big adventure. Thinking back, there really is no one place I can even start, what a journey it has been. 

I have learnt so much about myself and how well I can cope, which is a new found confidence I will take forward with me. Anxiety really can't stand in my way now, I feel like I've done it all, what can be more scary than moving abroad alone. 

One big lesson I found is that you don't have to change for anyone. I have truly been me this whole journey and you soon see through those that put on a front. People like honesty, and why would you try to impress people by not being you? 

I have truly met some amazing friends along the way, who I will no doubt see again as well as bagging myself a lovely boyfriend- who is one of the most caring people I know. I was hoping to meet some nice people along the way, but I wouldn't change these people that I have shared this experience with, for the world. You know who you are and I want to thank you for everything and for being truly wonderful. I will never forget my gouves family and all the times we shared together, most of which in rainbow bar with George. 

It's been an emotional roller coaster. I've been up, I've been down, I've been sad, I've been the happiest I've ever been in my life and more recently I've been absolutely exhausted. So exhausted I ended up in hospital. I know, I know classic Gemma style - this stuff could only happen to me! Happy to say I'm ok, but looking forward to getting back home and back to full health and to feel myself again. The gym is definitely calling my name after all the saganaki and milkshakes I have consumed. 

In some ways this has been the toughest 3 months of my life. It's not once been relaxing, but I feel like I really have experienced everything that I was sent here for. Some might say its a shame it didn't work out, well what didn't work out? I'm going home with some lifelong memories, lessons, soulmate and friends. I've developed as a person and I've learnt that you can never make everyone happy, and that is totally ok. I've learnt there are lovely people out there that want the best for you whether you've known them 30 years or 3 months. 

Although I've shed a few tears on this journey home at leaving such an amazing experience behind, my heart now belongs back in England and I'm ready to see where life takes me next. Expect plenty more blogs, lots more photographs and my life discoveries along the way. 

Now excuse me while I catch up on 3 months worth of rest and sleep.

Gemma xx

24&more

Happy 1 year

Wow, heels&horseshoes is officially one year old! It all started with 23&me and here I am sat in a bar in Crete on my 24th birthday, drinking a strawberry milkshake as I type.

What a world away my life is now from what it was a year ago.

I absolutely loved being 23, I was determined to make it my year and that's exactly what I did. I achieved so much in that year that I am so proud of myself for doing. From pushing myself so far outside of my comfort zone i couldn't see it anymore to teaching myself to enjoy and appreciate the little things in life,

Not only have I moved on in dealing with things mentally and emotionally I have managed to dream bigger and exceed better things than I could ever have imagined. Problems that before seemed impossible now feel like mere hurdles.

In my 23&me post I wanted to run 10k which is something I achieved just before moving here to crete. But the big move in itself felt like a far bigger achievement.

I'm so grateful for my friends and family that have been nothing but supportive and know exactly how to encourage and motivate me.


Thinking ahead...

So 24. Well doesn't 24 sounds mature. I think 24 for me is going to be the fill in year between making up for lost time through worry and actually thinking about my future.

I intend to continue my journey of trust and exploration but maybe start putting some money aside for a rainy day. I think my decisions need to start being supported by a small contribution of rationale thinking.

I have no firm goals, I'm in a content place surrounded by some specially selected amazing people. I'm kind of on the fence, not a place I'm used to being, but the view from here looks just fine.



Gemma xx

I'm about as ready as I will ever be..

Too much time is wasted, waiting to be ready. There is never a time we know exactly what we should be doing, where we should be going and who with.

You can only challenge yourself today, to be a better you tomorrow. No matter if you do something you hate, you’re learning and you know not to do it again. But until you do it, you’ll never know.

Mostly, you’ll love it; love the challenge, the butterflies and the experience.

We have to be lost, to be found and life begins at the end at the end of our comfort zone. 

Life is too short, to think what if.

Take risks, push yourself beyond your fears and live a life you never thought possible. 

Go buy that outfit you've had your eye on, start that new exercise regime or tell someone something you've been holding back.

Have a good day

Gemma xx