Pleasureful

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  • Physical Effects of Mental Illness

    You might think that spreading awareness on mental health in today’s world is overdone.

    Aren’t we at a point now where everyone is suitably conscious of the issues surrounding mental health?

    It’s true, we’ve come a long way when it comes to acknowledging our mental health struggles and working out how we can help those who are suffering from mental illness, but we still have quite a way to go. There is still this damaging stigma around mental health, despite the fact it is something we all possess, just the same as we all have our physical health. The problem is that the two are still looked at as separate, but this is not the case. Mind and body can both have a drastic effect on each other. When one is unwell, the other feels it too. So buckle up, because we’re about to get factual.

    We can spot issues with mental health by looking for physical symptoms. These symptoms can include changes in a person’s sex drive, increase or loss of appetite, significant tiredness, low energy or problems falling asleep. Poor mental health can even lead to a weakened immune system, making it difficult for your body to fight off infections. Of course, the medication that is prescribed to treat mental illnesses can often have its own effect on our physical state. Symptoms as a result of taking medication can consist of lethargy, dehydration, nausea and flu-like symptoms.

    Multiple studies have made a connection between depression and diabetes, with one showing that people who have both conditions seem to display more severe symptoms than those who only have diabetes. Another revealed that an individual with both depression and diabetes is 85% more likely to have a heart attack, proving to us the importance of finding those most at risk to better monitor their cardiovascular health. More research is needed to fully understand how the two conditions are linked, but this is just one example of the harmful influence mental illness can have on our bodies.

    Anxiety is something that can have several different effects on our bodies. Physical symptoms include: fast breathing/hyperventilation, sweating, chest pain, shaking and a rapid heart rate. Anxiety affects our excretory and digestive systems, which can lead to nausea, diarrhea and loss of appetite. It is suspected that there is a link between anxiety disorders and IBS. Since anxiety often causes rapid and shallow breathing, it can make asthma symptoms worse.

    The King’s College London carried out a study (the biggest of its kind) in which they analysed data from over 3 million people living with severe mental illness. The research results showed that those with a mental illness such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder or major depression put them at a 53% higher risk of having a cardiovascular disease opposed to those who did not suffer from a mental illness; the risk of dying from the disease was 85% higher than individuals of a similar age in the general population.

    Of course, this all works the other way around as well, as poor physical health can have a negative impact on us mentally and emotionally. Those living with chronic illnesses such as Cancer, Epilepsy, Alzheimer’s disease and HIV/AIDS have a higher risk of depression, as well as illness-related anxiety and stress. Psoriasis (a condition that causes red, flaky, crusty patches of skin covered with silvery scales that can be itchy or sore) is an auto-immune condition commonly triggered by stress and can greatly impact the emotional wellbeing of those who suffer from it. About 1 in 3 people with Psoriasis experience feelings of embarrassment about their condition, one third experience anxiety and depression and 1 in 10 admit to contemplating suicide. But get this – a recent report from the British Association of Dermatologists brought to attention that only 4% of Dermatology Units have access to a counsellor.

    We need to start recognizing that good mental health and physical health come as a package deal. I know that sometimes it can be hard to get out of bed in the mornings, and sometimes eating icing straight out of the tub seems like it will fix all your problems, but we all know how shit we feel afterwards (not saying you can’t treat yourself in moderation). In order to feel as good as you can, you need to take care of yourself in every way possible. This means taking part in regular physical activity – research shows that exercise releases those feel-good chemicals called endorphins into the brain. Having a good, balanced diet and staying hydrated is crucial in managing the way that we feel, as it can influence the development, management and prevention of numerous mental health conditions. Get a good night’s sleep – I don’t think to expand on how stressed and anxious us humans can get when we’re tired. Try and develop healthy habits, and steer clear of the bad ones. The habit of smoking not only has a negative impact on our physical health, but our mental health is also affected. Although the nicotine in cigarettes temporarily increases the levels of dopamine in our brains (the chemical which influences positive feelings), it switches off the brain’s natural mechanism for making the chemical. This makes us crave more nicotine to repeat this positive sensation again and again, resulting in addiction. So, maybe rethink picking up that cigarette packet. Those with depression are twice as likely to smoke than others, and people who suffer from schizophrenia are three times more likely.

    All of us, especially those working in healthcare settings, should be taking all factors of health into account when looking out for ourselves and others. If a patient is being treated for a physical injury or illness, their mental wellbeing should never be overlooked, and vice-versa.

    Mental illness is sickness of the brain.

    The brain is a part of our body.

    It all needs taking care of, so let’s start doing that.

  • Social Media: The Good, The Bad and The Unfiltered.

    I recently finished reading a book written by one of my favourite authors, Matt Haig. The book, titled ‘Notes on a Nervous Planet’, focuses on living life in the modern, digital world, and how we as humans are coping (or rather, trying to cope) with the changes that our endless advances within technology and society are making to our lives. Matt touches greatly on his own past experiences with mental health issues, and how the online world contributed to his struggles. The book got me thinking – and I mean really thinking – about the time that I take away from my own life to be more present in my life online. The hours I spend scrolling through Instagram, Facebook and Twitter, the time I spend with my friends trying to get that not-so-candid shot with the perfect lighting and the sleep I lose editing and uploading that picture, waiting in anticipation for the likes to start pouring in.

    Now, social media is not by any means the root of all evil. In fact, it can actually bring some Good into people’s lives. For instance, I know that plenty of people have met lifelong friends and even partners through the use of social media apps such as Instagram and Twitter, and dating apps and sites like Tinder. Yes, you should always be careful with people you meet online, and must never share out personal information such as your home address or bank details. That being said, not all internet meet ups end in people’s organs being sold on the black market after being brutally murdered. As well as giving us the chance to meet new people, social media allows us to stay in touch with everyone in our lives at all times, even if they are on the other side of the world. We can follow and engage easily with those who motivate and inspire us, use it as a platform to grow our brands and businesses, or even just to scroll through our Twitter feeds when we’re in need of a good laugh. Social media provides a kind of escapism. We can so easily forget about the world around us, and delve into the digital universe filled with tweets and memes and filters and likes and…

    The Bad stuff. Now, dare I say this outweighs the good? I guess that’s for us as individuals to decide for ourselves. I think each one of us has our own limit when it comes to all things social, and that includes digital. The thing with social media is that it isn’t really true to it’s name. We interact with people online all the time, yes, but with this has come less and less real life communication. Why travel to someones house to spend time with them when you can pick up your phone and Snapchat them right there and then? Something I personally find very difficult and anxiety inducing with messaging someone is that it inhibits me from being able to read their facial expressions, listen to their tone of voice or analyse their body language. This often results in me convincing myself that a friend is angry or upset with me, when in reality I have just read their message completely wrong and overthought every tiny detail. It all just leads to one big misunderstanding. Social media gives us the ability to talk to whoever whenever we please, post whatever we desire and to share each detail of our lives with the world. Not only is this an unhealthy habit that the majority of us have had at some point in our lives, (I mean c’mon, did you really need to send that tweet about how bad your date went last night, informing perhaps hundreds of people who probably do not care?), but it is starting to take away from the limited time we have to enjoy real life memories and experiences. But if you didn’t post it on the ‘gram, did it really happen?

    That brings me to the Unfiltered. Ah, the internet. A wondrous place made even better with the use of photoshop and VSCO. We’re all guilty of spending hours of our lives scrolling through pictures of celebrities and influencers sporting skimpy swimwear, showing off their socially acceptable beach bods whilst enjoying a dream vacation paid for by their most recent brand deal. We’ve all said, or at least thought to ourselves, ‘I wish that was me’. You’ve probably even thought that after seeing ‘regular’ people’s posts. Maybe that girl you knew from school is always posting about having the most perfect boyfriend, or that guy from work is constantly uploading post-workout pictures to his story, making you feel like a bum for opting to eat a pizza rather than hit the gym. What we seem to fail to remember is that everyone chooses the best bits of their life to post online. That girl from school has a great boyfriend, but she’s currently watching her parents go through a difficult divorce. That guy from work has got the six-pack you’ve always wanted, but he’s recently been diagnosed with clinical depression. We can’t always control our lives, but we can control how they appear to others online. We can filter them. Edit them. Maybe make our stomachs a little flatter and our smiles a little wider.

    I am not saying by any means that if you want to post a vacation bikini picture, you should not do so. In fact, that’s the opposite of the point I am trying to get across. Post what you want to post, whether that’s a sunny photo of you on the Caribbean cruise you went on or a Twitter thread featuring each individual house plant you own. Your social media accounts are your own little corner of the internet for you to enjoy, so don’t feel the pressure or need prove to everyone that your life is as perfect and Instagram-able as the Kardashian’s. Because let’s face it, even Kylie Jenner has her off-days.

    I know it’s hard, it’s something I am still working on myself, but life was not intended to be lived through a screen. So try to remember every now and then to put down the phone, look away from the computer and put the tablet away. Go for a walk, get coffee with a friend or spend time with your family. We’ve only got a limited amount of time on this Earth; that tweet can wait.

    Thanks for reading!

    – S x

  • Hello, 2019

    So, I have kind of abandoned blogging and my general love for writing during the last few months. I’m not entirely sure why, I guess I just haven’t had time and it hasn’t been a priority. Thing is, I love writing and creating posts for people to read and enjoy online, even only a handful of people are actually reading them. So I am determined to let my love of writing back into my life, and that starts with taking better care of this here blog.

    I thought what better post to upload to mark the start of a new year (and more consistent blogging) than explaining to you what my goals are for 2019. I’m not usually one to jump on the resolution band wagon. I mean, how many people actually manage to complete their new years resolutions by the end of the year? Maybe I’m being pessimistic, but I always seem to see people setting unrealistic goals and expectations for themselves in the upcoming year, then getting fed up with them and forgetting about them or dropping them only a month or two down the line.

    But I needed some motivation for this year. So I’ve created a list of goals (realistic ones at that) which I would love to achieve by the end of 2019. I am yet to have that one great year in my life, and I would really love for this one to be it. So, without further ado, these are my top goals for 2019…

    1. Travel somewhere new 
    • A weekend away in Amsterdam has been on my bucket list for-freaking-ever and I am going to get on that plane and visit that city this year if it kills me.
    • In terms of a sunny beach holiday, I am really loving the look of Croatia. I’ve never been and I just think it looks absolutely stunning for a relaxing week or two in the sun sipping cocktails.

          2. Read more 

    • Ever since I was younger I have had a huge love for books, but recently I just haven’t made the time to read. I am determined to make time to read more, both fiction and non-fiction. 

          3. Write more 

    • As explained at the beginning of the post, I would love to focus more on blogging and getting my writing out into the world this way. 
    • Ever since I was little I have had a passion for creative writing. I find it very therapeutic. I may even try and see if I can enter some creative writing competitions online.
    • In order to earn a bit of money on the side of my current job, I am going to look into doing some freelance writing jobs online, such as writing blog posts for other people etc. 

          4. Get down to my goal weight 

    • Something that I started doing mid-2018 was losing some weight that I have gained gradually over the past year. I managed to get myself into a really good gym routine and started eating the right foods and I felt so much better because of it. So far I have lost a stone, but there’s still some more weight I would love to lose to get down to my ideal weight. 

          5. Complete my apprenticeship 

    • In case you didn’t know, I am currently working for a company doing a level 3 business administration apprenticeship. I have gained a lot of experience doing my job, and I would love to have the course finished and passed by the end of March 2019.

          6. Get a new job

    • While I do enjoy the work I do now, once my apprenticeship is over I would love to find a job that includes me being able to be a bit more creative, such as marketing.

           7. Save more money 

    • This one I know for sure is going to be rough. I really need to start restricting my bad habits such as online shopping and eating out. 

           8. Get a new skill/hobby/interest

    • This one is a bit random, but I just wish there was something I was very knowledgeable on or skilled at. I would love to build more on my makeup skills and teach myself how to do more complicated looks. I have also been thinking about starting a new fitness class such as pole fitness or boxing. I’m honestly not sure. I think I’ll just have to try some things out and see what I like. 

    So that’s it. Not very exciting I know, but I think I’m okay with having a not too exciting year. I hope this year brings all of us health, love and happiness. Happy New Year loves.

    – S x

  • My Go-To Beauty Products

    I am most definitely not the kind of girl to wear a full face of makeup everyday; if I did, I’d constantly be late for work and my skin would hate me. However, on that rare occasion when I do decide to transform my face into a contoured and glowing masterpiece, I like to use products that I trust, sit well on my face, last throughout the whole night and help me to create the best look I can. So, here is a list of some of my all time favourite go-to beauty products, enjoy!

    1. Urban Decay All Nighter Setting Spray 

    Okay, so there is not another setting spray in this world that I will use over this one. It’s oil and paraben free, meaning it is perfect for my skin. I used to have a massive issue with my makeup just melting off halfway through the day/night due to my oily skin, but since using this my makeup has had no issues with staying on my face. I’ve tried other matte setting sprays, but always come back to this one, nothing compares!

    2. Revolution Bake and Finish Luxury Baking Powder

    I used to avoid baking my face at all costs. I would only lightly swipe the tiniest layer of setting powder across my face due to fear of terrible flashback making me look like a ghost every time someone took my picture. But let me tell you, this powder is a god send. It leaves no flashback whatsoever when taking those all important pictures at pre-drinks, meaning I can bake my face to my hearts content! It helps massively to keep my under eye concealer from creasing and is so soft and light on the skin.

    3. Jaclyn Hill x Morphe Eyeshadow Palette

    Let me start off by saying I just love all Morphe eyeshadow palettes. They’re affordable, you get so many amazing colours ranging from matte to glittery and they are always so pigmented. But this palette in particular completely stole my heart. Every single shadow in this palette is beautiful, there are so many different looks you can create with just this one palette! I will say that the fallout you get from this palette isn’t brilliant, but despite that tiny flaw I still find myself reaching for this palette more than any other!

    4. Jeffree Star Cosmetics Peach Goddess Skin Frost

    If there’s one thing I love, it’s a great highlighter, and this is it. When it comes to other products by Jeffree Star, I can’t comment as I admit I’ve never tried anything but this highlighter. But it’s one of the best ones I’ve ever used! The colour is perfect on my skin tone, and you can either build it up for a strong glow or dust it on for a subtle shimmer. The pink isn’t too strong, so it doesn’t leave me looking like a clown. It’s the right mix of colour and icy highlight, and goes with most of the makeup looks that I love to create. I would definitely try the other shades of this highlighter!

    5. Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion in Original

    So a while back I didn’t even know primer was a thing, let alone eyeshadow primer. This is the first and only eyeshadow primer I’ve ever used, and I see no reason for me to look for another one. Since using this, my eyeshadow hasn’t creased ONCE (which says a lot, as due to my oily skin having my eyeshadow crease towards the end of the day was always inevitable). My eyeshadow in general just seems so much nicer to apply, and the colour seems so much more pigmented after using this first. And the best part is this lasts forever! I will not do my eye makeup without it.

    6. Benefit Hoola Powder Bronzer

    This is the only bronzer I’ve ever used that has the most perfect shade of bronze for my face. I’m not a fan of liquid contouring, especially in the summer, as it leaves my face feeling way too cakey and heavy. With this bronzer, I can leave my cheekbones looking sculpted and my face looking tan and healthy without over doing it!

    7. Urban Decay Optical Illusion Complexion Primer

    Okay so I don’t know what Urban Decay are doing to make their primers this damn good but whatever it is I am grateful for it. I’ve tried a few primers before (that’s after I discovered primer was a thing I should be using), both high-end and drug store, and nothing compares to this one. It feels so soft and satiny when applying it to your face, but it’s not overly oily. My foundation glides on perfectly over this primer and it makes my pores almost non existent, giving me the most flawless base for my makeup! It also lasts for such a long time. It may be slightly pricey but it’s definitely good value for money.

    8. Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara

    This mascara is hands down the best mascara I have ever owned. I am obsessed. I’ve been using it for a couple of years now, and I’ve tried to branch out and try out other mascaras from different brands but I always come back to this one. It gives you the perfect amount of both volume and length, isn’t too watery or too clumpy, isn’t so heavy that it weighs your lashes down after curling and lasts all day with very minimal smudging. Honestly I’ve cried wearing this a fair amount of times and my mascara has kept it together even when I haven’t. Trust me, you need this.

    So, that’s that. My go-to beauty products. There are probably a couple more I could have added to this list but I didn’t want to bore you all, so let me know if you want to hear more reviews/opinions from me on beauty products or if you want to know more about my favourite products and brands! I’m thinking of doing a skin routine/favourite skin products post so keep an eye out for that. That’s all from me for now, thanks for reading!

    – S x

  • Ten Things Making Me Happy Right Now

    I guess it’s easier to think about all the bad things in life and what isn’t going the way you want it to. I think that it’s human nature for us to automatically focus on the not so positive things in life – even though we know that the more we think about them the more down we’re going to be. Lately, I’ve been trying to be more positive when it comes to every day life, trying to think about all the good things and what’s going right for me at the moment. So, I’m going to share with you a brief list of ten things that are making me happy right now.

    1. Friends
    2. Dogs (mine and other peoples)
    3. Writing (whether it’s blogging or in my own private notebooks)
    4. The weather (despite being a bit too hot in bed at night and in the office, and the dreaded hay-fever, I do actually enjoy the sunshine)
    5. Food (gotta love it)
    6. Family (especially my Mum, she’s not just an amazing Mum but a great laugh)
    7. Work (although it exhausts me and I do my fair share of complaining, I’d be bored and lost without a full time job)
    8. My new short hair
    9. Books
    10. Busy (but fun) weekends

    So, there you go. Sorry for the short post, but I hope this list encourages anyone reading this to think about ten things that are making them happy right now. Even if you can’t think of ten, even having that one thing that brings positivity into your life is so important, and you should focus on that as much as you can. Thanks for reading!

    – S x

  • My Top Five Tips for Improving an ‘Off Day’

    We all have those days when we don’t feel like ourselves, some maybe more than others. On these days you may feel down, unmotivated, tired or you might not even understand exactly what it is that you are feeling. Your mind and body probably both tell you to stay in bed, to just call the whole day off. Except this is only going to make you feel worse – trust me. What you need to remember is that it’s okay to have days like this; we all need to take some time to recharge and refresh before we get back into the swing of things. Taking a break from the busy wonder that is the outside world is something we all deserve from time to time. From having experienced my fair share of ‘off days’, I have accumulated a number of things that I know make me feel better personally, so I thought I’d share some of them with you. Please, feel free to take away from this list whatever you think would work for you to get you feeling better on your ‘off days’ too.

     

    1. Make yourself feel clean. Whether you go for a five minute shower, an hour long bath or you go through your whole skincare routine, just get yourself feeling clean and fresh. Get out of your slept-in PJ’s and put on something newly washed. Having a shower or bath will also help you to feel more awake. Making your bed and clearing any clutter in your room can also make you feel cleaner and put your mind at ease.
    2. Make yourself feel as comfortable as possible. No one wants to wear a pair of skin tight jeans when they’re not feeling 100x (unless of course you genuinely think skinny jeans are a comfy item of clothing). Throw on something easy, light and comfortable like your favourite pair of joggers and a baggy t-shirt. If you feel better having your hair out of your face, tie it up. If wearing makeup makes you feel more like yourself, put on your makeup if you know it’ll make you feel that little bit better.
    3. Get moving. You don’t have to do a full blown hour long intensive workout at the gym (unless you feel up for it). Simply going for a run, jog or walk can do wonders. Getting some fresh air and exercise will help you clear your mind and lift your spirits. If you really don’t want to do anything too overwhelming, doing some stretches on your bedroom/living room floor can work too!
    4. Eat well. Take time to make yourself a breakfast that you enjoy but normally don’t have time to or simply can’t be bothered to make. Try to keep what you consume relatively healthy, as junk foods can make you feel even worse, especially on an ‘off day’. But still, don’t be afraid to treat yourself. You could even take yourself to get your favourite coffee if you’re feeling up for going out.
    5. Do something you enjoy. Read a book, watch your favourite TV show/movie, write, draw, paint, hang out with family and friends – anything. Even if you have to force yourself to start doing it, just believe me when I say that when you start your mood will instantly begin to improve and you’ll forget all about that ‘off day’ feeling.

     

    If you really feel as though something is wrong, or you just need to get some things off of your mind, then don’t hesitate to talk to someone about it. Everyone understands what it feels like to feel like everything has just gotten on top of you and you can’t keep up. Always make time to take care of yourself. You are the most important person in your life. Thank you as always for reading!

     

    – S x

  • What Depression Really Feels Like

    I’ve suffered from both depression and anxiety throughout the majority of my teen years. There have been times when both have completely consumed me, times when I feel one more strongly than the other, and times when I may not notice them much at all, but they’ll always be lingering. I’ve been on medication for my mental health for a few months now, and have seen multiple counsellors over the years – facts that I am not ashamed of sharing with others. My struggles with mental health are not something I am ashamed of and feel I should cover up. Talking about these issues is so important, especially when trying to overcome them.

    However, some people out there simply are not able to empathise with or fully understand those who suffer from mental health issues, as they lucky enough to not have experienced first hand what it’s really like to suffer through a mental illness. So, in order to encourage people to talk about and understand mental health, I’m going to tell you, from my experience, what depression really feels like.

    1. Depression feels like drowning. Imagine drowning, but never being able to die. You can’t breathe, you can feel the strain on your lungs as you try and fight against the strong current of the water. You can never quite make it to the surface. You’re just dying for that huge relief of filling your lungs with fresh oxygen. But you just can’t quite make it, and you’re stuck in this trapped, panicked and terrifying state for what feels like forever.

    2. Depression feels like guilt. The overwhelming sense of guilt you get for being depressed is almost unbearable at times. What have I got to be depressed for, right? I’ve got a great family, amazing friends, a steady job, a roof over my head, food in my fridge. I could have it so much worse. How can I be so down all the time? Here’s how – anyone can have depression. It’s an illness, not a choice.

    3. Depression is a ball and chain. It keeps me in bed for hours some days. It stops me from going out and having fun and spending time with the people I love. Even if I manage to get up and out, it’s still there, lingering in the back of my mind. You just have to learn to live with it, to cooperate with it. Show that depression who’s boss.

    4. Depression feels like nothing. I might laugh at that funny video on Facebook and I might be loud and outgoing when I’m with my friends. But that doesn’t mean that it isn’t still there, inside my head. There are days that I feel nothing. I don’t wanna cry, or laugh. I don’t feel like doing the things I love. It numbs me. And I think that’s one of the scariest feelings of them all, not feeling anything at all.

    I hope this helped some of you understand what it’s like to suffer from this very common mental health issue. For those of you who do suffer from depression, anxiety or any other illness, please know that you’re not on you’re own. You can live with it, it gets so much better. Talk to your parents, your friends, a doctor or a helpline because you should never have to go through it on your own. If you believe someone you know may be suffering in silence, let them know that you are there for them. Lastly, be kind to everyone; always.

    – S x

  • Three Things I Learnt From Being a Waitress

    I got my first job the summer after I had finished my GCSE’s. The role was waitressing at a family run cafe in a busy town centre. I was working mainly just Saturdays on a measly £4.50 an hour wage (so earning roughly £30 a week including tips). Despite being absolutely terrified when I started, as everyone is when starting their first job, I ended up loving it. I worked with some amazing (and admittedly not so amazing) people, got trained to make fancy coffees and by the end of my time working there I was probably one of the best workers there and I expect they kinda fell apart when I left for more hours and way better money working in the dairy section at my local Tesco (worst job ever but the dough was worth it, well, sort of). I worked at this cafe for around 18 months, and let me tell you I learnt a lot of things. Whether the knowledge I gained is useful for jobs I may have in the future, I don’t know, however it may be useful to whoever’s reading this post. Maybe you’re just starting out doing restaurant work and want to know what to expect, or maybe you are already or have previously worked in this environment and just want to laugh and relate to the ups and downs of life as a server. Either way, here is a list of things I learnt from being a waitress, enjoy.

    1. Middle-aged people are rude as ****. You’ve probably heard this one a lot from people who have worked as servers or in any kind of customer service role. I myself still cannot figure out why this is a thing, but trust me, it’s truer than Kylie Jenner’s pregnancy rumors. The kindest age groups are either your lovely little OAPs or young people ranging from about 14-30 years of age. These people were usually the nicest to me when I was a waitress; they would always be understanding if it was busy and things were maybe taking a little longer than usual, would not bite my head off if I or one of the kitchen staff had made a mistake and would always thank me and be polite. Middle-agers on the other hand… well. Lets just say if there is the slightest mistake with their order, or if something takes longer than they expected it to (because god forbid if something takes more than 15 minutes), they will not be happy. More often than not, they demand to talk to the manager and they think they are entitled to free food just because the plate wasn’t warm enough for them. Seriously?
    2. There is no job harder than being a server (except maybe retail/shop work). By this I mean that the job is both mentally and physically exhausting. Being on your feet rushing around for 8 hours (plus side of this being I lost a good amount of weight), making up drinks, taking payments, dealing with rude and difficult customers and getting wrinkly fingers from standing in the same spot cleaning dishes for over an hour with only a short 20 minute break really takes it out of you. May I also add that there would be times that I went without a break for the entire shift due to the cafe being too busy. In order to get a break at all, I had to work more than 6 hours. If I didn’t, I wouldn’t even get 10 minutes (I was 16!). Don’t get me wrong, I have respect for those who can sit in an office for hours and hours doing some kind of work involving big numbers that I’m sure would make my brain implode, however do not sit there at your fancy desk in your big leather chair and tell me that I am being dramatic. Servers deserve so much more respect than they get, trust me. I know not all restaurants and cafes are like this; many business’s do their best to look after their employees, making sure they have regular breaks and are not being pushed too hard. This is my own personal experience of waitressing.
    3.  You have way too many creepy encounters, especially if you are a young girl. For some reason, there’s something about being a waitress that makes people look at you as if you aren’t really a person. You’re there to keep the customers happy, fake laugh at their bad jokes, bring them food and clean up after them. Yes, I guess that technically is your job, however they do need to remember you are a real person, with real feelings and a life outside of your job. Not only did I encounter some very rude customers, but also some very creepy and even inappropriate ones. Not to be stereotypical, but these people were more often than not older men, 60 years+. Of course, it all depends on what kind of establishment you’re actually working in. In my case, the older men would often make comments that would make me feel extremely uncomfortable. For example, there was a time that I was working and an old man who was one of our regulars beckoned me over. I made my way to him and got out my pen and pad expecting him to order something. Instead, he pulled me closer to him by my wrist and proceeded to tell me that he ‘preferred my body to the other girls working, as they were all stick thin and I had some meat and curves on me’. Luckily, one of the other waitresses saw how uncomfortable I was and pretended she needed me to do something in order to get me away. This man acted this way to a lot of the other girls I worked with, however nothing was done about it as he was a regular and they didn’t want to lose out on any money. Charming, right?

    Overall, I enjoyed my time as a waitress. I could have had a far worse first job, however the role definitely isn’t for everyone. I hope this gave people some insight into what this job can be like, and if you relate to anything I’ve mentioned, comment what it was that you also experienced as a server, or maybe anything that I missed out. I don’t think I’ll be taking up another job as a waitress any time soon, my acrylic nails mean way too much to me. Thanks for reading!

    – S x