Showing posts with label blogging. Show all posts
Showing posts with label blogging. Show all posts

Monday, 18 March 2019

Real life, online life... coping with LIFE.

Hey hey!

So I thought I'd follow on from my Instagram story the other day, after it seemed to be so well received!
I had such beautiful messages of support - people saying thank you, people getting things off their chest, not feeling alone, just being reminded that life is more important than social media! It was incredibly overwhelming to receive so many lovely messages.
But it wasn't a sense of self satisfaction from having nice messages sent, it was just nice to know that people didn't feel alone, and that what I had said had helped some people to feel better and less stressed. That if there was stuff people had bottled up lately - they then felt from my post they could message me and discuss it.

For those that missed it, here is a brief summary of what was said -
+ DON'T TAKE SOCIAL MEDIA SO SERIOUSLY!
+ Appreciate the real people around you & spend time with them. 
+ Don't compare yourself to people on social media. It's not real! It's fake!
+ People live 2 lives, I know, I've essentially done it - the social media life and the real life.
+ Don't focus on the number of followers, the number of likes... it's irrelevant!
+ Don't worry about what someone else/other people are doing - JUST. DO. YOU.
+ Everyone is fighting a battle, sometimes just getting out of bed is enough! 
+ Check on the people around you! Ask how they are randomly, let the people around you know you are there for them, anytime, for anything! (We'll discuss this more later...)

Don't worry about the number of followers you have, don't worry about the number of likes you get, don't worry about who is posting what, where etc... we're all guilty of comparing ourselves to others! When we shouldn't!
We all panic that we don't appear to be achieving the same epic stuff we see others doing on Instagram.
I'm guilty in the past of feeling incredibly, low and depressed from seeing some amazing things people have been doing with cars, and feeling like I'm a real under achiever, like I'm not enough, like a failure!
But we all have different opportunities, some earn them, some use who they know rather than what they know, some get lucky, some work incredibly bloody hard! We just can't judge ourselves on other people, because we just don't know.
It's times like that I find I have to step away from social media, before it sucks me in and I feel this horrendous anxiety and panic come over me. Which is silly! It's an app, it's a made up world online essentially. But in times like that, where you feel that low and that consumed in this dark pit of feeling inadequate online - you don't think HOLD UP!!! WHY YOU BEING SILLY?! LOOK AT WHAT YOU'VE ACHIEVED *insert personal list here* but for me, I've been to Sweden and was the first to shoot the Koenigsegg Regera, I've had a 3 page feature of my Oakley Veyron images in Fast Car magazine, I've driven a Porsche 918, I've shot events in Dubai, I've been to SEMA - but away from cars, I've tackled being bedbound with M.E when I was 16, I battle daily with Fibromyalgia and M.E, I've been a carer for my Dad etc. My point is, there is a lot we can all sit and list personally that we've achieved.

I really do worry about social media and peoples mental welfare. The amount of pressure out there is INSANE!
The pressure to look a certain way, to act a certain way, to achieve everything by what seems like tomorrow, or else you're a failure... It's awful. Things don't just happen overnight! We are all different. We all have our own paths to take. We all have our own journeys. We all have our own battles to tackle.
This is why I said on IG the other day that sometimes, just getting out of bed for some is a win! Because sometimes it is, for some people - if you're battling a mental health condition, just getting out of bed can be a massive achievement. Just as if you have a physical condition and are fortunate enough to be able to get out of bed! It's something you achieved, and it's brilliant.

People are SO judgemental and critical these days, which adds to the pressure of life. I will never understand the people who go out of their way to antagonise someone, or insult, critique, or slate someone purely because they have a personal vendetta against them and usually with no cause, no rhyme or reason!

Just remember to step away from social media now and again, appreciate the people around you. Especially parents and grandparents - because TRUST ME, when they're no longer around, you wish you'd spent every moment possible with them!
But don't forget your friends too, don't just use social media to stay in touch - go and meet up, have a coffee, a meal etc. No phones, sit and communicate. Check on them! Ask if they're okay, ask if they need help or support with anything, LISTEN...
All too often these days we hear about suicide and people not coping, which is truly tragic! It's usually the ones who appear to be larger than life, the ones who seem to check on everyone else - but does anyone ever check on them?!
I've been plunged into those depths, considering the "easy way out" - admittedly, not purely due to social media, but it can definitely add to the negativity in your mind and just make you feel like you're drowning.
If it wasn't for my incredible support network around me, I wouldn't of survived last year. So a massive thank you to my boyfriend, my sister, my best friends, my Mum, and the family at CGO who kept me going. With these guys amazing support, I managed to move house, get a job, resolve old family issues and actually grieve the loss of my Dad (rather than bottle it up!!!) essentially flipping my life round in two weeks!

But just remember to check in on those around you, sometimes it's hard for people to admit they aren't coping but let them know you are there for them, always!

On that note, if anyone ever needs a chat - just drop me a DM. No judgement. No criticism. Just a place to speak if you need it.

Take care

Skully x

Sunday, 19 March 2017

I promised I would keep this up to date...

Hey people, hope you're all well!

So I promised to keep this going... either my health has taken a hit and I can't manage it, otherwise, it's due to editing and sorting so many photos out - that I then forget to update this after doing them!

Either way, my apologies.

I attended Goodwood 75th Members Meeting on Saturday. That was so cool! Such impressive and historical motors. I attended the event with Automeisje aka Yvette. It was our first meeting and it was so cool to meet a fellow female petrolhead.

What else has happened car wise? Hmm... Been to Dubai a few times. The cars there are just something else. The events are amazing too (I'll do a separate post on that)

I'm now just getting impatient for the good weather and ability to attend more shows, events and shoots!

That's my quick update and apologies for neglecting my page.

As I said, hope everyone is good - any suggestions for the blog etc. let me know!

Skully x

Sunday, 1 January 2017

Twenty Four

2nd January, 1993 saw me enter the world.
A lot has happened in those years. Everyone has their story to tell but mine is certainly an awkward, complex, unpredictable one!
Now, I'm not sure what I want to do/achieve this year... I know after 2016 tried to see me off, I'd rather like 2017 not having an scenarios like that, preferably!

- I know I want to raise more awareness for the illnesses I have, not just for my benefit, but for all those that suffer this horrendous pain!
- I DEFINITELY want to see my godchildren more!

But car wise, I'm not really sure. Obviously getting to drive some more cars would be EPIC but 24 is an awkward age for insurance! BOO. So I guess just experiencing some cars would be just as cool!!

Going to explore more of America is certainly an aim, especially the West Coast as I haven't been! (any companies that want to sponsor a car photographer to visit the West Coast... feel free to get in touch ;) worth a shot! haha)
Travelling in general, as and when time/life allows me would be cool. I really love just going somewhere new and discovering new stuff and meeting new people.

But I guess, I just want to better myself.
- Better ways to manage my time
- Find a way to balance my illnesses, with not overdoing it!!!!!!!
- Just become a better person really.

I really do want to try and blog/vlog more this year. Myself and Demi did film some stuff at some events last year, but never really did anything with it!

I said all my thank you's at New Years, to all the amazing people I know and love, but anyone who reads this... thank you!!

Take care
Skully x

Friday, 5 August 2016

Been a while! Blogging or Vlogging? Do I continue?

Afternoon people,

I sincerely apologise for having not been writing my highly opinionated thoughts about my shoots, Central London supercar news articles and cars in general!

I must admit, I kind of forgot about blogging! I did do some vlogging and I love doing it cause I get to annoy people with my instant thoughts and feelings regarding cars as it's all instant and in the moment! Whereas writing, I take time to stop and think about what I've written and re-read it etc. so it's not quite as exciting I guess. Plus let's face it, it's effort reading something in comparison to going to YouTube and watching a video!

So blogging or vlogging...
Well blogging has the positive of not having to worry about how ill I look on camera! (or how chunky I look!)
I can happily sit with a box of Jaffa Cakes, no make up, hair in a bun and in my trackies writing away... and no one would know. Clearly NOT happening atm *cough*
Vlogging, I really enjoy showing people my point of view at events and in friends cars etc. Now I haven't done many videos lately, some of the opportunities I do regret having not filmed such as:
- Koenigsegg visit and shoot (oh and going in the Regera with Christian von Koenigsegg driving)
- Driving the Porsche 918!!! EPIC EPIC FAIL.
- More of my car spotting Golf antics
- Events in general! I like showing people what sort of events I attend and my perspective

Obviously, the other main issue with vlogs is that I don't have enough arms for it. Trying to hold a camera along with my DSLR, where my priority is to get stills, is tricky!
I hopefully have some more cool stuff coming up where I may try and vlog it... Big question is though, with so many people doing it now! Do I revive the vlogs?!

Anyway as always, my IG is kept up to date (as best as possible) with my photos: @skullsandsnaps

I shall try and get back into my writing though. It's quite therapeutic...
Take care

Jo x