Why you should do things that terrify you

The comfort zone. It's a lovely little place where you can cruise along at a nice, safe speed and have complete control of your life. But it's also freaking boring.  If everyone only ever stayed in their comfort zone, life wouldn't be as half as exciting.

When I was offered the once in a lifetime trip to road trip around the state of Illinois back in March, I could hardly believe my luck. I got to call that work? But there was a part of me that nearly passed it on to someone else in the team. I was going to have to spend over a week with people I didn't know, in a place I'd never been and it would require me to be on top form the entire time. In fact, I had such trouble sleeping the night before because I was so worried it was all going to be a disaster. As an only child I relish in my own company. Don't get me wrong, I love socialising and meeting new people. But I love nothing more then shutting myself off from the outside world and sitting in my own thoughts. After I went to Glastonbury - despite it being one of the best experiences of my life -, I had to be by myself for a good few days afterwards because I was exhausted at being in other people's company that I didn't know. Other only children will probably be able to relate! But saying yes to that US trip was one of the best things I've ever said. I can't even put into words how incredible that trip was. It sounds cheesy but I discovered things about myself that didn't realise I could do. I came back feeling so proud that I managed to travel to and from another country in one piece. Considering I once left my passport in Boots at Gatwick Airport!

I still remember the very first time I went to a blog event on my own without knowing anyone who was going to be there. Once again I very nearly pulled out when the blogger I was meant to meet up with couldn't go. But I put on my best smiling face, rocked up and made it my mission to chat to the very first person I came across. I was absolutely petrified inside - what if everyone thought I was a complete moron and they couldn't think of anything worse then chatting to me? But I did it and thought on the tube home about how much I got out of the evening because I didn't have one person to hide behind.

You only get one life. It'll be no good if you get to 90 and look back wishing that you took a tight, firm hold of everything that came your way. You want look back at the past and remember all the incredible things you got to do along the way. No one ever had a good story to tell by staying in their comfort zone. Try something that absolutely terrifies you and grab every opportunity with both hands.

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Review: Audrey Hepburn: Portraits of An Icon

A few weeks ago now I was very kindly given complimetary tickets to pop along to the Audrey Hepburn photography exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery. I've always been a massive fan of Audrey, in fact she's my go to when I need some inspiration for a dressing up party. Or in everyday life! To be given a sneak peak into over 70 images - some from her son's private collection - was fascinating. It was so interesting to read all about this wonderful woman's life. She really was such an icon. Sadly I wasn't allowed to take any pictures inside Portraits of An Icon but take it from me, the photos were stunning. I especially loved the collection of her magazine front covers and seeing the actress change over the years. To see where she came from and to what she eventually ended up being was awe-inspiring. I didn't realise she did so much work for charity.

It's running until 18th October 2015. Although tickets are sold out online, there's a limited number of tickets released at the gallery at 10am every morning. It's well worth getting up early for!

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Why we need to help the Syrian refugees

Earlier this week I went for a run. Only a two mile run but still a run. As I ran through my local park, under the under paths and stopped to catch my breath, I suddenly thought that I was running for fun. A quite twisted type of fun. But still I was going out for a run because I wanted too. There are women that have to run to avoid being raped. Women who have to run because they need to get their child urgent medical attention. Families who are running to get out of a building before a bomb blows it to pieces. Families who are running to ensure their children stay children away from violence and gun fire. Children who are running to avoid being picked up as child soldiers. They are running because their life depends on it.

The Syrian refugee crisis is something that is causing a lot of strong opinions. In fact, my mum actually banned the subject at a family BBQ because she didn't want a family occasion to be fuelled with lots of shouting. I've seen a lot of posts on Facebook regarding the situation with many people shockingly posting images from the EDL. I've heard lots about how we need to sort out our own country first. Worried about the state of the NHS? Look at who you voted for. The Tory government is all about privatising the NHS. Those bad boys are the ones who are cutting budgets and putting a strain on our healthcare. Annoyed about the lack of houses? Blame Maggie Thatcher for selling off all the council houses. That's why we don't have any as people bettered themselves and invested in property. You go to the north of the country and there are rows and rows of derelict houses begging to have money pumped in to make the liveable. Something the government doesn't seem to be interested in. Scared that they're going to take all our jobs? There's a high unemployment rate in the whole world. Not just the UK. Plus I honestly believe there's enough jobs, just not enough jobs at proud people will do. Worried about the homeless? When was the last time you dug in your pocket and donated money to help then? Or went out onto the streets with hot food to hand out? Think they should stay and fight their own battles? They can't. Just like the Jewish people were powerless to stop Hitler in his tracks.

These people are not immigrants. They are refugees. There's a massive difference. They are not choosing to leave their country in hope for a better life. They are leaving their country because there is a high percentage that they will die if they stay. After the war is over, refugees are required to return to their home country. Would they really be risking their lives if there was a better option on offer? Are you telling me you would stay put? I would crawl to a safe haven if I had too.

I can't help but think if these were white, Christian refugees, the public might be a bit more forthcoming. Not every person from the Middle East is a fully fledged member of ISIS. Just like not every person from Northern Ireland is part of the IRA. Just like not every person from Israel wants to wipe out Palestine. Amongst the refugees there will be ordinary doctors, teachers and engineers desperate to escape a war-torn country.

Young people are impressionable. If we show them hatred, disgust and disrespect, who's to say they won't be swayed by someone else. That someone else could be ISIS. It's incredible the lengths a human being would go to keep their family safe. How they would make a deal with the devil. I know I would. There's only so much anger one person can take before they flip and inflict their rage on that person. That person could be the western society. We could be giving the tools to ISIS to help them with their brainwashing campaign.

The United Kingdom needs to step up and offer these poor souls a place of refuge. Why? Simply because it's the decent thing to do. No one should be forced to live a life in a warzone because of their circumstances. I was lucky to be born into a civilised democratic society. In a country that is the fourth richest in the world. A country where I am free to walk along outside as a woman. A country where I can travel on my own to soak up other cultures. A country where I can become anyone or anything that I want to be. That's all it is, just luck.

In times of need the world needs to stick together and help each other. It's about being a human being. Show some compassion. Put yourself in their shoes. Let's show the world just how great Great Britain is and lead by example.

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