Somewhere at the beginning...

So Friday 13^th, what a day to write my first blog post... This is something I have been meaning to do (properly) for some time now, but since graduating from uni, I gave looking and applying for jobs my full focus.

Unsure on how to kick start this blog, I thought best to introduce myself, perhaps what to expect here and my most recent events. So here it goes…

Laura here, although if you follow me on other social media platforms, you’ll probably be more familiar with my username: @laurasylv

I’m a 20 something, Fashion Design graduate from the North of England, currently trying to find my way in life, realising there isn’t an easy route…

This blog will be a mixture of different content, from fashion and lifestyle, to wellbeing and recipe/foodie type posts as well as other bits thrown in too. I didn’t want to keep it purely fashion based like I’d originally planned, but instead share all my passions and interests. I’m also totally open to suggestions on topics, or other things you guys may be interested in knowing more about. (so feel free to leave suggestions)

Since graduating, a lot has happened and a lot hasn’t happened. I knew I was never going to land my dream job straight away, but I thought I’d have gotten there by now…

Since graduating in 2015, I began looking for work straight away, I gave it my full time focus and energy, to the point it was almost a full time job in itself. The fashion industry isn’t an easy one to simply just ‘break in to’. In the space of these past two years, I must have applied for hundreds, if not thousands of jobs, tediously writing out and tailoring those cover letters, in hope for an interview (at least) you’ll find you’ll get ghosted a lot, but I was lucky enough to have a decent number of interviews too. Still, that’s not the ultimate prize, is it?..

It’s such a competitive field as there are so many talented people looking too. You have to be strong enough and have faith that you will get there. Some jobs I actually got, but had to turn down for different reasons and some I regret not taking (massively), but there’s no going back and it’s pointless dwelling on. (although at the time, I massively beat myself up) I also did a couple of internships to boost my CV but mainly for my own personal growth and experience within the fashion industry, giving me more insight to other roles.

My most recent experience didn’t end too well, which I’m still picking up the pieces for, but I gave it a shot, it just didn’t work out. I’m glad I took the opportunity, rather than always wondering ‘what if’…

I’d moved down to London after landing a job for what I thought was going to be my big break through into the fashion industry, excited, eager and ready to go. It was a big move and decision to make, but something I knew (or thought) I wanted. It all happened overnight really, I started the job the day after I’d moved in, no time for settling.

After my first day, I was already left feeling unsure and uncertain, which wasn’t exactly a good sign or start to the job. It wasn’t what I was expecting, but I thought I’d give it time and at least a chance; after all, it was only my first day…

Cutting to the chase, the job seemed to get worse and the pressure started to build up, I can handle and take on a hell of a lot without complaints, but I knew this was too much for me (or for anyone) to take on. Not only that, I found the entire workplace and environment toxic. I’d worked a year before at a head office in London and they were definitely nothing alike. It got to the point I dreaded going in and cried almost every evening upon finishing. It was getting worse and worse, which had started to impact on my health too, both physically and mentally. I eventually reached a point where I was strong enough to look at myself and say STOP, enough is enough, it couldn’t continue, I put myself first (for once) and removed myself from the job. I’d given it a shot, I gave it my best, I gave it my all. It just wasn’t meant to be. After leaving, I did start to look again, but actually, I questioned whether I wanted to get into the fashion field at all. I’d tried so many times and nothing had seemed to work out, which made me question whether it was actually something I wanted to do, or whether it be I felt obliged because I had gotten a degree in it. Left feeling unmotivated, the Christmas holidays were fast approaching, so what better time to stop and just take a break.

And so I did.

So where am I now? ..

The beginning of January I’m still taking that break, I’ve decided to postpone looking for any type of work at the moment until I find my feet again and actually know where I want to head in life, maybe the fashion industry isn’t actually for me, or maybe I’ve just been put off? Maybe blogging and writing is the direction for me, who knows? For now though, I’m going to use this time to heal, find myself, give myself some TLC and just live for the moment. I’ve spent too long creating expectations of myself, I just need to sit back and relax a little. As worried as I am regarding my age and not having my ‘dream job’ whatever that may be, I can’t look at the situation like this, there is no time limit and the only rules set are the ones created by me. So for now I’m taking things easy, trying to figure out what I want to do and where I want to head in life.

I don’t even know what this blog post is, it’s more of a ventilation from my head, but it’s a start. There will be more creative content and other/better things soon, but for now I’ll leave it here. Please do comment below on what you’d like to see, or what you would like me to cover/review/talk about or discuss.

(please bare in mind, this site is still under construction, whilst i get to grips with it...)

Thank you for reading,

Laura. x