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| I’m wearing: Coat: Warehouse Hat: Primark Scarf: ASOS Jumper: ASOS Jeans: Topshop Necklace: Etsy Trainers: Nike |
On the surface, this looks like an outfit post, but there is a background to these photos that tell lots of little individual stories.
I am a huge believer in little acts of kindness; the sorts of seemingly insignificant gestures from others that they do without thinking, but show a beautiful level of caring, empathy and love.
These photos are the perfect example of such things: the images were shot by Katy after she offered to help me capture more lifestyle photography for my blog; the hat I’m wearing was donated by the guy I’m dating when he realised I was going out in the cold without enough layers on; the scarf is an unexpected Christmas gift – a result of my mum looking through my Pinterest account to find something she knew I would love.
I am the sort of person that will spot a piece of street art that reminds me of somebody and excitedly take a photo to share with them. It makes sense that if I see something whilst on my travels that a loved one will enjoy, then I will get it for them; if it’s a birthday I rack my brains to think of a gift that perfectly fits that person, and write a personal message that they know could only be from me.
In my life I am unbelievably lucky to be surrounded by awesome people who want to show how much they care, without being ashamed, embarrassed or lazy. It’s not about wanting to help, it’s about an unconscious desire to look after a person, make them smile, let them know that you care. In the last week such acts of kindness have included AJ dropping her evening’s plans to meet me at the pub for a much needed sounding off, Emma offering to ask her friends to share their Japan tips for my trip in September, a friend tagging me in a bloody amazing travel related post on Facebook (it included bottomless wine), and a very lovely man sending me my first ever bunch of Valentine’s Day flowers.
Each one of those people has had the simple thought of, ‘This would make Charlie happy’. Isn’t it wonderful to know that people you care about, also care about you? You don’t need to go out of your way or spend huge amounts of money – it’s the little acts of kindness that show the real character of a person, and make me feel oh so very lucky.