Life advice to my 16 years old self

I turned 20 a few days ago and I wasn't very happy about it. Only because 20, it is a new decade for me and I'm not sure I'm ready for it.

I started this blog in 2009 and it has become a sort of diary for me. Reading back I can see actually how much I have changed to become the person I am today. Some of those principles I still live by and some passion may have taken another route. It is interesting for me and I think it's time to give my 16 years old self some advice.

Here is a few things I wish I knew when I was 16:


1. Don't listen to what everybody says

People will gossip, will have an opinion about you, will critique you but you don't have to listen to everything. There will always be someone who speaks the worst of you, bully you and makes you feel like you are worth nothing. You are a lot more than that, so CHOOSE what you want to hear!

As you grow older, you will care less about what people think of you so speak your mind.

2. Love yourself: being different is AWESOME!

At 16, you are still struggling to find out your place in the world. Don't be afraid to be different and don't let other people push you down. It is okay not to meet those "expectations". You will care less what people think of you because really, it adds nothing to your life.

You can't be happy until you are happy with yourself, your body and be comfortable as you!

By the way, being confident at being you is super sexy! ;)

3. Less is more!

This apply to everything: appreciate the small but meaningful relationships you have, liberate yourself by own what you need. Having to pack and unpack all the time, you will realise that actually you can survive on very little but those little things will be so meaningful!

Buy less stuff, own less things and live as minimalist as you can. Think of it this way: how many hours of hard work does it takes for you to buy that thing? Is it really worth it? Also having a few but good items of clothing - you will always know exactly what looks good on you :) Take the hassle out of making decisions!

4. Have a laugh!

Life is short. You will learn that your life could end at any moment, today, tomorrow or the right the next hour. You don't know what can happen. So no, you don't have to be perfect.

Do what you love, make that damn mistake and not regret it, laugh at yourself and just cherish the simplicity of living.

Go out there and try some new!

5. Have principles and live by it.

Some people may try to change you and you may feel bad that you're not perfect enough. Don't do it unless it is important to you. Never try to change for anyone. Live by your principles: that girl that hate plastic waste, that girl that loves the ocean, that girl that is a bit obsessed with geography.

6. Be driven and dream big!

Never give up on your passion and be determined to get it. You have to think you can do it to be able to do it!

7. You will probably fall quickly with the first person that shows you intimacy
It is okay that you never have a crush over somebody until like uni because when you meet them, they will truly be special. They will drive you nuts, you will probably overthink everything but don't worry, just let it play out! Also, you will make stupid mistakes but you will get over it.

Enjoy the simplicity of holding hands, staring into each other eyes and may be wait for the special moment your lips meet?

8. Life is tough or easy - take it with a pinch of salt!

There are going to be moment when you think the world is coming down on you, that your life is falling apart and you question your ability to do anything at all. If life was easy, what is the point?
Those darkest moment will pass, they will make you strong and they will become a part of you.

That problem that you have: please don't let it rule you life. Please don't forget how awesome you are and please try to forgive that person that hated for so long. They ain't worth the pain you put yourself through. Just let it go!

Day 4:

It is day 4 on #belowtheline now.

I am finding myself cooking a lot more and playing around with the few ingredients I have. I am hungrier too. Last night, I went to bed early because I was a little hungry. In the end, I woke up 3 hours later and had a small bowl of oats to warm my stomach.

It takes me will power not to binge on all the food I have for the week but it is a situation for those who are actually in poverty that they just have to endure with. Our human instinct tell us that when we're hungry, we eat.

I cooked all my meals and portion them in the morning at the moment so I know what I have something to look forward to and not feel like I needed more food.

Day 4: 22p lunch- fish sauce flavoured rice veg and 2 eggs

Now I vowed to try and make a new meal everyday so I don't get bored. Also I wanted to prove to myself that I could really survive on less than a pound a day and make it healthy too.

Really, even with £10 a week on food normally, I do get to eat when I want and may be perhaps, a little too much. I could buy a treat when I want too...

How much does your lunch cost?

Socialising at Uni on a Shoestring #belowtheline

Last night was a typical saturday night for my flatmates: LCR A list!

The only difference was I stayed sober and had lemon water for the whole night. At predrinks, I was watching everyone having their usual: a pint of beer, a bottle of wine, vodka and schmitt. Normally I would have enjoyed a glass of whiskey or a ginger beer or a vodka with mixer. But being on £5 obviously meant I could not afford such items. No one knew except for my bestie that I was not drinking.

I realised that uni social life is surrounded by food and alcohol. If I couldn't afford food then my there is no way I could afford to have a social life. This really hightlight why poverty is a perpetual cycle because people missed out on opportunities. I am not talking about drinking here but about being able to participate in public events. I remember in one of my social anthropology class, the lecturer was talking about how a man unable to buy new clean clothes prevented him from participating in the community life.

Whilst I don't think drinking completely a bad thing, it actually questions my true social skills. I thought this doesn't mean I can't go out, does it?

Strangely enough, I had a great night of just solely dancing and having fun with my two bestfriends: George and Ben. My friends are very supportive of the fact that I am doing the challenge and of course, not drinking! People offer to buy me drinks which is very nice but it is the principle, I can't just "live-off" someone's else. I am so happy I have surrounded by so much support and so many great friends!

In the end, we were rocking it out with Katie there too! It was a good night :)

Last night was a typical saturday night for my flatmates: LCR A list!

The only difference was I stayed sober and had lemon water for the whole night. At predrinks, I was watching everyone having their usual: a pint of beer, a bottle of wine, vodka and schmitt. Normally I would have enjoyed a glass of whiskey or a ginger beer or a vodka with mixer. But being on £5 obviously meant I could not afford such items. No one knew except for my bestie that I was not drinking.
I realised that uni social life is surrounded by food and alcohol. If I couldn't afford food then my there is no way I could afford to have a social life. This really hightlight why poverty is a perpetual cycle because people missed out on opportunities. I am not talking about drinking here but about being able to participate in public events.
Whilst I don't think drinking completely a bad thing, it actually questions my true social skills. I thought this doesn't mean I can't go out, does it?
Strangely enough, I had a great night of just solely dancing and having fun with my two bestfriends: George and Ben. My friends are very supportive of the fact that I am doing the challenge and of course, not drinking! People offer to buy me drinks which is very nice but it is the principle, I can't just "live-off" someone's else. I am so happy I have surrounded by so much support and so many great friends!

In the end, we were rocking it out with Katie there too! It was a good night :)
- See more at: https://www.livebelowtheline.com/blogs/28165#sthash.1uqvSuH1.dpuf

Day 1 #belowtheline

Day 1

Breakfast - Peanut butter oatmeal (18p)
100g Oatmeal = 8p
1tbs peanut butter = 3p
1 cup of coffee = 7p

Post-ride late lunch protein (8p)

Poached egg and left over oat = 8p

Dinner - Egg fried rice and vegetable (21p)

100g rice = 4p
100g vegetable = 9p
1 egg = 8p

Total today: 47p

Hmm, well since I binged yesterday before #belowtheline challenge begin (as well as much needed training for BUCS sprint next weekend) I decided to go on a long ride today, covering 76.5km. I wanted to go with the Cycling Club but the boys are so much faster and I didn't want to hold anyone back. I'm going to train until I get superfast and then I will join them :D

Day1: 18p breakfast- oatmeal with peanut butter and a pinch of salt 100g oatmeal 8p, 1tbs peanut butter 3p, value coffee 7p #belowtheline #budgetmeal #cheapfood

A photo posted by Ada Linh Nguyen (@tulinh17) on Apr 25, 2015 at 12:01am PDT

To fuel my ride, I have to have breakfast - a good old bowl of oatmeal but perhaps 100g in one go is a bit much! I couldn't finish it and ended up leaving some later.

It was a long and windy ride. I have some sugar with me incase I needed a quick energy boost. The gels are there but only in extreme cases because a person in poverty would not have the luxury of having such items...

I finally got home, feeling rather pekish but the adrenaline was still running. I had the left over oat and an egg with plenty of water.

Post-ride protein: Leftover oat and an egg (8p) #belowtheline #trilife #ride #cycling

A photo posted by Ada Linh Nguyen (@tulinh17) on Apr 25, 2015 at 4:52am PDT

An hour later, after a good hot shower, I crashed! I mean I fell asleep doing my job... So I have to catch up now. :( I would have reach for another cup of coffee normally but I can't.

Around 4 pm, I thought it might be time to have an early dinner. The egg fried rice was good. i divided it into two because I didn't want to go hungry later.

Day 1 is going well. Only because I had a huge dinner last night and I guess the tiredness hasn't kicked in yet.

Live Below the Line 2015

Once again this year, I am taking the Live Below the Line challenge, living on just £1 a day for 5 days from the 27th April to 1st of May.

However, seeing that this is 4th year running I am taking the challenge, I thought I would mix things up a little bit.

I've just been reading up on what all my friends are up to and I have to say I have so many amazing friends who are just unbelievable:

Cindy is racing the London Marathon this sunday. (some others I know too!)
Ally has just gotten a well-deserving promotion because honestly, she is the most successful 20 years old I know and if only you can see how hard she works both at her job and her part time degree!
My Linh who is an incredible architect-to-be.
Eunice Yin who now plays in a band, producing awesome tune and just looks incredible.

I have decided a few days earlier that I will be taking the Live Below the Line challenge for 7 days.

Despite having a job and being able to save money for my future adventure, I am still a student living on a budget. £10 for food a week is usually my limit with the occasional snacks that would add up to £2 more. (and of course there is the alcohol for socialising)

Going down £5 is going to be tough but I am taking the challenge to help raise money and raise awareness towards the issue of food security and poverty that still exist around the world. It is time to remind myself how lucky I am to be able to eat and never go hungry.

Here is the food list:

Shopping list:
1kg Oat - 75p
1kg rice - 40p
340g peanut butter- 62p
15 eggs - 1.20
240g kidney beans - 23p
1kg mixed vegetables - 89p
1 jar coffee - 50p

100ml fish sauce - 21p
100g salt - 1p
10g pepper - 6p

Total £5

#belowtheline food hunt: £4.49 so far for the next 7 days

A photo posted by Ada Linh Nguyen (@tulinh17) on Apr 23, 2015 at 6:43am PDT