Smiling. We all do it at some point in the day, whether its laughing with friends, smiling about going home after work or fangirling over your favourite band. I'm sure you've all seen the fact that it takes less muscles to smile than to frown. But what difference does a smile actually make? Nobody really notices, do they? Smiling is just an ordinary thing and it's nothing special. But what if it is? What if I told you that smiling makes a massive difference to your life?
This is written from personal experience, I am naturally a happy person. People always comment on how they always see me smiling, when I was with my friends I was smiling, glancing at my phone, talking and even in Maths lessons! It's just me, I like to keep a positive vibe around me, a carefree vibe. However, that all changed during my last year of school. I'm going to tell you about how people viewed me when I was happy and when I wasn't, about what opportunities I received when I smiled and what impact a smile has on others.
I was reflecting on my last school year the other day and I realised how miserable I actually was. My friends in the year above had left me, I hated most of the people around me and I just wanted to move on with my life. I was trapped in a place where I didn't want to be and so my smile slowly began to fizzle away. I would wake up in a horrible mood and the stress from my GCSEs didn't help.
There was one comment that I will never forget. When people used to talk about me, they'd say that I was lovely, always happy and willing to help others. My trust in people was lost in my final school year and I began to isolate myself. I passed a group of lads in my school and they said hi, I said it back, after all they hadn't done anything to me. Once I had walked past, one of them asked the other "Is she depressed or something?" and they started laughing. That was one moment that I will never forget. It reminds me of how gloomy I was.
What I'm trying to convey is how people's opinions can change of you if you have a smile on your face. Wearing a bright smile gives people a positive impression of you and you are more likely to be social. This means that you'll find getting a job easier, approaching strangers easier and also those cute babies will smile at you and make faces. You'll have more offers to go out and you'll find more people are attracted to you, whether that be as friends or as lovers. Without a smile, you also notice how everyone else around you has a lack of enthusiasm. People will try and avoid that grey cloud of misery because let's be honest, it's not very pleasant to be around.
The next thing I wanted to touch on was the opportunities you're given. I was a social butterfly when I wore a smile. I got involved in clubs, went out with friends, people would come to me for advice, I would win a lot of awards at school, you get the idea. People love you. However, when that smile is taken away from you those opportunities are kind of taken away from you. I found that a lot of the subjects I excelled in, at the end of the year I wasn't chosen to get a certificate despite the rest of the class getting one. People still come to me for advice, but only the ones that know that I am actually approachable under the harsh exterior. Friendships are also effected by the lack of positivity, believe me, I know. But make sure to relish in the friendships that mean the most to you.
Smiling, although it doesn't seem important, plays a massive part in your life and in those around you's lives. I am slowly getting my smile back now I have moved on from the school and the people there. A fresh start is what I'm looking for at my chosen college, the opportunities it will bring and the start of a long life to come. I've now noticed that I am making new friends (even that guy I waved to on the bus next to me - who waved back may I add. Absolute Legend!) due to my natural self coming back.
So next time you're frowning just remember, it takes 72 muscles to frown, but only 14 to smile (or however many a sciencey website say).
Until next time...
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This is such a lovely post! I love to smile but I do struggle sometimes to be happy all of the time. I think most people do! Xx
ReplyDeleteThank you! It can be difficult all of them time but as long as you are happy with your life you give out such a positive vibe!
DeleteReally enjoyed reading this post. My smile is my most useful tool at work; I've found that if a customer is being rude, flashing them a smile gives them a much better attitude!
ReplyDeleteThank you! I think it's an amazing tool, it brightens people's dad and if not, kill them with kindness!
DeleteGreat post! A smile is so important but I unfortunately don't always use mine ��X
ReplyDeleteThank you! I can imagine smiling 24/7 would hurt a lot 😂 If you need to chat at any point you know where to find me xx
DeleteAw I love this post! such a great post to make anyone smile and make them feel better if they are down. I consider myself to be a happy person too!
ReplyDeleteSophia xo // https://sophiaaaxo.com
Thank you! You always seem happy to me x
DeleteSuch a beautiful post. I struggled a lot last year at school too, so I'm hoping I'll get to use my smile a lot more next year xox
ReplyDeleteThanks! Aw, that's a shame, no doubt you'll be smiling in no time - especially after reading your recent post ;)
DeleteMy mum tells me this all the time lol! But it does effect your mood for the better!
ReplyDeletewww.lottiegibbons.com
It really does! Your mum is a wise person😉
DeleteThis was really inspiring to read. People have often commented on my "lovely smile". Which I always think it so nice and it makes me want to use it even more. I love to give people a smile especially when I'm not sure to say and I have noticed how it cheers them up!
ReplyDeleteAbby x
http://teenagehomedder.blogspot.co.uk
Aw thank you! I love smiling and it's great to know someone else does too x
Deletethis post is lovely sophie :)
ReplyDeleteThank you xx
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