10 Inspirational Life Quotes We Can Learn From Alice In Wonderland

Alice In Wonderland is one of my all-time favourite books. Understanding the story at a young age, it was the perfect adventure taken down a rabbit hole meeting animals and a crazy queen. Understanding the story as an adult, you decode a lot more of what Lewis Carroll was trying to express in Alice; her sense of wondering, curiosity, questioning and hope. I have put together a list of my favourite quotes and how we can use these to help inspire our everyday lives.

1. DREAM CONSTANTLY

We should believe in the impossible. We live in a time when we can make a career from using just our mobile phones. We have the ability to make the impossible possible and, we should take full advantage of it. Ever since I was a little girl, I lived in a sort of dream world, and even though I've grown out of wanting some of those things, I have never lost the capability of dreaming. Having that drive in life helps us create goals and ambitions, and makes us want to work harder as we have something to aim towards. Never think something is impossible, or that it won't happen to you; it can happen if you work towards is. (Read more here.)

2. FOCUS ON YOURSELF

We live in a world where we know everything about somebody just by scrolling through their social media accounts. We know how much they're enjoying life on Snapchat, how beautiful their surroundings are on Instagram, and how well they're doing on Twitter, but this is just social media, right? Social media is an edited account run by us to show others how we want them to see us, and we all do it. Never compare your life to anybody on social media. Don't wonder why they're all the way up there, and you're down here. We like to paint this pretty picture of our lives and it shakes up reality. Concentrate on where you are and where you're going. Wondering how and why about someone else isn't going to get you where you want to be.

3. LEARN FROM MISTAKES

Making mistakes is a part of human nature. Things go wrong, they're meant to. How else are we suppose to learn? We all make mistakes. Some have a bigger impact on our lives than others, but we can't use this as a form of regret, we should use this as a way of learning. Owning up to our mistakes and understanding what we've done is as much about learning and growing as it is about making the initial mistakes. It's ok to be wrong about things, and sometimes we need to make the mistake once, twice, or even a few more times.

4. FIND A FOCUS

We sometimes struggle in knowing where we want to go in life and that's ok. We can't always know what's going to happen next, no matter how organised and well planned we think we are. All we need to do is find a focus. It doesn't matter if you don't know what you want to do long term, a lot of people don't, it's just about knowing you want to move forward. You could be working at a job for 6 months, you might not see this as your ultimate career, but the money you earn can go towards something later on, or you could meet someone who will change your life, or you might even end up gaining an opportunity you didn't expect.

5. IT'S NEVER TOO LATE

When you're in your teens you make a virtual timeline in your head of how you want your life to plan out; university, career, love, etc. Once you reach the age these things were meant to happen and they haven't, you sit there thinking, "oh s**t, it's too late". Vera Wang started designing gowns when she was 40, J.K. Rowling was 32 when her first book was published, in fact at 23, she was broke! Society likes to put pressure on us, and maybe still influence from older times, that life is pretty much laid out for everyone. We are in 2016 people! There is no age limit to start university, or change into a new career. You should never feel like you have to be committed to something that you're not passionate about.

6. NEVER GIVE UP

One thing I always mention to people when they feel like giving up is Coke-Cola sold 25 bottles in its first year; the rest of the story writes itself. Success is never straightforward; it won't go from the bottom straight to the top. Things go wrong, but things go right again. We all have days where everything gets too much, and it seems like the easiest thing to do is give up, but if it's something you really want, and are constantly thinking about it, well, there's a reason for that. If you know in your head and heart that something isn't right for you anymore, it's ok to stop. Giving up isn't about being called a failure, it is about knowing what's right for you at certain times in your life.

7. WORK HARD

Life is hard. Whoever said life was easy, was lying. Well, I guess life can be easy in a way, but if you want something better, you've got to work hard for that. This point coincides with the points above about success never being straightforward. We may have sleepless nights worrying about what needs to get done, or working all through the night to get tasks finished, but this isn't how it's always going to be. We all know about working hard and reaping the rewards. As much as we work hard, we need to play hard and have breaks too. Never push yourself to breaking point, learn where your limits lie. Never lose sight about what you're doing and why you're doing it.

8. LEARNING

You should never lose the craving to want to learn. Always ask questions, lots of them. Be one of those kids at school who kept just asking questions. Question why this and not that. Read books and articles about things you don't know. Have you ever wondered why we dream, or if there is ways to alter them? Find out and share your knowledge. Take a class in something you've always wanted to do. A language, dance, sport, acting. It could just be a one-time thing, or you might even see a new passion you never thought you'd have. Knowledge is so powerful, and it's something you can never have too much of.

9. TAKE THAT LEAP OF FAITH

Some people crave change, I on the other hand sometimes annoyingly like to stick to a routine. I guess it just makes me feel like I know where my day is going, like I have control. We all need to take that leap of faith and go completely out of our comfort zone. It's ok to feel scared or worried about entering unfamiliar situations, but it makes the achievement that bit more honourable. It's that idea of having a war between your head and your heart; your heart is filled with excitement and drive, but your worry takes over your head. Heart > Head. If we live with regret, it should never be from not doing something. If it goes wrong, it goes wrong, but what if it goes right? Life never changes if it's left in a constant. Be brave and jump down that rabbit hole.

10. BE YOURSELF

Self-expression is one of the bravest things anybody can do. To be able to be an individual in a world where you are constantly judged, to be confident and proud is such a beautiful quality to have. We live in this strange world where people crave after having something that is limited edition, but when it comes to being yourself, sticking to the "norm" is seen as the "right" thing to do. Don't be afraid to be different. Dress how you like, walk the way you want, be that person you know can say "this is me, the real me." Find a muse to look up to, but be that muse to someone else too. Help them feel the way that you do; never feel ashamed of who you are, but just feel strong, brave and proud. (Read more here.)

I hope this post has inspired you to live life a little more, and think a little less. Let me know in the comments below which of these quotes has helped inspire you and why.

LISTENING TO

• Justin Bieber
• Purpose