I respect people who are humbled and grounded
James 22, Student from Kingston
Before we start - How’s life in the time of Corona for you?
Well, I suppose it's impacted me massively in relationship to University. I’m in my last year and obviously it’s come to an abrupt end and I am now living back at home. Everyone was looking forward to the final celebrations. For it to end like this is a shame. I was really looking forward to having my last big blow out before starting work in September.
I wouldn't say my mental health has been affected. I’m just getting on with it. I imagine I’d be in a complete different situation if I was living on my own. I’d like to go out and see my friends but I’ve accepted the situation. I definitely don't wake up with the sense of, ‘Oh God, it's another day’. I’m glad I’m back at home. It isn’t terrible, there are people in worse situations I suppose.
How do you see yourself?
I'm quite an active person. Happy and always keen to be involved in whatever’s going on. I never like being left out of situations so I get stuck in.
I asked James about mental health issues at University as it seems to be quite prevalent
Since I’ve been at University, the whole awareness surrounding mental health has skyrocketed. I’ve never have bad anxiety. Occasionally I feel upset, angry or unhappy about something but I won’t say I’m a particularly anxious person. I've certainly got friends that struggle with anxiety. I have male friends that wouldn't tell me if they were struggling, boys tend to keep it all in. My girlfriends are much more open. I’ve been in situations where I've spoken to my mates about issues they’re facing, I offer a friendly face but at the end of the day I'm no expert. I've always advise if they’re having problems, it’s best to seek someone who’s more qualified than me.
Are you a half full person? - Yes definitely.
How do you think other people see you?
Organised, pernickety. I like to get everything sorted out as soon as possible. If something needs doing, I can't leave it. I have to get it done. I've never had to be pushed to do something. At the end of the day if you want to get it done, no one is going to do it for you. I am an organisation freak.
What do you like about yourself?
I feel very uncomfortable when I’m in a group situation when one or two people there don't know the majority of the group. I try to make a conscious effort to involve them because I've been in that situation and hate being the outsider.
What you think about marriage?
I have a pretty positive view on marriage. I’d certainly like to get married one day, although I am slightly apprehensive seeing so many of my friends parents getting divorced in their 40s. I'd want to be so sure. I wouldn't want to go into marriage, then 20 years down the line and it breaks down. That would scare me. I like the idea of having that one person for your whole life, and obviously the wedding day too.
What are you dreams?
I genuinely don't think I've ever had a dream. I'd like to grow up, get a job where I can earn a decent amount of money and live a comfortable life.
I'm starting my career in accountancy. I’m not thinking I’ll be doing this job for the rest of my life. I want to get 5 years experience under my belt, then look into something that’s really going to motivate me. I haven’t got big aspirations to change the world. I definitely don't know what I want to be in the long term. I don't think anyone really knows what they want to do. Having a meaningful impact on what goes on in the real world would be good.
Who or what inspires you?
People who working to achieve their ambitions. Be it in finance, sport, acting, whatever. People like Andrew Strauss and Alistair Cook. Both worked their way to the top in cricket and have managed to stay grounded. When you get to that level it must be easy to let your ego get the better of you. I respect people who are humbled and grounded.
What you think about life?
I have so many different opinions on it. I've been raised as a Catholic. I've never been a massive believer of going to church week in week out but I certainly believe in God and the principles of Christianity and Catholicism. But to be honest, I don't know. I feel like there's got to be something more. It’s nice to live a life where you've got some form of faith. Whether there’s God or not is up for debate obviously, but I would hate to go through life thinking - is this it? I think we are on this planet to live a good, positive, honest life and get to the end of it hoping, and I believe there wil,l be something else. I think if you go through life thinking, this is it and there’s nothing more to life than what we see with the naked eye, then it highlights something is missing.
What do you think about death?
It certainly used to worry me when I was younger because I couldn’t fully comprehend it. If death came now, or anytime in the near future, that would make me scared. Everyone dies and as long as I get to a certain age, it wouldn't phase me. Part of the reason it doesn't scare me is because I'm under the impression, hopefully, that I’ll live a long enough life for it not to have much of an impact.
What would you like to leave for the next generation?
More togetherness. We are exposed to so much, especially with social media. Everyone has a built in desire to be distinctive and stand out from the crowd. Everything has a category, whether it be race, gender, identity - literally, anything! We're at a point where we're so connected in every possible way, yet unbelievably disconnected from each other. By the time I'm in old age I hope that everyone functions as more of a unit, rather than being so segregated.
Social media needs to be controlled. I think we'll look back at in 30 years time and say: ‘How was that ever allowed to happen? How did they operate like that? That shouldn’t have happened’. It's a breeding ground for anxiety and depression and it can be a really negative influence.
What have you taken from doing this today?
It's nice to kind of stop for a minute and thing about the past and the future. It's certainly nice to have reflection. It calms you down.