Obsessed
is a big word. Yes it consists of eight letters but the meaning behind it is
strong. To be obsessed with something, you have to be utterly devoted to that
thing. Almost as if your life depends on it. And I have no shame in saying I am
obsessed with One Direction. It’s a thing you’ll find many girls saying these
days. It’s almost the norm and it would shock you if a 16 year old female was
to say she didn’t like them. But no matter how many millions of girls and boys
are ‘obsessed’ with One Direction, the band still mean something totally
different to each and every one of us. Some may just like their music because it’s
catchy, some may think they’re funny guys, some have much deeper reasons behind
why this band control every waking moment of their days. Either way, we all
feel happiness from being a One Direction fan in some way. And that makes me
happy also.
I’m
at the point now where I honestly cannot imagine my life without One Direction.
I have them on the brain from the moment I wake till the moment I go to sleep. Every
morning, my first thought is always to open Twitter and check what I’ve missed
whilst sleeping. Are there any new photos? Interviews? Have they dropped 15 new music videos? We claim social media is addictive and no one will tell you that is true more
so than a One Direction fan. It’s like a drug. One Direction is a drug. You
become hooked. You have to know what is going on 24/7. You feel disconnected
from the world if you don’t like one of Niall’s Instagrams or watch one of the
ten second videos they uploaded to Snapchat. One Direction is no longer just a band;
it’s a way of life.
You’ll
often find people teasing teenage girls for their love of One Direction. “It’s
just a band” they say whilst laughing at you fangirling over Louis’ outfits
when they only know Harry’s name.
FANGIRLING: the reaction a fan has to any mention or sighting of the object of her "affection." These reactions include shortness of breath, fainting, high-pitched noises, shaking, hardcore Tweeting, etc.
Well, let me tell you, One Direction is far
from just a band. Personally, I see One Direction as my escape. Over the past
few years when things haven’t been happy, I know that, at any moment, even when
One Direction are maybe on a break or haven’t done anything or a while, I can
go onto YouTube and watch a ton of their old videos. It’s like they are there
for me (in virtual form). It takes seconds, if that, for me to have a smile on
my face again, seeing them joking around and causing trouble in interviews or
just being themselves whilst answering questions about their new album. It’s
comforting. It takes your mind off everything for a while. It feels as though
the only people who exist in the whole world are you and the members of One Direction.
Nothing else matters.
Another
thing which acts as my escape is the One Direction fanbase itself. (here comes
the cheese so get ready) it’s my second family (can you hear the cringe bells
yet?) and, despite not having any blood related brothers or sisters, I feel as
though I have found millions of siblings through this band.
Twitter is a
magical thing, which, yes is nice to use to tell the world that you’ve just
bought a coffee in Starbucks but is also an incredible platform which brings people together. Never did I think I could be sat in my bedroom at 2am, talking to
someone online who lived on the other side of the world that I had never met
yet felt so connected to. The One Direction fandom on Twitter honestly is one
of my favourite things in life and being a part of it is something I treasure.
There have been countless nights when we have stayed up to watch livestreams,
we’ve live tweeted awards shows, freaked out over new music and I have adored
every second of it. Being a fangirl is something which you can never explain
how it feels to be one. It’s something which you just have to feel. It’s
impossible to put into words how much joy it gives you and how much you would
give anything to stay as one forever.
Another
thing which I love about the One Direction fandom is their selflessness and
dedication. This is something which is always addressed when fans are thanked
at awards shows and the boys break records etc., but I don’t think people take
enough time to contemplate what fans have actually done. It is very easy to sit
there and call a girl crazy for spending her money on concert tickets,
merchandise and music but do you ever think about why she does that? She spends
hundreds, thousands of pounds on her band because she loves them. She buys ten
copies of their album because she wants them to break that record. She goes to
their concerts so they can say they have sold out the arena. She buys their t-shirts
so she can promote them. We want to see our boys succeed so we invest
incredible amounts of our time into them. It is hard to explain but I really
want people to see how incredibly unselfish it is for the One Direction fanbase
to do the things that they do. The members of One Direction are millionaires
and live a life many could only dream of and that is down to their fans. The
fact that we created that for them because we want them to have the best that
there could ever be is an amazing thing.
Now
onto individual members. Harry, Louis, Liam and Niall are four people I never
imagined I could fall so in love with. But, as many will tell you, the One Direction
fandom is a black hole. Before you know it, you’re sucked in and can’t get
out…but I wouldn’t have it any other way.
This
fearless foursome have taught me so much. They may be a bunch of singers to you
but, to me and many others have helped them look at the world a little
differently and given them the skills to get through life. ‘Life savers’ may
seem a little hyperbolic but that truly is how I see them. Without going into
too much detail, the boys of One Direction put a little more reason behind my
existence and I can never thank them enough for what they have done for me.
Let
us start with Louis. Louis has taught me not to take life to seriously. It’s
incredibly refreshing to see someone in the public eye genuinely not give two
hoots about anything anyone says. He lives his life the way he wants to and is
always in control, even if he makes mistakes sometimes. If Louis isn’t happy, he will speak up and make changes. He
isn’t afraid to stand up for what he believes in. Louis has taught me that,
yes, there will always be obstacles in life but if you put a smile on your face
and keep laughing, you can overcome them. Louis makes me laugh on a daily basis
(wow how I wish I was as funny as him) and seeing him make other people happy is
a special thing. Nothing compares to the smile he puts on the other boys’ and
fans’ faces. He receives tons of negative press but doesn’t let it affect him.
Even if, deep down, it’s bothering him, he uses it to motivate him to do
better, although, he also isn’t shy about talking about his feelings and
showing his emotions. Louis is always very quick to defend the fandom, which I
will always admire, and never hesitates to involve himself with charities. He
is a true ball of sunshine.
Now
onto Niall. I am a strong believer in the fact that Niall James Horan is a
rainbow in human form. There isn’t one bad thing you could say about him, no
matter how hard you try. He encourages us to love life, because that’s what he
does. He smiles every day and you only have to hear his infectious laugh from a
mile away before you’re doubled over too. He’s always quick to clear up
rumours, showing he takes no nonsense and only wants his fans to know the
truth. He also encourages us to love ourselves and to change things if we don’t
like them, just like he got braces on his teeth. He sees the positives in every
situation and is incredibly understanding when it comes to other people’s situations.
Niall doesn’t care about impressing others and doesn’t think twice about
popping out an Irish jig or two with his guitar on stage in front of thousands
of people. The only ones he cares about impressing are those closest to him,
which I think is a true talent.
Liam
Payne. The boy who inspires me to never give up. If Liam didn’t go back to The
X Factor in 2010, who knows what would’ve happened. He is proof that it is
always worth giving things a second chance. Just like he tried things for a
second time with his girlfriend and, although things didn’t work out in the
end, he shows that it’s okay for things to go wrong because they will lead you
on to better things in the future. He shows there is always happiness ahead no
matter how badly you think things are going. Liam also spends his life going
out of his way to make other people happy, whether that be on Twitter or in
person. He shows us we should always look after others and be grateful for what
we have in life. Additionally, Liam shows us its okay to experiment, whether
that be with your style, your hair, anything. It’s good to try new things and Liam
is a prime example that you don’t always have to have things 100% figured out. It’s
okay to get things wrong and keep trying different things until you are happy.
Liam Payne, you’re a teddy bear.
Last
but not least, we have Mr. Styles. Harry sees the best in everything and
everyone, never judging and always seeing a light at the end of the tunnel. He
shows us we should take time to get to know people and hear their stories and it’s
important to cherish the time we have with those around us. Although, he also
shows how it’s important to take time for yourself to. We need alone time to
work on ourselves and look after us. Harry has gone from someone who was very
quiet and bothered about the opinions of others to someone who does whatever
the hell he wants, which I love. He encourages us to be whoever we want to be,
go to the places we want to go to, wear what we want to wear, spend time with
the people we want to, regardless of what anyone says. He teaches us to be
thankful for everything and use our power and positivity to help others. He
taught me not to worry about getting things wrong, to live in the moment but
also be sensible. Harry Styles has simply taught me how to LIVE and that being
different isn’t a bad thing as it shows you are brave enough to be yourself.
One
Direction spend their lives thanking their fans, but I only wish they would
start realising how much they have done for us, for me. Yes they are attractive
and yes they have the voices of angels but their personalities are golden and
you can tell they genuinely care about their fans and making the world a better
place. The relationship we have with them is second to none and it warms my
heart to know we have such an unbreakable bond. They are always just as happy
to meet fans as the fans are to meet them and nothing will ever compare to the
smiles on their faces when they hear the crowd sing their lyrics back to them
on stage. I am obsessed with the inside jokes we have which people think crazy
from the outside. The One Direction fandom is the most hilarious, sassiest
thing in the world and I freaking love it!! Personally, I believe One Direction
and Directioners are the true definition of squad goals.
I
have seen One Direction in concert four times. Once in 2012 at Key 103 Live,
twice at the Take Me Home Tour and at the Where We Are Tour. I feel incredibly
blessed to have been there and experienced those moments as I know many would
give up everything to have been there too. If I could have any superpower, it
would be the power to make sure everyone who has ever wanted to see their
favourite artist in concert gets to see them in concert. One Direction concerts
are an extraordinary thing. Once again, they help you escape. My concerts have
always been during really dark times of my life but for those couple of hours
when I am singing, dancing and screaming my socks off, none of that matters.
Anyone will tell you that it’s like your whole mind goes blank and the only
thing that’s important is the amazing time you’re having with the people in
that room. You all come together because you share a common interest of the
band which you have adored for years and you do not care who is judging you for
shaking your booty! Nothing will ever compare to that feeling when you see the
boys walk on stage. Your legs turn to jelly, you start to sweat and your
natural instinct is just to scream. You forget words ever existed and shrieks
are the only thing that can escape your lips. The flashes lighting up the venue
during the slow songs, the sound of the audience singing the boys’ lyrics at
the top of their voices never fail to give me Goosebumps. I truly believe a One
Direction concert is one of the most enchanting places on earth, somewhere I
would refer to as my safe haven and somewhere I would call home.
In
every family, there is drama, and the One Direction family is no exception. I
read some Tweets recently that said “being in the One Direction fandom is like
looking both ways before you cross the road and then getting hit by an
aeroplane” and “being in the One Direction fandom is like playing a new video
game but skipping the tutorial so you’re just running around with no idea what’s
going on.” They made me laugh so hard because they are so true! (But I do love
it!) We have experienced our fair share of Twitter spats and controversial
newspaper headlines but we still stand strong as a unit and support our boys
through thick and thin, which is one thing that can be said about our fanbase,
despite everything, the teasing we receive, the drama, the hate, the
controversy, we still stick together and our boys know that we are always there
for them. One Direction aren’t perfect and neither are we, we all know that,
but that’s why it works. We all make mistakes, sometimes, things don’t go to
plan, but that’s okay. Everything always works out in the end.
One Direction
will never be just a boyband. They are way beyond that. One Direction is an
empire. A part of history. One Direction is the reason for the happiness of
millions of people across the globe. They are heroes in the eyes of those who
created them and can I just say I ADORE what we have created.
Love, Emily :) xx
i love your blog 🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻
ReplyDeleteAh that's very kind of you to say! Thank you! Xx
Delete