It’s My Birthday! Lessons I’ve Learnt over the Years
It’s My Birthday!
Today is officially my 28th birthday. It seems nuts to me to think that I’m two years off 30. Not that I’m dreading it at all. In fact, it’s the other way around. I’m actually really looking forward to it. Your early twenties can be a minefield of insecurity, vagueness and self-consciousness. In your twenties, you’re expected to know what you want to do with the rest of your life and get on with it.
When I think back to when I was 16 (ah memories…) I imagined that I would be married, living in a fabulous big house with three kids. Though I can tick off being married, the big house and kids are a long way off. Instead, I have a kick-ass career, amazing friends and a passion for something that didn’t exist when I was a teenager. And I would have it any other way. There are so many lessons I’ve learnt over the years, ones that have helped me become the woman I’ve become today.
There have many lessons I’ve learnt over the years. Here are some of them in celebration of this fabulous day…
Lessons I’ve Learnt over the Years
You don’t have to have everything figured out. Who even made up this rule that you did anyway? You can have focus and drive, but who set it in stone that you have to have all the answers? Own the knowledge you currently have and embrace the things you’ll learn in the future.
However, don’t be put off saying yes to something you don’t know. Fake it till you make it. I’m very much the girl who will dive in and work it out later. Sometimes a curse, sometimes life-changing. Take my job in marketing. Did I have a clue what the job entailed when I went for it? Absolutely not, but I was so unhappy in the last job that I figured making the jump was 100% worth the risk. And the risk paid off. I busted my butt off, jump in and now I’ve never been happier. And, I must say there are some areas in marketing where I can pat myself on the back and toot my own horn on how well I know the subject. Never be afraid to jump into the unknown.
I know my self-worth. This took a long time (and is still a work in process in some areas). But I can 100% say that I am further in knowing who I am and what I stand for than I was five, even three years ago. As the years go on, it can only get better.
I’m starting to care less what people think. I’ve always been a people pleaser. Like a really bad people pleasers. I actually don’t care what people think, but if I know I’ve let people down it can break me. Recently, I’ve noticed over time, that I’ve started to care less. I’ve realised that I’m never going to make everyone happy and the only person that I don’t want to let down is me. So sorry but not sorry. I know the people who love me the most will be happy for me.
Success is how you measure this. Sounds obvious but I use to live to other peoples timelines and how they judge success. Now, I really don’t care. I know what success looks like to me.
My inner grandma is finally living her best life. I never was a person for going out and partying. I mean I loved a night out, but that love faded after 23. In hindsight, I shouldn’t have given in to pressure of those who called me vanilla because I didn’t want to get wasted every night out. You do you and I’ll do me. And I want to sit at home with a newspaper drinking a good cup of tea.
It’s better to love a few people than like many. This is something that was key to me towards the end of last year and the beginning of this year. I’ve spoken about toxic friendships and now I have a small core of friends that I can 100% rely on for anything. I can count them all on my fingers and I’m really okay with that. They are my girls and mean everything to me.
I am awesome. I don’t mean that in an arrogant way it sounds. But for a long time, I felt like an odd-ball. I didn’t conform to stereotypes and I would constantly adapt who I am to fit in. But now I am confident that I am unique and that is awesome. I’m smart but mess up words and sayings. I’m creative but also a freak who loves a spreadsheet. And I’m tiny but I’ve got a loud voice and things to say. I am awesome and really fun to be around. Just ask my girls.
What Lessons Have You Learnt in Your Life That You Live By?
I’m spending today eating delicious food at my favourite restaurant. And then this weekend, I’m being kidnapped and taken somewhere for a birthday surprise. I’m 100% terrified. I hate surprises. Do follow me on Instagram to see what I get up to and if I survive this weekend…