25 Lessons in 25 Years

from someone existing quietly

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ate & left…many crumbs

It was my birthday on Wednesday and I have now, well and truly, entered my mid-twenties.

As I wrote in my diary that morning (in its final pages, mind you, how poetic), I was visited by a sweet flurry of little birds, all chirps and feathers. I took it as a good sign; a hello from that secret, all-knowing omnipotence.

Today, I want to share something small with you. Some ramblings, reminders, and keepsakes. Some lessons. Small morsels of wisdom from yours truly. A taste of my journey through year twenty-five.

Without further adieu.

1. Comparison is the thief of joy. No really, believe it. It is possible to achieve great things alongside others. It is possible to enjoy something small while someone else enjoys something big. There is joy in undertaking your own journey — don’t rob yourself of it.

2. Cakes and pasta and hearty winter treats and little pastries are not only delicious, but an absolute joy to make. Cooking and baking for the people I love? Even more scrumptious. This leads me to:

3. My new-found adoration for hosting guests. It’s a little difficult in our unit, certainly not spacious enough for the long tables or dining sets of my dreams, but I’ve discovered great pleasure in sharing a meal or cup of tea at home. The coziness, the afternoon sunlight pouring over our dried flowers, the herbs from the garden transferred straight to the pan for something delicious, the conversations and company, it’s all very lovely.

4. On that note: I should definitely ingest less milk. If hot girls have tummy issues, then I guess I’m one of the hottest xx

5. Being cruel to yourself never works. I mean it. It doesn’t. Ridiculing your best efforts on a hard day isn’t motivating and won’t give way to an epiphany. It will make you feel like a fool, though. It will teach you to recognise kindness in cruelty. And you’ll wonder why, when you feel your lowest, the voice in your head hurts more than it heals.