2020 has begun, and so has the self-comparisons!
Happy New Year everyone! I hope everyone had a lovely Christmas and New Year, and that you are all excited about the beginning of 2020. I was in bed ill before and after the bells went off, so let's hope I don't see the end of 2020 ill too. But that's another 12 months yet. Blimey; now reading that back, I've realised that December is bloody ages away again!
As you might have seen on social media, there has been a plethora of "end of the decade" posts, with a range of reflections ranging from life events to the odd dodgy haircut. Personally, I would like my acne-covered face, poker-straightened hair and Dumbledore-style glasses to remain firmly in the past, so I decided to opt-out on that trend!
Though many did take part in sharing their experiences of the past decade, and it made me appreciate how rich and varied all of our lives are. However, I would be lying if I said it didn't make me feel doubtful about my own life. I tried to think about the one main insecurity that was really digging a nail into my side, so I took one more look of my Instagram, and I realised what it was: a lack of a plan. And as well as that, it was the feeling of having no-one to look at the plan with.
Now before anyone has a go, I am actually very happy being on my own, and the past year has helped me go through and move on from the end of a major relationship, so I know it has nothing to do with that. My brother used to complain about the increase of couple and engagement posts as he progressed through his twenties, but I didn't think that would happen to me now, aged 24. I haven't even outgrown my 16-25 Railcard yet for crying out loud! However, I guess more people around me are beginning to settle into now-serious relationships, which is so beautiful to see. I want my friends and family to find love and happiness, and when they do, it genuinely makes me very happy. On the other hand, I have always had a bad habit of comparing my life to everyone else's'. Which in this case, means that I am questioning why the number of dating partners I have, is the same as the number of mammoths that currently alive in the 21st Century.
I have had this blog for almost 5 years now, and I have always made a conscious effort to avoid talking about romance, relationships and all that jazz, and I am glad that I am keeping it to a minimum. That being said, I always encourage people to talk about whatever they are feeling, as I believe it is important that this not only helps us feel comfortable with our own emotions, but it encourages others to embrace their emotions too.
I strongly believe that vulnerability, in all its forms, is a sign of strength, whether people acknowledge it or not, and this relates to expressing and feeling a wide range of emotions. If you talk about being sad or angry, that shows you have the confidence to speak about your struggles, and this is the same for talking about heartbreak, falling in love, and even just common struggles of modern dating. The fact that we live in a world where we each have our own viewpoint and experience of each of these areas shows how open-minded and communicative humans are becoming, and that we love our loved ones because of this. I love hearing my friends talk about their annoying boss, fangirl over a new band or gossip to me about what - or who! - they did on a recent night out because every second with them makes me realise how much I will always adore those who are close to me, and that includes their values and beliefs.
Plus, it's nice to live vicariously through your friends whilst you spend yet another night on your own, watching the same compilation videos of Adam Driver's scenes in Girls. What a show, and what a guy.
So in summary, I guess I am suggesting that we enjoy where we are in our lives, and who we enjoy our lives with, whether they are family, friends or more than that. We only live each day once, and if we are worrying about what we do and don't have, we aren't properly living. If you want to go to Paris by yourself for a weekend or spend the night with a cute stranger you've just met, go for it! As long as you want to, and that you are safe and having a right ball, that is. For if you don't do all the things you want to whilst you can, you might end up having regrets, and life, again, is top short for that!
Live and love large, and I'll see you all soon!
Love,
E x
As you might have seen on social media, there has been a plethora of "end of the decade" posts, with a range of reflections ranging from life events to the odd dodgy haircut. Personally, I would like my acne-covered face, poker-straightened hair and Dumbledore-style glasses to remain firmly in the past, so I decided to opt-out on that trend!
Though many did take part in sharing their experiences of the past decade, and it made me appreciate how rich and varied all of our lives are. However, I would be lying if I said it didn't make me feel doubtful about my own life. I tried to think about the one main insecurity that was really digging a nail into my side, so I took one more look of my Instagram, and I realised what it was: a lack of a plan. And as well as that, it was the feeling of having no-one to look at the plan with.
Now before anyone has a go, I am actually very happy being on my own, and the past year has helped me go through and move on from the end of a major relationship, so I know it has nothing to do with that. My brother used to complain about the increase of couple and engagement posts as he progressed through his twenties, but I didn't think that would happen to me now, aged 24. I haven't even outgrown my 16-25 Railcard yet for crying out loud! However, I guess more people around me are beginning to settle into now-serious relationships, which is so beautiful to see. I want my friends and family to find love and happiness, and when they do, it genuinely makes me very happy. On the other hand, I have always had a bad habit of comparing my life to everyone else's'. Which in this case, means that I am questioning why the number of dating partners I have, is the same as the number of mammoths that currently alive in the 21st Century.
I have had this blog for almost 5 years now, and I have always made a conscious effort to avoid talking about romance, relationships and all that jazz, and I am glad that I am keeping it to a minimum. That being said, I always encourage people to talk about whatever they are feeling, as I believe it is important that this not only helps us feel comfortable with our own emotions, but it encourages others to embrace their emotions too.
I strongly believe that vulnerability, in all its forms, is a sign of strength, whether people acknowledge it or not, and this relates to expressing and feeling a wide range of emotions. If you talk about being sad or angry, that shows you have the confidence to speak about your struggles, and this is the same for talking about heartbreak, falling in love, and even just common struggles of modern dating. The fact that we live in a world where we each have our own viewpoint and experience of each of these areas shows how open-minded and communicative humans are becoming, and that we love our loved ones because of this. I love hearing my friends talk about their annoying boss, fangirl over a new band or gossip to me about what - or who! - they did on a recent night out because every second with them makes me realise how much I will always adore those who are close to me, and that includes their values and beliefs.
Plus, it's nice to live vicariously through your friends whilst you spend yet another night on your own, watching the same compilation videos of Adam Driver's scenes in Girls. What a show, and what a guy.
So in summary, I guess I am suggesting that we enjoy where we are in our lives, and who we enjoy our lives with, whether they are family, friends or more than that. We only live each day once, and if we are worrying about what we do and don't have, we aren't properly living. If you want to go to Paris by yourself for a weekend or spend the night with a cute stranger you've just met, go for it! As long as you want to, and that you are safe and having a right ball, that is. For if you don't do all the things you want to whilst you can, you might end up having regrets, and life, again, is top short for that!
Live and love large, and I'll see you all soon!
Love,
E x
This is so beautifully written, you’re such a talented writer. Keep going E, we all have your back ❤️
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