My thoughts on turning 31

Today is my 31st birthday! And it wouldn’t be my birthday without doing one of these posts, I’ve been doing this for quite a few years now and I just cannot break with tradition. So I’ve done it, I’ve completed the first year of my thirties which seems pretty big considering I was terrified about turning 30, but boy do I have a lot to share. So get comfy while I share the last year with you and share a little bit of wisdom about why your thirties are actually pretty bloody great!

If you were around for last years pity party then you’ll be pleased to know that years post is much more upbeat than that one was. Last year, and truthfully for a couple of years before that, there were a lot of things that were just really tough to deal with. I always see my birthday as a bit of a time for reflection and it just so happened that last year wasn’t great. So I make no apologies for being honest and real but this years post is much brighter. In fact this year, for the most part, has been pretty fantastic. I finally feel like me, like I’m working my way towards where I want to be and I feel like things are really getting on track. After the last few years it’s a pretty great feeling!

I was terrified about turning 30. I was struggling majorly with feeling older, with the physical signs of getting older and with the mental side of not feeling like I had my shit together. I know a lot of that came from everything I had going on and that there’s no set timeline to achieve things but it all just took its toll a little you know? Well shortly after my 30th birthday I decided things needed to change, sure there were things happening that were out of my control but I decided my 30’s would be a time for growth and acceptance in all areas of my life. And what a wild ride it’s been. My mindset, confidence and attitude around my body, my weight, what I can achieve, what I want to do and even down to the size of my clothes has totally changed for the better. Sure there’s wobbly days but I’m learning to love myself, to be proud of myself and set big goals for myself. When I say this past year has been a game changer, it’s no exaggeration!

I know some magical switch didn’t flick on when I turned 30 and I’ll give myself some credit for all the work I’ve done on myself but there’s something I just can’t quite explain. It’s like leaving my twenties behind gave me a whole new sense of who I am, an inner peace and an ability to give less of a fuck about things that aren’t worth my time and worry! I buy clothes I would never had had the confidence to even try on before, I couldn’t care less about the size label so long as a feel good (and let me tell you that one has been a real biggy for me), a have a clear vision for my blogging business and don’t feel like I shouldn’t be dreaming that big and I’ve even started a fitness journey and I’m actually enjoying it. A fitness journey that for the first time ever is about feeling healthier and achieving goals and has absolutely nothing to do with losing weight! The me of even just a couple of years ago wouldn’t recognise the person I am today!

So yeah, it’s safe to safe that mentally there’s been a lot of work going on this past year but there’s of course been some great events from the past year as well. Not long after turning 30 I finally got married, I say finally as some of you may remember we had to postpone in 2020. The wedding was an absolute dream and we had a wonderful minimoon to Liverpool after too. There’s been lots of great memories made over the last year too with fun days and nights out now the world is pretty much back to normal, after the pandemic it’s been great to be back making those memories again. We’ve had a holiday to Center Parcs, seen The Lion King, dressed up for Halloween, been to beer festivals and more. I dyed my hair pink for a while too and bloody loved it, the upkeep is very time consuming but I feel another pink moment coming on before the year is out.

30, I don’t think it’s a stretch to say you’ve been utterly life changing. I ended last years post by saying that 30 would be a total surprise, but hopefully a happy surprise. I could never have imagined just how ecstatic I would be writing this years post. I’m truly excited for 31, for this next year to bring even more growth, confidence and fun with it! Here’s to 31!