24

Small little post. It’s my 24th birthday today ^_^

The number Twenty-Four seems to come with a bit more gravitas. It’s not the awkward embarrassment of being a ‘teen’ or the semi-adult-ness of 21-23 where you can get away with eating pasta out of a saucepan with a spoon. It comes without the ‘sh*t I might actually have to act like a grown up’ feeling that I already know will come when I hit ’25’ or ’26’. It’s a nice middle of the road number. It’s a nicer number to say than 23. It’s the age I knew as a teenager that I wouldn’t have everything figured out but I’d at least have some sort of foothold and enough decent experiences under my belt to inspire a chapter or two in a novel.

So here are 24 snippets of ‘wisdom’/’advice’ now that I’m turning 24, for you (and some I need to make sure I repeat to myself on a daily basis).

1. Patience may be a virtue but don’t waste it on people who make you unhappy.
2. If in doubt, cry it out. Or sleep.
3. Travel solo at least once.
4. Opt to become a good listener.
5. Your relationship status is your business, not the world’s to know about.
6. Don’t let anyone devalue your online friendships, they are just as important as ‘real life’ friends (and can sometimes turn into IRL friends anyway).
7. No means no, especially in relationships (if a guy/girl etc. says otherwise please feel free to dump their ass in the Ocean to rot between Sam Pepper’s career and the Titanic).
8. Regularly check your privilege.
9. Your body is capable of doing amazing things, so make sure you look after it.
10. London is always a good idea.
11. Cast negativity out of your social media feeds.
12. Learn how to spend and enjoy time on your own.
13. Smile at babies and old people.
14. Stay passionate about things.
15. No job, no salary, no position is worth more than your mental health.
16. Make an effort to re-connect with your loved ones (whether that means your actual biological family or the one you create is up to you).
17. Find joy in the small things. Like puppies and finding 50p in your handbag.
18. Be an ally to those without a voice and raise their voices high.
19. You’ll find the most interesting people the least likely of places.
20. Start a journal to emptying your thoughts into once in a while (take it from me it’s cathartic).
21. Never settle – you’re worth more than you think.
22. In the words of Jon Stewart “…the best defense against bullsh*t is vigilance, so if you smell something, say something.”
23. Wear sunscreen.
24. You are flawed. You are human. Don’t beat yourself up for making mistakes.

Ria