Turning 26!
My days as a 25 year old are officially over, and I have made it to the big 26 game! Did you know this now means I’m no longer classified as a youth. I have to get the over 26 - 30 railcard this year, can no longer be part of the V&A Youth Collective, I am officially a proper young adult. And I’m a little excited about it?
I sent Blossom an email this morning explaining about how I was feeling. A little sad that the rain is out, but also a little grateful as it has slowed down my morning and encouraged me to have this reflection time. I am a sucked for birthdays. I love going big for my friends and loved ones, decorating the space and going all out. But I often find that then when it comes to my birthday, that’s something I want - but always get.
Some of the fondest memories I have are coming home from a hot birthday school day, to a paddling pool in the garden and jumping straight in whilst still wearing my school uniform, opening presents outside in the sun, going to see Shrek and wearing a pink cowboy hate whilst me and my friends squeezed into the car and sang to Pop Party, to my amazing 21st 70s Birthday Party, to my quiet date day with Bloss in Nottingham at Peggy’s Skylight, and this year I will be celebrating in the New Forest with some Loughborough Angels having picnics, going to the Isle of White and a lovely BBQ with sport games.
Things have changed a lot over the past few years. I have been many versions of myself from that confident tomboy in Primary School, the Maths brains in year 7, to then be the new girl at the Colet, who discovered Art and History, and then the High School where life through in challenges, with my uncle dying, father moving abroad, all girl school challenges. But I am grateful I found art and my friend Jess got me into the community youth club and volunteering scene - as that’s go me to where I am today.
So I am grateful for a lot as I turn 26. But let’s start with year highlights:
I moved to London has to be up there.
Went sober in January (6 months sober!)
Johns 70th was really lovely bringing the family together.
Ellie’s wedding in Sidmouth, running by the beach every day, being with family and Jazz music.
Summer days in my Dad’s fairy garden
Christmas at my Dads’s with all the films, snacks, drinks and dinner at their friends with the little chuahaha, pub carols at the local old spot, watching Gail get tipsie and me being the number one elf
Weekend in Brighton getting my most favourite tattoo, catching up with Dom and Saoirse, and then Lily’s Hen do with an amazing escape room, drinks and walks by the beach. Me then deciding and knowing I want to raise a family in brighton.
Going to Cologne with Rosanna to see Sophie! Our wholesome gallery days, home cooked dinners and singing, sophie serenading us on the guitar, pizza in the park, the goregous green chair we stole
Silly giggly days of Blossom coming back to London, giggling away in cafes as we always do, going swimming and getting algea in our knickers, stumbling across an orchestra
Living London Life with my Caitlin, going to cafes, exploring galleries, sun lounging in Clapham Common, playing cards and giggling away, housing me whilst I home hunted.
Growing with Zack, our walks around Marleybone markets and charity shops, our film nights at his old place in his projector, seeing his work grow, seeing him make friends in his new house, our giggles together on night walks, watching anime and Last of Us (Pedro Pascal a real highlight)
Krakow with the gang! All the exes coming together but having a lovely time exploring the city, zack thinking a fridge was a fridge and not art, silly drunk nights dancing away establishing boundaries, hungover wonders in the mountains, just friends.
My visit to my brother in the summer, getting bubble tea and lily splashing strangers, hunting book shops, buckets for our feet, driving to a family wedding. Then Christmas at Henry’s also with my dad there, playing games, watching films, wondering Cambridge wonders.
Feeling inspired by art again, helping Rosanna with their workshop and seeing their impact on the kids, planning my next actions, making a plan and getting in recruitment to work at an art school teaching, establishing boundaries on changing hours to fit in more time for art! Being inspired by galleries in London, going to openings like a LCA.
Reunion with Orie and Jess at Ories. Cooking together and singing out hearts away to our T4 on the beach days, having an old but new school sleepover in Orie’s house
Seeing my Weston friends so much more and lovely every moment. Sleeping over at Jake’s watching the Eurovision with everyone. Running to Wendover Woods and meeting the boys and Victoria for a cuppa before they headed off skiing. Going down for his birthday, playing cards and going to the garden centre, getting a curry, and catching up with old friends from Colet I hadn’t seen in years. Seeing Jamie in London and catching up on life in the sun before he moves to Hong Kong for the year. I am particularly grateful for these friends, for always being there for me when maybe I wasn’t, for always caring and loving me throughout my changes. I am so so grateful for them and our childhood together at Fringe. Forever in my heart they are.
Changing my life and looking after my body. The domino effect of going sober, running and plant-based.Learning about my cycle and moods, THERAPY. I am so grateful for Koren and that i can afford therapy.
There has been alot of highlights and lot of grattitude. I am grateful for my family and my growing, closer relationshops. To my friends for being here throughout my transitional life and me, and I am grateful for me being here. That I stuck through the hard days, and I feel so excited about the direction I am heading, I feel like I have found my path and where I want to be going.
My goals now as a 26 year old:
Keep cherishing and loving my time with my family, being present in the moment and soaking it all up.
I will be an Art Teacher at a local centre organisation (manifesting Art K)
I will have done 3 freelance art workshops, and donated one of my results to a womens shelter or centre.
I will maintain my healthy lifestyle, being sober, running for fun and cooking plant-based and loving it!
I will cherish each moment with my friends, and plan more adventures with those closest to me
I will continue to respect, honor and cherish my needs as a wee human and be kind to myself. In touch with my body, brain, cycle and emotions. I will listen to how I feel.
I will either go to Prague, Berlin, Florence or Edinburgh.
I will look after my finances and honor them. Spending money strategically on art bits, savings and maybe a nice holiday.
This is how I will look at 26. I will be an art teacher, working with kids. I will be healthy and happy, I will be present and grateful for all I have lived and all I will live next.
