rosie abigail

Happy birthday to meeeeee! Well, happy belated birthday to me; I turned 28 at the start of July this year. One of my birthday traditions has been to look back on the year I’ve had, and not do a traditional round-up, but to pick up on what I have learnt; the things I want to take forward, the hard lessons that have come my way, and the moments that have changed my life (no matter how big or how small). 

So, as I failed to upload this in my birthday month and we are firmly in the last month of the summer of 2024, let’s get into my reflections of the past year…

1. Lean into being cringe. To spend your whole life worrying about being seen as ‘odd’ or ‘cringey’ is so wasteful, when you could just be enjoying your life. Who cares if you are embarrassing?
2. Cutting people off doesn’t make you a bad person. It’s how you do it. You need to respect your happiness and wellbeing, mmkay?
3. I’m now in my eighth year of being on antidepressants and it’s still the best thing I could have ever done.  
4. A weighted blanket is a life changing experience and every house needs one. Especially if you are a household with anxiety or neurodivergence; it’s perfect at home pressure therapy. 
5. It takes a long time to see the results of the seeds you sowed. Be patient. 
6. Make time for your hobbies! Getting back into cross-stitching has been just what I need to keep my hands busy and to clear my mind. It’s a perfect hobby for someone with an anxiety disorder. 
7. You don’t need to shop fast fashion. Your opportunity for a new outfit is not worth slave labour. 
8. I hate to say it, but going for a little walk everyday and feeling the sun on your skin actually is good for your mental health. 
9. Wash your rice before you cook. Wash it three times. Thank me later. 
10. You know your body best. You may see medical professions and specialists, but only you know how your body changes and its differences. Remember that. 
11. Travel more. See that beautiful world while you can. Our world is changing every day and it may not ever be the same. 
12. Platonic love is just as important as romantic love. Nurture all your loving relationships, never forgo one for the other. 
13. If you can, make sure to save money. Just a little bit every month. Financial freedom is remarkable. 
14. You are not a niche. You are a complicated, beautiful, multi-layered person. 
15. It’s not hard to make sustainable swaps. It’s not hard at all. Just start with one. I’d suggest getting rid of single use cotton pads (you know, the ones for removing make up) and get the reusable ones. 
16. Talking about my experiences and conditions does make a difference in the world. 
17. When it comes to politics or just being a good person, think of the most disadvantaged people you know, and act in their favour. 
18. Batch cooking is the hack to managing a busy life. 
19. You may not think it now, but good health is absolutely everything. Don’t take it for granted, okay?
20. Just own the fact you want to go back to Disney World. There’s no shame in it being one of your favourite places. If it you makes you happy, own it. 
21. Learn to set boundaries. Don’t be ashamed of setting them. Your peace is a priority. 
22. Being irritating is one of the only ways you get results when it comes to diagnosis. Call up every week. Apply pressure. Get results. 
23. It might sound mad but if you want your skin to look and feel good, you actually need to do skincare everyday, not just once a month (you hear me, past Rosie?)
24. So I said earlier that you need to make time for your hobbies? Well, you don’t need to be actually good at your hobbies. In fact, it’s wonderful to just have fun and be bad at something. 
25. You are your biggest and best advocate. Advocate for yourself in all aspects of life. 
26. Second-hand clothes or thrifted clothes will always be the best. They will last the longest, are the most interesting, and are better for us all.
27. You deserve nice things. 
28. You are full of strength. You don’t know how strong you truly are. You unbreakable soul.

Thank you for reading my twenty-eight reflections on turning 28! My twenty-seventh year ended on a very stressful note – please refer to my ending up in hospital, being signed off work on sick leave, and having an urgent laparoscopy. So after surviving all that, I am really looking forward to seeing what twenty-eight has in store for me. 

Rosie x

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