Another year older, another year writing sappy birthday posts about ageing. Here we go again…
So I'm old now.
I know that in the grand scheme of things 22 isn’t that old at all, and I know that if I read this in 10 years time I’d slap myself for referring to 22 as “old”. However, this has been my first birthday where it’s actually felt like an adult age. 18 was my first real “adult” birthday but I was still in school, then the next few I was in Uni… Now I’m out of studying and turning a year older in the “real world” and I have to face it… It’s adult time.
And I'm actually starting to feel it
I’ve found that growth is one of those weird things that you don’t notice as it happens. You feel exactly the same as a couple of years go by, and suddenly you look in the mirror and notice how different you actually are. The other day, as I was looking through photos of my from my first year of Uni (At a much younger 19 years old), it occurred to me how much I’ve actually changed. Not only in appearance, but also in maturity; the way that I think, and the things that I stand for.
Most of the “adult” changes I’ve noticed are as tiny as the way I approach strangers or the way that I care about wellness, and some of them stretch to how differently my mind thinks now or how independent I feel. I’m going out and doing things that I wouldn’t have dreamt of doing three years ago, and I’m doing it all without even thinking about it. There’s something really satisfactory about actually realising your own growth, and I’m excited to see where it goes.
Is life starting to get serious?
There’s also been a startling realisation now that this is it. This is adulthood. I’ve had so many goals for “When I grow up” or “When I’m out of education”… So many “Someday” and “Future” wishes. However, now that I’ve graduated and turned twenty-two, that time is now. I can no longer look to somedays and futures, and instead, actually start going for my goals, and figure out how I’m going to get there.
This doesn’t mean that I’m rushing into every future goal I’ve ever made. Honestly, since leaving Uni and entering the “real world” I’ve realised how young I still am in the grand scheme of things. I’m taking my time to breathe and readjust to this new stage in my life. However, I’m laying foundations, making background moves, and starting to get an idea of where my life will lead me. It’s kind of thrilling knowing that it’s now down to me whenever I achieve my goals.
Did I meet my goals?
Last year, I created a list of 21 things I wanted to do in my 21st year, and, if I’m being honest I haven’t looked at it once since. I can’t even remember what’s on it… I’ve just been focused on living my life. So, I thought it would be fun to look at it now and see what I’ve actually done in quick, few words updates.
1) Delve into fashion more on my blog: It was never going to be my niche, but I have written a few more. I really enjoy them and think I’ve found my own writing style with them now, so stay tuned for more.
COMPLETED
2) More food-related posts: There have been a few, but I feel like they’ve plateaued more than they’ve grown… I’ll work on that. I actually have been missing them a lot, so hopefully soon…
INCOMPLETE
3) Restart YouTube and be consistent: I actually did this for a while and had a video do super well! Then I got super in my head about it all and now I can’t even look at it… We’ll see if this changes.
SORTA
4) Bring back student food diaries: I didn’t do this. Because my last year of Uni was hell.
INCOMPLETE
5) Write a paid freelance post for a publication: See this post here, because I kinda did better than that…
COMPLETED
6) Get some more work experience: I didn’t do this, but I’ve also had an insanely busy year and it doesn’t fit where I currently want to be.
INCOMPLETE
7) Write for at least 5 sections of my Uni paper: Wellbeing, comment, news, food, lifestyle… I did it! And my comment piece got nominated for an award!
COMPLETED
8) Have a second draft of my novel done: I’m actually rewriting a whole lot of this, oops. But it’s for good reason… Watch this space
IN PROGRESS
9) A solid 2:1: I graduated earlier this year and I absolutely smashed this one. Won’t tell you what I got because I’m weird about sharing grades, but I am very happy.
COMPLETED
10) 9-4 Uni days: The 21 year old me that set this as a goal was in denial and didn’t know how busy she would be. I literally did not have the time to commit to this, but I got the work done!
INCOMPLETE
11) Learn to meal prep: I haven’t done this, but I still really want to… So maybe I’ll delve into that soon.
INCOMPLETE
12) Gym 3 times a week: My gym-going has been incredibly inconsistent with all the life changing, but it’s improving!
IN PROGRESS
13) Less meat, more veg: I actually have done this! I think in general, I’m eating a lot better than I used to.
COMPLETED
14) Keep my hair long and healthy: It’s longer! And I love it at the moment! Needs a trim badly at the moment though…
IN PROGRESS
15) Fix my sleeping pattern: HA. I am not even close to this. Maybe one day I will be… I hope so.
INCOMPLETE
16) Refine my wardrobe: Actually done! I did a big clearout when I got back from Uni and I’m happy with the state of it now.
COMPLETED
17) Switch up my skincare routine: It took a while, but after an event at the Bodyshop in which I got my skin evaluated by a professional, I’ve done it!
COMPLETED
18) Be more experimental with eye makeup: I could probably count the number of times I’ve worn makeup this year on two hands… So no.
INCOMPLETE
19) Involve myself in music in some way: I’ve been writing a lot of music and I sang at Alice’s event, so there definitely has been some progress here! Honestly, I’m really happy with how I’ve done with this one.
COMPLETED`
20) Travel to at least 3 more countries: Since writing these goals last September, I’ve been to the Netherlands and Sweden… Plus I just came back from Sorrento, which isn’t a different country, but a new city for me!
COMPLETED…ISH
21) Improve my writing style further: The answer to this one is a tad complicated. I spent a lot of my final year of Uni writing essays and 2 dissertations, and it got to the point where I felt like a bit of an essay writing zombies. Therefore, getting back to writing for me in my less formal style was harder than I anticipated. But now, after some productive time to regroup, I’m back and better than ever.
COMPLETED
So, I was somewhat successful
Looking back on those goals, I realise that I’ve unintentionally completed far more of these than I thought I had. However, it’s not really the goals that I’ll remember from my 21st year. If I’m honest, I had a lot of super low lows, and I had moments I absolutely hated. However, that being said, it was one of the most transformative years I’ve had so far, and I could not be happier with where my life is right now. Here’s to many more memories, a whole lot of learning curves, and hopefully less tears!
How’s the last year of your life been? Let me know in the comments!
Lots of love,
Jas xx
Belated happy birthday and congratulations on achieving so much in the last year. I hope your 22nd one will be less stressful and that you’ll be able to cross some more of these goals off the list 🙂
Thanks so much! Let’s hope so ❤️
Loved this post so much!!?
Thank you! Xx
?
You’re a total smashing success since you’ve got such a huge list of things you’re working on! In progress (aka. incomplete) counts! Congratulations on the new job writing for the uni’s publication to help students! What a perfect fit for you! Just wait til you’re 60 (I hit that milestone last month). I still feel like I can do anything but we do continue to go through a whole lot of refinement – even at this age. Especially in blogging. We’re so exposed to all of the possibilities through our blogging contacts and that’s a great thing. Continued growth gives us something to work toward. You have such a great fashion sense and your writing on this blog is a delight to read.
Right now I’m struggling with what to wear to a special wedding. Have a look and let me know what you think – I need advice from a wide range of people (young-ish and not-as-young-ish).
Ruth
https://voguefauxreal.com/2019/09/06/
Thank you so much! Hope you picked a nice outfit!
Happy belated birthday. I absolutely love that you’ve included your past goals and if you reached them or not. It seems for the most part you’ve completed most of them x
Kayleigh Zara ? http://www.kayleighzaraa.com
Yeah, I did far better than I thought I would!
I turned 22 at the beginning of this week as well – this post has reminded me to have a read back over my posts from a year ago and see how I’ve done! I should’ve definitely set ‘fix my sleeping pattern’ as a goal back then and tried to actually work on it, because it was and still is awful.. ? I’d like to say I could set it this year, but with a baby on the way, I doubt it’s a very practical goal to have to be honest! ???♀️
Oooo would love to know how you did with your goals!
Happy belated birthday! It sounds like you’ve had an amazing year, well done on all your achievements 🙂 so jealous you’ve been to Sweden, I’ve always wanted to go.
Jordanne || thelifeofaglasgowgirl.co.uk
Thanks so much! You should definitely go! Last year RyanAir had an amazing sale for tickets to Sweden in January, so look out for those!
Loved seeing this! I especially connected with what you said about not feeling the passing years until a little while has gone by. I have felt that way for many a birthday but, for my last one, I was ready to be a year older before the big day. 🙂
It’s so weird how time Passes, isn’t it? Interesting that you were ready for your last one!
Things change. 🙂
22 is definitely the first year I felt like a grown up. I also thought it was much more fun than being 21. Spoiler alert though, I turned 27 a few months ago and I still haven’t sorted my sleep routine/pattern out haha.
Great post, really enjoyed it 🙂
?? I honestly doubt I’ll ever sort out my sleeping patterns. Thanks so much for the love!
CAN YOU NOT NOT CALL 22 OLD PLEASE?! Some of us grandmas are still trying to pretend we’re young too. Having said that, the first birthday I felt old was 21 because I’d already graduated and had to start thinking about life. I think you did really well with your list considering you were at uni trying to complete it. Hope you manage to check the last few off this year x
Sophie
?? I’m sorry, I take back referring to 22 as old! And yeah, I think the graduation is not helping, it’s definitely made things feel realer!
I’ve just recently graduated from university and I turned 22 last month so I relate to ALLLL of this! I feel both completely adult but also a baby in the real world haha x
https://www.femaleoriginal.com
It’s so weird isn’t it!
I literally feel exactly the same regarding growth! It’s crazy as I don’t really tend to rely or wait on anyone at all now whereas a few years back I was still quite reliant on my parents. It’s been an absolute pleasure to watch you grow and be your friend over the past year, I’m so proud of you!! As shit as the super low lows can be, I feel like they teach and develop you so much. My past year has been both terrible and amazing but it’s all contributed to where I am right now 🙂
Alice Xx
This is such a cute comment Alice thank you ?? I love you and I’m so glad that we’ve become friends ❤️ I hope the next year is great to us!
You look great, mega summery! : D Regards:**
Congratulations on completing so many goals. I life the past year has been totally off script for a change.
Thank you! Off script in what way? xx