Last week I turned 27. Twenty. Seven. I realise that is in no way old, but I do feel a little squirmy when I think about it too much. Have I achieved everything I wanted to by now? Am I on track to achieve everything I want to by the time I'm 30? Am I stocked up on anti-wrinkle cream? (The answer is no to all but the latter.) When I was 21, fresh out of uni with my whole life ahead of me, 27 seemed like a long way away. Then life just happened and where have those 6 years gone? What have I done with them? If I could take a snapshot of my life now and send it back to my 21-year-old self she would not be happy. My life now is not what 21-year-old Amy wanted for herself. But 27-year-old Amy is actually pretty darn happy. And although I'm the first one to join in with the 'OMG we're getting so OLD, isn't it AWFUL?!' conversations, I actually don't think it's all that bad.
We're conditioned from a young age that getting older is not a good thing. You should be upset when you no longer get ID'd and poke fun at your friends by buying them hilarious birthday cards pointing out how ancient they are. And there are some things about getting older that I don't like. I don't like the crow's feet that are there even when I'm not smiling. I don't like the feeling of pressure that comes with being a woman who wants a career and a family and feels like she's running out of time for both (which is probably a topic for a whole other blog post in itself). I don't like the fact that I seem to be getting older so quickly and I might just blink and miss my whole life.
But but BUT there are things that I do like very much. The older I get the more I accept myself for who I am, imperfections, character flaws and all. The older I get the more I also accept that said imperfections and character flaws are mainly my own insecurities and probably go unnoticed by everyone else. The older I get the more my self-confidence grows and the more I value my own worth. As someone who can look back at her early 20s and remember an insecure, awkward girl who was completely and utterly unsure of herself, I've come a long way and I think that's all to do with getting older and maturing. Make no mistake, I am still horrendously awkward, but aren't we all? For me, getting older has meant growing as a person and although I'll probably never like the physical changes that come with getting older, the mental ones are proving to be only positive so far.
So here's to being 27, which is hopefully going to be the best year of my life so far.
And on a completely different note, here's to my new winter coat. It's red and it's cosy and it was from Primark so it was cheap as. Happy Amy.
How do you feel about getting older?
Amy x
I hope it is the best year of your life so far because you deserve all the happiness in the world! Here’s to feeling more confident even if we’ve gained a few fine lines
ReplyDeleteLove ya, Em 💕✨🎀💝
awhimsicalrose.com
Aw thank you so much girl! I feel so much more confident despite the lines! xx
DeleteWhat beautiful winter pictures! I have to admit I don't like birthdays but reading this post has made me appreciate being older isn't too bad!
ReplyDeleteHave a lovely day and I hope you had a great birthday last week :)
Rosanna x
Rose's Rooftop
Aw I'm glad it's made you think that way, thank you lovely :) xx
DeleteI'm still waiting for the first snow in my city ;) Beautiful look and photos! <3
ReplyDeleteMERI WILD BLOG
We just had a little bit, but there's supposed to be more on the way this weekend! xx
DeleteHappy birthday to you! 27 was a good year for me as I got engaged in Paris a Christmastime so I have fond memories. Aging is a scary thing and I try to combat that fear with every birthday (34 next - gulp) that passes but it is hard to stay positive sometimes. More power to you, Amy x
ReplyDeleteOh wow that does sound like a good year then! I think it will get harder to combat the fear, but it's important to try and remember the positives for sure. Thank you for reading lovely! xx
DeleteHappy belated birthday Amy. Such beautiful photos. Gemma x
ReplyDeletewww.jacquardflower.uk
Thanks so much Gemma, hope you're having a lovely week! xx
DeleteThat's a great post, Amy, and as much as I understand the worries and pressure, I always strongly advocate for getting older, if that makes sense. I explain. One of these days a blogger (and more than one) had a different approach to getting older. Like "I didn't want to turn 26!" I tried my best to write in a nice way to explain that "please, try to change this thought pattern... cause the only way to remain 25 is if you die at 25! Isn't it amazing that we do get older? It means we are alive, we experience new things, we get to know new people, we learn a lot, we accept ourselves and start thinking that posing as great dames with toned bodies is so irrelevant, in my humble opinion". Well, she never read my blog again :) So be it. I stick to that opinion - I do agree with you, that there is pressure (even mainly from ourselves, due to media) to achieve things by a certain age, but no! We have, normally, a lot of time! We will go on achieving things for the rest of our lives! That is my thought :) But as I said, just my humble opinion and I am very glad you are getting older, as well as everyone I know! They are all alive living great experiences! I apologise if I was too harsh :) Many hugs and cheers to many more years to come! (I am so glad when I have birthdays, one more year, thank God, alive!) Happy belated birthday!
ReplyDeleteDenisesPlanet.com
Denise that is such an excellent way to think of it! I love how positive you are! xx
DeleteI'mm 27 too. Its a confusing age, at times you feel young and at times you don't hhaahaha.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.glitsxgrace.com/
Yes I feel like I should feel older than I do haha! xx
DeleteHappy belated birthday lovely!!! I wish I was 27 again, it was such a beautiful time in my life and it's amazing how quickly years go by, especially after you turn 30.
ReplyDeleteYiota
pinkdaisyloves.blogspot.com
Time goes so quickly doesn't it! I think 27 is going to be good :) xx
DeleteYES to this post lady - I wrote something similar when I turned 27 and I actually wasn't afraid of turning 27 like I thought I would be. I'm absolutely embracing getting older, and the confidence, self love and wisdom that comes with it! Happy belated birthday beautiful, I hope this year is your best one yet - can't wait to follow your journey! Here's to getting older lovely! <3
ReplyDeleteHayley xo
www.frockmeimfamous.com
The older I get the less I mind I think! Thanks so much lovely lady xx
DeleteI used to struggle with getting older as well... but then I started to get to know me better, spend more time knowing me and feeling comfortable in my own skin and not only I dont regret anything, but I feel happier!
ReplyDeletehttp://justohana.blogspot.com.es
That's great, I definitely feel the same way! xx
DeleteHappy belated birthday girl. Getting older really does suck because you have to take on so many more responsibilities. Getting older also means that you get to know yourself better because you grow into your own skin.
ReplyDeletehttp://sugarcoatedbears.blogspot.com/
Thank you! I think the positives outweigh the negatives :) xx
DeleteIt might be a little too late, as I just found your blog, but happy belated birthday! I totally get you. I felt the same when I turned 28 this year. I felt so old but at the same time I didn't feel anything has changed, except things that were important to you when you're 21 seem no longer irrelevant. I think that's the perks of getting older. you just know better. And that, I think is pretty awesome!
ReplyDeleteAh thank you! It is pretty awesome isn't it. Time flies and in some ways I don't feel any different but my perspective has definitely changed for the better! xx
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