7 things I learnt at 27

They say you should only look back to reflect on how far you’ve come. So I decided on the eve of my 28th birthday to have a little reflection and take a look back.

This year was BIG. I had quite a few face palm moments but more hand raise moments and I can say that I’ve not only learnt from both but have come out a little braver, a lot more grateful & a tiny bit wiser.

I decided to do what I love and write it down. So here I have the 7 things I learnt at 27....

Maybe some things people can relate to. Maybe some of it people can learn from.

Maybe you’re just bored whilst you wait for your Uber eats. Either way give it a read and let me know what you think.

#1 - Taking a leap is big and scary but your act of bravery can impact someone without you even realising it.

This one is huge for me and I put it first because without this lesson, my blog and this site, would never have been created. I started writing a long time before I posted anything and I created this site a long time before I showed anyone. Then one day I just took the leap and do you know what? Nothing bad happened. Sure I get scared everytime I press publish but by being fearless and allowing myself to be seen, I am giving others permission to do the same. So I challenge you… what are you holding back from? Be brave. Life is too bloody short and there is someone out there that will be impacted by YOUR act of courage.

#2 - When someone shows you their true colours, believe them.

Or as Maya Angelou put it so perfectly:

“When someone shows you who they are, believe them the first time. People know themselves much better than you do. That’s why it’s important to stop expecting them to be something other than who they are.”

This one hit home BIG TIME. A lot of us think we can be the change we want in other people, that we can be the one that is going to make them happy, softer or whatever it is. Believe people when they first show you what type of person they are and from there you can decide if that is the type of person and energy you want in your life or not.

#3 - The only person that can change you, is you.

This is linked to the above lesson. I have had so many people try and change me, and for some I have given it a whirl and tried to change. But this does not last because you will never truly feel comfortable around them if you are not being your true, authentic self. The right people will love you for the real you, every flaw and imperfection. If you want to make a change for you then do it, but if it is for someone else… well stay stubborn I say ;)

#4 - Saying no to people and things is often saying yes to yourself.

We can’t always be yes people. We can’t always give 1000% in everything. I am a sucker for this, I give my time and energy to others to the point I end up so exhausted and drained I need a few days alone to recoup (true story). Repeat after me: “I can not pour from an empty cup”. Take time for you, you are freakin special and if you don’t take a little time, whether it be for 5 minutes or 5 hours, you won’t have much left to give. Say no when you need to and the right people will respect and even admire you for it.

#5 - Just because someone was once good for you doesn’t mean they still serve a purpose for you and your life.

In the last couple of years I have said goodbye to a fair amount of relationships... People change and grow and as our purpose shifts so does our perspective. Sure it’s scary saying goodbye to relationships but holding on is like holding on to a sweater which will never quite fit you again just in case one day you are having a skinny day and you can squeeze on in. That aint a good look on anybody - trust me! Be grateful for the purpose they served in your life but then pull a Frozen and “let it go”. In the same way, you won’t always serve people and their purpose. So when they pull a Isla - understand, respect it and learn from it. Don’t cling on… also not a good look.

#6 - You are still growing and still learning and you always will be. Be patient with yourself.

You know those people that give advice but can’t take it? Sometimes (a lot of the time) that is me. I am my toughest critic, I get so mad when I don’t know something or when I can’t quite grasp it. The truth is, you will never know everything, you will always have more to learn and more ways to grow. Instead of getting frustrated by this, get curious. Be open to growth and learning and enjoy the process of being the student. Life is so incredibly amazing if we open our eyes and our heart to learning.

#7 - The most important thing is to breathe. It all starts and ends with the breath.

Although it sounds like the simplest lesson, this is the most important one for me. As someone that suffers pretty bad anxiety, I often forget to breathe. A lot of things can be overwhelming and a lot of the time everything moves so fast we don’t know how to keep up. But the beautiful thing is, if you just take a moment to take a breath, you will find that by shifting your focus to the breath you will gain a new perspective because you are physically forcing yourself to slow down (even though the concept of slowing down is very, very foreign to this Virgo).

So there they are. My seven things I learnt this year. As per #6 I am still learning and I can’t wait to see what 28 brings. I promise to do #1 frequently and be brave and show you my true self (#2) and not change for anyone but myself (#3). I promise to do #4 and say yes to myself more this year and no to the things that don’t serve me whilst acknowledging (#5) that sometimes I need to let people go. But most importantly I promise to breathe, I hear it’s kinda important (#7).

PS - Look mum, I am growing up!

Love,

MDW x