So a couple of weeks ago it was my birthday, which you might have seen on Instagram because lol, firstly can you miss that amount of balloons but also, if you’re not surrounded by 294383483 balloons is it even really your birthday?
Nope, didn’t think so either.
So it was my 25th birthday at the end of the month and honestly, it fucking terrified me. I remember turning 19 when I was working on the X-Factor and I was the baby of the team. I remember turning 21 and I was a producer at Sky (a really awful show but you gotta take that credit where you can get it). I even remember turning 24 last year and thinking, yes your life has completely just done a u-turn but you’re still young girl, the world is your oyster, slay queen etc. etc.
And now I’m a bit like, fucking hell I’m 25. I am old (I’m aware that I’m actually not for everyone older than me that currently wants to shoot me in the face). But I dunno, there’s something about turning 25 that makes me feel like I should have my life together a bit more than I do and is making me forget that I’ve actually done a fair bit for a girl my age.
So, without further ado (further ado means moaning and being a first world problem twat in the urban dictionary, right?), here’s 25 things I’ve learned in 25 years.
~
1. Life is too fucking short. (Apologies for the uncouth amount of swears in this post but there’s something about life/personal posts that get me all fired up and motivated and like HELLO WORLD I’M HERE TO IMPART SOME COMPLETELY POINTLESS THOUGHTS WISDOM). But yeah, life is short and you never know what’s around the corner and as much as the cliches make me feel a little bit like I’m stabbing myself in the eyeballs with a biro, we really do need to live each day like it’s our last.
2. Just because you know life’s too short and terrible things might have happened and you have all perspective in the world, it doesn’t stop you worrying about things that shouldn’t be so important. Because actually, contrary to popular belief, just because you might say “right, that’s it, I’m not caring about x/y/z any more because it’s not important”… it’s actually pretty hard forcing your brain to stop. Focusing on the things important to me (family, friends, seeing the world, being creative on my own terms) and trying to forget the things that shouldn’t matter (instagram algorithm youmassive bellend, I’m referring to you. Alongside other things like constantly putting too much pressure on myself and taking on too much etc.) is my main focus for 2018 so here’s hoping for a happier, less stressed and psychotic Elle *insert thumbs up emoji here*
3. Parent Trap and Dirty Dancing will always be up there in my top 5 favourite films and if they’re not, please feel free to rock up to my house and slap some sense into me.
4. People come into your life for a reason, season or a lifetime. There is something wildly satisfying about a cheesy quote that not only rhymes but is so so true. There are so many people that will come and go from your life but everyone has a purpose. For example, I know that exes have come into my life to teach me lessons (and up my standards for the future/teach me not to take shit/basically show me what I don’t want to end up with). I know that certain friends who kinda disappeared have left me with hilarious memories and sometimes that’s all you need. And I know that some people randomly end up in your life and they will never leave. I have so many people like this but I have to mention Ally in particular who started as a friend and quite quickly and very obviously became a soul mate!
5. There isn’t really such thing as “having your life together”. I think we all look at the couple engaged/married/pregnant and settled down on social media and think OH MY GOD WHY SO PERFECT, HOW, TEACH ME THE WAYS….but actually, nobody knows what someone’s life is really like behind the perfect instagram grid. And once upon a time I was that girl that was engaged and owned a house. I was the girl that out of all of her friends “had her life together and sorted” but actually, I was possibly unhappier than everyone I knew, questioning everything that was potentially about to be my life and generally just knowing that this wasn’t right for me. There is no such thing as having your life together because let’s be honest, we’re all just winging it aren’t we? But I’d like to be winging it in a scenario that makes me happy and fulfilled and not like I’m living a life that I should be living rather than wanting to live it. I’d like to be winging it with people that enrich my life and not restrict it.
6. It’s OK not to be able to choose one favourite song ever because there is SO MUCH GOOD MUSIC to listen to out there and if you don’t have commitment issues when it comes to favourite songs then I don’t even know if I trust you. *BRB whilst I whack on the kettle and decide if Beyonce Irreplaceable/Beyonce Halo/Beyonce basically anything/Take That basically anything/all of the golden oldies 80’s bangers is my favourite*
7. It will also always be impossible for me to choose between Pizza and Curry but that’s fine, going for both works for me so compromise and all that…
8. Sometimes you can go on brilliant dates with shitty people and shit dates with nice people. Life’s a bitch and then you die (… apparently a spinster going by my bumble experience so far).
9. DREAM BIG because no dream is ever, ever, ever too big. One of my biggest dreams already came true when I managed to turn my blog into a career and work for myself. Never stop dreaming, work your arse off, nothing is impossible!
Unless like me, one of your dreams is to have Blake Lively’s face and Beyonce’s body. If it is, give up now sister and find yourself another dream.
10. Friendship never really gets easier with age. I always thought high school bickering and bitchiness was something that just stops when, well school stops but blimey, I’ve seem some bitchiness and cattiness from not only girls my age but also much older. I always feel really lucky that I’m not confrontational and hate drama with a passion so very rarely get wrapped up in anything but wouldn’t it be nice if the world was just nice once in a while.
If you’re not picturing the Mean Girls “I wish I could bake a cake made out of rainbows and smiles and we’d all eat it and be happy” girl right now, you should be.
11. My family are out of this world. It is just not normal to have a Mum, Dad and brother that you would class as best friends and that all get on so incredibly well that you laugh all day long together. For a lot of years I thought that was normal. I thought a lot of people had that. My older, wiser self knows that this is not only really special but an actual gift.
12. The older I get, the soppier I get. I’m expecting to transform into a wet blanket by my 30th birthday. Over and out.
13. Doing my job, being a full time blogger, you are gifted with opportunities that 99% of the planet will never have but you will also never 100% live in those opportunities. And I just have to be ok with that. I have to be OK with the fact that I can be in the most stunning places on earth but instead of kicking back and enjoying them like they’re a holiday (like anyone else would), 99% of the time will be thinking about creating the content to show off said country in it’s best light. To take the photo that will get the best engagement for your feed. To see that beautiful place through a lens and not just through your eyes (that doesn’t make sense but I hope you know what I mean). It’s part and parcel of the job and whilst I am not being ungrateful even for a millisecond, one day I would like to see those places and the only picture I take is the one in my mind for memories.
14. Just because you don’t have much confidence, doesn’t mean you can’t be great. It doesn’t mean you can’t succeed. It doesn’t mean you’ll never be the most successful. I’ve thought many times about writing a post about confidence but have never managed to quite express how I feel sufficiently/have probs written it on a plane where I am 50% jet lag, 40% wine and 10% desperate to watch a film. I would say that out of my friendship group, I have the least confidence in myself. I think that I probably see Shrek/sloth staring back at me more than anyone else does and have always been crippling self conscious. But, what I do have is a crazy work ethic that I am forever grateful for, the determination to succeed and actually, that’s enough. A lot of people think the key to success is to have confidence and believe that you are basically Queen B. For me keeping my head down, working hard and staying humble and always trying to be the kindest, most self-deprecating person I can be is what’s worked for me.
15. Trust your gut. JESUS CHRIST ELLE TRUST YOU GUT! P.s I originally made a typo and wrote trust your GUY and the irony in that made me laugh so hard that I spat my tea everywhere.
16. DON’T PLUCK YOUR BEAUTIFUL BUSHY EYEBROWS TO OBLIVION. Just don’t!
17. Nobody in the world is liked by everybody. Some people will just take a disliking to you for no reason and that’s ok.
18. The best thing about growing up is caring less. What people think of you, how you look, how you might come across… I’ve always been wildly self conscious but in the last fews years I’ve learnt to let go a bit. To be myself unapologetically. To wear the bright boots or the leopard print with absolutely no shits given. Life is too short to worry about the builders that you walk past that will 100% call you Kat Slater or laugh in some way. Wear and do what the hell you want to do. It’s your life, go live it. Unless what you want to do is something illegal/arsey. Then don’t do that. Don’t be an arse.
19. “Nobody is you and that is your power” LOL at laughing at cheesy quotes when you’re actually the queen of them. But you are unique. Each and everyone one of us knows something somebody else doesn’t. Embrace your weirdness (I will forever be Harry Potter’s number 1 fangirl and dream of going to Hogwarts. No shits given), and be true to yourself. I always feel sad for people that don’t feel comfortable to be their true self. It’s the most important thing in life (apart from Reeses pieces and Primark, obvs).
20. Never underestimate the power of Dry shampoo. It’s basically an emergency service. #WhoNeedsAnAmbulanceWhenYouveGotBatiste
21. Sometimes you get yourself into silly situations and sometimes you know who your friends are when they go the extra mile. Thank you Jess for all of the things that I can’t even begin to write in this post! *insert cry laughter emoji here*
22. I will always look back at some/most of my fashion choices and die of laughter/embarrassment and humiliation all at once. Apart from the Spice Girls Geri dress because 6 year old Elle actually nailed life with that one!
23. Dear Elle, when you are drunk (i.e after two glasses of wine) put your goddamn phone down. Don’t text or tweet or basically do anything because you will make a tit of yourself.
24. New York will always be my favourite place on earth. Always. If I’m not bored after 6 trips there (one of them being a month) I never will be. Will I live there one day? Possibly. Will I visit 2948394 times a year in the meantime? Definitely.
25. Nothing is more important than laughter. Over the past year I have cried with laughter and almost given myself abs because of itevery single day with my friends. I feel so happy and content with the people I have in my life and without being a total sop/100% being a total sop, I just feel so grateful that my life is full of so much laughter. An example of this? Me and Ally just spent the last hour sending each other voice notes of us laughing because we found what we were talking about so funny that we couldn’t even type. I’m OK with that!
So apparently that’s 25 things. I’m sat here with a cuppa and a galaxy bar and there’s so, so, so much more I want to/could say but I’m gonna leave it here. All of a sudden I feel a little bit like Oprah/completely mentally drained being so reflective and borderline soppy so I’m off to watch an episode of the Kardashian’s to numb my brain a little.
I hope you enjoyed the post, as always thanks so much for being mega babes and always coming back to read more. Love you more than hot chocolate and Harry Potter marathons on a cold winter’s duvet day when it’s snowing outside!
I love the way you write, how honest and relatable you are. You would think you had it all from looking at your Instagram, it's nice to know you have the same hang ups as the rest of us. I really hope that 2018 is everything you hope it to be and more.
SPEAKING FROM EXPERIENCE WITH GOOD RESULT TO TESTIFY ABOUT
I am Monica David from Ontario Canada, i want to testify about the good service of Dr. Ugo Wonders living in USA for helping me bring back my fiancee who left me because of a prostitute. it was a terrible and depressing time when my fiancee whom we were supposed to be married in two months cancelled our wedding because of a prostitute who cast a spell on him and stole him away. i was searching for help online when i saw a review about Dr. Ugo of General Spell Temple, i then contacted him for help. I followed all his instruction accordingly as he assured and guaranteed me that my Fiancee will be back in 48 hours, to my greatest surprise in exactly two days after the spell was cast, my Fiance called me and started to apologize for leaving me because of another lady. i waited for two months in which we are now married before i could testify and right now, we are one happy family and its going to remain like this for ever.. all thanks to Dr. Ugo Wonders of General Spell Temple. you can contact Dr. Ugo for any relationship problem through his direct email : generalspelltemple@gmail.com or call him directly on +1 386-336-9876
SPEAKING FROM EXPERIENCE WITH GOOD RESULT TO TESTIFY ABOUT
I am Monica David from Ontario Canada, i want to testify about the good service of Dr. Ugo Wonders living in USA for helping me bring back my fiancee who left me because of a prostitute. it was a terrible and depressing time when my fiancee whom we were supposed to be married in two months cancelled our wedding because of a prostitute who cast a spell on him and stole him away. i was searching for help online when i saw a review about Dr. Ugo of General Spell Temple, i then contacted him for help. I followed all his instruction accordingly as he assured and guaranteed me that my Fiancee will be back in 48 hours, to my greatest surprise in exactly two days after the spell was cast, my Fiance called me and started to apologize for leaving me because of another lady. i waited for two months in which we are now married before i could testify and right now, we are one happy family and its going to remain like this for ever.. all thanks to Dr. Ugo Wonders of General Spell Temple. you can contact Dr. Ugo for any relationship problem through his direct email : generalspelltemple@gmail.com or call him directly on +1 386-336-9876
Happy belated birthday! And thank you for a lovely, heart warming and life affirming list ð (also – Jesus, how have you achieved SO MUCH in 25 years?!) xxx Lucy @ La Lingua | Life, Travel, Italy
Haha this post gave me all the giggles! I love how real you are!! I totally agree with you on the parent trap and dirty dancing – I always have to rewatch it!
Loved this post Elle! Totally agree with the family thing, as I've got older i've realised I'm so so blessed to have a mum, dad and sister who all get on and live together. It really is special! XX
Hope you had a lovely birthday! Love all of the things in this- totally agree with the family thing. I feel like I have never appreciated my parents as much as I do now
Aw I love this post. I really love the way you write because its like Im talking to a friend. I really want to visit NYC and all of your vlogs and instagram pics just makes me want to go 1000 times more!
I hope you had the best birthday ever. I loved your birthday Insta post haha! I think it's fair to say in your quarter of a century on this planet you have achieved so much and done wonderful things. You should be so proud of yourself ð xx
Oh babes I bloody LOVED this post! You're literally living the dream girl! <3 I for one am so glad that blogging bought you into my life lovely lady! Hope you had the BEST birthday!
Congrats on turning 25! I understand the slight panic because I can remember feeling it myself, but take it from someone almost old enough to be your mother, you are still so young! You've achieved so much already and you are so good at what you do so I'm sure your future is very bright. x
Well damn, this made me feel better because I am completely going through one of those phases at the moment where everyone's life seems perfect and together and then mine is just like lol what are you even doing with your life. I'm winging it, massively, so it's refreshing to hear that everyone else is just doing that as well and that things aren't always as perfect as they may seem.
I loved reading this, it was so lovely to reflect with you! I couldn't agree more, Parent Trap all the way haha, its a movie I'll never get old of xx tipscapsule.blogspot.com
My husband was flirting with another woman. until he vanished away, I was desperate to get him back, I wasted so much time and money trying to get my Husband back, I tried almost all possibilities to have him back and nothing worked. I became lonely. To make it short, I found a spell caster Dr Trust. I saw the good testimonies about his wonderful work and after reading the Testimonials, I decided I had to try and give it one last try and After the spells, a miracle happened, my husband came home. It was awesome, anyone who needs help, should email him Ultimatespellcast@gmail.com or Ultimatespellcast@yahoo.com Or call him or whatsApp him on these number. +2348156885231.
I love the way you write, how honest and relatable you are. You would think you had it all from looking at your Instagram, it's nice to know you have the same hang ups as the rest of us. I really hope that 2018 is everything you hope it to be and more.
Thank you so much Jade, this is such a lovely comment!!
xx
SPEAKING FROM EXPERIENCE WITH GOOD RESULT TO TESTIFY ABOUT
I am Monica David from Ontario Canada, i want to testify about the good service of Dr. Ugo Wonders living in USA for helping me bring back my fiancee who left me because of a prostitute. it was a terrible and depressing time when my fiancee whom we were supposed to be married in two months cancelled our wedding because of a prostitute who cast a spell on him and stole him away. i was searching for help online when i saw a review about Dr. Ugo of General Spell Temple, i then contacted him for help. I followed all his instruction accordingly as he assured and guaranteed me that my Fiancee will be back in 48 hours, to my greatest surprise in exactly two days after the spell was cast, my Fiance called me and started to apologize for leaving me because of another lady. i waited for two months in which we are now married before i could testify and right now, we are one happy family and its going to remain like this for ever.. all thanks to Dr. Ugo Wonders of General Spell Temple. you can contact Dr. Ugo for any relationship problem through his direct email : generalspelltemple@gmail.com or call him directly on +1 386-336-9876
website:http://generalspelltempleblog.wordpress.com
SPEAKING FROM EXPERIENCE WITH GOOD RESULT TO TESTIFY ABOUT
I am Monica David from Ontario Canada, i want to testify about the good service of Dr. Ugo Wonders living in USA for helping me bring back my fiancee who left me because of a prostitute. it was a terrible and depressing time when my fiancee whom we were supposed to be married in two months cancelled our wedding because of a prostitute who cast a spell on him and stole him away. i was searching for help online when i saw a review about Dr. Ugo of General Spell Temple, i then contacted him for help. I followed all his instruction accordingly as he assured and guaranteed me that my Fiancee will be back in 48 hours, to my greatest surprise in exactly two days after the spell was cast, my Fiance called me and started to apologize for leaving me because of another lady. i waited for two months in which we are now married before i could testify and right now, we are one happy family and its going to remain like this for ever.. all thanks to Dr. Ugo Wonders of General Spell Temple. you can contact Dr. Ugo for any relationship problem through his direct email : generalspelltemple@gmail.com or call him directly on +1 386-336-9876
website:http://generalspelltempleblog.wordpress.com
These are all total lessons. I hope you have a wonderful Birthday girl!
http://sugarcoatedbears.blogspot.com/
Thank you lovely!
xx
Happy belated birthday! And thank you for a lovely, heart warming and life affirming list ð (also – Jesus, how have you achieved SO MUCH in 25 years?!) xxx
Lucy @ La Lingua | Life, Travel, Italy
Haha ahh thank you so much lovely, this makes me so happy, such a wonderful comment!
xx
Es muy hermoso
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Haha this post gave me all the giggles! I love how real you are!! I totally agree with you on the parent trap and dirty dancing – I always have to rewatch it!
Candice | Beauty Candy Loves
Ahh you babe, thank you so much lovely! Aren't those films amazing, so happy you love them too <3
xx
Loved this post Elle! Totally agree with the family thing, as I've got older i've realised I'm so so blessed to have a mum, dad and sister who all get on and live together. It really is special! XX
Frances Kayleigh | Fashion & Lifestyle
Ahh thank you lovely, so happy you liked it, and I love that you feel that way too, your family sound wonderful!
xx
I absolutely adore posts like this! So positive and inspiring, and loved reading through! Totally motivated me to dream big!
Anika | anikamay.co.uk
Thanks so much beaut, so happy you liked it!
xx
Hope you had a lovely birthday! Love all of the things in this- totally agree with the family thing. I feel like I have never appreciated my parents as much as I do now
http://www.petiteelliee.com
Ellie x
Thanks so much lovely one, so pleased you liked it!
xx
Aw I love this post. I really love the way you write because its like Im talking to a friend. I really want to visit NYC and all of your vlogs and instagram pics just makes me want to go 1000 times more!
http://www.beautylifebecca.co.uk
Awww Becca, that is the biggest compliment. Thank you!! You have to see NYC, its the best!
xx
I hope you had the best birthday ever. I loved your birthday Insta post haha! I think it's fair to say in your quarter of a century on this planet you have achieved so much and done wonderful things. You should be so proud of yourself ð xx
Jessie | allthingsbeautiful-x
Oh babes I bloody LOVED this post! You're literally living the dream girl! <3 I for one am so glad that blogging bought you into my life lovely lady! Hope you had the BEST birthday!
Hayley xo
http://www.frockmeimfamous.com
Congrats on turning 25! I understand the slight panic because I can remember feeling it myself, but take it from someone almost old enough to be your mother, you are still so young! You've achieved so much already and you are so good at what you do so I'm sure your future is very bright. x
Kate Louise Blogs
Well damn, this made me feel better because I am completely going through one of those phases at the moment where everyone's life seems perfect and together and then mine is just like lol what are you even doing with your life. I'm winging it, massively, so it's refreshing to hear that everyone else is just doing that as well and that things aren't always as perfect as they may seem.
Julia // The Sunday Mode
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Loved reading this so so much and agree with every single point!
Rosie | wearsrosie.com
I loved reading this, it was so lovely to reflect with you! I couldn't agree more, Parent Trap all the way haha, its a movie I'll never get old of xx
tipscapsule.blogspot.com
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My husband was flirting with another woman. until he vanished away, I was desperate to get him back, I wasted so much time and money trying to get my Husband back, I tried almost all possibilities to have him back and nothing worked. I became lonely. To make it short, I found a spell caster Dr Trust. I saw the good testimonies about his wonderful work and after reading the Testimonials, I decided I had to try and give it one last try and After the spells, a miracle happened, my husband came home. It was awesome, anyone who needs help, should email him Ultimatespellcast@gmail.com or Ultimatespellcast@yahoo.com Or call him or whatsApp him on these number. +2348156885231.
Go through his website and see more testimony about him. https://utimatespellcast.wordpress.com
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