20 vs 30

Although I'm now 30, I consider myself to be still the same I was at 20. I like the same music, I still wear ripped skinny jeans and I also love a pornstar martini (or 5). However, as I am sat on the train on my way to meet my friend Amy from Manchester airport, I am finding myself rolling my eyes or muttering under my breath at people in their twenties. Does this make me old now?

As much as I like to think I am the same as I was when I was 20, I realise this is far from the truth. Yes, some things remain the same and probably will forever ( I will still be belting out Paramore on my 70th birthday). I thought I would make a list of things I feel have changed in the 10 years. 

- I am more aware of what I say in public: When I was 20, I didn't care who heard what I said but now I am more aware that some things are just not appropriate for a public audience. 

- I dress to be comfortable and not fashionable: This is a big one that took me a long time to understand. I have found myself seeing younger girls dressed in next to nothing thinking "they must be freezing".. yep I am that person now!

- I am more aware of people around me: letting elder people get on public transport before me, helping someone in the supermarket. Before I would just focus on me and my friends and not be aware of situations around me. 

-Looking after my skin better: Back when I was 20 and years after, I would either keep my make up on and wash it off in the morning or just use some micellar water. Now I have a structured skincare routine which I wouldn't be without! 

- More conscious about the environment: Although I can happily say I have never littered, I hadn't put much thought into recycling or being more sustainable with my lifestyle choices. Since my boyfriend is passionate about conservation of the planet and all animals, I have realised the importance of making small changes to better the planet. 

- My magazine choices: This makes me a little sad but I no longer like Heat magazine or OK! I like good housekeeping (insert cringe face here) but honestly it is SO good! Full of tips on cooking, cleaning and hobbies such as knitting and sewing. I promise I am 30 and not 60!

- Make-up looks: Contouring wasn't a thing when I was in my early twenties and I still cant get my head around how it is done now! I used to be so heavy on the eyeliner and thick foundation but now its just CC cream and a nice thin flick on my eyes! Of course, I am still partial to a pair of false eyelashes on a night out, who isn't? 

- Drinking on a school night: Well, a work night but the same principal. I used to be able to drink and then go to work the next day! Now I need a full day in between drinking and going to uni/placement. My utmost respect for those who can still do this! 

- Friends of different ages: When I was 20, I had friends a year older or younger than me and that was it. Now my friends range from 21-60 and I wouldn't have it any other way. Age is irrelevant when all that matters is that friend is your person and is there for you. I love having friends of different ages, most of my friends younger than me like to joke that I am old (you know who you are) and my friends that are older than me also appreciate a bit of Countryfile on a Sunday eve! It's a win win situation!

So I have changed quite a bit, but for the better. I am starting to love the person I am growing into and I look forward to looking back at my 30 year old self when I am... (get sick bucket).... 40! 

♡

New Year resolutions: Underrated or underachieved?

 

It's that time between Christmas and New Years where you don't know what day it is and you've not seen a fruit unless it's complimenting your gin. 

I have had chocolate and mince pies more than I can count these past few days and whilst I sit here feeling like a slug, it's made me think about the changes I want to make in the New Year. 

I think New Year resolutions have a bad rep. It is quite predictable that many of us will sign up to the gym on the 1st of January and promptly cancel the direct debit by the 28th. However, I think for some, setting goals at the start of the year is a good way to keep focused. 

There were many things I wanted to achieve by the time I had reached 30. However, thanks to covid I was unable to complete them. Instead of giving them up, I have decided to add them to my resolutions list in hopes I can tick most of them off in 2022. 

I am fully aware some of my resolutions might not be completed, I used to write things such as "be more positive" and "worry less what others think" but that needs to be a long term habit change rather than a resolution. I find the harder the resolutions I made, the more I didn't achieve them.

So my list for 2022 is this: 

- Read more books: I will be doing this more anyway when I finish my uni placement and go back to lectures but I love reading and need to pick up a book more instead of TikTok. 

- Eat less meat: Myself and my boyfriend have already started eating less meat and mainly eat vegetarian at home and meat as treats when out or having dinner at a friends/family's house. It's a small change but hopefully still helping the environment!

- Budget better: this is a BIG one for me. With both me and my boyfriend being students, it's been a shock to our bank accounts since September and I want to be able to pay off debts, go on holiday and have some decent savings eventually. 

- Practise more yoga: I used to practise yoga and meditation so much when I was in my mid-twenties but lately I have just.. forgotten. It made me feel good and positive and is something I am going to bring back into my daily routine. 

- Walk more: I also want to loose weight but that has been at the top of my list every single year. I love going for walks and hope by walking more, the weight will also go. 

So not many resolutions and also nothing too overwhelming. I'm hoping I can keep a good track of each of these and also this blog will hold me responsible for them. 

Are you making any New Years resolutions? If so, good luck! 

♡

Hi. Hello. Welcome!

Hello! Welcome to my first blog post about being in my thirties! 

If you're reading this you are either: a friend/relative who I have forced to read this (sorry!) 

or you are a 30-something year old who is also thinking we are still young enough to blog (we are aren't we??).

So let's start with the pleasantries, My name is Danni and I am 30 years old (and 9 months). I am a student nurse and I live in Sheffield, Yorkshire with my boyfriend and 3 cats. 

Turning 30 in March was surreal for many reasons. The main reason being that I was no longer in my twenties which seemed to have gone on forever? The other reason being thanks to the classic 'rona, I was not able to see any friends or family for my birthday and more importantly, have a massive party so I can drink away the thirty thoughts. 

9 months on and I don't feel that different since turning 30 however with it nearing NYE, I have been thinking about how I am going to use my thirties to my advantage. What I want to do differently, what I want to achieve, learn, avoid. 

So here I sit on boxing day in bed listening to Radio 2 (I know, I really don't help myself) starting a blog. I had a blog in my early twenties where I would write about my old little baking business and review books and Lush products (bless me) but I feel this one might be a bit more... wine based?

If you are a genuine reader... thank you for getting this far, I hope you like this blog and take from it some laughs if anything. 

If you are my friends/family.. be nice, my new hobby could be worse! 

♡