Twenty-two

This month I turn 22. It’s a fairly insignificant birthday in terms of rights of passage or major celebrations, yet it is an age I am eagerly looking forward to. Within those 365 days, I have had the greatest moments of happiness and achievement, yet twenty-one was in many ways the most difficult and tumultuous year yet.

Twenty-one seemed not dissimilar to New Year’s Eve, highly anticipated and regretfully disappointing. But it was a year of great milestones in growing up for me, and for the first time ever (perhaps more so due to my first full-time job) I feel as if a birthday is genuinely bringing maturity and wisdom.

Here are twenty-one things I learnt in my 21st year:

1. Being able to honestly regard almost all of your girlfriends as your best friends is far more rewarding than being a part of a giant social circle

2. Red wine is quite delicious

3. Travelling by yourself is an extraordinary experience

4. It's not embarrassing to go to bed at 10 pm, you'll feel fantastic for it

5. First relationships don’t last forever

6. Those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind

7. Reading is a far better use of time than Netflix

8. Only do workouts you enjoy or you’ll give up entirely

9. The most devastating hardships strike the most wonderful people

10. Everything I Know About Love by Dolly Alderton is a bible amongst my friends

11. All bad patches pass with time, be patient!

12. Reading and writing are extremely therapeutic

13. Taking a deep breath can rationalise a fiery temper

14. Sunday morning breakfasts reading The Sunday Times Style magazine with my parents is my favourite part of the week

15. Dog walks help clear the cloudiest mind

16. You will always want chocolate after dinner- enjoy it

17. Good looking boys with European accents are dangerous

18. Always wear gold hoops

19. Cancer is beyond shit but the NHS is invaluable

20. Self-belief is as valuable and advantageous as knowledge and experience

21. No matter how unsure the future is, it should always be seen as exciting