What I learnt in my twenties, Turning thirty

Looking back on what I learnt in my twenties

I have spent the past month writing down and reflecting on the things I learnt over the past decade. I think it is good to pause, reflect and see how much you have grown. I don’t like to live in the past, however, I always try and grow from situations as I believe there is a lesson to learn from every situation or person you meet, so it is nice to sit and reflect and bring what I have learnt to a new decade. I am currently celebrating turning thirty in the Dubai sunshine, a little treat to myself. Sitting looking out the window at the Arabian sunrise and reflecting and wondering if I am on the right path. So, here are my random life lessons that I learnt in my twenties and here is to more decades of growth, lessons and love. 

Your legacy is all you have at the end of the day

How you touch and impact others is how you are remembered. The materialistic things go, looks fade, mansions need maintenance and there is always a newer fancier version of your car. If we all spent more time upgrading ourselves instead of our mobile phones ( Gary Vee quote ) the world would be a much nicer place. 

Be whole by yourself

After buying my house I thought I would feel happier, I worked so hard to get it but once I got it I found myself feeling a little empty and lost in the evenings after I came home from work. This is when I learnt the lesson that things don’t equal happiness. So, I started to seek out hobbies and new interests that were just for me. Instantly I was happier with myself. Meeting new people and learning new skills and having new hobbies. This is when I learnt that it is the experiences we have, the growth of a person and the people we spent our time with that make us truly happy. 

This lesson also applies to people. Never rely on a relationship or person to make you happy. Nobody can fill that void in you, only you can do it. When the person you are relying on for happiness lets you down it can be hurtful and devastating, however, if you are full on your own it won’t affect you as much. Once I started to realise that people can’t make me happy and only I can I started to take responsibility for my own happiness. 

Listen and Trust your Gut

I ignored my gut and got hurt, not once but many a time. I ignored my gut because of fear. Fear of facing what was really going on. Never ignore that niggling feeling inside of me. When I look back at the times I listened to my gut, my gut was never wrong. I am a worry wart, so sometimes I can’t distinguish between what is an irrational thought and my gut. I am getting much better at it now. I listen to my gut and when I don’t like what it is saying I still trust it. I try and be in tune with it. Your gut is there to guide and protect you. Do you ever get that feeling when someone is hiding something, a feeling you shouldn’t be doing something or going somewhere? That niggling feeling is your gut. My goal is to trust and listen to it more. 

 You will lose people

It is impossible to live a life and not lose people. In life, we aren’t really thought how to deal with losing people. I lost my dad when I was twenty. This was tough, especially at such a young age, however, I try and change my thinking about loss. The pain of loss is a killer. I always say that I would sooner have a broken leg than a broken heart. Its raw, agonising and shit, however, heartache is just a consequence of loving with all your heart. I would rather love with all my heart and take the pain of loss than live a life of fear. I now change my thoughts to ones of gratitude. I am grateful I had my dad until I was twenty. Yes, I could be bitter about losing him so young but at the end of the day, it won’t change what happened. I am grateful he was my father and that I had him for the time I did. 

Grieving the loss of someone who is still alive. 

Whether it is a friend or a partner, there was plenty of times I had to walk away from people, call it a day and move on. Losing people in my life that that is still alive was just as painful as when I lost my dad. When I lost my Dad I could accept that he wasn’t coming back, however, when I lost people from my life that are still alive I found it trickier. You have the “What if’s”, the doubts, the glimmer of hope that maybe things will work out but what I have learnt is that you have to give up the ghost. Put yourself first, feel the pain, allow yourself time to grieve and one day you think about them less and less and you find yourself in a new friendship or relationship that fulfils you more than the last. When I had moments of doubt I had to trust my decisions, I also learnt to stop living in the past. 

Getting my heart broken made me more compassionate, I would rather take my heart to the grave full of scars from loving people and living a full life than having my heart wrapped in bubble wrap and have never felt love. Learn to let go of the people and the situations that no longer serve you. 

Explore more

Collect memories, not things. This is something I have been trying to do the past two years. I heard a great phrase “Travel is the only thing you can buy that makes you richer”. I enjoy travelling a lot more now than in my early twenties as when I was younger it was all about going somewhere, getting pissed and being too hungover to explore. Now I really appreciate exploring a new city and country. I also have embraced solo travel. This is something that I never imagined I would have been able to do. At the end of the day, don’t let having nobody to travel alongside you stop you from going. Go explore while you can. Collecting a trinket ( or teapot in my case ) whilst on your travels is allowed too lol. I plan on seeing a lot more places, getting lost walking around cities, towns and villages and having fun meeting people along the way.

Protect your energy

I remember being burnt out, anxious and felt like I had lost my sparkle when I was in my early twenties. A wise person told me to always fill my glass and keep it full and no not let others drink from it and leave me empty. I would give my energy to people and situations that would drain me, however, I learnt from it and now I am a bit ruthless with who and how I give my energy to others. I try and surround myself with people who leave me feeling energised, motivated and inspired. I avoid the moaners and the excuse makers as much as possible. When I have to deal with these people I shield my energy from them. I make a conscious effort every day to give out good energy even when I am not feeling so good. If a situation or person is bringing me down I try and come up with a solution to change it or at least change how I think about it.
If ever I am faced with people trying to get to me or tear me down I read the quote from Maya Angelou to Oprah, “Those people can’t hold a candle to the light God has shining on your face, can’t you see it, look up, look up and and see the light”.

Life isn’t a checklist of things to tick off 

Go to college, get a career, get a house, get married, have kids all by a certain age. This absolutely bores the fuck out of me. We are bombarded with a perception of success. That if we do these things by a certain time it means we a successful. Thankfully I no longer feel the pressure to do these things. In fact, I am relieved to be in my thirties and not married and under no pressure to be. There was a time in the past where I had intrusive comments from family and peers over why I wasn’t married or had children. Looking back I am so happy that I choose to construct my life and I didn’t do something I would have regretted based on the goals and expectations of other people. I am happily starting my thirties in Brigit Jones style, big knickers and all! I might get married or I might not, I might find the man of my dreams or I could find many men of my dreams, I will have fun exploring that in my thirties.

Feed your soul

Like I said above about growing equals happiness. I learnt I needed to feed my soul with the things I enjoy. Photography, skills, seminars, podcasts, books, music, writing, walking, nature. Whatever it is that I am craving  I try and take some time out and indulge in those things that fill me back up.

Know your worth

I heard a good phrase last year, “Know your worth and then add tax”. When it comes to business and relationships this is something I have gotten better at but I still have some work to do. I undersell myself and my work, I don’t put a price on my time either. This is something that I realised coming towards the end of my twenties and it is definitely on the list to work on going forward. I think when it comes to friendships and relationships you need to value yourself. Knowing your worth stops you attracting the wrong people into your life, I always say that you get what you tolerate. So if you tolerate certain behaviours from people then that is what you get.

I hope you enjoyed reading today’s post, I can honestly say that I feel comfortable turning thirty now. I remember my Dad once saying that the great thing about getting older and wiser, is that you don’t want to be young again if that makes sense. I was recently in a queue and there was a gang of early twenties ladies chatting, I remember thinking to myself “my god, did I sound like that?” Of course, I did, I probably sounded worse! I am grateful for the lessons and growth. I think I will be more relaxed turning thirty. I have a stronger sense of self. I’m focused on growing and stress less over the things I have no control over.
Some of the things I want to work on going forward are, being mindful, giving back, travel and experience new cultures, grow and achieve my goals and meet as many amazing people along the way that I can.

Thanks so much for reading,
Chat soon,
Catherine.

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33 Comments

  1. sarah cullen
    February 4, 2018 / 6:24 pm

    Love this I'm turning 30th this year too and everything you said makes so much sense to me .Happy birthday

  2. Laurie Anne
    February 4, 2018 / 6:55 pm

    Great post. Those words ring so true whether you are turning 30 or 50 (gulp) I so enjoy your adventurous spirit. HAPPY BIRTBDAY

  3. Cancer Queen
    February 4, 2018 / 7:22 pm

    Amazing post �� inspirational and insightful. You are an old soul on young shoulders. I’ve just turned 40 and i couldn’t agree with you more that I don’t even want to be a day younger. Not that 30 or even 40 is old, but getting is older is a blessing, especially if embraced with an open heart and mind ����

  4. Victoria
    February 4, 2018 / 7:47 pm

    This is such a beautiful Catherine. Wishing you a very happy birthday for tomorrow, I hope you enjoy it seeing the sun rise over the desert. I hope your 30s bring everything you want and more x

  5. Alfie123
    February 4, 2018 / 7:59 pm

    What a beautifully written piece Catherine. So thought provoking and so very true. Have a wonderful birthday.

  6. jordi_nicole
    February 4, 2018 / 9:25 pm

    Thank you so much for this, and for your beautiful soul. I’m edging towards 30, I turn 27 this year, and I felt a bit like a failure for not having all of the boxes checked, and feeling inadequate. Thank you for all of the advice, it all rings true!! I’ll remeber and keep this in mind ❤️ But, Happy Birthday!!! Your trip so far looks absolutely amazing!!! I hope you have a marvelous time and make some wonderful memories

  7. Angela Tomlinson
    February 5, 2018 / 12:16 am

    Happy Birthday Catherine👱🏼‍♀️Such a lovely interesting post. Enjoy your celebrations in Dubai and keep sending the Snapchats in❤️

  8. Catherine Carton
    February 5, 2018 / 7:27 am

    Thank you so much for reading Sarah! Happy Birthday too! xxx

  9. Catherine Carton
    February 5, 2018 / 7:27 am

    Thanks so much for reading Laurie xxx

  10. Catherine Carton
    February 5, 2018 / 7:28 am

    Getting older is such a blessing! I no longer see it as a bad thing! Thanks so much for reading! x

  11. Catherine Carton
    February 5, 2018 / 7:28 am

    Thank you! Thanks so much for reading xxxx

  12. Catherine Carton
    February 5, 2018 / 7:29 am

    Thanks so much for reading lovely! Never live your life by someone else boxes! make your own and tick them off xxxx

  13. Catherine Carton
    February 5, 2018 / 7:29 am

    Thanks for reading Angela! xxxxx Thanks for following x

  14. Claire Bowden
    February 5, 2018 / 12:44 pm

    What a fabulous post you are an inspiration to so many. Have a fantastic trip 💕😘

  15. Pam Long
    February 5, 2018 / 1:12 pm

    These are my favorite kind of posts. Its always good to stop and evaluate where one is at in their life and be thankful even if it feels like one is astray. There is always something to learn and to be thankful about. Happy Birthday Catherine!

  16. rachael conlon
    February 5, 2018 / 7:11 pm

    I literally only just heard about you 2days ago and honest to god you are one of the best bloggers out there, I only wish I'd have been following you longer, your a breath of fresh air. I love your down to earth nature. I hope you are having the most amazing time in Dubai. Happy Dirty 30 xx

  17. Danielle
    February 6, 2018 / 5:46 am

    I’m celebrating my 30th next month. Everything you said holds so true! I’m currently solo travelling the New England states and loving the freedom! Happy Birthday! Take care and chat soon!

  18. Unknown
    February 8, 2018 / 1:45 am

    I've just turn 29 today and everything you said is so true. Happy 30th Birthday.I love the snapchats I only started following you on Sunday after a friend recommend that I follow you your so happy go lucky and down to earth enjoy the rest of your holipops 😊

  19. witchgirl26
    February 8, 2018 / 2:14 pm

    Happy birthday first off. This is fabulously written. I can relate to it a lot. I also lost my dad young (22) and I think at the time it made me start to look at things differently to my peers. I still cared about my career but it brought into sharp focus that what mattered more to me were the people in my life so I made more of an effort for a work-life balance at a younger age than most would.You've a wise head on those shoulders. I hope you enjoy your hols. 🙂

  20. Unknown
    February 8, 2018 / 11:17 pm

    Life isn't a checklist! So true!!I couldn't agree more and I also think people who live their lives that way end up looking back with regret, even if they can't admit it. Thirties are the new twenties but wiser! You will love them 🙂

  21. Catherine Carton
    February 11, 2018 / 5:36 pm

    You are so kind Claire, thank you so much for reading x

  22. Catherine Carton
    February 11, 2018 / 5:36 pm

    Thank you s much for reading Pam x

  23. Catherine Carton
    February 11, 2018 / 5:37 pm

    Aw that means so much Rachael! Thank you for following and reading. I am glad you enjoyed the post x

  24. Catherine Carton
    February 11, 2018 / 5:37 pm

    Aw, happy birthday Danielle! I hope you have an amazing time exploring New England x

  25. Catherine Carton
    February 11, 2018 / 5:38 pm

    Aw, thank you ! That is so kind! Thanks for reading x

  26. Catherine Carton
    February 11, 2018 / 5:38 pm

    Thank you so much for reading lovely! I am sorry to hear about your Dad x

  27. Catherine Carton
    February 11, 2018 / 5:39 pm

    Yes, I would regret if I lived a life of "keeping up with the Jonse's" Thanks so much for reading! x

  28. Poppy
    February 15, 2018 / 6:35 pm

    ��happy birthday Catherine��Sent you an email ��

  29. charmingtales520
    February 17, 2018 / 12:15 am

    Happy Birthday to you and what a beautiful way to enjoy it. Now you are wanting me to find somewhere special to celebrate my upcoming birthday in May. Maybe I will take a special trip to the west coast and visit San Francisco I have always wanted to do that. I to am a solo traveler and a lot of people find that strange when I am ask why I do this my is I am my own best friend and it make me happy. I can pick myself up and just go and do what ever I want to. I enjoyed your blog as well as Yourtube video showing a beautiful sites of Dubai.

  30. Laura Jane Atelier
    February 19, 2018 / 8:43 am

    Happy Birthday. It love everything you had to say and it seems like you have such a great outlook on life and are very happy with your decisions. I think it is great to not live a conventional life, it bores me too! Also what you wrote on losing people was so touching. xo http://www.laurajaneatelier.com

  31. Lucinda S
    February 20, 2021 / 9:25 am

    Very well said

  32. June 2, 2021 / 8:42 pm

    I have found your channel and blog recently and I am currently working my way through both, you are a lovely positive soul and I wish you all the best.

  33. daintydressdiaries
    Author
    June 7, 2021 / 9:00 am

    This so kind, thank you x

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