In case you didn’t guess by the title of this blog post, today, I turned 23. To me, 23 is a big scary number that makes it sound like I should have it all figured out when really, I don’t. For that reason mostly, I’m not a huge fan of my own birthday (other people’s however, I love!) because more often than not you focus more on what you haven’t achieved by the age you turn, rather than what you have. But this year, I thought I’d try and put things a little more into perspective.
A while ago I wrote a blog post called 33 before 33. Quite simply, 33 things I want to do before I’m 33. I’ve already made a start on this list – some things will take me a day, others will take me years so it’s an ongoing project but one I like and can focus on. So today, instead of moping around, complaining that I’m getting old, blah blah blah, I’d like to focus on my achievements and things I want to do within the next year before I turn 24 (some things which will be taken from my list).
What I’ve Achieved/Done in the Past Year:
- I visited somewhere new: The Lake District.
- I started focusing properly and working hard on my novel. I’m now just under 3/4 through.
- I started offering advertising space on my blog.
- I took an interest in cooking and my boyfriend and I have made lots of meals from scratch.
- My personal/home life has changed, dramatically.
- I’ve grown and expanded my blog touring business into all genres.
- I’ve met my best friend, Lynsey James. Twice! (Soon to be 3 times, in November!)
- I’ve met lots of new people and battled my social anxiety.
- I’ve organised a fundraising event for October! (You can find out more, here)
- I’ve booked more holidays: Another UK staycation, a boating holiday and hopefully Disneyland Paris next year too!
What I’d Like to Do/Achieve in the Next Year
- Reach 1,500 blog followers.
- Finish the first draft of my manuscript (and hopefully some edits too!)
- Go to Scotland to visit my best friend and her family.
- Go to the theatre with my boyfriend.
- Make a Christmas shoebox for the shoebox appeal charity.
- Learn how to cook a roast dinner then successfully make one by myself.
- Start driving again
- Grow my nails (and keep them nice because they’re fucking rank).
- Write down 1 thing that made me happy/grateful every day for a year – starting on my birthday.
- Do something I’ve never done before.
Giveaway
Now because it’s my birthday and I’m feeling generous, I’m going to be giving away one Peter Pan advertising package for the month of October to one winner. Included in this package is: Your blog button/book cover in my sidebar for a month, 3 grouped follow Friday’s on Twitter, 1 individual follow Friday on Twitter, 3 blog posts/links of your choice shared on my Facebook page and one extra shout out either on my Facebook or on my monthly wrap-up post.
You can enter the Rafflecopter giveaway here. The giveaway will run from 4th September till 25th September.
Good luck!
Happy Birthday. 🙂 (You’re still so very young–plenty of time to “figure it all out”.)
Thank you! Haha I know, trying not to freak out too much!
Happy birthday!! congrats=)
Thank you 🙂
HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY! I hope you had a great day 🙂 You accomplished quite a bit this year and I hope you’ll be just as successful next year! Also Disneyland Paris eek! Hope you get to go 🙂
Thank you! I had a great day thank you (: I hope next year is just as good, if not better. So hope I can go to Disneyland – it’s my happy place! xx
Late happy birthday! Hope you had a great day 🙂
Thank you! (: xx
Happy Birthday to you 🙂 I love your blog so much it’s always been one of my favourites, you’ve achieved so much, go you!! Angelica x
Thank you so much Angelica, and for your ongoing support of my blog! (: xx
Happy birthday, Jen! I haven’t been following you for a very long time, but I always really like your blog posts and you’ve quickly become one of my favourites ^_^
These lists are amazing and I hope you can continue to work on your to-do lists! I’ll be checking out the fundraiser you’ve organised and see if there’s anything I can do to help 🙂
May you celebrate your existence with books and cake. Welcome to the 23-year-olds-are-clueless group.
Aww thank you so much, that’s so lovely to hear! I’m so glad you like my blog (: The 23-year-old-sare-clueless group is pretty cool so far! (: xx
Happy Birthday!!! I just tagged you for the “How I Read book Tag!”
https://rabbitearsblog.wordpress.com/2015/09/05/how-i-read-book-tag/
Thank you! I will check out your post (: xx
Thanks!
Happy birthday Jenny you’re amazing! Focus on all the things you have achieved rather than what you havent, that’s the best way to go! I bet you will reach all your goals for this next year to come, they are awesome goals! 😄
xoxo 💋
Aww thank you so much lovely! That definitely is 100% the best way to be! (: xx
Happy Birthday! 🙂
It certainly seems like you’ve achieved a lot in the past year, and good luck with your future goals.
Thank you! It’s nice to know it seems like that to someone else when it doesn’t always to yourself! (: xx
Happy Birthday! I hope you have an awesome day 🙂
Thank you very much! I had a fantastic day (: xx
Happy birthday, I’d say for only 23 you have accomplished a lot! I know what you mean though by focusing on what you haven’t done, I’m also guilty of that. Its a nice idea to write what you have achieved, I will remember that when my 39th!!!! birthday comes!! Oh dear! I think if you have achieved happiness, then you have done well.
Have a great birthday,
Amanda.
Thanks Amanda! It’s so easily done, especially when you compare yourself to others. But everyone’s different and everyone should focus on different things (: xx
Happy birthday! Good luck with all your new goals 🙂
Thank you! (: xx
Happy birthday! And congrats on everything you’ve achieved this year 🙂
Thank you so much! (: xx
Happy birthday–from one September baby to another!
Thank you! September babies rule (: xx
Happy birthday! Those are some brilliant things achieved – and some good ones to look forward to!
Thanks Lauren! Am looking forward to some of the things I plan to do for the next year! xx
Happy birthday! 🙂
Thank you! (: xx
Happy Birthday!!!! I turned 50 this year, and I have pretty much the same goal every year – to laugh as much as possible and to stay young in my heart and mind even though my body is starting to age :). Have a great birthday!
Thank you! That’s a fantastic goal! (: xx
Happy Birthday! 😀
Thank you! (: xx
Happy Birthday!! 😀
Thank you! (: xx
Happy Birthday! I wish you can achieve all of your goals and dreams! You’re still young and you definitelly have to live your life to the fullest! You go girl~
Thank you very much! (: xx