5 Things That Have Shaped My 20’s

It’s my birthdayyy! I struggled to know what to post today because I’ve been blogging for so long, I feel like I’ve covered all the standard “birthday” topics. Although I had my blog post up last week about 17 things I want to do before I’m 30, I still wanted to post something today too. It kinda feels like the law at this point. I’m 28 today and I genuinely can’t believe it. Like, I know how time works. But where did that time?

I still remember being 13, 16, 18 like it was yesterday. I remember my teenage years so vividly because it was the best time of my entire life so far. But just like that, I’m almost at the end of yet another decade. And my 20’s have certainly been a whole different kettle of fish.

So today I wanted to talk about some things that have shaped my 20’s and ultimately, shaped me as a person. I know I’m not at the end of my 20’s yet and still have a long 2 years to go before I reach the big 3-0. Anything can happen in 2 years (if 2020 has taught us anything it’s that to EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED) but here are some things that have shaped my 20’s so far.

My anxiety disorder

There is absolutely nothing that has shaped my 20’s more than my anxiety disorder. My anxiety disorder is actually what’s brought me here, to this point, with everything I currently have and currently do. My anxiety disorder is why ultimately I started my blog. Why I’m getting a book published next month. Why I ended up becoming a full-time blogger.

But it’s also what made me lose all my friends. Lost my identity. My confidence. My independence. It has shaped EVERYTHING. Everything I am. Everything I’ve lost. Everything I’ve gained. It turned my life on it’s head and back again and I’m finally in a very good place with it. But it really did shape my entire 20’s into what it is.

My blog

And of course, following on from that has to be my blog. If I didn’t have my anxiety disorder, I highly doubt I ever would have started a blog because I’d have had another job. But due to the awful, dark and depressing place my anxiety left me in, I did start a blog. And here I am, 7 years later, proud to say it’s my job. And I love every minute of it.

My blog has entirely shaped me. And not just my actual blog but the blogging community, the lessons I’ve learned through it, the business side of things and much more. Never did I expect to be asked to review hotels, get paid to write, to live webinars, release courses and eBooks and every other opportunity my blog has brought me.

Related:

• Blogging Mindset Mastery eCourse
• A Beginners Guide To Blogging eBook
• A Beginners Guide To Growing A Blog Following eBook

Medication

This is a fairly recent development actually as I only started taking my medication for anxiety in the Summer of 2019, when I was 26. But medication really was the final turning point in getting my life properly back on track. Going on medication gave me my life back after feeling like I’d hit a wall for so long.

For almost a decade, I was terrified to leave the house by myself. I lost confidence driving. At some points, I couldn’t bare being in the house alone. But nor could I leave the house either. Since I went on medication for my anxiety, I’ve taken myself on lunch dates, cinema dates and even booked a holiday alone (which sadly got cancelled due to COVID).

Related reads:

• Who Am I Without My Anxiety Disorder?
• 6 Months On Citalopram & Why Medication Was the Best Decision I Made

Carl

Carl has definitely shaped my 20’s in more ways than I could even imagine. And not all in good ways… (I kid). Carl and I have been together for around 6 years so from my early 20’s. And whilst it’s been a long and sometimes rocky road, I have learned so much from him and discovered so much because of him that now make up an enormous part of my life.

He’s introduced me to a ton of things that I never thought I’d like or enjoy. Such as Severn Valley Railway holidays and boat holidays on the Norfolk Broads. And not to mention Motorsport which has an entire section of it’s own! I love this man to my very core and from the very early stages of knowing him, I knew we’d be together.

Related reads:

• Severn Valley Steam Gala 2019
• Life On the River: My Holiday To the Norfolk Broads

Motorsport

I had absolutely no interest in Motorsport before I met Carl but as soon as I was introduced to it, I was hooked. He didn’t force me to watch or enjoy it. But the more I saw, the more I loved and before I knew it, I couldn’t get enough. I feel like Motorsport is in my blood. I just didn’t realise it until I was nudged in the right direction.

Formula 1, WEC, DTM – there’s a fair few categories we’ve seen together and enjoy watching together. We adore going to Brands Hatch and being among the action for the weekend. Motorsport makes up a huge part of our relationship and it’s great to have that shared hobby that we’re both so passionate about (even if we don’t always agree on everything!)

Yoga and spirituality

And finally, Yoga and spirituality has 100% shaped my 20’s. I got into Yoga when my anxiety was in it’s early stages. Only because I’d heard great things about it and what it can do for your mental health. But then as soon as I discovered Yoga With Adriene, I was swept away. Yoga practice has become part of my daily life and I literally couldn’t be without it.

Related reads:

• What Yoga With Adriene Means To Me
• Yoga With Adriene Practices For Every Mood

And going hand in hand with spirituality, Law of Attraction and all that good stuff. I’ve developed my relationship with the Universe so much over the last few years and manifestation practice also makes up my daily routine. I’ve seen first hand what the Universe can do for you and I’ll never turn my back on her.

There are 5 things that have shaped my 20’s so far. I’m so excited to see what the next two years bring!