Yesterday was an exciting yet equally terrifying day for me: I turned 25! I’m excited to become a proper adult but the idea of being halfway to 50 (as my dad likes to remind me frequently) scares the crap out of me!
Is it about time I acted liked a proper adult or can I still claim to be a twenteen? I’ve always thought I was mature for my age but sometimes I feel like I’m a big kid. Now I’m 25, inside I’m about 85 (especially with my dodgy back!) with a mental age of 5.
I mean, am I allowed to watch kid films still like anything Disney? Is it still acceptable to eat those chocolate Animal biscuits? Can I still keep my old soft toys or do I have to give them away?
The answer is yes, Sian. You like what you like, no matter what your age is. However, this year is really the year that I kick some booty in every aspect of my life. I will be setting myself some goals that I want to achieve later on this week which will mean another personal post!
For now, I wanted to reflect on being 24. In many ways, it was a great age for me. You could say I’ve come of age but I really feel like I have accomplished a lot in the past year. I thought I’d take the time to share those achievements with you all today!
1. I started my Masters degree.
Studying sports journalism is a
dream come true. The idea that I will get to write about something that I love
for a living really helps me to focus on my degree and trying to make it on the
career ladder.
dream come true. The idea that I will get to write about something that I love
for a living really helps me to focus on my degree and trying to make it on the
career ladder.
2. I moved to Sheffield.
In September, I made the move from
Hull and moved into my studio flat. I knew that if I moved into shared
accommodation with strangers, I’d want to go home (I need my own clean and tidy
space) so living in brand new, student accommodation was the way for me.
Hull and moved into my studio flat. I knew that if I moved into shared
accommodation with strangers, I’d want to go home (I need my own clean and tidy
space) so living in brand new, student accommodation was the way for me.
3. I finally left my Post Office job after 3+ years.
I loved
the job and the people there but there was no chance of full-time work or any
sort of promotion in branch so it was time for me to leave. I initially moved
to a Post Office in Sheffield but on a zero-hour contract which was no good
when I needed a consistent income for rent!
the job and the people there but there was no chance of full-time work or any
sort of promotion in branch so it was time for me to leave. I initially moved
to a Post Office in Sheffield but on a zero-hour contract which was no good
when I needed a consistent income for rent!
4. I started a new job at Laura Ashley.
I finally found a new
job in November and have enjoyed my time there so far. For a retail job, there
is a lot to learn as I cover both fashion and homeware but it seems to be going
well!
job in November and have enjoyed my time there so far. For a retail job, there
is a lot to learn as I cover both fashion and homeware but it seems to be going
well!
5. I started a bunch of new writing gigs.
In 2017, I’ve joined
Nothing But League, Rugby League TV, The Growing Up Guide and #HallamInsiders.
It’s just a matter of trying to balance them all now alongside my blog and
retail job!
Nothing But League, Rugby League TV, The Growing Up Guide and #HallamInsiders.
It’s just a matter of trying to balance them all now alongside my blog and
retail job!
6. I have met some incredible people since moving.
Hollie,
Daniel and Brooke have become my besties! I feel like I’ve known them years yet it’s only been 4 months!
Daniel and Brooke have become my besties! I feel like I’ve known them years yet it’s only been 4 months!
7. I attended my first ever blogging events, three in fact!
It
started off with the Meadowhall student night, followed by the incredible Bloggers
Blog Awards in Leeds as well as a night at The Botanist here in Sheffield.
started off with the Meadowhall student night, followed by the incredible Bloggers
Blog Awards in Leeds as well as a night at The Botanist here in Sheffield.
8. I got rid of some toxic friends.
I knew moving to another
city would mean less contact with people back home but when you make an effort
to catch up and they don’t, you know it’s time to say goodbye!
city would mean less contact with people back home but when you make an effort
to catch up and they don’t, you know it’s time to say goodbye!
9. I got better at saving.
Because I only applied for my
masters in July, I had very little time to save up to move out. After selling
my car, I made sure that money went into an ISA and have been saving small
amounts since.
masters in July, I had very little time to save up to move out. After selling
my car, I made sure that money went into an ISA and have been saving small
amounts since.
10. I learned how to budget.
Moving out meant being solely in
charge of my money. At home, I didn’t have to pay board or pay any bills (other
than a food shop, my phone contract and my gym membership). When I moved out, I
had to make sure that my income was being used wisely to go towards rent, food
shopping as well as treating myself to new make-up!
charge of my money. At home, I didn’t have to pay board or pay any bills (other
than a food shop, my phone contract and my gym membership). When I moved out, I
had to make sure that my income was being used wisely to go towards rent, food
shopping as well as treating myself to new make-up!
11. I went on several solo staycations.
I love travelling around
the UK and finding new places to go. In 2017, I crossed Newcastle, Birmingham,
Nottingham and the Peak District off my bucket list and even went to Birmingham
twice! There are so many amazing sights in the UK so I’ve still got a long way
to go!
the UK and finding new places to go. In 2017, I crossed Newcastle, Birmingham,
Nottingham and the Peak District off my bucket list and even went to Birmingham
twice! There are so many amazing sights in the UK so I’ve still got a long way
to go!
12. I bought my own blog domain.
I’ve been blogging on and off
for around 5 years and have been blogging a little more consistently on The
English Everygirl for over three years. I thought it was about time that I took
the next step and bought my own domain! Since then, I have noticed a difference
in terms of interaction and numbers!
for around 5 years and have been blogging a little more consistently on The
English Everygirl for over three years. I thought it was about time that I took
the next step and bought my own domain! Since then, I have noticed a difference
in terms of interaction and numbers!
13. I started a media placement with the RFL.
It’s a huge dream
of mine to work in rugby league media and this is a great opportunity for me. I
will get to report on university games and hopefully this will lead to a job in
the industry somehow!
of mine to work in rugby league media and this is a great opportunity for me. I
will get to report on university games and hopefully this will lead to a job in
the industry somehow!
14. I saw Lady Antebellum live.
I’ve fallen out of love with
music in the past couple of years but country music is still my favourite
genre. I’ve been a fan of Lady A for quite some time and it was such a
incredible evening seeing them live! I went along to Birmingham and had the
best night with strangers singing along!
music in the past couple of years but country music is still my favourite
genre. I’ve been a fan of Lady A for quite some time and it was such a
incredible evening seeing them live! I went along to Birmingham and had the
best night with strangers singing along!
15. I formed a closer relationship with my dad.
If you don’t
know, my dad is my best friend. However, as I’ve got older, I’ve really started
to appreciate him and form a friendship with him. We have similar interests and
personalities and he’s the first person I go to when I need advice or have news
or gossip!
know, my dad is my best friend. However, as I’ve got older, I’ve really started
to appreciate him and form a friendship with him. We have similar interests and
personalities and he’s the first person I go to when I need advice or have news
or gossip!
16. I became more comfortable in my own skin.
The older I get,
the more self-confidence I get. I still get nervous in new settings but I’ve
definitely developed a more care-free attitude over the years. I know there’s
more to me than what’s on the outside.
the more self-confidence I get. I still get nervous in new settings but I’ve
definitely developed a more care-free attitude over the years. I know there’s
more to me than what’s on the outside.
17. I embraced the single life.
I’ve been single for a couple of
years now and I’m in no rush to change that any time soon. Yes, I’ve dated guys
in that time but none were worthy of my time in the long run! Now, I can focus
on myself and what I want without having to explain my every move to someone!
years now and I’m in no rush to change that any time soon. Yes, I’ve dated guys
in that time but none were worthy of my time in the long run! Now, I can focus
on myself and what I want without having to explain my every move to someone!
18. I re-discovered my love of musicals.
I’ve always been a fan
but since our theatre shut, I realised how much I missed watching them! I’ve
made it my mission to watch as many as I can over the next year or so!
but since our theatre shut, I realised how much I missed watching them! I’ve
made it my mission to watch as many as I can over the next year or so!
19. I got my first sponsored blog post.
I also worked with a bunch of
brands and PR companies. It’s been a great year for my blog. Although my
posting has been inconsistent, my blog has really grown in terms of numbers and
content!
brands and PR companies. It’s been a great year for my blog. Although my
posting has been inconsistent, my blog has really grown in terms of numbers and
content!
20. I learned new skills.
In the past year, I’ve learnt the basics of InDesign, Photoshop and some photography tips. I know I have improvements to make and more to learn but these are incredibly useful skills for me in my career and for my blog!
21. My rugby team, Hull FC, won the Challenge Cup again.
As a
massive sports fan, there’s nothing better than your home club winning a
trophy. Rugby league is a minority sport but it’s my biggest love!
massive sports fan, there’s nothing better than your home club winning a
trophy. Rugby league is a minority sport but it’s my biggest love!
22. I went cruelty-free with my beauty products.
With my eczema,
it’s not been the easiest transition but all my make-up, skincare and haircare
are all cruelty-free. I adore Superdrug’s wide range of products (their own
brand and many make-up brands they sell are CF!).
it’s not been the easiest transition but all my make-up, skincare and haircare
are all cruelty-free. I adore Superdrug’s wide range of products (their own
brand and many make-up brands they sell are CF!).
23. I celebrated three years of The English Everygirl.
My blog
has come such a long way since the beginning and it has such a long way to go
too! I’ve been blogging for longer than that but this is the first time that it’s
truly stuck for me!
has come such a long way since the beginning and it has such a long way to go
too! I’ve been blogging for longer than that but this is the first time that it’s
truly stuck for me!
24. I got a whole week to celebrate my 25th birthday!
I decided to book the entire week off work so I could celebrate at home and see
family and friends that I’ve not seen since moving to Sheffield. It was truly an
amazing week so I’m a little sad to be back in Sheffield today!
family and friends that I’ve not seen since moving to Sheffield. It was truly an
amazing week so I’m a little sad to be back in Sheffield today!
Here’s hoping that 25 will be a great age for me! I’m really proud of how far I’ve come this year but I’m really hoping this year will be even better!
What has been your highlight of the past year? Let me know in a comment below!
