Well it's official, on this day - 16th December 2025 I am 50! This year I decided to be brave and actually acknowledge my birthday, and I'm so glad I did! This morning started well, with kitty cuddles from Beautiful Baby Bean (She's the shy one) and a perfectly ripe avocado for breakfast. So in the spirit of listening to myself I'm embracing this year, here's 50 things I wish I knew when I was younger ...
1. You never feel like a grown-up.
2. Everyone’s winging it.
3. Kindness is everything.
4. You’ll never be good enough for someone who doesn’t already value you.
5. Nobody can save you but yourself.
6. The news is always biased.
7. Disney knows duck-all about love.
8. Perfection is boring.
9. Love is what you do, not just what you say.
10. It’s okay not to know things, so just ask!
11. Owning stuff does not make you happy.
12. Making stuff brings you joy!
13. Fresh herbs are delicious.
14. It’s never too late to change.
15. We’re all weird, and that’s wonderful!
16. Beauty and health are not a size.
17. There’s nothing more rewarding than loving yourself as you are.
18. Respectful people who can keep a secret are the doyens of great sex.
19. The world is unkind to women and minorities, so be kind to each other.
20. Embrace your awkwardness. Then we’re all awkward together, it’s a very large and friendly club!
21. Beware of people who insist they are normal, they’ve buried their weirdness deep for a reason.
22. Nothing fills your heart like being kind.
23. You don’t have to be rich to be generous.
24. The hunger for happiness is an ongoing, don’t stop looking for healthy sources.
25. It is better to be kind than to be right.
26. You need half of your possessions and double your time.
27. You’re not in traffic, you are traffic.
28. Money spent on quality tools is never wasted.
29. You don’t have to be embarrassed about enjoying the things you love.
30. Bias cut dresses will always hang awkwardly.
31. The shoes I really want to buy are not the shoes I will really want to wear.
32. You will disappoint and annoy people. The important ones will forgive you.
33. There is nothing more amazing than people who have suffered great pain and are still kind.
34. Lasagne is the food of the gods!
35. Balsamic vinegar, olive oil and garlic are essentials, not extras.
36. Excellent art is the result of hard work and dedication.
37. Emotionally rewarding art takes courage and curiosity.
38. Profitable art takes financial investment and quite often a ‘How to make a profit from your art’ E-Book.
39. You don’t have to be good at something to enjoy it.
40. By loving our bodies, we teach those around us to love their bodies.
41. We cannot be flawless. It is a waste of your existence to dedicate yourself to this fools errand.
42. Freckles are adorable.
43. The greatest gift is to love someone as their authentic self.
44. You can’t fully know people without being fully known.
45. Saving money is a challenge, a pleasure and a privilege.
46. Trauma is not insurmountable.
47. Friends are the essence of life.
48. There is always time to smell the roses.
49. You can wear whatever you want.
50. And last, but certainly not least : These ARE the good days.
What wisdom would you add? I'd love to hear your thoughts! Emma x
