“Yesterday’s dreams are todays realities.”

Therefore;

“Tomorrow’s hopes are todays call to action.”

As i dawn on my last few moments in my twenties, I’m met with reflection of what truly was, a decade full of moments to be thankful for.

10 years ago i was building my first home, i was taking over my first restaurant, i was in a loving relationship, and it was also around the time i came out to my family.

I was young, happy, and liberated.

During the last decade many circumstances have changed. Ex home owner, Ex business man, Ex fiancé, in fact one of the few things that are still standing is my family.

Whilst many of us who have ever felt ‘outcast’ or like the ‘black sheep’ of our family, surround ourselves with good solid friendships and live by a statement that “we get to choose our family”.

At one point sure, i did, i left the state to follow a dream, and had little to no regard to my family at the time.

But life certainly has a way of opening your eyes, just when you think you’ve got it all figured out.

The lessons that came at the later stage of my twenties were the repercussions of my youth.

I realised that family is important. When my world crumbled just over 3 years ago, and i had nothing left, THEY were who i turned to. THEY were the ones to lift me back up and bring me back into the light. THEY were the ones who gave me an opportunity to return home, reinvent my life, to become someone I’m proud of once again. THEY enabled me, to be me. A chance not everyone gets.

Another strong lesson in this decade was to understand that not everyone needs to be in your life. And that sometimes, letting people go to lead their own lives, can liberate you from the ties that bind. Whilst we may not understand why they no longer fit in our lives, it’s important to be true to yourself and ultimately put you first. At the end of the day, no one can look after you, the way you can.

Lastly, Self love resonated deeply this year. Whilst I have put myself out there on the dating scene, and questioned many things about why it didn’t/couldn’t work with someone, nothing comes close to the strength you develop when you start to recognise your own self worth.

“I matter, and i love me”

Now say it with me.

This is not a conceited statement. This is the most important token i take with me as i enter my thirties. One that i will vow never to forget.

I’ve taken to many facades to try and own this statement, be it fitness, dieting, sharing creative outlets with the world, but none of those matter when you are content and own who you are.

I am many things, but i am no push over. Being there for others, and taking on other people’s challenges doesn’t mean you are avoiding your own issues. It means you are strong enough to carry both yours and others’.

So what am i getting at?

I’m bloody proud of who I have become. And even more proud of the journey i am on with myself.

Like me, You Matter, and if you keep yourself as Priority Number One, nothing, and no one will ever steal the internal happiness you have created.

Own You!

Anyway, apparently it’s past my bedtime at this age, so hand me the wine, it’s time to rest out the wrinkles 😉