26 things I have learnt in 26 years on earth.
Letting go of perfectionism, cliché sayings and knowing that it's okay to say no, just a few of the 26 life lessons going into another year on earth.
Good Morning and a Happy Easter to you all! I hope you have had a wonderful long weekend with your loved ones and enjoyed some of the sunshine that we were thankfully blessed with, I mean it’s about time! I wonder how many conversations I will have with neighbours, the postman and supermarket cashiers about the weather this week…oh how British!
Today marks the start of April. A brand new month full of opportunities, new life, growth and memories. April has always been one of my favourite months, spring truly comes into its own, the nights are longer, the trees start to blossom into life and everyone just has a little more spring in their step, pardon the pun…oh, and it is my birth month so I guess that too haha!
This week in fact, I will be celebrating 26 years on this earth. It feels ridiculous to even be writing that. It honestly feels like yesterday that I was a 16 year old girl, soon to be 17, feeling so grown up and ‘adult’ we really have no idea. I wonder if I spoke to 16 year old me and told her about her life over the last decade, the things that have happened, the good and the bad, the ups and downs, the tears, the laughter, the accomplishments and the changes, what she would think.
Sometimes you think you have life all planned out, you know exactly what the next 2, 5, 10 years will look like. But we really don’t ever know for sure. To commemorate my upcoming birthday I wanted to share 26 things I have learnt in 26 years on earth.
When you think someone might be the problem, look at yourself.
You will never be able to change someone, but you can change how you perceive someone’s actions.
Find the things in life that make you truly happy and do more of them.
Don’t save anything till best. Wear your best perfume. Burn your expensive candle.
Little and often applies to all aspects of life: cleaning, organising, working out, checking in with friends.
There will always be a positive or a lesson from anything you might encounter.
Understanding what triggers you is the easy part, tackling how to overcome them is the hard work.
Avoid going to bed with a messy kitchen it always feels worse in the morning.
Apply the ‘one touch*’ rule to your life and it will be so much easier.
Having friends for different things creates healthy friendships.
Don’t live for the weekend, live for the moment you are in right now.
Embrace your emotions, ride the wave of feelings rather than masking them.
Sometimes you may have to accept something for what it is, and just move on.
Society thinks we need to be a certain way, to fulfil the ‘steps of life’ but your life is your own to create and fill with whatever brings you joy. One person may wish for marriage and family, one may wish for island living, the other may dream of climbing the corporate ladder to the top. We are all individual.
Age is really just a number. If you want to act young act young. If you want to act old then act old.
Your life really is based entirely in your mind. No amount of wealth or success will enrich your life if your mental health is neglected.
Cliché but a problem shared realllly is a problem halved. Talking is good for your mind!
There is no right time for something to happen, but it will all be right once it’s happened.
Save over spend.
You don’t need to be doing more, buying more, earning more, travelling more.
Always double cleanse at night, even if you are literally falling asleep.
Quality over quantity applies to everything.
It’s okay to say no. Get used to saying no without feeling guilty.
Remove judgement and always be kind, you will never know what someone else is going through.
Notice the little things. The way the light comes through the windows in the morning, the smell of the air when it rains, architecture in the bustling city…
The opinions of other’s will only define you if you let them.
Ceiling Lamp, Sandro Dress, Waistcoat*, Super Glow Hydrate Mask*, Armani Blush*, Camille Alexandra, Sun Hat*
INTENTIONS FOR THIS WEEK
Let go of perfectionism and go with the flow. Often when it comes to trips or weekends away I will be ridiculously prepared, lists, itinerary’s, bookings… but this week I am letting go. What will be will be, sometimes it’s nice to just wake up and decide what to do with your day there and then.
Date myself. Take myself on a solo date in the city, I love spending time on my own but it’s rare I go out and do things that I love on my own now. I’ve booked a nail appointment somewhere new and I have an afternoon of store browsing and lunch as a pre birthday treat to me.
USING
The Phillips Hue App - One of my life’s little luxuries is being able to operate your lamps from your phone. The Phillips Hue bulbs can be turned on / off / dimmed and even change colours. You can set timers for when they come on and off too! Definitely not a necessity but it is a lovely touch and adds to the atmosphere of our home.
READING
I love this quote that I saw this week. Such a wonderful reminder.
WATCHING
Something’s Gotta Give - A new movie that I cannot understand why I have only just watched this now! Wow. Every single element of this movie had me in a trance. Absolutely love! 10/10
MAKING
Smoothies! I have been craving hydrating smoothies that are packed with goodness. My current favourite is 1 banana, 1 pear, a big handful of spinach, ice & water. Delicious.
I hope you have a lovely week ahead I will catch up with you all in the chat soon!
Lots of love, L x
COMING UP THIS WEEK…
A wholesome vlog is coming on Thursday, prepping for Easter weekend and updating you on house projects. We are heading on a staycation to the New Forest and I will of course be vlogging but follow along in real time over on Instagram.
CURRENT DISCOUNT CODES
LAURENGRACE - For 15% off at Current Body
LAUREN15 - For 15% off at Alterme Home
*one touch rule: when you need to put something away, move something to another room, do it immediately. For example: I often take my coat off and leave it on the stairs (for days) but I could just put it straight in the cupboard.
Items marked with * are affiliate links meaning I earn a small commission if you shop through this link.
Hi Lauren, and fellow followers! What a lovely way to wake up again with your newsletter. Came back now to properly reply! So many of your list I recognise and wish I already realised/implemented many years ago - some I have but most I would love to improve on or even start with myself. Do you have any birthday gift wishes in particular for this year?
Loved the plants you bought a couple of days ago - the ones you posted in your IG stories btw. Cannot wait to see how your garden will take shape throughout the seasons now that you have gotten around to spend more time on it with the weather improving & your house being “done” (is a home ever done though? 😉 I mean I always need a good excuse for new ceramics, lamps, cushions, frames etc right?)
I LOVE THE MOVIE TOO! Haha. Such a good one. I wanted to ask the comment section: Which (feel-)good movies/series would you recommend? I’m in such a TV rut. I love 90s/00s romcoms but also many new stuff. Some of my favourites are:
- While you were sleeping
- You’ve Got Mail
- Pride & Prejudice
- All Creatures Great and Small
- Escape to the Country
- Call the Midwife
- The Durrells (the series Lauren mentioned in last weeks newsletter!)
- Return to me
- Gilmore Girls
- The Holiday
- The Parent Trap
- Two Weeks Notice
Lauren, firstly, Happy Birthday week 🥳🥂, hope you have the most gorgeous celebrations.
A lovely read, these are so nice to have, to start the week. Really enjoyed your “26 things you’ve learnt in 26 years”, some great things to think about and plenty I’d like to put into practice, im guilty of saving things for best and you’re right, enjoying them now, is so important” Thank you for sharing! ❤️X