25 Comments

The small lights remote thingy is a great tip, thanks!

Also: I find that having ageing parents with declining cognition is where you find yourself forced to become a grownup (but I don’t wanaaaaah).

Much more than having kids and finally being mistress of your castle/master of your domain.

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Yes, that's probably true... and probably why I 'grew up' early - perhaps there was nowhere to go after that?!

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You're so right!

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I wish we were neighbours - I think we'd be really good friends. My teenager is displaying a grown-upness that makes me want to stamp my foot and storm off...but then I have to remind myself that I am, in fact, the actual grown-up.

YES to game-changer thin trench and UGH to Matt Hancock GOD he was gross.

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Thanks for this. I didn't know how to vocalize it either.

Also candles. Candles are great.

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Candles, always! Thank you Maya, glad it resonated.

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I've gone for the battery powered candles this year, on timer! They sit on the mantlepiece and come on every evening as it starts to get dark and brings me joy every evening. Plus, I can leave the room and not worry about burning the house down!!

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Yes, I think I might have to go that route too, eventually. I love writing by candlelight.

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Your eyesight is clearly better than mine...! Lovely romantic idea though.

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I love battery powered candles - that reminds me to post about a really beautiful one I have that was inexpensive for what you get, I think...

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I love Jack and Sarah, great cast, very funny. But it's the moment when he's alone with the baby and Simply Red's Stars swells in the background...gets me every time. Perfect choice of song

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I know... I thought the same.

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I laughed out loud at the therapist joke! Another great read. As my unnamed brother said, you never feel completely grown up, but you do finally accept who you are and live with yourself, confident that this is as good as you get!

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I love that lighting system - that looks like it could be life-changing!

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It is not overstating things to say a light system can change your life.

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I have the same picture light and it’s the very best thing I bought last year! Also, thanks for the reminder about Jack and Sarah - will watch it tonight. Love your posts.

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Completely relate about not feeling like a grown up, especially regarding my hair. I really thought I’d have a perfect signature style I could do in my sleep by now, but no still chopping and changing and it’s currently at the horrible growing out of a short bob stage 😭

The connected lights are a game changer ours are also linked to Alexa so, theoretically, you can just ask her to turn them on but she hates me so she always replies “many things share the name lights which one do you want?” We go back and forth like this for a while until another member of my family comes in and says the exact same words and the lights come on - infuriating!

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Alexa! I didn't know you could do it that way. We don't have Alexa in our house but I can understand the temptation a little better now...

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And thanks for the granola link looks amazing!

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Sounds familiar. I felt so grown up in my twenties, and as time went by, the feeling diminished. Positively childish by now, I am focusing on not growing old - by playing, still, still, still. Writing is the ultimate form of playing BTW!

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Yes, playing is the answer.

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Hard relate. I think you would love Oliver Burkeman’s latest ‘Meditations for Mortals’ which is not about meditation but how to embrace the non grown up / imperfect reality and get enjoying it. A real declutter for the mind. X

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Ooh yes - v much like the sound of this. Thank you! xx

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Oh! You are HEAVEN. I feel the same! (Maybe we are neighbours? How do we know not…?)

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I have been contemplating a picture light and now it is a go, for sure! It will add so much to a nice painting I just bought

As for feeling like a grown up, I do believe making a choice to do what is right and knowing your own boundaries is key. And, as I have learned the last few years, stepping out even when it feels uncomfortable or scary. Following your better angels, maybe?

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