A letter to my Twenty-something Self

Hey Twenty-something Mollie,

We're thirty now (I know, yikes), and I want to let you know what to expect from the weird and wonderful world that is Your Twenties.

People on the other side of this decade might tell you to ENJOY YOUR TWENTIES, BEST YEARS OF YOUR LIFE!!! And for a while, you'll buy into the narrative that your twenties should be just that: "The Golden Years", but be warned, this will come with a (un)healthy dose of imposter-syndrome, comparison and self-doubt.

Because up until this point, almost everyone your age has been following the exact same timeline: school, sixth form, uni, graduate. There's always been a next step, a clear idea of what you're supposed to be doing, and even if it's hard at least you're all in it together, right?

But now you're a dance college graduate, out in the big wide world with nobody telling you what to do, and you'll soon realise that everyone's just figuring it out at their own pace. (You'll also come to the shocking realisation that your twenties aren't like an episode of Friends, where you can live with your mates forever, see them every day and somehow afford a massive apartment without ever seemingly going to work. Gutting.)

Rest assured, Twenty-something Mollie, once the imposter-syndrome passes, the comparison turns to inspiration, and the self-doubt becomes self-acceptance, you'll learn it's actually SO cool that everyone's on their own path. And heads up: Yours is going to be full of highs, lows and plenty of detours, but don't forget to stop and take it all in - There are some special moments you won't want to miss.

I'll see you there,

Love,

One-week-into-her-thirties-Mollie-who-seems-to-think-she-is-a-wise-old-owl-now-just-because-her-age-starts-with-a-three xxx

---

See below for the highs, lows, detours, special moments etc (I'll leave you to decide which is which) ⬇️

You'll put down old dreams, you'll pick up new ones.

You'll build up a business teaching Pilates and helping people move their body and feel good in their mind and even to this day it's the best thing you've ever done (still doing it by the way!!)

You'll run two half marathons races (and two more in your spare time because we do that kind of thing for fun now... I know. Odd.)

You'll fall in love and get married to the boy you had a crush on when you were little (no, not Zac Efron).

One Direction aren't coming back from their hiatus, sorry.

Some friends will leave, the best ones will stay (they'll even be by your side on your wedding day!!!) They'll start to have have kids, buy houses, change careers, get married, leave relationships, move countries, but no matter what changes, your female friendships are still the most precious thing in your life!

You'll experience grief and heartache that comes and goes like a wave.

You'll sit two metres apart from your best friend on a park bench the night of the first Covid lockdown, and say "see you in a couple of weeks I guess" not knowing a global pandemic will take several years from 'The Best Years of our Lives', and you both still talk about that moment over pink wine on Friday nights.

You'll try to shrink yourself, then learn to love yourself.

Therapy will be the best investment you ever make and you'll be braver than you ever imagined you could be.

After years of misuse, you'll finally learn the right way to use the word approximately.

You'll experience the wonderful world of two-day-hangovers, and you'll eventually realise drinking is literally never worth it.

This won't stop you dancing in the kitchen and hosting legendary NYE parties in your perfect little flat that becomes a yearly tradition among friends.

It will seem like everyone and their dog is getting botox, but your fine lines are proof of how you've laughed and felt your way through your twenties and you won't want to erase that. But surprise!!!!! You still get spots :)

Family is always the most important thing. Call your Mum!!!

Faith will quietly knock on your door, just enough for you to crack it open and explore it for the first time as your adult-self and bring a peace you didn't know possible.

You'll move to Australia!!!!!!!

You'll spend a lot of this decade trying on different versions of yourself, like a jacket that feels comfy in the moment, only to shed it and switch it up when the next season rolls around. Eventually you'll land on a version of you that feels so authentic, you won't take that jacket off for anybody or any season.

You'll start over again, and again, and again, and again, and again.

You'll win, lose, try, fail, learn and grow into your thirty year old self, and so far... so good!!