Today, I have officially been alive for a quarter of a century. I should be celebrating but instead I’ve been thinking a lot about how I didn’t really get to be twenty-four. I’m sure many of us feel like an entire year of our lives has been snatched from us. So instead of dwelling about the year that never happened, I’ve decided I want to reflect upon all the achievements I have made right up until this point in my life.

Some of them are silly, and just personal bucket list things for myself. But some of them are actually huge achievements that I’m super proud of. I’m sure there’ll be things I’ve missed out, I could barely think back past the last few years. But these are the first things that popped into my head when writing this.

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1. Started a blog, which I am self-hosting.
2. Graduated from university with a First class degree.
3. Moved out of my parents house.
4. Completed a one year study abroad in Cleveland, OH, where I met amazing people and travelled the US.
5. Slowly got over my fears of roller coasters.
6. I’ve learned how to become more independent and confident.
7. Ran the Royal Parks Half Marathon with barely any training (I was a fool, but I finished).
8. Completed ‘Couch to 5K’ even though I’ve always hated running (a whole year after the half marathon).
9. I now have no hesitation in removing toxic people from my life.
10. Got my first full-time job working in Central London.
11. Abseiled from a bridge for charity.
12. Flew on a plane for the first time by myself.
13. Got my drivers license (second time around…. but got there in the end).
14. Joined Slimming World and lost 2 stone, and have continued to keep a healthier lifestyle.
15. Completed music grades for both the guitar and cornet.
16. Saw my first West End show (and being lucky enough to see many more).
17. Saw my first Broadway show (and again, and some more after that).
18. Learning that it’s okay to ask for help.
19. Worked in a busy call centre, despite my anxiety about speaking to strangers on the phone.
20. Won an award and cash prize for a project I did in my final year of university.
21. Went kayaking in the sea with a group of people I didn’t know.
22. Completed a first aid training course for the workplace.
23. Did a helicopter ride over the volcanic island of Montserrat.
24. Won a bake-off at work.
25. Have a supportive network of friends around me. Some who I met through school and university, but most through the wonders of the internet.

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Forever grateful to all the friends and family that got me to this stage in my life. It would be a huge list if I were to name them all, but they know who they are!