It’s October 15th and I am taking a one-day break in the Shattering Stigmas event today to write down something a bit more personal because… well, I guess I deserve to be a tiny bit selfish today, because if not today, when.
I’m turning 25 years old today.
By the way, yes hello this is Marie again, back on her own blog, I hope you haven’t forgotten me by now?! Feel free to please check out the Shattering Stigmas blog posts too, while you’re here, because the event is important and I have amazing posts lined up until October 20th!
It feels really strange to write this down, I’m not sure why. 25 is a strange age. When people around me are already married and with kids, other moving in with their special someone, at their dream job, just rocking life and traveling the world all the time, I’m just… well, just here, I guess. Then again, what I’m writing down here is just what social media is telling me, and most likely, most people at 25 are feeling the exact same way that I am right now, just… here, I guess and trying to get through adulting day by day.
Since it’s my birthday, I thought I would try and celebrate with something different this year. Last year, I managed to reunite life’s happenings in my 23rd years and talk about that and I just really liked it, I guess, I’m taking that inspiration again. So…. I can feel that it’s going to be a struggle, finding
25 things that happened this year, but…. let’s do this.
- I visited Heidelberg (Germany) for the first time and it was a lovely, adorable city.
- I celebrated 3 years of blogging – 4 years this November and, besides reading, I can safely say it’s my longest hobby ever.
- I went to Paris (France) with my sister and had a great time, as always.
- This is also where I went to my first big book fair and met V. E. Schwab, Sarah Dessen and Marissa Meyer. My first author meeting!!! I also said thank you way too much??? (Full story here!!)
- I went back to Lille (France) and ate gorgeously looking Swedish food.
- I read A LOT of books and I’m lazy to count them all right now.
- I also drank a whole lot of tea, as always. I’m made up of 99% tea, okay.
- I went to Strasbourg (France) and I always love to. It’s such a beautiful city.
- I went to Berlin for the first time and it was beautiful. Even if, no, I can’t speak German. I wish I could.
- I tried to get back to writing my WIP and well…. let’s just say I’m a failure.
- I went to Scotland for the first time and this is the place where stories are made of. I just loved it so, so very much.
- I kind of had an ups-and-downs year, mental health wise. Maybe I’ll share more of that in my actual Shattering Stigmas posts, though, so…. wait for it. Or not. I don’t know.
- I actually received one of my most anticipated books of ever from a massive publisher. (Here’s my full story).
- I’ve been told that I did a good job at my current job. So, even if I’m not entirely happy at it, at least I’m okay doing it?
- I might have ordered too many books. I also regret nothing.
- I took the train way more times to actually give a full count. Also let me take this time to state that I really have a very, very, very profound hatred for the French public transportation.
- People disappointed me. I also disappointed myself. But I’m a work in progress.
- I’ve become more active on Twitter and I’ve been loving it. But also it makes me procrastinate more and well, oops.
- I started watching Gilmore Girls and I’m just OBSESSED okay.
- I sent letters, gifts, comments, tweets, to both people I admire and dear friends and I realize how much I love that sweet and positive and happy, sharing and caring part of me.
- I grew closer to some blogging friends and I’m forever grateful to have them.
- I worried too much about what people think. Still do.
- I celebrated two entire years at my current job.
- That’s also the day I fell down and broke my right foot (that was October 1st). If that’s a message from the universe, it was well-done. (Yes. As I’m writing this my foot is broken. Keep your fingers crossed for me and prayers, please).
- I felt happy, sad, anxious, disappointed, excited, in love. Life’s a rollercoaster I guess.
I just feel like I’m supposed to
have done more in 25 years. Or maybe less? I don’t know, I’m always feeling like I should be proud or disappointed in myself on my birthday, but…. let’s face it, I’m just going to say that I’ve made it another full year and that’s something.
So I’m 25 now. I feel old, I feel young, I feel, I don’t know. There are still so many
things I want to do in the upcoming year, like…
- I want – strike that, I NEED to go back to London. Hopefully soon.
- I want to stop caring about what the hell people think. Please someone teach me.
- I want to write and finish – well, as finished as it can be, obviously – that damn WIP I’ve been working on and off for over 3 damn years now.
- I want to travel. As much as possible. I just feel so alive when I’m exploring a new place, map in hand and surrounded by the loves of my life.
- I want to keep on being positive with others… and with myself. As much as I can, despite everything else and my worried mind.
- I want to feel like I’m doing and being enough. That’s all, I guess?!
I hope you enjoyed reading this post – I can tell you, it feels good to always write things all down like that! I’d love to hear from you too though!
Do you like reading these kind of personal posts, or not? Feel free to let me know!
When is your birthday? Do you like Gilmore Girls?? (Please someone obsess with me about it?) What are some things you wish to accomplish, soonish? Let me know in comments!
I hope you’ll all have a brilliant day, xx
Happy birthday, Marie! May your wishes be granted and may you be blessed with many more birthdays, books, and lovely trips to where your heart desires. ?
Bianca, thank you so, so, SO much for your sweet words, this means so much! <3 <3
Marie!! I hope you’re having the happiest of birthdays, and I’m sending you all the warmest thoughts and all the love in the universe! <3
I loved reading this post so much, and I hope your feet are all right (or as all right as can be), and more importantly, that you're not struggling with your mental health too much. You deserve all the best and all the happiness, and I consider myself so incredibly lucky to have met you, and to call you my friend.
I'm so happy you got to travel a lot, and meet V.E. Schwab!! (aaahhh!!) & that you received Broken Things by one of your favorite authors (and loved it), because you deserve it so, so much. <3
Happy 25th again, and here's to many more! I hope you have an absolutely beautiful and fantastic day! <3
Lily! ❤ Thank you again for all of your sweet words and love, it means so much to me, you’re one of the sweetest people out there and I am so grateful to have met you thanks to blogging! ❤ Thank you so much!!
I feel like we’ve been overloading on sap for a while haha but I feel the same way! I’m so incredibly thankful for you, and your friendship. ❤️❤️❤️
Awww. Well I’m all for sap hahaha <3
Happy Birthday! I really loved reading more about you. I hope that your 25th year is the best yet!
Aw thank you Kristin, and I’m so glad you enjoyed reading this!! 😀
I love posts like this! I think you accomplished quite a lot during this year! It’s hard to look at others and think, well, should I be doing more? No! As long as you’re happy with everything you’re doing. If you want to make a change, make a change! But not because of what everyone else is doing, just for yourself. I would love to travel more, too!
P.S. Happy birthday!!! I’m such a dolt.
Ahah you’re not at all! THANK YOU so much!! ❤
Aww thank you Angela, I’m so happy you enjoyed reading this! <3 I completely agree with you – I just tend to play the comparison game a bit too often, but I really like your way of thinking about this. I really need to write that down and plaster it all over my walls, not to forget about it or something haha. Thank you!! 🙂
Happy birthday, love!!! <3
It's time to annoy you with cheesy messages everywhere because it's a Marie day and you deserve all the attention, little marshmallow! I was so excited to read your post, I love your personal posts so much and I'm here to tell you that you're doing enough, you're an absolute star in everything you're doing! I know that you're struggling sometimes with things and that not everything is easy and happy, but aren't we all? You're so much more accomplished than you think and you have a bigger impact than you could imagine.
You've been blogging for (almost) 4 years now and during this period you've been spreading the love and made people happy with your words. Besides that, you're working and travelling and reading and being a ray of sunlight in this awful world, I'm so thankful for you! <3
I love you so much, I think I've learnt a lot from you this past year and I'm so grateful that you're my friend and such a huge support. You're the absolute best!
P.S. you can't marry right now because I'm still a broke student and I need to be attending (if you invite me, ofc) *hides away*
MARTA. I really feel like you had a master plan or something to make me cry everywhere (happily!!) yesterday and even today as I’m only now getting through my comments. THANK YOU for your sweet words, ahh, I really don’t deserve you, thank you ❤❤❤
I’m also really happy you enjoy these kind of posts, writing personal things isn’t my favorite thing, because it always makes me nervous ahah, I am glad you liked reading it ❤
THANK YOU SO MUCH for everything!! And… don’t you worry, if/when I marry, you’ll be on the guest list for suuuuuuuure 😛 ❤❤
OMG, that’s so cool
Happy Birthday Marie <3
Aw thank you so much! <3
This is such a beautifully written post, Marie. Happy birthday and I hope this upcoming year treats you well ??
Thank you so so, so much Fadwa, this means a lot!! <3 <3 <3
Happy Birthday, Marie! 😀 I hope you have an amazing day. <3
Thank you Ashley, you’re too sweet <3 <3
Happy Birthday. And here’s a little secret… no matter what your age it always feels like you should have done more. Relax and enjoy your day.
Thank you so much! and thank you for saying that, it makes me feel a bit better for sure 😀
HAPPY BIRTHDAY MARIE ?? Words can’t even describe how grateful I am for your friendship! I’m so proud of all the things you’ve accomplished this year and in 25 years. Please note that I am also adding some of these things to my bucket list. Everything does seem like a roller coaster with staying at work for 2 years and meeting wonderful authors to all the books! You definitely are always a positive role model and light in the blogging community, so don’t forget to shine some of that light on yourself <3
I definitely love reading these personal posts!! (Do more 😀 ) and I love Gilmore Girls so much too!! Rory has been my role model for reading and school and many many things?? I got my mom to watch a couple episodes with me, and she likes to think she's as hip as Lorelai (she's not but I appreciate the thought and love). I love the family dynamics and the more classic vibe of the entire show. I definitely don't understand many cultural references, but it's still a great show ^_ ^
Happy Birthday again & sending you much love!!
Oh Tiffany thank you so much for your sweet and positive words, it makes me so, so happy ❤❤
I’m not promising anything, though I will try to do some more personal posts… I’m just always so nervous to write them down haha, but I’ll do my very best 😀
YES ah I’m SO happy you love this show as well! I just love Rory/Lorelai’s dynamic SO much, they’re my favorites. and Rory is definitely a role model too, I love her. and Paris! She makes me laugh haha, I love her too. I love everyoneeeee and this show ahh ❤
Thank you so much again!! ❤❤
HAPPY 25, LOVE!
I remember this birthday made me nervous. Some people were en route to great careers, had kids and a house, and I was still at uni, I was sick and had no plans whatsoever. I think it’s a big milestone. I love you, I am proud of you, and I love this post!
I want – strike that, I NEED to go back to London. Hopefully soon.
I want to stop caring about what the hell people think. Please someone teach me.
I want to feel like I’m doing and being enough. That’s all, I guess?! =>>> I AM WITH YOU ON THIS! We should go to London together with your sister!!!
Thank you so much my sweechie! I’m glad I’m not alone in that feeling – but it also makes me happy to hear you saying that, in a way. Because just a couple years later you’re SLAYING and just such a wonderful role model and doing SO many incredible things. Makes me hopeful to follow your path 😀 ❤
YES AND YES OH MY GOD HOW AMAZING WOULD THAT BE. It would be a dream! Definitely need to think about it ahah. I need to go back soon. I miss it too much ❤
Thank you SO much!! ❤❤
Aw darling <3 You are wonderful and strong, your path is bright ahead of you!
Me too!! I miss the buzz of the city!!!!! xxxx
Thank you my sweechie, you’re too sweet! <3 <3
OMG Happy Birthday! I hope you have an amazing day love. I promise you that you’re definitely not the only one who feels like they’re just ….there? I’m definitely with you on that one! I can’t wait to hear about all the amazing things you do to celebrate you quarter of a century birthday! xxx
Melina | http://www.melinaelisa.com
Oh Melina thank you so much!! ❤ I’m glad I’m not alone with that feeling, but I do hope it will go away soon, too, ahah 🙂 Thank you!! ❤
Happy birthday, Marie! I totally feel the whole being good at your job but not being entirely happy at the job thing. I also turned 25 recently and I am hoping it’s an age thing/being relatively new-ish to the working world thing? I think people expect that at 25 we’re going to know what we want to do and have jobs that we’re all super passionate about, but I think in reality we’re still figuring out what we want out of life at this age.
It sounds like you’ve had an interesting year and I hope 25 brings you more exciting things <3 <3
Thank you so much Mel!! ❤
I really think that’s it – maybe it’s my own self putting too much expectations on myself (that wouldn’t surprise me), but I feel like I’m supposed to have it all together now, when I’m just… well, like you said, still figuring things out and adulting and how that all works haha 🙂 I hope it’s an age thing, and at least we’re in this together 🙂 ❤
Thank you so much! ❤
I definitely felt the same way when I turned 25 (three years ago now). And I still do. But you’re right on focusing on the positive things and what you accomplished. It took me a little while to figure that one out.
All the best and Happy Birthday! 🙂
Thank you so much!! Oh that’s good to hear – and yes, I guess focusing on the positives is the best thing to do 🙂
Thank you Nicole!! ❤
I kind of love knowing more about the bloggers I follow, so yeah, this post was super fun to read!
My birthday is March 13th and I’m actually visiting Berlin next year right after my birthday! What did you think of the city? I kind need some recommendations of places to visit.
I LOVE Gilmore Girls! Sometimes they get a little bit on my nerves (there’s this underlying sense of fat-shaming sometimes and they’re both annoying sometimes) but it’s a show that I watched a lot growing up <3
Oh thank you so much Catarina! And I’m so happy you enjoyed reading this post ❤
AHH that’s wonderful, I hope you’ll have an incredible time there! I actually wrote a blog post about my time in Berlin, where I mentioned my thoughts and what I visited, too, if you’d like to check it out: https://drizzleandhurricanebooks.com/2018/06/17/travel-diaries-a-couple-days-in-berlin-germany/ 😀 and if you need any more detail or info, just let me know! ❤
Ahah I get that – they are a bit annoying at times but honestly, I just love their mother-daughter dynamic SO much haha ❤
Thank you!! ❤
HAPPY BIRTHDAY! I think you’re rocking your life as you do you. Too bad your foot is hurt though! I hope you get better soon!.
Your goals are GOALS and they’re beautiful and I know you’ll achieve them. I’m at the very same place with my own WIP. I just finished planning the whole thing I now I just have to finish it since I’ve been working on it for almost 3 years as well! Time to get to work!
And personal posts are always great! We’re all a curious bunch.
Oh Pam thank you so much, and thank you for the well wishes, that means a lot ❤
Oh yay that’s very exciting! I hope you will be able to finish it soon ( and hopefully that I will get to read it soonish too, I’m excited about your projects!! )
Thank you so much!! ❤
Looks like you had a nice ride of life this year! Happy Birthday, Marie! I turned 30 yesterday! Lot has changed in life than what I have planned and I still feel I haven’t done anything in life really.I guess that feeling never go away. For now I’m focusing on my health and eagerly waiting for baby arriving next month.
Thank you so much!! ❤
Ohhhh that’s SO exciting!! Focusing on your health is so important and I’m sending you all the best wishes for the exciting times to come in your life! ❤
Thank you, Marie! <3
Happy Birthday! Hope you have a wonderful day <3
Love your list 🙂 Really cool things!
Aww thank you so much Norrie!! ❤
Happy Birthday Marie! 😀 ❤️ ❤️ I hope you’ve had an amazing day filled with books and presents and bookish presents! 🙂 God that sucks about your broken feet though, hopefully your resting them and I’ll be sending plenty of positive thoughts your way for sure. 🙂
It sounds like you’ve had a busy year. I love how much travelling you’ve been doing, because obviously alongside reading travelling is a must for a well balanced life right? I’m sorry to hear your job isn’t the best fit for you, I’ve been there myself a few years back and it does get better. Soon you’ll find something which fits and which you love too I’m sure. 🙂
I’ll wish you luck with your goals for the next year as well. It would be amazing if you came back to London (maybe you could time it with YALC!) and I need to know now to care less about what people think of me too, so let me know if someone has an answer for you on that point. 😀
Great post, and again happy birthday! 🙂 ❤️
Thank you so much Beth and thank you for the well wishes!! ❤❤
YES exactly, I’m just way too sad when I’m not travelling – I won’t be travelling soon with my broken foot situation and I am just SO MAD about it haha.
AND YES BETH that’s exactly my plan. I want to come for YALC hopefully!! ❤
Thank you so, so much!! ❤❤
That’s all right, and god that makes it even worse right? Well hopefully once your foot has healed it will make your next holiday all the more special right?
Yay, it’d be amazing if you made it for YALC.
That’s all right. 🙂 <3
Yes, let’s hope so, fingers crossed! 😀
Happy Birthday, Marie! I hope you have a great day. My birthday is May 30 and I turned 28 and I definitely feel like I should have done way more by this age, especially looking at most people in my life who are around my age. But I’m mostly happy, so I have to be okay with where I’m at. My mental health is going fairly well, though I do have bad days/bad thoughts. I want to go back to London too, and just travel more in general. I want to finish my OWN WIP…It’s been awhile since I’ve really had a routine of writing.
-Lauren
http://www.shootingstarsmag.net
Thank you so, so much Lauren! ❤ I’m so happy to hear that, and I guess that despite not being able to stop comparing, it’s good to try to see what we have and be positive about these things too 🙂
Oh I get that feeling. it’s been a while since I haven’t had a proper writing routine, too. hopefully soon we will be able to get back to it 😀
Thank you so much!! ❤❤
HAPPY BDAY!!! I HOPE YOURE HAVING AN AMAZING DAY AND FILLING UP WITH SUGAR AND LOTS OF BOOKS ❤️?❤️???
look at all your accomplishments this year ??? thats so amazing (youre making me look bad here) you go!!! im so glad youre getting back to writing your WIP bc we all need it in our lives. I WANT TO WATCH GILMORE GIRLS TOO! i remember watching some episodes when i was younger and loving it but i didnt watch in order and i so want tooooo.
IM SO SORRY TO HEAR ABOUT YOUR FOOT!!! i hope your healing goes well and you have a speedy recovery (but also you can use this time to boss everyone around and make them bring you tea while youre reading, silver linings)
if you ever figure out how to stop caring about what others think, plz do share the secret :p
i hope this year is more amazing than your last and you have a wonderful day. <3 <3 <3
AHH thank you so much you’re way too sweet ily so much thank youu ❤❤❤
I hope I’ll be able to get back to writing, I know I need to ahah, hopefully I will soon, fingers crossed. Scream at me until I actually do hahaha.
YES WATCH GILMORE GIRLS! If you have Netflix, everything is on it and if you don’t – I’ll work on a solution to magically give you abilities to see episodeeeeeeees.
Thank you so much for your well wishes and everything it means so, so much ❤ ahah that’s great actually, I will boss everyone around now haha. ❤
Happy birthday! ?
I think you can be pround on all the things you did! ?There will always be people who did more (or better).
I am turning 25 in april and feel the same way. People around me are getting kids and have a full-time job. I am “still” studying. So I definitively share your resolutions to be more positive and feel like I am enough!
Aww thank you so much! ❤
I guess we’re all at a different place in life and have different paces and expectations, too. I guess all we can do is not be too hard on ourselves and keep on going in our own path 🙂 thank you so much for your sweet comment! I hope you’re enjoying your studies!! ❤
Happy birthday!! I think you should be proud of your list. It’s wonderful?
Aww thank you so much Eva!! ❤
Happy birthday love! You were one of the first blogs I ever followed when I started my blog back in January and I can’t imagine not being able to read your posts. You’re a real gem and I like you a lot for it 🙂 <3
Awww Erin! Thank you SO much, you’re going to make me emotional ahh. Thank you for your sweet words, this means a lot ❤❤❤❤
I think you’re doing an awesome job at being 25! You’re absolutely right that all those people who seem to have it all together on Facebook and Instagram have their own insecurities. I’m in my 30s and I don’t always feel like I have it all together. I, too, have mental health issues that bring me down more often than I’d like.
But I love my life. I love traveling, just like you; I’ve gotten to travel to Lithuania, Ireland, England, and Switzerland this summer. And I’ve read some really fun books this year.
So even during the bad times, I try to look at the positives (and read lots of sparkly unicorn books to cheer myself up).
I hope your feet heal soon!
That’s amazing! I think you’re so right and it is important to focus on the positive things, I’m trying to do that as best as I can, too ❤❤
Thank you so much for your sweet words and your well wishes, it means a lot! ❤
Ahhh Happy Birthday you gorgeous ? I loved how much travelling you did and yes, Scotland is the land of magic ? I adore your blog and I love everything you write. Hugs from Glasgow!
Oh thank you so, so, much!! ❤ this means so much, thank you!! ❤❤
(and glasgow, wow!! that’s great! I hope to go there someday 🙂 )
I love personal posts, Marie, and this one was beautiful. first of all, happy birthday! I just had my birtday a few weeks ago, and it is always strange to have a new number and all those accompanying expectations attached to your identity. It sounds like you’ve managed to do lots of cool things this year–even keeping at a job that you’re not super passionate about is definitely something to be proud of. I hope you have a wonderful year–and I may hit up your DMs for your address next week when lectures have over so I can sent you a post card (if you want it haha)
Oh thank you so much Shanti, I’m so glad you enjoyed it! ❤
AND HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY AHHH, I can’t remember if I wished it, I’m so sorry I’m late!! I hope you had a lovely time ❤
Thank you so much for your sweet words! Oh and YES PLEASE AH that would be so sweet I would LOVE A POSTCARD ahhh ❤ you’re too sweet ❤
Happy Birthday Marie! I celebrated My birthday on Oct 10th! I hope you have a wonderful day! 🙂
Ahhh thank you Raven and HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY!! 😀 <3
Happy Birthday, Marie!!! One can never order enough books.
Thank you so much!! And agree – we can never have enough books 😛
Happy birthday Marie!
I don’t think that the worrying will ever go away. At least, at 29, it’s still here. But surrounding yourself with a good tribe of people helps. ?
And all that travel! I traveled this year too and I am still jealous. ? From what I can see, you’ve done well in your 25 years. Don’t try to to race your peers – you’re on your own path; just try to enjoy the adventure.
I hope you had a truly magical day!
Thank you so much Amber! <3 Agree – being surrounded by great people helps for sure <3
Thank you so much for your sweet words, it means a lot! ❤
Oh also! Regarding your WIP – are you busy this November? I talked a girl at work into joining in for NaNo whose been stuck in her WIP for ages, and it would be awesome if you jumped in too! I personally have a hard time pushing myself left to my own devices, but the accountability of NaNoWriMo is awesome, and we could cheer each other along. ?
Oh that could be really nice! I wasn’t planning on doing NaNo because I wouldn’t have time, but life unfortunately decided differently, so… that would be REALLY cool, actually 😀
Yes! You must join in then! If you do, my NaNo username is morteana – buddy me and I’ll buddy you back and we can cheer each other on!
I am sorry about life deciding differently about your previous plans, tho. ☹️ Boo.
I haven’t logged on here since 2015 so…. I’ll add you when I’ll find my username and password back, hopefully soon hahaha 🙂
Thank you <3 It really sucks, but hey, I guess not being able to go to work gives me time to try to write more? haha.
Oof. 🙁 When you said “plans changed” I was thinking that travel plans may have fell through. That’s horrible Marie, I’m so sorry. 🙁 I really hope things turnaround in that regard. 🙁
In the meanwhile though… writing could actually be really good for the inbetweens. It’s good to dive into a different world when your own is being unfair. <3
<3 <3 <3
No no, I broke my feet at the beginning of the month… so I’m off work and not really able to do tons of stuff due to my feet being in a cast and all ?
Thank you though for your sweet words!! <3 <3 and agree – I feel like this might help me get my mind off everything too, I hope so! Thank you so, so much! ❤❤
Ack! Well that’s not good either! But yeah in that case… reading and writing is perfect!!! I hope everything heals quickly and well!
Thank you so much Amber!! <3 <3
*foot, I mean, just my right foot haha not both of them thank God hahaha.
Happy birthday!!! I feel like there’s always a pressure to do more, and I think maybe growing up is getting more comfortable in your skin and figuring out what you want to do as opposed to what you should do. Then again, I’m only 22 so I probably have a lot to still figure out! It’s awesome that you’re giving yourself credit for being intentionally positive and trying to be even more radiant! Hopefully you have another great year.
Thank you so much Madeline!! ❤
I guess – I guess we all really figure things out at different ages, too. Hopefully I will someday haha. Thank you!! ❤
Happy Birthday!!!?
Also, really sorry to hear about your leg, hope it heals soon. You seem to have had a marvellous year travelling wise!
Thank you so, so much Charvi! ❤ and thank you for the well-wishes, it means a lot!! ❤
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! 😀
It seems like you really have learned a lot! I also need to stop caring about what others think, but it’s really hard. 🙁 I wish you luck with that- and also your broken foot!
Again, happy birthday! <3
Thank you so much!! ❤
It is one of the hardest things ever haha, but hopefully we will both get there 😀
Happy birthday, Marie! 25 was such an interesting year for me and I hope it is a magical year for you. I love posts like this and also love Gilmore Girls (and am due for another rewatch!).
Thank you so, so much!! ❤
Ahh I’m so happy you love Gilmore Girls as well, it’s such a good show. ❤
Happy 25th birthday my love!! We’re the same age and I feel you! My friends are already married and have kids but I still feel exactly the same! I hope you’re always well and continue to do what you love!!
Aww thank you so, so much for your sweet words Carolina!! ❤❤
Happy 25th birthday, love! I hope you have an absolutely wonderful birthday that is just as amazing as you are! ❤️❤️
Aww thank you so, so much love, you’re too sweet! ❤❤
Happy birthday!! Unfortunately I’ve only watched an episode of Gilmore Girls but I fully intend to watch more… eventually. This is a really cool idea for a birthday post by the way 🙂 I too have an issue with caring too much about what people think, it’s hard not to care when society teaches you to seek validation from your peers and success is literally defined by popularity and likability… My birthday is May 1 which means you are almost ten years older than me 😮
Thank you so much!! ❤ I hope you’ll watch more of Gilmore Girls someday, it’s such a good show, I love it 🙂
Ahh that’s great! And you’re still young ahah enjoy it 😀
OMG HAPPY BIRTHDAY???????? IT WAS MY BIRTHDAY ON THE 15TH TOO???? OMG???????
YOUR YEAR LOOKS AMAZING AND YES. COME BACK TO LONDON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Also im so so excited for the posts that your gonna publish over the next few days (even though i’ve been SO absent from blogging recently!!)
Great post, and i hope that you had a fabulous birthday!!!!!!!
AHHH WHAT REALLY??? How did I not know we share a birthday, HAPPY BIRTHDAY AHH I hope you had a great one!! ❤❤❤
I’m going to come back to London don’t worry ahah, I just need to, hopefully soon ❤
Thank you!!❤❤❤
thank youuuuuuuuuuuu!!!! idek????? this is amazing!! i did thank you, it was really nice! the same goes to you!!!
ajhhh yayayaaayyyy!!!!
<3 <3 <3
AWESOME PEOPLE SHARE AWESOME BIRTHDAYS. Let’s put it that way, right??? 😀 ❤❤❤❤
YES!!!!!!!!!!!!! EXACTLY
Have a lovely birthday, Marie 🙂 25 is such a sweet age. Oh, you are 5 years younger than me. Well, now you will feel a little less old 😛
Well, I would say you have definitely achieved so much over the year and I am so proud of you. You travelled so much and gained a lot of experience. What can be better than that?
Aww, sorry about your broken feet though. I really hope that it is better now 🙂
Hmm, not caring about what other people think is really a tough deal. I used to think a lot about this too. Actually, all the time and it made me conscious. But then, I don’t know how suddenly I stopped caring. I stopped worrying about too much and giving extra attention to everything and everyone. I think the most important thing is to just remember how a certain thing or person makes you feel and worry only about that much 🙂
I really wish you achieve all your goals and that your celebrated your birthday in the best way 🙂
Once again, Happy birthday 🙂
Aww thank you so, so much for your sweet message Sim, it means a lot ❤❤
It’s not but it will be better hopefully ahah fingers crossed, thank you so much for your well-wishes, it means a whole lot ❤
I hope I’ll get to the same place that you are at and learn to care less and… stop worrying haha that would be a dream honestly 🙂
Thank you so, so much for your sweet words ❤❤❤
I A-D-O-R-E Gilmore Girls. ? It’s such a good show to watch in autumn. I can obsess with you all you want!
Also, HAPPY (LATE) BIRTHDAY! I hope you had a lovely day yesterday, and they will keep being lovely. ?
YES AH LET’S OBSESS TOGETHER about it ahhh. I love this show so much haha <3
Thank you so, so much Morgane, you're so sweet <3
Happy birthday! and you got to meet Sarah Dessen??? So lucky.
Thank you so much!! <3 At a book festival earlier this year yes, I feel quite lucky 😀 Thank you!! <3
Happy belated birthday, Marie! I hope it was an amazing one! ❤
I personally adore this kind of posts, I think they’re always good to reflect on ourselves and to help us realize that we’ve accomplished more than we think.
Also yes, why, I am so obsessed with Gilmore Girls and currently rewatching it, THIS SHOW IS EVERYTHING.
Thank you so, so much Lucie!! <3
I'm so happy you enjoyed this post and that YAY you're watching it too at the moment! I love it SO much, these characters are soooo great <3
HAPPY (belated) BIRTHDAY MARIE!! <3 I hope that you had an amazing day and that you got to spend it with all your loved ones.
I have watched all of Gilmore Girls years ago and I adored that show! Though to be honest, it's been waaaay too long since I have seen it so I don't remember most of the details. I should probably re-watch Gilmore Girls at some point in the future.
Thank you so, so much Anna, you’re so sweet! <3 <3
I hope you'll re-watch the show at some point, it is just one of the beeeeeest shows <3
HAPPY BIRTHDAY MARIE!
Hope you’re having a wonderful day; don’t let that foot annoy you too much and focus on how it’s an excuse to sit on your butt with some tea and all the books. <3
Yes to you going to London! I really hope you get to go. Y'know what.. You're OBLIGED to go in my stead since I definitely won't be able to keep up my yearly London-tradition with the baby due in February, haha. So I'll need to live through you. No excuses. You're now officially obliged to go to London at least once before your next birthday!
Absolutely love how you traveled this much in the past year. I had some holidays as well but I'm definitely impressed by your travel diary right now. The only holiday I have left is a week in Centerparcs in the Netherlands, which.. isn't all that special, really. I'm a fan of the big cities, culture and lots of shops to discover. Being in a parc in the middle of nowhere is more my boyfriend's thing. [But at least I'll have all the time in the world to read in a relaxed environment so that's definitely a plus!]
Aaaanyway. Enough rambling. Buy yourself a piece of pie, make yourself some tea and have some special reading time. [Doesn't matter when; just do it. You deserve it.]
Kathy thank you so much, honestly your words made me a bit emotional, you’re too sweet ? it’s hard not to feel let down, but well, I’m trying, I’ll try to read and blog and forget about it ahah:)
YES oh yes I’ll get to London before my next birthday for sure, I have to ahah, I love it and miss it way too much <3
Ohh well at least it will be a relaxing kind of holiday and you'll have plenty of time to enjoy the nature with your books 😀
Thank you so, so, so much, you're too sweet <3 <3 <3 <3
You’re very, very welcome!
I get that. I didn’t really enjoy my birthday myself with all the stuff that was going on baby-wise so I definitely understand feeling let down on the special day. 🙂
Hopefully it works out and you succeed at distracting yourself!
Yaay! <3 It's still my one favorite city in the world. I miss it as well, but hey. One day I'll be back, haha.
That's true. I looked up the park last night and had forgotten about how our cottage is pretty much on a small peninsula (actually all cottages are?!) so if I'm lucky, I'll have the best reading view ever! <3
<3 <3
Hopefully our next birthdays will be less stressful and happier ahah <3 Thank you again <3 <3
Oh wow??!! That is SO cool, I bet it's so pretty. I need you to send me pictures please, so I can travel with you haha 🙂
Hahaha, I’ll try to remember to send some! <3
I hope you had the best of birthdays!!!
How have I only just figured out about your broken feet? That sounds so painful. I hope they’re healing up nicely. 😀 😀
I so relate to so many of your emotions on being 25. Next year I’ll be hitting that number and it’s so strange to see people I grew up with settle down and have kids and I’m just here trying to take care of myself haha.
You’ve achieved so much in this year already and it sounds like you’ve had some amazing adventures. I’ve been thinking about doing a city break to Berlin in the next few months. Any tips on things to see?
Here’s to you and all the amazing things you’ll achieve as a 25 yr old. 😀
Thank you so much Lois! <3
It's just one foot, actually – oops did I mispell in my post, need to check that. It's just… well, it's annoying but well I guess that's life for the next month haha 🙂 thank you!
I'm so glad I'm not the only one feeling this way – it's just so strange to see how everyone is at a different point in life now. but ohhh Berlin that is SO exciting! I actually wrote a blog post about what I saw in Berlin, if you missed it ( https://drizzleandhurricanebooks.com/2018/06/17/travel-diaries-a-couple-days-in-berlin-germany/ ) ; and if you need more info I'm here 😀 I hope you'll love it, it is a beautiful city <3
Thank you so much!! <3
Happy Birthday, you beautiful human! I hope 25 is the best year yet. <3
Aww thank you so, so, so much Madalyn <3 <3 <3
Ah I love this post so much, it’s such an amazing post! It’s so exciting that you got to meet amazing authors at the book fair and congrats on receiving the ARC, you deserve it! It’s also so cool to hear that you have made so many great memories and friends from blogging! And yes Gilmore Girls?! I love that show so much and I’m so glad you enjoy it too.
Happy belated birthday Marie <3
Aww thank you so, so much, you’re too sweet <3 <3
I'm so happy you like Gilmore Girls as well, it's such a great show!! 😀
Thank you so much! <3
JOYEUX ANNIVERSAIRE, MARIE! Hope you had a wonderful day.
EMILY thank you so much you’re too sweet!! <3 <3
A belated very happy birthday! As someone not far off 26 I hear you – this ageing shit is weird. For what it’s worth, I think you’re doing just fine. I’m sorry to hear that you’re not crazy about your day job, but you love your blog, and you have built this into such a massive success with pure hard work. You are my inspo-blogger – when another week goes by and I don’t feel like writing, or I don’t feel like blog hopping beyond my faves I genuinely am like “girl get your shit together and do like Marie!”
I am so sorry to hear about your foot! That sounds absolutely awful. Are you managing okay? I hope you have people around to help you out! Do you know how long it’s going to take to heal?
Oh thank you so, so much Lydia, this means a lot and you’re way too sweet – you might have made me a little bit emotional, ?? thank you so, so much, this means so much to me ? <3
I'm.. managing, I guess. I'm surrounded by my family so that's all good for sure, but for now I'm stuck at home with a cast for my right foot for another month (the accident happened on October 1st. So it's already been a good 15 days)…. so let's just say I'm managing, not really well, but I hope it's healing okay :/
Thank you so much for asking and for your sweet words!! <3 <3 <3
Hi Marie! Happy belated birthday! I really loved reading your thoughts on turning 25, because, well, that seems like a long way off for me, yet I could relate so so much, which surprised me. I guess no one really feels like they have their life fully put together, no matter what age they are. At least there’s some solidarity and comfort in that ?
I truly believe that our harshest critic is ourselves. If your goal is to feel like you’re doing and are enough, that might be hard… but from my perspective, you are truly my blogging inspiration. Your comments are amazing, how active your are in the blogging community is amazing, your reviews make my wallet cry, and your writing style & topics are just ???!!! I follow many blogs, but yours is one of the few where I’m genuinely excited to read every single one of your posts. I just wanted to you to know this whenever you feel like you “should be doing more…” because honestly, a lot of people (including myself) look up to you for inspiration & motivation. I guess this is my birthday present to you, haha ?
Ooof I’m really sorry to hear about your broken foot… I’ve never broken a bone myself, but I’ve had friends who’ve had and the recovery process was rough. I hope you’re able to take care of yourself & that your recovery goes well! ❤️ Anyways, thank you so much for sharing this little tidbit about your life and thoughts, Marie! Hope your birthday went wonderfully! ?
Thank you so, so, so, so much for your sweet words Zoie, this honestly makes me tear up, thank you ?? this means the world to me – I’m just my own worst critic, that’s for sure and being a perfectionist does not help at all ahah, reading these kind of words honestly mean so, so, so very much to me, thank you ? <3
Thank you for the well wishes, that means a lot! It hasn't been too easy, but hopefully it recovers well, fingers crossed 🙂 thank you!! <3 <3 <3
Happy belated birthday! this was such an awesome recap and it looks like you did amazing things in the last year! It’s so cool to read about all your travels 😀
Aww thank you so, so much!! <3
You’re welcome <3
Happy birthday Marie ! You and your wonderdul self deserves to feel happy all the time ( especially on your birthday haha ).
I completly get you. Getting older is such a strange thing. Your just have this feeling of having done so much, and at the same time have to do so,so much more things. That’s soooo weird.
I may always complain about the fact that my mental health is often a rollercoaster but at the end, I think that without this, life would feel kind of strange. If I felt good every time and had no problems, I wouldn”t grow stronger and learn,discover and so much more. ( I Don’t know if that makes sense ). But I hope that life isn’t too hard with you & that you aren’t too hard with youself. You such a wonderful person Marie. Truly. Reading your posts always makes me smile and feel so much better and I couldn’t be grateful enough for all of that. <3
Oh also…GILMORE GIRLS !!!!!! YES I'M SO OBSESSED !! <3
I hope you'll reach your goals and have a wonderful year while being 25 !
AWww thank you so, so, so, so much for your sweet words and comment, this means so much, you’re way too sweet ❤❤
And you’re so right, I guess we wouldn’t be who we are without our struggles, too, and we are doing our very best ❤ And thank you, this really warms my heart and makes my day so much better, thank you!
AHHH, you love Gilmore Girls as well, YAY! This makes me SO happy ❤
Thank you so, so much!! ❤
Happy birthday Marie <3 It seems like you've accomplished so much this past year! You should absolutely be proud of yourself!
With each year that passes, I feel like time is flying by, and I get what you mean in that I always wonder if I should have done more or if I am trying to do too much! I think the key is to do what we love to do, then we have no regrets. Sometimes I am a bit morbid and I think, if I am on my deathbed, what would I regret not doing? :')
Hope you had a wonderful birthday and birthday month <3 So sad to hear that you broke your foot but take care and recover soon!
Awww thank you so much Sophie, this means a lot, you’re too sweet ❤❤
Hahahaahah well… it might be a bit morbid, but it does the job, doesn’t it 😛
Thank you so much for your well wishes, too, that means a lot ❤
You’re welcome <3 wishing you all the best this year!
Aww thank you again, Sophie, you’re too sweet <3
Happy Belated Birthday Marie! I hope that it was a great one and I have to say – I adore you and your content, and I’m so happy for you with everything you have done and achieved thus far! I have to say – France looks wonderful and I hope I can go back soon!
Oh thank you so, so, SO much for your sweet words, this means so much ? thank you! <3
And I hope you'll visit France again soon, I am biaised but it's beautiful 😛
Hey there Marie, Happy 25th Birthday!
Im new to this whole blogging world, but I’m so excited to read your story. You’ve been able to do so much in this past years its AMAZING!!! Hope you find time to check out my story!
Aww thank you so, so much, you’re so sweet ?
First off, Happy Late Birthday! I’m sorry I didn’t get a chance to respond on your actual birthday (I’m still catching up on a lot of posts), but this post resonated with me a lot. I’m turning 26 next week and we’re definitely at that age where the stage everyone is at is wildly different, but the societal expectations are that you are prolly married, perhaps even with kids, you have started your career already, live in a house, yaddi yaddi yadda. So when you aren’t able to cross off everything from that list (or even *one* thing off that list), then suddenly you feel like a failure? Especially when it’s a really lonely time, because you’re still adjusting from no longer having a ton of friends around all the time like school provided the opportunity to have and getting adjusted to just working, while still trying to find ways to exist outside of it (at least, that’s how I feel, anyway).
So, I just found myself nodding a lot in your post–and extremely jealous of all your travels! I’m stuck in the States, but every place you listed you’ve been, I want to GO. But, I hope you have the best year yet (and I wish you a speedy recovery with your foot). I look forward to reading more of your blog. You seem like a really lovely person and maybe you can add another (me) blogger friend to your mix, if you so desire! 🙂
Oh no need to apologize AT ALL Nicole, thank you so much for the wishes and for such a sweet comment, that means a lot! <3
YES. That's exactly it – it's stupid, but I feel this pressure to have it all together while I'm still feeling like I'm getting adjusted to actually being an adult and no longer having friends around at all, either. It's all so complicated ahah, university years seemed easier 🙂
Oh thank you, you're too sweet! <3 I'd dream of touring the states someday, there is so much to see 😀
Thank you so, very very much, you're too sweet <3 I'd appreciate that so very much, I hope we'll be able to chat more 😀
Of course, it was my pleasure! <3
EXACTLY. I dunno why we must have it together now, when we're still trying to figure out exactly what "having it together" means. And honestly, I think we'll prolly reach that point, only for the world to flip it on it's head once more and suddenly feel in limbo again as we learn more about adulting. But we'll figure it out, I bet, one step at a time! 🙂
Gosh, really? Maybe it's just the you-don't-appreciate-where-you-live factor, but I am so ready to get out of the States and explore *history*. But I know there is a lot of cool stuff to see here I take for granted! I hope so, too! you seem like a really neat person and I could always use more neat people in my life. <3 😀
Agree, we certainly will, one step at a time haha 🙂
I get that ahah, it seems like we all want to be elsewhere. I personally love Europe and my country so, very very much, but I am also impatient to explore other continents more. There’s so much to see 😀
Aww thank you, you’re too sweet! <3
Oh, I know that’s true. Even within the States, I want to live where my Mom grew up, instead of where I did, even though she left because she needed to escape for a bit! But living abroad would be a dream! Or, just having enough money to travel everywhere and see everything would be lovely, too. 😉
<3 <3
Ahah I get that. Someday I am certain you will, the world is meant to be explored 😀