Tag Archives: Decade

Well that passed in a jiffy, didn't it? It seems as if I called a half a liter of Prosecco a few weeks ago in 2019 and wondered what the next twelve months would bring, just so that it would last a lot in bloom and come by in a flash. Perhaps it is a sign that we are getting older, that time is passing faster, and that we are constantly recognizing this fact out loud, or maybe just because we all seem to fit so much more into our days, weeks and months. But it's a little scary to be back in a brand new decade – and still no sign of hoverboards.

The past ten years have been revolutionary for me personally: They have transformed me from a social butterfly living in London, who spent her weekends feeling incredibly lonely (and her weeks incredibly stressed), into a married, country-loving homeowner, freelance consultant and dog mother. Frankly, it's more than I could have ever dreamed of – even if it wasn't necessarily the dream that I would have admitted to everyone (including myself).

Although the years have been full of lessons, struggles and successes, I can think about how I can finally love and respect myself internally and externally. And that's the only achievement of the past decade that I'm really proud of.

As a 37 year old (honestly, how the hell did that happen?) I wish I had spent a lot less time and energy shaping myself into what I thought the world wanted and more time, just to embrace the joys of youth.

Too much of me was used for yo-yo dieting, wearing uncomfortable shoes, pretending to like sports, and impressing people I wouldn't remember a few years later. Too much of me was put on putting on a brave face, creating an impenetrable exterior, proving myself worthy, and analyzing every encounter. Too much of me was used to measure my value by the size of my jeans and seek approval from the opposite sex.

Not enough time was spent just laughing, enjoying the energy and wrinkle-free complexion of the youth. And boy, what would I give to have the liver / figure / face of my 27 year old self!

Partly driven by age, partly driven by love and partly driven by the fact that I make my living by posting photos of myself on the Internet, my own self-acceptance brings peace. I no longer feel like I have to adapt to an ideal because I have learned that it is impossible to try: I know that I am as fabulous as I am and I do not need someone else's approval to cement that.

So when we start a new decade, may it give you the confidence to love and celebrate your best self – in whatever form, overclad * or otherwise.

* You really can never be over-dressed!

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