Life in your 30s is kind of magic. One day you wake up and realise you’re just… done doing things to impress people.

You stop caring whether your choices are ✨cool✨ or ✨on trend✨ – and start focusing on what actually makes you feel good. Inside and out.

So here’s what I’ve been loving lately, unapologetically:

🍷 I Don’t Really Drink Anymore (and I Love That for Me)

I used to LOVE going out in my early 20s. I was a big club rat during my short-lived university era.

These days?

I love waking up fresh, hydrated, and not looking like I’ve aged twenty years overnight.

The last time I had a big night out, I woke up looking like Gollum. My skin looked like a shrivelled-up raisin.

Dry, dull, puffy – just no. I don’t bounce back like I used to, and I’m okay with that.

Now I’d rather:

• Go for brunch
• Hit the gym in the morning instead of dying in bed till 4pm
• Read my book, send 8-minute voice notes to my besties, and be in bed by 9.00 pm

✨ It’s giving: soft girl life, with a sprinkle of SPF and serotonin.

I still like a drink on special occasions – maybe a couple of glasses of sauvignon blanc on a date night or a cosy mulled wine at Christmas – but overall, I’m loving this fresh, energised version of me.

📚 I Read Harry Potter Fan Fiction… and I love it

I went through a huge personal development phase – you know the one. Journals, vision boards, life-changing morning routines. Love it. But eventually, I needed a break from those kinds of books as I was feeling like they all pretty much say the same thing.

I tried “normal” fiction books but couldn’t get into them – then I stumbled across Harry Potter fan fiction (specifically the Dramione ones 🫢) and got hooked.

Is it nerdy?

Yep.

Do I care?

Not even a little bit.

Reading what I love, just because it brings me joy, has been one of the most fun things ever. Life’s too short to pretend you like Booker Prize winners when what you actually want is wizard-themed slow burn.

🌿 I’m “Outsidey”, Not Outdoorsy

Another thing I’ve realised? I don’t want to be the cool “adventurous” girl who hikes for fun and eats beans on a mountain. That’s not me AT ALL.

I like:

• Long walks, not sweaty hikes
• Sitting in the garden, not deep in the bush
• A pool and a lilo, not camping with giant grasshoppers (South Africa I love you, but no.)

I used to feel like I needed to be more rugged and naturey, be interesting. Now I’m like, “can someone pass me my Kindle and sun hat?” 💁🏻‍♀️📖👒

I remember a trip to India with the girls in 2016, where we spent a couple of nights in a bea-uuuuutiful hotel. The next day, they planned a camel trek to sleep under the stars in the desert. As soon as I heard it, my initial thought was, “immediate no” …

… but I didn’t want FOMO, so I went. And honestly? I hated EVERY SECOND of it. 😩🐪

The girls LOVED it. For me, it was awful, I can’t even tell you how much I didn’t enjoy it.. Even now, I don’t look back and think, “what a cool experience.” I think, “horrendous” (but absolute lols to talk about) 😂.

🧘🏻‍♀️ I Let Myself Rest When I Need To

I’ve had a really full-on few months – a hectic rotation, and then my usual go-go-go energy when I got home to South Africa, with loads of emotional energy spent.

But now? I’m back in the UK with my parents and it’s finally hit me: I’m knackered.

I’ve been napping nonstop (I never nap). Not working out as much the last 10 days. Letting myself rest. Listening to my body instead of pushing through because “I should.” And it feels so right.

There’s a time for routines and hustle and gym girlie energy. And there’s a time for soft clothes, tea, and absolutely nothing on the to-do list.

🛏 I Have a Bedtime Routine That Could Scare a Grown Man

Let me paint you a picture:

• Full skincare routine ✔️
• Satin bonnet ✔️
• Huge satin eye mask ✔️
• Retainers in ✔️
• White noise machine ✔️
• Sunlamp glow ✔️
• 528 HZ Sound Healing Music ✔️
• Essential Oil Diffuser ✔️

When my boyfriend first stayed over, I’m sure he thought I was gearing up for war 😂
But honestly? I don’t care. It makes me feel comfy, cared for, and ✨me✨.

🧩 Puzzling Is My New Party

During this winter shipyard period, I brought a few jigsaw puzzles onboard – just for fun. Little did I know it would become a full-crew obsession.

Myself and the 2nd officer spent an entire weekend watch day doing a Pokémon puzzle, and the whole crew got so invested in it. It was such a wholesome, screen-free way to unwind and connect. (Plus, puzzles are great for mental health – they help reduce stress and improve memory, also Pokémon is the ultimate nostalgia).

I genuinely LOVE spending time with the crew, but these days, my idea of fun has shifted. Instead of getting partying, I much prefer activities like:

• Going for brunch or a late lunch
• Playing paddle
• Group workouts or yoga sessions
• Puzzle nights
• Quiz nights
• Chatting in the crew mess after dinner
• Face masks and spa nights

It’s all about enjoying each other’s company in ways that make me feel good, both mentally and physically.

Final Thoughts 💭

Being in your 30s is weird and wonderful.
You start saying no without guilt. You learn what drains you and what fills you up. You stop doing things just because you “should.”
And maybe most importantly, you realise that doing what feels good is the glow-up.

So if you need permission to:

• Skip the party
• Read the weird fan fiction
• Cancel the hike
• Rest when you’re tired
• Be a little “extra” with your skincare routine

This is it.
Do it.
It’s your life.

Live it like the main character – bonnet, boundaries and all. 🫶

If you’ve ever swapped hangovers for hobbies, you’ll love Botox, Curtains & Stroopwaffles: My Chaotic Glow-Up Week

It’s giving wholesome chaos and quiet confidence.