5 things I'm grateful for

So in 4 days time I'll be 25! I'm only excited about this because I'll be celebrating it in New York, a city I've always wanted to visit. I'm not really quite sure why, considering I think London is too crowed but it's something I wanted to knock off my bucket list. I'm so happy that I'm excited for this trip and my birthday because that was exactly my intention when I decided I want to be away for my birthday. I didn't want to dread it, and now I'm really not - I'm looking forward to a magical day and night with some great friends.

Turning a quarter of a century old isn't a huge deal, but it kind of is so it brings some thoughts with it and I just thought I'd note them down to look back on. Tbh when I was 13 with suicidal thoughts running through my veins I didn't ever think I'd reach 25, so honestly for me to be excited about it is a real 360 for me. I feel like I've grown, but at the same time still the same. I mean currently my hair is a brassy blonde and I don't even know if I'll have the time to fix it before I fly...

#1 my family 

I don't speak too much about family because it's a sensitive subject for me but I am lucky that I have two nephews that have given the word family a real meaning for me. It's also meant that I'm much closer to my sister and she has been a wonderful rock for me in the past 4 years in my time of need. But I'm really grateful that I have two nephews (4 and 3 and there's another on the way) who make me so happy. They're full of love and energy and never tire of giving me cuddles on request. Sometimes I feel like they're my own and part of my recovery is for them, so they get the best parts of me and not the miserable side. They are my strength and my joy.

#2 my resilience

I know this may seem like a strange one, but I've bounced back from so many set backs and generally fought to get to where I am now. I've always though resilience was a great trait but I didn't realise how much of it I had until I was going through my therapy sessions. It's kept me alive, so it must be good!

#3 my friends

Most of my friends are basically like family, but they still deserve their own section. I just have a bunch of lovely human beings who make me laugh, smile, cry and occasionally make me angry, but they are all amazing people. I am by no means a horrible friend, but I'm sure I'm not the easiest person to be friends with because I am so closed off but I have such a wonderful and understand support team. I just do not know where I'd be without some of my friends. 

#4 my career

I use this word with trepidation, but I really feel like I've landed a good job this time. I wouldn't even say I really have a career at the moment, but I do have a job that I enjoy and I'm surrounded by good people. I'm grateful for the experiences I've had in my different roles, my last one taught me that I am capable of so much more than I ever thought I was. I'm really not sure where I'll go next but at the moment I feel 100% content in my career/job path.

#5 my health 

Bit of an odd one for me. But I've realised I'm quite blessed when it comes to my health, not my mental health be you win some you lose some. But aside from the weight gain, I've had no serious scares of any kind on this side of my life. Although I do think I now need to start taking much better care of my body to ensure that it stays this way!

I hope this has inspired you to think about some of the good things in your life - gratitude is awesome and I'm looking forward to the next chapter in my life. What are you grateful for?

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