Happy 2026! She says in July. It’s been a wild one. Then again it always is but I wouldn’t have it any other way. Yes there has been ups and plenty of downs. However, I will never settle for a life I’m not happy with. I will burn it all down if I need to. I feel every time I write I look back at what I have written and I have changed so much. But that’s good I’m growing and I wouldn’t want to be the same all the time.
So I have moved 3 times this year and it’s only July but what I want you to take away from this post more than anything is please please never settle with anything you are unhappy with. You have the power to change your life! It may feel super uncomfortable but this is your story you write it how you want. I read a quote that said we watch films and it’s never always smooth going but it works out and that’s a bit like life.
I’m grateful for every version of me. There has been some questionable moments and choices made but they got me to where I am. I don’t regret any of it. I learn from it.
I wish I could hug every version of me and say thank you!
I’d like to say I’m at the most stable point in my life but then again a year does a lot and I’m pretty sure I will be telling you all about how my life has changed again this time next year smiling at this version of me. I think that’s what’s so magical about life is that we really don’t know what’s next. We haven’t had all the happiest times yet. Although yes there will always be the sad ones too but that’s part of it I’m afraid.
It’s how you handle those times. I would like to say I have handle those times with grace and elegance but sometimes they are damn right messy. It’s not always a face mask and chocolate in front of the tv although there has been plenty of those times with tears down my face. Sometimes it’s ugly but it is what it is.
Anyone going through a hard time right now please keep going through it. Take it day by day and do what feels right for you. Not what anyone thinks is right.
Loving yourself through those days is hard. I used to beat myself up when I was just in bed all day doing nothing but now I allow myself to. I accept that sometimes my body needs that. Tomorrow you may feel differently and I think listening to yourself is your best bet. No one knows you better than you!
I always feel so different to my family and always have.
I know the life I envision for myself and not that it’s not similar but I see the patterns and I don’t want to repeat them. The cycle and patterns end with me!
It makes me realise that really you only have your own back. Even family don’t get it sometimes.
I think I’m too giving and empathetic.
I go with everyone and do activities even if I’m not interested but when it comes to me people aren’t interested. I’m learning to set boundaries for myself and not feeling guilty for it. Whereas I used to please everyone I am now saying no. I’m finally giving myself the grace I used to give everyone else.
I hate people who play victim and have a victim mentality. You explain how you are feeling or how they make you feel and they turn it around and play victim and just makes you feel like utter shit. I now stop explaining and giving that time. It’s simply a waste of my time. I’m realising what deserves my energy and what simply doesn’t. Distancing myself when I realise it’s not worth it. Everyone knows what they are doing don’t give in to the excuses. I would never treat someone like that however, I will happily neglect myself for someone else. I’m really happy to say that I’m unlearning this trait. If you don’t like me then that’s cool. You don’t have to. How you see yourself is the most important. As long as you know who you are and you give your best self that’s all that matters but don’t let yourself be taken advantage of!
There’s been points where I find myself getting upset or I physically feel my body shift when someone’s emotions shift or turn cold or they get up all of sudden and you can feel their energy. I hate it! I feel it all.
I’m trying to see that how someone is or feels isn’t my problem. How someone reacts to something isn’t worth my energy.
That’s to do with them and how they see things and it can be completely different to you and it may upset you with how they react or respond but they may not have the same mental capacity, strength or understanding. Sometimes some conversations are too hard for people to comprehend and communicate to. That’s okay we are all different but the thing I have learnt or trying to learn is to not take it personally!
I want to take this time to also say thank you for reading- I have somehow managed to hit 10,000 views on my blog. Wow!! That’s a little mad. Also have received views from 50+ different countries. Which is so cool! So if you’re not from the UK- hello!! I would love to know how you discovered me?
This is my space where I keep it real and it’s not perfect and want to write about my experiences and make everyone feel that they are not alone. It’s like a rough journal style blog where you really get the rawness of my life. It’s not always consistent although I really want to try to as I do really enjoy this. I feel it’s healing- I hope you feel that way too. I can’t really believe that anyone reads but I hope you leave these posts feeling less alone and a little better.
If you would like please follow me on instagram- alicewoodwardx
You can always message if you’re feeling sad or alone or just want to say hi! I would love to hear from you all and let me know how you discovered me and what you would like to see more posts about?
Lots of love and happiness as always
Alice xo
Alice Woodward 