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 have 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 like every time I write, I look back at what I have written and realise how much I have changed. But that’s good. I’m growing, and I wouldn’t want to be the same all the time.
So, I have moved three 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 for 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 they’re never always smooth sailing, but somehow, they work out. And that’s a bit like life.
I’m grateful for every version of me. There have 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 can do a lot. 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: 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 handled those times with grace and elegance, but sometimes they are downright messy. It’s not always a face mask and chocolate in front of the TV, although there have been plenty of those times with tears streaming 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 else 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 from my family, and I always have.
I know the life I envision for myself. It’s not necessarily completely different from theirs, 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 always get it sometimes.
I think I’m too giving and empathetic.
I go along 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 feel 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 the victim and have a victim mentality. You explain how you are feeling or how they make you feel, and they turn it around, play the victim and make you feel like utter shit.
I now stop explaining and giving that situation my time. It’s simply a waste of my energy.
I’m realising what deserves my energy and what simply doesn’t. I’m learning to distance myself when I realise something isn’t worth it.
Everyone knows what they are doing. Don’t give in to the excuses.
I would never treat someone like that. However, I would 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 thing. 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 have been points where I find myself getting upset, or I physically feel my body shift when someone’s emotions shift, when they turn cold, or when they suddenly get up and you can feel their energy change.
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. It can be completely different from how you see them, 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 or communicate.
That’s okay. We are all different.
But the thing I have learnt, or am trying to learn, is not to 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.
I’ve also 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. It’s not perfect, and I 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 be, as I genuinely enjoy this.
I feel like it’s healing.
I hope you feel that way too.
I can’t really believe that anyone reads my posts, but I hope you leave them feeling a little less alone and a little better.
If you would like to, please follow me on Instagram: @alicewoodwardx
You can always message me if you’re feeling sad or alone, or if you just want to say hi!
I would love to hear from you all. 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
