25 things to do before I'm 25

I don't mean to alarm you but today I turned 24. 24! I don't know whether to laugh or cry, at this age my mum was married and my nan was pregnant and here I am, having just finished my masters degree, unemployed and trying to figure out what the hell I'm going to do with myself for the last year where I am still closer to 20 than I am 30. So in trying to find a positive in the fact I'm getting old yet still feel like I have only just turned 21 I made a list of all the things I want to accomplish in the next 365 days.

So here goes...

1. Get a full time proper job in the correct field. This maybe boring but I am really hoping that in the next year I will finally be on the correct path to a career around sustainability. Fingers crossed

2. Buy a house plant that isn't a cacti. I tried a chilli plant recently and it got eaten by aphids, I was heart broken so this next year I will succeed at this keeping a plant alive milarky.

3. Stay in a sustainable hotel. The sustainability geek in me has entered all areas of my life now from where I holiday to what I wear. It's frustrating but also rewarding when I make a more ethical purchase.

4. Clear out my wardrobe. I still hoard so many tshirts from when I used to dance daily. Maybe I'll keep one or two, but I don't think I need 20 any more!

5. Get into a fitness routine. I'm fed up of finding excuses, I love exercise but this past year has made me feel unable to fit it in. So here's to a healthier year to turn 25 on a high.

6. Head abroad. I have a friends wedding in Australia in March, so serious saving needs to take place to make that happen (and finding that small thing called a job).

7. Visit more of the UK. I constantly feel that I haven't seen enough of the UK and I really don't have any excuse, this year I hope to visit at least two new places.

8. Try a recommendation. I'm awful at looking at peoples recommendations and then if its out of my comfort zone or not the type of thing I know I'll definitely like reverting back to other choices. This year I'm determined to try new films, tv shows and books that people recommend.

9. Cruelty free. I've been cruelty free in my products for the past year which I'm super proud of, it's not been easy. On moving back home I have found I have hundreds of non cruelty free products around. This year I'm hoping to use them all up, I don't want to just waste them. So here's to the cupboard clear outs.

10. Work on friendships. This past year has been hard. I haven't had the time to visit and work on friendships and I've really struggled as a result. This year I really want to work on this, I want to catch up with people who are important to me and make sure I am finding the time to see them, because their friendship is super super important.

11. Try home made. This year I've set myself the challenge to try to make things form scratch whether that be gifts of sauces such as BBQ, Sweet Chilli and Chutney. It maybe a challenge but I think it will be worth it to know I've put some extra effort into gifts as giving presents that mean something has always been really important to me and o spice up how I cook. How hard can it be?

12. Make my bed. At uni I made my bed everyday, having a loft room though can sometimes make me a little lazy. I recently watched a video on how completing that small task at the beginning of the day can make you feel far more productive throughout your day. On return to bed in the evening, even if you haven't done everything you set out to do that day, you will be reminding that you made your bed. That idea for me is a winner.

13. Try something new. I want to find a new hobby, who knows what it will be as not being in a big city will make finding one a little harder but I want to push myself completely.

14. Cook a roast dinner. My favourite meal of the week growing up was Sunday dinner. This year, to feel like a fully fledged adult, I want to be the one to make it. I can do them for one person, its just sizing for four that throws me off!

15. Learn Calligraphy. This maybe a even greater challenge because I'm left handed but it's something I've always wanted to do. For some reason I find trying different fonts really therapeutic and rewarding.

16. Get back on the yoga mat. When yoga was a daily occurrence in my life 3 years ago I the happiest I've ever been. Yoga has the ability to make me feel challenged and confident in my body and if I can start my week on the  mat, I cant help but think it will help my moods and determination.

17. Veggie 4 days a week. This isn't really to much of a challenge for me as I do this pretty much constantly now, but having to verbally agree to it means even when I'm away or feeling lazy I'll stick to it which is only a good thing. I recently got told I'm an ecotarian ( I don't really like all the labels) which pretty much means I only eat food that has been produced in an environmentally friendly manner. The price of meat because of only eating organic and free range has made me cut down on my consumption massively.

18. Learn more about sustainability. I ventured down the rabbit hole on the topic and now I want to know more. Sustainability effects everything from the clothes we wear to where we go on holiday and what we eat. So I want to tackle those big areas to see what I learn.

19. Stay in the moment. For my entire life it has been me planning what I want for the future. For the first time in my life I have absolutely NO idea what I'm doing. Yes this is scaring the pants of me but for the first time I only have to think about now, and what steps I want to make in this moment and that's kind of liberating if not TERRIFYING.

20. Go to a Festival. I've always loved them yet this year I only managed to attend blue dot for a day. Next year I'm hoping to do at least a full weekend!

21. Do something for Charity. Being involved in RAG these past 2 years at university has made me want to good everyday. I met so many inspiring people so here's to me doing something for charity over the next year. Having slept on Snowdon though, I wont be making a repeat of that!

22. Spend time with family. Moving home means I'lll be able to spend some quality time with the people I love (and of course gradually drive them insane).

23. Take a creative/cooking class. This has always been something that interests me but for some reason I've never booked one. Who knows what I'll chose but I'm hoping it will be good fun!

24. Stop the technology addiction. I admit, I look at my phone FAR to much. I've gotten pretty good at not using it when out and about but I need to get better. I need to learn how to focus on just one thing at once instead of checking my instagram on my phone whilst browsing asos on my laptop when the tv has a show I said I was interested in watching. We all are victims to it, I just need to focus on one thing at a time a little more!

Outfit: Jumpsuit | Sandals (Similar) | Sunglasses | Earrings (Similar)

25. Accept who I am. Cliche I know but there is only one of me. Yes my interests maybe all over the place and I'm not sure there are many sustainable zoologists who wish to enter the world of ethical supply chain and pairing up charities and businesses for campaigns but hey, thats what makes me great.

So that's me sorted for the next year, I better get cracking.

Love
Erin

Photo by the wonderful Louis Dunbavin.