Note 43 - The Last Year of my Twenties
Dress - By Malene Birger / Shoes - Aeyde / Bag - Melisse NYC
This week I turned 29! And I can honestly say I feel excited about entering a new decade next year.
Our twenties are all about figuring out who we are: trying new things, taking risks, and pushing ourselves outside our comfort zones. For me, that meant living in 3 different countries, working across different industries, moving flats a few times, making friends and also losing some, falling in love, and becoming much clearer about the daily habits that help me feel my best.
I thought, in the spirit of all this, I’d share a few things I’m still learning and that I hope to have figured out by 30.
Setting boundaries. I've always leaned toward being a bit of a people pleaser, and I sometimes stay quiet when things bother me. I'm still working on this, but little by little I'm learning to speak up, trust my instincts, and not let things go too far before addressing them. By thirty, I don’t want to let people step on my toes.
Prioritizing my health. The last few years have completely changed how I think about wellbeing. I've fallen in love with Pilates, made early bedtime a priority, become much more intentional about managing stress, and learned to nourish my body in a way that actually makes me feel good. I'm still figuring it all out, but I know I feel my best when these habits are in sync. Most recently, I've decided to take a break from alcohol to see how it impacts my body and mind (almost 2 months in and while I miss having a glass of red wine with some meals, I do feel much better).
Taking action. One of the biggest lessons I've learned is that if something isn't making you happy, nothing will change unless you change it. Whether it's the city you live in, the job you're doing, the relationships you're investing in, or simply how you spend your weekends. If something feels off, give yourself permission to take action, and be fearless about it. I need to constantly remind myself of that.
I’m definitely looking forward to this year and getting closer to my thirties with a little more clarity, confidence, and courage.
What I Wore This Week
Dress - By Malene Birger / Shoes - Aeyde / Bag - Melisse NYC
Bag - Melisse NYC
My birthday fell during the week of the forest fires in Fontainebleau, so going out to celebrate in town didn't feel quite right.
Instead, we kept things simple. I still wanted an excuse to dress up, so I wore the outfit I'd been looking forward to wearing, and my boyfriend made my favourite meal, carbonara, at home. It ended up being a really lovely way to welcome another year.
I loved wearing this look, even if it was just for a cozy evening in. It felt so feminine and so me. The movement of the fringe dress paired with the pearl fringes on the bag makes the whole look feel really fun, and I love the cream-and-soft-pink colour combination.
Everyday Delights
Lunch walks in Le Marais
Cardamom bun as a bday treat!
Fika cafe courtyard at the Swedish Institute
One of my birthday traditions is to have a cardamom bun instead of a cake, and thankfully it was easier to find in Paris than in Montreal. On my lunch break, I headed over to Fika café, which is part of the Swedish Institute, and brought them back home to have for dessert that night. I can’t wait to go back there for a proper lunch because they had a lot of options that looked delicious, and the courtyard is very peaceful and beautiful.
This Week’s Edit
People in Love, Claire Daverley
This has been my recent read on the train. I LOVED her debut novel Talking at Night, and so I knew another literary fiction novel about love would be right up my street. So far I’m really liking the dynamic between the characters.
Ever since moving, I've spent way too much time browsing Nordic Nest. They always seem to have the best sales, and I managed to snag this Louis Poulsen Panthella lamp during one of their weekend deals. It's the perfect bedside lamp, completely cordless, with adjustable brightness so I can set the mood however I want. I end up carrying it everywhere, from the dining table to the bathroom, and I think it’s so cozy!
Almost Wise Podcast on ‘The Habits that Changed our Lives’
Moving has definitely thrown off my routine, and lately I've been trying to redefine my schedule and make space again for the habits that genuinely make me feel good and have been staples in my life for a while now (mainly journaling, working out, early bedtimes, my LED mask, etc).
I listened to this episode of Almost Wise, and it was exactly the motivation I needed to get back into those routines. It's such a good reminder that I feel my happiest and most productive when I'm consistent with the little things.
Not all towels are the same, and I’ve always loved the Tekla ones for how soft and plushy they feel but also for how aesthetic they are. For my birthday, I treated myself to a new fresh one (which also comes in useful since I haven’t received the boxes I packed in Montreal yet). It’s a little luxury that makes a big difference for me.
Love, S.
