This week I turned the big three-oh. While many might find this milestone daunting (and trust me – I've had my moments!) I've actually found turning thirty quite liberating. Summing up an entire decade is hard, especially in a few short paragraphs, so hang on in there. I'm going to try my best!

In all honestly, my twenties felt like quite a confusing time. I think it must be a generational thing. But if you think about it, our society expects a lot from your twenties. It's often the decade that's considered your "prime" and honestly we need to change the dialogue around that, because it adds so much unnecessary expectation and pressure.  In your twenties you're expected to carve out your dream career after graduation (if you're privileged enough to do so.) You're expected to become a homeowner, get married, maybe even have children. I'm exhausted just typing it.  But if there's anything my twenties have taught me, it's that you don't need to put that much pressure on yourself, and you certainly don't need to conform to societal norms. You don't need to work until the point of burnout to succeed in your career (I learned that one the hard way.) You don't need to settle down and get married and have kids if you don't want to. You don't need to have saved up a deposit, or own a flat or house just yet. You don't need to buy that IKEA kitchen set to be a #adult. And that's okay dammit. 

So with all that being said, I'm embracing my thirties. I spent a lot of the last decade trying to work out who I was, what I wanted from life and how to manage my physical and mental health. But I do feel like I've come out of my twenties with a better sense of self. I know my worth, I know my purpose, and my goals in life. Yes it takes a while, and things got messy along the way, but it's all part of the journey. Right?  I'm not saying I won't have anxieties, challenges and lows within the next decade, but I do think I'm going into my thirties stronger and more confident in how to handle them.  

I want my thirties to be about nurturing my relationships with the people that matter, and not wasting time on those that don't. I want to prioritise travel and experiences above all else, and continue to work less and live more. Yes, I absolutely love the work I do, and find it incredibly satisfying and creatively fulfilling, but I don't want it to define who I am and how I spent my time. I know it's a privilege to be able to say that. Which is why I want to spend the next decade being more selfless. In my spare time, I would love to focus my energy into helping non-profits, charities and volunteering more. Social media has created a generation of narcissists, and I really want to counterbalance that. I know these are just words until I act on them, but the intent is there and I'm ready. 

I also can't emphasise enough, how much of an old soul I've always felt. So turning 30 feels like I've finally caught up to my inner old lady. I like staying in and watching movies, going to bed early and not drinking. I like cat cuddles on a Sunday afternoon, whilst listening to classic soul and jazz music. I stopped fighting that a long time ago, and it feels good to finally embrace it.

So just like every year, I like to summarise with what I've learnt from the last year. Below you will find 30 things I've learned by thirty (+ a few bonus extras!) This list is mainly for my own future reference, and it's obviously unique to me and my experiences, but hopefully you can relate to some of these, or takeaway something from one or two. Enjoy!

Creating something with your hands is so satisfying.

Let go of people who don’t value you. Surround yourself with people who do.

Every action has an equal and opposite reaction.

Journaling and list-making are so therapeutic.

The older I get the more I appreciate minimalism. Materialistic things really don’t mean that much.

You don’t have to do what society tells you to do.

After years of struggling I can now look at my chronic illness as a blessing. (Sometimes...) It’s taught me to slow down, prioritise, and look after myself, perhaps more than the average person would.

Commit to a decision and stick to it.  (I'm working on it – I promise!)

Giving good feedback is an art form. I’ve learned what not to do by those who do it badly.

Seedlip Garden is delicious. Who knew mocktails could taste this good?!

Some people won’t take your advice, no matter how much of an expert you are on the subject. You have to learn to live with it.

Practising gratitude everyday has amazing benefits.

Having a pet can have a massive, positive impact on mental health. 

Wait… sometimes the older I get the more fucks I give …

I do not regret the challenges I’ve faced in my past. They’ve only made me stronger.

Anxiety comes from things that feel out of your control, so focus on the things you can.

An epic gluten-free yorkshire pudding recipe (that actually works) exists. Who knew?!

Getting my ass off most social media was one of the best things I ever did for myself. (Plus, the more distance I get from it the more I dislike everything about it.) Y'gurl should really delete Twitter though.

Invest in quality not quantity. (Yes, it’s taken me 30 years to learn this one.)

You don’t always have to offer advice, sometimes emotional support is all a person wants and needs. 

Communication and empathy are two of the most important ingredients in any business or personal relationship.

We’re all just pretending like we know what we’re talking about. Some people are just better at it than others.

Okay, okay so I had some extra bonus ones I noted down throughout the year, and it felt wrong to cut them.  Like I said, I'm still learning the art of brevity!

Creating habits is quite easy once you commit to it. This Habit tracker has been key.

If it won’t matter in a year or even a month’s time, it’s not worth worrying over.

Try come at everything with a positive mental attitude. 

Happiness comes from within, stop chasing validation from others.

Everyone has bad days regardless of what they show on social media.

Changing your inner dialogue to be kinder to yourself is a constant daily challenge.

Never half ass two things, whole ass one thing. (Thanks, Ron Swanson.)

I’m a night owl, no matter how hard I try to fight it.

I love supporting small businesses, and it's so, so important.

Reading has really helped me this year. I regret not reading for so many years.

If you like this list, check out my list from last year. 

Thirty

This Spiced Mango Smoothie is a super simple, and summery treat. Not only tasty – it comes with a host of health benefits too!

Turmeric is arguably the food highest in antioxidants, and it’s also a natural anti-inflammatory. Ginger has similar anti-inflammatory effects, and is super soothing on the gut. Mango, known for it’s high levels of vitamin A, C and B6, contains loads of vitamins and minerals that help keep you feeling fuller for longer. The dairy-free yogurt also gives you that healthy dose of good bacteria and probiotics too. 

This is a great breakfast in the summertime. It’s ready in minutes, especially when using preprepared or frozen mango. If you're using fresh mango, make sure it's ripe and a little squishy before using. Just chuck everything in the blender and finish with a slice of lime! 

I love the gentle kick from the turmeric and ginger spices, which really makes this smoothie that little bit different. You can always add more or less depending on your taste too.

Spiced Mango Smoothie

Wow oh wow, it's been a while! I must confess, it's been an embarrassingly long time since I shared an actual recipe on this blog. It might even be years, dare I say it. So I knew when I finally reappeared with a recipe, I'd have to come back with a bang. 

And I know what you're saying... "Oh Anna... why are sharing an oatmeal recipe in summer?!"  

Now while this was an absolute nightmare to make look nice in photographs, because let's face it, it's basically stodge (the good kind of stodge.) I can promise it tastes 100% better than it looks.

Since stumbling upon Madeleine Olivia's Baked Banana Oats recipe, I've been hooked. I tweaked this recipe slightly by adding blueberries and flaxseed, and let me tell you, it's addictive. These baked oats are like eating warm blueberry muffins, straight from the oven! But the best part? You can eat this for breakfast without the guilt.

I've been eating these baked banana & blueberry oats non-stop for months now and let me tell you, I'm still not sick of them. Which is why I knew I had to share this recipe with you. I've also found it's a nice and easy way to cook your oats, without having to stand by and stir continuously. Stick it in the oven, put on a timer, and go snuggle under a blanket!

Most of us are aware of the power of blueberries these days, often known as the king of antioxidants, they are an amazing way to start your day. However, flaxseed is an incredible superfood that often gets overlooked. Good in porridge, bread or smoothies, flaxseed is high in Omega-3 fatty acids. So if you're a vegan or vegetarian, flaxseeds are a great addition to your diet. Not only that, the ground flaxseed in this dish really helps to bind the oats and make them extra cakey. 

And if all that deliciousness wasn't enough, once warm and golden from the oven, you can top with whatever you like! I like to top mine with lashings of almond butter and an extra drizzle of honey/maple syrup. It doesn't get much better than that.

These Baked Banana & Blueberry Oats taste like warm blueberry muffins, straight from the oven! Perfect for a winters day, it makes a delicious, warming breakfast or even a cosy dessert. You wouldn't believe it's gluten/dairy free - and vegan too!

Baked Banana & Blueberry Oats

Everywhere you look lately we're being told just how bad single-use tampons and sanitary pads are for our environment. With the average woman using an estimate of 16,000 disposable pads or tampons in their lifetime, more and more of us are turning to sustainable alternatives. Especially as they can take over 500 years to decompose too!

Despite advice from water companies and manufacturers, 1.5 billion are flushed away in the UK every year. As well as contributing to 'fatbergs' in our sewers, many end up in the sea and on our beaches. In fact, single-use period products are the fifth most common waste product washed up on our shores. When I found out that most pads from mainstream brands are made from up to 90% plastic, I decided to make a change.

I was very dubious and scared about making the switch at first. While I wanted to find a more eco-friendly method, I had SO many reservations and uncertainties. Will they be as effective? Will they be as convenient and discreet? Will it be more effort? Will it be more expensive? But as I researched into the options, all these concerns quickly went away. So here's how I embraced the plastic free period!

Just a warning! Things may get a little TMI for some people, but we're talking about periods here guys...

To really make an effective and lasting sustainable switch, I think you need to start off by asking yourself a series of personal questions. We're all different - and that means our periods are too.  What works for me, may not work for you, and vice versa. So it's important to look into what you're currently using in terms of sanitary products. Why do you use what you use? What do you like and dislike about it?

Personally, I've never been a tampon kind of girl. Since the age of 13, I've always used sanitary pads. I find them more comfortable and I like that I can easily see when I need to change/switch out a pad. Luckily throughout my life, my periods have mostly been fairly light. But I know pads couldn't even be an option for some people who aren't as fortunate!  So this is where your personal preferences and requirements come in to play. 

Once you've decided on your preferred method, it's time to start researching plastic-free alternatives. While I focussed most of my attention on researching options for sanitary pads, I also looked at other options available just in case! Here, I stumbled across products like the ever popular Mooncup. 

I think it's important to do as much research and reading as you can before making your purchase. Look at how to use the product, the pros and cons, the maintenance and if there are any ongoing costs.  Think of different real-life scenarios and see if this method fits into your lifestyle. Things you could ask are ... Is this portable? Could I use this in a public-bathroom? Could I travel with this item? How would I clean this? Make sure you read reviews too! Once you feel confident in your choice, then it's time to commit and start your plastic-free journey!

Once I made the switch to reusable sanitary pads,  I've never looked back, and honestly I wish I had done it sooner. I purchased two different packs of sanitary towels. While my periods tend to be fairly light, they also tend to be long (lasting around 7 days) so I wanted to make sure I had enough pads to make sure my entire period was covered.  You could even use these in companion with your reusable menstrual cup too.

I wanted to find sanitary towels with wings, to give me extra protection and avoid any embarrassing leaks or spills. I ended up purchasing these Bamboo Sanitary Pads by BeEcoWise and these Reusable Menstrual Pads by Heart Felt.  These sanitary pads come with a bamboo charcoal layer, which is super absorbent, hypoallergenic and naturally neutralises odours. The dark colour of the bamboo charcoal fabric is also forgiving of stains, giving you one less thing you have to worry about.  

These pads have snap buttons to fasten the pads around your underwear, keeping everything in place. They also fold into a rectangle, allowing for discreet carrying wherever you may be. Both sets come with a handy case to store them in, which is helpful when you're at home or when you're out and about.  

A huge plus point when switching to reusable menstrual pads, is that you can actually save hundreds of pounds! Within a couple of months these had already paid for themselves, and I no longer need to purchase disposable panty liners which will ultimately end up in landfill after a single use.  Typically, a woman uses around 21 disposable sanitary pads or tampons every month! Over a lifetime that is a HUGE saving by simply investing in reusable menstrual pads. This money-saving bonus is probably true of pretty much all the plastic-free options out there too.

Another thing I like about the reusable versions, is just how super soft they are. The designs can often be really cute and pretty too. I know this seems slightly superficial, but these small things are still improvements on the plain and boring single-use versions. Now that they're becoming more popular, you can find some really lovely designs and even hand-made ones, and these simple pleasures can add a small touch of luxury to your period. Us girls need all the little perks we can get!

If I would have to think of any negatives for complete transparency, I would say that sometimes these reusable pads have a tendency to slip. This may depend on specific ones you buy and your fabric/fastenings/underwear. They're completely fine 95% of the time, but there have been some instances where they've slipped out of place more than I would have liked. This potentially might be where period pants have the advantage, especially if this becomes an issue for you too. I've yet to try these out - but it might be something I look into when these need replacing.

It goes without saying that it's very important to clean your reusable sanitary towels regularly. This is probably the biggest change when making the switch from single-use pads. But it's actually really simple once you know what to do!

All reusable pads are different, so it's worth looking at the washing and care instructions once you've purchased.  Some will be machine washable and others will be hand wash only.

I like to soak my pads for 5-10 minutes in cold water with a few drops of pure tea tree oil, before putting them on a short 30º machine-wash. Tea tree oil has anti-bacterial properties, and it also helps to eliminate odours too.  Once washed, just hang them to dry as you would your normal laundry. 

So it's that time of month, and you're ready to put your new plastic-free product/s to the test! 

First and foremost, remember to be kind to yourself. Any kind of change is hard, and periods can already be difficult and inconvenient! So remember to be gentle with yourself in this transitionary period (no pun intended!) If you have a few snags or things that didn't work as you had thought, be patient and try again. Maybe look at some FAQs or forums and see if there are anymore tips and tricks from those who are already using the same products. But if you're still struggling after a few months, it's probably best to look into other options. 

There will be things that are a little different to your usual routine at first, but it's often surprising how quickly you can get used to a new method, especially once you put your mind to it. 

If you're wanting to embrace the plastic-free period, I hope this guide has been helpful to you! Whatever method you choose, remember there's no right or wrong way, and you can always try out an alternative until you find what works best for you. 

Unless indicated, these products were not gifted and this is not a sponsored post. I'm just putting out my genuine love for these brands and products. All stats and prices correct as of Dec 2019.

Single-use tampons and sanitary pads are a disaster for the environment, and more and more of us are turning to more sustainable alternatives. Want to know how to make the switch? Here's how to embraced the plastic free period and reusable sanitary pads.

Plastic Free Periods + Reusable Sanitary Pads

We all have good intentions, but when you're struggling for gift ideas it can be so easy to buy something in a rush or just for the sake of it. As a result, most of these items sadly end up unused, donated or in landfill. Over the years, I've learnt that the most sustainable thing we can do is gift someone an experience, your time, or a donation to charity. These all make amazingly thoughtful gifts with minimal impact to our planet. 

However, we all know how lovely it is to have something to unwrap on Christmas day. No matter how big or small. We often want to treat our loved ones to something they can pamper themselves with, or something they really need. So this year, I've decided to pull together a shortlist of items that you can give without feeling too guilty. Hopefully these items, are things your recipient will actually use (or reuse) time and time again. Which, of course, is at the heart of sustainability.

I also think it's important to support small, local or independent businesses where we can. This reduces shipping emissions, but also means you're supporting the local economy too All of the items on this short-list aim to represent some of the amazing independent brands and businesses out there.

Before we get to the gift-guide itself, I always think it's wise to ask yourself a series of questions before purchasing anything. These could be:

Can they reuse, recycle or up-cycle this item?

If the answer is yes to any of the above, it's probably a safe choice!

Am I just buying this for the sake of it?

If the answer is yes to any of the above, you probably shouldn't buy it!

Now we've established some shopping guidelines, you can start to think about what to purchase. So without further ado, here's my independent and sustainable gift-guide for anyone wanting to be more eco-conscious this Christmas!

I always think candles are a no-brainer when it comes to gifts. Everyone loves a good candle. Right?!  I've absolutely fallen in love with Self Care Co. candles this year. All of their products are made using natural soy-wax and are blended with a mix of essential oils. They are also entirely vegan + eco friendly. The candles are packaged in beautiful glass containers with lids, so these can easily be up-cycled and reused long after your candle has finished. Self Care Co even have their own recycle scheme too, and encourage you to send the container back to re-fill.

Each one is individually crafted with gorgeous essential oils, to help relieve stress and anxiety. What I love about these (and candles in general) is that you're not just giving the gift of the candle itself, but in something so much more. Candles can often inspire loved ones to enjoy some much-needed self-care or simply to take some time out for themselves.

Which is why this particular brand is so great! Whether you want to treat someone to the ultimate hygge-gift or simply enhance their self-care routine, Self Care Co. have you covered.

Reusable tote bags can also be a great gift for those wanting to reduce their use of single-use plastic. Plastic bags are by far some of the biggest contributors to the growing plastic problem. Tote bags are a great eco-friendly alternative and can be used time and time again.  Booming in popularity, there are now so many tote bags and designs to choose from. This means you can buy a design to fit the person you're buying for, making it thoughtful and personal too.

This year, I will be gifting these ocean-themed tote bags from ecovibe. These are made from 100% willow cotton with a beautiful quote from Ryunosuke Satoro: “Individually, we are one drop. Together, we are an ocean.”

5% of profits from the sale of these tote bags go to ocean cleaning charities too!

Tote bags can double-up to wrap your presents as well! It's a gift + gift-wrap rolled into one! Either use it as the gift-bag itself, or wrap a present inside and tie together with string.  Perfect!

I have been a huge fan of Bird & Blend Tea Co for many years now - and not just for their huge range of delicious + innovative teas! From day one, Bird & Blend have made sure their teabags are 100% plastic-free & biodegradable too. So you can pop the kettle on guilt-free! Their luxury pyramid-shaped teabags contain only whole leaf teas & high quality ingredients.

This Dreamer's Gift Cube would make a perfect Christmas gift for the tea lovers in your life. Containing 12 individually wrapped tea bags, in 6 different sleepy-time teas, it will help them chill out in no time!

Item kindly gifted by Bird & Blend Tea Co.

Another independent brand I've loved for years, and local to my home city of Norwich, is Lisa Angel.

Lisa Angel produce the most stunning jewellery and homeware. They put quality-first and everything is always so well-made, meaning your recipient will treasure their goodies well past December! Their friendly customer service is second-to-none and many of their pieces can be personalised for that extra-special touch.

When picking jewellery or homeware, I always think it's best to pick timeless pieces. This ensures the item will be cherished for life, rather than worn a couple of times and discarded. Lisa Angel have so many unique and bespoke pieces, you can easily find something for almost anyone!

So there we have it! My Independent + Sustainable Christmas Gift Guide with items people will actually use! I hope you've found this short-list helpful, but if you're in need of some more ideas, please check out my blog on Sustainable Christmas Stocking Gifts.

And remember, the most sustainable gift you can give this Christmas is your time and company, followed by an experience or a charitable donation that means something to them. But if you wanted that little extra-something - I hope this list has given you some eco-friendly options to explore! 

Nobody is perfect, but the fact you're trying to shop more mindfully this Christmas is amazing! Keep on doing what you're doing, ask yourself that series of questions before purchasing, and try to shop locally + independently where you can.

I hope you all have a very Merry Christmas and an incredible 2020! ♥️

Want to give you loved ones more sustainable gifts this Christmas? Then take a look at my eco-friendly, independent gift guide, filled with ideas for things they will actually use or cherish for years to come!