navigating through a quarter-life crisis

This is my first think piece style post in for as long as I can remember, so forgive me if I waffle. Truth is, I have no idea how to approach a post like this but I'm hoping it will resonate with a few of you. I'm going to keep it fairly brief as a way of dipping my toe back in the sea of sharing my thoughts with the online world. 

As soon as I resentfully entered into my twenties, I started to feel immense pressure to instantly become a proper adult, which has been growing year by year. I've never had a full time job, still live at home and quit my degree after just one year. Even writing that sentence makes me feel like a soon to be failure of the real world. 

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My 24th birthday is fast approaching and with it I've started to allow myself to breathe and to learn to stop listening to the voice in my head that tells me I should have got my shit together by now. I've been blogging for eight years, have a business well on the way and study on a degree level course. Yet still, because I'm not in a serious job I find myself questioning my life choices far too often. It has recently dawned on me how imperative it is to tell that voice to fuck off and to carry on doing what I enjoy, in whatever capacity I feel the most capable of. Even if that means sending emails at 3am whilst covered in Oreo crumbs. 

Call it a mid-twenties life crisis, but I'm wearing my hair in pigtails, swearing in blog posts, having spontaneous piercings and reliving my teenage years before I get any closer to living the life of a proper adult. I spent most of my teenage years growing up far too quickly and having a wise head before it was good for me which goes some way to explain how I'm only just learning to stop scrutinising myself at every turn. 

If we all had the mindset of a carefree teenager well into our twenties and thirties, I'm more than sure life would finding a way of making it all work out for us and without half of the mental battles. Play ignorant to the amount of candles on your birthday cake and taste life.

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wicked kitchen plant based food range at tesco

Last January, I decided to sack in dairy and from there on have progressively ditched all animal products from my diet. Since then, Ben and Jerry's blessed us with three flavours of dairy free ice cream, Pizza Hut came out with a vegan cheese option and this month Wicked Kitchen joined forces with Tesco to launch 20 plant based products, from ready meals to pizzas and sandwiches. 

If you're already vegan, are curious about giving it a go or simply want to cut down on animal products, the whole range has changed the game for anyone who thinks being vegan means a life on bland salads. Wicked Kitchen have absolutely nailed it at making plant based food exciting for all customers. 

So far I've tried out the BBQ Butternut Mac, Muay Thai Curry, Kung Fu Bowl, Hoi Sin Mushroom Wrap and Smashin' Pumpkin Falafel Sandwich. I've been seriously impressed with everything I've given a go and would without a doubt buy them all again. The quality of each meal has been seamless; the ingredients taste super fresh, the flavours are complex and they're all substantial portion sizes enough to fill you up. It's tricky to pick a favourite, but the Muay Thai Curry is phenomenal and tastes as if it has just been served up in a fancy Thai restaurant. 

The ready meals come in at £4, salads £3.50 and wraps/sandwiches £3, making it completely affordable to stock up on a few at the start of the week. I'll be replacing a few of my lazier and less healthy meals that I rely on for a quick fix throughout the week with these as they're such a great option for nutritious food in a hurry. 

If you fancy having a nosey at the full range or ordering some to try, get over to the Tesco website here. 

discovering bordeaux by train

For the last few days of September, I took a trip to Bordeaux and was blessed with weather reminiscent of mid-summer. It was the perfect pick me up for my post-holiday blues after returning home from two weeks to Croatia at the end of August. The new high-speed TGV train line from Paris to Bordeaux means it now takes around 4 hours in total from St Pancras to Bordeaux, with some added time to change stations and grab a croissant in Paris.    

 Places to shop 

Librairie Mollat, the largest independently owned book shop in France, is filled with every book from every genre, making it a compulsory stop on a wander through the city. There's a huge Hay store,  Cos, and of course many of wine and cake shops. 

 Where to eat in Bordeaux 

Just a few years ago, asking for a dish without seafood, meat and dairy in France was near impossible. Times are starting to change and even Michelin star restaurants are beginning to cater more to animal free eating. I was blown away by Le Gabriel, both for the fantastic food and romantic atmosphere. 

 Taking a day trip to Arachon 

Home to the tallest sand dunes in Europe, Arcachon is a 50 minute train ride from Bordeaux. This time of year it's free of swoops of tourists, and is still bathed in warm sunshine. I completely fell in love with the chic seaside town and have vowed to revisit sometime.   

Boat trips that take you on a tour of the bay go out from the pier regularly, or there's private cruises on traditional Pinasse boats if you want to make it more special. 

Arcachon is home to the Dune of Pilat, the tallest sand dune in Europe. It's unlike anything I've seen before in my life and deserves a firm place on everyone's travel bucket list. Running down the steep side, barefoot, just as sun is setting is a glorious experience. 

Fares from London to Bordeaux with Voyages-sncf.com start from £111 standard class return, which is incredibly good value and makes the trip well worth considering for a midweek or long weekend break.