Trying to Outrun the Blueprint

What are you most worried about for the future? Honestly? That I’ll spend the next 40 years exactly like the last 40, shrinking myself to fit into spaces that were never made for me. That I’ll never get out of the 9–5 grind, selling my soul in exchange for a wage that lines someone else’s […]

Shadow work & the patterns i couldn’t ignore anymore

I didn’t go looking for shadow work. It found me, in the quiet moments, the overreactions, and the patterns I kept calling “bad luck” or “just the way I am.” It showed up in the way I’d brace for rejection before I even opened my mouth. In the way I’d shut down over the tiniest […]

New York, Jet Lag, and the Pizza That Fixed Me

What’s the most delicious thing you’ve ever eaten? The writer in me was tempted to say the taste of success, keep it poetic, add a few metaphors, and sound like someone who drinks green tea and manifests positivity. But truthfully? Success never came with melted cheese or grease dripping down my arm. And I’m a […]

When Vintage Designer Meets Shame

If you were forced to wear one outfit over and over again, what would it be? Black leggings, because nothing screams functional adult woman who occasionally cries on her commute, like an elasticated waistband. Oversized hoodie? Absolutely essential. Preferably one that says “I’m totally fine” in Comic Sans. Trainers that carry the emotional weight of […]

It’s Not All Candles and Calm, Is It?

How do you practice self-care? Well, that depends. Are we talking about the version that looks good on Instagram or the kind that actually helps? Because if it’s the polished kind, I whack on a face mask, light a candle that smells like lavender and false hope, and pretend a bubble bath has ever fixed […]

How Emotional Neglect Fuels a Lifetime of Overthinking

Earlier today, I answered the daily prompt question about “what I waste the most time on” (spoiler: it’s overthinking — and you can read that little brain spiral here), and I realised something bigger was brewing underneath it all. I don’t just overthink because I’m dramatic, anxious, or can’t make a bloody decision. I overthink because […]

Overthinking Like a Pro: My Daily Time Thief Exposed

How do you waste the most time every day? Overthinking. Not just the usual spirals, though trust me, I’ve done my fair share of “what did that text really mean?” and “did I sound weird in that voice note?” But it goes far deeper than that. I waste time on all the could have beens […]

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No Structure, No Filters, No Clue

Welcome to “Thirty Something (Plus VAT)“ Before we dive in, let’s get one thing straight — this blog isn’t here to give you the secret formula to healing, 10 steps to a better life, or any other neatly packaged nonsense. I’m not your guru, there’s no life coach certificate framed on the wall, I’m just […]

Was Bunking Off History Class a Historical Act?

Who is your favorite historical figure? If you’re here for a thoughtful tribute to a powerful historical figure… I’m afraid I’ve let the team down. Again. Just like I did every Thursday morning in Year 9 when I ‘accidentally’ forgot my history book and spent the lesson trying to fashion a pillow out of my […]

Why Did Nobody Warn Me About Chin Hairs

You know what they don’t tell you when you’re growing up? That one day you’ll wake up and find a rogue chin hair thick enough to tow a small car. They prepare you for puberty, sure — although in my case, I have school to thank for that. My family didn’t talk about things like […]