What Sophie Said

A couple of weeks ago, I took my first trip to Brighton for my birthday weekend. It's a place people go on and on about and so many love, so I was really looking forward to it. After to everything I've been going through recently it was the perfect escape from London and opportunity to slow the pace and take time to relax. We arrived Saturday morning and had a cooked breakfast looking over the beach, followed by a stroll along the pier. Sitting and chatting on the pier was the perfect place to be able to mull over my thoughts and clear out some of the things that have been contributing to my state of mind over the last couple of months. I loved The Lanes, although they weren't what I expected at all. They're such a maze of cute little shops and great to wander. I've got to say, I loved the way such a huge proportion of the shops in Brighton are independent. All the usual chains were there, but the overall feel was a very independent one with so many inte...

24 sounds kind of grown up. Didn’t I turn 21 five minutes ago? This year has been a bit action-packed: new job, new city, new house… I cannot wait for a trip away at the weekend. I used to think 24 year-olds would be settled and have their whole lives sorted. I’ve done a lot of learning about myself this year. Those I’d count as the people I’m closest to now aren’t the same list as on my last birthday and that’s ok. I can’t believe it’s a year since my last birthday, one of my absolute favourites (think Wimbledon and amazing friends). Birthdays always feel like a fresh start, with new opportunities. I feel like this is going to be a big year. There are lots of things going on in my brain and lots of plans both arranged and with the potential to happen. I’m going to continue looking after myself. The last month has taught me how important that is. I want to continue exploring. There are so many places even just in the UK I’m desperate to see,...

Hello, July. I’m really, really glad to see you. You’ve always been my favourite month, my birthday month, my happy month. June was really hard. In June I hit a brick wall when it came to my anxiety and depression and I had to press reset. I spent two weeks sleeping, reading, learning. I returned to work. I’m building up my food intake. I’m building healthy habits. I’m learning to cope. But it’s been a hard, hard month. There have been achievements during it and I’ve learned an awful lot, but I’m ready for the fresh feel of a new month. I’ve come out of June with a new outlook. Rather than masking my problems and pretending I’m fine, I need to tackle them properly. Fully. For good. Take on those deep-rooted issues I’ve spent three years just masking and ‘getting on with’. It’s been hard, and there’s a long road ahead, but long term these changes will make a huge difference to my health and my happiness. So, July. I’m glad to see you....

On Saturday night, I went to a masquerade ball. It was for a 30th birthday, the venue was stunning, and it was just a wonderful evening. Firstly, it was so lovely to properly dress up. We often do nice things, but not events where you get the chance to really go all out, wear something new and feel special for the evening. It felt like an escape from the every day, and everyone really went for it. I was surrounded by beautiful dresses and the most incredible masks. No one in the room had let the side down! There was a three-piece jazz band playing throughout the party, and the evening sun was streaming in through the huge windows. I had met a grand total of about four people in the room before Saturday night, but 10 minutes in it didn't feel like that was the case. Sometimes, people stick with the people they know, but everyone was so open and friendly and there was a real sense that people spent the evening circulating. It was a truly special event, and hopefully e...

Happy birthday, little blog of mine. I couldn't believe it when I realised that my blog started three years ago today. I've certainly not been consistent, and I've fallen in and out of love with it, but it's been mine for three years. This year, that consistency is going to improve. I find writing so relaxing and am determined to do more of it and document my year. In January, I posted on this blog 28 days out of 31. I'm not saying I will continue to post almost daily, but I wanted to really commit to making the content on here more regular. So that's what I'm doing. I have so many posts planned for the next month and beyond and can't wait to continue this routine of writing and sharing more often. A lot has happened over the last three years, and I want to make sure that the years ahead are ones where I collect even more memories. The fourth year will be a good one.

Today, my baby sister turns 20. TWENTY. Not a baby any more, is she? That sounds like a 'proper' adult, not a teenager any more. So, because 20 is a nice, round number and a list is always a good thing, here are 20 things that make her great: She's strong-minded.  She's a hard worker. She 's the best dancer I know (by miles). She wanted to become better at Spanish, so she moved there for a year. She throws herself into everything. She arranged a huge show for Childline yearly from the ages of 11-16. She's loyal to her friends (even when they're not being the best friends). She worked hard all summer, sometimes 7 days a week, to save up for a month-long trip to Peru. She's a great cook. She's one of the funniest people I know. She's got her head screwed on and knows how the world works. She doesn't give up. She adapts: her situation in Madrid at first wasn't deal, so she changed it. She goes into schools, running as...

On 7 th July, I turned 23, and after an amazing week of enjoying my birthday, I’m feeling somewhat reflective.  I’m planning, I’m thinking, I’m sorting through my thoughts.  And whilst I process these thoughts, for today, here’s a list of some of the 23 ‘life lessons’ I feel I’ve learned over the last 23 years. 1. Real friendships take work, and effort to maintain. 2. Don’t be afraid to drift away from friendships that leave you feeling drained, or tired, or not valued. 3. You won’t always understand every decision those around you make… But if you care about them, support them. 4. Some people will have very different views to you on a whole range of things, and that’s ok. 5. The path that’s right for one person isn’t necessarily right for you. 6. It’s ok not to have absolutely everything figured out. Most people don’t. 7. Work hard. It will pay off in the end. 8. Making mistakes is fine, as long as you learn from them. 9. Alone ...

So, today is the 22nd birthday of a fabulous chum of mine, Laura. When it came to deciding on presents, she's put us all in a pickle by deciding to disappear off travelling in a couple of weeks, and isn't back properly until this time next year. I decided that meant there was no point in buying clothes/books/makeup etc, and her family are buying her the rest of her travel essentials. So what better excuse is there for a day out? Food, the hairdressers, and more food, to celebrate Laura's birthday by doing something and having a fun afternoon. And that's just what we did on Saturday. We started at Salt Bar, a Scandinavian restaurant which has recently been featured on BBC2's The Restaurant Man. It's not food I'd usually go for, so we headed to find out what was on offer. It's quite a small restaurant, with lovely little wooden tables, and simple wall hangings. There is a bar at the back, with what looks like a fairly small kitchen immediately behind i...