The Modern Day Caveman

Day 11 marked my 29th birthday and, in truth, I was dreading it a little.

When I was younger, I absolutely loved my birthday – seeing family, receiving gifts, and having parties with friends.

As the years have passed and I’ve gradually gotten older, I’ve hated ageing and feeling like the years are passing by so quickly. This year, I was apprehensive about heading into my final year of my twenties.

A lot of this apprehension has come from feeling like I haven’t achieved enough for my age. Despite being aware of this, it’s still hard not to feel the pressure I’m putting on myself.

Given everything that’s happened this year, I really just wanted a chill, low-key birthday without too much fuss.

My girlfriend and I have been having some space from one another these past few weeks whilst we both try and process the events of the past 12 months, but she came back to celebrate my birthday with me.

We went for a mammoth hike, walking over 30km across the Cheshire countryside. We were out for about seven hours, including a pub stop near home, but the time flew by completely as we chatted away and caught up on everything that had happened over the past few weeks.

I thought things might be a little awkward given we’d decided to have some space from one another whilst we worked through things, but we chatted in detail about everything – from my feelings, her feelings, mental health, and the future. There was a lot we both got off our chests, and it really felt therapeutic.

We got back home and it was time for some much-needed calories!

Birthday tea was homemade pizza (courtesy of my mum!), followed by birthday cake and some birthday drinks, whilst watching Indiana Jones. Not a bad birthday after all!

Metrics

• Steps: 41,455
• Garmin Stress Score: 46
• Mental Health Rating: 8/10
• Remaining Debt: £40,085.33

Food Log

• Breakfast: Weetabix, milk, orange juice
• Lunch: Quorn baguette, crisps
• Dinner: Pizza, garlic doughballs
• Snacks: Mini Cheddars, birthday cake, chocolate

Another page turned, and another reminder that progress isn’t always measured in numbers or milestones. Sometimes, it’s simply being able to breathe a little easier, reconnect with someone you love, and realise you’re not the same person you were a year ago. Maybe 29 won’t be so bad after all.