waxing gibbous

For those interested in what my next tattoo is going to be - here it is. It's a glyph for the 'waxing gibbous' moon phase. This is the phase when the moon is on it's way to being full, but isn't quite there yet. It's a time for learning, growing and starting new things. 

All in all - it's where I am in my life right now.

I'm planning on getting it on the back of my neck so I can show it off whenever I please with a quick change in hairstyle. I'm also planning on getting the cherry blossoms on my arm coloured in - I'm thinking bright blues and yellows. 

I keep seeing TV shows like 'My Tattoo Hell' trying desperately to warn people from getting tattoos, but ironically it just makes my want to get more. I love every inking on my body as they each tell a story.

The wonky star on my stomach reminds me of my fresh start at University, while the flowers on my arm remind me of that time I travelled to Thailand. The Tibetan symbol on my wrist represents the strength it took me to overcome Anorexia. The feathers falling from my ribs denote my freedom from depression, and the star residing on my foot will forever remind me of my sister. I have script to remind me to keep dreaming and a heart to signify family.

To onlookers they may appear messy, but to me they are perfect.

28

Happiness is sitting in fleece pyjamas, cup of tea in hand, reading Oh Comely magazine and listening to music by Peggy Sue.

Probably not for you - but for me, this is happiness. Of course, other things make me happy - but little else stirs my imagination and evokes warm fuzzy feelings of content the way this series of events does.

It was my birthday yesterday and as I hurtle head first towards the end of my 20s I feel as if I know myself better than ever. I know what makes me happy, I know what makes me sad and more importantly I know what I need to work on. I know that I enjoy routine, from the series of yoga moves I practice every evening to my specific pattern of tea/coffee consumption Monday–Friday - and I know that change both empowers and terrifies me.

I know that I have a long way to go and that I am far from the finished article. 

My birthday weekend was the epitome of this. I drove myself and Joe to Guildford on Saturday filled with gusto and proceeded to kiss a brick wall with the front of my car, shattering any illusions I may have had about being a confident driver. I quickly realised this was likely to be the first of many mistakes I'll make and calmed myself down. Saturday night I put on a nice dress and drank dark and stormys with friends, an evening that started off civilised and ended with bacon sarnies. 

On Sunday (my actual birthday) I enjoyed my hangover in GBK and muttered the phrase "I'm too old for this s**t" more than once. My mum baked me brownies, my sister painted me a beautiful picture and Joe spoiled me with presents and plans. Today I took the day off work to spend my birthday money before embracing the fleece pyjamas Joe's mum got me and settling in for an evening of reading.

Now I have been suitably inspired, I will probably scoff some of the many chocolates gifted to me by friends and watch Grey's Anatomy. 

So while I may not be the most mature person my age, in between turning 27 and turning 28 I feel I've grown more than other years. A sentiment I'm choosing to celebrate with a tattoo. Is this mature or wise? Probably not. Do I care? Hell no. It's my birthday and I'll ink if I want to.

Here's to another year of growing.