Still Not a Real Adult (27 Truths Anyway)

Everything I’ve learned while feeling like a baby adult.

Hi friends,

My birthday was in the middle of June, and turning 27 felt… unexpected? un-life-altering? I know 27 technically edges me closer to 30, but I feel more mid-20s than I’ve ever felt before. I’m more mature (subjectively) than I was when I first moved out of home, went to uni, or made “adult friends” but I don’t quite feel like a reallll adult yet.

I’m somewhere in-between; a baby adult figuring things out day by day.

In the spirit of reflection, here are 27 things I know to be true at 27, with little reminders to encourage you, uplift you, and gently call out the lies you might still believe:

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1. You can start over as many times as you need.
   Life rarely unfolds in a straight line. If you feel like you’ve failed or strayed off course, you’re allowed to begin again, as many times as it takes to find your footing. There’s no shame in a fresh start.

2. God’s timing is better than yours, even when it doesn’t feel like it.
   When doors close or delays happen, it’s easy to spiral into disappointment. But every season has purpose, and what’s meant for you won’t miss you when you’re trusting Him with the timeline.

3. You don’t have to earn rest; you’re allowed to pause.
   Rest isn’t something you “deserve” only after exhausting yourself. You’re human, not a machine, you need rest to show up fully in your life, relationships, and dreams.

4. Love should make you feel safe, not anxious.
   Real love isn’t built on second-guessing or fear of losing someone. It should bring peace, security, and a sense of being known and chosen — not a constant knot in your stomach.

5. People can only meet you as far as they’ve met themselves.
   If someone avoids vulnerability or lashes out, remember their behaviour often reflects and projects their own wounds, not your worth. Their emotional capacity isn’t your responsibility to fix.

6. You’re not behind; there’s no one timeline for life.
   Whether it’s relationships, career, or milestones, you’re exactly where you’re meant to be. Life isn’t a race, and everyone’s path looks different, comparison only distracts you from your own journey.

7. The right friends will celebrate your wins and sit with you in your losses.
   Good friends don’t compete or withdraw when things get messy. They show up for the highs and lows, offering support without conditions or resentment. Time and time again.

8. Kindness is strength, not weakness.
   Being gentle, patient, or compassionate doesn’t make you a pushover, it shows immense inner strength. The world needs more kindness, and it starts with you.

9. Nothing changes if nothing changes, small actions compound.
   If you want different results, you have to do something differently. Even tiny, consistent steps build momentum and lead to big transformations over time.

10. You don’t have to shrink to make others comfortable.
    Dimming your light or downplaying your joy doesn’t serve anyone. The right people will be inspired by your growth, not threatened by it.

11. It’s okay to say no without giving a reason.
    You don’t owe everyone an explanation. Protecting your time, energy, and peace is valid, “no” can be a complete sentence.

12. You can miss someone and still know they’re not right for you.
    Grief doesn’t mean you made the wrong choice. Missing someone is normal, but it doesn’t mean you should go back to what wasn’t healthy or meant for you.

13. Vulnerability is courage in disguise.
    It takes bravery to open up, share your truth, and let yourself be seen, especially when it feels uncomfortable. Vulnerability creates connection.

14. Comparison is a thief, and it rarely tells the whole truth.
    You’ll always find someone “ahead,” but you can’t see the full story behind their highlight reel. Stay in your lane, and remember your value isn’t measured against someone else’s timeline.

15. Taking charge of your mental health is one of the best things you’ll ever do.
    It’s your responsibility to get the support you need, whether that’s seeing a psychologist, starting medication, or building healthier habits. Don’t wait until you’re drowning, prioritising your mind is as essential as caring for your body, and it can (AND WILL) completely change your life.

16. Boundaries are loving, not selfish.
    Setting clear boundaries helps protect your wellbeing and relationships. It’s a way of saying: “I care about you and me enough to be clear.”

17. You don’t need everyone to understand you.
    Some people will misunderstand your intentions or choices, and that’s okay. What matters is living in alignment with your values and purpose.

18. Gratitude shifts your whole perspective.
    Noticing the good, even in hard seasons, trains your mind to see possibility instead of scarcity. Gratitude multiplies joy.

19. Hustle isn’t the only way to success; rest is productive too.
    We’re sold the lie that constant busyness proves our worth. But slowing down can lead to more clarity, creativity, and sustainable success.

20. Forgiving yourself frees you to move forward.
    You can’t rewrite the past, but you can release the grip of shame by offering yourself the same compassion you’d give a friend.

21. Healing isn’t linear, and that’s okay.
    Some days you’ll feel like you’re moving backwards, but it doesn’t erase the progress you’ve made. Healing has setbacks, and that’s part of the journey.

22. You’re allowed to want more, ambition isn’t something to apologise for.
    Wanting growth or a bigger life doesn’t make you ungrateful. You can appreciate what you have and still dream of what could be.

23. The little things (like walks, hugs, and sunsets) matter more than you realise.
    Big moments are rare, but small daily joys are always there if you look. They’re what make an ordinary life feel extraordinary.

24. You don’t have to prove your worth; you already have it.
    Your value isn’t dependent on achievement, appearance, or what others think. You are worthy simply because you exist.

25. It’s brave to ask for help.
    You don’t have to carry everything alone. Reaching out is a sign of strength, not weakness, community heals.

26. No feeling lasts forever.
    Every emotion, good or bad, is temporary. Reminding yourself that “this too shall pass” brings hope in the lows and gratitude in the highs.

27. God’s love doesn’t change, even when you do.
    Your circumstances, feelings, or mistakes don’t alter how deeply and unconditionally He loves you. That love is constant, steadfast, and yours to lean on.

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✨ Hopes for My Final Years in My 20s

I don’t know what the next three years will hold, but I hope…

• I keep growing in faith and trusting God more deeply.

• I find (and build) love that feels like home.

• I run a successful business that helps people and brings freedom.

• I explore new places, eat good food, and laugh until my stomach hurts.

• I stay soft, even when life is hard.

• I let go of perfectionism and keep choosing progress over fear.

• I love others generously and allow myself to be loved in return.

• I savour the small moments, knowing they add up to a beautiful life.

If you’re feeling stuck, behind, or like you haven’t got it all figured out yet, you’re not alone.

Keep putting one foot in front of the other!

With love,
Abi x