Loved this, as always. I'm struggling with feeling 'trapped' at the minute so this really put things into perspective.
Also, re Keira Knightley and ageing: We were watching The Santa Clause the other day and were saying how much older these people looked than a 40-something you'd see on screen nowadays. It's so crazy how times have changed!
Ahh Soph I know that feeling all too well. We're not really stuck, we just need to smother ourselves in metaphorical lurpak and keep moving forward. ♥️
1. The Santa Clause - top tier movie. 2. Right!! But then they use 25 year old actors to play teenagers!! I'm sure films and media are the main culprits in distorting the way we see ageing
Just wanted to reply to this as it made me think about Grease straight away! I remember watching Grease quite young (maybe 12) and believing that's what teenagers would look like. Then growing up to be a teenager and realising how old the Grease cast are!? They're adults playing teenagers? It really tampered with my perspective on ageing for sure!
Very thought provoking. And you reminded me to read Bella Mackies book - I have it ready on Spotify. It’s in a queue behind Miranda Hart & Katherine May’s - Wintering. Have a lovely Christmas. 🎄
I really enjoyed your take on small life vs big life. It's often about how we perceive it. If we perceive our life as small, it will be small. But maybe a small life is a big life to you? Maybe that's exactly what you want out of life? I often say that your life is only as good as your mindset. And as you say, if not, then you have everything in your power to change it.
Loved this piece, Ella! The way you described having a ‘small life’ and finding contentment was beautiful, and it’s something I often ponder but struggle to put into words - so thank you 👏🏻
Also, I read ‘How To Kill Your Family’ a while ago and LOVED it. Bella’s writing is so easy to read and hilarious yet dark! Hope you are enjoying it too. She’s actually released a new book recently which I must read!
For me, a little life IS the happy life, I'm far more content with smaller joys than the grand gestures – this from a girl who spent her late teens and all her twenties 'influencing'. It's so joyful for me to work a fulfilling day job that I love, enjoy my cosy hobbies, eat good food and spend meaningful time with my loved ones. It's also reassuring that most of us all living small lives in a bigger world.
This is beautiful, Ella! I 100% agree with your mum that contentment is the key to living a happy life. I've recently reached a place of acceptance that I'm not going to be an extraordinary person. I'm very content with being an ordinary person living a small life - being surrounded by people I love, working a fulfilling career in conservation, playing with my hobbies, eating good food and contributing positively to society 🙂 That's all I need, really!
Yes yes yes! This this this! A few years ago I remember talking - or maybe writing something somewhere - about wanting a Big Life. I have been ruminating on this since, especially as my life feels much smaller than I wanted it to be post-pandemic. But I am so much more content than I was! I am hoping this year to find that precious balance between making stuff happen for myself and being happy with and grateful for my lot.
Thank you for writing this. I am sure I will come back to it.
P.s. I liked, but didn't *love*, How to Kill Your Family.
I totally relate when you said "this is exactly the sort of existential crisis ideology that plays on repeat in the back of my head" regarding how we should be living. It's so easy to compare other people's lives against your own, but I think your mum is absolutely correct about contentment. If you're content with your life then you don't need anything else! I see contentment as that "ah" feeling like sitting back on the sofa, kicking your feet up, and watching a film at the end of the day. Loved reading this Ella as always <3
Loved this, as always. I'm struggling with feeling 'trapped' at the minute so this really put things into perspective.
Also, re Keira Knightley and ageing: We were watching The Santa Clause the other day and were saying how much older these people looked than a 40-something you'd see on screen nowadays. It's so crazy how times have changed!
Ahh Soph I know that feeling all too well. We're not really stuck, we just need to smother ourselves in metaphorical lurpak and keep moving forward. ♥️
1. The Santa Clause - top tier movie. 2. Right!! But then they use 25 year old actors to play teenagers!! I'm sure films and media are the main culprits in distorting the way we see ageing
Just wanted to reply to this as it made me think about Grease straight away! I remember watching Grease quite young (maybe 12) and believing that's what teenagers would look like. Then growing up to be a teenager and realising how old the Grease cast are!? They're adults playing teenagers? It really tampered with my perspective on ageing for sure!
Very thought provoking. And you reminded me to read Bella Mackies book - I have it ready on Spotify. It’s in a queue behind Miranda Hart & Katherine May’s - Wintering. Have a lovely Christmas. 🎄
Thank you Becky! I hope you enjoy the book, I've also read Miranda Hart's book and loved it! Happy Christmas 🎅🏻
I really enjoyed your take on small life vs big life. It's often about how we perceive it. If we perceive our life as small, it will be small. But maybe a small life is a big life to you? Maybe that's exactly what you want out of life? I often say that your life is only as good as your mindset. And as you say, if not, then you have everything in your power to change it.
Katharina I love this! I agree, what's small to someone else could be the biggest, most important thing to you. That's the beauty of it! 💕✨
Loved this piece, Ella! The way you described having a ‘small life’ and finding contentment was beautiful, and it’s something I often ponder but struggle to put into words - so thank you 👏🏻
Also, I read ‘How To Kill Your Family’ a while ago and LOVED it. Bella’s writing is so easy to read and hilarious yet dark! Hope you are enjoying it too. She’s actually released a new book recently which I must read!
Thank you Harriet!!
I'm loving it! So different from any other book I've read, I love the darkly comic side. Can't wait to see what they do with the Netflix adaptation! 💕
💜 Oh my word yessss I can’t wait for the Netflix show! Casting Anya Taylor-Joy as Grace feels like a genius move 👌🏻
Completely agree — I think it will be perfect casting!
This is so beautiful Ella!
For me, a little life IS the happy life, I'm far more content with smaller joys than the grand gestures – this from a girl who spent her late teens and all her twenties 'influencing'. It's so joyful for me to work a fulfilling day job that I love, enjoy my cosy hobbies, eat good food and spend meaningful time with my loved ones. It's also reassuring that most of us all living small lives in a bigger world.
Love this Michelle! I agree - it's really all about the way we perceive things, the small things can mean the most 🩷
This is beautiful, Ella! I 100% agree with your mum that contentment is the key to living a happy life. I've recently reached a place of acceptance that I'm not going to be an extraordinary person. I'm very content with being an ordinary person living a small life - being surrounded by people I love, working a fulfilling career in conservation, playing with my hobbies, eating good food and contributing positively to society 🙂 That's all I need, really!
What a lovely comment, Cha! Thank you! ☺️
Loved this! ❤️❤️❤️❤️
Thank you so much Aoife!! 🩵
Yes yes yes! This this this! A few years ago I remember talking - or maybe writing something somewhere - about wanting a Big Life. I have been ruminating on this since, especially as my life feels much smaller than I wanted it to be post-pandemic. But I am so much more content than I was! I am hoping this year to find that precious balance between making stuff happen for myself and being happy with and grateful for my lot.
Thank you for writing this. I am sure I will come back to it.
P.s. I liked, but didn't *love*, How to Kill Your Family.
I totally relate when you said "this is exactly the sort of existential crisis ideology that plays on repeat in the back of my head" regarding how we should be living. It's so easy to compare other people's lives against your own, but I think your mum is absolutely correct about contentment. If you're content with your life then you don't need anything else! I see contentment as that "ah" feeling like sitting back on the sofa, kicking your feet up, and watching a film at the end of the day. Loved reading this Ella as always <3