21 Comments

Oh Ella we all love you here 🩷 Sending the biggest hug and hot chocolate. And you know I am always a message away if you need! Perennial big sister here, and I am genuinely always gonna be here.

24 was such a fun age if not full of ye olde wobbles for me too. Honestly? Do the best you can, whatever that looks like that day. Save a bit of money, yes, but don't let it stop you from buying the hot chocolates or a lil brunch.

And, yes, same time next week!!

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Thank you Michelle, I really appreciate you!! 24 is such a mixed bag!! So much fun, so much freedom, but so much chaos at the same time. I'll definitely take your advice and manage it all one day at a time. Much love!! 💙

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I am also an Ella who has just turned 24 and have suddenly started worrying about money to the point that the thought of spending a single pound makes me feel a little bit queasy. From one Ella to another, it will all be okay, we’ll get through this!! <3

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Omg hi Ella!!! At least I’m in good company, I can confirm I splurged on a hot choc today and I’ve lived to tell the tale. We will get there 🫶🏻🫶🏻

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haha I ate way too much ice cream!! deffo in good company! <3

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Ella, you are so loved and appreciated, I hope you know that! I am honestly so flattered that my words have made you feel comforted, it’s exactly what I set out to do - life is hard enough, let’s support each other and not sugarcoat the difficult things. I also hope you know that you have taught me so much too, you are such a ray of sunshine on this app.

I was such a worrier at 24 and still am now, but the one thing that time and age gives you is the perspective to see the wider picture, and know that ultimately, it WILL all work out one way or another. Have the hot chocolate, buy the treat, LIVE. You only get to do this once 💓

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Oh Lauren 🥹 I honestly love the way you are so open and frank in your writing, you show the light and the shade and it's hugely comforting to read. It just goes to show we're not alone, however we may be feeling! 💕 off to have a hot choc

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Gosh Ella do I just adore you! Every time you write I am taken aback by how honest and familiar it is. I feel everything you write in my soul - I turn 24 in three months! Also thank you for the mention!

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🥹🥹 thank you Izzy, that's the loveliest compliment. How exciting that your birthday is coming up!! I promise there are so many things to love about 24 as well, there's just a lot of lessons, but I'm sure you're probably seeing that already!

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Ella! I just want to give you a big hug. 💕 It feels like you took a deep breath and wrote everything up to the Joy List in one whoosh.

I've definitely been in the same money mindset as you mention - even recently too. I find that the situation feels 10 times worse when I'm fully immersed in the weeds of it, but so much lighter when I can take a broader view.

It's been soooo cold, hasn't it?! And those flowers are gorgeous!!

Okay now that I've said the things I was thinking up until Bookmarked... OMG!!! Thank you so much for including me! I feel truly honoured 👑 I've been minor leagues procrastinating today's post because I just don't know what I'm going to say - but similarly thinking 'the only way is through' so now you've inspired me, thank you!!

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Hahaha that's exactly what happened! I was so stuck at what to write so I just let it all spill out.. for better or worse!!

I need to take a broader view - everything looks so much worse when we stick a magnifying glass over it.

I am obsessed with write-vember at the moment, I look forward to it EVERY day. What am I going to do when we reach December?! 🩵

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Letting it all spill out was very much for the better! It read so seamlessly and resonated a lot!

Oh bless you for saying so!! That means so much. Honestly, I’m not sure what we’re going to do when I reach December 😂 I have too much fun putting them together!

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thank you so much for reading !!!!!!!!!!!!

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I am obsessed with your publication!! 🩷🥰

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Ella this piece was so lovely to read and thank you for the mention above <3

I laughed at the fact that you mentioned Jaqueline Wilson. It reminded me that her name was always in the air at primary school. I think I read only one of her books but I used to always say she was my favourite author when I was in primary school because I knew the grasp she had on our generation so I thought she was a good name to say in a panic haha. I am also very grateful for our friendship here on Substack and always always look forward to seeing your next newsletter. And I'm grateful for you too, I feel like you're my cheerleader here on Substack and that means the world.

I live in Devon so I felt that when you mentioned that conversation at university. Very odd belief!? Although on my bus journey home once, the bus had to stop for a horse rider, a tractor, and then a cow that was in the middle of the road. I did think to myself, only here would this happen on a bus journey home.

p.s. Those flowers are stunning!

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Ahh Ciara 💕💕 will always be your cheerleader on here, helps that I am obsessed with your writing!!! 💗💗

I’m sure if I read Jackie now I’d think she was great but I think I had this really deep fear of losing my parents or something so I found her books really stressful, although I did really love the dustbin baby film they made. And Tracy Beaker returns. Danny Harmer was the Miley Cyrus of the UK!!

Ahh I love Devon!! I have so many lovely memories of holidays there with my grandpa 🥹 but the roads are a NIGHTMARE, I have to say I feel for that bus driver. We get a choir of cows mooing us to sleep here 😂 gotta love it!!

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Yes her books had quite deep topics for young children to be reading! Tracy Beaker was a fave of mine especially the dumping ground. Haha yes the roads are a nightmare, I still get nervous to this day driving down country lanes 🥲

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ELLA WE LOVE YOU HERE!!!

Trust me, you are not alone in your feelings. That doesn't make it any easier but I hope it brings a little peace. The further I'm getting into my 20s the more I'm hating the big bad responsibilities like worrying about money and working up the career ladder and actually maybe getting a mortgage one day. All of that can be unbelievably overwhelming and make it hard for us to enjoy those little moments - the Spotify Premium and hot choccys won't bankcrupt you and you deserve the treats <3

I'm so glad you hosted your dinner party, it sounds lovely!

You know I'm only a message away if you need a rant or ramble. As a fellow country gal I heavily relate to the city folk thinking we're bumpkins. That said, you *still* can't get food delivered in the town I grew up in...

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“ I didn’t even read her books growing up because they made me sad. I was an overly sensitive child.”

ELLA, your newsletter has brightened up my day - no, scrap that - my week! I swear we were the same child because I also never read Jacqueline Wilson, there was a book called the suitcase kid (???) and it was about a girl from a broken family (if my memory serves me well) and I knew right then it was too close to home so I never touched her books. You’ve made me realise how I need to channel my inner country girl more, too! Having my time divided between the city and the countryside growing up, I know I have that willpower in me… somewhere

I got so much comfort from this post - I love love love sunny side up!!!

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From a fellow 24-year-old, I felt so seen with this one. I think we all worry about stuff like this, and I'm glad you're writing about it because it resonated with me—aside from the fact that I also agree with the confusion of Taylor Swift's style and am also obsessed with Love Island. Looking forward to reading more!

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Thank you so much Martha! I think one of my main coping mechanisms at the moment is to stick my worries on substack and hopefully someone else will understand, so I'm glad it worked haha! 💗

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