I feel younger at 36 than I did at 25 — here's why
35 Mantras — Exploring the truth about aging.
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Covid stole 4 years from me, so technically, I’m 32.
I’m a 36-year-old teenager, a late bloomer with one simple mantra: Let’s do everything for the first time, forever. Maybe it’s the little rituals I repeat that keep me feeling young. My former colleagues still think I’m Gen Z (not flexing, just a little puzzled). And yet, here I am, shouting from the rooftops: Aging is a privilege. I can’t wait to grow older — to greet every wrinkle as a badge of a life fully lived. To wear my long, grey hair with pride, my silver ring from my early 30s catching the sunlight, sitting somewhere in Paris, sipping Pinot Noir.
Send this to someone who needs to see the grace in aging.
Certain things simply fade with age. I used to love clubbing — the music, the movement, the energy. But then COVID hit, and everything shifted. I was forced to stop, and in that stillness, I realized something: I no longer crave the crowds, the noise, the chaos. I don’t drink much anymore either. It’s as if the world I once danced in quietly unraveled. And yet, some things? Some things stay with you forever. Like an album you played on repeat when you were 23 — every song etched into memory, the soundtrack of a youth you carry with you, even as everything else changes. I’ll probably still be listening to Frank Ocean when I’m 65 (yes, I was 23 when Channel Orange dropped, and lives were changed — believe me, I was there when it happened).
This is how time molds your thoughts
The pressure lifts, the veil falls away. In your 30s, you finally choose your own path, fully aware it might lead nowhere. And if it does? You can start anew, unafraid. Because now you know: you're still young, and everything is still ahead of you. I toss around so many numbers, but all I really want to express is this:
I don’t see myself through the lens of my current age — I imagine the woman I’ll be at 80, and from her eyes, I look at the life I’m living now.
In honor of spending 35 years on this planet, I got inspired by Rachel Nguyen.
So here it is: my personal list of 35 mantras. In no particular order.
35 MANTRAS — or my truths life taught me
You‘ll find meaning in the process.
Some people dreamed of becoming architects since they been teenagers others just have to explore and find out what will truly stick. You don’t have to have a life plan for the next 20 years. The process will guide you. Trust the universe and trust your own path.Say “thank you” more — especially to yourself.
For getting through the day. For trying again. For learning, unlearning, resting, showing up. Gratitude isn’t just something we extend outward — it’s a quiet, ongoing practice we owe to ourselves, too. It’s how we soften the inner critic. How we stay grounded. Thank yourself for the little things. For the way you keep going. It’s a lifelong practice — and a powerful one.
When someone shows you who they are, believe them the first time.
It really is that simple. You don’t owe everyone endless chances, explanations, or the benefit of the doubt stretched thin. Time is precious. So is your peace. So is your heart. We romanticize endurance sometimes — sticking around, giving more grace than we’re given in return. But clarity is a gift, and when someone shows you how they move, how they love, how they don’t, that’s not the beginning of a mystery to solve. That’s your answer. Believe it. And walk accordingly.One day, your patience will reward you.
It doesn't always look like progress. But holding space, staying calm, showing up without immediate results — these are acts of quiet resilience. Everyone is navigating something. Waiting on the right job, the right apartment, the right reply that might shift everything. Behind every calm face in the café or hurried step on the sidewalk, there's a silent story of hoping, holding on, trying. Being patient doesn’t mean doing nothing. It means trusting the process when the outcome isn't visible yet. Sometimes the bravest thing we do all day is simply… wait.Be the person your younger self needed.
The one who listens without judgment. Who says, “You’re not too much” or “You’re not falling behind” — because they know how much those words would have mattered. Maybe your younger self needed more softness. More safety. A little less pressure. Someone who celebrated the small wins and reminded you that your worth was never up for debate. You can be that now. With your boundaries. With your gentleness. With the life you're building — slowly, intentionally, and on your own terms. That younger version of you isn’t gone. They're still in there, watching. Hoping. Make them proud. Make them feel safe. Show them what healing looks like.Plant something. Watch it grow. Let yourself be moved by the harvest.
March 2020, I planted a piece of ginger. By the end of the year, a small baby ginger had formed — enough to make me smile. Not everything needs to be fast or loud to be meaningful. The act of tending — to soil, to self, to slow progress — holds its own kind of magic. And when the harvest comes, no matter how small or large, let yourself be moved by it.Stay curious.
Learn a new skill. Pick up a language. Dive deep into a topic that grabs you.You’re never too old to educate yourself on something new. The joy of discovery never fades — it only grows. Let curiosity be your guide.
Insecure people are mean. Confident people are kind.
Kindness comes from strength, not weakness. When you’re comfortable in who you are, there’s no need to tear others down.Let’s explore the small wonders together. Subscribe to Rear Window and peek through it with me.
Taste life sober.
Whatever feels “too much” or truly addictive in your life, drop it. I stopped drinking entirely for 10 months. I quit smoking. I let go of Instagram. I haven’t had coffee in two years. There’s something liberating about stepping back from the things that once seemed essential. In the quiet space they leave behind, you discover what truly nourishes you.Invest in memories not things.
When a friend's birthday is near, plan a simple day together. It doesn’t have to be an extravagant vacation. Invite your dearest friend to the park. Pack a picnic. The most meaningful moments are often the simplest, and the memories last long after the day is over. True richness comes from shared experiences, not material things.The art of noticing is a gift.
It’s about seeing what others might overlook — the way light falls in a room, the sound of leaves rustling, the quiet moments that make life meaningful. When you notice, you begin to appreciate the small things that bring depth to your world. And in doing so, you find beauty everywhere.Nothing blooms year-round.
There are times to push forward, and there are times to rest, recharge, and let things unfold naturally. Just as seasons change, so does your energy. Honor that balance — growth takes its own time. You can’t always give 150%, and that’s okay.Walk away from places that dim your light.
There will be environments where you didn’t truly belong, struggling to thrive authentically. I tried to mold myself into something I wasn’t, trying to fit into spaces that weren’t serving me. Even worse, it started to negatively impact my health. Only by leaving did my life truly turn around — 100%.
The most important relationship is the one with yourself.
Nurture it. It’s the only relationship that lasts a lifetime. It’s the foundation of everything else. The way you speak to yourself, the care you give yourself, the respect you show yourself — it sets the tone for how you relate to others and how you move through the world.Let your inner child play — and protect them fiercely.
Play isn’t just for kids. It’s a vital part of being human, a way to stay curious, creative, and connected to the world. As we grow older, it’s easy to lose touch with that playful spirit, but it’s something we should fiercely protect. Play keeps us grounded, joyful, and open to new possibilities. Don’t be afraid to let yourself laugh, explore, and embrace moments of lightness. It’s not childish — it’s essential.Just breathe.
This January, I experienced my first intense turbulence over the Pacific Ocean. I’m not afraid of flying, but the situation was uncomfortable, and I had no choice but to stay in my seat and breathe through it. In moments like that, breathing becomes essential. It grounds us, calms the mind, and helps us navigate through discomfort. Life often presents turbulence, but with each breath, we can find our way through.“You can paint a pretty picture, but you can’t predict the weather”.
OutKast said it first, and it's a truth I hold close. We can plan, create, and dream, but sometimes life has its own way of unfolding. The weather doesn’t always cooperate with our plans, and neither does life. What matters is how we respond when things don’t go as we expected.This newsletter runs on soft thoughts and strong matcha — fuel it 🤍
You deserve nice things.
Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. It doesn’t have to be expensive — it could be a precious ceramic vase from the flea market for €1. But you deserve beauty, in whatever form it takes. You’ve earned it. Small treasures can make life feel richer, and you are worthy of them.Live in the movies.
Romanticize your life—every little bit of it. You made yourself a meal? That’s an act of love. Everything can be romantic if you choose to see it that way.When in doubt, dance.
Because joy lives in the body and science agrees. Studies show that dancing reduces stress, anxiety, and even symptoms of trauma. It helps release feel-good hormones like oxytocin and endorphins, lowers cortisol levels, and improves mood. Whether it’s structured or free movement, dancing reconnects you with your body, calms your nervous system, and boosts overall emotional well-being. In short: it’s therapy in motion.Touch grass - literally.
Not as a joke. As a reset. The world feels softer when your feet remember the ground.It’s okay to forgive and never forget.
Some people will hurt you in ways you never saw coming. The pain might linger for years, the loss shaping how you move through the world. Some wounds never fully close. But even in that, there’s space for peace. Forgiveness doesn’t mean erasing the past — it means choosing not to carry it forever.There’s a difference between your needs and wants.
I promise you: You don’t need a partner, you just want to feel loved.
Wanting a partner is different — it's a desire for connection, for companionship. But remember, the need for love can be fulfilled in many ways and it’s not solely dependent on someone else.You will die in ignorance.
You’ll never know everything — let that humble you. When I was in my 20s I really thought I truly understand life. The truth is — you never will, and this might be also one of the most exhilarating feeling.Take yourself on solo dates & trips as much as you can.
Learn to enjoy your own company. There’s something powerful about choosing your own rhythm — lingering at a café without needing to talk, walking aimlessly through a new city, or watching a film with no one beside you. To trust your instincts. To feel full without needing to be filled by someone else. These moments aren’t lonely — they’re liberating.Aging is a privilege.
Not everyone gets the chance. Not something to fear or fight, but something to honour. You’ve lived, you’ve learned, and you’re still unfolding.Don’t believe everything your mind is telling you.
Thoughts are just that: thoughts. Let them pass like clouds. You don’t have to follow every storm.Prioritize your health.
It’s easy to get caught up in the rush of life, but your body is the one constant. It carries you through all your experiences, triumphs, and hardships. Your health isn’t just about physical fitness or eating well — it’s about finding balance, and listening to what your body needs.Ask for help. It’s an act of self appreciation.
We often think of asking for help as a weakness, as if it means we're incapable or burdening others. But it’s quite the opposite. It’s a way of honoring your needs and recognizing that you’re worthy of support. It’s an acknowledgment that you don’t have to do everything alone, and that taking care of yourself sometimes means leaning on others. When you ask for help, you’re valuing your own well-being, and showing yourself the kindness of not having to carry the weight of the world by yourself.You are not your past. And not just your present.
Each day is a fresh canvas. The person you were yesterday doesn’t define who you can be today. Every morning you wake up is an invitation to release what no longer serves you — a habit, a belief, an emotion. It’s a chance to reframe your thoughts, to shift your energy, and to step into something new. You are constantly evolving, not bound by your past, but shaped by the choices you make in the present. So, let every new day be a reminder: transformation is always possible, no matter where you’ve been.You set the limits.
Your potential is only as big as the limits you place on it. What if, instead of seeing obstacles, you saw opportunities? Don’t let fear or self-doubt dictate how far you can go. Stretch your imagination, break through your comfort zone, and dream beyond what feels safe.Send this to a friend who’s learning to love the journey of aging.
Silence is an answer.
And at times the loudest response.Don’t take yourself too serious.
The more we try to control every little detail, the heavier life becomes. Let go of the need for perfection and make space for spontaneity, for the unexpected, and for the joy that comes with embracing the messiness of it all. Life is meant to be fluid, not confined by rules and expectations.Most things are better after a walk.
Next time you’re stuck, stressed, angry or need a break, take a walk — you might just find the answer you were looking for.Come home to yourself, again and again.
Life has a way of pulling us in so many directions — obligations, expectations, distractions. But no matter how far you wander, always return to yourself. Take moments, big and small, to reconnect with who you truly are, with what makes you feel grounded. It’s easy to lose touch with your inner self in the hustle, but coming home to yourself, whether through quiet reflection, nature, or simply being still, is a reminder of your worth. It’s a practice, not a one-time event. And every time you come home, you’re reminded that you’ve always had everything you need inside you.
With love from my window seat,
Lena
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