This Month in London: February/Birthday Edition
A month of quiet London adventures and the wisdom, based upon self-reflection and shared by family and friends, that I will carry into my 34th year.
If you read my This Month in London post in January, welcome back for the February edition! This series will be a monthly check-in covering recommendations and what I’m looking forward to in London this month, as well as broader life themes that feel relevant in the moment. This month is a special and reflective one because it’s my birthday month - Aquarius season, if you will (for my astrology lovers out there).
London in February
On my actual birthday, which this post will be published on, I plan to have myself a Sunday. It’s supposed to rain, and I love the way a rainy Sunday invites a forced slow down ahead of a new week. I’m starting with one of my favorite workout classes, followed by coffee at a cafe - a few contenders from my ever-growing London cafe list below. I’d like to go for a [weather-dependent] walk in the park, and am going out to dinner with my husband to a spot we’ve been wanting to try.
I want to welcome in this new year the same way I’d like to spend it: doing the things that bring me joy, with a sense of ease, purpose, and fulfillment.
On My Radar This Month
Having just returned from South Africa (post coming soon and a couple of sneak peeks below!) I’m looking forward to spending some slower, more intentional time in London. Saturday farmers' markets, yoga classes, and walks along the canal, Regent’s Park, and Hampstead Heath are all calling my name. I’d like to get to some new spots, while also revisiting local favorites, and as always, try to take advantage of everything this city has to offer. Here’s what’s on my radar this month:
The London Bookshop Crawl, February 14-16: Currently sold out but there is a self-guided option.
Seeing a show at Alexandra Palace which has been known as the “People’s Palace, providing entertainment and recreation for the masses since 1873” and is a really fun venue with gorgeous views.
Trying two gastropubs that have been on my list: I’ve been to The Pelican for drinks and am looking forward to finally going for dinner! We also have a booking at The Baring which might be followed by a visit to The Dreamery.
Some cafes to try: Don’t Tell Dad, The Dawn Seal, and Perky Espresso Bar.
I’m going to try with all my might to get tickets to the Cartier exhibition at the V&A when the ticket sales open back up this week (it starts April 12th).
A visit to the Saatchi Gallery to see the Flowers – Flora in Contemporary Art & Culture exhibition which opens on February 12th. While I’m there, the Deborah Segun exhibition looks interesting (it closes on the 24th).
Feel free to comment below or message me if you are visiting and have any questions!
Moving on to more personal things..
On Officially Entering My Mid-Thirties
I turn 34 today. I’ve officially entered my mid-30s, though mentally, I still feel 29. What age do you feel? My grandma once said that she only realizes how old she is when she looks in the mirror - a reminder of the importance of mindset as we age. This is something I am actively working on embracing (if only as women we didn’t have a biological clock, amiright?).
While in some ways, I feel behind at 34, there are many more ways in which I feel like I’m exactly where I’m meant to be. The challenges, the personal triumphs, the uncertainty, and the exploration in my 20s and early 30s weren’t detours - they were necessary ground to cover, strengthening my self-trust and inner knowing. I remind myself often that the best things take time.
This birthday - and 2025 as a whole - feels like a reflective one, a moment to take stock of everything the past decade has given me and what I want to carry forward. Since I love a good list (though preferably handwritten on a random piece of paper, inevitably piled on top of others), I put together 34 things: lessons learned and still learning, reminders I’ll return to, and hopes for the years ahead, as a way to mark this next trip around the sun.
34 Lessons, Reminders & Hopes For 34
At first, this was going to be a purely self-reflective list, but then I thought - wouldn’t it be cool to see what my family and friends would add? So, as I sit here on the eve of my birthday, finalizing this post, I’ve asked them to share a piece of life wisdom that comes to mind. I’ve learned something new about each person and have been so moved by their responses that I’ve woven them into this list making it more of a collective reflection. I hope you enjoy!
Is there something else you’d add? If so, please share it below. We could all benefit from hearing each other’s words of wisdom.
Living with Purpose & Authenticity
Make little you proud. Practice showing up with the same curiosity and authenticity you had as a child.
Design a life you love. When you live as your most authentic self, things start falling into place. My friend shared this clip and it resonated.
Happiness is not a destination. It’s in the little moments, the quiet wins, and the way you move through life - not a final achievement or reserved only for when things get easier or better.
Every version of you has led you here. Change is the only constant. Embrace and be open to your natural evolution.
If you want to start, start. Don’t hold off just because you’re scared of failure or judgment. The world needs what you’ve got. Multiple people shared iterations of this, what does that tell us?
There is no “right” time. Your timeline is uniquely your own and is unfolding as it should. If you wait for perfect timing, you could be waiting forever.
Navigating Relationships & Boundaries
If they wanted to, they would. Believe people when they show you who they are. Pour your energy into the people who show up for you, and show up for them, too. My aunt reaffirmed this one when I asked for a piece of wisdom from her.
Let go of trying to be everyone’s cup of tea and..
Stop shrinking yourself to make other people comfortable.
Life is too short for unspoken words. Tell people you love them, send the text, make the call, pay the compliment - don’t leave things unsaid.
You’re not responsible for fixing everything.
Own your words and actions. Apologize when you need to. Forgive when you can.
Let go of anger. Carrying it only weighs you down.
Self-Trust & Growth
We’re all experiencing life for the first and only time.
When one door closes, a new one opens. It might not feel like it right away, but trust the process.
Keep learning. Enroll in the class, read the book, ask the questions. Both my husband and brother-in-law said to learn by observing the world around you (wisdom from their grandfather).
Worrying about something is not going to change the outcome. My mom shared this one with me when I asked her and moms are the wisdom keepers!
The little things are the big things. They add up to become the sum of our lives. I loved this one from a dear friend.
Comparison is the thief of joy.
Don’t take so much personally. Ask yourself “What if this isn’t actually about me?” and see how your mindset shifts.
Well-Being & Self-Care
Take care of yourself now. Your body is your home and is the one thing that will carry you through your whole life - listen to it and don’t take it for granted.
But remember that you are so much more than your outward appearance or your clothing size.
Perfection is impossible. You don’t have to be the best, your best is enough. I can picture my sister-in-law, who is a mother and teacher, instilling this in her daughter and students.
Spend more time in nature. It’s grounding and perspective-giving.
Sometimes it’s as simple as getting out for a walk or taking a deep breath. Movement clears the mind, and a single breath can reset your whole day.
Money & Work [Because we need some practical wisdom, too]
Save as soon as possible. Future you will thank you.
You can always make more money, but you can’t make more time.
You are more than your career. Your interests and hobbies, relationships, and the way you spend your time add richness and meaning to your life. My brother contributed to this one which provided me with some good perspective.
Invest in quality over quantity. You usually get what you pay for but…
Pay attention to how things are made. And please support small businesses, they really are the heartbeat of the community and need your support more than ever!
Adventure & Curiosity
Travel isn’t about checking places off a list. Go beyond the highlights. The best way to experience a place is to slowly savor it rather than rush through it.
Never stop exploring. Whether it’s your backyard or across the world, collect life-giving experiences. Which brings us to…
Experiences are more important than things. Or, as a friend put it, no experience is ever wasted. Immerse yourself in new places and perspectives. They will shape you in ways you never expected.
Final Reminder
Go easy on yourself. Even if you do none of these things, you are perfect as you are. Just being here is worth celebrating. As my sister-in-law shared, if it isn’t fun, what’s the point?
I’ll be carrying these lessons, reminders, and hopes with me and I hope you’ve found a resonant nugget or two, too. Some of these I’ve learned the hard way, others I’m still working on, and some are borrowed wisdom from the people I love. If there’s anything this birthday reflection has reminded me, it’s that we’re all figuring it out as we go.
Here’s to another year of learning, evolving, and embracing the messy, beautiful unfolding of it all.
Thank you for reading and I look forward to chatting with you next week!
Julianna
P.S. If you’re traveling to South Africa this year, I’ll be sharing more about my trip to Cape Town, Plettenberg Bay, and the Winelands later this month so be on the lookout!
A wonderful read from my amazingly talented daughter. ❤️ The world became a better place 34 years ago.
First of all, happiest birthday, Julianna! And thank you for sharing your 34 years of wisdom, that was a delight to read :) And finally, did you say BOOKSTORE CRAWL!? I am thrilled to be living in an age where this is a thing. And I may need to move to London now!!!