Then vs. Now: The Things I Swore I’d Never Do (And Totally Do Now)

This post is a bit of fun—part in jest, good humour, and part my true reflections on age, growing older, and embracing who I am today. Because midlife is funny like that. You look back and realise how much your perspective has shifted—how things you once thought were non-negotiables have turned out to be completely flexible, and how letting go of those old expectations actually makes life a whole lot better.

So, in the spirit of reflection (with a generous dose of humour), here are just a few of the things I once swore I’d never do… and totally do now.

1️⃣ Then: “My Kids Will Only Eat Wholesome, Organic, Homemade Meals.”

Now: “Yeah… that’s the plan. Most of the time.”

I had great intentions. I imagined myself lovingly preparing homemade meals from scratch every night, packed with vegetables and nutrition, while my children happily ate them without complaint.

And sure, I still cook most nights. But do you know what else happens?

• Sometimes, dinner is cereal because everyone’s exhausted.

• Sometimes, it’s toasties and crisps in front of the telly because I just can’t be bothered.

• Sometimes, I buy frozen chips and tell myself they count as potatoes.

And the kids? They’re thriving.

Lesson learned: A little balance never hurt anyone.

2️⃣ Then: “I’ll Always Keep Up With My Skincare and Never Let Myself Go.”

Now: “My nighttime skincare routine consists of not falling asleep with a full face of makeup.”

Ah, the innocence of youth—when I truly believed skincare was a non-negotiable part of self-care.

Then life happened.

Now? My skincare routine mostly consists of:

☑ Trying not to fall asleep with a full face of makeup.

☑ Occasionally slapping on moisturiser and some castor oil, pretending that counts.

☑ Watching skincare influencers on Instagram while doing absolutely nothing about it.

Honestly? Eight hours of sleep (not that I get it) would probably do more for my skin than any serum ever could.

3️⃣ Then: “I’ll Never Need Reading Glasses.”

Now: “I wear varifocals, and every menu is written in size 2 font.”

I used to roll my eyes at people squinting at menus and holding their phones at arm’s length.

Then, one day, I realised I was doing the exact same thing.

Now, I have reading glasses strategically placed everywhere—in the car, in my bag, on my bedside table, in the kitchen… yet somehow, I can never find a pair when I need them.

Also, can we all agree that food packaging has SHRUNK? It’s the packaging, not my eyesight. That’s my story, and I’m sticking to it.

4️⃣ Then: “I’ll Always Have a Perfectly Tidy, Guest-Ready Home.”

Now: “If you’re coming over unannounced, I hope you like laundry piles and real life.”

Before kids, I imagined my home would always be immaculate—stylishly decorated, clutter-free, and effortlessly welcoming.

Now? Let’s just say, if you want to pop by for a visit, please give me at least 30 minutes’ notice so I can:

• Shove everything into the nearest cupboard.

• Frantically wipe the kitchen counters while pretending I totally do this every day.

• Light a candle so it smells like I clean regularly.

Otherwise? You’re getting the real, lived-in version of my home. Consider it an immersive experience.

5️⃣ Then: “Date Nights Will Be Romantic and Well-Planned.”

Now: “Our idea of romance is watching Netflix in silence.”

There was a time when I imagined weekly date nights—dressing up, fancy restaurants, deep conversations.

Now? If we manage to watch a full episode of anything on Netflix without falling asleep, that’s romance.

Nothing says “I love you” quite like:

• Tag-teaming the school runs like a well-oiled machine.

• Picking up each other’s favourite snacks without being asked.

• Not speaking for an hour because we’re both enjoying the peace and quiet.

It’s the little things.

6️⃣ Then: “I’ll Always Make an Effort to Go Out and Be Social.”

Now: “Canceling plans is my love language.”

This one? Truly and utterly me.

Once upon a time, I thrived on busy social calendars. I said yes to everything. I felt guilty for turning down invites.

Now? My ideal social event is one that gets postponed indefinitely.

Nothing brings me more joy than:

• A last-minute cancellation that means I don’t have to leave the house.

• Making plans, feeling excited… then dreading them the day before.

• Genuinely enjoying people’s company but also loving my quiet nights in.

It’s not that I don’t like socialising. I just like being in my pajamas more.

7️⃣ Then: “By 45, I’ll Have Life Completely Figured Out.”

Now: “By 45, I realised no one actually has life figured out.”

When I was younger, I assumed there was some magical age where everything clicked into place. Where I’d feel wise, confident, successful, and like I’d finally arrived.

Now, I realise that nobody actually knows what they’re doing—we’re all just figuring it out as we go.

And honestly? That’s kind of liberating.

Because the older I get, the more I understand that:

✔ Happiness isn’t about having it all together.

✔ Success isn’t about ticking off a checklist.

✔ Peace comes from embracing the chaos and finding joy in the little moments.

Final Thoughts

Midlife is funny. You look back and realise how much your perspective has changed—how things you thought were non-negotiables turned out to be completely flexible, and how letting go of some of those old expectations actually made life a whole lot better.

So if you’ve ever looked around and thought, Wow, this is not how I pictured things… but actually, I kind of love it?—welcome to the club.

Turns out, growing older isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about learning to laugh at the ones you used to have.

And honestly? I wouldn’t trade that for anything.