My birthday came and went on Tuesday, and as expected, it was a quiet one. Other than my mom and dad coming over to visit, it was just a normal day for me. My dad gave me some cash, a pair of jeans, and a top, while my mom also gave me cash, along with some house bits I'd asked for and a few surprises, like candles and a mug. It was a simple, low-key day, which suited me just fine. I don’t mind quiet birthdays – sometimes, they’re the best way to mark another year without all the fuss and pressure of a big celebration.

Today is Thursday, which meant my usual food shopping trip. I managed to keep the bill to around £90 this week, which I was quite pleased with. I’ve been making a conscious effort to keep my food shop under control while still making sure I have everything I need. My 90/10 whole food diet has been leaning more towards the carnivore side over the past few weeks. I've been a bit on and off with meats lately, but this week and last, I've mostly stuck to beef. There’s something really satisfying about a good steak or a slow-cooked beef dish, and it keeps me feeling full and energised. This week’s shop included two sirloin steaks, a rump steak, a joint of beef, and some diced beef that I'll season and eat as a snack. Other than that, my food consisted of butter, cheese, sweet potato, and some fruit. I also picked up the usual snacks and meals for my daughter – making sure she has her favourites always gives me peace of mind.

Once I got home and packed everything away, I did a quick upper body workout since it’s Thursday. Sticking to my routine, even on days when I don’t feel particularly motivated, helps me stay on track. As I mentioned in my last post, I’ve been feeling a bit burnt out recently, so tonight I’m putting my laptop away and giving my brain a break. I’ll try to find a good film or series to watch and just switch off for a while. Sometimes, it’s easy to get caught up in constantly doing and planning, but every now and then, I need to remind myself that rest is just as important as productivity.

I might take the next few days to slow things down a little and just reset. It’s been a busy few weeks, and I think a bit of quiet time will do me some good.

Tomorrow is my birthday—the big 39. Although, truth be told, I don’t feel it. Birthdays always have a way of making you reflect, don’t they? Not in any deep, life-changing way, but in a quiet, almost amused way. Another year older, but still very much myself.
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On Saturday, I went out for a birthday meal, which was really nice. As it was a special occasion, I decided to treat myself to lasagna. It doesn’t exactly align with my whole food diet, but I figured a birthday meal was as good a reason as any to indulge. Since pasta isn’t something I usually eat, it made the lasagna feel like even more of a treat—something different from my usual meals. And honestly? It was worth it.

Tomorrow, I don’t have any big plans, and I’m perfectly happy with that. I imagine I’ll see my mom and maybe my dad at some point, but other than that, I’ll just enjoy a quiet day at home. That suits me just fine.

My Monday has been fairly quiet, which I don’t mind. I’ve been writing a lot lately, and I can feel a bit of burnout creeping in—not in a dramatic way, but just enough that I know I need a short break. A day or two away from my laptop should do the trick. Tonight, I’m hoping to find a good comedy film or series to switch my brain off for a while. Something light-hearted, easy to watch—just what I need.

I’ll probably take a couple of days before posting another blog, but I’ll be back soon.