Call me Peter Pan, but oh how I love birthdays. What’s so wrong with having one special day that is yours to revel in? To have just one day that sees you immersed in love, affection and attention, connecting with friends old and new, as well as having your lovely family dote on you? Oh yes, I am ALL ABOUT the birth-day!

Of course, I do realise that they also equate to getting another year older but I am down with that as well. Clearly I am also blasé about revealing my age. It honestly is just a number to me. I don’t feel ancient yet – not even close. Granted, I am tired, I don’t have as much energy as this time about ten years ago (but I was footloose and living a carefree life in London) and only just found out who the hell One Direction is, but still, I don’t feel technically old.  That’s got to be a good thing, right?

The thing I love about birthdays too is you get to clean the slate and set yourself more goals for the year ahead. And while I am happy with the progress I’ve made along way in the last 12 months, the best is still yet to come this year. It’s been tough in many ways, character building for sure, but I’m making plans. My confidence is slowly starting to blossom, even in the face of the obstacles in my path.

So here’s a toast I’m making to myself on my 33rd birthday: dont be afraid to reach for those stars – perhaps they are closer than you think…