In early adulthood, we’re often told to push through stress, power through anxiety, keep going, and achieve a ton, even when our bodies are clearly asking us to slow down or things are getting a bit much. But what if the foundation for a calmer, more stable, and more fulfilling life isn’t doing more… but learning how to feel safe in your own body and self?

With the pressure of a new year, many of us feel the urge to become more productive, more efficient versions of ourselves, but that pressure can create a lot of anxiety. And ultimately, there’s not much point in chasing growth if you’re too stressed to actually enjoy your life.

In this episode, I’m joined by Hannah, creator of reallygetintoitco, for a conversation about nervous system regulation: what it actually means, why it matters so much in early adulthood, and how learning to regulate your nervous system can completely change how you experience stress, emotions, and uncertainty. We talk about allowing yourself to feel the full range of your emotions, understanding what they’re trying to tell you, and practical ways to ground yourself during moments that feel overwhelming.

This conversation is especially for anyone navigating big transitions- new jobs, serious relationships, family pressures, or that quiet anxiety that comes with trying to “have it all together” in your twenties. Regulating your nervous system isn’t about being calm all the time ; it’s about creating stability so you can take risks, make decisions, and show up for your life from a place of clarity and calm instead of survival.

In next week’s conversation, I’ll be breaking down the specific systems and frameworks I’ve used to move through early adulthood, including getting accepted to Columbia, graduating with honors, being accepted to Harvard Law School, and landing a competitive first job straight out of college. This isn't ot boast but to make one thing clear: I’m not special. I’m first-generation, my parents don’t have connections, and I’m not any smarter than anyone else. What made the difference was having the right systems in place- and I’ll be sharing exactly how you can build them too. So be sure to subscribe to the podcast so you don't miss it.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed, stuck, or like you’re constantly operating in fight-or-flight, this episode is a reminder that slowing down might be the most powerful thing you can do.

We’re well into 2026 now, and if there’s one thing adulthood teaches you quickly, it’s how fast a year can disappear. But before we rush forward, it’s worth pausing, because 2025 was full of lessons we don’t want to leave behind.

This is Part 2 of a two-part highlights episode of The Grown-Ups Are Talking, where I’ve gone back through every guest conversation from 2025 to pull out the advice, moments, and reflections that genuinely changed how I approach adulthood. These conversations and ideas stayed with me, and ultimately shaped my decisions, my career, and the way I think about building a life.

In this episode, you’ll hear conversations about career pivots, quitting jobs, money as a tool to design your life, taking risks in your 20s, building sustainable health routines, and redefining what success actually looks like when no one hands you a roadmap.

As always, these are highlights from guest episodes throughout 2025. If a clip resonates, I strongly recommend going back to the full episode for deeper context. And while this episode focuses on guest conversations, I also shared many solo episodes last year- more personal and reflective- covering topics like getting into Harvard Law School, loneliness, ambition, and time moving faster than you expect.

If you’re entering 2026 trying to be more intentional about your career, your finances, your health, or simply how you spend your time, this episode is for you.

This week’s episode is a little different- because it’s my 25th birthday!!!

Instead of releasing Part 2 of our The Best of 2025 series (don’t worry, it’s coming next week), I wanted to pause and reflect on something that’s been sitting with me lately: time - how fast it moves in early adulthood, and what that speed might actually be telling us about how we fel about our lives.

Since graduating, it feels like I’ve lived nine different lives. Some years crawled by. Others disappeared in a blink. And turning 25 has made me think deeply about why.

In this solo episode, I talk about:

• Why time felt painfully slow in my corporate law job- and why it suddenly feels like it’s flying

• What psychology tells us about time, novelty, routine, and engagement

• How choosing work you care about can completely change your experience of time

I also reflect on a big shift I’ve felt this past year: moving from being money rich and time poor to time rich and money poor- and why I’ve realised that, at least right now, time matters more to me.

I talk about:

• High-paying careers vs. time autonomy

• Why there’s no “right” trade-off, only the one that fits you

• Saying no to good opportunities to make space for better-aligned ones

• Why I chose to defer law school again to pursue creative work I’m excited about

And because it’s my birthday, I end the episode on something a little more personal — three ways I know I’ve grown into adulthood, even when I sometimes feel “behind”:

• Emotional maturity and stability

• Healthier, quieter, more intentional relationships

• Feeling more aligned with myself than I have in years

Turning 25 has reminded me that time isn’t just something we measure — it’s something we feel. And maybe the reason life feels like it’s moving so fast right now is because, for the first time in a long time, I’m actually living it.

If you’ve ever felt behind in your adult life, rushed, stuck, or unsure whether you’re using your time “correctly,” this episode is for you.

🎂 Birthday favour:
If you enjoy the podcast, it would mean so much if you could:

• Leave a 5-star rating and review

• Follow us on socials @thegrownupsaretalkingpod

• Share the episode with a friend who might need it

Next week: Part 2 of our Best of 2025 series drops , covering health and wellness in early adulthood, hobbies, quitting your job, money advice, and making your mark in your twenties.

Make sure you’re subscribed so you don’t miss it!

Resources discussed:

https://www.theguardian.com/science/2024/dec/29/does-life-feel-like-its-speeding-up-how-to-slow-down-time-in-2025

2025 was a big year- and so were the conversations.

In this episode, I’m taking you through part one of a best-of series, revisiting some of the most meaningful moments from The Grown-Ups Are Talking in 2025. From navigating mental health in adulthood, to love and dating, post-grad uncertainty, hobbies, long-distance relationships, and finding your footing as an adult, this episode brings together some of the advice and conversations that stayed with me long after the mic was turned off.

Re-listening to these episodes reminded me just how much honesty, perspective, and reassurance is packed into this podcast-- so much so that it had to be split into two parts. If a snippet you hear resonates, I really encourage you to go back and listen to the full episode, where the conversation goes even deeper.

This episode focuses purely on guest episodes, pulling together some of the most thoughtful insights from 2025. And this is only part one.

In part two, we’ll be talking about making your mark in your twenties and the startup world, essential money advice from a financial expert, quitting your job and pivoting careers, health and wellness in adulthood, AI and adulthood, and even law school.

Subscribe now to make sure you don’t miss part two. New episodes drop every Wednesday morning.

Hope everyone had a lovely Christmas and happy new year! In this episode, I’m back home in London, settling into a new video setup, and doing what has quietly become a tradition on this podcast: an end-of-year audit.

Today’s episode is all about reflecting on 2025 and setting intentions for 2026. I start by revisiting my reflections from this time last year- back when I thought 2025 would be “peaceful” and more within my control- and unpack just how wrong (and right) I was.

2025 turned out to be the year I:

• prioritised consistency
• made some of the boldest decisions of my adult life
• quit a job I once worked hard to get
• and rebuilt my life around work that genuinely excites me

Throughout the episode, I model a simple reflection framework and invite you to think about your own year.

I also share:

• what 2025 taught me about adulthood, work, and stability
• how my relationship with routine, creativity, and ambition shifted in 2025
• why my word for 2026 is growth
• my goals for the podcast, my personal life, and the opportunities I want to build next
• a major life update, including why I’ve chosen to defer Harvard Law School and what I’ve learned about changing plans you were once proud of

Before you move on with your day, I hope this episode encourages you to ask yourself:

• What did this year teach me?
• What do I want more of next year?
• And what am I ready to release?

Here’s to closing out 2025 with honest reflection and stepping into 2026 with intention.

Happy New Year 🤍

In this short but sweet Christmas episode, Abby reflects on spending the holiday season in West Africa with her siblings and the unexpected turns adulthood often brings. She shares thoughts on embracing uncertainty, practising gratitude, and staying grounded in connection with loved ones- even when life doesn’t unfold as planned. Abby invites listeners to find moments of calm and joy during the holiday season and closes with a heartfelt thank-you to the podcast community for being part of the journey.

And if you’re watching the video too, let’s hope Santa brings me some better video equipment this year LOL- but this is the best I could do while abroad without my usual setup!

The biggest Christmas gift you could give me is subscribing to the podcast <3 Thank you so much for being here, and I hope you have a very merry Christmas!

As the new year approaches, goal setting can start to feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. In this solo episode, Abby breaks down how to set meaningful, sustainable goals for 2026 without pressure, burnout, or last-minute panic.

This episode is about reflection, clarity, and consistency. Abby shares the exact goal-setting framework she’s used to navigate early adulthood this year, including earning a promotion to Senior Analyst at her corporate law firm, reaching a major financial milestone, growing her podcast, and navigating unexpected career pivots- alongside research-backed insights on why goal setting is so powerful for mental health, motivation, and long-term success, especially for young adults.

You’ll hear:

• Why New Year’s goals should be a moment for recalibration, not pressure

• The psychology behind goal setting- and how it impacts wellbeing, anxiety, and self-esteem

• Abby’s real 2025 goals: what she achieved (barring one, everything on her vision board came true!!!), what didn’t, and why both mattered

• How to set specific, realistic goals using systems- not just wish lists

• Why writing your goals down and visualising them actually works

• Abby’s three tools for goal setting: clear goals, a vision board, and a word of the year

• How to balance ambition with flexibility when life doesn’t go according to plan

Abby also walks listeners through her vision board process in detail- from photoshopping resumes and Spotify analytics to visualising lifestyle, relationship, and creative goals- and explains why consistency beats motivation every time.

Whether you’re feeling excited, stuck, anxious, or behind as the new year approaches, this episode is a grounded guide to reflecting on the year you’ve had and intentionally designing the one ahead.

If you’re navigating early adulthood, career uncertainty, creative goals, or personal growth, this episode is a must-listen for anyone who wants to approach 2026 with clarity, optimism, and direction.

Almost two months ago, I handed in my notice at my corporate law job. Since then, everything has changed.

In this episode, I’m reflecting honestly on what life has looked like since leaving stability behind for a more creative path. I share what I miss (and what I don’t), how money fears and family expectations have shaped this transition, why I’m feeling more aligned than ever with the podcast- and the unexpected doubts that have come up around my decision to go to law school.

In this episode, I talk about:

• What it actually feels like after quitting a “dream” corporate job
• The pressure of choosing passion over a paycheck
• Returning to live at home in your 20s
• What alignment in your life means for you
• Questioning my decision to go to law school
• Redefining what “impact” looks like
• Long-distance love and how big life decisions ripple into relationships
• Learning to trust yourself at the crossroads

Be sure to subscribe to the podcast wherever you're listening. You can email thegrownupsaretalkingpod@gmail.com with feedback, questions, or suggestions- I’d love to hear from you! 💌