Day recognises that there’s a huge stigma, especially for women, around the age of 30. This seems to pile on the pressure even harder, making women feel that they need to be in a committed relationship by the time they enter their third decade, a notion which is out of date and patriarchal. All you need to be in your 30s, is you.

“I think when you’re in your 20s you feel like there’s this giant cut off point when you’re 30, because you feel like you have to be ‘young’ to achieve loads of things. I wish I could tell myself that it’s OK to have some downtime. It doesn’t have to be a constant tick boxing exercise where you get onto the next achievement and then you can have some time out,” the author assures us.

“The best thing about turning 30 is you don’t have to worry about turning 30 anymore.”

Of course, if you’re happy in a relationship then that’s brilliant. But if you are struggling with a break-up, remember Day’s words and that in her opinion, your 20s are the perfect time to spend time alone and enjoy dating.

Love soaking up wisdom from inspiring women? Day is just one speaker in a whole series of incredible, accomplished women who will be speaking at Cliveden House as part of the Women in Power series to celebrate 100 years since Nancy Aster (former owner of the house) took her seat in parliament as the first woman to do so. The next event is on 8 November and will see Clare Balding talk about how she got to where she is today.

If you can’t wait until then to visit this beautiful country house, check out the Cliveden Literary Festival on 28-29 September, which features speakers like Lucy Worsley, Emily Maitlis and Candice Carty-Williams.

Images: Jenny Smith Photography

Going through a break up in your 20s? Don’t worry, Elizabeth Day thinks it could be just what you need