Thoughts on Thirty Five

Celebrating 35 in my favorite place- the beach

Earlier this week, I turned 35. WHAT?! 

It feels kind of unreal to even type that out, and really weird to say "Oh, I'm 35" because no one believes me that I actually am 35. I've heard from friends and co-workers that I sure don't look like it. I am not sure what a 35 year old should look like but it's not what I look like. 

The month leading up to my birthday, I have been thinking about my birthday, my age and everything that I have gone through in my life; it all has made me, me. I wouldn't be the bright and silly woman who is kind and careful and smart if those things didn't happen to me. 

I wrote a few posts about my birthday in 2016, 2021 and 2022. I think the most interesting thing is that the post in 2016 I wrote is still true even after 7 years. I am proud that I have found myself; I joke that I JUST got out of my awkward stage a few years ago. HA!

I feel like my life has finally started, for real. I am becoming the woman who I want to be and I am figuring out exactly what I want to do with my life.  WGJ has become a big part of my life in the last few years and I am finding a rhythm that is fulfilling me in many ways. 

I am forever grateful that I am feeling better both mentally and physically. It was a rough few years trying to figure out what works best for me- medicine wise- for my Crohn's Disease. Going to therapy has helped me obtain different tools to allow me to work my way through life. It truly has been life changing and I highly recommend therapy. 

The friendships and relationships that have come into my over the years have also taught me numerous lessons that I have kept with me. Communication is the key to ANYTHING in life and you have to make your needs and wants known. No one is a mind reader, you have to speak up for yourself. Sometimes relationships and friendships are long and stick with you through it all; sometimes they are short and sweet or short and sour. Each one can teach you something. 

Life has been a rollercoaster but I wouldn't have tried this life for anything. Maybe when I was in the trenches of the hard times, I would have traded it but looking back, those hard times made me who I am today. 

To wrap this up, I want to share some randomness:

- Nature in the past few years has become something I crave, especially the beach

- I still have my stuffed animals around. (Hi Bear, Luca, Hugo, Two, Penelope, Georgie's & Mr. Moose!)

- Romanticizing my life has been the thing I've done ( taking myself out, enjoying every moment, savoring all the good I can find, things are exciting and fun, etc) 

-Enjoy the moment, without technology

-The small things in life take up the most space in your heart

-You truly never know what you are going to get in life

-Celebrate everything (especially with confetti!)

-Mindset is everything- its not "I Have to", its "I GET to"

I am SO looking forward to this year. I cannot wait to see what life has in store for me and what happens next. Life has become something I want to sit back, with snack and see how it unfolds and  actively participate in it.

Do you think you act your actual age?

[[The world needs you, just the way you are.]]