Happy Birthday to me! I’ve gone back and forth, back and forth about what to write about today. I’m celebrating 30 trips around the sun today and I have some mixed feelings. First off, let’s make one thing clear. I love birthdays. I’ve always been a big celebrator, usually making a week (or month) out of the occasion. But when thinking about 30… 30 years… I’ve just felt a little different.
Second thing. I am not being all weird and sad and upset about turning 30. I’m still celebrating and definitely acknowledging the milestone. I don’t really get too hung up on age, but obviously milestones like this stick out more than others. So of course, I’ve been thinking a lot about what it means to turn 30. Or more like what it means for me to turn 30. Because I’m sure not everyone feels the same way.
Here’s what I came up with.
I think a lot of people get hung up on reaching a certain age because they’re that much closer to the next milestone. I mean, I’m now closer to 40 than I am 18 and I definitely don’t feel that old. Getting older is scary and you feel yourself changing a little from who you’ve been in the past. At least that’s how it’s been for me and that can be a good thing. But I also feel bizarre about entering a whole new decade. Saying goodbye to the 20s feels like a really, really big deal. I remember looking forward to my 20s so much – it always felt like the decade where so many exciting things would happen and yes.. that ended up being extremely true.
Which gets me to where I landed on celebrating this milestone. Instead of concentrating on actually turning 30, how I’m aging (like everyone else in the world) and focusing on the things I haven’t accomplished or done, I’m doing the opposite. Well, I’m trying my best anyway. I’m trying to concentrate on how many things I have done, experienced and accomplished over the last three decades. Doesn’t that sound much more appealing?
And when I start thinking about it and listing things in my head, I feel better about turning only 30. I completed 12 grades of school, graduated with a college degree, met and married by best friend. I’ve explored 8 foreign countries, visited 18 of our 50 states. We remodeled our house and brought home the most perfect puppy. I went from eating pizza rolls every day in college to conquering my fear of real cooking and baking. I’ve learned how to snowboard and shaved ten strokes off my golf game. I discovered yoga and the power of meditation. My legs hiked eight hours to Trolltunga and my feet have dipped in the Pacific, Atlantic and the Gulf. I created this blog.
I really could go on and on with things big and small that I’ve reflected on these past couple days, but I’ll stick with the highlight reel. I’m officially entering a brand new decade of life, a brand new chapter. Which is exciting and definitely something to celebrate. But when it comes down to it, I’m thinking age is just a number. Life should be more about how you feel. And I hope to feel this young and this happy for a very long time.
Cheers!
xoxo. B
I like how you phrased it. Thirty trips around the sun.
From my experiences my 30s were the best time of my life. I hope they are for you too.
Happy 30.
I’m glad you liked that! And that’s so good to hear – I’ve heard that few times the past couple days and it makes me very optimistic! Thanks so much!
Happy birthday! I turned 30 too this year and even though my own definition of 30 as a youngin, was vastly different than my reality today, I would say that my reality is by far better than what I thought I’d have in mind by 30 – If that makes sense! Enjoy your day!
It totally makes sense because I feel like I was the same way! I definitely don’t feel as old as I thought I would lol & life is a lot different than it was when we were little. So much to look forward to 🙂 Thanks much!
Happy, happy birthday girlfriend! I’m only a few months behind you (I’ll be 30 the end of February!), and this already gives me such a great mindset to enter that new decade. I love your attitude and the way you’re approaching this new chapter. Hope you have a great day of celebrating!
Aw yay!! I just figure it’s better than being sore about it since we can’t do anything about it! It has been fun though, just weird leaving the 20s behind. I’m excited to see what you do to celebrate – thanks so much!