I’m kind of a big birthday person.
I’ve always really loved celebrating people’s birthdays. Every year that I can remember I looked forward to my birthday, perhaps because it’s smack dab in the middle of summer or it meant doing something fun that I got to choose. I also think that anticipating milestones helped – being 10 and holding up 2 whole hands to show my age, turning 13 and officially becoming a teenager after celebrating my bat mitzvah just 4 days before, the big 1.6. and getting my license(!), 21 and the joys / convenience that brought. They were all wonderful things to celebrate, with friends and family around to share the love.
This blog is the product of my quarter life crisis at 24 and last year I’d like to think I accepted turning a Quarter Century with grace and comfortable with being 25. Which brings me to this year and my general lack of excitement for turning 26.
I feel like an adult now. I’d like to think I look more adult than I used to (which makes sense and yet bouncers, bar tenders, and restaurant waitstaff don’t see it.) I’ve embraced a lot mentally and physically that makes me feel in charge of my life. I think I’m in a better place and kinda love adult life.
In honor of turning 26 I thought I would share the 25 things I learned over the past year. I think all of these lessons will continue to guide and inform me for the rest of my life. Here’s to an incredible year!
- Own your mid-twenties. It’s really not that bad, unless a 20 year old college sophomore calls you old
- YOU are in charge of your life!
- Making big decisions can be scary but procrastinating them only makes them scarier than they really are. Just do it!
- While you can’t always choose what happens to you you can choose your attitude. I’ve forced myself to try to be positive with everything this year!
- Own your feelings. Sometimes they’re awesome and it comes naturally to feel happy, excited, or proud. Other times it sucks and you just have to accept those feelings of angst, uncertainty, or fear.
- Teenagers aren’t the only ones with angst.
- I’m in the driver’s seat of my life.
- Mom and Dad will always be some of your biggest fans. And life coaches. And knowing that makes life just a little bit easier.
- Summer happiness is frolicking through a strawberry field that smells like fresh strawberry jam on a sunny day.
- Saying yes opens a lot of doors.
- Eat real food. And treats are necessary every once and a while too!
- Being strong and healthy are important. Being stick thin isn’t.
- Love those muscles – you worked hard to earn them!
- An old dog can learn new tricks. And apparently, learn to like country music!
- Confidence is a beautiful thing.
- Apparently I can be funny. Although definitely not on cue.
- Getting pushed out of an elevator was one of the best things that’s happened to me all year.
- Take a risk!
- The right educational opportunity exists. And when you’re lucky enough to discover it, just do it!
- Sometimes giving the silent treatment is the mature way to handle a bad situation.
- Take the risk and share your feelings. Someone will agree or at least relate to them.
- It’s okay to embrace new technology and stay “current.”
- Having great friends is like having a magic talking mirror – they always tell you what you need to hear and show you your own reflection / remind you of things you already know and love.
- Thank people. Whether they’ve taught me something new, supported me, listened, challenged me, or something else, I’ve found that thanking people is just one small way to be kind to others often.
- There is such a thing as feeling like an adult and it’s feeling pretty good!
Here’s to a wonderfully exciting and adventurous 26!
