I find it slightly amusing that this post, sitting as a draft since September, is being published on my 31st birthday. It’s a bit telling of how my life has been the past several months: Non.Stop.
I indulged you all (and my devices!) with a freebie for New Year’s and truth be told, I haven’t looked at my blog since then. I’ve been nursing a really nasty cold, and I’m pretty sure my nostrils are so chapped they’re getting ready to split. Sorry if that’s TMI but it’s the truth. Since we moved in November, it’s been a nonstop ride of cleaning, unpacking, hosting a holiday. Repeat.
We hosted both Thanksgiving and Christmas in our first home, all within 60 days of moving in. We’ve traveled down the Florida coast a few times as well, in addition to me designing blogs and conducting medical spa website design. I’m honestly not sure how I’ve managed to do this all in such a short time, but this poor blog has certainly gotten the short end of the stick. My life lately reminds me of my college days where I happily took on 20-24 credit hours per semester, my nose stuck in several opera scores at once, had several jobs (as a freelance musician and a barista), and was an active member of Phi Sigma Sigma.
Maybe these are the tell-tale signs of an overachiever? I dunno, seeing as I’m not the type-A personality.
Last time this year, I was celebrating my big 3-0. Good food, good times, with friends, all in the comfort of Savannah, Georgia. This year, it’s just my husband and I, in our first home in northern Florida. He has a few surprises planned for me, and in an unprecedented move for someone who hates cooking, I’ve planned my own birthday dinner. In my fridge are the ingredients for rosemary roasted lamb, mushroom risotto with black truffle oil and roasted asparagus. I just need a good red wine and I’m set to go!
Anyway, I thought it would be fun to share a list of things my thirties has changed about me. Dear God, please let thirties not sound like a death sentence. Otherwise I’ll be forced to repeat my 29th birthday for decades to come. Amen.
Twenties vs. Thirties
20s – I won’t be caught dead at a club before 10 PM.
30s – You want to meet up after 8PM?!
Sometimes I want to go back and ask my younger self “Who are you, and can I have your energy, please?”
20s – Putting on makeup to go to the grocery store.
30s – Teeth brushed? Check. Going to the grocery store.
Ok, it’s not that bad (most of the time). But I really need to invest in one of those illuminated magnifying mirrors. The rare times I look at my eyebrows I almost yelp in surprise. (Please tell me I’m not alone).
I find that time moves so much faster now that I’m older. I’m chalking it up to more responsibilities and balls to juggle than mental aging. Dear God I hope that’s right!
20s – Caring what people think of me.
30s – Not caring what people think of me.
I think this is my favorite part of getting older. Opinions and gossip have no boundaries. For every action I make I find that people will have opinions, good and bad, so I’m better off doing what my heart desires anyway.
See? Dr. Seuss has good advice no matter how old you are :)
20s – Keeping toxic friendships for no good reason.
30s – Cleaning house in the friendship department with no regrets.
The no regrets part is of utmost importance here.
20s – Buying magazines based on the latest fashion trends
30s – Buying magazines based on home décor
A.K.A. I’m turning into my mother. Or maybe I’m becoming a mature adult. I find that I’m becoming less inclined to buying furniture from Craigslist and instead going to the retail stores.
Nicer stuff is just nice. I don’t care if people say that kids destroy shit. I don’t want to live in a space that doesn’t make me happy or inspire me to be clean. Our kids will just have to grow up knowing they can’t be destructive. Right?