Hello lovelies!
I've been having so much fun these last few weeks that I'm afraid that focusing on writing has proven difficult for me. But I am working on getting my next piece finished, so please look for that in the next week or so.
In the time between this post and my last published essay, I've officially become another year older. And I feel...okay about it...most of the time.
I will admit that I did have one day leading up to my birthday in which I wallowed a fair bit -- about my lack of career, my aging skin, my sagging post-breastfeeding boobs, all the things I never accomplished or never tried, etc. -- and, yes, ugly cried. But I came out on the other side and found I still feel optimism for the future.
For those of you who may also have found that ambivalence has been an unwelcome guest at your recent birthdays, if I had one piece of advice to give, I would say nurture uplifting friendships. Spend time with the people who get you. But more specifically -- and most importantly in my opinion -- the friends who help you see and appreciate the good things in your life.
The first few years in my forties were a wild ride. I've learned so much about myself, and I've come a long way in accepting all the parts of me. And that feels really good. But what more, I realize that I am immensely blessed to have found an amazing group of friends who like all those weird, quirky parts of me, too. And having these wonderful people in my life makes growing old seem a little less daunting.
Just because you're married doesn't mean you have to do everything with your spouse. Give them a chance to miss you. And just because you're a parent, doesn't mean your whole life belongs to your children. Model healthy boundaries and how to maintain good friendships as an adult by spending an evening away from them and your spouse.
Make plans to go out with a friend or two. Grab coffee with someone (and flirt with the hot barista). Or rally a few folks to play trivia at a local pub (a personal favorite of mine)...even if you suck at it, which I do. Get out there. Live. Laugh. Remember how friggin' awesome you are! Or if you've never felt that way about yourself, it's not too late to reinvent yourself and try something new. Take that step toward building the life you want for yourself. I may now be 43 (😳), but I'm nowhere near done with living life.
And, in the mean time, while you await my next post, here's a sweet shot of my 🍑 from my birthday celebration. You're welcome 😘
