Oh yes, another year has flown by and now, it’s birthday time again :)
I have officially survived my first year in my 30s.
How did I do it? Well, there isn’t really one answer, but I did start drinking more :)
Seriously though, another year is gone and suddenly I’m looking back at it wondering how I went from 29 to 30 to now 31. It goes so fast.
So to help usher in 31, I decided to party like I was 21 (giving that milestone memory a fond revisit) and I found that in 10 years, things are dramatically different, which is mostly good, minus the fact that I can’t bounce back from drinking very quickly anymore. Ouch.
But seriously, the first year in your 30s can be tough. I found that everyone looks at you differently when you tell them your age. They either don’t believe you (fingers crossed), look you over closely to see if they believe you or they nod understandingly and pass you sample of anti-aging creme (if you’re not looking for it already).
And while my 30 was a turbulent year, full of high points (solo travel!) and low points (don’t want to talk about it), it really is a time of change, which isn’t so bad.
One big change: I’m not waiting for things I want anymore. I can handle being conservative in my career and finances, but the one thing I’m ready to bust out of is holding back on the things I want personally.
I spent too much of my 20s second guessing what I wanted and day dreaming of what I would do if I had enough time off, money, etc.
NO MORE.
The biggest accomplishment this year: solo travel. Since May, I’ve taken two solo trips: Nola and Napa. I’ve traveled to NYC for BlogHer and Vegas for BISC. And next month, I’m off to Denver for a few days.
My 30s are about celebrating me and after years of insane poverty (thanks college!) I am ready to take some of my disposable income and see the country and eventually, the world.
It’s time to stop holding myself back because I’m scared, I’m ready to embrace me and face my biggest fears, whether they are dining out alone or participating in a dance class with people who clearly know what they’re doing and I don’t.
I feel optimistic and that my insecurities from my 20s are ready to be knocked off one by one.
Sure, there are some days I am depressed beyond belief and stare at friends and family who have homes, families and dogs, wondering if I’m failure. But I’m not. And I can’t compare myself to them. Because I love my life.
I predict there is a lot coming up for me this year. I’m not sure if all of them will succeed, but I’m ready for it. Because if I can survive my 20s and the first year of my 30s with only a few battle scars, I can pretty much handle anything.
And now, I’m ready to celebrate today with some wine :)
JB out.
i find since i turned 30 a few months ago that i’m drinking more!!
See what you want and take it I say. You are stronger than I. Smarter too.
Happy 31st birthday! I hope it was amazing! And I think that it’s great that you are going to go out there and go after what you want. Take life by the horns because you really have nothing to lose! :)
Hope you had a wonderful birthday!
Happy 31st! I’ve loved my 30s so far … hope the rest of yours are fantastic!
Hope you enjoyed your birthday (minus the post-drinking recovery time)!
Your attitude must be why people say they enjoyed their 30s more than their 20s. Enjoy your new-found determinism!
Happy birthday, lady!
And rest assured, homes, families and dogs don’t make life better. It’s all about the kind of life YOU want and then going after it.
Yay! Happy birthday (again)! :)
I know you had a rough, but fun weekend celebrating your birthday – I hope you’re enjoying your sweet birthday with all the people you love!!!!
Happy Birthday darling!
xoxo
HAPPY BIRTHDAY JESSICA!! I hope you have had a fab day of celebrating YOU!
Happy Birthday, love this attitude! I need to get into this mindset for the big 2-9 in a few months.
Happy Birthday, Jessica! I hope you had a fabulous day today. I love your attitude and can’t wait to see what these next few years hold for you.
Happy Birthday! I didn’t realize how close we are, I am one year and a week older than you. Have a wonderful year! I found 31 going on 32 was a great year for me, so I hope it is awesome for you too!
Love this post. Very inspiring and very much – words/thoughts to live by.
happiest of happy birthdays jess!! hope you are having a most fabulous day, woo!
Happy Birthday! I LOVE your attitude on life and can’t wait to read more of your travels!!
Happy birthday – hope you are having a fabulous day! As someone who is also hitting the big 3-1 shortly (October), I can totally identify with this post.
Beautifully written! Have a delicious and fun-filled birthday!! Happy 31!
Happy birthday! Your perspective is great.
Happy Birthday!
I predict great things too. I’m just getting to the point where I’m like, “oh, so this is what extra income is used for.”
Happy Birthday! I’m following you into 31 in a few days, and I’m going to just copy/paste your attitude and outlook for myself. Onward and upward into the 30s!
Happy birthday Jess! You’re an incredible lady :)
Happy birthday, Jess! You sound like a true 30-something (and I mean that in the best way possible) … you know what you want and you’re going after it. No need to wait for it to come to you. I think that’s one of the most exciting things about this decade. I hope you continue to take advantage and enjoy!
Happy Birthday JB! Here’s to another fabulous year of being you : )
happy birthday :) sounds like you had a pretty good year, especially with all the travel!
Happy birthday!!! It seems like you are well on your way to fulfilling your potential of being the most awesome person you can possibly be. =) Houses and families are overrated anyway. As they say on Jersey Shore, “do you.” Hahah. Have a good one!
Happy Birthday and have fun in Denver!
you have great perspective on all of this and i think you’re like my one year older than me yoda.
Great attitude and perspective!
Happy Day!
I think your “take it on” attitude is great. I admire you for all of your solo travel and other 30-something endeavors. As I stare down 30, I’ve been thinking about what I want the next decade to be and you’re a great act to follow :-)
Good for you, you should celebrate because you’re awesome! Happy Birthday, and you go get what you’re after!
Happy Birthday!! Awesome attitude :) But I think the question we are all wondering is, did you get the bag??
Happy Birthday, doll! Your attitude is fabulous, encouraging and I say spot on =) Can’t wait to see what this year holds for you! Wish I could be there to buy you a drink!
Happy Birthday! I have to say my life in my 30s is much better then my 20s. Come to Boston.
Happy birthday Jessica!! I’m so glad that you’re travelling and embracing the things that you love. <3
Happy Birthday Jessica!! I love that you’re all about going after what you want and trying to eliminate the second guessing! I’m with ya 100%. Sorry I couldn’t be there to help you celebrate, but I hope you had a blast!
Happy Birthday! Sounds like you’re in a really great place to take on this next year. Enjoy your day!
Happy Birthday! I really admire your confidence and optimistic attitude towards your next year, I’m afraid I’m doing quite the opposite when it comes to my approaching birthday.