Tuesday, August 24, 2010

34


I am 34 today.

I know it's been said a thousand times by countless others - but how did I get here so fast? Where did that time go? Am I really in my mid thirties already?

I'm not saying I'm old. I'm just amazed that I'm here already. But when I do a few sums in my head the numbers add up and it makes sense.

I've been with my man for 16 years :: I've studied and obtained a degree :: I've gotten married :: I've lived overseas :: I've travelled extensively :: I've worked 3 jobs in 3 different industries :: I've bought a house ::
I've had 2 kids

These things don't happen within a couple of years. It took time to get here. And so, here I am. 34.

I've always felt so young and I have no reason to feel any different on this birthday, but I do. I feel different. I feel like it's time for me to grow up. Be an adult. Suck it up. Do what I have to do to get where I want to go. Be authentic. Be myself. Like myself. Stop apologising for who I am. Stake my claim in this life. Say no when I feel I need to. Say yes when I mean it. Love more. Fear Less. Now.

So today I have cleansed, toned & moisturised my neglected face. My dry hands have been moisturised several times. I have gone to the toilet as soon as I need to go, instead of holding til my kidneys ache because I'm busy with other things. I discarded my breastfeeding bra and put on something lacey. I took my vitamins. I included myself in my list of people to care for today and I think I could make a habit of this. It's not half bad. It actually feels quite good.

I would never relive my youth but I don't regret a minute of my past. It's got me exactly where I am today. 34. Alive. Loved. Blessed.

Happy birthday to me. x

5 comments:

Cathie said...

happy birthday Julia!
it's a great list to be proud of & the pics say it all.
hope you continue to put you on your list to take care of.
well deserved.
happy day to you

em.s said...

Such a lovely post. but then I always feel uplifted by your words. Congrats on the big 34. you make it good so good!

two little buttons said...

happy birthday to you. it was so nice to share your day with you yesterday, in your words last night and in your post now you put it so well, and i could feel myself nodding and agreeing with what you wrote. it is time to stand up and be who we are and enjoy it. and to celebrate who we are, embrace it and be true to ourselves. do things that means something to ourselves and nourish the souls of our own. good luck and enjo 34. i wish i had your way with words and your incredibly wonderful outlook. happy birthday to a relatively new but very special friend. thankgod for knitting

Anonymous said...

Hooray for Julia and her friends.
Dont waste a day being good to YOU. I loved being 34 and where I was in life with my family (long time ago). But it took many years for me to learn to be kind to ME..so girls embrace each year, enjoy each day as it is a new beginning, and feel good giving yourself some of your love.

Julia's Mum

Michelle said...

Yay, Happy Birthday! And yay to moisturiser, laceyness and ading yourself to the list. So perfectly said :)