Today I turn 30. (And my little niece just turned 1.)

Is it time to hyperventilate yet? I’m entering another decade!

Just kidding, I’m actually really looking forward to it and have be ok with it since I’ve been trying to act older than my age for probably 10 years now (I guess I was pretty comfortable at 25/26 though).

Although I’m a planner – I’ve come to realize planning 5 years in the future is not super advisable, let alone looking at the next potential decade, so I’m going to write a bit about my secureness in where I am now at 30.

• I know what I want and don’t want in my career.
• I love the job I currently have.
• I no longer care what another person’s opinion of me is – and really haven’t for a while.
• I’m with a great life partner – the happiest thing is when I can see us as old people together (we’re both pretty old souls – or maybe it’s just wanting to go to bed at 9pm)
• Most of the time I walk around wondering how and when I became an adult and really disliking some of that reality. (When did the wrinkles show up!? I’m expected to know how to figure out insurance and investing?)
• Some days I sit in my PJs for half the day ignoring the fact I am an adult – sometimes you just need a break.
• I will march to the beat of my own drum and conductor dance to it’s music. And acknowledge with those actions I have become my mother.
• I know that life isn’t always happy or perfect, but that’s kind of the deal.
• I may be compassionate and sometimes nurturing but don’t think I’ll ever be a mother.  (Sorry, Mom and sisters – not a burning desire I have.)
  • Because everyone’s life and dreams are different I respect others and hope they do the same for me.
• I’ve been blessed to find a partner that likes our little family the two of us and our dog (maybe a second sometime in the future).
• I absolutely adore my niece and nephew and being an aunt (and think my friends’ kids are the cutest). It’s been my dream in life to be an auntie and be able to take them on trips, spoil them, and help pay for their college. I’d give those kids a piece of any organ.
• I’m more comfortable in my body and being completely content when it’s not perfect.
• My yoga practice has helped tremendously in “letting things go that no longer serve me” and holding on to someone else’s idea of how I should be or look REALLY doesn’t serve me.
• Practicing the yoga yamas and niyamas  – especially after reading The Yamas and Niyamas by Adele have made me more aware of my actions.
• I accept all the bumps in life and don’t regret anything – it brought me to where I am now and it’s exactly where I am meant to be.
• As much as I am the “master of my own destiny” I’ve had too many “fate/coincidences” not to believe it plays some role.
• I will always be young at heart and forever an old soul – do those two conflict?
• My main goal in life is to adventure – and I have a hard time understanding people who would turn down an opportunity to travel.
• I don’t like the idea of being too attached to any one place – sometimes a change of scenery is a good thing. This is why a travel – so when I come home I can see and appreciate the world for how unique it really is.
• Some goodbyes are for the best – lives and people change, but it doesn’t mean it wasn’t a great story worthy of telling.
• With the happenings of the last week, I am deeply saddened for the future and wonder how a place that used to be a place of refuge and hope is now a place of hate and fear. (Welcome to the second dark ages.) Everyday I wake up to a new policy and feel sick to my stomach – it goes against every fiber of my being – we are taught to be compassionate, loving human beings, to see the good in someone first, not judge them based on their sex, skin, sexual orientation, religion, or country of origin.

Ok, now breathe (deep yoga breaths every damn morning, afternoon, and night). Maybe 2017 and the year of being 30 won’t bee so bad?

PEACE. LOVE. HOPE.