10 Lessons I Learned at 35
My birthday is next week! If you have any tips on celebrating birthdays, please let me know. My birthday feels so neutral to me - not good, not bad. For so long I have done the typical millennial thing to downplay the milestone each year. Why? On the surface, it’s because I like to think I’m too cool for birthdays. I don’t need to be celebrated. It’s not that big of a deal. But truthfully it’s because I don’t want to be disappointed when my excitement isn’t reciprocated. This isn’t childhood trauma - it’s early 20s, coming into adulthood trauma (but this post isn’t about that).
In the wisdom I have gained as I have gotten older, celebrating each year of life is so special and I know I should be celebrated! We all should. Embrace the cringe and figure out what feeling celebrated looks like for you. Do you want a big dinner party with all your friends? Throw it! Do you prefer a small cake with a candle on top with your immediate family? That’s perfect too! Do you hate cake and want a birthday mac and cheese? You do you! More than ever, I feel like each year of life is moving faster. There is so much going on in the world and we’re doing all we can to go through the motions. We deserve intentionality and celebration. Take a moment. Buy the flowers. Wear your favorite dress. Have a special day/week/month celebrating yourself.
For the past year, I have been keeping a note in my Notes App where I jot down little realizations and lessons that have struck a chord with me as a 35-year-old woman. Many of them did not come out of a big moment, but rather in daily monotony.
You don’t have to pick up your phone at every red light or train stop. Just don’t. Just relax.
Be the one to reach out. Make the gesture. Don’t wait for others to do it.
People may not care what you have to say or do, but you care about what you say or do. Do positive things for positive feelings. Do negative things for negative feelings.
Audiobooks are reading.
Always get ice cream when the truck comes by.
Life is too short to listen to podcast ads.
Wear the damn dress.
Get outside and enjoy the (reasonable) sunshine.
Your pace doesn’t matter. Enjoy taking the steps.
Don’t waste your energy on people who are giving you nothing.
I love this! My birthday is also next week and I told my husband and my daughter what I wanted eat (pizza) have for dessert (chocolate cake) and the exact gift I wanted (running shoes) to align expectations. I don't like crowds or people or surprises so this will ensure i'm happy.