Musings on growing older
Today is my birthday (well it is at least here in Australia. Apparently I don't actually turn a year older until 7:48pm tonight. Time zones are weird). My 30th birthday. While I’m
very very grateful for what I’ve done and who I’ve become it’s also not where I
thought I’d be at 30. But then again, all through my life I’ve never been where
I thought I would.
At 12 I thought that 16 would be the perfect age because I’d
be older and mature and have a handsome, football playing boyfriend (Damn you
Sweet Valley High!). At 16 I
thought that 21 was going to be the best because I’d be in university and
popular and clever, and that turned out to be a terrible year. 30 though? I
guess I always thought that I’d have it all figured out. That I would be
married with children and a house on a hill.
But the more I think about those
things and the person that I am, the more I know that those don’t fit me right
now, and maybe not ever. And maybe that’s ok. Maybe growing up isn’t as
prescribed as it used to be where people just didn’t things because they should
and because it was the next step. Maybe now it’s ok to really look at your life
individually and know that everyone has different wants and needs at different
times. Just because I’m not doing what my friends are or what my parents did
doesn’t mean that either path is more or less valid. Maybe getting older is
just learning how to be brave inside you own skin? If that’s the case then I
gratefully wish myself Happy Birthday.
Comments
BTW I just saw your traveling blog! So exciting!
30 seems so long ago for me now, yet I remember a time when I thought 30 was so old LOL. Now as 40 is only a few years away for me I go between thinking "Wow, am I really so old?" and "Geez, 40 isn't that old if I'm so close to it". I have the husband and kids I expected I would, but I've had those since my very early 20's LOL. Finances are probably the only thing not where I had hoped to be at this point in my life, but it's better than it ever was so I'm grateful for at least that.
Not everyone is going to be the same, I can't imagine life without being married and having kids....but things could have been so much different had I not met my husband at a young age like I did.
Of course it's ok to look at your life individually...people are different and the smallest things can make our lives take one direction over another and all you have to do is be happy and make the best of what life gives you.
♥ laura
the blog of worldly delights
you are embarking on such a big, fun new adventure - 30 and beyond is going to be wonderful for you!!!!