Turning 30...

I can hardly believe I will be turning 30 in a few days! A couple of years ago when I thought I was turning 29 (I was actually turning 28--thanks Mom for clarifying) I got a bit nervous and made a list of things I had to do before I really did close in on the Big 3-0.

I wanted to be at a point in my life where I was, well, satisfied. And I wasn't. I think a person reaches different points in their life where they expect to have certain things accomplished and to feel content, at least for a moment. And I didn't.

So I had 2 years to accomplish the things on my list. Some were tiny goals like spending more quality time with my family and journal daily--even if only a few sentences. Others were bigger, like publishing my first book. Then there were things that I had to stop doing because I just didn't have the time to squeeze it all into a mere 24 hours a day. I would wake up in the morning with plans to do a million things and before I knew it I was so overwhelmed that I did, well, nothing. So some things had to take a hiatus. Like scrapbooking--love, love to do it but I had to cut some things out. Even my knitting, which has always been a sort of therapy for me had to cease a bit to allow room for my real priorities.

I did accomplish some of the goals on that list, including publishing my first book, which will be released this Fall/Winter (more details on that later) and there are several I'm still working on. Like spending the weekend in NYC with the women of my family. They go every fall and every year some event in my life prevents me from going with. But I will go one day!! I've got my NYC weekend plan drawn out to the smallest of details (some of which include a cupcake from Magnolia Bakery and lunch here) and am not giving up on it (the cupcake or the trip itself)! Other goals are things that I imagine will eternally remain on my list.

I am entering a new phase of life and I want to make every moment count. My mother has always said that her thirties were her best years. And I can see what she means, in your twenties your still learning who you are (if you're smart), discovering more about yourself and life. Learning to be a mother, wife, career woman or whatever. You're getting used to being you. By the time you reach your thirties most women know who they are and are now defining that image, that person inside of them. I realize this may change, as life usually does, and we should really spend the rest of our lives defining our characters but I think this is a major starting point. It's like entering uncharted territory. Finding that first gray hair, switching from blemish control formulas to anti-aging ones, transitioning from SAHM to classroom mother. It's so new and exciting to me.

I always thought this day would be depressing, a day where I would mourn my youth and cry at the sight of crow's feet but you know what? I really am excited! I love life! Don't misunderstand me I'm not saying my life is perfect by any means--that's the whole point--that it is so imperfect and yet I am blissfully happy! I could sit back and smile and say life is good. (It also helps when your waiter at Carrabba's cards you when you order a glass of wine--you totally rock!) ;)

I will never complain (well, I'll try really hard not to) about getting old. I think every day is a blessing and I thank God that I am alive and well enough to enjoy them. Plus, it's much better than the other option, right?

I also realize that I really need to start taking care of myself. All my life I never had to worry about what I ate, weight was never an issue. The downfall to that is that it was really easy to form very poor eating habits and I'm making up for it now. When I don't eat right I feel tired and run down which prevents me from performing my best.

So here are three things I am adding to my list. I can't wait to begin working towards, not the new, but hopefully the wiser, more improved me. Starting now...

01. Eat healthy and exercise more often...ok, exercise period.
02. Learn something new every day.
03. Stop and smell the roses more often.

What are your goals?