Image Map

April 14, 2017

{Just} Another Trip Around the Sun

[source]

Or, the biggest trip yet. Hard to believe friends, hard to believe. Even so, here we are again. My birthday. [Well, tomorrow is the actual day, but I rarely post on Saturdays, so today. We talk today.] The start of a new year, a blank slate. Staring 34 in the face with fear, trepidation, excitement, thankfulness, joy, humility and hope.

364 days ago, Le Husband and I started our great European adventure [which I STILL haven't finished putting here, le sigh]. We toured Europe for a month and then came home and changed states. The past year has flown by it seems, just whoosh.

There have been moments when days felt like years and minutes couldn't pass by quick enough. Days, even on the lake, dragged as we couldn't find a job or our footing in this new space. Our plan was to live with family for a month, maybe two tops. Somehow two turned into six and suddenly we were celebrating the holidays not in a place of our own.

Jobs. Oh, jobs. Ones I applied for back in the summer are still posted on Linkedin. Yeah, those easy jobs I thought I could float into, yep, never happened. Instead, Le Husband worked commissions only for a new company and I took a job I knew I would hate from day one. But, it was the only thing out there and we needed to start making money.

The tears. The frustrations. The feelings of failure. They were all felt during 33. Two of my favorite number, but quite possibly the hardest year of my entire life. Thirty three has challenged me more than any year. Thirty three pushed me beyond my expectations and outside of my comfort zone. Honestly, I don't know where my 'comfort zone' is anymore because everything seems to be uncomfortable.

33 was hard. Beyond hard. Life changing hard. 33  was also incredible. 33 was adventure. Taking a chance. 33 was finally putting words to action and leaping into the unknown. 33 was finding my what and now my why. 33 was falling in love with group fitness and decided to chart a new course. 33 was fresh air and catching my breath all in one.

34 starts as a home owner. 34 is living in a new state and not having a family birthday dinner. 34 is putting the birthdayaholic aside for life and others. 34 is beast mode. 34 is looking inside my heart and declaring what I want for my future. 34 is close to the best shape I've ever been in since college. 34 is lonely at times, still. 34 is learning who I want to be and rebuilding my tribe. 34 is new, fresh, unsoiled, full of possibilities and rife with new challenges. 34 is redemption. 34 is the year of unstoppable.

15 comments:

  1. You go girl! 34 is going to be amazing! You have so many exciting things ahead and I pray it's your best year yet!! Happy BIRTHDAY, dear!!! :) XO!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Happy Birthday to you!!! Enjoy the trip!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Happy birthday darling! I hope the year of 34 brings you new successes and lots of happiness.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Happy Birthday! You are going to rock this year and the best is yet to come! You got this. Happy Easter!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Happy early birthday! You have had one amazing year of so much change and amazing growth! So proud of you and can't wait to see what the next year has in store for you!

    ReplyDelete
  6. I hope 34 is a wonderful year for you!! Happy birthday!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Happy belated birthday, friend!! It's crazy to think it's been a year, given all the adventures you've had... here's hoping 34 will be more positive, more beautiful, and more memorable.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Happy belated birthday girl!! I hope it was amazing!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Even though 33 was hard, you made it through and I have a feeling 34 will be the best yet!! Your birthday and my hubby's are so close and y'all are the same age too! Hope you had a wonderful time celebrating!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Happy happy birthday! Hope 34 is the best year yet! :)

    ReplyDelete
  11. Happy Belated Birthday! 34 is your year!

    ReplyDelete
  12. I'm so sorry I missed your birthday sweet friend. Happy BELATED 34th!!! I hope this year treats you well and brings you tons of joy and happiness and fun :)

    ReplyDelete
  13. i know i already said happy birthday, but happy birthday again! 33 definitely sounds like a tough year, but you are stronger because of it. 34 sounds like it's gonna be an amazing year for you!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Hoping 34 is better than 33 for you dear! You deserve all the happiness <3 Happy Belated Birthday!!

    Lisa @ Showered With Design

    ReplyDelete
  15. Big Girl Birthdays are tough sometimes, but you are rockin' it!!! Happy, happy birthday. I hope this one is fabulous! :-)

    ReplyDelete

I LOVE LOVE LOVE your comments! Make my p!nk day and leave me some love!