Aged to Imperfection

Today is the big day!!! Happy new year to me!

The BIG freakin four-oh! At least I always thought of it as some HUGE milestone.  An inevitable sign that I am old.  **sigh** I thought I might be a little sad.  Maybe even a little disappointed that I haven’t achieved all that I used to think I should have done by now.  But, you know what….  I honestly feel like the best in life is yet to come!

 

I am my best self, right now.  I know exactly who I am.  I know who I want to be.  I am genuinely happy.  I still have goals, and dreams and plans – but I am at a point in my life that I know that it is super important enjoy the journey too.  I’m not saying I am perfect – I am very far from it & my life isn’t all sunshine & rainbows…. but I do feel that am getting better with age.

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Here are ten things that I have read or learned in my “old age”, that help remind me to live the life I love – and hopefully they can help you too:

1. You are responsible for your own happiness.
2. Make your reasons better than your excuses! You can’t have both.
3. You don’t have to have it all figured out to move forward.
4. Don’t get worked up over things and people you cannot change.  It isn’t worth it.
5. You owe yourself the love that you so freely give to other people.
6. Be fearless in the pursuit of what sets your soul on fire.
7. Life becomes more meaningful when you realize the simple fact that you will never get the same moment twice.
8. Love out loud & have fun!
9. Breathe.
10. Never underestimate the healing powers of uncontrollable laughter, music, the ocean & letting go.

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Growing older is awesome….  You reach a point in your life, where you truly have zero fucks given for people who are judgy, rude,  or small minded –  and it is like a breath of fresh air.  A giant middle finger to all of those who tell you you aren’t good enough.  It feels AMAZING to just be myself, full of flaws and mistakes – to just be me. I surround myself with people who amplify my strengths and carry me through my weaknesses.  I wish someone would have told me all of this 20 years ago – but maybe at that age we aren’t ready to listen.

Now – my mom didn’t do any cute milestone birthday photos when I was a baby – because there was no social media peer pressure – and, well I am the middle kid – so we are lucky there are ANY pictures of me as a baby.  I am the mom of boys, so how often do I get to put on frilly, sparkly crap and be the center of attention? (for those of you who don’t know… the answer is NEVER)  So why the hell not plan something fun for myself for this milestone age?!?

To help celebrate my birthday, I went to visit my friend (and amazing photographer) Patty, for a fun little photo shoot.  We laughed a lot, I drank most of the bottle, & I ate a ton of frosting….  it was a BLAST!!!

So cheers to the next 40 years and all that life has to offer!  My new year starts now, and my resolutions are going to lead to fulfilling my heart and enjoying every moment.

Here is my parting thoughts for you today:  So what if your life so far hasn’t been “fair”…. don’t be a victim of your excuses.  You can’t change the past, but can change your mindset and make the most of the days you have left.  As the song says – I hope you have the time of your life….

I can’t leave without mentioning: If you are in the Fresno or Monterey areas of California, and you need an AMAZING photographer, please check out Patty Schmidt Photography   She is the only person who can get all the dudes in my house to cooperate & we always have a ton of fun (as evidenced in the photos above)!

#CrazyAsAMother #FortyAF #ChooseHappy #SayWhatYouMeanAndMeanWhatYouSay #CakeSmash #IEarnedAllThoseWrinkles #TheBestIsYetToCome