I can't believe it's that time of year again -- my annual birthday
update! I wasn't sure where to start with this one, because this year
has gone by so quickly, I'm having trouble accepting that tomorrow marks
the start of my 26th year. Kimmer assures me I'm still in my mid-20s
until I'm 28, which makes me feel a little better, but for the first time, I
might actually feel old.
What's even more strange, though, is how this birthday feels
compared to birthdays past. Every year, I feel like my birthday is full
of expectations -- not so much for the day of (because my birthdays are
always fabulous), but for the year ahead. More so than New Year's, my
birthday is my fresh start and my clean slate.
This year is different.
For the first time, I don't
need/want a fresh start or a clean slate. For the first time, I'm not
sure that this year will be entirely different from the last, or that
I'll be any different (well, I should say significantly different) when I
update next year. And believe it or not, I'm completely comfortable
with this.
When I turned 23, I had an amazing celebratory weekend with my
family and our oldest and dearest friends, the Crafts/Hobans. I was new
to Chicago at that point, and my 23rd year felt ripe with possibilities
and opportunities. I was sure I'd land a full-time job after my WGN
internship, and that by my 24th year, I'd be completely settled in my
city life.
Then real life happened. The year came and went, and with it, so did
my hopes for making Chicago my permanent home. I turned 24 back where I
had started -- on Chippewa Lake. I actually didn't even post an update
on my 24th birthday, because what was there to say? I hated my job. I
was living in seclusion at the lake. I missed Chicago terribly. The year
wasn't off to a great start.
Within a few weeks, though, things turned around. A couple of
job interviews came up -- one for my dream job, and one for a complete
career shift in a city I'd never been to -- Cincinnati. We all know
which I chose :)
That year turned out to be incredibly challenging -- and fulfilling
-- which I talk about in my 25th birthday update. I anticipated that 25
would be a good year for me, and it was. Self-fulfilling prophecy, perhaps? Whether it was me who made it good for myself, or the universe
deciding to give me a break, I'm not sure -- but it's been a good ride.
As most of you may know, I spend a lot of time thinking about my
birthday in the weeks (ok, months) leading up to it. Generally, I think
about where I thought I'd be (married, babies), and where I'd like to
be. This year, I haven't done much thinking about where I thought I'd be
(I guess I never pondered life after marriage and babies). But when I
think about where I want to be next year, all I can think is: here.
Unlike every birthday from the time I was old enough to recognize the
perks of being older (riding without training wheels, getting my ears
pierced, driver's training, college, etc.), this year the perk isn't
really something tangible. Instead, the perk for turning 26 is that I
get to keep living the fabulous life that is unfolding here in
Cincinnati.
I guess that makes me a very lucky girl. Lucky x26, perhaps?
Monday, July 9, 2012
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