Happy Birthday To Me

I recently celebrated a birthday …my 47th to be exact. There once was a time that I would have been mortified to write that number down, but not anymore. I’ve earned every single second of that number. Some were easier than others, but every one of them are mine. I wouldn’t change them, well not many of them anyway. For good or bad they all got me to this day, on this plane, sitting behind the man with HUGE headphones, you know the one, with his seat leaned all the way back, snoring at decibels at a level that even people on the ground can hear. OK, maybe not my best plane trip. Even with life’s little inconveniences I absolutely unequivocally love my crazy life. 

           One thing that I did notice this year was the fact that ever-present “ what do you want for your birthday” held so much less meaning than it did as a child. As an adult ( trust me even at 47 calling myself and adult is mindblowing ) my wants have changed drastically. As I’ve gotten older Birthdays are not so much a time for others to celebrate me but for me to celebrate me. 

          What do I want? World Peace? A great season for UK Basketball? A pair of jeans that fit both my butt and my waist perfectly? Well, all of those would be great, especially the jeans, but the one thing I want more than anything else is to just be better than I was last year. I definitely don’t want stuff. I’ve spent a lifetime collecting things very few that actually hold much meaning. I’m not a hoarder by anyone’s standards but I still have way too much so one of my many goals this year is to do a stuff cleanse. While I would love to say that I’m going to Marie Kondo it and hold each item and decide if it brings me joy but to be honest my method is more chuck everything in a black Heafty bag while listening to some very loud 80’s music with perhaps a cocktail or two. I’m pretty sure this will bring me some measure of joy and a whole lot of extra space, both fabulous gifts. 

         Step two of the better me plan is to get a little healthier. Im probably never going to be an Olympic athlete … Sorry Mom… but eating cleaner and getting more exercise is definitely a gift I want to give myself this year.  Because gosh darn it I’m worth it. 

         The third and final gift I’m giving myself this year is education. I want to learn some new things. I have a list a mile long of things I wish I could do or know … I’m hoping to check off at least a few of them this year. Lucky you, you will have a front-row seat to what is sure to be an interesting if not entertaining endeavor. 

       Another year down and a fresh one is just starting. I’m excited and ready to enjoy all of the fabulous presents I’m giving to myself.