This is 33

Today I turn 33! I’m at the office, but don’t worry, I’m still celebrating! I’m taking a lunch break with two of my besties, and posting up at a bar for drinks with friends after work. I love my birthday, not because I really enjoy being the center of attention, but because it gives me an excuse to bring together the people I love and celebrate something happy. It’s fun to hear from people…and eat all of the desserts without feeling bad! I also like to take the opportunity to reflect on where I am in my life and how far I’ve come in the past year. To me, age (like size), is just a number, and I tend to focus more on how I feel. So, here are my thoughts as I begin another trip around the sun…

I’m focusing a lot on more on taking care of my body, inside and out. I’ve become one of those people who wears sneakers to commute (but they’re always cute!). My skincare routine has gotten a lot longer, and I’m much more particular about the products I use. (This is a game-changer for those stubborn forehead creases!) I use moisturizer and makeup with SPF, and when I go to the beach, I’m wearing at least SPF 70. Taking care of myself on the inside means prioritizing my mental health and being more open about my struggles. It also means going to the doctor when I don’t feel well instead of putting up with consistent pain or discomfort, and being more conscious of the food I put in my body.

It’s the friends we meet along the way that help us appreciate the journey. I just wrote a very long post about friendship, so I’ll just say that I’m incredibly blessed to have so many amazing friends from different times and places in my life. They challenge me, make me laugh, and support me when I need them most. I hope they all know how much they mean to me and how much richer my life is with them in it.

Having a job you like (at least most of the time) is incredibly important. I’ve been in my current job for almost a year, and what a difference a year makes. After three years at my last job, making the change was scary, especially because the future was uncertain. My new job was grant-funded, and I was told that we would re-evaluate towards the end of the fiscal year and see if the position would be made permanent. I worked very hard to prove my value and show that I deserved to be there for the long haul, and fortunately, I succeeded. I work in communications at a Reform Jewish seminary and graduate school. It’s where my dad was ordained, as well as my uncle, cousin and countless friends. I feel a deep connection to the work, which is so important, and something I was definitely lacking at my last job. In May, our school lost our beloved president in a plane crash. The weeks that followed were some of the most difficult of my career, but I’m incredibly proud of how our staff came together as a community to support each other and honor his memory. We are continuing the important work of training the next generation of leaders who will strive to fulfill his legacy.

Life is short and tomorrow is never guaranteed, so you have to make the most of every day. I’ve been trying to explore the city more, and take advantage of all it has to offer. We’re also planning to travel more and check off some of the places on our bucket list….which leads me to something else I’ve been thinking a lot about over the past year. There are a lot of things we still want to do and see. We are not ready to have children, and that’s okay. There are a lot of reasons, and they are all valid, but they are our own and we don’t have to share them with anyone. No matter how well you know me (even if we’re related), please don’t react to my age by making a face or telling me I better hurry up. Bringing a child into the world is an incredibly personal decision and we have no right to judge anyone about when or how they decide to do so. Please be kind, and think twice before you broach this subject with anyone.

Learning to love yourself is the greatest gift. When you believe in your abilities, feel good in your own skin, and confident in the way you’re living your life, other people will see you that way too. It’s not always easy, and we all have tough days, but when you exude positivity, those vibes will be reflected back to you. I’m an introvert, and I’ve never been one to toot my own horn, but I’m learning that there’s a difference between being proud of your hard work and being cocky. I’ve learned to recognize that I’ve come a long way, I’ve been through some tough stuff, and I’m stronger for it. Through this blog and the social media community, I’ve learned to embrace my curves, dressing to flatter them instead of hide them, and hopefully some of you have learned from my example.

Each day is a blessing and I’m grateful for the 32 years I’ve had so far. I can’t wait to see where the next year takes me!