Hello 32; Birthday reflections.

On reflecting on this past year of life.

Today is my 32nd birthday and I am so happy to be alive.

I don’t get tired of saying that these days; especially because I went through a prolonged season of feeling the opposite.

Each year on my former blog I would do a yearly reflection post of some kind, so I figured I’d share one with you all today.

Shots from this year's birthday photoshoot. Photographer details at the end.

Reflections

1. How do I feel at this current moment in time?

   1. Elated. Loved. Content. There are so many words that can describe how I feel but those three sum it up pretty well, I think.

2. What am I most grateful for from this past year of life?

   1. Staying alive. There were so many times I wanted out of here. So many times I wanted to answer the call to end my suffering permanently. But I stayed here. And I’m so very grateful that I did.

3. What am I most proud of?

   1. My mothering. Toddlerhood is not for the faint of heart. Terrible twos turn into tyrannical threes, but I am such a great mother through it all. Working on myself, exercising patience, and showing up for my daughter in the ways she needs.

   2. Not settling in my job search.

4. What new experiences have I had this past year?

   1. Celebrated last year’s birthday in Paris with one of my best friends.

   2. Found new queer communities to be apart of.

   3. I co-led a writing workshop.

   4. I learned how to (barely) do a cartwheel.

   5. I took an 8-week improv course and performed in a showcase.

   6. I read my work during an in-person open mic night.

   7. I saw Jacob Collier in concert with the National Symphony Orchestra.

   8. I had a professional photoshoot with a group of my friends.

5. What major lessons have I learned?

   1. “Everybody can’t come.” I learned it sometimes includes people you never thought you’d have to leave behind.

   2. Reconnection is possible. Endings don’t have to be forever, sometimes they’re just breaks.

6. Am I proud of the person I am becoming?

   1. Hell yeah. I’m so proud of me. The woman I am, the woman I’m becoming, is someone I’ve longed to be. I am my most authentic self.

7. How am I currently celebrating a new year of life?

   1. I hosted a game night with a bunch of my friends. They came from Ohio, NY, and all over the DMV to celebrate me.

   2. I took the day off of work because I’ve made it a personal rule that I don’t work on my birthday.

8. What am I manifesting for this next year of life?

   1. Abundance. In all the ways.

   2. Romantic love when I’m ready.

9. How will I show up for myself in this upcoming year?

   1. More accountability and discipline. There’s so much I want to accomplish and I need to do a better job of not getting in my own way sometimes.

10. What do I want to accomplish this year that I didn’t in the last?

    1. I hate that it’s such a pressing goal but, lose weight.

Shoutout to my birthday photographer: Jeff Brooks

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