Guys, I'm turning 30 next week. The big 3-0.
It is coming, there is nothing I can do to stop it, and honestly, I am ready. Bring on the adult responsibility, the increase in professional and personal confidence, the saving for retirement...I want it all. Because the last few years of my twenties have kind of felt like being the 19-year-old home from college, who still has to sit at the kids' table with 8-year-olds at Thanksgiving. No one takes you seriously in your twenties. If I had a dime for every age-based rude comment, facial expression, or condescending tone I have heard/seen while in the performance of my job...
So, I have sort of always had a bucket list for things I hoped to accomplish by the time I was 30. I love my life as it is, but there are some things I would like to accomplish on that list. It is kind of late now to accomplish them all before I turn 30, so I am going to lay out some intentions for my 30th year, meaning I hope to have them completed by the time I turn 31. Call them Birthday Resolutions if you want. These are in no particular order of importance.
1. Get out of debt.
Guys, law school is not cheap. Neither is college, for that matter. Oh yeah, let's throw the year I studied abroad on there as well. Imagine debt-free Erik's surprise upon finding out, after we were married, that I came with a six figure price tag. Did I forget to mention that, Honey? We've been working on knocking it out for the last two years, and I am proud to report it is currently under $8,000!! So we should be free soon.
2. Learn how to put make-up on like an adult.
The tricks I learned from Seventeen Magazine have taken me this far, but I need an update. I want to be able to wear lipstick without feeling ridiculous. I want to learn how to apply more than two shades of eye shadow. I want to know what all the brushes and pencils are for!
3. Shape it up.
Life kind of punched me in the face this last year. I have been depressed, grieving, and angry at my body. As a result, there is a little more of me to love than usual. I have recently begun addressing my grief in a more healthy way, and have gotten back on track with diet and exercise. I'm not going to say how much I want to lose or how far away I am from that goal, but I intend to be there by March 2016!
4. Get more sleep.
I average around 5 hours per night, and I have no excuse. I don't have a newborn, and my two-year-old gets a nightly solid 10, on top of daily 2-3 hour naps. The goal is 7 hours per night on weeknights, 8 on weekends.
5. Learn more about photography.
I got an awesome camera for Christmas and discovered I love taking pictures and am decently good at it. But, to be honest, it is mostly the camera doing the work. I don't do any of my own adjustments and am not familiar with the terms. For example, tonight at dinner I confessed to Erik that I don't know what aperture is/does.
6. Run at least two 5ks.
Last year I ran my first 5k. This year I want to run at least two. It shouldn't be too hard, since I am pretty confident I could run one at this very moment thanks to Goal 3, which I have been working on for a few months. Bonus points for a 10k.
7. Potty train my stubborn, stubborn child.
If this goal is not completed by the time I am 31 then I give up! She will simply wear diapers forever.
8. Buy a house.
Our ability to do this is limited by us finishing Goal 1. Renting is fine. I mean, it is pretty sweet to call the landlord when the dishwasher breaks and have him roll in a brand new one the next day without any of my money or effort expended. But a lot about renting sah-ucks. I am ready to add "homeowner" alongside mommy, lawyer, and crazy-awesome-settlers-of-catan-player on my "Things That I Am" list.
Ok, that is all I can think of for now. Some of these seem lofty (I'm looking at you, potty training) and some somewhat frivolous, but I think it is good to have a mix. Meeting the easy goals keeps you motivated for the bigger ones.
Thank you, in advance, for the birthday greetings! I am looking forward to an awesome birthday weekend because Erik and I are headed to Vegas, baby! I would tell you to be expecting a post all about our trip in the near future, but you know what they say: What happens in Vegas...
