Live Metanoia

I turned 29 a couple of days ago. Like as in a 2 and a 9. As in, one year away from the big 3.0. Commence a third life crisis.

Side note: I had left over birthday cake for breakfast- because I am an adult and can do that.

I’ve become reflective about my birthdays and where I think I’m supposed to be in life since I was around twenty five. I feel like I’m supposed to have my life “more together” than it is right now, but at the same time, I’m pretty proud of myself. When I look around, I see people my age who don’t have the type stability I have at this time. I see people older than me who fear life more than I do due to their instability. I have a job, a home, and two fluffy dogs that greet me daily.

Every year I tell myself to take this year and “get it together” but I’ve realized that “having it together” is different to everyone. We all have different goals and dreams we wish to accomplish. Some have a goal to move from their apartment into a home. Some have a goal to move up in their job or finally get hired at their dream job. Some have a goal to get pregnant when they have been struggling to do so. We are all different.

At 29, my last year in my twenties, I am still single and childless, and in one of my previous posts I have already established that that’s ok. At 29 I am taking the steps to live a debt free life, which breaking spending habits is harder than you think. At 29 I am determined to get focused on my health and have enlisted a friend to help.

I want this year to be the year I actually do “get it together”. I want to reach my goals. Every. Single. Time. I even made a goal board for eight or nine goals I wish to meet. Some are traveling- I want to visit Ireland and Scotland and Greece, some are fitness- like running a half marathon before I’m 30. Some are huge, and almost seem impossible, but when have I ever not been a dreamer?

As I get older, I have also realized how others have changed in a grown but sad way. Whether this is due to life events in general, or just because it’s something that’s supposed to come with age, I don’t understand it or always agree with it. People seem like their light has dimmed. You can see it in their eyes. I love celebrating holidays and birthdays for this reason. I love giving people birthday cards and seeing their face light up because you thought of them.

I feel that life is so fleeting and can be heavy and sad, so why are we not taking birthdays more seriously as we get older? You’re alive! You made it another year in this messed up world! Celebrate ! Have some cake! If we don’t enjoy the little things like birthdays, what do we have to look forward to? Death days instead? How depressing and horrific is that, to only get together for funerals.

We do not live that long of lives, and in our country we focus on moving on to the next thing so quickly we rarely enjoy the life we have, so we HAVE to take the time to slow down one or two days and be thankful we are alive.

I want to enjoy my life. I want to look back and have no regrets and never said “I wished I had”. I guess that’s one of the reasons I started this blog, to remind me to live. That life’s a journey for you to enjoy it and live it to the best of your ability.

When I was 27 I wrote a Facebook post called 27 by 27. It was 27 things I have learned in 27 years and I wish to share them with you.

27 by 27. Happy birthday to me.

1. Never compare your journey to others. You’ll depress yourself.
2. Being out of shape sucks- go to the gym.
3. It’s okay to say No and not explain yourself.
4. Sometimes it’s better to let others believe what they want. Even if they’re wrong.
5. There’s a difference in debating and arguing.
6. Make commitments to your self and keep them.
7. Always reevaluate yourself- check yourself before you wreck yourself.
8. If you’re mad. Go cool off. Never yell in anger. You will regret it.
9. You don’t have to meet anyone’s expectations.
10. You can be nice and still tell people to go screw themselves.
11. Always wear clothes that fit properly. You look better and you will feel better if you look better.
12. You can donate your crap. You don’t have to be greedy looking for a buck.
13. Celebrate. Celebrate birthdays. Celebrate holidays. Celebrate break ups. Sometimes life gets too dark to not celebrate stuff.
14. Life is too short in this world. So get that tattoo. Cut your hair off. And go on that cruise.
15. Have a pet. Talking to them will make you feel less crazy than talking to yourself, alone.
16. Sometimes being the bigger person sucks. Holding your tongue and taking the high road is hard.
17. Use your words. No one is a mind reader. If something upsets you say something.
18. Relationships take work. Friendships or romantic ones are two way streets. Both parties must try.
19. Learning to be comfortable on your own is a process. Learn how to be happily single.
20. Paying off your debt while you are young Will benefit you in the long run.
21. Learn how credit and credit scores work.
22. Minimalize. Stop buying stuff you don’t need. Quit falling into the money trap that Americans were born into.
23. You don’t have to post everything on social media. Not everything is the Everyone’s business.
24. Stop believing what you read on social media. It’s fake or biased.
25. Learn to research. Research everything and look for cited sources.
26. Believe in something. Just something- it’s better than nothing.
27. Be happy. If you’re unhappy- change it. You have power over you. So do something.

So here’s to 29. May it be the best year yet.

My journey continues,

Kaycee.