46 (!)

When I started this li’l blogging project 22 years ago I probably did not anticipate writing about my 46th birthday . . . but here we are! Thus far, 46 feels better than I probably would have imagined from the 24 year old vantage point.

Truly, I am so glad to be here. Here in the world, here on this ancient OG blogging space, here in the current life stage and phase.

So far today, I have:

• dropped the kids at school

• gotten a lovely mani/pedi (matching for once, will spare you the foot pic!)

• enjoyed my free bday Starbucks! (Another cafe mocha – what can I say, it felt appropriately celebratory!)

• had my stitches taken out!

I have a little bit of work to do (one interview and some back-end course stuff) but have a mostly-free day to hang with the kids (A has a hair appt) and generally chill and reflect on life.

We are headed to Miraval soon so I will definitely get to milk this celebration further. (That trip is really for our 20th anniversary, but who’s to say we aren’t ALSO celebrating my birthday a little bit?)

I contemplated sharing 46 pieces of wisdom, but I definitely don’t have that many to impart just yet.

But, off of the top of my head, here are a few things I’ve learned particularly in the last decade:

• Just because you ordered it doesn’t mean you should keep it – hold every online shopping purchase up to the same standard you would in the store dressing room. If you don’t love it now you won’t love it ever.

• If you keep trying to do something and failing, you probably need some kind of expert to help you. It really does help!

• Wear your retainer. Also sunscreen. And a hat.

• Losing a hobby is sad but also not the end of the world. Luckily there are SO MANY OPTIONS for how we can choose to use our time on this earth!

• Heels are fun to wear BUT ONLY if they are comfortable. If they hurt when you try them on, don’t even think about taking them home.

• Treating each person with the assumption that we could be friends (we’re all humans, so there’s always SOME common ground!) is the best way to go through the world

• Taking the time to really LISTEN to your kids if they are repeatedly trying to ask for something is worth it. (That doesn’t mean every request ends in a yes, but it’s best to really understand the desires.)

• Fake (?toxic) positivity is going too far, but a reframe can still be helpful sometimes! I shared the cooler-and-rainier expected forecast for the Berkshires this weekend and Josh responded that we would embrace the hygge aspect! Kind of loved that perspective. (And hey, we will have plenty of heat and sun waiting for us back at home.)

• Always save the tickets to the Wallet app when that’s an option!

• Getting together with family over holidays is always worth it. (I’m excited to make this for Memorial Day!)

• For the most part, you have to plan your own fun. Waiting for someone else to do it (or for it to magically just . . . happen) is not advised.

Fave quotes from other wise people that I think about all the time:

• People are a good use of time (Laura)

• Every day counts! (Jenny)

Okay, thank you for indulging me in that little exercise! Please feel free to share your favorite little (or big) life adage below . . .

Onto my mid (late?) 40s!!