Grateful for Another Year

Cheers to turning 31 (and loving it!)! 🎉 ___ Last year when I turned 30, I waited for myself to have a meltdown; not because I was feeling bad about getting older, but I'd just heard that that is what happens. ___ Well, that meltdown never came; not last year and, so far, not this year, either. ___ Birthdays are always a time to reflect. You think about your accomplishments, where you are now, where you're going and, let's be honest, where you think you should be but aren't. ___ For the most part, I'm *more than* happy with where I sit on my 31st. 😸 ✔️I own a business that gives me the freedom to travel and get paid to be creative ✔️I've got a number of speaking engagements booked for the year already (see you at TBEX North America!) and a new course on working with brands launching next month (so stay tuned for that!) ✔️I share a cozy brick apartment with my loving boyfriend and cat ✔️I sometimes feel like I'm part og Sex and the City because I have such a tight group of girlfriends ___ Of course, this is NYC, so there are also realities that I didn't expect. Like if my boyfriend and I do choose to stay here, will we ever own a house? Probably not. Healthcare is hella expensive in the US (like, INSANE). Also, is it just me or does every darn cookie I eat lately show up less than 30 minutes later as a new belly bulge? 🤔 ___ Life will never be perfect; but quite honestly, I am so very thankful that I can wake up every single day excited to do work I enjoy and end my day in a new city or curled up on the couch with my loves (both the human one and the feline one). 💖 ___ I am thankful for easy days that seem to go by quickly, and for challenging ones that show me how strong I am (and remind me how far I've come in business, love and life). 💪 ___ I am thankful to have a community of beautiful travelers and bloggers who give me purpose by reminding me every single day that what I do has value and helps others.🙏 ___ I am thankful that my 30s have brought even more joy than I could have possibly imagined them bringing when I was in my 20s. 😁 ___ Cheers to another year older, another year wiser and another birthday without having the total emotional break