I turned 28 yesterday. And though I had some slight freak outs about inching closer to 30, I actually quite enjoyed getting another year older. •••••• What is it that makes us freak out about age anyway (besides the obvious "one year closer to...")? If I had to narrow it down to two things, it would probably be this: The idea that we have to fulfill certain expectations and change lifestyles in accordance with our age, and the threat of unfulfilled potential and dreams catching up with us. •••••• But if you stop bowing down to external expectations, and instead start thinking about the life you really want to live, the first pressure disappears. You can live however you choose to, as long as you are healthy, happy, and self-sufficient in your choices. There's no Definitive Guidebook of Lifestyle Choices by Year or Decade. •••••• And as for unfulfilled dreams? If you're working hard at doing something you love, or making steps towards a goal, this fear eases as well. I am working hard on my goals and dreams for the future. I might not be where I hoped I would be, but I am happy with a lot in my life, and still hopeful to keep moving up. And though everyone should strive to make their dreams a reality, something will always end up slipping away. •••••• Everyone who gets to the end of their life probably still has things they wanted to have done, a different direction they thought about pursuing, experiences they missed out on. That will happen to all of us, including me; some dreams won't come true. As long as I'm working towards them, and focus on achieving the really important ones, I think I can accept that and be alright. . . . . .