I’m about to do something I almost never do… tell people my age. I’m 38, with a birthday coming up in January. Shhhhh…
Yeah, I prefer to live in a little world where no one knows my age, and I like to live in disbelief that I am RAPIDLY approaching the big 4-0. Seriously, y’all… how could I be knocking on 40’s door?
I’ve decided to make 39 a blowout year. Not only does it reflect the last year in my favorite decade so far, but it also represents something weird: I’m going to be 40 very soon.
I mean… 40 has always seemed awfully serious and mature, and on most days, I wouldn’t use either of those words to describe myself. I could wait to be “fabulous at 40”, but I’m more interested in making my 39th year a celebratory and epic going away party to the years of my life that began with the number 3.
I’ve been thinking about it a lot lately. About what I want 39 to look like. Of how I want to celebrate. And perhaps most importantly, how I want to feel.
While I’m pretty damn proud of this little life I’ve created, there are some things that I thought would have happened by now, things that I would have on my resume, goals I’ve had my eyes on for years. I’m less worried about the timing of said events and more determined to create them throughout 39 and beyond.
Now, my dears, I’d like to say that these goals are those that I can snap my fingers and make happen… alas, nothing in life worth going after works that way.
- Achieve my goal weight
- Resume my yoga practice
- Find an amazing person to share my life with
- Start writing my book
- Visit New York City again
- Strengthen important relationships in my life
- Finally kick this back injury to the curb
None of those sound instantaneous, do they? But they all sound important to me… even the NYC trip. I’m drawn to that city. I’ve got to see what it’s all about…
I’ve been listening to Big Magic for the past week via audiobook, and that Liz Gilbert has been speaking to me (literally and figuratively, of course).
The chapters that focus on fear… they’re the ones that have been the most compelling to me. She firmly states that you can’t create without fear. It’s just not a possibility. And, I believe that… and that fear is something you can work with. Acknowledge, accept, and continue to run bravely toward your goals.
[pinterest]So, I’ve picked my goals, and I’m going to work toward all of these things (and more!) in 39.
And… friends, I’d like to go ahead and get to my goal weight in time for 39. Yep, I just made that sound simple. Snap the fingers, and I’m there.
I’m dead serious about getting there though. I’ve got 20 lbs to lose, and we’re looking at 14 weeks between now and my birthday.
And, yes… this includes the holiday season. Yeah, that doesn’t sound like an idea time to try to lose weight, does it? Maybe I should wait…
No. I’m not waiting. 39 is just around the corner, and I feel inspired to prepare for it. If I’ve learned one thing over the years… when you have inspiration, you saddle it and ride it out….
So… let’s circle back to Liz Gilbert’s comments about fear. Am I afraid? Um, yes. Why? I just told a few thousand people that I was going to do this, and more importantly, I told myself I was going to do this… I don’t want to let any of those people down.
In the end, I’m going to do my best. My sincere best.
I’m going to give it my all.. and do it for all the right reasons. That’s where I’m working toward here…
And, I might be a little selfish along the way. No thanks, I don’t want to go out to eat at a bar, or go to brunch (where all things I like are horrible choices.)
So, considering the celebration I have planned for 39…. I’m going to be selfish for the next 14 weeks. I’m going to lose the weight. And, if I end up losing 18 that’s ok today. Because I will forever be a work-in-progress… that’s just how this life works.
Because this means something to me, and because I really want 39 to be an epic year. The power to create that lies within me… and I’m going after it starting with this first goal!!!
Btw… If anyone asks, tell them I’m turning TWENTY-nine in January.