It’s my birthday in one hour. 60 minutes until I turn 32.
32. I think that is actually the age Carry Bradshaw was in the first season of Sex and the City. I couldn’t help but wonder, have I officially reached my Sex and the City Years.
The shock of turning 30 has worn off and replying to “How old are you?” with “I’m 32” really feels no different than “I’m 31”.
With this birthday, I will again be 2 years older than my 30 year-old younger man, so that’s fun.
What the f**** have I learned in 32 years?
If there was ever a blogger cliché, it is writing a post about X Things I’ve Learned in X Years! You can count on them to include wearing sunscreen and friendships and accepting your body.
32 is always too many. No one has that attention span in this age of 280 characters ! Let’s go with three. Point two.
3.2 Things I’ve Learned in 10 Times That Many Years!
1) You can never have too much avocado.
2) I will probably never stop getting pimples. I can stop praaaaayyyying that maybe this year- now that I’m fucking grown-ass woman who hasn’t been a teenager in 14 GD years- maybe this 32nd year will FINALLY be the year I stop getting pimples. Nope. There will be pimples in my life this year. I accept this.
3) Fuck everyone else’s timeline. You. Do. You. If it takes you “longer” to figure shit out, IT’S OK! I actually enjoy shutting down people who thrust their/society’s timeline on me. I went to a family wedding recently and I was totally ready to get cornered by an uncle, “So are you next?? When are you settling down?? MARRIAGE!! BABIES!! COME ON!!” To avoid the very real chance of yelling, SHUT THE FUCK UP at such a family member, I actually prepared a little speech:
3.2) I totally get that the choices you made in life worked out so well and made you so happy that you think everyone should experience them! That’s awesome! Wouldn’t it be great if life was one size fits all? I’m not sure those choices will work for me like they worked for you- I’m still figuring it out! Thanks for respecting that!”
I certainly have learned a lot in the past year…and hope to continue! I think 32 is going to be a good one!
If you wrote a real version of this post, I’d actually love to read it- please link below!
I’ll be celebrating my birthday with a writing class and a picnic in the park. I’ll be taking the day off from blogging so see you all Friday!
Photos by Peter DeGiglio Photography
(Corny photoshopping by yours truly)
HBD, Mary! Have a pleasant day off , enjoy yourself and smile today. Then be sure to come back Friday and make us smile some more. May you celebrate many, many more.
Tip recently posted…The Escher Perspective
Happy Birthday! Your blog is one of my favorites because it is so informative. Since I am rarely ever in NYC, I enjoy seeing what is going on there through your blog. Enjoy your special day!
Happy Birthday July buddy!! I hope you’re day is going wonderfully well and the writing class and picnic are both awesome. Enjoy the break from the blogosphere while you relax and refuel! I agree with all 3.2 things on your list – including and especially the whole adult acne deal. I’ve stopped wondering when it will end and now just side-eye the teenagers who still believe it will (insert maniacal laughter here). I had – or have – a 3 Things I’ve Learned at 33 post in the works but started to second guess it. Seeing this, I might go for it after all and add my two cents to the mix. We’ll see… Anyway, enjoy your first day of 32 and all the days to follow! And yes, do it all on your own timeline and in your own way ALWAYS. xx