So, I’m now no longer a 20-something. So weird! Thirty, flirty, and thriving! If you’ve ever seen 13 Going on 30, you’ll know what I mean 😉   Saying, “Hi, I’m 30.” feels so grown-up to me! But want to know what even feels more weird? Actually liking the sound of it. Yeah! Growing up, every time my birthday came around, I became really excited for the new year. New adventures. New memories. And a new number. When people have asked me these past few months how I feel about turning 30, I tell them I’m actually excited! Hello…they say your 30s are the new 20s 🙂

I was actually more nervous or anxious about turning 29. 29 was HUGE year for me. SO many big changes happened during my 29th year: became pregnant with Penelepe, left my day job, officially became a business owner, celebrated 5 years of marriage, and became a mother. Looking back on my last year, it feels like it went by in a flash! As I sit here about to hit this big milestone, all these things keep running through my head. Things that have changed in the last 10 years, things that I wonder, my opinions, and just random thoughts running through my head. So, I’d thought I share with you 30 thoughts as I turn 30.

 

1. Even though I don’t mind it, the word 30 sounds WAY older than 29.
2. Having Penny at 29, I don’t know how I would have handled being a parent at 20.
3. Oh my, she would be 10 right now! Which is would be pretty sweet, actually 🙂
4. I wish I had a photography mentor when I was just starting out.
5. Some days I feel like I have everything together.
6. Some days I feel like everything is falling apart and I’m not good enough.
7. I wonder if Penny is going to have a sibling in the near future. Or even at all.
8. I don’t feel weird eating at a restaurant by myself anymore.
9. Wait…is that because I have a baby with me?
10. I wonder where our next home will be?
11. I hope it has a wrap around porch.
12. I’m still terrible at shopping. I always doubt what I pick out, then find excuses to not buy it.
13. My hairstyle is pretty much the same as long as I could remember. Is that bad?
14. I think it’s time for a new hair style, then.
15. I don’t care how old I get, fart noises will always be funny to me.
16. It’s crazy to think I have a 25, 23, and 21 year old siblings.
17. I wish I could celebrate this milestone with family and friends close by.
18. But, Jereme and I are ACTUALLY going on a date night for my bday, so this is like a vacation to us!
19. I’ve learned so much more about myself in my late 20s than my early 20s.
20. Like, I’d rather talk about problems or issues instead of avoiding them, and I’m not afraid of confrontation.
21. We were married for 5 years before Penny was born. I wonder how our life would be if we waiting even more? Or had her right after getting married?
22. The older I get, the more I love and appreciate 80’s music.
23. My favorite color has not changed since about high school.
24. I wonder where’s the next place we’ll move to?
25. I know who I am, and I feel comfortable in my own skin.
26. The 21 year old self wouldn’t be able to say that.
27. I wonder if I’ll always be photographer, or if my passion will drive me to do something else?
28. I’ve found a few gray strands this last year, and I’m ok with that.
29. People don’t ID me when buying drinks anymore, and I’m ok with that.
30. I’m actually really looking forward to this new chapter.

This day will come and go, and so will the year. Soon, I’ll be 31, 32, 33, and so on. I’ll probably have some of these same thoughts. I’ll probably re-read this blog post and laugh. I’ll probably have new goals, new thoughts, new memories. I have no idea. What I do know is that everything that I have, everything that I’ve accomplished, and all the wonderful memories I’ve made along the way I’m extremely grateful for. Bring on the new title of “30-something”! I can’t wait to see what’s in store.