27 on the 27th.
Yep, its here… my GOLDEN BIRTHDAY!
Also known as a “lucky birthday” or a “champagne birthday”. A golden birthday is when you turn the same age as your birth date and for me, this is it. The moment I’ve been waiting for my whole life…
Okay, not really.
But for sure I’ve been counting down for this since I realized it was coming. It’s weird to think about it now, because I remember the younger me thought 27 was so old. She also thought that “golden-27-year-old” me would have her life together by now: career, romance, long term life agenda…etc.
The truth is, I don’t have it all together… and for the very first time in my life I’m 100% okay with that. Sure, I have goals and dreams I am pursuing: places to go, people to meet-that sorta thing. However every single year I’ve been cruel to the “present” me because the part of me that has grown up in a world of “instant gratification” has always pushed for unrealistic timelines. Which naturally led to impossible expectations and absolutely zero grace when said expectations weren’t met. In reflection, this is true of both relationships I’ve been in as well as career/vocation options I’ve pursued.
So for my “Golden Birthday”, I’m gifting myself grace. The grace I’ve yearned for in validation from others or the grace I never allowed myself when I tried something and failed. I’m gifting it to myself because this year, there are many new things I’m starting and in years past, it has been the same process every single time:
I get excited about an idea. I talk about it. I brainstorm. I start working on it. I pick up momentum… Then something sets me back. Usually, it’s not getting fast enough results. Disillusion sets in. I have a hard time remembering why I thought it was a good idea in the first place. Frustration. Crying. Wining. A bottle of wine. More crying. And then… I quit.
This year is different, and with it being my “lucky birthday” year, I feel that consciously allowing myself to feel grace in my everyday moments (whether it be moments of joy or frustration) is what will catapult me in the direction the younger me felt that 27 year old me should be in.
Does allowing grace mean I am relaxing the intensity of my ambition? No, I’m running towards it at full speed; what I am relaxing is the attachment to the outcome. In matters of love, wealth, health, family… this year is a year of golden opportunities, that is the only thing i’ve made up my mind about.
I just know this year is going to one of the absolute best years I’ve ever had! I can’t wait to see what my life will look like at this point next year. Dear 28 year old me, I will make you proud of 27 year old me. Dear 27 year old me…. lets do this!
Happy golden birthday YEAR!!!!!
Xo,
Gwendolyn