A few months back I had the harsh epiphany that I would soon be turning 35. I have not been troubled by any of my milestone birthdays thus far. I welcomed 30 with open arms – I was excited about it. Something about the thought of 35 gave me pause, though.
My brain kept saying things like:
Thirty Five: Even with three grandparents who lived into their mid-nineties, I am more than a third of the way through my life.
Thirty Five: I am basically staring forty in the face.
Thirty Five: I feel like I am in my mid-twenties, but I most certainly am not. My metabolism and the laugh lines on my face have reassured me of that.
I started getting anxious. Not an unfamiliar feeling for me. But not a feeling I am a fan of.
Then it dawned on me. Ten years ago, I took a chance. I left a job that I was incredibly unhappy with to pursue something I was passionate about – Nutrition and Wellness. It was a big chance – two more years of school, one year of internship. Full time school and a part time job.
At the time, I was questioned by several people why I would do such a thing. My response? “I don’t want to wake up in 10 years and wonder what might have happened if I didn’t”.
I just didn’t want to live a life of regret.
In the blink of an eye, it has been 10 years.
In 10 years I have earned a second bachelors degree and have worked toward a Master’s degree. I took a huge risk by moving out of state to complete my dietetic internship – and met two of my best friends in the process. I accomplished my goal of becoming a Registered Dietitian. I found a job in which I did the some of most meaningful work of my life (thus far). I found a partner to walk through this life with and started a family.
I am not the woman who I feared I would become. I am not the woman I pictured I wanted to be either. I am a better woman than I could have ever imagined.
Once I had this epiphany, 35 didn’t seem so scary anymore. It seemed exciting. I feel so grateful for the person I have become. I am looking forward to what the next 10 years will bring. Although I am not entering the next decade with a fear of what might not be, I still wish to challenge myself. What do I want to be at 45? 55? 65? Maybe it will be even better than I imagined.
They say age is just a number. I can honestly say now that I agree.
Now, I say:
Thirty Five: My laugh lines say that I have laughed… a lot.
Thirty Five: I am looking forward to forty around the corner.
Thirty Five: I still have two-thirds of my life left to live.
What will you do with your next ten years? I hope you make them count.
