This is Thirty-Four

It's my birthday! I turned thirty-four this year and honestly it's kind of a lame age (like turning 29). But I am absolutely thriving in my thirties. Growing up, I used to think people in their thirties or forties were just so old. Now that I'm here, that's literally the furthest thing from the truth. Maybe it's the people I tend to surround myself with, but I feel like we're all so young. Even my parents are still going going going. Age is just a number... I know.

Birthdays are a little polarizing, I think. Either you're completely excited and exhilarated when it comes to your birthday or you really just don't care/want to hide under the covers. I am definitely on the exhilarated side of things. I think it's a great way to mark a year and make it special to you and only you (though I will happily say I share a birthday with Audrey Hepburn, exactly 50 years apart). Because your birthday isn't related to anything but yourself, I think it's a great time to reflect on you personally. Not work, not the universe, just you.

When I think back to my birthday last year, I feel like I've really come so far. My life looks completely different. I look mostly the same - a little heavier, a lot happier, and shorter hair. I wouldn't consider myself an overly ambitious person, but I've really carved out what I want my life to look like and made it happen. Mostly anyway. I'm absolutely still working on it and myself. I still have a lot to learn and do, but I'm finally on the right path. There is a sense of calm threading itself through my being and that feels so good. 

Each year, I do a little self portrait session. Well, last year I did a full boudoir shoot (highly recommend). This year, I treated myself to a special little cake from The Flying Cupcake, flowers, and balloons. I obviously had to do the shoot in my bedroom (my favorite space) and in my favorite Selkie dress. I think this might be my favorite shoot yet.