It’s been almost a week since I entered another year into my (early) thirties, and this is truly the better decade. I feel more comfortable in my skin, however, I can’t help but look back at the person I was at 22.
My birthdays in college were mostly busy, so I would treat myself to dinner and a cupcake (or one of those cakes in a cup) and sing to myself; I’m betting that because my 22nd birthday was on a Tuesday it was probably exactly that type of birthday. Though my birthdays would at times be lonely, I didn’t feel lonely because of my strong sense of self-love. At 22, I was in a long-distance relationship with a nice guy who was definitely wrong for me and I was finally taking my first art class, so I suppose life then was a “balanced” yin and yang.
Now at 32, I look back at that strong girl and am slowly returning to her level of strength, ambition, and self-love. She is someone I deeply admire and miss, and I can’t wait to be with her again. This year was a big setback from the hard work I’ve put into myself, but I’ve been taking it all as lessons to continue paving a better and smoother path for the future. The candles we used for the little cake he bought me were the ones I saved from my 23rd birthday, in hopes that switching the numbers would be at a better time of my life. I’m so glad I thought ahead because it made it a little more meaningful to blow out these candles.
I think the most proper theme song for this age is “I Drink Wine” by Adele (whether the live or studio version, it depends on the day), but I can only speak for myself.
I did a quick Google search for the meaning of 32 and I found two great sites that got me to reflect and think about what I wanted to write. In her post for her same-age birthday, Nicole Ocran wrote a list of 32 life lessons she learned, and I could not stop nodding along in agreement with each lesson! In the other website, Sarah writes about the meaning and symbolism of the number. She breaks it down into sections, so it was cool to look into what I hope this age will bring.
With my head held high, looking forward and holding my wonderful partner’s hand, I can only hope that year 32 is indeed filled with creativity, spiritual growth, balance, harmony, and happiness.