Today is my birthday.
I always find that both New Year and your birthday has this habit of making you stop and think and take stock of your life. I get this panic that increasing my digits means my time is running out to achieve all that I want to do. And let me tell you that is a big list. It is also a time when you look back and think how far you have come, changes that have happened in your life since you were last blowing those candles out. Just how much can take place in 365 days. (You can also read about my *ahem* interesting birthday adventure last year involving a drunk man in Goa that terrified me.)
If you have been through a traumatic experience then taking stock of things becomes even more intense to see how far you have grown, changed and survived. I remember being told after having my wedding called off and feeling so lost and confused that ‘You are stronger than you think’. At the time it was just another piece of well-meaning advice but I just didn’t want to listen as I couldn’t believe that I would ever be the same again. I know this sounds dramatic but if you have been through a terrible break-up then I hope you understand that you just feel like a broken shell. Today I want to go and find that person who shared their pearl of wisdom and land a big sloppy kiss on them as they were right. I look back at the desperately sad girl who had little understanding or experience of the world outside her comfort zone and now to the one who is writing this after quitting it all, going traveling alone, pushing her limits (including getting a huge tattoo and completing a Himalayan hike in the process) and now living in her own apartment in France loving every minute and new experience that comes her way. You are stronger than you think.
Of course it hasn’t all been lollipops and roses there have been hard times when I question just what this lifestyle change has cost me but at least I had the balls to make it. Courage and bravery to stand up, shake myself off and head into the unknown. You can do the same.
If you are having a crappy time right now whether it’s in a negative relationship, a horrible breakup or work getting you down then please don’t think it will be like this forever. I promise you it won’t. If I can do it then so can you.
Now I’m off to treat myself to a huge lump of guilt free cake (calories don’t count on your birthday) and start adding to my list of what I want to achieve before my numbers increase again. Eeek only got 365 days! As a thoughtful birthday present to me it would be fantastic if you subscribe to Not Wed or Dead (just find the button on the side), add me as a friend on Facebook or pop by and find me on Twitter. A free but lovely gift - thanks guys!
