Next month, I turn 25. It seems like such a high, scary and intimidating number. And if I'm being honest, I'm not who or where I want to be at 25.
It really sucks being trapped by this debt we're living with and I know with absolute certainty, that if not for the gravity of our financial situation, it's highly unlikely we would still be in Pittsburgh. I've been really ruminating on this a lot lately. Winter blues and homesickness have made me an unhappy camper more frequently than I'd care to admit. As an almost 25-year old, I've been very vocal about my distaste for our living quarters. I'm at a job that I don't envision myself being in for years to come. I'm mushy and out of shape. I'm not eating as healthfully and I'd like to be. And I miss my family and friends.
But you know what?
I AM NOT A VICTIM OF MY CIRCUMSTANCE.
I saw this quote today and knew it was convicting me to take action,
Everyday you have a chance to be a better version of yourself.
 |
| A happy, happy memory: On the beach with my girls. |
If I'm worried about being a person I don't want to be at 25, there's only one person who can change it. I will not continue to throw myself a pity party because life is not exactly as how I would have it. Instead, I will delight in the beautiful things that are surrounding me. I will seize every opportunity to become better and love harder. And in taking ownership of my life, I will kick my blues to the curb.
And in the spirit of documenting my life and holding myself accountable, here are the little things I want to do by the eve of my 25th birthday on April 26.
1. Pay off a portion of our debt
We still have about half of our tax refund remaining after a crap ton of emergency car repairs, which is going to go straight to our Dave Ramsey Debt Snowball. Debt-free is the way to be!
2. Return to yoga
I have literally had a two-week pass to a yoga studio within walking distance of our apartment since August...that I somehow have yet to use. I miss having energy, I miss being flexible and I miss being healthy! I'm going to be a Yogi if it kills me, dang it!
 |
| Taken on my 23rd birthday. I hate this picture, but love my counterpart and the fact that I had just gotten done with a serious workout. |
3. Devote more time to my blog
If you've noticed my absence recently, the reason is this: Because I'm still figuring out my voice...4 years later. Reading back on some older posts, there are a lot of posts that I lack pride in. I want every one to be a real, authentic representation of my life.
4. Plant some seeds
The growing season is almost here and it's time for me to start growing some veggies! Even if I'm growing them in milk jugs and upcycled pots like last year, I cannot deny that gardening has become such a labor of love for me that I plan to invest in for the rest of my life.
5. Eliminate processed junk from our cupboards
Hubby is looking to drop a few post-nuptial pounds, and I just want to have less nights with a grumbling tummy. We're thinking about trying out the Paleo diet- does anyone have any good resources for us?
6. Go for a run/hike
As the weather starts to warm up around these parts, I'll have no more excuses for not fitting some cardio into my life.
7. Pray
I mentioned here that I always feel more at peace after some spiritual time with my God. This one is pretty self-explanatory.
 |
| New hair, for a new me! |
Seven things that take so little effort, but amount to a huge reward: me being a happier, healthier version of myself. Regardless of my physical location or job status, if at 25 I can say I am happy...well then, crisis averted :)
So with you on all of this (I turn 24 in July and It could be me sayin 90% of this!! ) wish you the best as you move forward!
ReplyDeleteI think we have the same hair cut. :)
ReplyDeleteI don't know anything about paleo but a book I love is called Eat This and Live by Dr. Don Colbert.
LOVE the new hair cut!
ReplyDeletePaleo, hmmmm i know that delightedmomma.com will post some paleo recipes because she is a type-1 diabetic. and they are ALL delicious! :)
What a great list you have, i turn 25 this year as well and my life is NOTHING like what i thought/want it to be, so heres to good changes!
I just turned 25 in February and I feel the same way. I know it's not, but for some reason it feels old. I also have many things in my life that are not the way I planned them. I like how you have a plan to be happy and content where you are. That's what I need to do as well.
ReplyDeleteMan, I feel like I am reading my own journal from about 2 years ago. When I wrote "25th Birthday!" on my calendar I immediately burst into tears. I hated my life and where I was and I knew God had so much more for me. Looking back, my 25th year was rough cause it had so much change in it, However, I am so thankful for that change. You will get there. The process of getting there may suck, but the end result is SO worth it!
ReplyDeletei'm turning 21 in less than 2 weeks and im feeling some of these same emotions. it sounds dumb, but i think a lot of it is truly bc of the pressure society puts on us to be a certain way by a certain age.
ReplyDeleteLove your blog! Just found it. :) I'm a Christian, too!!!!!
ReplyDeletehttp://therealfoodrunner.blogspot.com
When we were looking into the Paleo diet I was inspired by Kelly @ Keeping Up With Kelly & Co - Goes Paleo! (http://keepingupwithkellyandcogoespaleo.blogspot.com/) We didn't take the diet all the way, but we're trying to follow the basic concept. It was a shocker for us, but is definitely the healthy way to go!
ReplyDeleteIt's funny- I think this is the third post I`ve read today about almost being 25- and I am turning 25 really soon too! I love your take action approach. It feels like 25 came out of nowhere, and I`m not quite ready for it- but it's here, so like you, I`ll have to make a plan and rock it :)
ReplyDeleteSome Snapshots Blog
Jess
I have pretty much gone paleo. I am having dairy & they don't... but other than that! I'm not eating grains or sugar or processed food (for the most part - i do have my weak moments! Just not as often anymore!). I need to get me a book on it, though!!
ReplyDeleteLove this post! The title of my blog is counting down until my 25th birthday and potential quarter life crisis. I am not where I expected myself to be at the age of 25 ... but I try to find the positive in my life every single day and praise God for all that he has done and will continue to do :o) You can do it! And you will
ReplyDeleteI hope you can avert your crisis! You can do it!!!
ReplyDeletehaircut = fantastic
ReplyDeleteI like that quote on not being a victim to your circumstance. I think that's pretty true. I'm turning 23 in a few months and I feel similar to you about not being where I want to be. I'm trying to remember that the purpose of my life is to glorify God and that I can grow wherever I'm planted. And that I don't have to have some amazing blog worthy life to be a success. And I also feel like the grass is always greener on the otherside. Your like looks pretty great to me and I find myself envious of other bloggers lives even when they are not satisfied with their own! Do you feel the same way??
Hang in there! I'm a decade older than you *gasp* so I can say that everything gets easier if you just keep plugging away at it.
ReplyDeleteLove your hair, love YOU!
ReplyDeleteMS
Great goals! I think I'm going to make a 22 for 22 list, I turn 21 in 6 days, so I've got 371 days to get 22 goals done!
ReplyDelete