Soooo, on Thursday 14th August 2014, I turned 29. Not a milestone birthday, I hear you say, and no, it isn’t, but despite it being the final year of my twenties (sob), and despite the fact my life at the moment is an uncontrollable, confused, spiral of ‘what ifs’ and ‘what nexts’, I don’t feel too worried. And frankly, there’s no need for me to be (just yet).
Therefore, I’m letting you all know about the ten things that happened soon after I entered my thirtieth year on planet earth. Brace yourselves, they’re mega!
1) The world did not dramatically cave in with an almighty bang. The heavens did not open and I was not struck with a lightening bolt that miraculously made my life wholesome and complete just before I hit my thirties. Shame.
2) Despite being far too mature for party games and bouncy castles (ha), I still got cake. It wasn’t as good as last year’s homemade effort but it was damn tasty and regardless of the fact I seem to be on a constant diet of some sort, I will be eating the majority of it myself. Alone. In a dark corner. With a teaspoon.
3) I got considerably less presents than in previous years. I guess this just happens as you get older although I’m hoping for lots of presents for my thirtieth otherwise shit is gonna get serious!
4) A lot of my friends thought it more appropriate to send me a text or a Facebook message rather than an actual physical card. I know we’re in the twenty first century but c’mon people!
5) The prospect of turning 30 in 364 (362 at the time of going to press) days time doesn’t actually seem that bad. I’m quite looking forward to it now. And, I’m expecting a party of some sort…at least.
6) I concluded that my lack of career, house or significant other (nothing new there) didn’t mean that I was failing at life. It just meant I was taking my time about things and learning to love myself before giving it to someone else (aaahhh).
7) I got far too drunk (standard) on considerably less alcohol than last year. AND, it took almost three days to recover, two and a half days longer than four years ago. That can’t be right.
8) Baking cakes is definitely more entertaining, therapeutic and satisfying than making flavoured vodka jellies and seeing how many shots one can drink out of one’s clavicle with a straw.
9) I haven’t miraculously developed any (more) wrinkles or sprouted any hairs in unwanted places (that happened last year), and my weight has more or less stayed the same for over 12 months now (finally, I’m growing into my body. Yes!).
10) I literally really enjoyed myself and didn’t freak out as much as I did when I turned 28 (cue the “oh my god, it’s only two years till I’m 30” memories). I spent time with my family, had a giggle with my mates and spent less time worrying about what other people thought and more time concentrating on being in the present.
In conclusion, turning 29 wasn’t actually that bad. Nothing major happened, nothing drastic occurred and I’m still alive to tell the tale (just). Getting older shouldn’t be something we worry or fret about. It should be something we embrace, whatever stage of our lives we are at. Whether you’re settled or still in limbo (hey, that’s me), there’s no reason why ageing can’t be done gracefully, with dignity and with bags of fun too. I still haven’t met Mr Right or found the perfect career but hopefully that will come in the not too distant future. For now though I’m going to relish this final year of my twenties, jump on the fun bus and have a bloody good time!
Chasing Amy-Lou 