In honor of my 35th birthday, here are some of the best things I have ever done
With my 35th birthday just around the corner I have been reminiscing about my past and can’t help but be proud of the woman I have become.
“I think about the woman I have become lately, about the life that I am now living, and about how much I always wanted to be this person and live this life, liberated from the farce of pretending to be anyone other than myself.”
Elizabeth Gilbert, Eat Pray Love
Sure, life hasn’t turned out the way I thought it would when I was twenty something. I always assumed that I’d have it all figured out by the time I reach my mid thirties with maybe a husband, a few kids, and a house.At one point in my life I let that vision guide me, and it guided me straight into unhappiness.You see, for years I lived from a place of shoulds and supposed to’s while I chased the American Dream and left MY soul desires unlived.At about 28 I reached a breaking point which led me on a path of radical transformation and into some of the hardest years of my life. During this period of my life I came face to face with my unhappiness (not an easy task), walked away from childhood friendships, and even quit the career that I spent a decade building.
But with the dark also comes the light.
And while the last 7 years have been filled with turmoil they have also been pretty fucking fantastic.I found who I am and fell in love with that person. I discovered my purpose. I am building the business and life of my dreams. I have met my soul partner and our love continues to grow stronger every day. And I feel unshakable unhappiness within that I never knew was possible.I have this theory that life comes in 7 year cycles and with turning the big 3-5, if my theory stands true, that means I’m on the threshold of a new chapter with my old life behind me and my new one in front of me. #happydance
In honor of the last 7 years and my 35th birthday, here are some of the best things I have ever done:
Listened to the whisper.
I remember it like it was yesterday. I was laying on the floor of a room I was renting in the outer Sunset with tears streaming down my face. In this moment of feeling like a complete mess I heard a whisper.I now know that that whisper was my intuition guiding me into living the life I was meant to live instead of the one I was settling for.Learning to listen (and trust) that whisper has been one of the best I have ever done. She has guided me into living the life I am today.
Learned to walk way (without looking back).
From toxic friendships, to toxic love, to soul sucking jobs, and everything in between, learning to walk away makes the list. This has probably been one of the hardest lessons of the last 7 years, but by letting go of what no longer serves us we make room in our lives for what does. A motto I now live by is, “if it doesn’t add to your life, it doesn’t belong in your life.”
Honored my faith.
I didn’t grow up in a religious household, but I always had this feeling that there was a Divine Power. I hid this belief/part of myself for most of my life, but when I started my journey of transformation I reconnected with this part of myself. I now feel connected to the Universe and the Divine on a daily basis. And while I don’t have the words to describe what I believe in, I have a feeling, and that feeling, that faith is unshakable.
Started a daily journaling practice.
Embraced where I am.
Sometimes part of the journey is just embracing where you are, even if it’s not where you want to be. Learning this lesson has been life changing for me. Learning to just surrender, t have faith, and go with the flow.
Learned to rest.
This one has been huge for me. I used to go go go and I would feel guilty whenever I rested or had a lazy day. Nowadays I have at least one lazy day per week and it’s ahhhhhmazing.
Healed my story.
We all have a story that we carry within us. Mine went something like, “my dad died when I was young. He abandoned me. I don’t deserve love” and that story affected every relationship I was in from the time I was 15 to 28.Healing that story has allowed me to love myself and accept love into my life. It has also shown me that I deserve love.Healing the story isn’t easy and takes time, but it can change your life. It changed mine.
Stopped eating meat.
Started working out in the AM.
Made self-care a way of life.
I used to only care for myself when I was burnt out or sick. Now self-care is a way of life and is scheduled onto my calendar weekly.
Became a dog mom.
I never knew unconditional love until I opened my home and heart to Leo and Aura. They have challenged my patience like no other, but they have also taught me to love…. just pure unconditional love without wanting or needing anything in return.
Unleashed my creative spirit.
For years I kept my inner artist trapped inside. Unleashing her into the world has been liberating. From writing, to dream booking, to painting, to dancing, etc. I vow to never hide her again.
Gave into my gypsy soul.
I always had this strong desire to travel and wander, but never did. I always thought school and building a career was more important, but now I know that my soul needs to travel and explore new places. It’s part of who I am.
At 28 I heard the calling, and at 30 I walked away from life as I knew it chasing nothing more than a feeling that I was meant for more. If I can do it so can you. It’s never too soon to reclaim your life and become the woman you're meant to be.Need support with your journey? Let’s talk. Learn more about working one on one with me by clicking here.So much love,
Em