So…this month marks a milestone birthday. I’m not going to say which one because it’s kinda like Voldermort…The Birthday That Cannot be Named. I’M NOT READY!!! WHY ME?!?!?!? Sigh. Pull it together, Nikki.
For the past few years, I’ve actually dreaded August 24th. To put it another way…if I’m driving down the road and the exits are birthdays, I have taken detours and steadily refused to acknowledge those exit signs for the past 5 years. I just go by my spirit age anyway…which is 27. Ha!
It’s not that I’m afraid of getting older…it’s that I am disappointed in the fact that I haven’t achieved all the goals I’ve set for myself. I’m a planner. I create Vision Boards. I’m the girl who loves to check things off her “To Do” list. And, lately…well? That ain’t been happening. I’ve felt stuck. All I want to do is buy a plane ticket and travel the world for the next few months. Chill out with a mimosa, camera & laptop. Immerse myself in the local culture. Finally start using the Italian I’ve been struggling to learn for the past 3 years. I want to hit the pause button and figure out what to do next.
One thing has become crystal clear in the past couple of months…time doesn’t stop or slow down while you try to shore up the courage to go after your dream. Sometimes, you just have to take the bull by the horns and go for it. That could mean leaving the financial security of a stressful job to strike out on your own. It could mean taking a sabbatical to figure things out. It could mean reserving some “me” time to focus on my goals instead of giving all my time & energy to a corporation. In the end, it should mean that you are free. And, with freedom comes contentment, peace & happiness.
I can’t say that I’ll start taking the birthday exits as I’m pretty sure that I will be 29.95 for the next 15 years 🙂 But, I can say this…it’s time to start living the dream instead of just dreaming the dream. So, I guess I better start the party!
International Travel Chick 
Happy blankety blank birthday! 🙂 To me you’re living the life! Oh boy that hit a nerve when you mentioned leaving a secure job and financial security — I sorta did that — I have to remind myself here and there that I chose this path…
I hope you’re enjoying the day!
Awe, thank you Sandee! Are you happier now that you left a secure job to pursue your dream? I always love to read your blog because it is so witty…you crack me up!
Oh thanks Nikki! Your compliment means a lot to me!
I do struggle financially, which is scary at this age — I’m 50. But I think I’d rather have this kind of stress than the stress that comes from working for a huge corporation. I have to remind myself that this is the path that I’ve chosen. I just have to stay in the moment, then it works. I actually love my job, but really, it’s a job for rich women who need to get out of the house — hahaha! The money sucks. I’m a gallery attendant at a botanical garden — absolutely beautiful place and I love coming to work. It’s the perfect day job, no stress. And soon I’ll be giving tours at the Sleepy Hollow Cemetery in Sleepy Hollow NY, which is right up my alley. Good luck in finding what works for you Nikki!
I think it is worth more to love what you are doing than to be wealthy. So happy to hear that you are loving the botanical gardens!!! The tour of Sleepy Hollow Cemetery sounds awesome!!! I may need to make a trip up to NY to do that 🙂
Happy Birthday for the young at heart 🙂
Thank you!!!