I’m baaack! I touched down on American soil two days ago and I’m so happy to be back home although I would be lying greatly if I didn’t say I miss Israel already. I wasn’t sure what to expect entirely but all I can say is I feel deeply in love with a country the size of New Jersey. Which is funny because my boyfriend is Jewish and lived in New Jersey for all of his life. Anyhoo, moving on. 😉
I had such a great time and will be doing a big trip recap soon as well as a turning 30 recap. Yup, you read that right. I’ll be turning 30. In about 20 days or so but not like anyway is counting. I have mixed feelings like many do when approaching milestone birthdays in their lives and it’s two fold.
On one hand, I feel like I wasted much of my early twenties. And I did. Stuck in dead end jobs that didn’t appreciate me, not taking my health seriously, struggling to save every penny and not look for ways to make more professionally. I also spent a lot of time in a relationship that wasn’t a good fit but was comfortable. But, in 2012 when I was 26, I started shaking my life up and haven’t looked back since.
I’ve read literature on how your 20’s is the decade to “make it work” but I really feel like any decade in anyone’s life is the decade they can decide to “make it work”. I don’t have to be married or have children by a certain time and owning a home is no longer the American dream it once was. And sure, I wasn’t the most productive person because I was floundering so much trying to figure out the void I was trying to fill with stuff and and relationships that didn’t necessarily suit me. But, I’m forgiving myself and moving on.
I’m not sure what my thirties are going to look like but I’m still excited. I’m excited because I feel a lot better about who I am and who I’m not. I will be completing my dual bachelors next year in Criminology & Criminal Justice with a certificate in LGBT studies, both things I am extremely passionate about. I’m able to travel and explore new cultures and places, while still putting a roof over my head and paying my bills because God has blessed with me with a career and a flexible schedule.
I also have wonderful people in my life and I continue to grow my relationships day by day, old and new. And to sweeten the icing on my cake, I’m taking a lot better care of my body by loving it and getting exercise I deserve, despite my busy schedule. Did I also mention starting in November, my cat and I will finally have some company? My boyfriend is moving in before Thanksgiving to celebrate his location independence and not having to shovel snow in the winter.
I’m learning to love myself more and more everyday, be kind to myself and forgiving. I’m counting my blessings and being thankful everyday. Life doesn’t always work out the way we want it to or the way we pictured it, but boy ain’t it grand.