Today is my 28th birthday. That is so strange to thing/ say/ type/ experience. Time moves so quickly (I moved to Spain when I was 24) but also so slowly. I still remember when I was in preschool – wandering around the playground, picking up rocks, and the time the teacher gave me a huge cup of milk and I threw the entire thing in the trash. I remember kindergarten and not wanting to take a tour of the school with the other kids, so I stayed with my Mom. I remember riding the bus to elementary school and coming home to Campbell’s tomato soup that my Dad prepared. I remember bits and pieces of elementary school, and then middle school, and then high school and then college and then Spain and here we are…at 28 years. 28 years is A LONG TIME when you think about it- a crazy long time that is hard for me to wrap my head around, even though I was the one living through it. So far, the 28 years have been incredible and each year has led me to where I am now – In Madrid, with flour all over my hands from the bagels I have been making this morning. To be honest, I don’t really like my birthday because it’s a day that has this hype around it, but it’s just another day that makes me older and I don’t really want to get older. I think 27 is a good age to stay forever – old enough to be an adult, but young enough to still be young (yes I will read this when I am 40 and roll my eyes completely back). I can’t prevent getting older, so here’s to another year of life!
For my 28th birthday, here is a list of 28 things. 14 things I learned in my 27th year and 14 things I am looking forward to in my 28th year.
28 Things (14 things I learned and 14 things I hope to do)
- Wearing sunscreen every day does make a difference in fine lines and skin protection. So do expensive skincare products- they are worth it
- If you don’t want to do something, just say no. No one will mind if you say no and you will be happy/ not resentful
- Buying a lot of clothing doesn’t make you happier. It brings short bursts of happiness, but that’s it
- You’re better off with less STUFF. It makes you feel lighter
- Spend more money on high quality food items like cereals, pasture raised eggs, high quality meats and cheeses.
- Drinking high quality alcohol doesn’t make you feel like shit
- Drinking low quality alcohol will make you vomit
- Dancing until 4 or 5 in the morning is still fun, but the next day is not
- Make a budget and stick to it. It’s amazing where you find money
- Walking 10,000 steps a day keeps you in the same shape as going to the gym 3 times a week
- If the airline is offering vouchers to give up your seat and take a later flight, do it. Don’t hesitate.
- My parents are awesome people and I love them dearly
- You can make a difference by using less plastic, and a small effort goes a long way
- Instagram is a time suck and not worth it
- Paying bills is a huge waste of money (bonus)
- Set aside 350€ a month for investments
- See a movie in a movie theater
- Open a bagel bakery in Madrid
- Don’t completely lose myself in the process of opening that bagel bakery
- Travel to 4 new places
- Walk 10,000 steps a day
- Make some new friends
- Donate some money to a good cause
- Buy new expensive face products
- Have a picnic in the park
- Travel with my family
- Adopt a new fish or two
- Stretch more often
- Have fun and stay positive – it makes a huge difference
