23 Already?

Today I turn 23!

This year I’m turning 23 on the 23rd – or as some call it my “champagne” birthday. Even though I still feel that 23 is very young, I feel like my life experiences have grated me a mental age of at least 10 years wiser than physically.

How am I going to celebrate you might ask? Spending it with my very best friend exploring British Columbia is the plan!

You thought I was going to say get dressed up, make friends go downtown, drink my face off and eat cake – didn’t you? I think that all too often we find ourselves caring far too much about what other people think. Birthdays are hyped up so much to be a day where friends and families are “required” to celebrate and buy you gifts, yadda, yadda – but in actuality, it is just another day and I do not expect special treatment. I honestly just want to enjoy the people I’m with and the things I’m doing. So what if I don’t want to plan out my day and invite every friend I can think of? That’s not what I want. I don’t want to make friends and family feel obligated to do anything for me that they don’t want to do.

When it comes down to it, I’m tired of always feeling the pressure of living a life filled with expectations. Sometimes I feel, just like holidays, birthdays bring certain overwhelming expectations. But when it comes down to it, whose expectations are they and why do I feel so pressured to make them happen in order to “have a good birthday?” I don’t like how other people have the ability to impose on how people act or feel based on silly meaningless expectations. I’m not trying to impress anyone or be someone I’m not – it’s too exhausting. I want to be me. No one should live a life of expectation 24/7 just because they think they need to.

Basically, I’m not a fan of expectations.

Instead of seeing this day as a day to “party”, I see it as a day to celebrate and appreciate people and experiences. I want to take time to appreciate the people who have influenced the person I am today and appreciate the experiences that have brought the most joy into my life. Someone once asked me what really made me tick? If I had the ability to do anything in my power at this exact moment, what would I choose to spend my time doing?

My response: Sunshine, driving and coffee.

In this 24th year of my life, I plan on loving the person I am and believing in the abilities that I have in order to accomplish my goals. I’m going to put myself out there, push boundaries, ask questions, learn new things, meet amazing people who will help me achieve these feats… all while not sacrificing my own personal beliefs.

Am I going to screw up? Probably. Am I going to learn from the mistakes I’ve made and move on ? Definitely. I know that some days are going to be good and some are going to be bad. But I also know that a lot are going to be great. This year is going to be my year of amazing goal accomplishments – I can feel it.    

I’m excited for a new year of experiences, joy and accomplishment – because really what other point is there to life? It’s time for a new chapter to finally begin, and I’ll be damned if I’m not going to make the very best of it.

My ultimate goals this year:

Happy Easter weekend everyone!

To-Do Lists!

When I talk about to-do lists, I’m not kidding when I say I write one everyday.

No matter where you look, my iphone, my desk, my notebooks, my white board, my bag, my wall (literally) – I’ve got tasks to accomplish written down! I think my obsession with to-do lists started when I started my first communications job. I’m not sure if it’s a touch of ADHD or if I just have so many tasks running through my head at all times – but I need to make list in order to stay focused. Not only does it help me stay on-task, it is my #1 way to track my success and feel accomplished!

I don’t know about you – but there is something a little very satisfying when you cross an accomplishment off that list!

If you are looking for motivation to keep yourself on track  – my advice is start making to-do’s! Whether they are long-term, short-term or daily (I have them all!) start somewhere and see where it takes you! One word of advice: Do not get discouraged if you don’t start crossing tasks off right away! You are your biggest critic, only you can make yourself feel guilty about your own actions.

So grab a pen and paper and get writing – you’ll be surprised how satisfying it can be!

As far as good food and fitness today – two big CHECKS!

The day started with the daily oats, followed by coffee (self-control made me NOT eat the wonderfully smelling muffins at the coffee shop), a snack of carrots + hummus followed by lunch downtown with Faith.

Grilled chicken on a fresh focaccia bread + avocado + chipotle mayo and paprika! Followed by a non-fat americano misto!

 

As we were walking downtown, these cute Easter chocolate-covered apples caught our eyes! The smell of chocolate and wonderfulness wafting from Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory almost made us give in – but we controlled ourselves and took pictures from the window outside :)

This little guy was my favourite!

Once I got home I focused and starting replying to emails and getting tasks accomplished! First we had a cute distraction:

I can’t help it! I miss my Charlie at home but this little guy is a frequent visitor around our house and Faith and I have dubbed him Louis. He visits from time to time and is a purrrrr-fect happy distraction!

One major nick off the list – booking my flight to come home for the last weekend in May! It’s my oldest friend (When I say oldest, I mean longest – we’ve been friends basically since I was old enough to walk) Angela’s wedding – and she asked me to be a bridesmaid! So i will be home in Nova Scotia from May 26th – May 30th! Keep it in mind everyone :)

Insanity 2.23 – completed!

 I actually think I’m more excited to get through this round so I can tackle Insanity: The Asylum! Too. Excited.

Then it was dinner time (sautéed veggies + egg whites + salsa) and company research time! I’m going to a potential interview tomorrow? I’m not 100% sure what might come out of it.. so the lack of detail is due to the fact that I am very superstitious and do not want to jinx anything. I will let you know when I know :)

Now the very last thing on the agenda: My Birthday!

So this Saturday (April 23rd) is my Champagne Birthday! In 4 days I will be 23 ( <– INSANE!) on the 23rd!

Since I am in a new city and let’s be honest, have a very small network of friends and a very limited cash flow, and have no idea what we should do to celebrate my birthday. Do you have any ideas of what Faith and I should do to celebrate my birthday in style? I’d love to hear of things you (or friends) have done in the past, or any other fun ideas we could do on a budget!