• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Joy the Baker
Joy the Baker
  • New Magazine!
  • Bread
  • Cookies
  • Cakes
  • Pies
  • Recipes
    • All Recipes
    • Biscuits
    • Muffins
    • Cupcakes
    • Drinks
    • Breakfast
    • Lunch
    • Dinner
    • Fruit
    • Nuts
    • Buttermilk
    • Chocolate
    • Vanilla
    • Holiday
    • Healthy
    • Gluten-Free
    • Vegan
  • Blog
    • Baking 101
    • Tips
    • Beyond the Kitchen
    • Let It Be Sunday!
    • New Orleans

Thirty Two

May 22, 2013 by Joy the Baker 315 Comments

doughnut

You know what’s weird?  Getting older.  I think it must be weird for everyone.

I’m celebrating a birthday this weekend.  The big 32.  That just sounds strange.  I was just getting used to 30, but I feel like I’m 26.  Somewhere.  Somehow.  The numbers feel off.

I’m not the kind of person who has life goals set for each year of life.  I don’t feel behind in the marriage game.  I can barely handle babysitting.  I’m not trying to reach the top of the baking ladder… that just sounds sticky.  I subscribe to the idea that working really hard and loving people better every day will get me where I want to be each day, week, month and year.  Too loose a plan?  I dunno.  It feels right.  It requires a lot of ever-changing lists…but it feels right.

Oh, also!

I don’t make myself a birthday cake and blog about it.  Birthday cake doesn’t taste as good if you make it for yourself.  It’s a thing.  This year I’m going to eat as many doughnuts as my heart desires.  This will probably fall in the 2 to 8.5 range… I’ll let you know where I land.  Ps.  My dream birthday cake is this Angel Food Cake with Vanilla Strawberries.  Hint (Dad, do you still read my blog?) Hint.

Every year I make a list of things I’ve gained perspective on, and a list of things that I’m still stubbornly trying to figure out.  The list is as shallow as selfies and as deep as God… because that’s exactly how life is.  On the real.  On the reg.

photo3
This Is That:  a list

(by ‘you’ I mean ‘me’, always.)

ONE: Have honest friendships.  You really can’t afford to be friends with someone who will let you have spinach in your teeth all night.  You’re not that graceful.

TWO: Take as many selfies as it takes for everyone to look good in the picture.  Come on… common courtesy.

THREE:  You only need one good purse… and it doesn’t have to be this season’s super expensive impossible bag.  Come on… a vintage Coach bag that you’ve brought back to life with leather polish is totally IT!

FOUR:  Upon entering ‘the club’ where people are drinking and dancing and acting a fool (and it’s so much fun), be aware of the fact that you look like you’re in your 30’s… because you are. You’re not fooling anyone. The 25 year old guy that yells in your ear that you look 28… he’s being nice and he’s a liar.  You look 32. It’s ok. Dazzle him with your awkward dance moves. He’s 25… who cares (not you!).

FIVE:  You glorify being busy …but you don’t know how to stop.  Maybe admitting it helps?  Realtalk:  You know what you should be glorifying.  It has nothing to do with you and everything to do with God.

SIX:  Any tiny annoyance you have before two martinis will be a big yell-y ISSUE after two martinis.  Think/Re-think those martinis.

SEVEN:  CAPS LOCK LIVING!  Think about it.

EIGHT:  You’re actually really cool. Not because anyone else thinks you are, but because you think you are.  The secret to being cool:  just think it true.  Others will follow suit.

photo2

NINE:  Rappers rap about some stooooopid stuff that you, as a classy lady, do not need to be/concern yourself with.  Pfffft.  In their dreams.  Can ladies start rapping about men with passion, integrity, a job, and nice shoes?  Yea…. it’s like that.

TEN:  Ask yourself ‘just who the heck do you think you are?’ in a very non-rhetorical way every once in a while.  The answer is important.

ELEVEN:  It doesn’t matter what size the clothing label says, it only matters that it feels good and falls well on your body.  AKA… you’re not that size anymore, kick it up a notch, it’s cool, love your thighs. GEEZ!

TWELVE:  When in doubt (which is often):  confetti and champagne.

THIRTEEN:  Go on a roller coaster at least once a year because they make you laugh-scream like nothing else on the planet.

FOURTEEN:  Tell your parents that you’re glad they’re your parents.  They’ll be like ‘Whaaaat!?  That’s a crazy thing to say!’, but they’ll feel it in their hearts and probably buy you lunch.  Do it because you mean it… not for the free lunch.

FIFTEEN:  Chill out. Halle Barry is pregnant.

SIXTEEN:  It’s ok to say things like ‘I don’t know.’.  It’s waaaay better than arguing a point when you’re not on solid ground.

SEVENTEEN:  What does it look like to dig deep every day?  It looks exhausting, and kinda terrifying, and kinda like the best days that ever happened day after day after day.

EIGHTEEN:  Get good at a thing and never apologize for being good at that thing.  It’s all yours.

NINETEEN:  Never trust someone who refers to themselves a ‘tastemaker’.  Don’t be fooled.  You won’t be bossed.

TWENTY:  Give more, even when you think you have nothing to give… you do!  Sidenote: I bought myself a Giving Key and I’m sponsoring another child with Compassion for my birthday.  Yes… selfie birthday presents.

 photo1

TWENTY ONE:  You have a story to tell.  Everyone does!  Tell it proud!

Happy Birthday to Us!  We all have one, and I’m glad that we do!

Other times I wrote words:

On Turning TwentyOne   + What It’s Really Like  + I Accidentally Saw a Picture of You + Thirty Years of Learning 


sprinkle image credit Paola Parsons 

diva joy next to a bike image credit Whitney Adams


 

Previous PostNext Post

Filed Under: Beyond the Kitchen

Previous Post: « Solo Bike Adventure
Next Post: Roasted Apricot Breakfast »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. tanya

    May 23, 2013 at 2:36 am

    Happy Birthday, Mine is coming up next week- also 32nd, and I don’t plan to bake myself a cake either. Loved your bits to do- have a wonderful one. 32 is not about turning old- It really is just about us getting wiser. After all, you wouldn’t have said all this if you were not going to be 32.

    p.s Have been following your blog consistently, but this post totally made me comment.

    Reply
    • joythebaker

      May 23, 2013 at 8:28 am

      thanks for taking the time to comment! i really do appreciate it!

      Reply
  2. jenell

    May 23, 2013 at 2:26 am

    P.S. Polka dot birthday candles are SO cool! Where did you find them?

    Reply
  3. jenell

    May 23, 2013 at 2:25 am

    Enjoyed your birthday words. Have a good one! As to being 32 and feeling like, maybe 26, I remember my 72-year-old mom explaining she felt 25 inside. Now, I’m rounding the bend to 70 in July and looking forward to every minute of being 70 and feeling . . . well . . . 70, and 35, and 12, and 27, and 44 and 51, and sometimes 3. ; )

    Reply
  4. Roswen

    May 23, 2013 at 2:19 am

    Welcome to 32 Joy! It’s a beautiful age. x

    Reply
  5. Deepa@ onesmallpot

    May 23, 2013 at 1:45 am

    Happy birthday my fellow 32-er! 32 craps all over 31 :-)

    Reply
  6. Louise

    May 23, 2013 at 1:33 am

    Happy Birthday, Joy!
    That’s a great list – number sixteen especial strikes a guilty chord with me.
    I’m 34 this year – and the view from here’s not so bad, but I’m still working on lots of my stuff. Have a great day – hope it brings you cake, sprinkles and sunshine.

    Reply
    • joythebaker

      May 23, 2013 at 8:29 am

      sixteen get me too! ooph.

      Reply
  7. Averie @ Averie Cooks

    May 23, 2013 at 1:24 am

    I always love your deeper thoughts posts. And thanks for the backlinks to the others so I can go back and re-live them. The Turning 21 and the Saw a Picture posts are two of my faves, ever.

    Happy Birthday!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I especially like #18, to get good at something, and not apologize for it. Just that alone is plenty of food for thought for me.

    Have a wonderful bday and hope you’re doing something fun that you are super excited to be doing!

    Reply
  8. Ellen

    May 23, 2013 at 1:01 am

    Dang. This was all so important and the non-important things actually were. If that makes any sense. I dunno. I’m off to work on loving my thighs via a nice helping of chips and salsa.
    Happy birthday!

    Reply
    • joythebaker

      May 23, 2013 at 8:30 am

      high-five!

      Reply
  9. Fabienne

    May 23, 2013 at 1:01 am

    Happy B-day this weekend with all the doughnuts, cake and sweet people in the world!!!
    In 5 weeks en 5 days i’m turning 32 (and still feel 23) and will certainly look through your list of points again then.

    Reply
  10. Isla

    May 23, 2013 at 12:58 am

    Happy birthday! Eating donuts and sponsoring a child sounds like an awesome way to celebrate, and I wholeheartedly support eating as many donuts as you like. After all, you only turn 32 once!

    Reply
  11. Miss Kim @ behgopa

    May 23, 2013 at 12:54 am

    Happy Birthday, Joy!! Fabulous post. Enjoyed reading it. I think I’m enjoying my 30’s more than my 20’s. Well, physically, 20’s was better…but emotionally, I feel more at peace in my 30s.

    Reply
  12. Amy

    May 23, 2013 at 12:46 am

    Happy early birthday, Joy! I think your list is great and has some important reminders about life. I hope you have a fabulous birthday week! (because a day is not enough!)

    Reply
  13. Denysia Yu

    May 23, 2013 at 12:41 am

    Happy early Birhtday! :D

    Reply
  14. Siang

    May 23, 2013 at 12:34 am

    Blessed birthday!

    Reply
  15. nic

    May 23, 2013 at 12:29 am

    Happy Birthday to you from someone who’s 42 and still feels 17…
    ?nic

    Reply
Newer Comments »
Comments Page 1 of 21
1 2 3 … 21 Next »

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

RELATED POSTS IN Beyond the Kitchen

stack of beach reads 2022
The Best Books for Summer 2022

Summer books are meant to be defiled. Pages should be smeared with suntan lotion and potato chip grease; covers should be sun faded and waterlogged, used as coasters for your margaritas, a landing pad for unwieldy ice cream cones. (Unless, of course, you’re checking your summer book out from the library. In which case, you…

Read More

Summer Bucket List, 2022!

BUCKET LIST buck•et list (noun): a number of experiences or achievements that a person hopes to have accomplished during their lifetime.  Also, a 2007 comedic film featuring Morgan Freeman and Jack Nicholson. SUMMER BUCKET LIST sum•mer buck•et list (noun):  a list of things that a person would like to accomplish and experience during the summer months.  If done correctly,…

Read More

A Peek Behind the Scenes of the new Joy the Baker Magazine

A few years ago when I embarked on the (incredibly exciting) journey of magazine making, I had no idea just how much it would flip my seasons and try to scramble my festive circadian rhythm.  Last summer, I had a Christmas tree up in the living room for most of July and August. Yes, fully…

Read More

Primary Sidebar

Fresh baked emails, delivered to your inbox

Receive recipes from Joy the Baker and updates on events at The Bakehouse.

HI! I’M JOY!

Welcome! This has been my little corner of the internet since 2008!

I’m a baker, photographer, cookbook author and teacher.  I live laugh love in New Orleans. 

MORE ABOUT JOY AND THE TEAM

BOOKS + Magazines

JOY THE BAKER 2022 SUMMER MAGAZINE

JOY THE BAKER 2021 HOLIDAY MAGAZINE

JOY THE BAKER 2020 HOLIDAY MAGAZINE

HOMEMADE DECADENCE

OVER EASY: SWEET AND SAVORY RECIPES FOR LEISURELY DAYS COOKBOOK

JOY THE BAKER COOKBOOK

Joy the baker with dyed bandana around neck

HOW TO MAKE DYED BANDANAS

as seen in JtB Magazine!

joy the baker on facebook joy the baker on twitter pinterest-social instagram-socialbloglovin-social

JOY @ WILLIAMS SONOMA

SHOP THE CAKE LINE OF CAKE MIXES!

DRAKE ON CAKE

Passionate from miles away since 2015.

Check it out on Instagram

Drake on cake instagram.

 

FAVORITE FRUIT RECIPES

Baked peach scones stacked with butter.

Easy Peaches and Cream Scones

Gluten-Free Brown Butter Blueberry Muffins

strawberry sheet cake on a plate with strawberries on top.

My Favorite Super Easy Strawberry Sheet Cake

POPULAR CAKES

strawberry sheet cake on a plate with strawberries on top.

My Favorite Super Easy Strawberry Sheet Cake

Slice of coconut cake on small white plate with coffee.

My favorite Coconut Cake is actually made with cake mix

A slice of lemon blueberry gooey butter cake held on a cake slicer.

Lemon Blueberry Gooey Butter Cake

Footer

Instagram

joythebaker

📚Baker and author of books and magazines
🎂Creator @drakeoncake
💁🏻‍♀️Classes with me @thebakehousenola
🍰 Products with @williamssonoma

joythebaker
Your weekend baking sorted! 🫠 Just add peanut b Your weekend baking sorted! 🫠 Just add peanut butter and marshmallows to the grocery list. ⁣
⁣
Also, if you snuck some 🍫🍫 in with the marshmallow you’d have a lil peanut butter cookie s’more and no one would be mad. ⁣
⁣
Recipe linked in the profile! xo.
Our no-bake, 🍒🍋 dreams come true thanks to @ Our no-bake, 🍒🍋 dreams come true thanks to @theboywhobakes! ⁣
⁣
This perfect summer recipe is linked in the profile! xo
🤝🫠💓🍅 to July 2022. 🤝🫠💓🍅 to July 2022.
Just when you thought Peanut Butter Cookies couldn Just when you thought Peanut Butter Cookies couldn’t get any better - add a marshmallow, 🫠. Recipe inspired by @thecozyplum and linked in the profile! xo
I have the cutest 🍒 treat for you, friends! ⁣ I have the cutest 🍒 treat for you, friends! ⁣
⁣
I’ve collaborated with the good people @delicacies_jewelry to bring you your new favorite necklace! Cherries are the darling of summer and this sweet pair will help us savor the moment all year!⁣
⁣
Choose between rose gold, sterling silver, and gold necklaces.⁣
⁣
$10 of every 🍒 necklace purchase goes to @2ndharvestgnoa food bank and will provide 40 meals for the food insecure in South Louisiana. Use code cherryjoy15 for a discount through Sunday! Don’t let this slip past you! ⁣
⁣
Jewelry linked in the profile! Grab yours as they’ll definitely sell out! I hope you love these little darlings as much as I do!
⏰ for a GIVEAWAY! We’re giving away 🔟 per ⏰ for a GIVEAWAY! 

We’re giving away 🔟 personalized copies of Joy the Baker Summer Magazine! I can’t be the only one making this 🍌🍌 Malt Ice Box Cake!

To enter, like this post and comment below with the best part of your summer so far! Giveaway open to all and ends Sunday July 31st at midnight ct. 

Joy the Baker magazine is on magazine shelves until August 15th or you can grab your copy online (linked in the bio). It’s my best yet and I hope you love it! 

📸 with @emferretti for the magazine.
Load More... Follow on Instagram

Copyright © 2022 · Joy the Baker
All rights reserved. Violators will be whupped and sent to bed with no dessert · Privacy Policy

Scroll Up