I’m trying to think back to my 18th birthday. Was there a pinata? I hope so.
I’ve never been one to have my life planned out year by year. There was never the plan that I’d finish college (at all, let alone by a certain age), be engaged by 28, married by… what is it, 30? Pregnant or something or other by 32. No. My brain has never worked that way.
It’s not that I’m letting life happen to me, it’s just that the timeline plan was never much my forte. Suffice it to say, I don’t even have my blog posts for next week mapped out, so larger life events… let’s just take those as they come and hope they keeps coming.
Here we are at the ripe, old, healthy, hearty, grateful, trusting, and loving age of 35. And, amen.
I have less wrinkles that I thought I’d have. More importantly, I care less about wrinkles than I thought I would.
I work for myself. I work really hard, past fear and doubt into a place that feels sincere and resourceful.
I feel thankful, deeply thankful with tinges of annoyance and frustration because life is a balance of gratitude and confetti and fear and anxiety.
I think back to five years ago when I wrote a few of the things I had learned after 30 years in the world. I was living in Venice, in love with someone I’m no longer in love with, working the work, trying the try.
The difference between then and now is my commitment to making my own dreams come true. Pointing my finger at the things I want to do, the feeling that I want to cultivate in the world… and going after those things with confidence and compassion.
Because here we are for now and why the heck not?
For my 35th birthday I did something special for myself. I bought myself a pair of diamond earrings I’ve coveted for nearly a year. I’ve never owned a single diamond. This is my first and it feels special because this is something I did for myself.
Fancy. I know.
I got something for one of you too.
Luna Skye makes some of my very favorite jewelry and I’d like for one of you to have this gorgeous GORGEOUS 14kt gold and diamond free form moonstone necklace. A birthday stone from me to you!
To enter this giveaway, find Joy the Baker and Luna Skye on Instagram and follow us. Do this because we’re quality humans and you like what we have to share.
Next, leave a comment on this post giving me a bit of wisdom to carry with me in my 35th year. I appreciate you.
A winner will be randomly selected and comment entry deadlines are this Friday May 27th 2016 at 5pm central time. Giveaway open to residence far and wide.
Remember, it’s about making your own dreams come true- in big life moments, in cake form, in candy, in knowing that inside your heart is the light and confidence to do it, to find you way to shine bright for yourself and the world.
Come on, let’s!
xo Joy
Ashley
Happy Birthday, Joy!
My piece of wisdom, which a lit professor once casually offered, is that as you get older the crisis you face in your life will get more and more severe. However, you can take heart in knowing that your ability to cope will evolve at the same pace. When you were 15 and procrastinated on an essay the amount of stress and fear you felt is nothing compared to the trials that you begin to face as the years go by–working for yourself, moving to a new and unfamiliar place, falling out of love. So, know this: no matter what happens you will survive. That is how growing-up works.
Liz
Happy birthday! Spend time with the people you love. Acknowledge your blessings every day. Make time to nurture your body, mind and soul. Thank you for the blog. Have a fantastic year, Joy!
Julia
If stressed, make a list. Then throw it away. Feels better, doesnt it?
Beckie
Happy birthday. I think you have a great deal of wisdom . Work hard, have fun. Buy diamonds or pearls. Plan to live too 100
Jenny Chan
Happy birthday Joy! I think you are wiser than most for your age but a piece of wisdom that I would offer is to eat all the things you want for life is short! Things won’t taste as good when we get older and have trouble eating things.
Nikki
HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Your posts always make me so happy. They are always so positive and truthful. Thank you! :)
Wisdom for a 35th year on this planet: Don’t let people steal your joy. Love hard, have fun & drink wine <3
May you have a blessed year
xo
Annabelle
Happy Birthday, Joy! I wish you all the best for the upcoming year! I don’t feel quite entitled to give any life advice at all as I’m still struggling amazingly at figuring out how to play this game we call life! But the one thing I’ve started telling myself over the last year is: don’t think too much. Let good things happen to you and not let worrying over nothing get in the way of happy times. Maybe this reminder helps someone else too :)
arteriole
Happy Happy 35th birthday Joy! I’ll be there soon ;) My 2cents worth of advice: Be true to who you are: have at least one bro (https://open.spotify.com/track/6NunWZuZ6g9KipJ9Q5Vck7 :) and don’t be afraid to step off into the unknown (at least once in a while :) HUGS!
Ann
A piece of wisdom, you’re probably already wise enough! But I love the yogi tea as the tea bags have their own bit of wisdom on them to uplift, inspire and invigorate – get those tea bags, that’s my wisdom. And be yourself, always <3
Ann
Rosa Jeanne Mayland
Happy Birthday! Have a wonderful day. 35 is a great vintage. I’m getting close to the big four-o and somehow i’m looking forward to it. Things seem to get better and easier as you grow older…
Cheers,
Rosa
Liz
Happy birthday! I don’t use instagram so can’t follow you, but wanted to leave a comment even if I can’t enter the giveaway. What you said really resonated, it’s very true. I’m 33 soon, and over the past year have realised that if I keep trying to better others achievements, all I’ll get is unhappy. Instead I’m trying to stop, appreciate the little things in life and, more importantly, remember that the only person I can consistently be better than is who I was yesterday. Coming to that realisation, that I should be the best version of me that I can be, not a better version of anyone else, was both a motivation and a relaxation. Now I do things because I think they should be done, not because someone else does. More responsibility, but more thought and ultimately more contentment. Happiness comes and goes, but contentment and easiness with your life and your path is a much better goal.
Julie
Happy Birthday, Joy! Can’t wait to read along and see what 35 has in store for you! A bit of wisdom? Go ahead and simply love people. Find something to like about the person in question — there’s always something — we’re all just people. Oh, and bourbon…there is ALWAYS time and room for bourbon!
Sj Dc
Happy Birthday Jo! A mantra that’s worked for me is Don’t Explain..Don’t Complain!
Kitty
Trust your gut!
Rena
Happy birthday, dear Joy! How wonderful you don’t plan anything and let things happen! My wisdom? I recognised that my life gets better and better the older I am. And now I’m near to 50 :) Wish you the same – enjoy your day and all the best for your future!
xx from Bavaria/Germany, Rena
http://www.dressedwithsoul.com
Pandaonavespa
35 is a great year. I think… it will take me a while before getting there, but I get the feeling of the big birthday. Your wrinkles don´t have to be a problem, working hard is great when you love what you do (and I love what you do). And getting something for yourself is a great great great feeling. For this year I would suggest that you enjoy, that you look at flowers and eat strawberries (because they both are great), that you listen to beautiful music and dance in the dark. And that you have fun, so so so much fun! Enjoy your year!!
Aria
https://pandaonavespa.wordpress.com/welcome/