twenty nine
It has a nice ring to it. 😉
Once upon a time, I had a pretty solid idea of where I pictured myself at 29:
working in a corporate environment, done having kids by now, and living in one spot for more than a couple of years at a time.
As I begin my 29th year, my life is entirely different than the one I’d pictured, but a thousand times better than I could have imagined.
I’m a different person than I was when I started the blog five years ago (thank goodness, haha) and have changed dramatically since the beginning of college. Of course, there are always ways I’m looking to improve and develop (personally and professionally), but once thing I’ve noticed is my shift of confidence over the years. I finally believe in myself and my abilities, and am no longer the person doubting myself along the way. In college, I had some huge goals I wanted to achieve, but instead of crafting a plan, I intimidated myself from even getting started.
I don’t feel afraid anymore.
Being a military wife gave me the kick in the pants that I needed to just go after things, because I never know how much time I’ll have in a certain spot. If i want to do something, I don’t have time to doubt myself.
I still have a long way to go, and lots of goals on that before 30 bucket list, but I’m thankful for all of the lessons and beautiful memories. I just wish I could have told my younger (worrywart) self that everything really is going to be ok.
Cheers to 29!
Or.. the first of many 29th birthdays.
xoxo
Gina
Pssst. Slacker here finally updated my fitness and friends pages! The recipe page is next on the list. If you have any ideas for how to make them easy to navigate, please let me know. xo
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Happy Birthday! I love hearing from people in their late 20’s/early 30’s that it really does get better and it is going to be ok. Being 24 (almost 25) im constantly worrying about everything. There really is no time for worrying so much! 🙂
oh man. at 24, i was going through a rough transition time. hang in there- i promise it just gets better and better.
Happy Birthday! I have been reading your blog for about a year now and I love your workouts, meals and your musings on life in general. I too am a military spouse (Navy) and will be turning 29 this coming June. The military life/moving around is not the path I ever expected growing up or in college, but it is an exciting journey and it reminds me to live everyday to the fullest and never take any moment for granted. Thanks for sharing your life with us all- you are an inspiration! I hope you have a wonderful birthday!
thank you, emily! thank you also to you and your husband for your service 🙂 xoxo
Happy Birthday Gina!!! I hope you have a wonderful day celebrating with your family. Your blog friend Gina (from Mass).
thank you and thank you for reading too 🙂 xoxo
happy birthday!
thank you!
Happy birthday Gina! We have the same birthday!!! 🙂
yay! birthday twins! hope you had a very happy one!
Happy Birthday Gina!! I hope 29 is your best year yet! I’m definitely very grateful for your blog and the work you put into it!
thank you so much, alex!
Happy Birthday Gina!!
thanks, kandi!
Happy birthday !!
thank you!
Happy Happy Birthday! Wishing you an amazing day filled with lots of love and many blessings!
thank you!
Today is my birthday toooooo!
Here’s to a fab year and many more 29s to be enjoyed – i’m on my 4th!
yay, happy birthday to you too!
Happy birthday!!
thank you!
I’m 23 and thought I’d be married with multiple kids and I’m neither of those things! Isn’t it weird how your life perceptions change!?
yes! and you get things you didn’t know you wanted or needed 🙂
Happy Birthday! Youve achieved a lot!!
thanks, jess!
Happy birthday!
thank you!
Happy birthday!
I am turning 30 this time next month, and I feel the same way! I thought I’d have kids, a house, maybe a writing job.
We haven’t had kids yet, but because we’ve waited, I’ll get to be a stay at home mom.
We live in a beautiful apartment, but have no student loans (even after 2 bachelor’s degrees for me, a bachelors and law degree for hubbie).
I love the amount of time I get to spend doing things I love, and it’s awesome! And I think it will keep being awesome!
things will just keep getting better and better 🙂
xoxo
Happy Birthday! I hope you have a wonderful day!
thanks, naomi!
Happy Birthday Sweetie!! Amused that today is 11-12-13. Have an awesome one.
thank you! miss you! going to make a wish tonight at 9:10 11/12/13 😉
Happy birthday! Hope it was a fabulous day!
it was- thank you!
Happy birthday!! I love reading your blog. Thanks for sharing with us.
thank you, erin!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Gina!!! I’ve been reading your blog for years and think it’s awesome how far you’ve come and what you’ve accomplished. I just saw you in the 50 top bloggers making a difference article – I mean C’MON – how cool is that?! I hope you have a wonderful day with the family. 🙂
thank you so much, lauren! and thanks for reading for so long, too! xoxo
Happy Birthday!
Thank you for being a daily inspiration!
Hope you have a wonderful day celebrating with your family! xoxo
thanks, louise! xo
Happy Birthday Gina!!! I literally JUST received my copy of SoliBeat in the mail and am SO excited – I feel like it is MY birthday! In honor of your birthday I suppose I have no excuse but to go home and shake it after work :):) Hope your day is fabulous!
ahhhh! that’s an awesome gift- thank you! hope you love it
Happy birthday!!!!!!! Eek, my next one is the big 30 one – may do what you suggested and be 29 again and again! Hope you had a fantastic day! xxx
i think 29 needs a LOT of practice. at least a few years 😉
Happy Birthday Gina!
You’re an inspiration to me always with your kind and thoughtful way of living and generosity towards others. Thanks for sharing with us!!!
xoxo Erica June
thank you so much for reading, erica june! xo
Happy birthday, Gina! You are an inspiration.
thank you! 🙂
Happy birthday! Have a wonderful blessed celebration!
thank you, melissa!
Happy Birthday Gina! Enjoy your day and thank you for always being a wonderful and beautiful inspiration!
xoxo,
Brie
thank you so much for reading, brienne!
Happy Birthday! Of as we would say here in Germany: Alles Gute zum Geburtstag!
ohh, thank you!
Happy Birthday! Can’t believe you’re only 29. Always thought we were closer in age but you haven’t even hit the big(??) 3-0!
Enjoy your day and the year ahead!!!
not yet! i’ll be there soon enough 🙂
thanks for the bday wish! xo
Happy birthday, Gina!!! I hope you have a fabulous fun day!
thanks, kimberly! xo
My birthday is nov. 20th 🙂
I’ll be 28. It’s so strange, I pictured everything so different. That I would be living on my own, married, working, with a cat at least. But at least I have the latter two 😛
it’s funny how life never works out the way we plan 🙂 happy early birthday!
xoxo
Happy Birthday pretty lady! I hope you’re enjoying it surrounded by everyone you love. <3 We're off to celebrate my Pilot's birthday!
awww! bday twins?! so fun. let’s party in cali! 🙂 xo
Absolutely! 🙂
I don’t know how it took me three years of reading your blog to realize you guys were birthday twins haha.
Happy Birthday! I absolutely love this post, beautifully said. You deserve all of the confidence in the world, you rock!
thank you, missy! xo
Happy Birthday!!! I think that’s pretty common to not be exactly where you thought you’d be when you get to a certain age. I think you should be proud of all that you’ve accomplished though!
I am 45 – and nothing, nothing has happened the way I thought it would! The trick is to keep your focus on all of the blessings life has to offer (the people you love, your health and all of the experiences that remind you of those things you should never take for granted). Live each day to the fullest and all of the detours and hurdles not planned for become the path that makes you who you are. Now that I’m done waxing poetic . . . the 30’s were my favorite! Happy Birthday my friend.
Mo
Happy 29th Gina, I know it will be an amazing year!
Happy birthday! I hope you’re able to relax and enjoy it. I turned 27 last week and am NO WHERE near where I’d thought I’d be in my life, but I’m happy!
Happy birthday, Gina!! Hope you had a fabulous day. I am so happy for you and all that you’ve accomplished in your 29 years. ? God bless!
Happy Birthday Gina!! 11-12-13, what a great birthday! 🙂
Happy happy birthday!!! 🙂 I hope you are having a wonderful, blessed day with the people you love! 🙂
Your blog is a daily source of awesomeness and happiness to me; I’m very glad you were born! 😉
Happy happy birthday!! I hope you had a wonderful day that’s filled with much happiness 🙂 You are a source of inspiration to many and I always look forward to reading your blog everyday!
Believe me, it gets even BETTER after 30!!! I am 35 now and I never look back!
I’m sorry I’m late, but happy birthday Gina!!! I hope you had an incredible day! <3
I’ve been 29 for a few years now ;P It’s awesome! I’m no where near what I’d imagined, and I love it! You never know what’s going to happen next! Hope you had a wonderful birthday, thank you for inspiring so many people (including me) to go where they never thought they could.