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 happy birthday!
thanks, lindsey! xoxo
Happiest of birthdays to you!
thank you!
Happy Birthday, Gina!!! Enjoy the gifts of this beautiful season in life 🙂
thank you, beverly! xo
Happy Birthday!! 29 is the year I insist I will stop again. I’m still only 23 but terrified of getting older. All I want is to get married, start a family & find a job I actually enjoy. Manageable in 6 years 😉
Enjoy this day!
i used to be scared of getting older, but it’s really not so bad 😉 you can give advice and feel like you have more street cred haha
thank you for the bday wish!
xo
Older is actually nice in many ways. For instance, when you get older people start respecting you naturally without always having to fight hard to earn it. When I got over the fear of becoming old I have learned to enjoy every age and stage of my life.
Especially with a family there are a load of those bittersweet moments that just happen naturally: first words, learning to walk, going to school, first music/dance/etc performance, and finally the most bittersweet of them all: your kid leaving to go to college. (And now you know that I really do speak from experience here with all of my 45 years, haha)
from what i can tell, it just keeps getting better. 🙂
xoxo
Happy Birthday! I celebrated my second 29th birthday this year 😉
Have a great day!
heh heh 🙂
xoxo
Happy Birthday, Gina!!
thank you! 🙂
Happy Birthday!!! 🙂
thanks, friend! xo
Happy, happy birthday, Gina! Have a fantastic day!
thank you!
Happy Birthday! I’m 29 too, but the big 3-0 is just 3 months away – yikes! My husband is 3 years older than me, so I like to think that he can “break in” each new decade for us and ease the transition for me. Haha 🙂
hahah, that’s what i say to tom too 🙂
Happy Birthday!! 🙂 Hope you have a wonderful day celebrating YOU! Thanks for sharing your life with all of us, it’s a joy to read!
thank you so much for reading! have you all here is what makes this site so awesome 🙂
Happy Birthday Gina! <33
thank you!
Happy happy birthday!!!
thanks, ryane! 🙂
Yay! Happy Birthday!!
thank you, holly!
happy birthday, gina! i hope your 29th year is amazing! <3
thanks, april! have a great day <3
Happy birthday Gina! Hope it’s an amazing one!
thank you, lisa!
Happy birthday Gina! You are doing an awesome job at this site. I am thankful for the effort you put into the workouts. Judging by the posts you are an amazing mom, too. I could never have guessed you have ever felt anything but a strong, confident woman.
thank you so much, LJ <3
Happy bday! My bday is tomorrow but I am quite a bit older than you and I think it’s cool we are Scorpio sisters. 😉 have a great day!
scorpios >
happy early birthday to you!! xo
Happy Birthday! I love your website and you have helped to inspire me to go after me goals that I have always intimidated myself out of doing. I am starting to actually reach them now, so thank you for the inspiration! Enjoy yourself!
go after them! 🙂
thank you and thanks for reading! xo
Happy Birthday!! I always love reading your posts and keeping up with what you are doing. I think your confidence is evident and is given off through your posts. I always feel great after reading!
thank you! xoxo
Happy Birthday!! I too turn 29 in January, and it’s really lovely and refreshing to hear someone else say that they’re actually totally happy with turning 29- something which some of my younger friends find hard to believe 🙂 You’re right, it has a great ring to it- an age where you’re wise from experience but young enough to benefit from it! Have a great day, you deserve it!x
thank you, lisa! xo
Happy Birthday! PS my 30s have been my favorite 🙂
good to know! 🙂
xo
Happy birthday Gina! My 29th is on the 19th, and I can totally relate to what you said. It’s like closing a chapter on an anxiety-filled part of life. haha
amen to that!
Happy Birthday Gina! Wishing you a day filled with the people & things you love the most!!!
it was- thank you!
Happy birthday, beautiful! And thank you for talking about how you used to be a big worry wart about your future because I am in that boat right now- but reading about your increased confidence gives me lots of hope that I will turn out a-okay just like you. I wish you the best birthday yet!
it totally will be ok. thank you for the bday wish!
Happy Birthday, Gina!!! Enjoy it!
thanks, kailey!
Happy Birthday, Gina!! Here’s to the best year yet – it only gets better! Spoil yourself 🙂
thank you!
Happy Birthday, Gina! I love reading your blog-it’s probably my favorite one that I follow-and love your example as someone who is committed to their health and fitness but realize that its not the only thing that matters in life. My goal in life lately has been “balance” and you are a great example to me of that! Enjoy your day!
thank you, cady!
Happy Birthday Gina!
thank you!
Happy birthday Gina! I totally agree that the shift in confidence is amazing. Sometimes I wonder what I could have done if I was as comfortable with who I am a few years ago as I am now. Thanks for being such an inspiration and here’s to many more birthdays 🙂
amen to that! thank you 🙂
I just turned 29 last week! I’m actually feeling really good about being 30ish. I had my age meltdown at 25. I have no idea why but that was a rough birthday for me. I think it was because I “thought” I had so much to get done before 30, which is ridiculous. Why should I have to have everything accomplished by 30?! I plan on continuing to grow and live life to the fullest no matter what age I am…so now I’m much more relaxed about the whole getting older thing.
Happy Birthday!!! It’s going to be a great year!
happy belated birthday to you!
i had the same kind of meltdown. love your thoughts and philosophy on things <3
xoxo
Happy Birthday Gina! I hope you have a terrific day celebrating and a wonderful year ahead.
thanks, allison!
happy birthday!! funny how much me learn and grow as a person as we get older. I am still holding myself a bit, and I realize that, but I think my 30s is my time to shine 🙂 hope you have an amazing last year in your 20s 🙂
thank you!! 🙂
Happy Birthday Gina!!! I love reading your blog and you are so inspiring. As someone who will turn 29 next August, I am not where I imagined I would be at this age either. While I still struggle to accept that at time, I am beginning to feel more at peace that I cannot control everything and that it is all happening for a reason (even though I may not know yet what that reason is). Best wishes for a wonderful day and 29th year!!
thank you, kristin!
Happy, happy Birthday!!!! Hope your 29th year is fabulous! On a side note- I received Soli Beat last week and LOVE IT!!!
yay, i’m so happy you love it!
Happy birthday!! I think you’re in a pretty darn good spot for 29! I always thought I’d have a few kids by the time I was 30…I just turned 28 and the “oven” is barely pre-heated, haha. So interesting to see how things actually play out.
it’s fun to see how things have a way of working out 🙂
xo
Happy happy birthday, Gina!!! I’m really glad that you have so many great things to celebrate – your beautiful family and your many professional accomplishments, to name a couple. Have a wonderful day; you deserve it! (PS Got my copy of Soli Beat a couple of days ago – I was pretty much stuck in bed with a cold for a couple days, but I’m finally feeling better and can’t wait to try it out!!)
thank you! i hope you love soli beat, too!
Happy happy happy birthday to one of the kindest people in the world! Enjoy your day & enjoy lots of love from you sweet little Olivia <3
thank you, holly! she makes everything so much more fun
happy birthday, my beautiful friend who speaks such beautiful words 😀 i am so proud of you and all that you do and so blessed to call you a friend of mine! maybe i can meet you before you turn 30 😉 haha add that to your list LOL 😉
i’m definitely putting it on the list! xo
You’re amazing, Gina! Hope it’s an extra special day for you! Happy Birthday! xoxo
thank you, ashley, and thanks for reading!
Happy birthday! I’ve been reading (not always commenting haha…I’m a shy one sometimes) for a couple years now, and it’s clear that you’ve grown so much professionally and personally. There are a lot of people who are inspired by you. 🙂 Keep rockin’ it out girl! xo
thank you, dominique! that means so much to me <3
Happy Birthday!! This post really hit home because I’ve been so scared to start many things I’ve wanted to do! Maybe this was just what I needed to kick my butt into gear and make things happen!
don’t be afraid.. go after it 🙂
xo
Happy birthday Gina!! I hope you have a wonderful year ahead 🙂
I have spent the last month doubting myself, so what a timely and inspiring message. I’ll try to remember that one x
if you believe in yourself, you’ll make it happen! 🙂 xo
Happy Birthday Gina!!! Hope you have a fab day celebrating, and a wonderful 29th year!
<3!
Happy Birthday!!!
thank you!
Happy Birthday and what a great post and place to be in life. 🙂
thank you, amanda!
Happy Birthday! I hope you have a wonderful birthday Gina<3
thank you, molly!
Happy Birthday Gina! Wishing you a great day 🙂
thanks, lisa!
Happy Birthday, Gina!! Hope you have a blessed day full of all you love!
What a great date for a birthday…11.12.13 🙂 It’s destined to be fabulous!
thank you, tracy! <3 xo
Happy Birthday! You are an inspiration! Love reading your blog 🙂 Hope you have a wonderful birthday!
thank you, valerie!
Feliz Cumpleaños! By the way I saw your name on a list at Greatist.com as one of 50 bloggers making a difference! I was so happy to see you as part of the list! Keep up the great work!
thank you so much, maria! i was so thrilled and honored to be included 🙂