Hi.
Today is my birthday.
My 26th birthday.
And I would by lying
if I said
that 26
did not scare me.
It sounds so serious.
Like I should have my life a little more figured out.
It feels…. old.
Ok I know most of you are rolling your eyes right now… but hear me out!
In the past, when I pictured myself over 25, I imagined a life very different from my own.
One with a career.
A partner.
And most certainly a place to live.
I think each of us imagines a life we believe we are supposed to have, at a certain age.
Are we too young to actualize certain dreams?
Too old to allow ourselves to have dreams at all?
Well, today I urge myself, and all of you, to let go of expectations associated with your age.
Your age is not a benchmark for what the outside world considers achievement.
It is a measure of how much life you have lived.
How much you have grown.
A celebration of the gift of life. Your life.
Today is a reminder to celebrate myself.
Exactly where I am.
Exactly who I am.
Today is a reminder that I have spent another year gaining experience, insight, and wisdom to connect deeper with the person I truly am.
Thank you for being a part of that year, and for celebrating with me today.
I took these photos in Cartagena, Colombia, an absolutely magical city dear to my heart.
Happy Birthday, Camille! I hope you will continue on this path to peace and happiness that can be unpredictable and challenging, but which has expanded your mental and spiritual horizons for life. You feel older because you are;it’s called maturity.
Thank you for a special day, love you!
I remember also being a little anxious about turning 26 for the same reasons! For years I have said that instead of celebrating my age I choose to celebrate my life! Numbers really mean nothing whether it is on a scale or it is an age! Go out and live the life that you want and do not worry yourself with expectations that you think you are supposed to meet!
Thank you Stephanie I couldn’t agree more 🙂
Happy happy birthday! I hope this next turn around the sun is your best yet and brings joy, light and magic!
Thank you so much! I have a feeling it will 🙂
Happy Birthday Camille! There’s a quote that says you become old when you stop dreaming (in a more articulate way of course :). Have a wonderful, inspiring year! -Sarah
I think that was plenty articulate! Thank you Sarah, wishing you the best as well.
Once upon a time, I was supposed to be married by 24, and on my way to having numerous babies by 26. Instead, I got married at 33, and had my one (and only) child 5 days shy of my 36th birthday. It’s okay to feel old at 26. I won’t roll my eyes; I’ve been there. You’re now closer to 30 than 20. But you are – right now – doing things that people with partners and houses and kids can’t do. Never again will you be as unencumbered as you are now. It’s a gift, the freedom with which you are now living. It won’t be what you want forever, but once you and this stage of life part ways, it would be a very hard life to get back. So enjoy where you are right now – it’s a fabulous birthday present to yourself! Happy Birthday!
Thank you Lynn. This is precisely the sentiment I have been holding onto. Happy valentines to you and your family 🙂
Happy Birthday, Camille!! I will always treasure the part I had in your life during your young growing years. You should be very proud of what you’ve made of your life, and I thank you for this beautiful way you share it and share yourself!
There’s a saying, “It is not how old you are, but how you are old.” The path is sometimes ‘the road less traveled’ and not always what was planned. The pace will pick up as life really starts flying by, but you’ve got a long, long, road ahead, my dear, so enjoy the ride!
I love and miss you,
Your [old] Aunt Barb
Thank you Barb. I will never forget all of the amazing times we have shared in the past and hope for more in the future. Love and miss you.
Happy Birthday beautiful lady! I haven’t worried about age after turning 25, I am turning 27 this October and well it doesn’t scare me. Things fall into place or out of place to make room for better things to happen.
They certainly do! Thank you Tracy. X’s and O’s.
Happy Birthday to you 🙂 You rock!
Thank you! YOU ROCK! Happy Love Day <3!
happy birthday! I can’t believe you were born on the same year as I did and write so eloquently, travel so frequently and seem to be so put together! I enjoy every single one of your posts and admire you for travelling so much and not being afraid to live an adventurous life. You’ll be so much wiser and mature than the ones of us who don’t travel as often, I think.
Sending you lots of love in your day!!!
Oh my Erika, I can’t imagine I sound put together at all!! Thank you so much for the compliments and the birthday wishes. Oh, and happy valentines day 🙂
Happy birthday to my wonderful and adventurous love.
May 26 be the best and brightest yet!
Andrea
Thank you for an unforgettable 25! Love you.
Happy Birthday! I hope you had a blessed day, and may every day ahead be even better than the one before 🙂
Thank you Brigitte for your sweet wishes.
A little late to the party, but I wanted to wish you a Happy Birthday, and let you know how much this post resonated with me. In a few months, I’ll reach age 27, and I can certainly relate to your description of turning 26. Living in that year myself, I have felt regularly that I should have my life “figured out” by now. Many older and wiser persons have told me that I am being ridiculous, that the point of life isn’t to figure it all out, but just to live and enjoy every moment, IN the moment. Something that I have been working on, and so I very much appreciated this post by you. Best wishes to you in your 26th year! 🙂
Thanks for your words of encouragement and birthday wishes Jessica. Keep being present and enjoying 26 🙂