Quarter of a Century...

That's right, I turned the big 25 a week from today!  25 years young baby!  I had an amazing birthday as I got to get out of this cold weather and spend it with my boyfriend in Dallas!  He planned a lot of special things for me and it was truly one of the best birthdays I have ever had!  I do love birthdays, even though that means we are turning one year older, but I like to think we are just getting wiser!  For real though, I love that birthday's bring people together!  Think about all of the birthday parties and gatherings you've been to, whether it be for yourself or for others.  It usually brings loved ones together, and even reconnecting with people you have not seen in awhile, or making a new friend.  There is usually great people, food, dessert, gifts, singing, possibly some dancing, jokes, stories, laughter and most importantly love.  Birthdays SHOULD be celebrated!  It's a celebration of life!  Even though we didn't do much to be brought into this world, we are still here, alive, breathing, and it is one day out of the year to truly dedicate and celebrate that. 

Well, this birthday has made me think more than usual.  It was the first birthday I really wasn't looking forward to.  I mean I was looking forward to where I was going and what I was doing for my birthday (way more than others), but for some reason I was not too excited about 25.  Not because its "old", because it's not old by any means!  It may be in my own head but I feel like I haven't met the society standards that most people have met at 25.  It can be easy and BAD to compare your walk of life with others, but it just seems like most people my age already have their stuff figured out, ya know?  Or at least they do a good job of pretending!  I tend to get down on myself because I don't really have my life figured out- well, when do we ever, but I feel like I am late to the game with figuring out what my passions and goals are.  I mean I just finally graduated college at 24, while most people from my class graduated three years ago.  I am just now figuring out what I want to do while others are already pursuing and fulfilling their dreams and passions.  I get down on myself because I don't own or have a place of my own, I don't have a thriving, prospering career, I am no where near ready to start a family, my savings account should be bigger, and my future has so many un-knowns right now! BLAH! 

I tend to go through these waves of depressing and self-doubt cycles.  I dwell on the past and my unknown future and since I am not satisfied, I get down on myself and stuck in this depressing state of mind.  I then have no motivation to do anything to change it-I just keep thinking well this is as good as its going to get because you're not good enough to change and succeed.  It's actually quite annoying and I am tired of it!  Especially because this year is all about SELF TRANSFORMATION and improvement, so I need to fight off these negative thoughts and cease the day! So, I should STOP being so down on myself and comparing my walk of life to others.  It is MY walk of life after all, and it is not supposed to be perfect or like anyone else's.  I may be behind the game in some aspects, but then again, not really! I have already accomplished and experienced a lot in life, stuff that people will never experience in a lifetime and I am only 25. I need to think about those things instead of dwelling on everything I haven't done in life.  Because in all reality, I have a whole lifetime ahead of me to fulfill all of my dreams and goals!  I am no where near being behind!

It can be difficult at times to live in the social media world that we live in.  We see and hear about everyones success and accomplishments whether it be in their careers, love life, family, weight loss, fitness, etc.  Instead of taking it as encouragement, we sometimes take it as a little overwhelming because others are accomplishing things we haven't yet.  If you don't struggle with that then great, but at times, not all the time, I can.  So I am trying to remember that this is my life and I am the only one who can take responsibility for it and the choices I've made.  I vow to make the most of it and be grateful for the life I have been given!  So cheers to being 25!  It's going to be one hell of a ride this year and I can't wait to see where it takes me!  Here are some pictures I wanted to share from some birthdays over the years!

Joe and I before going to the Rascal Flatts concert this year in Oklahoma!

My birthday last year with the family.  We got a little silly!

Co-workers from the Boathouse Restaurant made me feel super loved back in my management days! :)

Hats and sashes should be required at all birthdays! :) Shoutout to my boo K-lowe!

I turned 21 in Spain and made new friends and life long memories here!

Throwback to 2006 when my cousin Josh brought the first grandbaby into the world for the Brader's, and it brought the whole family together!!  Literally, there was over 30 people waiting for Bella to be born!

Throwback to our sweet 16!

So yes, birthdays are fun and worth being celebrated.  It was fun to reflect on some of my birthdays and birthdays of  loved ones!  What are some of your favorite birthday memories?