I was twenty-two, had recently graduated college, and was working with a girl who was leaving her job to move across the country for grad school.
She finally knew what she wanted to do with her life and was getting a graduate degree to start her career.
“Man,” I said to my friend, “By the time I’m twenty-seven? I’m totally going to already have my Master’s and know what I’m doing with my life.”
I actually said those words. Those very words.
HAH.
Oh, how my life and dreams for my life have changed since then.
Today is my twenty-seventh birthday and I am really, really glad that I don’t have the life I planned for myself when I was twenty-two.
Then, I was working full-time at an after-school center and happily spending hours redesigning brochures, handouts, newsletter, and anything else I could get my hands on.
Now, I work part-time at a high school and happily spend hours at home, designing websites, blogs, wedding invitations, and anything else Little Leaf clients throw my way.
Then, I was newly married and we were muddling through our first, fairly difficult, year of marriage.
Now, I am secure, happy, and confident in my relationship with Mike.
Then, I was just starting to explore using natural light, different angles, and discovering beauty in unusual places with my little Samsung point-and-shoot.
Now, I am on my way to becoming a professional photographer.
Then, I viewed success narrowly and pragmatically as having a certain career, degree, and salary.
Now, I have a more fluid definition of what it means to be successful, which involves, radically, happiness.
Then, I loved kids, but feared having them – both the actual childbirth and the all-consuming nature of being a parent.
Now, I have a kid who I love, survived childbirth, and am continually figuring out the healthy balance between all-consuming and not-different-at-all.
Then, our little apartment was brimming with stuff and was constantly messy unless we had people over.
Now, to sound totally cliche, I’ve discovered the Joy of Less. Actually, I don’t even care how cliche it sounds, because my apartment is finally not cluttered.
Then, I exercised most nights at the gym after work.
Now, ahem…. Well, okay, one area I don’t like better with 27-year-old me.
Today also marks the end of my 101 in 1001 list, of which there is much I didn’t complete. I’m not disappointed in myself, but I am in awe of how articulating my goals have helped me realize what I want and who I want to be. I am certainly a believer in life lists now. I’ll be working on my next 101 in 1001!
My biggest disappointment is that I didn’t even read HALF of the 50 books I set out to read. I really love to read, but apparently I’m a slow, lazy reader. Part of this might also be my lack of remembering what I read. And also, having a newborn sucked up a few months of potential reading time. Psh. Thanks, Gabe.
(Ironically, I remember toying with the idea of including ‘have a baby,’ or even ‘get pregnant,’ on my list, but wasn’t sure I’d be quite ready to embark on that journey by age 27. Funny. Life is what happens when you’re busy making other plans and all that.)
Looking back on that list makes me oddly nostalgic. It makes me think of everything that has happened over the past 1,001 days and how much this blog (and its readers) has both influenced and been a part of it.
Thank you, Internets, for being a part of my life and sharing my ups and downs over the past few years. The emails, comments, and tweets have meant so much to me and I appreciate you taking time out of your busy lives to read about our little life – to cheer me on, cheer me up, and generally bring cheer to my life.
So, happy birthday to me, but thank you for being so fantastically wonderful.
Happy Birthday!!!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Go you, go you, goooo you! /cheer
Happy Birthday Ashley!
I created a 101 in 1001 list a few years ago as well (probably close to being done – I better go check! Heh), but I was curious if you were exploring any other types of goal lists for next time. Something that you’ll revise over the years since life changes so much in ways we don’t expect? My original 101 list is so outdated from my actual life goals it seems. But maybe my goals will change less in the next few years now that we are parents and have a slightly better idea of what we’ll do with our life.
Happy birthday girl!!
Happy Birthday! I love this post! (I feel like I say that all the time to you but I really mean it each time, I swear :)
I’m turning 27 on October 25th. :)
Happy birthday to you! I’d say you’re doing incredibly well.
Is it OK that I actually just laughed – loudly – out loud at this one?
“Then, I exercised most nights at the gym after work.
Now, ahem…. Well, okay, one area I don’t like better with 27-year-old me.”
Happy Birthday Ashley! I think you have a great perspective on life. I agree that success = happiness. Hope your day is fabulous and Gabe and Mike spoil you a bit, in whatever form that may be :)
Happy Birthday! Hope it’s wonderful.
Also, I MUCH prefer the current version of my 28-year-old self than the one I imagined when I was 22. ;)
xox
Happy Birthday! It’s funny what we expect of our life at a certain age and what we actually do. I think you have the right idea though- it is better to just be HAPPY!
Happy Birthday!! I have to say apart from the fact that I am overweight and don’t exercise as much as I used to, I much prefer the 31 year old I am about to become than the 21 year old I was 10 years ago. I am exactly the same as you and am not anywhere in the position I thought I would be by now. However I am happy, contented, fairly healthy (if I lost the weight it would help) and a lot more relaxed about life.
I hope your man gives you a lovely birthday and you get lots of extra cuddles from your lovely little (growing up to fast) son! Happy Birthday again xx
Happy birthday! So glad it truly is a happy day and has been a happy journey for you.
I said it on Twitter, but I’ll say it again. Happy Birthday! Here’s to going where your heart takes you and trusting your instincts instead of “the” plan :-)
Now, I have a more fluid definition of what it means to be successful, which involves, radically, happiness.
That fact you achieved this before you’re 30 is amazing. I think that’s why my 30s have been far happier than my 20s (not that I’m complaining about my 20s – those years were pretty darn good, too). I redefined success and have learned to love moments in life, not just achievement of goals!
Happy birthday, Ashley!!!
I love this post! I’m so glad you’re happy with where your life is now. Happy, happy birthday!
Happy birthday once again! It’s so funny to read this post because I’m 22 now and I always wonder what my life will be like in 5 years from now, or I guess 5-8 (by the time I’m 30). It’s crazy how much can change and I’m hoping that I’m just as happy in 5 years as you are!!
All the best today, hope you enjoyed your day with friends and family!! :)
Happy birthday lady!! :)
Happy birthday!
Personally, I think you should be proud of the fact that you even created a 1001 in 101 list in the first place. So many people (myself included) never even get that far!
You inspire me! So happy for you and all of your accomplishments! Hope you had a wonderful birthday! It is 11:11 and I will wish you all the happiness you heart desires. Happy Birthday!
Happy birthday! I hope you had a wonderful day. :]
Hey love. I would LOVE to have a longer conversation with you based on the contents of this post. I had SUCH a different dream for myself at 21 than I do now at 25. I am ALSO in the midst of reading Joy of Less and participating in a more minimalist lifestyle. Life is definitely what happens when you are busy making other plans… which is why I need to just stop planning.
Late catching up on my blogs this week, but Happy Birthday to you!
I wish I “knew” all what to do with my life by 27. I continued to make a LOT of mistakes well after — searching for approval, mostly, from everyone else. Once I started living life by MY terms and what I want (not what family, friends or society expects of me) I found happiness. And you nailed it by saying that. Happiness is truly my only life motivator. From someone who has been reading your blog for quite some time — and far be it for me to not embrace a great cliche ;) — it makes me happy to see you happy.
Happy belated birthday! It’s funny how life takes us in exactly the direction we’re supposed to be sometimes.
Wow, I just finished my first 101 in 1001 list too! I’m trying as hard as I can to come up with about 20 more goals so I can start my next list.
Happy belated birthday!
Happy belated Birthday! You are an inspiration!