Writing that title didn’t give me the deep ending that I thought it would. Tomorrow is the day and I’m feeling blah about it. Somewhere along the lines my birthday just became another day. As I reflect on my 20s I can honestly say (like most women) that I won’t miss it. A lot of mistakes were made. A lot a lot a lot a lot…….some that I wish I could just find Mr. Peabody and his time machine. However, it was a learning period for me that I will forever be grateful for. I fell in love….had my beautiful son….got a real job with benefits….graduated with my Bachelor’s and Master’s degree…and published my first book.
I can’t say that it was terrible but I still feel unfulfilled. I still feel like I didn’t do enough during that time. Wasted time here and there. That applies to my professional and personal life. I guess I’m supposed to make a claim on this post that from now on it’s going to be different. I can talk the talk but I need to walk the walk. So I decided to make little changes over the course of a few months. The good deal with change is that even if you make baby steps you still feel good about it. It counts to you and that is important.
I had been feeling uncomfortable in my own skin. Complained about it and couldn’t figure out what I was doing wrong until I made the little change that set everything right for me….meal prep. I have been meal prepping since last October and it has changed my life for the better. Not only am I satisfied with the repeated meals but the weight started to melt off of me and I began to feel good about myself. I was finally able to look good in clothes and not feel as if I’m a huge elephant walking around. That was a change that I needed to make I just needed to take it slow and start small.
My frustrations with public transportation shaped my mood in the morning and when it came time to go home. I’m constantly late everywhere I go! At first I thought it was just me but it’s just the transportation service in my area. I would get to the bus stop in plenty of time and there wouldn’t be a bus in site…which made me late getting on the train…which made me late getting to work. Then after work I would have to power walk to the train as fast as my little legs can take me…get on the train that drives so slowwwwwwwwwwww…then wait for the bus again to take me home. ENOUGH!!! A change has to happen no matter the size. So I bought a fold-able bike. I’m going to ride the bike from my home to the train…take the train…then ride the bike to work. Simple. I start this on Monday and I can’t wait to ride past that bus and give the driver the finger! š Just kidding…..but it’s a change that is needed and I can’t wait to make it happen.
Those two little changes have and are going to change my attitude and perspective on life. Because if there is one thing that I have learned it’s that you can’t expect things to change unless you change.
So to that I say goodbye to my 20s and hello to my 30s….I’m ready.
Ashley Allard 