This weekend I’m turning 24. I haven’t made much of a fuss over my birthday since I was 20 or so, I always had an excuse to avoid it. But this year I’m getting together for dinner with the family at one of my favourite neighborhood restaurants on the planet and am then running out for drinks with those who I find to be The Most Peachy Keen. It’s a little unlike me & I can’t wait.
When I think about it, my 23rd was a crazy year. I can’t even fathom it, looking back now. In a span of 10 months I got engaged, bought a home, moved twice, started my old blog, bought the puppies, got married, and took a huge risk in changing jobs. It was exhausting, and I’m still coming down.
The result of packing a massive amount of life experience into one year is that I’ve developed something of an inability to relax. Crushing pressure? I’m your girl. I won’t break a sweat. 8 hours of time to myself? I’m a bit of a mess. There was always something massive about to happen last year, so I was constantly braced, constantly destination oriented. A year later and I’m finding that kind of mindset is hard to shake.
It’s been difficult the past while, but I know I will shake it.
And I’m thrilled about turning 24. And about 25, 26, 37, 58 – I’m looking forward to all of it. I’m thrilled to be old enough and independent enough to do what I want. Ladybugs, do you realize that if we wanted, two weeks from now we could all pick up and run away to live in the desert? There is something so amazing about that to me. And more amazing is that I feel like I’m finally getting into an age where my body approximates where my heart is at.
Even if things were to fall apart tomorrow, I know I will always have this time tucked away in my pocket & at least shadow of buoyancy it gives my heart. So there’s lots to be happy about.
As such, my resolutions for this year are simple:
- Focus more of my energy the wonderful bundle of accidents that make up my life.
- Worry less.
- Get centered, physically & emotionally.
- Have lots of good food & good wine.
- Take a proper honeymoon.
- Spend more time with the amazing girls in my life, wherever they live.
Here’s to running away to the desert.
{images: Hannah Davis}
Charlotte
Happy Birthday for the weekend! I’m turning 26 next week and I haven’t made a fuss for years. I know what you mean about the whole pressure always-doing-something mode. The last few years have been mental – literally! – and its weird to find things change a drastic pace. But hey, we’re adults now (kinda!) and it IS amazing to think we can do what we want, when we want. I like the resolutions; worry less and have lots of good food and wine! Worry less and wine go hand in hand, right?! ;-)
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Sara
Happy Birthday! Sounds like a wonderful way to celebrate!
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Megan
I think we should all be allowed a “honeymoon” every few years.
I would definitely like to echo your resolutions. I could use a bit of them all in my life!
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Sarah
Wow, what a year! It’s so amazing to look around at where you are now and know that you made it happen. A very happy birthday to you! xo!
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Lys
happy early 24th! sounds like you went through and accomplished a lot while you were 23, i wonder what fantastic and magical things you will do your 24th!
can’t wait to meet you in a few weeks!
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mandy
Have a very Happy Birthday Kyla. This was such a beautifully written post. I find the older I get, the more relaxed and comfortable I am with myself. That is such a wonderful feeling and such a feeling of peace that comes with that.
Here’s to always running away to the desert!
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SoMi's Nilsa
Ironically, aren’t you actually running away to the desert, if only for a weekend? =) Happy early birthday, my dear. You are wholly deserving of all your goals, for this year and for your lifetime!
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Elle Bee
Oh miss, this is such a beautiful post. Birthdays have never been a big deal to me, but then I went and had not one, not two, but three celebrations last year when I turned 24. Even if the birthday is not reason enough to celebrate, it’s always good to celebrate what you’ve accomplished, the people you’ve gathered and what you’ve become over the span of your life.
You are an amazing woman, my dear. I’m proud to have you as a bloggy friend. ;)
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Trina
Wow. My 23rd year was a big one too! I moved twice, got engaged, got pregnant, got married and well, I just got a new bathroom. ;) The year’s not over for me though. Happy 24th to you!!
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adriana
Happy almost birthday! Here’s hoping your next year is as awesomely filled with life as this one was!
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Lindsay
Happy almost birthday, Lady K! Sounds like you have a lot of great plans :)
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Lily
I don’t think I realized you were a May birthday as well, how fun! Happy Early Birthday, doll :)
And about the desert? We WILL be there in just a couple of weeks… perhaps we’ll stay…
<3 you! And your upcoming year sounds fabulous! I look forward to running into you at least twice!
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apricot tea.
Happy early Birthday, Lovely Kyla! You have wisdom beyond your years.
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thatShortChick
such a beautifully written and reflective post.
i hope you have the most happy of birthdays!!
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hillary
I hope you have the happiest of birthdays!
I love your resolutions. I can definitely relate to needing to worry less and chill out more :) If you figure out how to achieve it, let me know.
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Steph
Have a wonderful birthday this weekend! Twenty Four is a great year, and you have plenty to look forward to.
I totally understand your restlessness! I was the same way! Graduated college, moved to a new city, got married, took a trip to france, started a new career. I was constantly having all these major events happen. Now I always feel like I should be looking forward to SOMETHING. As if a normal boring life is not enough for me.
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Jenene
Thanks for your comment on my blog! And I turn 24 next week! Our lives are more similar than we think…
You said something about moving to the States being difficult. Now that I’ve been through the whole process, I realize that for the most part, it’s not really that difficult. It just takes a long time.
We’ve been pretty fortunate not to run into too many problems (other than the whole SSN fiasco).
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kahlia
To build off what Mandy said (“I find the older I get, the more relaxed and comfortable I am with myself.”), I find that the older I get, the more relaxed and comfortable I am with most things in my life… including my partner, where I am in life (even in the midst of great change), my relationship with my family, and lots more. And I’m only 27, so I can’t wait to see how it will be further in the future!
<3
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Larissa
I absolutely love this post. Wow you did a lot in your 23rd year. I promise 24 will be awesome for you, especially since you seem to be in the right place both mind and body. I’m jealous that you could pick up and go anytime you want! I’m so rooted where I’m at and money is always an issue. I’d love to do something risky for once. My birthdays soon too, and I cant wait for the new year. Its wonderful to have a fresh start and a positive outlook for the future. <3
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Lauren
I love your resolutions – i think they’re perfect. Happy birthday!
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Amanda
Love your blog:):) Thanks for your nice comment today:)
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Amanda
And Happy Early Birthday:)
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Elly
Wow – what a busy year! That’s amazing that you did so much :) Hope your 24th year is just as brilliant :)
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Amber
Sounds like you absolutely deserve an amazing birthday weekend! Enjoy it!
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deutlich
I still say being a grown up stinks. Haha. But only because I don’t want responsibilities. In all reality? I’d never go back to being young – adult stress and all.
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Jessica
Happy early birthday lady! Two weeks and we’ll celebrate in Vegas too.
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molly
I love your outlook! Happy 24th! It is amazing to look back on a year at certain times in your life and realize all that happened. It sounds like it was a busy yet wonderful one! Here’s to many more!
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brandy
Awww! Happy early birthday! I hope you have an amazing, amazing time and a wonderful year. 24 was an excellent year for me- I hope it’s just as great for you. You deserve it!
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Andy
Yeeei! I hope you have tons and tons of fun and that you update us all in it! Happy un-belated Bday!
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pinkjellybaby
I hope you have a lovely time x
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Racquel Valencia
Happy birthday, girl. I also like the mid-year resolutions. Why limit yourself to January 1st?
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Matt
Happy Birthday!
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Meghan
Happy Prelated Birthday. Love those photo’s, so much fun. Good luck with your resolutions :0
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steph anne
Have a wonderful birthday weekend!!! :)
You had a lot going on in 10 months, wow. Where are you thinking about going for your “proper honeymoon”? Tyler and I still haven’t gone on ours and we need to soon! I’d go to Turtle Island (Fiji) if money didn’t matter!
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Rebekah
Happy happy birthday to you! It’s so awesome when people use their birthdays for reflection and motivation and not just an excuse to buy wrinkle cream. Cheers to you for 24!
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laurie | your ill-fitting overcoat
what a beautiful post. i identify completely. happy birthday, love!
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Kyla Roma
Thanks to all of you for your wonderful wishes, I so appreciate them. It’s been a good day so far, in no small part because of the well wishes here =)
You’re all so damn charming!
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Susan
Happy birthday! I love your resolutions.
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Russ
goodluck with your resolutions kyla
you’ve got a lovely outlook
and I hope your 24th year is wonderful
xoxo
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AshleyD
It sounds like this year has been great for you and your resolutions for year 24 sound almost perfect. I wish you all the best, Miss Kyla. :)
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nicoleantoinette
This is the best post you’ve ever written. I love it. And you. And.. happy, happy birthday!
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Sebastian
Just passing through (via the Pink Jellybaby!)
I recently turned 25. For the first time in my life, I’m actually thinking about… being old. I’ve always mocked everyone else as they turned 25, 30… 35… 40! But now, it’s finally my turn to feel just a wee bit old.
I know it’s not ACTUALLY old, but… well… kids before 30 would be nice, eh? Or at least married…
I really love the last photo though… even if it’s not yours! It reminds me that I should be more experimental with my own photography :)
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