Smile. Breathe. Relax

Somewhere Between “Figuring It Out” and “Finally Getting It”

June 15, 1993 I came into this world screaming. Today, I turn 32.

It’s not a milestone year. There are no balloons that say “Dirty Thirty-Two” (at least none that I’ve seen… and if there are, please send links). It doesn’t come with the built-in drama of turning 30 or the comedic relief of being “forever 29.” But still, 32 feels significant.

Because 32 isn’t about discovering who you are. It’s about becoming more unapologetically you.

In your 20s, life feels like a constant experiment. You’re testing out jobs, cities, relationships, and even versions of yourself, hoping something sticks. You chase opportunities, make impulsive choices, and learn a lot of lessons the hard way. It’s messy, thrilling, exhausting and definitely necessary. That decade is all about collecting pieces of who you might be, even if you don’t quite know how they all fit together yet. You’re in beta mode.

But chile 32?? It’s not about trying everything. It’s about choosing what to keep.

It’s realizing that not everyone gets a front row seat in your life, and that boundaries aren’t walls, they’re doors you open only when it’s worth it.

It’s knowing what fuels you. Whether that’s strong black coffee, herbal tea, or my personal favorite, just sitting in silence for ten minutes with a Dr Pepper before the world starts talking at you. It’s realizing you don’t need to explain your rituals to anyone. Your morning routine? That’s all you, make it non-negotiable.

It’s understanding that growth doesn’t always mean more, sometimes it meansless. Fewer toxic friendships, fewer self-imposed expectations, fewer hours trying to prove your worth to people who never asked you to.

It’s accepting your weird habits, like organizing your playlists by mood or rewatching the same show over and over because it feels like home. It’s laughing at your own awkwardness and knowing deep down you’re actually HER (or HIM).

I’m not “old” by any means, but I’m older and I like it. I have more patience, more self-respect, and weirdly, a more peaceful relationship with time. I’m learning that life doesn’t have to look any certain way by any certain age. There’s no finish line. There’s just presence. And if you’re lucky, a bit of perspective.

So here’s to 32.

To learning without overthinking.

To loving without losing yourself.

To laughing at your own bad jokes.

To taking up space and taking your time.

Happy Birthday to meee !