#thisis30

Surprise, a lot has happened since I last wrote. I turned 30 in May, and initially imagined that I'd sit down and write some crazy long post about life thus far that would be deep and meaningful and blah blah blah. Instead I went out with some special people and tore through some delicious crab legs (Maryland girl that I am), drank some good beer and shared the angel food cake my friend made with everyone at a bar. I ended the night toasting with prosecco at a favorite spot around the corner from my apartment. And that was perfect. Maybe the nuance of maturity—if I can call myself mature—is not feeling the need to make mountains out of molehills, as it were. In a world of unsolicited advice, clickbait and listicles, herein lies a meaningfully meaningless summary. #thisis30.

If I have any advice to give, this is it: Take care of yourself. Past precedent has shown that this new decade requires a healthier approach to just about everything. And so, I make time to do nothing: I read the whole damn New York Times every weekend. I relish a good, old-fashioned trip to the movies. I finally read books again. Walking is a way of life now (especially with this FitBit I've been wearing since January.) I'm making every effort to hang out with the friends "I never see anymore," even if it's only for an hour. There is no de-prioritizing the simple things from now on. Ain't nobody got time for that. Literally.

This probably sounds ridiculous to the wiser among you, but year after year, the time just seems to fall away. I find it more and more difficult to keep moments close, there are just too many. Too much has happened. Too much will continue to happen, which just makes living in the present that much more important. God willing, there will be a tomorrow and a next day and a next. There is no guaranteeing yesterday's milestones will matter in the grand scheme of things, even if I do manage to remember them. But the present is an opportunity, and it is free for the taking. It's right there, and I have to do a better job of appreciating (and paying attention to) exactly what I have in front of me.

Maybe this post turned into something meaningful after all. Namaste?