Not What I Expected

Over the past couple of weeks I have had several close friends admit to me that they're the happiest they've ever been. Fortunately I am able to say exactly the same. These admissions got me wondering what is so different about my life now… What changed that made me feel this happy? What defines my happiness?

Now that I have reached the big 2-5, I have taken some time to reflect on my life so far. At eighteen, I was convinced that my happiness at 25 would be defined by a boy (glad I got over that one), or a new city, or a degree, or a job… but that only one of those things would make me happy. What I have come to learn in the last seven years however, is that my happiness is defined not by a single milestone but rather a collection of accomplishments.

What defines my happiness now is that I have so much more than one thing to celebrate everyday. I am surrounded by encouragement and support. I have the most incredible family, friends, career, and home as well as a new faith that things can and will only get better.

As you know, I was terrified of turning 25. A week into it, though, I have come to realize that things are even better than I had expected. Let’s hope the same can be said when I hit 30…