I’m turning 25 on Saturday. And while most of you are saying “that’s still so young!” (which I hope you are), it feels weird to me. 25 years old. A quarter of a century old. 15-year-old Lauren would have thought 25-year-old Lauren would have 3 kids by now. It’s so crazy how things happen (or don’t).
Not to sound John Mayerish, because I don’t think I’m having a quarter-life crisis, but I’m reflecting on a lot of things right now. I tend to do this on big dates, like anniversaries and birthdays.
I’m fine with the fact that I don’t have a baby or own a home. That I work crazy hours yet I’m not climbing a corporate ladder. That things are a little tight because my husband is in school and we are investing in our future.
I purchased myself a tube of anti-wrinkle cream this weekend, because it’s never too early to start a routine. I’m starting to get little lines around my eyes. Probably not noticeable to anyone but me, but I see them. To quote one of my favorite movies: “Honey, time marches on and eventually you realize it is marchin’ across your face.”
So here I am. Almost 25. I can try to do everything to take care of myself so I can ease as painlessly as possible into 30. I can apply anti-wrinkle creams relentlessly. I can (try to) make regular exercise a habit and (desperately try to) avoid Taco Bell. I can plan for a baby in the future without feeling bad that it’s not happening right now. But what I really want to do is enjoy this year, because there might not be another year like it. And if that means giving in to the urge to bake cookies and eat spicy Doritos, so be it.
Since my 24th birthday, I have sold a house, moved 3 times, and started a new job, just to name a few things. There’s no telling what this year might hold, and I want to be open to embracing that and not get stuck on where I am at 25 compared to where my friends are/were/will be at 25. I love my husband, I enjoy my job, and in general, I like my life a lot. I have a lot to be thankful for and even more to look forward to. I’m ready to tackle this year in a giant bear hug. And if it chooses to be a little cranky, I’m armed with chocolate chip cookies and anti-wrinkle cream.
Comments on Twenty-Five.
From Holly:
Happy early birthday :D
From Laurie:
Happy *almost* birthday! I’m a March baby too. xo
From stemmefamily:
It’s so great that you aren’t constantly comparing yourself and where you life is/isn’t in respect to your friends. It’s YOUR life. Besides, how boring would it be if you were exactly like all of your friends?? Happy birthday, LFT!
From Karen:
Happy early birthday! 25 isn’t so bad. I’ve been 25 for the past 5 years!
From Lauren:
Happy almost birthday! Twenty-four was a rough year for me and I was so happy to see twenty-five. Thus far, I’m enjoying my twenty-fifth year and I’m sure you will too!
We’re at a fun age because our peers are all different sorts of life stages. For example, I do own home but do not have a husband. And I’m a graduate student so I don’t have an income. Meeting up with college friends can be strange beacuse some of us are employed (with big corporations with fatty paychecks) and others are grad/med/law students. Some are married, others are still living the college kid single life. It’s fun!
From Liz:
Happy almost-birthday! I totally get how you’re feeling because I felt exactly the same way last August when I turned 25. I don’t FEEL 25. I barely feel 21 ha. Miss you lots!!
From Emily:
I remember feeling that way about 25, too. Now, I’m just a few months away from 28—and I’ve been using anti-wrinkle stuff since I was 20! ;) I love that you aren’t getting caught up in what you thought you should have done by now or what others your age are doing…it will all happen in good time! Happy early birthday!
From RootsAndRings:
You’re so old.
Everytime you post, I remember how much I miss you. I wish old people had birthday parties too, so I’d be expected to come visit.
From Rachael (aka LiLu):
Happy almost Birthday, pretty lady! I’m a firm believer that a little bit of anti-aging stuff never hurts… :-)
From Reen:
I just realized yesterday that your birthday is coming up! 25 was a bit rough for me to wrap my head around. You’re NUTS with the anti-wrinkle crap though. :)
From Suburban Sweetheart:
Wait, you’re 24? HOW DID I NOT REALIZE I WAS SO OLD? You’re such a wise sage; I certainly thought you were older than me. But NOT because you have wrinkles. Just because you’re smart. And have a husband & a house.
ANYWAY, happy almost birthday. XOXO
From honeycutt:
i will learn to play guitar and write you a song called 25. the song will be lifted, almost entirely, from taylor swifts song 16. that is my birthday gift to you, quarter-centarian..
From Brittany:
I’m a March baby too! yay :) I’ll be 25 next week! I feel like i’m gettttting old :)
From SP:
Happy Birthday! It’s great that you’re embracing all the things you have and have accomplished. It’s easy to get what I call “Facebook syndrome” where you compare your life to others. But we each have our own path and what matters is just being happy!
From Carly:
I turned 24 yesterday. I’ve been debating getting some moisturizer/sunscreen/anti wrinkle magic because as I’ve been told, IT’S NEVER TOO EARLY (ahem). Knowing I’m not the only 20-something that feels like it’s okay to start protecting yourself without admitting defeat (aka admiting you think you just might be getting a little older) makes me feel better. thanks :)
From Katherine:
*tear
It seems like just yesterday I was a little boy…
From Sensibly Sassy:
What a wonderfully written post.
Here’s wishing you a wonderful 25th year.
From lauryn:
I’m about one year behind you, so I can understand where you’re coming from. You’ve definitely accomplished a lot for your age, and to me having such a positive outlook on life means even more than owning a home or having a closet full of expensive clothes or having three kiddos already. Happy Birthday! I’m sure this next year will be even better for you.
From mintyfresch:
Happy early birthday!! Can’t wait to see where this next year takes you.
From lacey:
OMG I can completely relate – I felt the exact way when I turned 26 and now this year I am turning 28 and it doesn’t seem to get any easier – ahhh! Birthdays – gotta love em!
From Elizabeth:
Happy early birthday! I’ve been debating a wrinkle cream purchase too, even though I won’t be 25 until later this month. All moms are supposed to use it, right? Hah…
From E.P.:
Happy birthday, lovely! I hope it is the most amazing one yet.
And you aren’t old. Really. Though I go through the same contemplations yearly as I have started becoming “old” to the 15-year-old girl I was… so I feel you. Sometimes, life isn’t what we thought it would be, but it ends up being better because we have so many uncharted adventures along the way.
From Kaci Johanna:
Three things:
1. You have the same birthday as my mom! Love it.
2. Dude. I am totally already kind of freaking out about 25, and it’s not until August for me.
3. HAPPY BIRTHDAY!