Better - The 30th.

Today, January 20th 2013, marks the end of my roaring 20's and the start of a better me.

I've outlived people I never thought would pass away.  I know people who would give anything to have their loved ones live to see this birthday... On the flip side, I've watched friends dreadfully countdown to the day they say farewell to 29 and I'm happy to report there will be NONE of that for me. 

Put it like this, if 30 were a house guest, I'd have my home spotless, my fridge stocked and my best outfit on awaiting her arrival.  I would hug that heffa like a long lost loved one...

30, I'm ready for our embrace.

I've spent my adult life giving - to my husband, to my daughter, to my family, to my friends, to my clients, to people I barely know...

Don't get me wrong, I love to give and I love my family with all I have... The 30 year old me says I need to love myself a little more.  

I need to take better care of me.  I need to make serious strides towards becoming a better me.

I've held off on sharing my 2013 resolution until today.  Rather than the traditional resolution, I've decided to adopt a few words into my vocabulary for 2013.  After all, it is the year of my 30th.

RISK.

I'm going to take more of them... I'm going to live comfortably in my own skin.  I'm going to do what is best for me and mine without the burden of explaining decisions I make (I am 30 for goodness sake!).  

Yep, I'm going to take more risks.

CONFIDENCE.

I'm going to spend less time second-guessing myself, comparing myself to others and imposing impossibilities on myself.  I'm going to be the person I want to be MORE often.

I'm going to be confident.

BEAUTIFUL.

Yep, I am that word (OMG! Am I that word?).  I've always been the person to use my personality and smarts to get what I need.  I've also been the first to clown myself and to negate my physical attributes because I never wanted anyone to be able to say THAT'S what got me anything.  At 30, I realize I don't need anything but God.  He made me perfect so why ignore regular maintenance?  I've learned, if you negate something long enough it'll starve to death.

  This year, I'm going to commit to feeling beautiful more often.  I'm going to take the time to learn more about beauty-full stuff (is that what it's called?).  I won't gasp at spending money on myself (wait, is it on clearance? NO?! Then I ain't buying it...but I'll buy a $75 cardigan for my kid to wear twice.  Something is wrong with that picture!!).

When I feel good about myself I have better days and I'm a happier person... This year and beyond, I'm going to feel beautiful.

...

Have you made your resolution?  

If not, I challenge you to join me on this journey to become a better US. 

I've made a list of tangible goals to ensure this journey can be documented.  I'll update it periodically and I can't wait to share tips, products and stumbling blocks along the way... Here goes:

Ya know, it's not easy to acknowledge your faults.  To admit you don't always feel pretty, your house isn't always clean, you feel the need to defend decisions, you compare yourself to others, etc.  It's just not.  I have to admit, though, I do feel empowered simply by sharing my shortcomings with you...  Maybe my embracing 30 with the mission to become a better me will help someone make a commitment to improve also.

No other DIY project can offer as much reward!

So, how can you change for the better?

O and feel free to send lots of birthday love in the comments!!!

Happy birthday to me :)