I love the month of April… yes because of all the spring time vibes and freshness it brings, but mostly because it’s my birthday month!
I turned 32 on April 5th and decided to celebrate by having a photoshoot but also wanted to share on the blog some of the intentions that I am setting for myself this trip around the sun.
But first, more about the photoshoot.
I was so excited to do this shoot because I wanted to celebrate myself since I didn’t really do that in 2020. Last year was different in so many ways for me, and honestly I was in the beginning stages of grief, so I didn’t really have a desire to celebrate. But late last year I charged myself to always celebrate my birthday other than just taking off from work and getting a massage. Along with the shoot, I spent time with my hubby and children and the following weekend in DC with some of my friends.
I went to a local party boutique in Norfolk, VA called Jollity and Co and got these beautiful neutral colored balloons. It was love at first sight when I saw the rose gold colored balloon. I mean, who doesn’t love rose gold? The staff was so pleasant and informative and they even insisted on blowing up each color so that I could see how it would look before I purchased. They had such a wide selection of neutral colored balloons and all things party.
Of course Marlee saw the balloons and instantly thought it was all about her. She couldn’t wait to jump into the tub with me to take some photos. I’m pretty sure she was my favorite part of the photoshoot. Marlee just has a way of bringing joy no matter what.
For me, these photos represent celebratory refinement and coming deeper into my best self. There’s a small element of glitz there because I want to remind myself that I deserve the things that I’m going after. I don’t need permission to get everything I want in life and I’m choosing to be in that, the best ways that I can.
32 is giving abundance.
I’ve been doing my best to fine tune my ideas about what it is that I can do, ideas about what it is that I deserve and can obtain and what I have to do to get there. I’ve decided that I’m putting all of my focus and energy on truly cultivating a life that I’ve dreamed of, with full intention. With so many big ideas and dreams for myself and my family, the last thing that I feel called to do is wait around for permission or subjugating myself to the limits that society today tries to strategically enforce. I still have some blind spots about the limiting beliefs that cause me to not put effort towards certain things or my approach to handling different situations. The awareness of this makes me want to strive to be better and think in more productive, serving ways. Gone are the days of doing things simply for habit. How I spend my energy in this cultivation stage is very critical. I have to be mindful of any leaks in my energy that may be caused by limiting beliefs and non-productive daily habits. And I also have to remind myself to not judge myself in the process or project on others what I am also trying to get right.
I’m letting go of judging myself about the mistakes I’ve made or how I feel about things. I can do this while also holding myself accountable. Self awareness is equal parts grace and accountability. And it’s also something that you have to practice to reach mastery with. I’m finding new tools to help me combat and eliminate self doubt, most of which is lead by consistency.
I am journeying through releasing the idea that I can’t take up space because of something that I had no control over. I’m doing my absolute best to remember that I am not a burden on people, I am a blessing. I can ask for help when I need to without guilt because the people that I ask for help from know me and my heart.
I’m working on grasping the idea of joyful discipline. I realize that at some point we all have to stop avoiding the discipline that it takes for us to reach our goals. Something will always be in the way. Perfect timing is a myth in some cases and merely us just taking the timing that is in front of us. I’m learning to “do it, anyway.”
In year 32 I plan to hustle hard and smart for my family. I plan to also become even more present with my family. I want to nurture our little tribe as much as I possibly can while also building community with the genuine families and other’s around us.
I’m so thankful to see 32. What a blessing it is.
Happy birthday to all of my fellow Aries/ April babies! I hope you have shined all month long, and carry it throughout the rest of this year.
Thanks for reading!
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