25′s Last Post
Posted on July 20, 2005 17 Comments
In two hours, I turn 26 years old. On the eve of my birthday, I always like to reflect on where I was a year ago and how far I’ve come. Melodramatic? Of course. But a great exercise in soul-searching.
On July 19, 2004, my life was different. But I don’t think you’d notice it from the outside. I look the same, talk the same, dress the same. I live in the same apartment, still don’t have a car, still read a lot, still don’t see my friends enough. On the surface, I have not changed much.
But internally I know I’ve grown. It’s apparent in my health, my financial life, my career, my relationships, myself. I’ve aquired a new self respect, a new confidence from within. I’m not sure where it started or how it happened, but I know it feels nice.
If life is measured in accomplishments – and I’m not sure it should be – I’m proud of what I did at 25. I improved my health by quitting smoking completely, running a 5K, joining a beach volleyball team, removing my wisdom teeth and getting braces. Getting healthy makes me feel great. I feel like a sleepy ocean that’s been calm, woken up to discover I can make tidal waves. I feel alive.
I improved my financial life. A year ago all my finances sat in a checking account that moved like the tides – all going in and all coming out. Since then I made an effort to improve and organize. I’ve started my 401K, opened a new checking account and a savings account, set financial goals and have started learning about investments. I consolidated my student loans and kept my credit cards debt-free. I started this blog to track my progress and share experiences.
In my career, I worked hard and received a promotion. Hours are long, but the job can be rewarding, I have great insurance and lots of vacation time (I swear I’ll use it soon). Although every day is challenging, every day I learn something new about myself. Sometimes my limitations disappoint me, but other times my capabilites suprise me.
The hardest part of becoming a full-fledged adult has been navigating relationships. Myself, my finances, I can control. Friends, parents and loved ones change and grow. Relationships are unruly, messy and hard to grasp. One day I’m laughing, one day I’m crying. Bipolar, no. Normal, yes.
Yet, despite some difficulties, this year I’ve gained a firmer sense of who I am and what I want. I can see a path. I know what I value. Like a tree whose roots grow stronger, deeper, I am maturing. Sure, most days I still want to dance in the breeze like leaves in the spring, but my sense of self, my roots, are starting to take hold.
10:36 p.m. and only 84 minutes of 25 left. I’m going to have a glass of cheap wine and soak in the year gone by. Feel free to celebrate with me.
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17 Responses to “25′s Last Post”
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July 20th, 2005 @ 12:10 pm
happy birthday!
July 20th, 2005 @ 1:32 pm
happy birthday and congratulations on a great year!
erin
July 20th, 2005 @ 1:34 pm
hey hey! happy birthday!
good reflection, I should really take a look at myself more when I turn a certain age.
July 20th, 2005 @ 3:02 pm
Nice to see you have grown finantially and emotionally. Most people don’t at such age.
BTW, you look like 21 !
Money and Investing
July 20th, 2005 @ 3:09 pm
Well, the picture in my profile is from Christmas 2004, if you can believe it. The fashion show pictures are way more current. I’ll try to get a more recent profile photo up one of these days.
July 20th, 2005 @ 3:10 pm
wait, I mean the pic is from DEC 2003. Man, that is an old photo!
July 20th, 2005 @ 5:02 pm
Happy Birthday and congratulations on a great and meaningful year.
We’re interested to hear what you’ve got to say in your 26th year.
Cheers
Financial Maturity Blog
July 20th, 2005 @ 6:19 pm
Happy Birthday! I am really impressed by how financially together you are. At your age (I am a few years older) my biggest concern was deciding which bag to buy. I have never spent more than I earned though which I think is the only financially smart thing I ever did. Great blog. I just started my own blog to track my financial goals and I am really enjoying reading all the personal finance blogs.
July 20th, 2005 @ 8:12 pm
Happy Birthday, and congratulations on your financial progress/success thus far.
http://ksfinancialprogressreport.blogspot.com/
July 20th, 2005 @ 9:00 pm
Happy birthday. I dig your site, but notice you don’t post on my site. Where’s the love?
http://www.stockdiscussion.blogspot.com
July 20th, 2005 @ 9:00 pm
happy birthday cousin! ah, time sure flies. why just yesterday I swear we were making a folding card house – no, castle – over at grandma’s. wish I could go to Michigan weekend this year, but I have a friend’s wedding…..but Happy BIRTHDAY!!! luv, chris
July 20th, 2005 @ 11:20 pm
Congrats on 25. I miss 25. 33 is definitely not as fun as 25 was. Live it up now (within your means of course) LOL
Just think how much your net worth will compound by the time you reach 33. You’ll probably be waaay ahead of everyone else your age.
Hazzard
Everybody Loves Your Money
July 21st, 2005 @ 9:26 pm
Happy Birthday! I can’t believe I turned 26 almost 10 years ago!
JLP
AllThingsFinancial
July 21st, 2005 @ 11:53 pm
Happy Birthday! You wrote a beautiful post. Congrats on your personal growth! Wishing you much happiness and financial freedom!
July 24th, 2005 @ 4:30 pm
Happy Birthday Nicole! What a great post. I too do that type of reflection on my birthday and I have one comin’ up in a few weeks too. Thanks for your blog…it’s great!
October 1st, 2005 @ 7:24 pm
Nice blog. Please check out my debt consolidation mortgage blog. It is all about debt consolidation mortgage.
November 18th, 2005 @ 12:00 pm
Hey, I chanced upon your blog. I have the same birthday as you. Except that I’m exactly one year older.