For the past few weeks I have been experiencing what I've called a 'Third-Life Crisis'. Today I turned 28. Now there's nothing obviously significant about turning 28. It's not like turning 21 or even turning 30. It's a number stuck in between in seeming oblivion, except for one little thing: it's been 10 years since I left school.
(Andel always says if I would articulate and expand on the things I'm thinking more often, I wouldn't look so insane. So here comes the explanation)
Finishing school was a major thing for me. Not like no one thought I was going to. It was a more that I was stepping into what I thought was going to define my future, and as a result, I planned accordingly. I made a list of the things I was wanted to do, the assets I wanted to obtain and the accolades I wanted to achieve - all by the magical age of 28.
It should have been a good idea. I mean, this kind of visionary planning is what dreams are built on, right? Except that I've spent the best part of the last 2 years stressing about all the things on the list I haven't ticked off, slowly and painfully counting down to the dreaded 'two-eight'.
And now it's arrived. I approached this birthday kicking and screaming, fearful that my world was going to collapse because of my 'failure', and yet, today has come and gone with it all still in tact. Fortunately, I'm blessed with good friends who have spent the week giving me the proverbial push to just get on with things. Because I have achieved so much: I have studied, travelled, entertained, loved, lost, married and, mostly importantly, grown (a lot).
So I reckon it's a good thing this birthday is almost over with. No more remorse. No more panic. And no more list making!
Birthday on the Beach!