I'm 32 today and I am totally OK with it. I have had a good year overall. I don't think I have ever overtly said this, but last year around this same time I was struggling with some fairly serious depression. I'd been dealing with it for about a year before that and had figured out at that point that it wasn't going to go away on its own. So, I set some goals, I got some counseling , I decided I would go back to school, and I accomplished the biggest one of those goals. I know I've never mentioned getting counseling before, but I wanted to be honest here and let people know how much it helped. If you've ever thought that it might be helpful to you, I would recommend it. I've had some longstanding issues from my childhood and I resisted going for a long time because I think I can do everything by myself, but really a third party perspective was so helpful. I'm happy to report that the depression has lifted - I still fight it occasionally, but it's not a daily battle anymore. I'm so glad that I'm enjoying the journey more and I have hope that it's just going to keep getting better.
And my big goal to tackle this next year is my eating habits - up until about a week ago they had gotten progressively worse. I'm not feeling guilty about it - truthfully, it's just been in the last few weeks that I have finally felt well enough emotionally to feel like I had a fighting chance at changing my eating habits. And so far, it's going fairly well and here is the proof - a cut grapefruit. The last two years I have bought two grapefruits when they go on sale in the winter. They come home and go in the fridge and stay there until about June when I decide to finally throw them out. In the last week, I have eaten, yes, count them, FOUR, grapefruits. Here's to more...
UPDATE: I want to thank Karen for a) remembering my birthday (she has dial-up right now and understandably hadn't checked my blog yet) and b) bringing me this delicious little cake. I feel so loved! Plus, I needed a birthday treat as I have been a little too good at getting the food I shouldn't be eating out of the house!
And to Kellie for organizing a little GNO tomorrow night (yeah, I didn't mention that I have lab tonight - oh well, it gives me a good excuse to extend the celebration) - if you're here in town and want to come, let me know and I'll give you the details.
Happy Birthday .... love you ...
Posted by: Mom | January 27, 2009 at 10:54 AM
I can't believe I called you today and didn't wish you a Happy Birthday! I'm so sorry. Chalk it up to mommy brain, please, and forgive me. I hope you have a wonderful day. It was really great to talk to you. I think you are such a wonderful person.
Posted by: Cayenne | January 27, 2009 at 11:03 AM
Happy Birthday Jessi! May you continue to grow and accomplish all your goals in this next year. Have a good one! You deserve it!
Posted by: katie | January 27, 2009 at 11:04 AM
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! I hope you have a great one! I can't wait to finally chat for awhile tomorrow. It's been too long since we've done anything. (Thanks for the ketchup last night! You are a lifesaver.)
Posted by: Tricia | January 27, 2009 at 11:49 AM
Happy Birthday, and good for you for working on improving yourself from the inside out. I find it so odd that we are afraid as a society to talk about our emotional health...
And I think you just inspired me to cut one of the grapefruit that has been decorating the kitchen for the last couple of months!
Posted by: Beth | January 27, 2009 at 12:54 PM
Happy 32nd!!!!!!!!!
You know, you can broil grapefruits with some butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon for a few minutes and it makes a little crust on top. It's really yummy, although maybe a little not so healthy. I love grapefruits.
Posted by: lera | January 27, 2009 at 01:34 PM
Happy birthday, may this year be one of your best. I learned a lot from you today, thanks for sharing all of that with us. You have a lot to celebrate, enjoy your day!
Posted by: Michelle | January 27, 2009 at 01:39 PM
I hope you have had a wonderful birthday! I've followed your blog for a while and am amazed by your creativity. I also appreciate your honesty. Sometimes life is really hard. It's good to hear stories from women who struggle and have found ways to work through the hard times. You're an inspiration in may ways.
Posted by: Jessi | January 27, 2009 at 01:55 PM
Happy Birthday!
You can count the treat from Karen as one from me, as well-since we're related:)
Here's to a new year-may it be better than the last!
I am glad that you saw where you needed help- got it -and are now moving forward. That's sign of a healthy emotional system to me.
Posted by: Phoebe | January 27, 2009 at 02:04 PM
Well hi there.
(And hapde burfday again.)
Posted by: Sarah | January 27, 2009 at 03:31 PM
Happy Birthday.
I've enjoyed your blog and I hope you've enjoyed your day.
Posted by: Kathleen Dalton-Woodbury | January 27, 2009 at 04:11 PM
Happy Birtday girl! And many more.....
-Andre'a
Posted by: Andrea | January 27, 2009 at 04:31 PM
Happy Birthday, Jessica! I love your new, well new to me, hair. Hope you have had a wonderful day, enjoy the festivities.
Posted by: Garin | January 27, 2009 at 07:28 PM
Happy Birthday!!!
Posted by: angela | January 27, 2009 at 07:49 PM
Happy Happy Birthday! Any plans for another marathon?
Posted by: LeeAnn | January 28, 2009 at 05:12 AM
Happy Birthday Jess! You know I love you and am constantly inspired by your strength, creativity and personality. You are such a beautiful person inside and out and I am thankful to have you in my life!
Posted by: Missy | January 28, 2009 at 11:08 AM
Happy Birthday!!
Are we the same person? I haven't gone into it on my blog, but I too have been going to counseling this past year and just decided to start focusing on my health (talked to my counselor to about it today) - what a coincidence!!
Posted by: beki | January 28, 2009 at 07:06 PM
Happy birthday to you, friend!
Posted by: randi | January 29, 2009 at 05:59 AM
Happy Belated B-day! I looked at last year's goals- how was the marathon. I would really like to do one of those...
Posted by: Aida | January 29, 2009 at 01:57 PM