Milestones

Posted on 26. Oct, 2010 by in Philosophy

One year ago today I turned 25.

I’m not one of those people who gets cranky about getting older, but I was still not so thrilled to be turning 25. 24 had been kind of a dull year, one of working a dull job, living at home, being hung up on old boyfriends and feeling generally quite adrift.

I was restless, impatient, I felt like I was wasting time. But I was also hopeful. With the prospect of this trip already clear in my mind, I knew that 25 would be the year I re-worked my life into one I actually wanted.

11 months ago I helped David Lee over at Go Backpacking organize the very first DC Travel Tweet Up. It was my first attempt at meeting other travel bloggers and it opened up a whole new world of like-minded people. Since then I’ve loved meeting other bloggers, be it at Twitaoke, TBEX or around the world.

9 months ago I celebrated the 6 month anniversary of this blog. That’s probably the longest I’ve ever stuck with any of the inane projects my brain thinks up. I love having both a way to connect with people and an outlet to share and organize my thoughts. It’s changed my life more than any one single thing I’ve ever done. And I’m still in awe of the fact that anybody cares enough to read about it. We’re now on month 15 or something and obviously still going strong.

5 months ago I bought a one way plane ticket to Tokyo, turning this trip from an exciting theoretical into a startlingly real challenge. It was a frightening and exhilirating commitment to know that all of the saving and planning I was doing would ultimatly pay off.

4 months ago I met a really awesome guy at a blogger happy hour, sparking a summer love affair that now promises to take me all sorts of places, starting with China.

2 months ago I quit my job. I’d never intended to be there that long, but there was a comfort and security in the daily monotony. And the people were so nice, and so very happy for me when I told them I was leaving for more exciting pastures. Still, I haven’t missed my little cubicle for one single second- it’s almost startling how well I’ve taken to unemployment (or re-employment as I like to think of it: this website is my job now, for as long as I can make it work).

1 month ago last week, I embarked on this epic, open-ended backpacking trip. It was scary, and stressful but so very exciting, and so far I have been loving it.

I’ve learned to many lessons over the past few weeks: about being true to my travel style, about taking chances, and about the importance of carrying your own tissues. It hasn’t all been easy or fun, but so far even the worst days have been far awesomer than working my old 9-5.

Today is my 26th birthday. That number once seemed so big and imaginary, now it seems perfectly reasonable. I’m now in my late-mid twenties and I think I’m okay with it. I am in China, with a guy I love, working on the blog I love, basically just living the life I wanted. Next week I am flying to Australia, which I am so excited about! So I will say yes, I did pretty well with year 25.

I’m not telling you all this to brag about what an awesome motivated person I am, because for the most part I am pretty damn lazy. But I wanted to show what a difference a year makes, when you are willing to take the risks and do the work to get to where you really see yourself.

I’m so excited to see what the next year has in store for me, as I continue down this road to becoming the person I want to be- now in more exciting locations. Im coming for you 27!

Birthday dinner in Xi'an

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36 Responses to “Milestones”

  1. Dave

    26. Oct, 2010

    Wow, that was a wonderfully written, funny, thoughtful birthday post!

    “I haven’t missed my little cubicle for one single second- it’s almost startling how well I’ve taken to unemployment (or re-employment as I like to think of it: this website is my job now, for as long as I can make it work).”

    I feel the same way!

    Reply to this comment

  2. Eric

    26. Oct, 2010

    Your travels are an inspiration as I’m planning to embark on a long trip next year. Keep on blogging and happy birthday!

    Reply to this comment

  3. Rebecca

    26. Oct, 2010

    25 seems to be the year to leave! I was 25 as well when I left for my WHV in NZ. That seems to be a good age. A few years out of school but not set in any career yet.

    Reply to this comment

    • Steph

      27. Oct, 2010

      Like the title of my blog, I think that our twenties are just the best time for this stuff!

      Reply to this comment

  4. Emily S.

    26. Oct, 2010

    I really loved this post. So uplifting–so much can really change in just a year. I’m so glad you left Cubicle Life behind–you’re one of the lucky few who knows that there’s more to life!

    Reply to this comment

    • Steph

      27. Oct, 2010

      Thanks! I was really surprised when i thought back over the past year and how much has changed!

      Reply to this comment

  5. Hogga

    26. Oct, 2010

    I agree with Dave, that WAS wonderfully written! Kudos! Love hearing about how your RTW is sculpting your life views! You have been putting up a few really honest posts lately and I think that is really brave! (and totally awesome!)
    High Five!

    Reply to this comment

    • Steph

      27. Oct, 2010

      Thank you so much! The personal posts are always the most nerve-wracking to write but it’s so comforting to know people connect.

      Reply to this comment

  6. ehalvey

    26. Oct, 2010

    Happy birthday!

    Great post, I’m mentally escaping cubicle life through your travels! I have a feeling 26 will be the best year yet, it’s shaping up that way for me as well.

    Reply to this comment

  7. Rebecca

    26. Oct, 2010

    What an amazing year for you – hope the next one is even better!

    Reply to this comment

  8. Mike

    26. Oct, 2010

    Happy Birthday!!

    You’ve done awesome and wish you best of luck in your 26th year.

    Reply to this comment

  9. aelle

    27. Oct, 2010

    Happy birthday lady!

    Reply to this comment

  10. Scott

    27. Oct, 2010

    Happy Birthday Steph!

    Reply to this comment

  11. Unbravegirl

    27. Oct, 2010

    Yeah! Happy Birthday!

    Reply to this comment

  12. Tran

    27. Oct, 2010

    Every birthday spent abroad makes you younger…. Happy Birthday!

    Reply to this comment

  13. Michael Tyson

    27. Oct, 2010

    Happy belated birthday! And well done on creating the life you want to lead.

    Reply to this comment

  14. Garreth Lodge

    27. Oct, 2010

    Happy belated Birthday. Your blog is keeping me sane whilst I work, save and finish up university until I can start my trip next June! Keep up the great work!

    Reply to this comment

  15. Globetrottergirls

    27. Oct, 2010

    First of all – happy belated birthday!! What an awesome round-up of your last year. And what could be better than a spending your birthday with the person you love, doing what you love – traveling. Have a great time in Australia!

    Reply to this comment

  16. Sheila

    27. Oct, 2010

    Happy Birthday and wish you the best on your adventure. Can’t wait to read on your updates.

    Reply to this comment

  17. Brooks

    27. Oct, 2010

    great post and a belated happy birthday!

    Reply to this comment

  18. Jenny

    28. Oct, 2010

    I had a quarter-life crisis at 25… I knew I wanted to be doing something different so I started to implement changes. Since then I’ve been to 11 countries, but fell back into routine thanks to a love affair. There is SO MUCH change that you can make in a year! Within the past 6-months I’ve gone from having a boyfriend and a life in Houston to breaking up and selling everything to travel indefinitely. I’m inspired and awed by the people around me who are doing amazing things in the blogosphere, congrats on living the life of your dreams! Cheers. Happy Birthday!

    Reply to this comment

    • Steph

      29. Oct, 2010

      Thanks Jenny! It’s definitely cool to see how much can change in just a few months time.

      Reply to this comment

  19. Theodora

    28. Oct, 2010

    How wonderful that you’ve achieved all this, winging it, being happy, and loving it… 25 — that is, honestly, not even one third of your life. Don’t let age be a hang up. Just enjoy it…

    Reply to this comment

  20. Rease

    28. Oct, 2010

    I love this. I think I’m in my epic life changing year, not quite half way through. My year began with life changing breakup and one way ticket to Buenos Aires. The age of 23 is treating me quite well. Travel is the best thing for me and clearly for you too! Congratulations on a wonderful year!

    Reply to this comment

  21. Claire

    30. Oct, 2010

    happy birthday and congrats on doing what you set out to do….that is a birthday present in and of itself!

    Reply to this comment

  22. Laura

    31. Oct, 2010

    Happy Birthday! 25 sounds like it was a huge milestone :) I celebrated my 26th birthday on this trip as well by skydiving in Namibia. Much more exciting to celebrate abroad than the usual shindigs back home! Have fun in Australia!

    Reply to this comment

  23. Tam

    04. Feb, 2011

    So excited ^^ Yay your 25!

    Reply to this comment

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