Hi guys!
It’s my birthday. Yay!
I thought I’d take a little break from the regular blog grind schedule to talk about something that has been heavy on my mind lately… getting older.
I’ve honestly never handled birthdays well. Once I hit 21, I was perfectly fine with the idea of just staying that age. At 23 I just stopped talking about actually getting older on my birthdays and once I hit 30 I started lying (except on race entries!) about my age if someone asked. I told people I was 23 (with a *wink*) for sooooooo many years.
Kind of silly, huh?
My college graduation picture...
I’m not sure why getting older has always bothered me so much. I've never felt my age and always have had a bit of a Peter Pan complex.
With each passing year, I laugh now at how much I thought I knew in my early 20’s. I'm glad I'm not actually 23 anymore. 23 is hard.
Lessons and mistakes (big mistakes…) I learned that my mid and late 20’s define who I am today and made me a better person now.
I started running and met the hubs in my late 20’s, got married in my early 30’s and ran a marathon. I am here today because of those chance meetings and chance decisions. The best years of my life. So far…
Exhibit A...
Exhibit B...
I imagine I’ll get to the point years from now, where I will think the mid-30’s were so young and I knew nothing then.
Hopefully I'll never stop hamming it up for pictures though...
Maybe it’s those smile lines on my face and wrinkles on my forehead that just don’t want to budge, no matter what cream I use, but for the first time this year I actually feel old on my birthday. This year I feel mid-30's (See... I can't even type the REAL number- haha.)
Getting farther away from 30 kind of scares me.
As women we are always trying to stay young and erase the past. It seems like an impossible task sometimes.
But without all of those years… each one of them, I would not be who I am today. I wouldn't trade living and running in these mountains for anything. The path I took during all those years led me right here.
I’m not saying I am not still in search of the elusive fountain of youth, or that I have given up lying about my age entirely (it’s become a joke at this point!) but I am thinking this birthday is the one I am going to be proud of ALL the years. The good ones and the bad ones. Each of those laugh and smile lines on my face, that I worry about so much, are from years of a very happy life… one I wouldn’t trade for anything!
So Happy Birthday to me. I’ll embrace it with all it’s glory. Each and every year.
I hope you all have a great day! Go out and do something WUNDERFUL for yourself today! It is my day after all, and you kind of have to listen to me 🙂
AND!! Please head over to the Asheville Outlet's Facebook Page today. My picture will be posting late this afternoon and to win the Looks for Less Challenge I need to get the most likes! I'd love any help you can give me. Thank you so much!
I really appreciate you reading Running in a Skirt today! See you tomorrow for Fashion Friday. I’m showcasing the perfect pair of polka dot shorts.
I’m Thinking Out Loud today! Thanks for the linkup Amanda.
Your turn!
Do you struggle with birthdays and getting older?
Have you ever lied about your age?
Dan Steadman says
I struggled with 35, but now I am not struggling because I know now that right around the corner is 40 and this little thing called the Master's division where is it possible I could finish 6th in my age group and still place...
JulieWunder says
Haha!!! AWESOME!!!
Sue @ This Mama Runs for Cupcakes says
First of all, Happy Belated birthday. I took an unexpected blogging break and am now just catching up! Age is nothing but a number, but....the one birthday I had a hard time was was 36. It was closer to 40 than 30 and that kind of hit me. I turn 39 in a few weeks, eek...and I've got to say that one is going to hurt a bit 😉
JulieWunder says
Thank you!! Yes, this one has been tough. But I've kept super busy with fun birthday stuff, so it's been easy to forget! Just stay busy for your big day!
Jaime says
Happy belated birthday! I definitely don't feel my age, and I often forget how old I really am. 🙂
JulieWunder says
I do too!
Colan Mowrer says
I'm a day late but a GREAT BIG HAPPY BIRTHDAY Julie
JulieWunder says
Thank you'!
Susanna @Zealous Mom says
Love this post so much! I'm right there with you, sister. Happy, happy birthday, sweet friend!
JulieWunder says
Thank you so much!!!
Dan says
I often remember a line from Louis Lamour, who wrote "What funnel of time are poured the precious days." , , the older I get , the more that quote means to me. You are 30 something today, I'll be 50 something tomorrow , and , if I may be allowed , I'd say we both turned out ok 🙂 Happy Birthday Julie ! ! !
JulieWunder says
Beautiful quote! thank you!! I hope you had a very happy birthday too!
clyde saltz says
happy birthday. i am twice as old as you just a word to the wise dont worry about getting old it dosent last that long
JulieWunder says
Thanks for the tip!
Jen@jpabstfitness says
Happy Birthday!!!!
I have never had an issue getting older, but I'll be 35 next month and it's freaking me out. I'm not ready to be on the downslope to 40!!!
JulieWunder says
It's hard, not going to lie!!
Jess @hellotofit says
Firstly, happy birthday!!! Secondly, you do NOT look a day over 23 ;). But seriously, you look young for your age. It's just a number, right? XOXO
JulieWunder says
Want to be my best friend :-)? Haha! Thank you!!!!!!!!
Wendy@Taking the Long Way Home says
Happy Birthday! I have always struggled with the decades. Turning 50 was so hard for me. But I'm making the best of my 50s, don't you think? I sure don't feel 52! I just wish I wasn't...but it's been pretty good so far.
JulieWunder says
You are totally making the best of it and getting better each year!
Flo Burton says
Don't sweat the small stuff, Julie! Birthdays are happy days. It means you have lived another fabulous year! Age is just a number. You can be as old or young as you want to be. The only people that know for sure are your family and the DMV. I'd say you are looking very good at this point. So go out, have some cake and ice cream and live, live, live!!! Happy Birthday to you!!!
Heather@hungryforbalance says
I totally understand what you mean. My birthday is on the 30th and I will be 33. Turning 30 was difficult and I am not sure how I feel about reaching my mid-30s. You're right that the lessons we learned along the way helped to make us the people we are today. I hope you have a Wunderful birthday Julie! You still look 23!
Chris Morris says
Toby and I wish you a very happy birthday Julie!!
Chris (the redbox guy)
Victoria @ Ice Packs + Races says
Happy birthday! May this year be filled with good, wonderful things and be even better than the last!
Amanda @ .running with spoons. says
Happy Birthday!! I turned 30 earlier this year and I honestly have no idea how I feel about it. I definitely don't feel my age, and it takes me a second or two to remember that I'm actually 30 whenever someone asks. That being said, I'd definitely never want to go back to my younger years if I had the chance... All that confusion and insecurity is something I definitely don't miss.
david ward says
I start getting scare a about getting old when I turned 30 now I'm 62 and I don't worry about it much.
deidera waldrop says
Happy Birthday Julie Have a great day God Bless
Nicole @ Fitful Focus says
Happy Birthday!!!!! If it helps, I had no idea you were in your 30s!
I'm not afraid of aging. It's a part of life. I am also surrounded by a ton of older women at work that are beautiful, successful and loving life, so I'm just aspiring to be like them! Plus, the older I get, the closer I am to retirement which is when I plan on taking all my money and traveling the world haha.
Amy says
Happy Birthday!! I hope you have a great one!
I love birthdays and (at least not yet) don't struggle with getting older. Its just a number. 😉 My kids getting older that's another story! haha That's what makes me feel "old". Next month my oldest will be turning 16! Not possible!
Gretchen | Gretchruns says
Happy Birthday! It looks like you get more and more happy and beautiful in each passing year. I hope you enjoy your weekend and do something fun!
Deborah@Confessions of a Mother Runner says
Aging has been hard for me too. I don't feel my age and really it took until my late 30's to figure out who I was and I feel so much more confident in my 40's. Hope you have a fabulous birthday. Sound a great job aging gracefully
Jamie says
Happiest of birthdays to you!! I hope you have an absolutely spectacular day and celebrate in the best way possible (with all the food 🙂 ) haha. I personally don't feel as old as I am and often times say I'm 25 (because I truly think I am) when I'm really about to turn 28 haha. The only time I have ever felt unhappy about my age is when I compare myself to others - why am I not as successful/why am I not married/why do I not have kids/etc. But I just try to remember that my life is my life and I am beyond happy and lucky to have it!
Nancy Melendez says
Happy Birthday & Wishing you many, many more!!
Kerry Bates says
Happy Birthday Julie! You get more beautiful with age 🙂
Joanna @Makingmine says
Happy happy birthday! I totally agree with your stance on getting older - sometimes it's hard to accept, but I wouldn't go back for anything! 🙂
Plus, you make getting older look great! Love the photo in the sunflowers!
Judy @ Chocolaterunsjudy says
So far my age has never really bothered me. Of course sometimes I look in the mirror and think who's grandmother is that, since I don't color my hair (been there, done that, it just wasn't for me), but hey, 30s is young! I'm 53. I don't feel old. I really hope I never feel old.
They say you don't stop running because you get old, you get old because you stop running, and I'm hoping that's true!
At 23 I was married! Do the math and you know what anniversary we're celebrating this yr. Different times.
I am the baby of my family -- I suspect that has something to do with it.
Shelley Marcy says
First of all...happy birthday Julie. Obviously by now you realize we all think you look great! Funny story....I turned 54 this past June...but for the entire year before, I thought I was already 54. Seriously. I was thinking I was turning 55! So I actually lost a year on my birthday instead of gaining one!
MILLIE says
TODAY IS MY HUSBAND'S BIRTHDAY AND HE IS 77, AND YOU BOTH LOOK GREAT ON YOUR BIRTHDAYS, HAPPY BIRTHDAY AND HAVE A GREAT DAY
Kristi Byers says
Happy Birthday!! Hope it's is fantastic. I love to see my birthday come around, and embrace it!! I always say to people the alternative to it not coming is what really scares me!
Linda says
Happy Birthday Julie! Hope this year is filled with everything that makes you happy!!!!
Susie @ SuzLyfe says
Happy Birthday! Never wish to be younger than you are. For so many years you wished to be older--just think about it, now you are living your childhood dream!
Ruthie@ShesWickedHealthy says
Happy Happy Birthday! You're rocking it!! 🙂
Michelle says
Happy Birthday! I can totally understand...I'll be turning 35 in October and I can't believe the way that sounds! I still feel like I'm in my 20s and it seems like it was just yesterday!
Judi Shutt says
Happy Birthday, Julie. It's my birthday, too. I am 74 years young! I read this quote by Elizabeth Goudge every year and it helps me tremendously:
"Her birthdays were always important to her, for beimg a born lover of life, she would always keep the day of her entrance into it, as a very great festival, indeed.
Gail Bell says
Happy Happy Birthday Julie! Have a glorious day!!!
Mary Jean Henson says
Happy Birthday???????
Jenny says
Happy BIRTHDAY! Woo hoo!
Heather @Fitncookies says
happy Birthday! You look amazing! Each year gets better and better to me, and I'm sure you'll be thinking that this year! I have no doubt it will be awesome!
Becky Wright says
Happy birthday Julie! I hope you have a super day filled with lots of surprises! May God bless you with many more years of happiness and fun. I miss you on WLOS but I truly enjoy your blog. Keep up the good work!
Blane Sherer says
HAPPY BIRTHDAY JULIE !!
You are aging Wunderfully Julie !
I hope you have a Special Day.