32

Shorts: Levis 501 Jean Shorts. Shop Levi’s here! | Kimono: Via Evereve, but no longer available. I adore this lace option from Sole Society and this embroidered option is so pretty! | Sandals: Everlane Bridge Sandals | Sunglasses: Quay blush sunnies, similar finds here and here.

Every birthday I say it, and every year it rings more true. Time is flying by and this past year went even faster than the last.

I’m starting to see this whole “time moves too fast” thing as a trend, and even as I attempt to grasp that reality, I begin to panic about how limited of time we all have on this earth. There is so much that I want to do, there’s not enough hours in a day, and yet I crave so deeply for everything to sloooow down.

32. What?! Wasn’t it just yesterday that I reflected on turning 31? Or what about the day before that, when I turned 30, and wrote about my next 30 years? (Still one of my favorite posts of all time!) Or how about the week before, when I turned 29 while pregnant with Gracie and reflected upon 20 things I wanted her to know when she turns 29? (How wild that at that time she wasn’t even named yet, and two years later I’d have TWO daughters!)

Though I’ve tried, I can’t slow these minutes and hours and days. So I’m doing my best to live in the moment and appreciate where I’m at. 

On every birthday, I like to pause and reflect on my blessings, accomplishments, thoughts, and goals for the year ahead. I’d like to tell you that this year I have some new, life-changing lessons learned to share with you. But, truth be told, I don’t feel any different this year than I did at 31 or 30. Still feeling young, eager for the future, and happy. Still pinching myself over how lucky I am for my sweet little family. Still hungry, working my ass off, tackling too many projects, and wondering if I’ll ever feel ahead. Still full of gratitude for it all; the good, the bad, and everything in between.

As I mentioned in this post, they say to never say your wishes out loud, but I think that’s BS. I’m a believer that putting ideas, thoughts and wishes into the universe helps them come true.

So here’s mine. As with every year, I wish for the things most important in life: health, happiness and love, for myself and for all those in my life. But beyond that, I wish for this year to bring the courage to dive into big dreams head on. I wish for 32 to be the year where I do it. That may sound vague to you now, but my hope is that in 365 days we’ll all look back on this post and say, “AH! That crazy Emily. She actually did it.” So let’s just all keep this bookmarked as a nice reminder, shall we?

Hold me accountable, universe. 

Side note: I had this post originally paired with a fancy-schmancy birthday dress, but switched up the photos last minute. I’m a jeans-and-t-shirt-girl at the heart of it all, and you know when something just feels right? This no frills, dirt-road vibe just felt good in setting the tone for the year ahead.

Before I end this post, I want to take a moment to thank you for all the sweet birthday wishes on social! Mostly, I want to thank you for following along on my journey. This blog is such a wonderful creative outlet, and it has truly provided so much positivity, growth and happiness throughout the years. I’m so grateful for the opportunity to share little snippets of life with each and every one of you!

Peace and love, my friends. And, of course, all of the big dreams. <3