
Yes, I still eat cake that way.
Birthdays. What can you say about them really? Some people love them and some people hate them, but I for one, fall into the “love” group wholeheartedly (for the most part). I am not someone that dreads getting older or has an existential crisis every time their birthday rolls around, but I am someone that does a lot of contemplating and thinking when this day comes back around each year.

The baby version of me was such a trendsetter.
Friday, August 7th, was my birthday. I spent it with friends and family having one of my favorite meals, eating yummy cupcakes, enjoying more than a few cocktails, and reminiscing about life and all the birthdays I’ve celebrated before this one. Every year for at least the last 5 years or so, I sit down, and just think. I think about all the things I have or haven’t done this past year, I think about the chances I took and the ones I let slip by, I think of all the happy and sad times, and I think of what I expected life to be at this moment. I always have a clear picture of what I want my life to be and where I want to end up, and coming to terms with the fact that I have no control over those things is a tough one for me. Well, I wouldn’t say that I have absolutely no control, but there are many things that just happen how they are mean’t to in life, and there’s not much you can do about it.

In a perfect world* (from the point of view of a daydreaming, introverted, bookworm that has an intense love for adventure and smiles), I would be travelling right now. Making the most of my youth, exploring all the places I’ve written about on this blog and many, many more. I would be standing on top of a mountain in Greece, staring off into the ocean contently thinking about where I’ll go next and what places I want to see. I’d be writing every day, and putting it all out there for the world to see. I’d never worry about money or material things, because who needs that when you have so much to see and do in life? Books would never be far from my hands and a smile would never be far from my face.Β I’d be happy, in the purest sense of the word.
But it isn’t my perfect world. Instead, I’m a struggling student, working a full-time, at a supremely boring and mundane office job, while tackling a full-time course load. I’m stuck in midwestern Missouri in the middle of America, with no funds to get out. I’m drowning myself in student loan debt in hopes of giving myself a better future. I’m boyfriendless and single in a place where that is a rarity. I’m not fit and healthy, as I would so love to be. I’m not writing everyday or living out my passions and dreams. But one thing that I realized on my birthday this year, is that I am happy. In the purest sense of the word. And that is all that matters to me right now. I may not be where I’ve dreamt of being in life, but I’m happy. I’m meeting new people and making new friends all the time. I’m exploring my own city and creating my own adventures. I’m writing a lot more than I used to, even if all of that writing is still sitting in my drafts folder and hasn’t been posted here.

This birthday has shown me that I don’t always need to be in control. I can still lead a happy life, even if it isn’t what I expected it to be. Even when I have hard days, and bad days, and even on those days where I just want to sit on the floor and cry from all the stress, it will all be worth it in the end, and it is all worth it right this moment, just for those days where I am filled with pure happiness.
I hope you’ve enjoyed the little glimpses into my life and child hood throughout this post with the random photographs I’ve decided to throw in. What’s a good birthday post without a little bit of a throw back.
I will leave you now, as I always should, with a quote from Harry Potter.
What’s comin’ will come, an’ we’ll meet it when it does. -Rubeus Hagrid, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, page 719

I hope youβre doing well, where ever you are in the world, and I wish you all the best.
-Lexie Xx
Lexi, the fact you like Deadpool makes you even more awesome in my eyes π
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Deadpool is so great! Who doesn’t love a good Anti-Hero. π
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Belated happy birthday to you! Loved your post. Your writing reminds me of myself. I love birthdays. I think a lot. I dream about the things I want to do yet I am content about the way life is now. Here’s to a lovely future featuring lots of writing and an adventurous life! Cheers!
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Thanks so much! I loved reading some of your recipes by the way, I think I may use one or two this evening! π
And there is nothing more we can ask for than being happy and content with our lives just the way they are. We are quite lucky. π
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True that. I haven’t updated my recipe blog in ages. I usually write at voicingaloud.wordpress.com
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Belated birthday wishes to you π
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Thank you so much! π
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Sorry missed the general point of your post, happy belated birthday lol
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Haha well thank you! π
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Please accept my belated birthday wishes π
Such a refreshing post and yes there is nothing good more good then sharing some good old childhood memories!
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Thanks so much! π I loved getting to share a few photographs from my childhood, this was a fun little post to write!
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Happy birthday, Lexie! Hope you can keep your healthy attitude when you’re having your 52nd birthday!! Let me tell you, I still have many of the same hopes and dreams that you do (and that I did) at 22, and I’m way beyond that age now, but I occasionally need a “booster shot” of positivity and I got that from your post this week! Thanks!
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Thank you so much! I hope I have the same attitude when every birthday comes back around in the future. It is a truly refreshing thing to feel. π I love when I see people older than me with the same hopes and dreams, simply because it makes me feel like my dreams can last forever.
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Thanks for a peel into you birthday memories. Have a great year!
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Thanks so much! π I hope you have a lovely year as well.
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That was supposed to be a “peek” into your birthday ,memories. Didn’t know how to edit.
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Happy birthday pretty lady
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Thanks so much!
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Belated Happy Birthday Lexie, great piece, love reading your thoughts and dreams.
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Thanks so much Dave!! Xx π
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I think I do a healthy amount of oscillating between existential crises and annual review for my birthday. All depends on what’s going on at that time. Something about the coming of another year always startles me. I love this post – so much insight and your ultimate contentment is truly beautiful. Happy Birthday x
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I can assure you, I’m no stranger to a good existential crisis, but for some reason, birthdays don’t do it for me.
But it was a lovely realization, and one that I’m happy to have been able to share here. π
Thanks so much! Xx
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Happy Belated Birthday!
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Thanks so much! π
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Hi, dear. Thanks for stopping by and liking my post, Program Changes. I read this post of yours and liked it very much. A little sad though, but it is tough being young. I have family in Crystal City. Bob Schembre and his family. Also two daughters in Farmington. Opal Respeto and Fantasia Santiago along with several Grandchildren there. Well I will visit your blog again hope you do the same for me. Bye now.
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Thanks for stopping by! π
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Loved the photos and happy birthday !! Have you read about ‘mindfulness’ finding wonder in the smallest things in the present time ! Might be worth a go amd blogging the result ? X
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Thanks so much! I’ll have to look into it. Do you have any recommendations for good books or resources to check out while looking into it? π
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Mindfulness meditation Prof Mark Williams. I use an audio book by him for guided meditations – worth a go ! Xx
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Well, in my opinion when a blog starts out with a hearty “love” about anything, happy can’t be very far behind! You’ve got a good balance of heart and head, lady. Here’s wishing that you find the right place for them to blossom!
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Thanks so much! I really appreciate that. π
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Kansas City isn’t so bad. And you’re probably already a better writer than I was at your age. So there’s that.
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Thank you. π Kansas City isn’t so bad, as long as you’re able to get out of it every so often haha.
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Many happy returns. I just got back from a 700+ mile motorcycle ride so I’m off to bed now π
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Thank you! π
Goodness, sounds exhausting! Hope you enjoyed it though!
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Yep had a great time, visiting with freinds I haven’t seen in awhile- Uploading pics now should be writing about it later this week π
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Happy Birthday. Only 22 your whole life is in front of you. Go for it!
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Thanks so much, I plan to! π
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Hi fellow Harry Potter fan! Love your blog and am now following. Thanks for stopping by on mine.
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Always nice to bump into a fellow fan! π
Thanks for coming over to check my little blog out. π
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Thanks for calling in and liking a post on my blog, too. I love glimpses into other people’s lives. Hope your birthday wishes come true x
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Thank you! I really enjoyed reading your stuff.
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Great thoughts, nice expression, Congrats. I love the way of writing. Thanks.
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Thanks so much!
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Belated happy birthday to you!!! I also think that birthdays need to be celebrated and not hated. Aging is just an involuntary process. Just can’t help it. Might as well enjoy the life we’re living. Awsum post!! Please do check out my blog as well!
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And a belated thank you to you!
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Anytime! π
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I hate my birthday. People make such a fuss.
‘Congratulations, you didn’t die in the last 12 months.’
Oh, gee, thanks.
At least you get chocolate cake. I did for my recent 25th. And my dad did for his recent 64th. I got a balloon on my 24th. I’m never growing up, basically…
Happy birthday, darling.
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Growing up sucks, but cake doesn’t! We should all at least get cake. π
Thank you for the birthday wishes.
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Belated happy birthday!
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Thank you lovely!
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the last picture..and those eyes! wow π
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Well now you’ve gone and made me blush. π Thank you!
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ππ
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