Categories: Thought

The Birthday Questions: Goodbye 32… Hello 33!

Screenshot

For each birthday, I ask a series of “The Birthday Questions.” It’s 4 simple questions that prompt both reflection and forward thinking, and it’s a fun way to usher in a fresh year of life. Plus, the cool thing about having this here nifty blog is that I have a record of my answers for every year since I turned 27.

Today I turn 33, and when I’m old and gray looking back on the best years of my life, 32 won’t make the top 10 list. It was a year dominated by work, which was great for the bank account. But being fully immersed on a ship for 8 months of the year proved challenging, particularly because I felt a tug to be closer to home. “Challenges are chances for growth” and “Diamonds don’t form unless there’s pressure” are great phrases that can help us find solace during tougher seasons of life. But also, I’d be cool if the universe wanted to give someone else these growth opportunities instead.

It wasn’t the best year, but that doesn’t mean it was boring, and it still held some pretty darn good times. I kicked off 32 working on a cruise ship in Japan followed by 3 months in Alaska. I visited my best friend in Austin, saw my family in Virginia, and spent a few weeks in NYC before heading back out on another ship that started in Alaska, headed to Mexico, around Hawaii, through the panama canal, and finished bopping around the Caribbean for a couple months. Jeremy and I proceeded to spend 5 weeks in Tasmania before returning back to the east coast where I have been chewing over the pesky question, “What am I doing with my life?!”

On that note, let’s dive into the birthday questions to kick off 33!

1. What Was the Best Part About This Past Year of Life?

32 was the year of the “micro-win.” I set dozens of little goals, then achieved them. As someone who came out of the womb an overachiever, this was a great way to get dopamine pumping when things felt hard. To spout off a few, I learned how to bake focaccia, I ran an unofficial half marathon, I read at least 2 books a month, I got back into boxing, I climbed AB mountain in Skagway (after 2 failed attempts), and I did 5 pull ups.

The other best part about this past year of life was spending 5 weeks in Tasmania. Jeremy and I went on epic hikes, frolicked with wombats on Maria Island, and had a lot of amazing quality time with family. The last time we were both in Tasmania was during COVID. And it was great to return under better circumstances.

2. What Was the Biggest Thing You Learned?

I learned how to be pretty darn good at sales. I spent hundreds and hundreds of hours sitting with people who were interested in buying cruises, and more often than not, I made the sale. Sure, there are little things like, “Sell the experience first”, “give fewer choices”, and “never make someone feel like they are being sold to.” But I think what really helped me seal the deal was finding my confidence.

I look young, and I suppose I am young (depending on who you ask), and my clients were typically retired. When I first started the job in 2024, I cracked under the pressure of people trying to test me. As the months went on, I gained confidence in my knowledge, and for 32 I figured out how to have confidence in myself in conveying said knowledge.

Exerting confidence as a woman is a funny thing. If you’re loudly confident, many people will perceive you as a bitch. If you’re softly confident, many people will strap on their cleats to try to walk all over you. In sales, you don’t have the luxury of the phrase, “It doesn’t matter what they think”. It does in fact matter what they think, because that will make or break the end result.

I learned how to exert my authority in the field in a likable way that made people not only trust what I was saying, but had them wanting to “pick my brain” on things.

3. What Are You Most Looking Forward to About This Upcoming Year?

My adult life has been beautifully chaotic. I’ve travelled the world for work and pleasure, and have lived a life full of adventure and excitement. I’ve explored Petra, climbed the Himalayas, lived in a van in Australia, scuba dived in Borneo… I look at my life and can’t even believe it’s been mine.

But this free-roaming, gig-to-gig form of existing has come at the cost of no roots. This year I can’t wait to plant some.

Sign a lease. Buy a mattress and decorate an apartment that’s total mine and Jeremy’s. Get a cat. See my best friend more than twice a year. See my parents once a month. See my in-laws more than once every 5 years. Go to weddings. Get into birdwatching. Maybe even join a kickball league… who knows?!?! For 33, I’m looking forward to prioritizing my family and friends while actively working on forming a community.