When I first started writing this piece on the 11th of August (yes, it's been a distracting month) it was exactly three months until I turn 35. This is a significant age for me. I'm not concerned in the least about hitting my mid 30s, on the contrary, I'm excited. 35 has a nice round feel to it and in recent years I've felt it would be 'the age', when special things would happen and unfold. No pressure or anything...
It's also five years from turning 40, another milestone which I'm excited about. I have a vision for my 40s which surrounds amazing travel, balanced health and sustainable wealth and I want to hit that next decade feeling (and lets be honest, looking) my absolute best. I think someone referred to it this week as ageing gracefully. Sounds good, doesn't it?
The last three years of working for myself as well as passionately sharing lifestyle experiences through Little Miss Melbourne has been truly amazing and so, so much fun. But it's been a lot of hard work, many long nights and it's taken its toll more than once on my health and wellbeing. I've been no stranger to shingles, insomnia, chronic fatigue, adrenal fatigue and locking myself out of my apartment countless times due to lack of being mentally present (or even awake). I am now perpetually exhausted. And the worst part is, I only have myself to blame; I let this happen. I'm sure a few of you out there can connect with this.
While 35 initially seemed an ideal opportunity to turn over a new leaf, a very challenging August has woken me up to the harsh reality that if I don't seriously start changing the way I am managing my life, I may very well not make it through my 40s - and there's simply nothing graceful about that.
There has to be more balance. Change has to happen.
But at the same time...I don't want to give anything up. So it's going to be about two things moving forward; working smarter, and finding the elusive balance. Of course, I'll be sharing this journey and new found motivation through Little Miss Melbourne, as always in the hope that you can get something out of it too.
Speaking of which, early this week I'll be announcing a super-dooper exciting partnership that's also going to help my readers live a happier, healthier more balanced life - from wherever you happen to be around Melbourne. I'm also teaming up with a few subject matter experts who'll be occasionally giving us their two cents on different ways to become the best version of you all with the intention to encourage greater balance.
Change is coming. Watch this space.