By Erin Bush
As I was walking with a couple of my friends, one of whom is in his thirties and another is in his late forties, I snarkily asked, “Is twenty-seven still mid-twenties, or is it late twenties?” And, as expected it was met with a laugh and something along the lines of an under-the-breath “Screw you!”
When I turned twenty-five I felt that people took me more seriously and I felt I was more respected. I might have been delusional but I also had just finished my MBA, moved to the big city and had big dreams. When I turned twenty-six I felt a little more mature, but stuck in the middle somewhere with plenty of time on my side and enough experience to get me through the next year on my own.
I have just turned twenty-seven and I feel a little different. I feel taller, more serious and more sure of myself. I am sure I can chalk that all up to new shoes and a lower threshold for bullshit — particularly in the dating realm.
We all know I have been on a lot of dates, A LOT of dates. It’s now been months since I have been on a date — and I have zero interest in going on one at this juncture — you know, unless someone asked me. It’s probably a very good thing that I am checked out from dating. I presume taking some time off from this rather time and emotionally consuming activity will actually give me the chance to do all those other things that I have wanted to do or don’t yet know that I want to do.
In the work realm –I’ve been unemployed, a temp, a new hire and promoted all in the last year. I didn’t take a day off from work — apart from three weeks of unemployment that trickled into my new year. Work is great, but I wish there were more challenges.
In the health and fitness realm — I’ve been 140 pounds and a size 8, 130 pounds and a size 2, and 140 pounds and a size 2 — proof that muscle weighs more than fat. I’ve gone from swinging a 12 kilogram kettlebell to swinging 32 kilogram [70.4 lbs] kettlebell, and squatting and carrying even more weight. I qualified for Nationals in Masters Swimming — that was a big deal at the time.
I did a lot, but I didn’t do enough.
Things on the docket for my new year: Go somewhere — Thailand is in the pipeline, followed by Ireland and the UK afterwards. Luckily, this will help take care of the taking days off of work. But I also need to make sure to schedule more personal time because, well, I matter to me. I also plan to learn something new — I have an idea — but until I actually start it, that secret is safe with me, and a handful of other players.
Life is great, and the new things I plan on doing haven’t started yet, giving me fun things to look forward to. New year, different outlook, new books, new house, new job, healthier, slimmer, stronger, hotter. I wouldn’t say I am off to a bad start. Bring it on twenty-seven. Bring. It. On.
