Today’s my birthday, and ya know, it kinda snuck up on me this time around. I’ve been busy with work and end-of-the-school-year stuff for Connor, and between those things and the camping trip last weekend, I haven’t had much time to really think about it. *shrugs*
Anywho, every year I buy a birthday gift for myself. I haven’t done it yet, so sometime today I’ll pick up something tangible (I could use summer clothes). Also, while I was showering this morning after working out, it hit me that I could also give myself a non-tangible gift, too — like the gift of letting things go.
GIRL, THERE ARE SO MANY THINGS I NEED TO LET GO. I’ve held onto too many of them for too long. I think it would be a good gift to give myself for this next trip around the sun.
I would love to let go of…
- Being too hard on myself.
- All the worries/anxiety/monsters in general.
- Trying to figure things out on my own. It’s OK to get help!
- The idea of a tight tribe of moms, like you see in the movies.
- The clutter in my life.
- Getting in my own way.
- Trying to change myself. I’m a sensitive soul. It’s OK to be this way.
- My gray hair. Probably gonna dye it soon.
- All the shoes that I never wear (LOL!), so I can make room for more shoes that I will actually wear.
- The thought that MBB needs to be a certain way in order to be “good.” I’m changing, and MBB can change with me.
- Painting my own toenails. I really hate doing it. The time has come to outsource. Stop denying it already, LOL!
Anyway, thank you for being here today. I’m off to go get myself a slice of cake from my favorite bakery in town, Creekside, and then I’m getting a pedicure.
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Wish you a very Happy Birthday!
Noemi
Thank you, Noemi. Hope you’re having a nice day!
Cake and a pedicure sound like great ways to celebrate, and love the idea of letting those things go.
Your birthday is 4 weeks before mine, and then my dad’s is 4 weeks after that.
Gotta love those summer birthdays. 🙂 Happy early birthday to you!
Happy birthday!
Love your list! It’s very “real”, and all about letting go of expectations/ preconceived ideas that we have about ourselves.
To me that’s the beauty of aging (because let’s get real: there is a lot of unpretty things about aging): becoming more more comfortable with ourselves and just letting go.
Thank you, Sabrina!
Happy Birthday Karen! You need a spa day! Go get yourself a massage, followed by a manicure and a pedicure. Then have cake!
That would be glorious, Linda!
Happy Birthday! I hope you have a wonderful day!
Thank you, Jodie!
Happy, HAPPY birthday!!! Hope you have an amazing pedi WHILE eating cake 💜. Today is also my BFF’s bday – so I know you’re a good egg 🤩. Have a great day!
Wouldn’t a nail salon that served cake be a fun place to go? LOL!
Happy birthday to your BFF!
Happy Birthday Karen! I hope you enjoy that slice of cake and the freedom of letting go of the things on your list. Have a wonderful day! Wishing you many blessings throughout the year! 💗
Thanks, Barbara!
Happy Birthday Karen!
Enjoy your day!
Especially the cake and pedicure!💖🍾🎂
Thanks, Anne Marie! The cake was delicious and now my toes are a beautiful shade of pastel mint green. It’s been a great day so far.
Happy birthday! I enjoy your down-to-earth blog style — you’re a breath of fresh air. Wishing you all the joy and magic in the year to come!
Thank you, Alison! 🙂
Happy birthday! Enjoy the “letting go.” I’ve been following MBB since pre-Coy Wolf, and I think change is a natural evolution. 🎂
Thank you, Susan. Big hugs!
Happiest of Birthdays, Karen! Love your list and I am going to take some inspiration for myself. The only thing I would add for today is cake!! ❤️
How did I miss cake at the very top! You’ve got your priorities straight.
I had a slice and it was GLORIOUS! Thank you for the birthday wishes. 🙂
Happy Birthday Karen🎈🎉🎂🥂
Enjoy the day!!
Thank you, Pam!
Have a look at ‘Love Is Letting Go of Fear’ by Jerry Jampolsky. It’s a short book with some useful lessons and has helped me let go of lots of fears. I highly recommend it!
Adding it to my list, Sarah. Thank you!
Happy Birthday, Karen! I’ve followed you almost since the beginning. I never really comment, but I want you to know that your blog always brightens my day! Hope you have a great day!
Aww, thanks Naleen. It’s so nice to hear from one of the MBB OGs! Have a great day!
Happy Birthday Karen!!!
My birthday this year wasn’t too thrilling for me either but it was sweet and simple. Hope your day goes great and get some awesome birthday gifts for yourself!
Thanks, Christine! 🙂
Happy Birthday Karen!
You deserve a pedicure! Enjoy!
Thanks, Rachel. My toes are a pastel mint green and VERY happy!
Happy Birthday, fellow Gemini! When you are able to let go of all the things, can you share how you did it with the rest of us!
When I figure it out I will share for sure. I have a feeling deep breathing and time outs will be involved. LOL!
Gemini power 4eva!
Happy Happy Birthday!!!
Thanks, Stephanie!
Hope you buy yourself a great present!
Thanks, Jan. 🙂
Happy Birthday Karen, enjoy your day!!!!
Thank you, Lily Kelley! It’s been a good one so far.
Happy Birthday Karen!! Enjoy that awesome cake!
Happy Birthday Karen!! Hope you had a wonderful day, and that you enjoyed that pedicure. They’re the best…so relaxing!! That cake looked so yummy in the picture. I’m sure it was delicious. Cheers to another year!!
Happy, happy birthday, Karen! You bring so much joy, light and gorgeous makeup looks into the world – and we’re all better for it. I hope your b-day cake and pedicure were fabulous!
Happiest of birthdays to you!
Happy Birthday to you! I hope it was good.
Just watched Under The Tuscan Sun (starring Diane Lane). Have you seen it? I’d never seen it before.
I’m so ready for my Little One’s school year to end. Have nothing really planned for the summer but I know there WILL be a lot of cleaning involved..
P.S. Something I’m grateful for: Formula One
Happy (belated, I think, never sure with the different time zones) birthday! I love your list and should gift myself a few of those as well next time there is an occasion. Like you I have been looking for mom friends like they are in movies, but… so far no luck, and with my kids being 8 and 6, time is running out to meet those mums.
Happy Birthday, Karen! Hope you had a great day, and I hope you bought yourself something you really wanted and love. I also hope you were able to let go of at least some of the stuff on your list. I feel you re: gray hair – still trying to decide what to do myself about that one. Hope the cake was delicious, and you get to do alot of fun things this summer and just enjoy yourself!
Happy Birthday, Karen! I hope its your best one yet! I agree with you about letting go of things. Sometimes accepting how things are right now with me as a person is so freeing. It’s okay to be the me that I am at this present moment. Life doesn’t have to be an idea of what I want it to be. It’s a gift just the way it is.
Good lord, you speak to me with the shoes! I need to go through mine. I have been coloring my grays and it is some upkeep. I’m 45 and if I grew it out, it would be similar to yours. Luckily, my stylist gives me a glaze to use after several weeks to go over my hair that kind of deposits some color and I found a clean product, Hally semi-permanent mouse for in between if I can’t get to the salon for a while, which works wonders for me. I found that I love the color and it makes me feel good about myself.
I hope you have more than one slice of cake today! And some R&R. Take care.
Happy Birthday friend. I’m a fan from years ago and I mean, some years. It’s wonderful to see how you’ve grown. Do something really special for yourself, I don’t know anyone who deserves it more. (And my birthday is on the 21st of June send me all the Chanel….. he he)
Thanks, Gina! Happy early birthday to you. 🙂
Happy Happy Birthday. You have blessed many of us here with your insight, your sense of fun, and your friendship.
Hi Karen, I am late. Happy birthday!!! Yesterday I sat with my two kids and waited ages at the doctors (everything is fine) and we scrolled through some pics of you and connor on Instagram.
Yesss be kind to yourself and so proud!!!!
I love the idea of letting go of things. I would love to let go of…
nearly all the stuff in our cellar – after 2 times moving it should be clear that we don’t need it.
Being too hard on myself – but here I make progress 🙂
All the worries/anxiety/monsters in general – so true. Especially as a mom there’s lots of new stuff. But I think with more feelings it is also in the positive ways that I feel more.
Trying to figure things out on my own. It’s OK to get help!- my most important lesson with kids.
The thought that MBB needs to be a certain way in order to be “good.” I’m changing, and MBB can change with me. Sure – it is your blog and i love to stop by.
Painting my own toenails. I really hate doing it. The time has come to outsource. Stop denying it already, LOL! – I hope you enjoyed it!!! just cringed to get mine done.
Big HUG!!!
I’m way too late for your birthday, but I’m happy to hear it was a great day. I send you a lot of love, hugs and good vibes for this year.