The final countdown. The last hurrah. There are less than 12 hours left of my 20s. And there are only six things left of my 30 moments before 30 list.
25. Turning 26
My mother was 26 years old when I was born. She’d been married for six years, owned a house and was getting on with life. I had a period of wondering where my life was going – I didn’t have a boyfriend so I wasn’t close to having babies – I wasn’t even working in a job I liked! Many nights of reassuring myself that I had plenty of time left and remembering all the stuff I had going for me made me remember that everyone does things differently. I was having an awesome time living in the city, running my blog and the social side of things. It paid to remember the good things I had, rather than what I didn’t it.
26. My first fashion show
There’s a certain feeling when the lights go down and the big screen comes to life. A fashion show gives me that buzz, a feeling of adrenaline while the music pumps and the lights dim to reveal works of art through a smoky haze. From my first runway show, Target Rocks the Runway, at the L’Oreal Melbourne Fashion Festival close to ten years ago at Waterfront City Docklands, to a personal showing in Paris and a Chanel party in my hometown, my fashion journey is really one I could only ever have dreamt of.
27. The first time I smoked
Many of my high school friends smoked. They’d buy them for 50c a cigarette, or steal them from their parents, and smoke at recess, lunch and after school in the cricket nets on the main oval. I was always terrified of getting caught, plus I knew it was illegal and bad for you. I was straight as an arrow in the behaviour department. As I grew up and rebelled, I asked one of my girlfriends to teach me. We were 16, and she came over after school and we went to the local park where I was apparently ‘a natural’. I came home and immediately confessed to Mum. I couldn’t even rebel without dobbing myself in.
28. Starting my blog
I can’t remember the moment I decided to start a blog. Whether it was my idea, or someone said I should, it came about while I was working in a job that wasn’t very stimulating and I needed something to fill my days. I hadn’t been on Twitter for long and it seemed having a blog was the thing to do. I started Sarah’s Style Emporium using the Blogger platform, and proposed to write a recipe and the outfit you should cook it in. An acquaintance said he gave it two weeks. My blog has moved home twice, gone through several makeovers and in June 2014, will celebrate its 5th birthday. I’ve been invited to events, gifted shoes and drunk so many glasses of complimentary champagne I can no longer keep count. I have been spoilt rotten and I’ve loved every single minute of it.
29. A Little Ray of Sunshine
It’s silly how every time I hear this song, I get a bit choked up. When Mum was pregnant with me, she says that she heard ‘A Little Ray of Sunshine’ by Axiom, ALL the time, and so she knew she was having a girl. For as long as I can remember, it’s been my song. I understand there are a whole stack of girls out there claiming it as their song, but I feel like it’s legitimately mine. Mum and Dad even played it during the speeches at my 21st – and if I was having speeches at my 30th, I’d play it then too.
30. TODAY
Do you ever have those days where you take a moment, sigh, and realise just how friggen awesome your life is? Some people don’t get 30 significant moments in a lifetime, let alone in 30 years – and if I’m being honest, this is just the tip of the iceberg. I have plenty more where those came from – I’m lucky enough to have them coming out my ears. Today my boyfriend wished me a Happy Birthday eve. Last week he wished me a Happy Birthday month. These are the crazy little things that make me smile – when friends send me a fashion picture or an article they think I’ll like; when Mum serves my favourite dinner when we visit; when my brothers help me move house (again); when Dad fills my car with petrol when changing the oil.
Today is significant because it’s my last in my 20s. When I left my teenage years, I couldn’t have imagined this is what life would be like at 30. I was sure I’d have kids by now, living in the suburbs – I doubt I ever would have been to Paris! I have plans for the future now, but I no longer feel like they are instructions or a roadmap. They are a guide, designed to help, but not direct. There is no right or wrong.
Thank you for sharing my moments. I’d love to hear if you have any you feel were turning points in your life – or, if I missed any! And if your birthday is in February, Happy Birthday Month.
Love, Sarah x