Good day to you people!!
I hope everyone is having a good, stress-free, easy Monday.
As you might have noticed from the tittle, it’s my birthday.
26 years ago today (close to 5 p.m), mom was probably in a lot of pain, poor thing. Thanks mama, for pushing me out, I know it must have been hard for you, despite the fact that it was probably the only time I was ever thin.
I used to love my birthday, but I’m NOT feeling it at all this year. For several reasons:
- I’m no longer in my early twenties;
- I’m close to 30, my scary age;
- I’m NOWHERE NEAR where I thought I would be by now, if you had asked me 10 years ago.
- I had the shittiest year, 25 being extremely hard. Is it going to be over now?
- I’m still going through some of the consequences of my mental health issues, meaning I’m still a fat ass and I hate my body and can’t stand looking at myself;
- I have some small family issues, nothing to big, thankfully;
- I have lost one of my best, childhood friends, probably forever.
I told Rui that the only thing I wanted to do today was try a pumpkin spice latte and go thrift shopping. I need some cardigans. I have decided to just go to Primark to get them because it’s closer and near Starbucks.
I’m going to my mom’s house for dinner. Not feeling it at all, but I need to do it for them.
Rui always takes my birthday off and so we have enjoyed a lazy morning, talking about my birthday blues and eating my favorite cereal (me).
I still have to work from 5 p.m to 7 p.m, which I don’t mind at all. I like being with the kids, even if they drive me crazy most days.
Because 25 was so bad, I’m kind of determined to TRY and make 26 way better. I came up with a few goals and also a few challenges.
26 goals for year 26:
- Finally get my f*cking driver’s license;
- Finally get braces and endure all of the suffering. At least high school has been over for many years so there’s no one to make fun of me;
- Lose the damn weight;
- Travel somewhere; Anywhere. Just see some new place, outside the country;
- Get into that second degree I want to take so bad; (shhh, you all know what I’m talking about but I won’t say anything so I don’t jinx it. I’ll be doing my best to accomplish this goal which is more than just a goal, but one of the things I NEED to do with my life.
- Write an e-book. (I have, but as a ghostwriter);
- Double my number of followers on this blog;
- Go back to being a red; I just love it so much.
- Share some exciting news in May; Can’t talk about it yet, sorry.
- Learn Spanish so I can help the kids;
- Join the church choir. So, this might be happening already, I just haven’t said anything. I’m not particularly religious, as you already know. I have faith and I pray and I love to read your posts about faith and God’s word. But I don’t consider myself fully catholic and I don’t go to church. But I feel the need to sing. I haven’t in a long time and my spirit longs for it. So I looked into different options and the easiest and friendliest was the church choir. I have talked to one of the ladies and she lives near me so she even offered a ride. I’m going next Monday and try it out.
- I had this idea or this calling after all of the things that happened in Portugal for the past few months. I would like… and bear with me… to train to be a volunteer firefighter. Putting out fires is not all they do. They are the first at car accidents, 911 calls, they ride ambulances, help in all kinds of situations and are the first ones to be there for people when they need it the most. I thought it sounded stupid and impossible because I’m so far from being fit and I have no physical strength or resistance. I have talked to a girl I know who is a firefighter and she told me that’s not an issue at all. She said the physical test are minimal and that I could always get better and lose the weight before or while I’m taking the preparation course (250 hours, I think) because it would be long before I had to actually do something. I talked to my local fire department and they said I should go there and speak to them in person. I don’t know. Rui and I are talking and trying to figure out what this would mean to us and how and if we could make it work. I don’t know if I dream too much of if I’m just someone who really wants to make a difference.
- Learning how to sew;
- Keep collecting plants and turn our patio into a beautiful garden;
- Double my income;
- Do my best to get organized; For the past few year, maybe more, I’ve had this problem where I can’t seem to get my shit together. If I’m working and being successful there, my house is a mess and the dog needs a bath. If I’m off, I should be cleaning the house but I seem to always feel tired and lazy so nothing gets done anyway. Laundry is an issue too. I’m always behind on errands. People keep telling me I don’t call or answer their calls. I just need to find a way to balance things better.
- Really help someone;
- Learn how to dance;
- Volunteer at some charity or event;
- Finally decorate this house;
- Go off my medication completely.
- Meet some new people and make new friends. Be open to people and to the world in general;
- Be in more pictures;
- Just go to places and get out more;
- Try new things;
- Challenge myself;
Year 26 Challenge:
- 1.5 L of water every single day for a year;
- Exercise every single day for a year; (even just 15 minutes of yoga)
- No McDonald’s or soda for a year; (here’s looking at you, coke)
- 1 book a week for a year;
- 1 post a day for a year;
- 1 selfie a day for a year;
- Mandatory full skin care for a year; (Never go to bed without washing my face, never leave the house without sunscreen, never forget to moisturize after showering, remember to clean and moisturize my face on the weekends)
- Write 1 nice thought about myself every day for a year;
I guess I’m ready to take on this year. I just need to accept being 26 and try to make the best of it. I don’t to let another year go by and feel like I haven’t tried hard enough or that I haven’t accomplished anything. It’s the worst feeling.
Does anyone want to join me in one of the above challenges? We can be sodaholics anonymous together!!
Thank you for being here, friends.
Happy birthday to you, Cheila. I wish you all the best from here and out and I hope you get through with the choir. ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
Happy Birthday! 🎉 I hope you’re having a wonderful day and I wish you luck with your goals and challenges for the next year 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
Happy Birthday!! I gave up soda for Lent years ago and never took it up again. I’m scrolling through and checking off what I already do and got to the last one. I don’t do that. Ever. So that I am going to try hard to do! Have a great day!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Happy Birthday Cheila!! I hope you have a lovely day and that you achieve all of your goals + challenges! 😆🎈💗
LikeLike
Happy Birthday my lovely Portuguese blogging sister! Wish you all the best 🙂
Please don’t be sad on your birthday, look at all the things you have already achieved! And those goals sound really good 🙂
LikeLike
May all of those 26 things come true, Cheila. And love yourself today extra special for us. Happy birthday girlie! xx
LikeLike
Happy Birthday sweet girl 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Happy Birthday gorgeous! I read all of your goals and they sound amazing. Best of luck with the church choir and I think you wanting to volunteer is a wonderful thing. Kick ass girl!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hippity hopping burfday as we say in the old house! 26? So many goals my dear! I’m sure you will rock each one. Xx
LikeLiked by 1 person
Happy Birthday my lovely!! I turned 29 in August and feel even more the sense of ‘I’m NOWHERE NEAR WHERE I THOUGHT I’D BE RIGHT NOW’ panic. I’m avoided my birthday next year. I love how you’ve looked back and looked to future goals and hopes too, you are an inspiration Chey. Enjoy your day! ♥
Caz x
LikeLike
Happy birthday! Best wishes🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Happy birthday girl! And giving up coke is something I DEFINITELY need to do…it’s just soooooooo hard! This is a great list! Good luck and thanks for sharing! xo
LikeLike
Happy Birthday!!
LikeLike
Girl, you may be feeling negative, but you are taking some seriously positive steps to make 26 awesome. Have you created a schedule to get all of these goals into your days? Having a firm schedule has been such a challenge for me, but I’m still working on that. One of my favorites is ‘writing a nice thought about myself every day’. In commemoration of your special day, I’m going to take that on for 30 days starting today! Love you boo.
LikeLike
Happy Birthday, Cheila! 💗 Cutting out soda will be a lot easier when you realize how big of a difference it makes once you do. 😄 You can do it!
LikeLike
Happy birthday yet again Cheila!! Here’s to a better year. A lot of these seem doable, and it’s good to have these goals set for you next birthday 🙂 I really like the selfie every day. I do it most days, but having one each day will be fun to look at when you’re older 🙂
LikeLike
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!. Funny it’s your birthday and yet I got prizes in the mail :):):) I love them Cheila. The necklace is beautiful and the prayer journal is amazing!! I was so shocked to open my mail box and they were there. I love them!! Thank you so much !!! Praying all your birthday wishes come true, you deserve it. I have so much confidence that you will acheive the 26 goals you have set for yourself. God Bless you, and again thank you so much 🙂
LikeLike
Happy birthday!!! I’m 26 too and it definitely is scary being closer to 30 than 20.. I can’t believe it.
LikeLike
HAPPY BIRTHDAYYY!! Welcome to Club 26! 👍🏼😍 xxxx
LikeLike
Happy birthday again dear! 💖 Just from my experience, 26 is way better than 25. (But 30 is my scary age too sooooo…) 😘
LikeLike
Happy Birthday once again Cheila!! Hope you have a great one and hope all of your wishes come true ❤ Love your list of goals 🙂
LikeLike
Happy birthday, Cheila! I wish you all the best! 😀
LikeLike
Hey, Happy Birthday Cheila 😍🎊🎂❤
Growing up is fun as you become wiser😘
Of course I am joining you in few of your challenges! I’ll decorate my room if not the entire house😛, Get through the driving😫 travel more, read more, write more, challenge myself, and help as many as i can. ❤
Best wishes for an amazing year, and life ahead! 😘
LikeLike
Happy birthday (a day late)! And from a 34-year old to you, 30 isn’t that bad. 🙂 Those are some great goals, good luck to you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
You never know which the bad years are going to be. I’m hoping 35 is not bad as I have to face that. Belated happy birthday 🍰 Cheila. I’m def hoping coming year is kinder to Scorpio’s!
LikeLike
Happy birthday!! I love your goals!! Writing a nice thought about yourself everyday is a great idea! I think I’m going to do it, too! Thanks for the inspiration! 😉
LikeLike
Happy Belated Birthday Cheila! Hope you had a wonderful day. Best wishes for this upcoming year as you not only meet but exceed your goals.
LikeLike
Hope you had a lovely birthday! I love this post, v.inspiring ❤ xx
LikeLike
Be lated happy birthday and i wish you could fulfill these goals
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much!!
LikeLiked by 1 person