Entry 10: It’s the big 26!
This is my last blog post as a 25 year old! Tomorrow I turn 26 and am officially considered closer to 30 than I am 20. For some reason, it doesn’t feel like it’s almost my birthday. As a kid, I would be so giddy the entire month of July in anticipation of turning the next year older. One birthday, we ordered a cake from Marsh (best grocery store and cake ever, RIP) and the bakery gave us the wrong size. Instead of giving us a ¼ of a sheet cake, they gave us an entire sheet cake. It was HUGE! We gave extra cake to our neighbors, I had cake for breakfast a couple of times, and it was the best mistake ever.
On Saturday, some friends and I went to a winery outside of Charlotte. We drank great wine, laughed, ate charcuterie, and just enjoyed each other. I had such an amazing time and am so thankful for them.
I’m going to take this time to reflect on the last 25 years. I am so proud of who I am today. I’m doing great in work, am a loyal friend, a strong daughter and sister. I have grown immensely since my 20th birthday and genuinely enjoy who I am as a person. This coming year, I don’t feel the need to make a ton of changes to grow. In birthdays past, I would set goals for myself that were sometimes unattainable and would also just apply unnecessary pressure. This year, I don’t want to do that. I don’t feel the need to say “this year i’m going to do (insert goal here)”.
Collage that my mom made on my 16th birthday. I truly can’t believe this was 10 years ago.
I’m happy with where I’m at and comfortable in my skin. In the last year, I finished my Europe trip, moved back home to Indiana, got a job within 3 weeks, moved to Charlotte, moved myself into my own apartment, and am doing fucking amazing. I don’t mean to gloat or be like “oh look at how great I’m doing” but I never brag or say I’m proud of myself so I’m finally going to because I deserve it!
I think we all need to be better at acknowledging the things we have accomplished. Imposter syndrome is real and it’s important to take the time and reflect because we all have things that we should be proud of. Take the time to think of all the great things you’ve done this year or even in the last 2 years. I’m sure the list is longer than you think.
Going into this 26th year, I’m just going to keep doing me. I’m going to keep hanging out with my friends, doing my job, working out, reading, cross stitching, watching a crap ton of Bravo, being a supportive daughter, and enjoying my life. I know my frontal lobe has fully formed because I know I don’t feel the need to be different. Courtney Grace Kocal is great just how she is.
I’m really looking forward to this next year. Another special thing is this is my 10th blog post! I started Sincerely, Courtney a little over 10 weeks ago now and am so happy I did. This has truly become such a fun outlet and I am so thankful for all the love and support.
Sincerely,
Courtney