Welp, today is my birthday. Normally I LOVE birthdays so much that in our family we have designated birthday months! It works out great for us because my son has January, my hubby gets April, I enjoy June and my baby girl gets all of November to herself (unless we get to celebrate with Titi Milli!)

This year, for a variety of reasons, I’m just not feeling it.

When you’re not feeling another birthday…

They say when you’re “not feeling it”, make a gratitude list. Last year, I shared a list of the 41 things I’m thankful for on my birthday. I’m still VERY thankful for everything and everyone on that list (and more!)

Make a gratitude list

On top of last year’s list, what else can I say but “thank you, God” for:

• Our new house!
• Jobs that my hubby and I genuinely love.
• Ministry opportunities, like singing at my church and at friend’s churches!
• The fun side hustle that is this blog (and getting to watch Disney Pixar’s new Incredibles 2 movie early!)
• Sports camps that my kids can enjoy during the summer (and money to pay for them!)
• My mom’s offer to help with pick ups and drop offs while my hubby & I are at work (Gracias, Mami!)
• Next month we celebrate 2 years since my hubby’s brain tumor surgery and he’s still in 100% perfect health! Praise God! Thank you, Jesus!
• And there’s SO MUCH more!

Don’t get me wrong. I’m thankful. SO thankful. I know I have more blessings than I can count!

(But), in the spirit of “being real and not only sharing the highlight reel on social media and here on the blog”, I wanted to share honestly and openly that I’m just not feeling it, why and what I’m doing about it. Maybe it’ll help you if you’re feeling the same.

To be honest, there are a few things in my life that are bugging me. After months (maybe years?) of saying “I want to change” and not having the freaking discipline to make it happen, I’m feeling like the milestone of “another birthday” is making me come to grips with the harsh reality that:

If I don’t change what I don’t like, it’s not going to change on it’s own.

Dang it. Here I was, waiting for the change unicorn to show up in my backyard while I sat in my cute turquoise patio chairs, only to find out I needed to get up from the chair and do something.

If you have areas in your life where you can say “I wish this part of my life was better or more organized or more on point”, then you totally get where I’m coming from.

Can you relate to wanting to eat healthy, work out more and being debt free?

I personally want to get off the 1 blood pressure pill I’m currently taking.

And I feel like in some areas, I’m making progress. Yay! Gotta celebrate that, right?

But I think this whole birthday business is making me feel like I don’t want to waste any more time. So what am I waiting for? What could YOU be waiting for?

What’s going to change?

If it was easy to improve our health, fitness and finances, “get healthier” and “get richer” programs wouldn’t be so popular!

So we can agree that there are no easy overnight, let’s FIX EVERYTHING solutions. (There goes the change unicorn again. Man, a girl can’t catch a break! lol!)

Weight that comes on over time will take time to come off.

Debt and bills that accumulate quickly can take time to pay off.

And bad health habits that we’ve had for years take time to break.

So as I’m celebrating another birthday, still incredibly thankful to God for ALL His blessings in my life and excited about another year, while I’m not where I want to be, I’m headed in the right direction.

It might be a bummer to not be where I want to be. But it can definitely be a CELEBRATION if I can stop long enough to celebrate the progress I’ve made.

So, let’s CELEBRATE!

Since hitting my highest (non pregnancy) weight, I’ve lost more than 20lbs! Woohoo!! And I’m maintaining it. That’s a huge WIN!

My hubby and I are using the Every Dollar app to budget. We’re also researching ways to cut down our bills. That’s progress! We’re also seeing side income come in that helps us get closer to our goals.

Double win: we’re eating out less and cooking more. That’s a double win for eating healthier and saving money. (Tonight was an Instant Pot red beans and rice recipe with whole 30 approved sausage and brown rice.) Yum!

I still need to figure out how to go to bed earlier so I can make it to my friend Logan’s gym for those 5 am workouts. A girl needs her sleep (and 3 to 4 hours are NOT enough!)

But you get the idea!

If you ever feel like you don’t want to celebrate your birthday, don’t stress too much about it! Write out a gratitude list. (Don’t just think about it, actually write it down. It makes a difference!) Acknowledge the areas that are frustrating you. Celebrate the small wins where you’re making changes in those areas.

And remember we’re all works in progress. My life verse is extra meaningful this year:

“And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” Philippians 1:6 (ESV)

God is still at work. Things are getting better! And before you know it, if God allows, we’ll be able to celebrate another year, filled with His blessings!

Laughing (and celebrating) thru life,

Coppelia

By the way, if today is your birthday and no one has told you yet, Happy Birthday! You are AWESOME! 

And I figured I’d go ahead and share a few of my favorite things! These could cheer you up on your birthday or ANY day!

(My Amazon affiliate links are below, so if you like something, click to check it out! I get a small commission at no extra charge to you!)

Coppelia’s favorite things!

Cute, dangly, rose gold earrings

Cute wedge sandals

Current makeup faves

• Garnier Fructis BB Cream

• e.l.f. Eyebrow kit

And you can’t go wrong with a little stop at Bath & Body Works, too!