31 Things I’m Thankful For On My 31st Birthday

Entering another year of life is always a time for reflection for me. I like to think about what my life looked like the year prior and also to think about what it could look like a year from now. Despite all that has happened so far in 2020, it can be hard to find things to feel happy about or thankful for, on the larger scale. There’s been a lot of confusion and fear and anger this year, and though I can be hopeful, it doesn’t seem like a lot of those feelings will be going away anytime soon. As an eternal optimist, I am always hopeful for a brighter future.

But a lot of the things that have happened in 2020 are outside of my control, so I always try to focus on what I can control. My happiness, my perspective, my values, and my response. And thinking back on a year ago, even before 2020, I was facing a big challenge: learning how to walk again after recovering from ankle surgery. So thankfully, my life right now is already feeling like I’m in a better place now than I was last year, and that will only continue to improve in my 31st rotation around the sun. Besides the whole ‘re-learning to walk thing’, my 30th year came with a few other challenges as well: Changing jobs, a global pandemic, and cancelled plans.

But that’s in the past, and now I’m focusing on the future. Thinking ahead on what I want my life to look like this year and 365 days from now when I will turn 32, there’s a few major themes that come to mind.

• Feeling healthier & more confident in my body (hello Peloton, self-care, & positive self-talk)!
• Feeling more financially stable & saving towards a house (this has already begun, I’m eliminating my debt and putting more money away each month)!
• Feeling more creative and passionate in my everyday life & work (this has already begun, with a few more exciting projects on the horizon)!
• Feeling more gratitude and happiness every day.

So to kick off my 31st year in an overly gracious way, I thought it would be fun to round up and list off 31 things I’m thankful for (in no particular order) in my life and that happened to me in the last year.

1. My life & breath & body – for waking up this morning and my ability to move and think and feel and love and smile.
2. My amazing boyfriend Jeff. He’s just the best and I couldn’t imagine life without him.
3. My mom & my dad – I am so thankful for everything they’ve given to me and done for me in my life. Always a constant source of support and love!
4. My awesome brothers – Tommy, Erik, Jonas, & Matti! They’re all so unique and anytime I get to spend with them is the best!
5. My beautiful sisters-in-law Lauren & Reme, and sister-in-law-to-be, Rhysa! They’re literally the sisters I’ve always wanted and am so thankful my brothers found them!
6. My clever, handsome, and sweet little nephews – Tommi, Matias, Mikko, & Theo! They are a constant reminder to be silly, ask questions, and never take life too seriously!
7. My family – beyond my immediate family, I have an amazing + loving support system in my extended family!
8. Jeff’s family – his parents + sister + extended family who I am so thankful for everyday!
9. My (chosen) family – best friends who I’ve known for 10+ years, plus new ones I’ve made recently who feel so much like family!
10. Gals That Brunch – and everyone + everything being apart of this community has brought me, especially Tiffany and Jubilee, my GTB partners in crime!
11. My job – getting to be creative everyday is a wonderful blessing!
12. Having the confidence to follow my gut and change jobs earlier this year.
13. My apartment – it’s a cozy place to call home (and has seen some upgrades since I’ve been WFH basically all year).
14. My blog – allowing me to express my thoughts and creativity!
15. Books – a source of escape, inspiration, and creativity.
16. My usual photog, Amanda, for always making me feel comfortable during out shoots and taking amazing photos!
17. The creative + blogger community in Milwaukee for being a constant source of inspiration!
18. Eggs Benedict – my favorite breakfast item & what’s on the menu for today!
19. My voice & my freedom to choose what’s best for my life!
20. Travel – and all of the places in the world I have seen and will see!
21. My sense of curiosity & eagerness to learn more about myself & the world around me!
22. Coffee – obviously. Drinking some right now while I’m writing this!
23. My future & all of the exciting things to come – both known and unknown!
24. A cozy bed to wake up in every morning & fall asleep in every night!
25. My new Peloton – 11/4 can’t come soon enough!
26. A road trip to the Little Apple to visit my brother this weekend – with a pitstop in Naperville to see another bro, a SIL, and 3/4 nephews!
27. Self-care – with a blowout planned for today, and a hot bubble bath maybe tonight or tomorrow!
28. Good food & drinks – both today and everyday! I love having a BF, family, and friends who appreciate great flavors and trying new things!
29. Technology – for the ability to connect with my family & friends.
30. Each & every person who will send me birthday wishes today, or who has in the past!
31. And you, for sticking it out until the end and reading this whole list! Thank YOU for being here!

That might be a few more than 31 things, especially combining a few into one, but it’s such a great reminder that even through times of uncertainty, there’s plenty to be thankful for in life. It’s just a matter of acknowledging, appreciating, and showing gratitude for it all, even the little things. Every year, I feel so thankful for everything that I’ve been able to do in my life. All of the experiences, memories, and opportunities make me feel extremely #blessed. And then I think about everything I plan to do in my life, and I can’t help but be extremely excited for what’s to come in this next year and beyond.

Cheers to another year!