Thursday, September 5, 2019

26




It's birthday #26, and I've never felt so...calm?

Usually, I'm awash in the glow of Birthday Magic, 
but this year I just feel kind of relaxed.

This morning I opened a letter to myself at 26 that I wrote when I was 21. I was struck while reading it by just how much I didn't know. I guess that is always the case - how could I know what was coming? I had to learn the hard way, by going through those years. But I look back and feel now as if I have learned. That even though the person I was at 21 feels, in some ways, very different from who I am at 26, that both versions of me are valid and there will be other versions yet to come.

Like, even having this blog.

It's crazy to me that I've been able to maintain a blog for so long. Acoustic Erin was "birthed" in 2013, and I've been writing birthday posts since my 21st year. It's one thing to have journals, but to also have this blog, this record of who I am, is sort of like a time capsule. I kind of wish it was tangible, sometimes. That I could hold it and read it and put it on a shelf, because it's been such an important place to me for so many years.

So, welcome, 26!

Welcome, with all your level-headed calmness, and hope for the future. I don't know what songs I'll cling to this year, but it feels fitting to kick this year off with (what else?) Paramore's "26." I love when artists memorialize ages like that in their work. Adele's albums come to mind, and Switchfoot's "Twenty Four." Maybe one day I'll do that, too.

Old birthday posts can be found here: 21, 22, 23, 24, 25.

Already hungry for birthday cake,
E

14 comments:

  1. Happiest Birthday, Erin!!! ♡♡ hope you have a great time on your day :)

    http://helloannajo.blogspot.com

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    1. Thank you so much! It was an excellent birthday. :)

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  2. Happy birthday! I need to start writing some letters to my future self. In a way though, everything that I've blogged can be seen as something to look back on. I can understand that. Always enjoy reading your blog!

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    1. Thank you, Vanessa! :) You totally should, they can be so interesting to read later. Thanks so much for the kind words! :) <3

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  3. Happy Birthday!!! I hope that 26 brings a lot of good growth and fun new experiences for you.

    I always panic a little when it's my birthday because getting older feels like leaving something behind. But I'm getting better at just appreciating the fun of the moment. Baby steps...

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    1. Thanks so much, Evangeline!! :) Oh, I am totally with you on that. While I usually look forward to my birthday, sometimes when the actual day arrives, it can be a bit...melancholic? I'm working on living in/enjoying the moment more, too, haha!

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  4. Happy, happy birthday, Erin!!! Hope year 26 is amazing for you.

    xoxo
    k.

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  5. You've been writing for so long and writing letters to your future self is such a good idea! Happy (belated) birthday!!

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    1. I know, it's crazy to me when I realize how long of a shelf life this blog has had. Pretty crazy how fast time flies! Thanks so much for the birthday wishes. :) <3

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  6. A very belated birthday to you, dear one! I hope that 26 has been so wonderful <3

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    1. Thanks so much, Grace Anne! <3 It has been fantastic so far!

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Go with grace.