Twenty-Sex

Tomorrow I turn the ripe old age of Twenty-Six.

I'm not afraid to tell the world that. After all, I'm lucky enough to still be in my twenties. Look, I may begin to feel somewhat different about that after this birthday but for now I'm embracing it.

I started something, when I turned twenty-two, broke up with a boyfriend I'd dated for close on 3 years and was really growing into my own skin. Every year I get older I rework the age I'm turning into something that describes how I'm feeling about being that age.

Twenty-Two: Twenty-who?

As I said before, I really only started growing up and growing into my own skin when I turned 22. Newly single and open to new experiences, meeting new people and being completely independent - I figured out who I am, or at least who I want to be.

Twenty-Three: Twenty-ThirstyWhen I turned twenty-three I spread my wings even further. I started traveling more - specifically to Southern African countries, and surrounding myself with people that made me laugh, challenged me and opened my eyes to new, exciting experiences; one's that I would previously have passed up without blinking.

I was more thirsty for knowledge, and thirsty in general. I'd always had a penchant for tequila but I definitely honed my tequila-downing skills that year. Gosh, we even came up with a tequila dance...that serious about tequila.

Twenty-Four: Twenty-F(Wh)oreNot in the way you're all thinking - anyone that knows me well enough knows that being a 'whore' per se, isn't exactly my vibe. I meant it more in the 'kiss a lot of frogs' kinda way. And that I did.

You can't put yourself into a hole and say: 'I never meet anyone.' You never meet anyone because you're in a hole! And that's not only people you'd like to be romantically linked to but people in general.

I learned to put myself out there, have fun the best way I know how - by being myself. I also realised that being myself meant that I got serious about taking care of my health and exercise. I am exercise and healthy eating verskrik - within reason. I resolved to run my first half marathon and did it and in an amazing time to boot.

Twenty-Five: Twenty-(High)-Five

If I could sum up the last year in one word, it'd be 'phenomabomb'. Okay, so that's technically not a real word, but more of a word I made up myself. It certainly describes how I feel about this past year.

I made this past year about giving myself high fives - doing stuff and getting involved in projects that made me proud. Surrounding myself with people and friends, both new and old, that make me want to high-five myself.

I did another half marathon for Pete's sake! I'm also really happy with my body and the effort I put in to be happy with it - exercise, healthy eating habits.

Having fun, proving my worth and opening myself up to change, within my personal and professional realms, has meant that to a certain extent I'm fulfilled.

So what's in store for my Twenty-Sixth year you ask?
Well, what rhymes with Six? Picks, fix, Weetbix? Erm no.

Twenty-Six: Twenty-Sex

Again, don't take this too literally. My mother would be alarmed.

Here's the deal: At Twenty-Six, I'm a woman at her prime (or so every publication tells me). So think of 'sex' in a more figurative sense; passionate, confident and independent - something I hear men find more attractive. Go figure. I thought they like 'em young.

I can honestly say, as I sit here and write this, that I'm happy in my skin right now.
I'm NOT exactly sure what lies ahead for me. Not personally. Not professionally.
But I do know that I'm happy with me. I don't feel like this all the time and I know I'm definitely not perfect, nor will I ever be.

I do know that things happen when they're meant to happen; whether they're good or bad. It's up to you to evolve and accept them, learn from them and grow.

We all have our bad days. Today, for instance, I woke up in a mood that would rival Pieter de Villiers after the Boks loss this last weekend. Shit happens. But it's how you deal with it that helps you discover the bigger picture.

People worry about me, my lifestyle, my sometimes wild, fun-loving ways. That's me. I can only be me. I am evolving and this is present day me.
I've, in the past and quite recently, put a lot of pressure on myself to be what everyone else wants me or at least what I think they want me to be but have realised (with age and with the help of some very savvy friends of mine) that that isn't always what is best for me.


Simply put? I'm stoked to be turning Twenty-Sex and for all this particular year has in store. I have a few favourite quotes, of which this one is one of my top five:


"You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself in whichever direction you choose." ~ Dr. Seuss


I plan on doing just that.