33 and Fabulous

I can’t believe that today I turn 33.

32 has been quite the year.  It really hasn’t exactly been a piece of cake (birthday cake to be exact 😉 ) , but I can most definitely say that this year has been full of growth, exciting new adventures, and oh yeah, a little blog called casiefarrell.com.

Dating

As I am sure you have read in my past posts, Are Women and Men from Different Planets? Absofreakinglutely., My Dating Profile , The Doom of Dating , Changing for Others, I talk a lot about my dating experiences and what I want and expect in a boyfriend.  One of the many things I have learned this past year, mainly though writing, a lot of tears, laughter, reflecting, my dating experiences, and my relationships, is what I want in a man.  Sure, I haven’t EXACTLY figured it out, but now I know that I am on the right path, and I definitely feel like I know what my deal breakers are and most importantly, what I deserve.  It has taken me 33 years to figure out that I deserve someone who checks almost all of my boxes (OK, OK, not ALL of them because there are A LOT 🙂 ).  But I shouldn’t have to settle for less, and honestly because of my experiences, I never will.  I would much rather be 33 and single, than 33 and married with someone who doesn’t give me what I need or make me happy.

CasieFarrell.com

This blog has been nothing short of awesome for me. I have always wanted to have a blog to share my travels, fashion, and my life with people to let them know that they aren’t the only ones going through this crazy thing called life.  I also started this blog as a challenge for myself.   Honestly, I’m not the best writer, and it has always been one of my insecurities, but I figured that the only way to improve myself in this capacity is to put myself out there, and work on it.  I truly believe that the only way you will ever grow in life, is to push yourself outside of your comfort zone, challenge yourself, and just do it!

Something that I think that people would never guess about me, based on my photos now on my instagram, is that I never really liked taking photos of myself.  In my past relationships, I never wanted them to take a picture of me, because for whatever reason I was always too embarrassed and insecure.  This blog has forced me to be proud of myself, stand tall, hold my shoulders back, and even if my hair isn’t perfect, I have a pimple on my forehead, and I’m pale, I am who I am.  You can accept it, or not.  Take it or leave it.  I’m no model, but this blog has really given me a big boost of confidence to be proud of who I am and not be afraid to show what you got!  We are all beautiful in our own way, so I’ve learned to just embrace it!

Saying yes more often

I think this past year I have taken a little note from Luis Ortiz, yes, the guy from Million Dollar Listing, (don’t judge me!), to SAY YES MORE OFTEN!  I think that in the past, if it wasn’t something I would usually do, I might be quick to say, “no thanks, maybe next time.”  But I’ve realized that I’m missing out on experiences and trying new things.  So why say no?  What have I got to lose?  If anything, I tried something new, didn’t like it, but hey, at least I tried it and now I can cross it off of my list!  So I’ve purposefully been choosing to say YES more often this past year and I think I have definitely had more fun because of it!  🙂

Yoga

I started yoga about a year and a half ago, and as I wrote about in my posts, One of the Many Lessons in Yoga and  Practice Makes…, and My Hot Yoga Challenge, yoga has truly been a life changer for me.  Whenever I feel stressed, overwhelmed with life, or have a panic attack, I literally use yoga as a form of medicine to help remedy my situation.  It brings me back to being myself, focusing on being present, taking life step by step, and improving what you can in the moment, but always striving to make it even better the next time around.  I am truly so grateful for all that yoga has taught me in the short amount of time and it has been a tremendous resource for bettering myself.

Traveling: In the past year, I have traveled to Israel (part two and part 3), Portugal, Spain, Germany (part 2 and part 3), and Nyc (part 2).  Traveling is an integral part to who I am as a person.  I really think that traveling to any country, other than your own, helps you to understand not only other cultures, people, food, but also, yourself.  This past year, was my first time traveling by myself across the world as I am usually with a school group, program, friends or boyfriend.  When I returned home from my awesome trip, my main takeaway, besides the amazing people, awesome food, and honestly, how much it sometimes sucks/how nice it was to be alone,  was that I can do anything that I put my mind to.  This trip for me was not just a way to see another country or visit my favorite place, Israel, it was really a challenge to myself to in a way prove that I don’t need anyone else to help me, but I’ve got this all on my own.  I worked a TON of extra hours on the weekends at my side job at Shipt to pay for this trip, and it was 1000% worth it.

Jumping in Barcelona

Even though I’m single, don’t have kids, and not a millionaire by any means, I am confident, happier, and more self aware than I have ever been in my entire life.  Yes, there has been crying, drama, and just LIFE STUFF, but if 33 is anything like 32, then I am definitely up for the challenge.   LET’S DO THIS 33!

Here’s to a great year, with new challenges, lots of fabulous outfits, a plentiful amount of relationship/dating fails, kissing a lot of frogs, headstands and namastes,   jumping photos, sunsets, Toby cuddles, wanderlusting, and being fabulous at 33.