Here I am, five years old with my baby brother. Photo: The Vancouverite

Here I am, five years old with my baby brother. Photo: The Vancouverite

Today I'm 41.

Weird to even type that. Officially in my 40s. When I was five (like I am in the picture), I never imagined my 40s to feel like this. I'm supposed to be old and wrinkly (well maybe there are a couple...) and no more fun. However, I can't imagine feeling better than I do now - really grabbing life by the horns and doing what I want to do. Feeling more confident than ever and really not giving two shits about what other people think. Where was this in my 20s??? Maybe in the toilet where I was throwing up after too much late-night partying.

I now have a successful career in communications, started two companies, can actually call myself a designer (!), travel around the world without staying in hostels, have a wonderful - and mature - man whom I love and who supports me, eat and drink well, and have two amazing boys. Of course, nothing's ever perfect (not like on Instagram - ha - my life included!), and with all that activity things can get crazy and it's always challenging to find work-life balance but I wouldn't have it any other way. 

So I'm loving life and extremely grateful for what I've been given. I remind myself often not to take anything for granted - life is beautiful, complex and precious. Can't wait to see what the next 40 years will look like. Bring it on!