Turning 25 & Other Birthdays!

Yesterday I turned 25 and in a few short weeks Three Region will be turning 1. 

These are huge birthday's for me, for my company, and for what lies ahead. 

When I was young I used to think 25 was such an adult age. It was when you had left school, struck out on your own, and in my mind established yourself in a career. I had a lot of ideas of what I thought my life would look like by 25. But yesterday as I sat surrounded by my friends - eating cake and ice cream - drinking an amazing sangria - I realized that everyone is at different stages in life and that every day we are continuing to become the people we are destined to be. 

I thought I would be a published author, a contender for the coveted 25 under 25 list. I thought I would be in a permanent dwelling - whether a house or a city apartment. I thought I'd be living in New York with a publisher and a coffee addiction and no more room to grow. 

It's funny to think that even 5 years ago I still saw myself in one of more of these pathways, and could not see that I had an outdated mindset on the way this world works. As I move past my quarter-century and into the next I'm starting to reevaluate these thought processes and learn to adapt to the way life is at 25. 

First I'll name 5 things I've accomplished by 25. 

Things I've Accomplished By 25: 

• Started my own Business 
• Created my Lifestyle Blog
• Got Married 
• Found Creative Full Time Employment as a Photographer
• Created Long Lasting and Healthy Female Friendships

These are all great things. Things most people don't do in an entire lifetime. I've put myself out there artistically and emotionally - and have begun building a client base of truly wonderful and unique people. I've finally started putting my degree to use and feel that I choose the right field for myself. I also have learned to rid myself of toxic or youthful relationships and learned to settle down both romantically and in female friendship. It's important to have a strong support group that not only help you grow as a person but that push you to keep going when you feel like the odds are against you ( a feeling I have quite often being a young entrepreneur.) 

And while I'm quite proud of all that I've accomplished I know I have to keep going - for I have no intent on slowing down in the upcoming years - as I think of the things I have not accomplished I find myself being driven even stronger towards accomplishing those goals. 

Things I Want to Accomplish in the Next 5 Years: 

• Buy A House
• Publish A Novel
• Become Fully Self Employed
• Sell A Piece of Artwork
• Become A More Organized Person

As I look at this list I can feel that these are all achievable goals. I've been working on a novel for some time now and it's almost to it's final stages of editing. It's a life achievement I have strived for since I was a kid, filling up notebooks with my stories. While I would love to make money from my storytelling, just having the book in my hand will make my life feel complete. Every day I push towards that goal, but I also balance it with my current exploits. 

I hope that in 5 years Three Region will become it's own self sustaining entity. That perhaps it will become my Full Time job and writing a part time gig. And I feel to do this I need to have a home. To create a space that is mine and cohesive and organized, another big feat I hope to achieve this year.  While some say minimalism is the way to go when it comes to productive, creative, work spaces I prefer to live my life in clutter. However I would like to have organized chaos. 

While I know that 25 is not the end for me - nor the beginning - I feel that I am finally starting to take form as the maker I am meant to be and I hope that you all will join me as I strive to enrich myself, my life, and my career through creativity, photography, writing, and Three Region. 

I couldn't have achieved any of this without help and design support from my business partner who happened to take a chance on this! Or to Joanna Sue Photography who has been a great neighbor, friend, and creative - who has allowed me to expand even further. (More details on our new creative venture together coming soon) - and to Rob + Kristen Photography - who have been both a constant reminder that businesses take time and that it's normal to feel overwhelmed. Without these people's support I don't think Three Region would be as successful as it is now - in it's continued growth. So thank you to all ! And I look forward to more birthday's with all of you.