When I think back 10 years, I realize how much my outlook on life has changed.  Mostly for the better – I’m drinking a lot less, not smoking cigarettes whenever I can and eating vegetables.  The good news is – I still have fun even though those things are different.  When I think about where I might be 10 years in the future, my mind starts wandering, so I wrote a letter to myself.  I’ve had something like this in my drafts for a while, so today is the perfect day to share.
Dear 39 year old Steph (who is probably shaking her head because it’s weird to read a letter from yourself)

I hope you have found a potion that keeps dogs alive for 60 years.  

You should currently be completing your absolutely epic 40 before 40 list.  Don’t worry, I’m sure I’ll start writing it next May.

I hope that you have traveled to many new countries.  I hope you’ve written about your adventures because they were worthy of sharing and the people you’ve met deserve to have their stories shared.  Plus, I bet you need somewhere to put all the pictures you’ve taken of inappropriate road signs and well staged breakfast tables.  Your husband is the best sidekick, so make sure to never forget that.

I hope you still listen to decent music and wear solid colors.  

You better not be out of shape.  I know getting older is hard on the metabolism, but maybe you hike mountains now instead of just dreaming about it.  Maybe you’ve learned how to stand on a paddle board and gracefully paddle instead of the wobble & fall routine.  I also hope you’ve learned to cook more than vegetarian slow cooker chili and mac&cheese.  

I don’t know if you’ll have children and I hope you’re still OK with that.  Your nieces & nephew will still think you are the coolest, so don’t mess that up.

I hope you are really good at a few things and making money for at least one of them.  I hope you own a tiny house somewhere awesome.  I hope you have a better morning routine than shower, coffee  and brush hair if we are feeling fancy.  

I’m also keeping my fingers crossed that the world is still intact, that there are still forests to enjoy and clean air to breathe – if you can do anything to help with that – please do.

Last, but not least, I hope you at least own an iPhone in the double digits. 

Sincerely,
the 29 year old you
I have absolutely no idea where I will be in 10 years now, but if you would have asked me last year – I would have given you a stock answer.  I’m so happy my life isn’t predictable. 

Helene in Between Blogtober