05/08/2026
I always wondered what 55 would feel like. Today I know—and it feels pretty damn incredible. For the first time in a long time, I feel genuinely happy. I laugh A LOT, I’m healthy, and I can honestly say I’m grateful for all (or almost all 🤣) the bu****it I had to go through to get here.
(I’m going to get a little deep now, so feel free to stop reading 🤣🤣)
Age is a funny thing. We let this dumb number define us—what we’ve accomplished, whether we’re successful, whether we’re “behind” in life. We tell ourselves: by this age I should be married, have kids, make more money, drive a certain car, live in a certain house… and if we don’t? We feel like failures.
For decades, I hated the woman I saw in the mirror. I battled insecurities, the “not good enough” thoughts, the fear of saying the wrong thing, not looking the part, not being perfect. I stayed quiet when people were disrespectful, dishonest, rude, or hurtful because I was terrified of disappointing people or not being liked.
I have messed up more times than I can count as a daughter, wife, mom, sister, friend, employee, and business owner. I’ve crashed and burned, lost almost everything, and fought battles I never imagined I’d survive. But guess what? I’m still standing. (On brittle and achy bones 🤣… but still standing.)
What I’ve finally learned is this: failures are okay. Reinventing yourself is okay. Starting over at any age is okay. And you do not need to wait 55 years to believe that you are enough—because you are.
Tell the people you love that you love them. Appreciate the ones who cheer for you, speak honestly to you, pull you out of the s**t storm, and still respect you through all the mistakes and messiness of life.
55 is going to be a really beautiful year—and I’m incredibly grateful to be here for it. ❤️ Jason, thank you for showing me that “the love of your life” really exists. I love you
Thank you Ashley Alexander for capturing exactly how I feel…happy and joyful!
