Hey guys! So today’s my birthday- I’m 25!
As I said last year, I don’t dread getting older because I’m happy with how I’ve spent my time, and for that matter, my birthdays.
I rang in my 22nd birthday while solo-traveling in Ireland, my 23rd hosting a dinner party in Paris and my 24th at my cottage in Michigan, surrounded by family and strawberry cake.
And for my 25th, I went to Vegas for the first time- I just got home last night in fact! It turns out Vegas really is Disneyland for adults and I not-so-secretly loved it.
Looking back I’m glad I spent time building this blog; not only do I have detailed record of my early 20’s, I’ve been able to share my experiences with you guys. And you guys have been so great, providing life advice, encouragement and overall good vibes. I wouldn’t still be blogging after almost three years without you.
While I often miss the carefree backpacker lifestyle of my early 20’s, I feel so lucky that I’ve been able to carve out a settled life that feels like me: a life of wine parties, good friends and frequent camping and whitewater rafting trips.
. . . . . . . . . .
And as I do every year, I wanted to recap on the goals I set last year. Sadly I didn’t do very well.
1. Make a conscious effort to be happy and make friends wherever I move this year.
YES! I did do this. I have a great group of friends in Denver. And despite some downs and what-am-I-doing-with-my-life anxiety attacks, I’ve overall been very happy.
2. Post at least one recipe a month on this blog. I miss cooking, especially cooking French food!
Ha, no. Honestly my recipe posts received such low engagement I kind of gave up on them. But I need to cook more, even if I don’t post the recipes.
3. Stay in shape. I’d love to run my first 5K and get into pilates.
I did run a 5K last fall and tried pilates. Though honestly I didn’t stay in great shape- balancing a 9-5 and exercise is challenging. Though I have hiked and skied all year and I just joined a gym!
4. Keep up my French and Spanish. Y’all know how much I love languages.
I did okay on this. I recently started French classes at the Alliance Française which makes my language-obsessed heart so happy, but my Spanish is rusty.
5. Write handwritten thank you cards. It’s just classy.
I think I wrote like… three thank you cards? Need to work on this.
6. Get better at dancing. Perhaps belly-dancing or salsa?
Nope. Still suck at dancing.
7. Try a wreck dive. Now that I’m an Advanced Open Water diver I’d love to do this.
I unfortunately have not done a wreck dive. But I did go diving in the Red Sea in Jordan- so that’s something!
Here’s hoping I do much better with my goals at 25:
1. Visit three new American cities. I’m thinking Seattle, Portland and Austin so far.
2. Go to a big music festival like Coachella or Bonnaroo.
3. Blog once a week at MINIMUM.
4. Go on a big trip abroad!
. . . . . . . . . .
But I do have one favor to ask- let’s call it a birthday present, k? I would LOVE if you could fill out this survey to tell me how I’m doing with Ashley Abroad. I’m trying to figure out the right direction going forward and your feedback would be so helpful.
Here is the link to the Ashley Abroad reader survey– constructive feedback appreciated but please be kind!
. . . . . . . . . .
What did you guys do for your 25th birthdays? (Or your last birthday if you’re younger!)
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Dear Ashley,
I am happy that you had a good time on your birthday trip to Las Vegas!
And I think you did very well accomplishingyour goals and fun to lookforward to new ones.
Of course being your Gamma I won”t have much criticism of your blogs.
I have loved them all.
A quote by Alain de Botton:
It is not necessarily at home that we best encounter our true selves.
The furniture insists that we cannot change because it does not;the domestic setting keeps us tethered to the person we are in ordinary life, who may not be who we essentially are.
Love,
Gamma
Hi Gamma, I’ve had an extremely busy day today but I will give you a call tomorrow. Thanks SO much for making sure I got strawberry cake on my birthday- that meant so much to me. I was so surprised and thrilled and was blown away you made sure I had it even when I wasn’t home! I love that quote and have read it before- so true. Love, Ashley
Woohoo! Happy birthday! Welcome to the 25-ers club! It’s awesome here! haha Actually love your first goal and how well you feel you’ve done with it. I’m facing the same boat right now, and crossing my fingers I turn out as good as you ;) Going to take your survey right now!
Thanks so much for taking the survey! I’ve already learned a ton from the responses. And so far 25 seems pretty great!
Many Many Happy returns of the day Ashley.
Really good to read about the goals you’ve stuck to.
Wish you more adventures and a great year ahead.
Happy Birthday!! :)
Thanks so much Tamz! I wish I had stuck to them a little better but hey, you can only do so much :)
happy birthday! can’t wait to see what this next year brings you!
xx
Thanks so much Veena for the well wishes! :)
Happy birthday! I turned 25 in April and took the entire week off of work because why not?! I had been living in NYC for about a year at that point so I used the week to play tourist and hang out with friends. It was perfect :) My thoughts about being 25 are here: https://agenuinedelight.wordpress.com/2015/04/21/twenty-five/ and it’s been a blast so far! Welcome to the club.
That’s an awesome idea- I bet NYC in the spring is lovely too. That’s so cool you work in a newsroom- I would love a job like that! :)
I’ll be celebrating my 25th in six months, I hope I do something half as exciting as you did to celebrate!
I really admire your list of goals, they all seem totally do-able! Good luck!
Thanks so much Ashley! And enjoy 24! :)
Feliz cumpleaños :) What a fabulous way to celebrate your birthday. Well, I’m ancient compared to you as I turned 25 five years ago and can’t fully remember but I’m sure it involved dining out somewhere ha ha.
Personally, I like recipe/cooking inspired posts, especially when they’re of international cuisines so I hope you do more in the future :) P.S. I still buy note cards because yes, they’re the epitome of classy!
It seems there are a few people who would be interested in recipe posts! I may need to reintroduce the recipe section :)
Happy 25th birthday, Ashley! You chose some amazing, exciting and unique ways of spending your last four birthdays. I am sure you’ll achieve all your Goals for the upcoming 365 days. I haven’t filled out your reader survey yet, but I will do, I promise. I came across your Blog two years ago through Adventurous Kate and I am following you ever since. I especially like your post about your past travels and I am looking forward to read where your next big trip abroad will take you.
Thanks so much, Vanessa. I always enjoy receiving your comments and appreciate all your support over the years :)
Happy Birthday Ashley!!!!!!!!!
P.S. I would love the recipe blogs…… ;)
I may have to consider that then :). There are still tons of French recipes I use all the time that I need to post! :)
Happy happy birthday! :-D Glad you had such an amazing one – Vegas must be a great way to spend it! Birthdays aren’t often a big thing for me (I tend to pour all of my year’s celebrations into Christmas, which I LOVE), so I usually just go into work like a normal day, then maybe have a meal out with family in the evening. Though I did have a pretty raucous affair for my 21st in Melbourne – which, by the way, has some of the BEST quirky little bars.
Hope being 25 brings some fantastic things for you :-)
I’ve always wanted to visit Melbourne and can only imagine a 21st birthday there would be amazing! Thanks so much for the birthday wishes :)
Alles Gute zum Geburtstag!
I can definitely recommend Austin and if you’re thinking about music festivals… ACL there is a great time to go! Although then you may get sucked up in the festival and miss the wonders of the city. But either way, you’re gonna love it!
I literally just googled ACL and am seriously considering going- thanks so much for mentioning it! I am on the fence if I’d rather go to Austin for a festival or just to see the city. We shall see!
what a cute post! You’re doing much better than I did at 25. I had quite a few what-am-I-doing-with-my-life moments. Enjoy it I loved my 25th year!
Thanks so much for the good wishes, Madi! I’m sure this year is still going to be full of what am I doing moments but hopefully a few less than last year :)
After reading the title of this blog post, I briefly forgot how old I was and had a moment of panic. Figured it out though, 27, whew. Exercising (and blogging) and working is tough – and you have that huge commute too so I can’t imagine. Also, I’m dying to go to Austin and Seattle, mainly for the food obviously. Happy Birthday!
Thanks so much Rachel! And yes, juggling everything has definitely been the biggest struggle this year. Hopefully I figure it out at 25!
Happy Birthday! I will also turn 25 this year, later in October, my favorite season (for other reasons too!). You should do a post on making friends in a new city, I would love to read about that.
I also just joined a gym, the key for me is going with my coworker after the 9to5 3x/week, having a gym buddy/partner is effective accountability.
For a new American city, consider Philly! We have great art, food (fantastic bring your own (BYO) liquor options), history, and lots going on outdoors in summer. Labor Day Weekend there is the Made in America music festival too. Do let me know if I can sell it some more!
That would be a really good post, thanks for the idea. And YES, a gym buddy is essential for accountability!
25!! Happy happy birthday! You’ve inspired me to make my own list of goals now that I’m no longer a backpacker – except I really don’t want to because fitness is going to have to go on that list, ugh.
Haha fitness is the worst when you’re out of shape (I practically hyperventilate on hikes these days, ugh.)
happy bday !! <3
Thanks girl! Hope you’re having fun in Ohio!
Happy Birthday! I do the same thing setting goals for each month! For my 25th a celebrated with some friends and went to the DC Cherry Blossom Festival!
Oh that sounds really nice! Much more wholesome than my weekend in Vegas, haha.
I turn 25 in February, so I will have to check back in and let you know what I do! Hopefully it is not just spending all day at grad school. I will hereby make a conscious effort to make sure that does NOT happen. Ha! I am going to Austin in November and I am so excited to check it out! Southwest had a good sale and I just couldn’t resist. Happy belated birthday! :)
Southwest is the best! I need to pay more attention to their sales. And thanks so much!
Happy birthday! Can’t believe it’s been two years since that lovely dinner party :) Hope to see you soon!!
That was such a nice night! I remember we drank mojitos until late and stayed up talking. Ah I miss you and am so jealous you’re in Paris!
Happy birthday my fellow July baby! I just turned 26, but I spent my 25th birthday last year in the stunning city of San Sebastián on Spain’s North coast! When I turned 25 I actually wrote myself a wishlist like yours, except over 5 years instead of one: http://thewell-travelledpostcard.com/2014/07/16/turning-25-my-travel-wishlist-before-30/
Hi Ashley! I’m new to the world of blogging and I’d love if you could check it out! https://gabbysbeautifulworld.wordpress.com/2015/07/15/hello-world/
Good for you girl! Good luck!
How about substituting Nashville for Austin? Yes, I like that plan very much.
(And OMG, you’re so young! I feel like a senior citizen.)
I would love to! I was in Nashville a few years ago and had the best time. Plus, we need to finally hang out in real life- I’ve now been following your blog for more than three years!
Hi Ashley,
You are such an amazing inspiration! thanks for the posts thus far. I am planning a trip to Paris for under 2 days in September. Do you have any tips for solo female travel? Any ideas of where I must visit? Thanks x
Thanks so much Shainna, that’s so sweet of you to say! Normally I’d recommend looking into either Couchsurfing or Airbnb for a more local experience, but considering you’re staying less than 2 days I would stay in a cute boutique hotel. I’d highly recommend staying in Le Marais. Have an awesome time!