I’ve been meaning to post this for the last few months, but I’ve been sitting on sharing something so personal – as It’s not something I normally do. I always see blog posts on “turning 30” but I never see any posts about how being 30 actually in fact, was.

This is what this post is all about. This was the journey that was my 31^st year on this planet.

As you approach 30 there are so many things that are typically going through your head. Most people think they need to be somewhere by the age of 30, that need to have accomplished incredible life goals. Marriage, baby, buying a home, successful job.. all that typical stuff that you grow up thinking you need by a certain point in your life. My 31^st year taught me otherwise.

2015 was a pretty hard year. I went through a breakup unexpectedly after 6 years. I moved 4 times. I was pinned by a car (& still went on to photograph a wedding that day)!

The first thing I did for myself when I turned 30 last year? A photoshoot for myself. It was something special I wanted to do, and I think that everyone should have professional photos taken of them at some point in their lives. Just feel good, let’s have some fun photos. I felt amazing turning 30!

Then about a month later, heartbreak. I wasn’t sure what was happening in my life anymore. I was entirely confused, but with the help of family and friends I grew stronger. So much stronger. I finally realized how much I deserved real love in my life. A great love. This whole scenario was in fact, the best thing that could have ever happened to me. I can’t wait to feel the powerful love, support and magic that all of my couples feel one day.

But that’s just one tiny little part of the last year.

This last year was about doing things for myself, living my damn life and having fun. Trying new activities, new recipes, being my spontaneous self, dating ‘men’ & figuring out what I like & don’t like in a guy, in a relationship, in life.

Putting myself first always.

This last year I have started to do all of the things that I love to do, talk to the people I want to talk and hang out with. I’ve explored the city, been to Jays and Raptors games galore. I went to 5 concerts last summer, seeing 7 of my favourite artists, and I even got my first tattoo. I went to freaking ICELAND finally and loved every single damn moment of it. I just decided that my year of being 30 was going to be all about ME. Doing everything that I loved, experiencing new things with the people I loved.

I decided that it was ok that I had not accomplished many things that my friends and family had already accomplished by this age. Those things that are ‘expected’ of you by this age. I have accomplished so many wonderful things in my life that I am so proud of, that suit me and no one else. I am so much stronger than I was a year ago. I have had so many new and incredible experiences under my belt and am continuing to do so. I love my life.

I stopped comparing my life to other people’s lives, and I just lived. I lived so hard this last year that I am finally me again.

All photos above were taken by the beautiful Shannon Duggan Photography.

Makeup by: Sabrina Bates-Whited

Things I am going to do this year:

Travel somewhere by myself

Try 2 new recipes a month (#winning on this so far)

Hang photographs in my place

Finally blog all my travels..

Send more hand written mail to my friends

Continue writing about my city experiences (this one is fun)

More date nights with myself

Camping as much as I can this year

Continue to grow my social media (Follow me on IG: http://bit.ly/1Unr2hx)

Paint (oh how I’ve missed this)

Make photo books from my adventures

One last thing…