This is 31

Sometimes you just need a quiet birthday to put things in perspective. While I would have loved to indulge in a decadent cake at my favorite restaurant on my birthday, I turned 31 by “cheating” on my low iodine diet with a vegan scone, touring the Vanderbilt Mansion, and trying out a boutique fitness studio that offered a heated yoga class.

This year, I celebrated myself on my birthday. I enjoyed some quiet time alone in the morning and pampered myself with a mini at-home facial in the evening and a meditation session before bed.   I gave my mind and body a break from the usual hustle and bustle—which was much needed as both struggle to adjust to my new diet and serious lack of caffeine, sugar, and salt.

The past few weeks have been wrought with fear, worry, and anxiety (aka, lots of sleepless nights). Between stress at work, a restrictive diet, and anticipation of my upcoming scans, worry has come easy lately—and taken a toll on my mind and body.

So I decided to celebrate myself this year—how far I’ve come and where I am heading. While the next few weeks will be a challenge, taking one day to just enjoy my somewhat new surroundings made all the difference.