Reading answers like Mary Beth’s remind me why I started “project 30”. I love learning about such interesting and brave women and her answers where just soooo good. My favorite line was most definitely…”You can never be too much of yourself. I want my “me-ish-ness” to overflow at the brim.” Yes, please. I met Mary Beth about six months ago through mutual friends and I am so grateful to run in the same circle as her because I really look forward to getting to know her even better. Enjoy her answers…
What would your 30 something self tell your 20 something self if you could?
to always play.
to be kinder to myself.
to slow down.
What do you wish you took more seriously in your 20’s?
I wish I would’ve taken more seriously the time I had to be NOT SO SERIOUS! I would’ve traveled even more, messed up even more (I know you are probably shaking your head, mom), put myself on the line even more. but the beauty of it? I am doing all of that right now.
What do you wish you took less seriously in your 20’s?
my body. I struggled for several years with body and eating issues, and believed that the only way I could be lovable was if there was less of me. I think about that now and it honestly brings tears to my eyes. I’d take that twenty-year-old by the hand and we’d sit down in a cafe for mochas and talk of abundance and healing. You can never be too much of yourself. I want my “me-ish-ness” to overflow at the brim.
Favorite memory from your 20’s?
Getting on a train leaving from Iowa city to new york city for an internship at jane magazine. I had two suitcases and wore a denim mini skirt and frye boots. I had a regular seat on the train for this 36-hour journey next to a Jamaican rapper named militante who let me cover up my freezing legs with one of his sweatshirts. I remember when we finally pulled into penn station and I rode up the escalator truly seeing new york for the first time. It was a summer of endless adventures and deep learning about myself. Oh, and a lot of white bread and peanut butter sandwiches for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
In your early 20’s where did you think you would be (work, live etc) by 30?
My soul thought I’d be here. california always felt right and I visualized the way I’d look and feel a lot like I do now (minus the pms-y rage weeks and moments of major self-doubt). My head, on the other hand, kinda thought i should stick in the magazine world and have a normal life. im-fucking-possible. ha! (you don’t have to put in the f’ word if you don’t want to !)
And where were you by 30? What did your life look like?
well, i just got here. I have been thirty for less than a week.
thirty is – married to a lumberjack of a man with a beautiful soul.
cutest bulldog in the world named rosy.
job of my dreams teaching yoga, writing & life coaching.
Venice cottage about a mile away from the beach with a farm table, italian lights and fresh flowers (these elements were in EVERY visualization i ever did about my future.)
girlfriends that inspire me to no end and feel just like family.
oh, and my first tattoo!
Were you ever worried that it wouldn’t all fall into place?
oh yes! I still am. but my favorite poem of all time is by hafiz and speaks to fate and being led. I truly believe we are not in charge but it is up to us to live out our destinies fully.
The place where you are right now
God circled on a map for you
wherever your eyes and arms and heart can move
Against the earth and the sky,
the beloved has bowed there-
The beloved has bowed there knowing
You were coming…
-hafiz
What is the greatest gift about being a woman in your 30’s?
I honestly looked forward to this birthday and decade more than I have any other. I look forward to a sense of inner power and wisdom and fully coming into my own. I feel really strong, like I can take on the world. I spent a lot of my twenties apologizing and doubting myself. my thirties are going to be about speaking and living my truth, even when it rocks the boat a bit.
When you look out onto the horizon. What do you hope your life looks like at 40?
more and more of this but with a couple of beautiful kiddos. and maybe another bulldog.
What’s a quote/ saying you try to live your life by?
Ishvara pranidhana
it’s the tattoo i have in sanskrit on my forearm.
it means surrender to god or give it up to god.
find MB elsewhere: twitter / website / blog / instagram
365til30.com 