Today is my birthday. But like...how though? The older you get the faster life seems to speed up. However, life has taken some pretty fantastic turns this year so today, on my birthday, I want to celebrate the fact that I'm in a good place, I'm happy and I'm pursuing what I want to do in life.

If you follow me on Instagram you're pretty aware of the dailies. They are spent with some incredible friends, working on my business and exploring the city. It's insane to think I've been in Seattle for nine months. Nine. Months. I could have birthed a child by now. Amiright? I didn't though. Instead a birthed a new life and it's one I'm pretty proud of, thank you very much.

Last year I made a list of things I wanted 2017 to be. I wanted change, I wanted a new adventure, I wanted to say yes more. Well, I'm happy to report that's exactly what I did.

I uprooted my whole life and took a huge risk at an age where people are settling down, buying homes and having kids. I of course want those things too, but saw this window in my life where there wasn't anyone or anything holding me back. I knew I had to treat that little window with respect so I didn't just open the window, I jumped through it.

I've spent the past year figuring out what it is I want in my career, in love and in my friendships.

Career // To make my own money shooting incredible couples all over the world (Greece, Paris, Brazil, Ireland, I'm looking at you). To help brands I believe in bring their vision to life.

Love // This could be it's own blog post so all I'm going to say is...man of my dreams, come and get me, k? Thanks.

Friendship // This has always been the strongest part of my life. I'm good at friendship and know who my people are, but I felt stuck in my life and as a result I felt isolated. I needed change so I vowed to change my environment and come back stronger for them and for me.

I stopped settling for less and started practicing what I preach. Let in what you think you deserve and that's what you'll get. Well, I think I deserve the best people, the best love and the best clients. Ask and you shall receive.

It's not always rainbows and sunshine and some days I just want to be quiet in my loft and decompress because the hustle is real and things can get overwhelming at times. When I feel that way I just live in the light that are my friends, facetime calls and group texts and remember that I am surrounded by love. I am proud to say I created that for myself. I didn't just fall into an amazing group of people. I let them in and they let me in. We chose each other.

I now live in a state of growth, constant creativity and peace. I know what it's like to live in a walking city (something I always craved) and found my favorite street. Almost every day I find a reason to take Western Avenue somewhere; my friend's house, the nail salon, Pike Place or just a simple walk. I never tire of the light that hits it at sunset. Each time I see it differently and the familiarity of it feels like home now.

// If you're feeling stuck or alone or just lost, I feel you. I've been there and I want you to know that even the slightest step forward can make such a difference. You don't have to move two states away to find the answers, but you do have to take action. You're in control of your life so don't waste another second dreaming of the life you want. You have the power to paint it just the shade you envision it to be. \\

Thanks for reading this little diddy and I hope this post inspires you to get after the things you want. Go do it and then tell me about it :)

Photos of me by my girl, Talitha Bullock.

Seattle a la Liz // Western Ave