51 Comments

Dear Alex,

You are way ahead at 35 where I was when I was 35. That was 52 years ago. When I was 35, I had shifted gears big time at 31, so I had just finished 4 years of graduate school, poor as a church mouse, with a wife and 3 kids all under 6. And no job, so I set about creating a new professional career and life, all over again. I love your "reclaiming your identity" and will tell you that I've been in the process of claiming without going back and reclaiming\, as I am glad to have left a lot behind. I believe we are always in the process of becoming more of who we are. When we set out to do that, consciously and intentionally, we have a much better chance of realizing some goals we set for our journey forward. Good on you, for you, and especially good for those around you. Keep going on this path. It's a great ride.

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Mr. Gary Gruber, your words are as inspiring as the ones in this article. Thank you, I needed to read those words today.

My best wishes to you and your family ✨.

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Thank you! Honored by your comment and glad you heard something beyond the words, symbols of meaning which can take us to a deeper place.

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I loved this article so much. I did the same thing this year (I turned 36) but July threw me out of orbit through no fault of my own. As I come up to 36.5 years old, I’m reorienting myself and trying to get back to where I was.

Thanks for sharing your journey!

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Happy birthday, sweet Alex. May you become even more of yourself with every passing year.

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There are so many inspirational and useful shareable snippets in this piece! Thank you for sharing such uplifting encouragement to yourself and others, Alex. Here's to many more micro-moments of returning to yourself in meditative joy and acceptance. 😌

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I could take a bite out of this! You are such a good writer. Reading this felt like a mindful meditation practice. Thank you. ❤️

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Thank you, Alex. My little ones are 3 and 1 and reading this gives me hope for my future. I find myself always putting myself last during this season, and feeling lost and lonely. Reading this makes me think maybe there are better days ahead.

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happy birthday Alex! your approach to your new year is beautiful and inspiring. wishing you the very best, and less of all that doesn’t serve you and more of all that nourishes you. ❤️

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Hey Alex, Thanks for sharing and Happy Birthday.

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Happy 35th Birthday, again! I have witnessed this growth in you this year, from a distance. You have that spark! It's time for me to reprioritize myself...again. Much love, Always, Karen

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This entire article! 💛

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Happiest of Birthdays to you! I feel like every year in my 30s thus far (I turned 38 on July 1st) I’m reminded of why choosing myself will always be the best choice.

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Thank you Alex, for this beautiful article filled with gratitude and self-care.. you are a beacon, an inspiration, showing us as women at 35 how it feels, and how positive changes can be evoked with awareness and conscious living.

Though I’m a new sub, with respect, here are my wishes to you for a very happy birthday! May this new year around the sun bring you all you desire.. all the re-invention you’ve been leading up to.. and may you call in self-compassion and loving energy as you nestle into this new personal era of power, reclamation, and peace. Love. ❤️

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I loved every part of this. Happy birthday my sweet sister. You have been such a light for me throughout our years of knowing each other. It makes me smile to see you reach 35 and feel restored. Love you!

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Happy Belated Birthday!🎉 I resonated deeply with this piece, especially that text message screenshot in the beginning. I’ll be 32 at the top of next year and the transformations, mindset shifts, and perspectives on life, relationships, & work throughout this new decade has been beautiful (even through the challenges).

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Happy Birthday! I loved reading this - it feels so deeply true and loving to yourself- and I wish you all the courage and peace and strength as you continue on your journey. Thank you for sharing. I feel particularly inspired by your birthday prayer. 🙏 💕✨

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Happy vibes to you on another year around the sun. This writing is so enriching. I'm a couple decades ahead and in my 2+ year of stillness. It's good to hear that I'm not the only one on a longer road to myself.

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