The Late Twenties

"We turn not older with years, but newer everyday." — Emily Dickinson

Katie Burke
October 10, 2024

This week I turned 26 and I know I should probably be scared.

I should probably start using retinol and make a Botox appointment.

I should start freaking out about my career trajectory, buying a home, and my 5-year plan.

I should probably cry that I’m not too old for Leonardo DiCaprio and feel washed up for using the Gen Z Tiktok slang.

I should be meal-prepping on Sunday afternoons and going to the gym every morning before work.

This week I turned 26 and I still wear mismatched socks on laundry day and watch my favorite childhood movie when I’m sick (Scooby-Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed.)

I’ve made buttered noodles for dinner more times than I’d like to admit because I forgot to take anything out of the freezer that morning.

I like decorating for holidays, listening to Taylor Swift, and wearing bows in my hair.

I would have ice cream every single night if I could because that’s what child-me would want for dinner.

The older we get, the more we must make an effort to connect with our inner child. Just think, how cool would 5, 13, or 17-year-old you think you are right now?

I like to ask my friends three questions on their birthdays as a way for them to reflect (very Rose, Bud, Thorn-esque) so I’m going to “ask” myself and answer them below.

P.S. I encourage you to do the same on your birthday!

What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned in this last year?
How to pick just one learning from the last 365 days? Show up for yourself, show up for your friends. Go to therapy and invest in yourself. The best practice you can do every day is aiming to live as your most authentic self. After that, everything else will fall into place.
What’s an intention you’d like to set for yourself this next year?
At first glance, 26 feels daunting and serious, but I know that’s just what they want you to think. My intention would probably be to focus on one thing at a time, and remember there’s plenty of time to do it all.
Who wished you a Happy Birthday this year that surprised you?
This sounds insane, but I was taking out cash and the TD Bank ATM wished me a HBD <3

Late twenties baby! Let this be your reminder to calm the f*ck down. Go watch Sex and the City and remember the privilege of getting older is the most beautiful part of life.

The TLDR:

Weekly Report
NYC this weekend: Not Wasting My Smashburger
Tweets

✍️ Weekly REPORT

Reading: Most recently finished The Last Thing He Told Me and then binged the entire show that day! What a satisfying pipeline.

Eating: As mentioned above, cooking is one of the biggest struggles in my adult life. Looking for some 30-minute meal ideas!

Playing: Does carving Pumpkins for Halloween count?

Obsession: I wasn’t fortunate enough to get tickets to the Short n’ Sweet Tour, but I religiously check Tiktok after each performance to see if she added a new Juno position. If you know you know.

Recommending: Nobody Wants This, yes I know me and every woman in America.

Treat: If you don’t get your hands on these before Oct 31st…

📆 IRL: Not Wasting My Smashburger

NYC 20-somethings! We are so excited about our partnership with Smashburger for a stellar deal this weekend:

This Saturday & Sunday, 2 Manhattan locations will offer a $10 combo meal for our community that registers at the link here. The combo meal includes their Single Classic Burger, Fries or Tater Tots, and a Draft Beer.