Turning 32: My Lorelai Gilmore year! - Ep 118
Virgo season has officially arrived, and with it comes a milestone I am still processing: today, I am turning 32. It feels completely surreal, yet somehow totally normal. As the years add up, my relationship with aging has transformed.
In my early twenties, I was constantly rushing toward the next birthday; now, I find myself wanting to press pause and savor the moment.
In today’s birthday stream-of-consciousness podcast episode, I’m slowing down to look back on past milestones, reflect on how my priorities are shifting, and unpack what it really means to step into this new chapter.
Create & consume:
What Austen is creating: iMovie editing tutorial for short-form
What Austen is consuming: parents grilled steak for us over the weekend
In this episode:
A look back at birthdays past
Every birthday brings a little nostalgia, and looking back on specific milestone years highlights just how much life changes:
Turning 11: Throwing a sleepover where we made outfits out of trash bags and hosted an impromptu fashion show
Sweet 16: A full-blown celebration complete with two outfit changes
Turning 21: Spending my birthday in college during orientation week while working as an orientation leader
Turning 26: A pandemic-era birthday defined by the panic of getting kicked off my parents' insurance
Turning 30: Celebrating at a brewery in NYC with the people I love
This year, I’m keeping things simple and sweet with a relaxing day exploring the East Village followed by dinner with Andrew.
Rethinking aging, ambition, and success
There is often an unspoken pressure to have your entire life figured out by a certain age. As Carrie Bradshaw once observed, it often feels like you are perpetually searching for a boyfriend, a job, or an apartment.
But lately, I’ve realized I don’t actually feel 32.
In many ways, I still feel 28—a time-warp side effect of the pandemic that so many of us share.
It turns out there’s neuroscience behind this sensation: research shows that the brain doesn't suddenly stop developing at 25, meaning we are constantly growing and evolving well into adulthood.
That ongoing evolution has completely redefined how I view ambition. I still have goals, but my end game and metrics for success look vastly different than they used to.
It’s no longer about constantly trying to "level up" or striving for external markers of achievement; it’s about learning to enjoy the level I am currently on.
True success doesn't always look flashy from the outside—it's about internal peace, presence, and gratitude for every year spent on this earth.
Evolving identity, health, and home
Looking back, my identity has undergone major shifts over the past decade:
Editor to creator
Single to married
Renter to homeowner
I’ve learned that you can evolve without completely overhauling your life—like shifting from living strictly in NYC to moving out-of-state while staying near a city that keeps me connected.
This chapter has also sharpened my focus on health.
After some family health struggles, I am deeply reminded that health is everything.
Prioritizing both physical and mental well-being is no longer optional—it is the foundation for everything else.
Entering the Carrie & Lorelai era
One fun realization that brought me a lot of comfort recently is that I’m officially entering my Carrie Bradshaw and Lorelai Gilmore era.
Both iconic characters were 32 years old in the very first seasons of Sex and the City and Gilmore Girls.
Even though their plotlines were drastically different—a single woman navigating Manhattan versus a single mother building a life in small-town Connecticut—they serve as a great reminder that turning 32 isn't a finish line.
Realizing these characters were just starting the iconic chapters of their lives at 32 reassures me that there is still so much rich, exciting life ahead.
Friendships, time, and intentionality
In your thirties, the way you manage time and relationships naturally shifts.
I've become much more deliberate about how I spend my hours, understanding that while you can plan for the future, life will always throw surprises around the corner.
When it comes to friendships, it’s all about quality over quantity now.
Finding a realistic rhythm to catch up with people, navigating how location and convenience impact connection, and investing in deep, meaningful relationships has made my inner circle stronger than ever.
Hopes for my 32nd year
As I look ahead to this next trip around the sun, I’m setting a few gentle intentions:
Practice daily presence: Be as genuinely grateful and grounded in each day as possible
Explore new places: Visit at least one new state, country, or continent (or all 3 lol)
Invest in relationships: Prioritize dedicated quality time with family and close friends
Refine my personal taste: Be confident in what I like—from TV shows and books to style—to make everyday choices easier
Deepen self-knowledge: Continue getting to know who I am at this stage of life
Embrace new opportunities: Say a enthusiastic "yes" to exciting possibilities that align with where I want to go
Summary:
Ultimately, turning 32 isn't about having every piece of the puzzle figured out—it's about honoring how far I’ve come and giving myself permission to enjoy the level I'm currently on.
Whether you’re stepping into your own Carrie/Lorelai era or simply learning to slow down and savor the moment, I hope this episode serves as a gentle reminder that there is still so much rich life ahead.
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