I’m back in London after an amazing time in California (see pics here)! And today, I want to share a story with you…

The other day, on one of our I Heart Coaching calls, one of my incredible clients got on the phone to share her weekly success and ask a question. (Throughout the program, my clients share their successes in the Facebook group and often live on our group calls.)

This particular woman got on and announced that it was her birthday. After a few “woo hoo’s” and “happy birthday’s” from my end, she got the chance to share her success.

Now normally, my clients have business-related successes, but this particular day was different…

My client shared that for the first time on her birthday, she was proud of herself. She was excited about where she was today. She woke up looking forward to the year to come. This was the first birthday she’d ever had where she felt like she was on the right path. And that she wasenough.

I get goosebumps just thinking about that moment now.

The thing is, lovely, that experience I had on the phone with my client shouldn’t be so rare. In my opinion, that’s what’s supposed to happen on your birthday, but for so many women, that’s not the case. Trust me, I’ve been there.

Tomorrow is my birthday (woo hoo!) and I have to say, I’m pretty excited for another amazing year, but that wasn’t always the case.

In fact, I used to seriously dread my birthdays and getting older because I felt like I hadn’t done enough, wasn’t enough, didn’t have enough, etc. in my life yet. And actually, if I’m totally honest, there were a few birthdays in my mid to late twenties that I spent in tears because I was so disappointed with where I was at that time.

My life didn’t look anything like I’d expected, and so I dreaded the thought of another year passing me by, of being another year older and not living the kind of life I’d always dreamed of…

But this year I feel the complete opposite of how I used to feel about my birthday. I feel like this past year has been the best year of my life, and I believe that the next year is going to be even more extraordinary. I’m looking forward to what’s ahead and continuing to following my heart in the direction of my dreams. And I know, without a shadow of a doubt, that this is going to be the best year yet. (Look for an exciting announcement as to why next week!)

I’m so grateful to be in this place today – after all, it was literally just a few years back I was a confused, frustrated, lonely and broke 20-something crying all over her birthday cake…

Maybe you can relate, lovely. Maybe your birthdays have brought up feelings of another year that’s been less than what you’d hoped for, another year of struggling to get to where you want to be in life, another year of wondering if the life you’ve been dreaming of is even possible anymore.

Well, I want you to know that the life you want is still possible. Your dreams are there for a reason, and they’re meant for you.

But you have to keep going forward and follow your heart.

A few days ago, I saw a phrase in my Danielle LaPorte journal that said “your heart is genius”, and that so resonated with me because that’s exactly how I got to where I am now – by following my heart.

I followed my heart and took action, even when I couldn’t exactly see how everything was going to come together. Even when I was broke, confused, and super scared, I trusted myself and my desires and I believed that the life I truly wanted was on its way to me.

And nowadays I’m getting to work with extraordinary women all over the world, and honestly, one of my favorite things to hear my clients say is that they no longer dread their birthdays. I know how amazing it feels to be on the other side of that, to have followed your dreams and to see them becoming your reality.

So, lovely if you’re like I was not so long ago –  crying in your birthday cake – I want to encourage you to keep moving forward. Trust and follow your heart.

You have what it takes to create the life you desire, so no matter what birthday’s coming up for you, trust that it’s never too late to take steps in the direction of your dreams.