One year down and the decade that is supposed to be “the best one” is going pretty OK so far. Thirty years on the planet is pretty good going and all those years of me considering aged thirty proper old age were clearly incorrect. I am after all a spring chicken with many more adventures in me and the prime of my life unfolding in front of me as I speak… at least that’s what I tell myself.
Sitting with friends at the weekend, we talked about how when we turned thirty we were told that “all the caring what other people think would stop” and everything would be more relaxed. As perfectly put by my good friend ” you don’t turn a certain age and have a personality transplant”. To put it clearly, it has actually been a more subtle transition as opposed to waking up and feeling majorly different as a thirty something year old. I will say on that note however that there do seem to be some variations on life, conversations and the general priorities of those around us thirty somethings – as much as it pains me to admit it.
Reflecting back, the years of teenage hood were rather crazy. There was the figuring out of myself, gallivanting (in every sense of the word) and general misbehaving when I could get away with it. It was a time where I thought I knew everything but actually didn’t have a clue. Finally, it’s when there was always someone around to educate, inform and generally, give a lecture or two – something which I took majorly for granted and would’ve loved a bit more of in my twenties. Ah yes, my twenties – when all the other figuring out had to happen, co-insided with some travel, finishing of college, starting of a career then a second career and so much more. There was the transition of the hangovers to the now experience of needing a ventilator to feel human again after a night of drink. Meanwhile, my body went from allowing me to eat everything I wanted to needing to break a sweat to burn off even a few calories. As for the rest of it? Well, let’s just say there were plenty of lessons learned.
Moving deeper into thirties territory, the talk of “grown-up stuff” is increasing by the second. So much so that if the topics were to trend on the Twitter of my life, they’d go something like #Mortgage #Babies #Marriage #Money – not necessarily in that particular order however certainly in a similar frequency. Skipping back to those earlier years, I would’ve told you that such topics would send me running for the hills. After all, I just want to blog and drink nice coffees and have holidays in the sun for the most part… or do I?
All this talk can mean that focus shifts and getting trapped in societal expectations becomes so easy. We hear everyone talking about something so we think we want it. We observe people’s “perfect” lives on social media and we feel envy that they’re so far ahead compared to us. All the while, they’re looking at our lives and seeing something they want. Perhaps, it’s freedom, the will to travel or maybe even the single life? The grass is always greener my friends and what’s happening for someone else might not necessarily be what’s right for you. Likewise, when the talking happens, take a step back, stop scrolling and rejig your memory – what is it that you want and how are you going to get there? Keep your eye on whatever it is that means success for you – no matter what age you are.
Would you like to learn more about my journey and wisdom? ‘What we never learned in school’ is now available here.