I grieved my 30th birthday. And no, not because I was scared of growing older or because I was sad to be exiting my 20s.
No, I grieved my birthday because I felt like I got jipped.
Shortly before my birthday day, I learned a fun fact (well, not so fun to me at the moment).
I learned that birthdays, as we celebrate them, are actually the END of a year, not the beginning.
Now, I know that may not be mind blowing information to some, but when I learned this, I was devastated. You see, I was really looking forward to turning 30, to starting a new decade. But this new information meant that I had already been living in it for a year unknowingly! This milestone birthday that I had been anticipating all year was not beginning – it was ending!
It took me a few days to grieve my loss, but I’m thankful to say I got through it. And – all dramatics aside – my 30th birthday was a truly fulfilling one. And, even though the day is long behind me, here are a few thoughts as I enter this new decade.
What I’m taking with me into my 30s
- Speak (and live) your truth
- Don’t let others define who you are
- Be curious about yourself and the world
- Never stop growing
- Kindness and connection matter
Life is a cycle of beginning and endings. The start of one year (or decade) means the end of another.
For me, my 20s were a decade filled with lots of learning and growing and figuring out who I am. It was a decade that had it’s fair share of discomfort and uncertainty as well as moments of happiness.
And, my 30s? No doubt, my 3os will be filled with many of the same moments of grief and joy. These things are simply a part of life and a new decade doesn’t change that. But what has changed, and what will continue to change, is me and that, I will always celebrate!
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