Reflections on Turning 30

Earlier this week marked the end of an era for me and the start of new beginnings as I turned the big 3-0! I want to take a moment to thank my family, friends, colleagues and students who helped make it a memorable one.

I think all birthdays warrant some sort of self-reflection, but any birthday with a 0 at the end warrants it even more. After all, it signals the completion of a decade and the start of a new one.

Towards the tail end of my 20s, I started paying more attention to the ways we, as a society, talk about aging and I couldn’t help but notice how many seem angsty and terrified about entering a new decade, especially the 30s! It got me thinking about why we, as a society (and especially women), are conditioned to think of and talk about aging in such a negative way. I love when people use more positive language to describe aging and say things like the best is yet to come because I truly believe that. I believe that each stage of life presents us with new gifts and new lessons that make us stronger, kinder and wiser.

Turning 30 doesn’t make me feel “old” in any way; instead, I feel more confident and more experienced than I did in my 20s, and that’s a great thing! This significant milestone is certainly something to celebrate, I think, not mourn!

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So, in the spirit of celebration, I figured I would share some of the life lessons (in no particular order) that shaped my 20s.

• Success is not always linear. View challenges or setbacks as opportunities for growth.

• Find happiness in the things that truly matter to you. Happiness should not be confined to the accumulation of money and material wealth. Learn how to cherish and hold onto memories not stuff.

• Be an optimist. Don’t underestimate the power of a positive mindset and surround yourself by positivity.

• Strive for excellence, not perfection because the latter doesn't exist.

• Never stop learning. Be curious, always.

• Learn how to let go of things you have no control over.

• Be courageous. Take risks and seek new adventures or suffer the regret of not doing so.

• Be kind to yourself. Don’t take yourself too seriously. Enjoy and embrace life’s silly moments.

• Don't wait for the right moment to be kind, compassionate and loving to others. Create those moments whenever you get a chance.

• Live a life with purpose. Find ways of adding value to those around you each and every day.

Of course the twenties weren't easy, but nothing worthwhile truly is. There were many ups and many downs, but what I've learned along the way is that those don't really matter - what matters is how one deals with those ups and downs. Here's to a lifetime of self-discovery, adventure and learning how to live happily and with purpose. Cheers everyone <3