Each birthday is a gift. A time to reflect and be grateful for health and prosperity. I tend to get super sentimental on my birthday as I’m reminded of the fact that I’m getting older.
A dear friend recently told me that birthdays aren’t always about celebrating the year ahead, sometimes they’re about celebrating the year you’ve had. In that case, 29 was a major year for me. When I turned 29, I had no idea what the year had in store. Over the past 12 months, I’ve moved across the country, started a new job, traveled to places on my bucket list. These milestones sound glamorous and in many ways they were, but they were also tough lessons in saying goodbye, stepping outside my comfort zone, and finding my new normal.
One thing I really wanted to focus on this year was my mental health. I’ve spent years suffering silently from Anxiety and Depression. Working with a therapist (aka my mental fitness coach) has been one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. Taking the first step in seeking help was absolutely terrifying, but I’m proud of myself for doing it.
My 20s were fueled by big career goals. I was so focused on this definition of “success” that was instilled in me by my family and by society. “Get a good job, climb the corporate ladder, be financially secure, blah blah blah.”
I had to learn that success is a relative term and instead of striving for success, I should strive for significance. That’s what I hope to uncover in my 30s - my purpose in life.
Though turning 30 is slightly scary, I feel ready. My 20s were a lot of fun, but I was also incredibly naive and insecure. I’m excited for 30 and for the adventures my 30s will bring. Hopefully this new decade includes starting a family, building my dream home, and maybe even becoming a CEO. After all, the sky is the limit.