Turning 30

Ah, the infamous milestone of turning 30. Suddenly, it feels like the universe has handed you the script for adulthood, and you’re expected to play the lead role flawlessly. As the dust settles from my own 30th birthday, I can't help but wonder, when did blowing out those candles signify the start of mastering life’s grand juggling act?

Thirty seems to come with its own set of unwritten rules – a checklist of accomplishments and societal expectations we’re supposed to tick off like items on a grocery list. But here I am, caught in the whirlwind of doubts and uncertainties, as if suddenly crossing that threshold means I should have all the answers. I should, shouldn’t I?

Mmm, Perhaps, amidst the chaos of self-imposed deadlines ( I need to stop) and societal norms, turning 30 is really about embracing the messy, beautiful journey of self-discovery and acknowledging that maybe, just maybe, we’re already who we were meant to be. So here’s to embracing the unruly tangle of dreams and desires within us, and daring to let them guide us toward our truest selves. After all, isn’t that the real essence of adulthood?"

And here comes the plot twist: Here I am, already a seasoned player in the game of adulthood, with a picture-perfect family in tow. Married bliss, check. Four adorable rugrats, double check. And yet, as I stand at the precipice of my youngest’s imminent school days, (tearful) I can’t help but feel like I’m on the verge of a dramatic plot twist of my own.

They say timing is everything, and this time feels like everything!

For so long, my identity has been intertwined with the role of ‘Mom,’ a character who seemed to age me a decade with each passing year of motherhood. But somehow, it’s the arrival at the symbolic milestone of 30 that’s left me reeling.

In an age where turning 30 is hailed as the ultimate achievement, complete with Instagram-worthy celebrations (I detest Instagram!) and declarations of newfound enlightenment, (which is mostly BS) I find myself longing for honesty amidst the digital fanfare. Yes, there’s excitement in the air, but lurking beneath the surface ….. is a palpable sense of trepidation.

It’s the bittersweet symphony of anticipation and anxiety, the thrill of embarking on a new chapter intertwined with the fear of what lies ahead. So, here’s to embracing the paradox of it all – the exhilarating highs and the terrifying lows – as we navigate the uncharted waters of our thirties. After all, isn’t life’s greatest adventure found in the spaces between certainty and uncertainty?