BECOMING 30!

So I turned 30 – precisely on the 4th October. A 1993 born.

It still hasn’t really sunk in yet – personally, it takes some time after I turn a new age to get used to the age. Especially when I turn a ‘big age’. Yes, 30 IS A BIG AGE.

My auntie asked me on the day I turned 30 – how does it feel to be on the 3rd floor? I was like ‘Uhmm, auntie, I literally just got here and I do not even know! Let’s give it a couple of months and then we can discuss (LOL!)’

But seriously, I am not too age conscious – the older I grow, I realise that it is unhealthy and unecessary to be so stuck on one’s age – you start acting ‘old’ or take life so seriously and forget that it is really not that deep! Life is meant to enjoyed and lived every single day (easier said than done but it is what it is) – turning a certain age doesn’t mean you all of a sudden become this person to fit into some societal standards or whatever.

Growing up, I am sure most of us – including myself, had certain things we wanted to achieve by a certain age and oh the disappointment that comes with not actually achieving those things by the said age. This is why it is dangerous to follow societal standards and get mad that things did not quite go the way you wanted. I have had so many of those disappointing moments (I bet I am not the only one) hence, I freed myself of the bondage of societal standards and expectations to be able to live freely!

When I turned 25 five years ago, I wrote about lessons I had learned as I turned the big age of 25. On this occasion, I am not going to do that but rather be thankful for how much I have grown since then and especially in the past decade. For me, my 20s has been my biggest growth period and to be very honest, I do not know what other experience I am yet to learn from because I feel I have ‘kind of’ seen it all. I do not say this to sound like all grown up (even though I feel kind of old now) but BRO! the things my eyes have seen and what I have been through – it feels I am double my age.

But one constant thing for me has been GOD. To be honest, God has kept me. I say this with all honesty that I would not have lived to see 30 if not for Him (I may share this story soon – I am ready to tell it all). I would not have travelled to all the places I have been to and still want to go, I would not have met all the amazing people I have met since then, I would not have graduated from University of Leeds not to talk of pursuing a Masters Degree at Leiden University. I would not have attended those conferences and programs, won those awards, got invited for GoalKeepers by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation! I would literally have missed out on so many beautiful things life has to offer – but GOD DID.

I had a lovely birthday getaway (like I usually do) and of course I could not slack as it was my 30th! I am officially in my DIRTY 30s season y’all! I have not even scratched the surface yet because I have told God that I have put in the work and done my bit in the last decade – from now onwards, if it isn’t ENJOYMENT, I do not want it! He knows my heart desires, so I pray He fulfills in this new decade and I know He will!

Happy Birthday to ME! I am officially in my FLOURISHING/RICH AUNTIE/BABY GIRL season! If it isn’t SOFT LIFE, I do not want it!

Here are a few photos from my 30th Birthday celebration!