In summary - July was a mighty big month. I think, subconsciously, I was dreading it. Why? Because on the 19th of July I was turning 30 (my birthday party pictured). It suddenly hit me a few months ago...the difference between being "in your twenties" and "being in your thirties" - child-like, stupid, can-still-pull-off-tight/short clothes, indecisive, broke, no responsibilities, mistakes made and easily forgiven "because you're young" VS "you're an adult, act like one", head screwed on, driven, conquering the male-dominated corporate world ORsettling down, happily married with a husband and 3 organically fed perfect children. WTF. As young people (through the media and outside influencers), we are taught to 'expect the best - 'never settle for anything less than perfect', 'if you try your hardest, everything you want will come' and finally, 'don't stress in your twenties, it's all about learning, experimenting and errors in judgement - by your thirties, everything will have fallen into place'. Well, this isn't the case for everyone. What 'they' fail to tell you is sometimes, regardless of how hard you try, your dedication and your ambition - things can deviate from your well thought out plan. At 17, my 'plan' was to get a degree in journalism, kick off my career in fashion, marry and have my four kids by age 30. Whoah. Life got in the way. Someone or something up there didn't agree with that plan. I didn't adjust to this very well initially. I felt I HAD TO steer myself back to the original course. I HAD TO have achieved those things, otherwise who or what would I be? A failure. I didn't consider the fact that there was one small thing in the way, my broken body needed time and attention before I could achieve anything. Lesson learned - god (or whoever) laughs at your plans. A few friends, who also recently entered their 30th year, have been experiencing the same issues - not everything is rosy or 'sorted' upon turning 30. Anticipate ups and downs and highs and lows. Adjustment, revaluation and acceptance are the most important words during this time. Seriously, the thought of having four kids RIGHT NOW and a husband? Hmmm. Definitely wouldn't suit my current lifestyle. I wouldn't have been able to achieve a quarter of the things I have if I was lugging a stroller around. I guess the cliche fits perfectly here: what's meant to be will be.
If the month of July is any reflection of what my 30th year will be like, I'm embracing it. I am now the Public Relations Coordinator of the National Stroke Foundation, beautiful family and friends flew in to Melbourne from Brisbane and Sydney for my birthday and I've had almost two weeks holiday in QLD - celebrating turning 30 of all things.
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