Chapter 30.
Turning 10 meant I finally hit double digits. At 13, I was officially a teenager. Sixteen I was driving (well technically 15, I was so pressed to get my learner’s permit), and at 18 I was declared legal and could vote. We popped bottles for 21 in Vegas, and at 25 I was able to rent a car. At 26 I got kicked off my dad’s health insurance; and this year, it’s my 30th birthday. Where did the time go!?
I was asked if I was I going to blog about turning 30, and I adamantly said no. I didn’t have a real rhyme or reason other than I didn’t want to. And so much has happened in the last few months that my birthday became the last of my worries. But as my birthday crept closer, I began having self-realizations.
Twenty-nine was such an exciting (yet weird) year for me. I felt like at this point I was supposed to have it all together, and honestly that pressure was coming from myself. In the midst of everything I’d accomplished, I wasn’t where I thought I should be; and a few unfortunate events, in my mind, set me back even further. The fact of the matter is everything happens for a reason and despite all the negative thoughts in my mind, I realized I needed to stop focusing on the BS and take a look at what I HAVE accomplished and celebrate that!
I was named the 2009 debutante queen, graduated high school and college with honors, participated in the Miss Maryland pageant, moved to a new city on my own, completed several professional certifications, got to travel and try new things, bought and successfully trained a puppy, learned how to do my own makeup, paid off student debt, mastered macaroni and cheese, flown private, and sooo many other things! I legit have a great life. I’m not homeless, I have a functioning vehicle, a NEW job, an amazing family (including friends turned family), I’m dating the man of my dreams (as corny as that sounds it is not a lie), and it's only going to get better.
It’s funny turning 30 because my nieces always remind me that I’m “old”, but it doesn’t even feel that way. Especially because I have so much more do. That’s honestly the cool part about life – we’re constantly learning, achieving and evolving. But through all of these experiences, I HAVE learned so much, and I’d like to share 30 things with you:
1. Keep God first.
2. Practice gratitude.
3. Travel.
4. You can pack your own food and snacks for your flights.
5. Anddd always pack two extra outfits when traveling for just in case.
6. Streaming services > cable.
7. Step outside your comfort zone.
8. Don’t be afraid to lose “friends”.
9. Write thank-you notes.
10. It’s okay to say “no.”
11. Invest in yourself personally and professionally.
12. Be kind to yourself (still working on that).
13. Do what feels right to you.
14. Say “I love you” often to those you care about.
15. You can’t impress everyone.
16. Don’t let anybody punk you.
17. Trust your gut.
18. Celebrate your wins, even the small ones.
19. YOLO.
20. Words have more power than you think.
21. From a cleaning perspective, put something away the first time you touch it.
22. Don’t stay anywhere that’s no longer serving you.
23. Always keep a pen, note pad and a few quarters in your car.
24. Don’t forget to pay yourself first.
25. If someone apologizes, don’t say, “It’s okay.” Say, “Thank you.”
26. Listen more than you speak.
27. Never live on the first floor of an apartment complex.
28. Every little struggle is a step closer to a win.
29. Say exactly what you mean.
30. Stay committed to your goals but flexible with your approach.
I don’t know everything – I’m only 30 lol. I definitely still have a lot of growing to do. But the last few years of my 20s have been literally transformational. I was uncomfortable in so many ways, but I can really look back and see that that pressure made a diamond. Which is one of the reasons why I declared my 30th birthday theme “dripped in ice.”
And speaking of birthdays (like this whole post isn’t about my birthday), I want to say thank you to everyone who celebrated with me last weekend. Even those who weren’t physically there found a way to make me feel special and I really, sincerely and genuinely appreciate it. My friends flew literally from all over the country to turn up and we had a blast. I don’t think I’ll be drinking liquor anymore, but I’m glad I got to exit my 20s with a bang.
I’m looking forward to the next decade and I’m excited to see where my 30s lead me.
XO,
Aja
P.S. Shoutout to my dad for taking all of my bday pics. :) I was so nervous for him to see me in that dress but hey, I’m grown lmao