30 Lessons As I Turn 30
One month ago exactly, I turned 30 and when I told people I was excited about it, most of them looked at me like I was crazy.
And I understand why. We live in a society that drills into us from the moment we are born that getting older is the worst thing that can happen to us (especially if you're a woman).
This is something I refuse to accept.
Growing older is inevitable ~ it's going to happen every year.
So the way I see it we have 2 choices:
1. Fight it and feel sad about it
2. Find the joy in it and celebrate how far we have come
I know which one I choose!
I genuinely love getting older each year and my menstrual cycle awareness practice has helped me to get here.
Each year I sink into myself deeper, I know who I am more, I love who I am more, I feel more at home in my body, I care less what people think, I come home to myself a little more, I believe in myself more, I have more things to be grateful for.
It's a blessing to get older and one I don't take for granted.
For my 30th birthday, my wonderful husband took me on a surprise trip to Malta. We spent my birthday hiking the Maltese coast, feasting on the most magical views and swimming in the sea.
As I relaxed in the sunshine, I spent some time journaling and reflecting, with the soundtrack of waves gently crashing into rocks and the sea breeze caressing my face. I wrote about some of the lessons I’ve learnt in my 30 years and here they are…
30 Reflections as I turn 30
Everything happens for a reason.
Gratitude is as important as the air you breathe.
Making time for myself isn’t selfish.
What is meant for me won’t pass me by.
Having a regulated nervous system is essential ~ take the time to keep it regulated and to practise being present.
People pleasing won’t please people.
Everything I need is already within me ~ get quiet and listen.
Life is short, delicate and could be gone within seconds ~ remember this when I need perspective.
Don’t take on other people’s pain as your own.
Health is everything.
Deep and nurturing relationships are the lifeblood that keep you going ~ love your people hard and tell them often.
Having compassion for myself and for others is necessary for freedom.
Perfection doesn’t exist.
Nature is the greatest teacher ~ be with her and be present ~ another necessity for freedom.
Be proud of who you are and where you come from.
There is beauty in simplicity.
Find things that you love to do ~ things that make you lose track of time ~ and do them often.
Find a way to connect to your intuition. Then strengthen your connection and listen to it, always ~ even if it doesn't make logical sense.
Let it out ~ cry, scream, shout. Let it go.
Surround yourself with people who feel like sunshine ~ when you leave their presence you feel like your cup has been filled (not drained or depleted).
It's normal to feel different everyday.
Take time to be ~ to be still, to reflect, to dream, to imagine.
Your words cast spells ~ use them wisely and watch how you talk about yourself ~ both to others and to yourself.
Invest in therapy or coaching ~ it will change your life.
No one is going to make your dreams come true for you ~ back yourself, surround yourself with people who support you and inspire you, and just do the thing.
It’s ok to change your mind.
The harder you feel love and joy, the harder you’ll feel sadness and heartbreak ~ your capacity to feel deeply is your superpower. Own it.
Life is full of contradictions and juxtapositions and polarities.
You can feel more than one thing at a time.
Fuck the system ~ question everything and make your own informed choices
Which one resonated with you the most? Let me know here.
With love & gratitude,
Jyoti x