When I was a teenager, thirty sounded terribly old. Well, not terribly old, like 87,  but I remember thinking that when you’re thirty, you’ll have everything figured out and life does not hold any secrets for you anymore. That you’ll be all grown up and wise and serene and compassionate and that you’ll always know what to do, no matter what happens. That you know where you’re going in life, because that’s exactly where you want to go.

In a few days time I’m turning thirty. I highly doubt that I’ll wake up and magically have everything figured out. I’ve come to realise that life is one big mystery that will never reveal all its secrets and come to think of it, I’m happy it is the way it is. I won’t all of a sudden be the enlightened being I sometimes long to be and only feel tranquility and compassion, just because I’m thirty. Of course not.

Luckily I’m not one of those people for whom turning thirty causes an early midlife crisis. I have no problem with the fact that I’m leaving my twenties behind. Not that I didn’t like them, I did. I had a great time at uni. I traveled. I made some of my dreams come true. It’s just that I feel more grounded now than when I was younger. More connected to who I am. And I’m convinced that feeling grounded and connected is something that will even increase as I grow older. Often when the soul wishes to express itself, the ego gets in the way. Letting go of ego driven desires and listen more intently to my soul gives me a sense of confidence and calmness. My twenties were about finding my place in the world. Let my thirties be about finding my place within myself.