Lately I’ve caught myself saying something that makes me pause. I’ll laugh and say, “I’m not that old,” or “I’m still young.” It’s something many of us say without really thinking about it. Almost like a reflex when birthdays start creeping closer to the next decade. But each time I say it, I find myself stopping for a moment and smiling, because soon enough I will be 30.
Even writing that feels a little strange. It brings a mix of excitement, nerves, disbelief and gratitude. Part of me feels like I’m finally old enough to be 30, which is quite funny when I think about it. Another part of me still feels like the same young girl who was simply trying to figure out life one step at a time. But the truth is that my relationship with age has always been a little different from most people’s. For most of my life, growing older has never been something I feared. It has always been something I wasn’t sure I would get the chance to experience.
The Years I Was Never Promised
Growing up with Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA), conversations about life expectancy were never far away. I was told that I might not live past five years old. When you grow up hearing something like that, birthdays take on a completely different meaning. They are not just about cake, candles, or getting older. Each birthday becomes another year that once seemed impossible.
Because of that, my perspective on time has always been shaped by gratitude. Every year I have lived has felt like a small miracle. So when I hear people joking about getting old in their late twenties, I often find myself quietly smiling. It doesn’t bother me at all. Everyone experiences life differently. But for me, getting older has never felt like something negative. Instead, it feels like a privilege. It’s a reminder that I’m still here, still learning, still growing, and still discovering what life has in store for me.
The Milestones I Never Expected
As I think about approaching 30, I don’t only think about the number itself. I find myself reflecting on the milestones that once felt completely out of reach. There were so many things I never expected to experience. I never expected to go to school, let alone complete it. I never expected to finish university. I never expected to be in a relationship. I never expected to have a full-time job. And if someone had told me years ago that I would one day become an author, I probably would have struggled to believe it.
Yet here I am. Not only living those moments, but also sharing my story with others. Through speaking, writing, and simply living my life, I’ve had the opportunity to encourage people to look at challenges and limitations in a different way. Life has a funny way of surprising us. Sometimes the things we once believed were impossible slowly become part of our everyday reality. When that happens, you realise just how unpredictable and extraordinary life can be.
Rethinking How We Talk About Age
Over the last couple of years, I’ve noticed that more people around me talk about age with a sense of dread or humor. Turning 28, turning 29, or turning 30 suddenly becomes something to joke about, almost like it’s a problem we need to deal with. But it has made me wonder what would happen if we changed the way we spoke about getting older.
What if age wasn’t something we feared or apologised for? What if it was something we actually celebrated?
Every year we live is filled with experiences that shape who we are. Each year brings lessons, relationships, challenges and moments of joy that become part of our story. Growing older means we have lived through things that once felt impossible. It means we have learned more about ourselves and the world around us. It means we are still becoming the people we are meant to be.
Nearly 30
I was born on the 22nd of October 1997, and this year I will turn 29. Which means that 30 is slowly getting closer. And yes, I do feel a mix of emotions about that. There is excitement about what the next decade might hold and curiosity about who I will become. There is also a little nervousness about stepping into a new stage of life. But more than anything, there is deep gratitude.
I feel grateful for the years I have already lived, grateful for the experiences that have shaped me, and grateful for the people who have supported me along the way. When I eventually reach 30, it will not feel like getting old. Instead, it will feel like proof that life is unpredictable. It will feel like a celebration of resilience and a reminder that sometimes life has plans for us that are far bigger than we could ever imagine.
Celebrating Birthdays Differently
Birthdays, when you really think about them, are not just about presents or celebrations. They can also be moments to pause and reflect. A birthday is an opportunity to look back at everything you have experienced over the past year and everything that has helped shape the person you are becoming. It is a chance to appreciate the growth, the lessons, and even the difficult moments that helped build your strength.
Perhaps birthdays could be something more than just marking another year older. Perhaps they could be a reminder to appreciate the gift of time. We could ask ourselves questions like: What have I learned this year? What challenges have I overcome? What moments brought me joy? And who are the people who walked beside me through it all?
A Small Challenge
As I move closer to this milestone in my own life, I’ve realised that getting older is not something I want to fear or apologise for. Instead, I want to celebrate it. I want to celebrate the years I have lived, the lessons I have learned, and the opportunities that still lie ahead.
So the next time your birthday comes around, maybe try looking at it from a slightly different perspective. Instead of saying, “I’m getting old,” perhaps you could say, “I’m grateful for another year.” Because for some of us, growing older is not something we were ever promised. And that makes every single year something truly worth celebrating.
30 Things Before 30: A Reflection List
As I approach this milestone, I’ve started thinking about the moments that have shaped my journey so far. If you’re nearing a milestone birthday, maybe you could create your own reflection list too.
- Write a letter to your younger self
- Celebrate how far you’ve come
- Try something you once thought was impossible
- Travel somewhere new
- Reconnect with someone important
- Start a gratitude journal
- Reflect on the hardest challenge you’ve overcome
- Do something that scares you (in a good way)
- Share your story with someone who needs encouragement
- Support a cause you believe in
- Take time to rest and recharge
- Celebrate your body and what it has carried you through
- Learn a new skill
- Forgive yourself for past mistakes
- Let go of something that no longer serves you
- Say yes to a new opportunity
- Spend more time with family
- Celebrate your friendships
- Create something meaningful
- Take photos of your life right now
- Reflect on what truly makes you happy
- Write down your dreams for the next decade
- Celebrate your resilience
- Appreciate the small everyday moments
- Read a book that inspires you
- Try a new hobby
- Spend time outdoors
- Practice kindness intentionally
- Thank the people who supported your journey
- Celebrate the gift of time
