By Jasmine Kelly
When I look at the title of this article it seems a bit surreal but not in a scary way. Believe it or not, I am surprisingly calm about entering my third decade on Earth. I can’t explain it but I have a strong sense of peace about turning 30. I feel a sense of validation already, Not the cocky kind of validation but the kind that has been earned. I am not going to lie and say my twenties were horrible because they were not. I loved (twice), experienced loss, defeat and triumph. Thinking about my twenties, I have come to the conclusion that 30 is personal; I owe myself a lot.
I owe myself grace. If I did not learn anything else in my twenties, I learned from my mistakes and that making them causes you to grow. Thus, In my thirties, I am choosing to not be so hard on myself when things do not go as planned.
I owe myself time. I am not on anyone’s time but God’s and my own. I cannot help but to notice the panic that some women feel upon turning thirty. I have witnessed some women pity themselves and downplay their accomplishments because they have not achieved certain things that society says that they should have by this age. I refuse. Twenties were my grinding years and even though I am still grinding as I am employed full time and in school full time; I am understanding that I don’t have to work as hard as I use to. I choose to work smarter so that I can have more time for me.
I owe myself me. I am choosing to be intentionally selfish and really put myself first. Naturally, I am an accommodating person and almost always I tend to put those who I care about needs ahead of my own. While my heart is in the right place, this can cause burnout at times and even resentment on my part. I am my main priority.
Jasmine Kelly is a contributing writer for the Pedestal Project, LLC. Jasmine is a higher education professional who believes in the powers of Black Twitter. You can follow her on Instagram @chicomydusty.
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