Hello, Thirty: A Journey of Surrender and Self

And, there it was. Breathing down my neck and curling my edges in bold font. Underlined. Outlined and italicized with a looming shadow.

30.

This number has followed me for a while now, showing up in conversations, glancing at me from other people’s timelines, nudging me each time I reflected on where I thought I’d be by now. The Big 3-0 can feel like this uncharted territory, with its expectations and labels that often carry weight we never agreed to shoulder. But as I step over the threshold into this new decade, I’ve realized something: 30 is only what I make it.

Thirty is what you make it.

Turning 30 has this reputation, right? Like a sudden shift where you’re expected to have everything figured out. But I’m learning that this decade can be anything I want it to be. It’s a reminder that age is just a number; what truly matters is what I’m filling this season with, how I’m choosing to live it.

Instead of throwing a huge birthday bash, I chose to commemorate the moment with a photoshoot—a way to capture this chapter on my own terms. For me, it was less about making a big splash and more about creating something meaningful, a way to freeze this moment in time as a reminder that I’m exactly where I need to be.

This year, I’m embracing the freedom to redefine what life looks like now, from the celebrations to the everyday choices. 30 can be a fresh start, a season of growth, a time to double down on dreams I’ve held close or release those that don’t serve me anymore. And that’s the beauty of making this milestone uniquely mine.

Your best days are in front of you.

There’s a temptation to look back and wonder if my “best days” are already behind me. But, honestly, the beauty of reaching 30 is that I’m seeing it’s only the beginning of a new journey. My past has been a teacher, but it doesn’t hold my best moments hostage. There’s so much yet to be written, so many memories yet to be made, and I’m keeping my eyes on the horizon.

If there’s one thing I want to hold close this year, it’s the belief that my best days are ahead of me. There’s no age limit on happiness, success, or the excitement of new experiences. The past is a foundation, but the future? That’s the blank canvas where I get to create.

Surrender is the name of the game.

Turning 30 has made me realize that control is an illusion. The more I try to orchestrate every detail of my life, the more I realize how freeing it is to let go. This doesn’t mean I’m giving up on goals or dreams. It means I’m releasing my grip on how I think everything should look. I’m leaning into a new kind of peace that comes with surrender.

Surrendering doesn’t mean I’m passive; it means I’m trusting. Trusting that God has a plan bigger and better than my own, trusting that what’s meant for me won’t pass me by, and that I don’t have to force things to happen. Instead, I get to open my hands and allow life to unfold in ways I could never script myself.

So, here’s to 30. Here’s to stepping into a new chapter with curiosity, optimism, and a spirit of surrender. It may have seemed intimidating, but now that I’m here, I’m ready to see what this next decade has in store.