What Else Is There To Do After 30?

Standing outside of The Mint Museum on a recent walk through Uptown I looked into the window of the gift shop. Right in front of me were two huge balls with the words “LOVE” on them in bold writing (pictured above). I sat and stared and thought about the symbolism of the two side by side, and it made me reflect on my life.

“There is only one happiness in this life, to love and be loved.” -George Sand

By the age of 30, I managed to have done a lot. I finished college, went back for additional education, lived on my own, gained social media friends, removed social media friends, paid off a car, saved money, blew money, got the job, lost the job, made friends, lost friends, traveled, tried to buy a condo (and backed out), moved back home and so on. Strange as it may seem, a lot of this was actually done before I was even 25 years old. Some would think that I was accomplished but I didn’t feel like I was. I felt like there was always more to be done.

Those who have been following me know that I’ve shared a lot on some of my past failures and the lessons that I’ve learned over the years. They are why I chose I chose to write this article today. I was young with a lot of responsibility on my back. The things that you dream of in your youth. Unfortunately, after I’d gotten half of what I thought I want I cracked under pressure and as soon as I could get away from it all, I did.

It’s kinda funny to me when I look back at others my age. Some of my classmates from high school (in my opinion) went through similar cycles early on. For instance, the star athlete whose parents kept them so busy in school who once they had a taste of freedom went in the complete opposite direction. They went on to go to college but shortly after returned with low grade point averages, babies and/or other problems.

I don’t know if this is the exact picture of what I want for where I am in my life. I do know that it’s similar. I’d always ask my friends if they thought their decisions were in part because their parents made them do what they didn’t want to do. I know it’s part of mine. You work so hard for such a long period of time at the request of another person or plain and simple because it’s what society thinks you should be doing. I did it because I had to survive and it was all I knew.

Go to work.

Get a pay check.

Pay your bills.

Keep a close group of friends.

It became a repetitive cycle and it worked for me.

Until it didn’t.

It took me some time to break away but I eventually stepped away from my norm. I changed up a few things. I cut out some unnecessary stuff, habits and, unfortunately, some people, and just began to live for me. Some may call it unloading baggage. I simply call it moving on with my life. You can only live in the shadows of your past for so long before you realize that some of the reasons why you did things weren’t healthy and were, plain and simple, insane.

“Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.” -Albert Einstein

Why would you want to continue along a path that is partly because of someone else’s wishes? Or even more so not getting you any results? At some point you have to live for you. Other people’s dreams for you are a perk but the dreams you have for yourself should be the real prize. There are only a few things that I’ve not yet done in my lifetime. Some of them are simple. While the others are a little bit more complicated.

Since I’ve entered my 30's, I’ve accepted that there are some things that money can’t buy. Like, peace of mind, a family to come home to and just knowing that you are loved. Although, having a job and making money are mandatory to support your lifestyle. Those are the things that I’m looking for.

You won’t find my social media bogged down with hashtags reading “Relationship Goals” or me idolizing another persons relationships. All of us have our own journey to travel and our own struggles to work on. Don’t get me wrong, I definitely have my own relationship goals but I plan to keep them private until the right time and maybe even get a few more accomplishments under my belt.

Hope this helps someone!