i’m literally a child… 🤯

reflections and mixed emotions about turning 29

so i turned 29 last week wednesday.

which is crazy, because i could’ve sworn this was me just the other day.

where did the time go??

now that i’m 29, it doesn’t feel as terrifying to say as the days leading up to it. but it’s still a little terrifying lol.

i don’t think i’ve felt this anxious to get older since my 18th birthday. i remember my older sister would taunted me the days leading up to the big 18.

“you’re gonna be an adult.”

“how does it feel to officially be an adult?”

“you’re grown now.”

she meant well, but she wasn’t helping. because milestones are scary and although 29 isn’t one of those milestone birthdays, it might as well be because what do you mean this is the final year of my 20s? like how is that even possible? i was just 5-years-old yesterday!

and something that makes getting old feel scarier? reaching certain ages where you feel like you should accomplished more by now.

when i was 17 going on 18, the fear was becoming an adult. now that i’m 29, the fear is that i’ve failed at being an adult.

i was supposed to be married by now.

I was supposed to be a boss girl by now.

i was supposed to be a mom by now.

i’m supposed to have written a book by now (or at the very least, a pamphlet).

i’m supposed to have it all figured out by now!

to be honest, sometimes i get stuck in the mindset of thinking i haven’t made much progress since entering my 20s.

but that couldn’t be further from the truth. because while i haven’t gotten married yet or had children yet or gotten a salaried, big girl job yet, i’ve accomplished some cool things.

i’ve gone to college. then back to college again.

i’ve been a substitute teacher (something i never thought i was capable of doing) and helped make an impact on sweet (and sometimes sour) kids.

i accomplished a big dream that i had growing up of living in los angeles.

i’ve started blogs and had the opportunity to write for lots of publications.

i’ve been leading a small group since 2020, journeying through life with a group of 7th grade girls (who are now rising seniors 🤯).

there are so many more things that i can’t even remember right now. but this is proof of 2 things: 1). you’ve accomplished a lot, whether you realize it or not, and 2). your 20s are really just the tip of the iceberg.

you have time. not saying you should waste it, but it’s okay if you don’t have everything figured out just yet. there’s so much more to come, God willing.

i don’t think i’m wrong in saying that your 20s aren’t the best years (at least i hope they’re not 😬). for a lot of us, it’s been a scattered mess, if we’re being honest.

some of us are in college. some of us are married. some of us are on our 3rd child. everyone’s in different seasons, yet we’re all just trying to figure it out here.

so all this to say: i have a lot of hope for my 30s and beyond. i know i’m not yet 30, but i’m setting up 29 as the catalyst to my 30s. like, the life i’ve been so afraid to live, begins now.

so let this post serve as a friendly reminder to keep working towards your dreams while remembering that the best is yet to come. 🤗

talk to ya soon,

itunu 🫶🏾