As I approach the halfway point of my 30th year and reflect on my youth, I finally realize what that shift that no one tells you about is.

It’s accountability, perspective, and composure. Turning 30 is a jarring wake up call that if you aren’t already on the track that you want to be on in life , you’re behind and/or you’re settling for less.

You’re forced to take a long hard look at yourself, your relationships/friendships, and previous mistakes. You accept accountability for where you are in life and forgive yourself for the consequences you are facing for your choices as a youth.

Once you accept accountability your perspective changes. You realize that you can’t live everyday on a whim and if you want what you dream of, you really have to work for it. You find yourself doing what you want more than feeling forced to people please. You spend less time trying to escape reality and more time creating a better one.

As you get more comfortable with life and growth, your composure changes. It’s easier to control your emotions about things that would previously ruin your whole day. You no longer want to waste a minute of your life on anything or anyone that doesn’t align with the life you envision. You find the beauty in life and the joy of living it.

Although this shift can happen before 30 (or for some never 🤣), it cements itself once you hit that 30 year milestone. 30 is the beginning of the rest of your life. 30 is the crossroad at which you have to decide if your going to make the same mistakes, let go of your dreams, and fall into oblivion forever OR if you’re going to have faith, do the work, and create the life of your dreams.

💭