It’s my birthday and now I’m thirty! It’s almost crazy to be publishing on the internet that I have hit a milestone like this… After all, it may seem silly, but I have been dreading turning thirty for quite some time now… I’m not sure if it’s because of society’s push to have your life together, or the connotation that everything is downhill from here. Well, whatever it was, I was afraid to hit this number and even acknowledge that my birthday was so close!
When I was eighteen years old, I made quite the plan for my life up until I turned thirty. I promise I wasn’t being morbid and assuming that life ended on July 16th, 2021. It was just so far out that I couldn’t imagine what would come next. And what does come next?
Related: Things that scare me about getting older

I thought about sharing all of the goals I set for myself going forward, but the honest truth is that there are none. So instead of adding anxiety to the day, I’ve decided to take a look at the past and see how far I’ve come. You know, the goals and whatnot. Yeah, that’s what we’ll do… Let’s take a look at how life has been up to this day.
How do I feel about my birthday?
Before we dive into this, I thought I would share just how I feel about this birthday thing. The very last birthday party I planned was when I was eleven. On that day, I had a few friends come over to my house for a pool party, but not everyone wanted to swim in the midst of winter. What bores! Well, since we weren’t swimming and there was no music, they got bored. And they even had the nerve to tell me how bored they were!
Fast forward to my twenty-fifth birthday and we have another failed disaster. I had planned to rent out a beach house for the weekend and ferry a few friends to this island for the big bash. Well, let’s call it the force of family that forced me to cancel and go along with the typical family birthday dinner.
Of course I’ve had a few good ones. My eighteenth was lovely because my friends planned a lovely night in Tokyo. My twenty-first was bomb because the same party-animal friend threw a surprise… But without anyone to do something for me, my day is usually bleh. So come thirty, I planned to travel but covid. Then I planned some lovely evening getaway with hubby, but the president imposed curfew. And then I decided on day activities but just days before, riots broke out in my province forcing business wonders to shut down for their safety.
And that is why I’m celebrating my birthday by choice.
The ticked goals
But alas, things always look better in hindsight!
If you are a woman and did not make the typical married by twenty-five, pregnant at twenty-six, and the first baby by twenty-seven plan, I commend you. Of course, we each had our own versions of that one but the concept remains the same. Well, I am happy to announce that I was NOT married by twenty-five, although I was with the man I knew I would marry.
Everything happened in the following year… Marriage, pregnancy and baby, all before I turned twenty-seven. Just don’t do the math, you might get confused. 😏
Of course, I had no idea just how life was going to make such a huge turn because I was wandering aimlessly, finding purpose only in my job. And yet it did all come together. Go figure!
I had also planned to have my first property by twenty five and be done building my dream home by thirty. Hefty goals! But strangely enough, I was able to buy a few plots (in cash) before twenty five, and miraculously built my home just last year.
My not yet’s
One thing that was high on my list was to start my own company. I had specifically wanted to build a luxury gym on one of the lots I had purchased because there was none in the vicinity. Well, I don’t know if that plan invoked robbing the bank because who can fund such so early in their career!
I also planned to be in a management role by my thirtieth birthday. Unfortunately, that is far from the reality I live right now. I can’t go into details, but the closest I’ve come to management is managing my own blog. Hurray!
I planned to travel to at least two countries each year… And all was going well, until covid. And now with a family, a mortgage and a job, I don’t quite see that happening. At least until my kid is big enough to endure long flights without throwing a tantrum!
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So what next?
Remember how I said I didn’t make any goals for the future? I wasn’t kidding. Over the past decade, I have been so stressed out with the goals I had set out that I didn’t quite get to enjoy my twenties. That had to change! Going forward, I’m going to keep being an awesome mom, hard worker, and loving wife. Everything else will just fall into place as it should be.
I know it sounds unconventional to not set goals, but for my thirties, I want to just have fun. Worst case scenario, I just complete my ‘not yets’.

And now I’d like to hear from you…
When is your birthday, and what are you going to celebrate?
Psst! Let’s hang on social media!
Happiest birthday dear! Wishing you lots and lots of love, smile, happiness and peace!
This was such a real and pure post! I really loved having this trip to your journey through the writing! Sometimes NOT setting goals and living the present is also a beautiful goal being accomplished! Keep this pretty smile on your face always!❤️
With love , http://www.ahiricreates.wordpress.com
Thanks so much Ahiri! You’re so incredibly sweet and I appreciate you! 😘😘😘
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Happy birthday Shelly!!! Loved reading your about your past experiences. I hope you have a wonderful day and a year full of happiness ❤️❤️❤️
For me, I just like to have a stress-free day on my birthday. I do not plan anything but since I’m the youngest one in my family and among all my cousins, they always prepare a surprise party for me, haha.
Thanks so much Poorwa ☺️ you’re lucky to have your family prepare something special for you. That’s very sweet of them! Stress-free is great, but spending it with those you love is even better 😉
Happy birthday 🙂
Thanks Daniel 🥰
A very Happy Birthday to you, Shelly 🎉🎂🎉 May your next orbit around the Sun bring you closer to what you deserve in life 😊 Keep being awesome 😎
Thanks so much Sean! I want a few million stashed away on a private jet with my name on it~ and ten vacation villas across the globe. Of course, I probs don’t deserve that 😅
Awesome, Shelly 😂🤣😂
happy birthday, shelly! i just have to say that each decade of my life has brought me more joys and self-confidence, i grew comfortable in my own skin, and now is my 60s, i don’t worry about things nearly as much, don’t care what people think and just live as i am, enjoying life. i wish this for you, in this year and the years ahead. your goal can be to just enjoy life as you see what it brings –
May I say, mam, that’s a very beautiful (and inspiring) comment! You have achieved success in the truest sense. 🙏
That’s what I want! To just live happily and not care about what others think or how society expects us to live. Is that called being a hippie? 😅
Thanks so much Beth, I appreciate you tenfold!
You are so welcome and yes, some my say that )
Wishing you happiest birthday! Have a wonderful year ahead and stay blessed. It’s not silly to celebrate a milestone. 30 is an entry into the prime of one‘s life. I hope it is filled with happiness, peace and adventure for you! Have a blast, dearest friend! 🤍🥳🎂🎂
Thanks so much Sam! I really appreciate your kind words 😘😘😘
Happy happy birthday!! I hope you have a super wonderful celebration, with all the best and lots of love for the year ahead! Beautiful post ❤️❤️✨
Thanks so much hun! ☺️ it was actually on Friday but I’m claiming the whole month. Dibs!!
For sure absofruitly claim the whole month!! Enjoy it to the fullest ☺️✨
Happy Birthday!! 30 is a milestone worth celebrating on and off online. I turned 30 two years ago & I dreaded it for months. But now I’ve accepted my new reality. I feel the same as I did as a twenty-something. The only difference is that I sometimes have to ask myself how old I am lol My birthday isn’t for another six months so I still have some time to decide how to celebrate (a palindromic birthday lol (33).
And you can absolutely count managing your own blog as a management role! It’s worthy to be on linkedin & will look impressive to hiring managers.
Lol accepted your new reality? That isn’t so encouraging Helen! I get you about not feeling different… nothing really changes to be honest, and I still think I’m 18 at heart 😅
Also, thanks for the vote of confidence, I’ll update my LinkedIn profile tonight! 😂😂
Happy Birthday Shelly! It’s been wonderful to know you! Stay blessed and have a lovely day 💖💖
Thanks Diana, I appreciate you!
Welcome to the thirties club!! 😂
We usually do a family dinner, but a weekend getaway sounds great!
I, too, stopped setting goals. I’d make them and then never reach them. I know what I want to do and accomplish, but I’m no longer putting a timeline on them. They’ll happen when they’re meant to happen.
Hahaha Dacia, I love that attitude! Sometimes things aren’t meant to happen when we want them to, and we’ve gotta be patient.
Thanks for the birthday wishes~ please save me a spot in your suitcase if you do end up doing a weekend getaway!
I’ll put you at the top of my packing list!!
Happy birthday, Shelly!! Love how you’re just taking a step back and pampering yourself 😂💕 I hope you have a beautiful day and a wonderful year ahead where your plans play out! 🥳
I’m not a huge fan of celebrating my birthdays and I’m definitely not looking forward to my 18th next year😑
Thanks so much Deepthy! 😘😘😘
I completely get not being big on celebrating birthdays, but you deserve to celebrate every year you’ve been alive on this earth because you’re awesome!
Of course!! 🤗Aw that’s so kind of you to say! 💖
(I’m still D in case the new name is confusing 😂)
30 is when life begins! Many happy returns – hope you had/are having a wonderful day Shelly 🙏
Thanks so much! Everyone says that but I can’t quite imagine how lol is it because we stop caring so much? Because that’s the only change I’ve experienced so far 😅
That’s precisely why Shelly!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY SWEET 🥰🧡🧡 You seem to have achieved a whole lot of your goals —you should be proud. I didn’t even start half of things I want to do but like you said, no set goals for now just enjoying the time and birthdays without putting too much pressure!
Again, I hope you have a lovely year ahead filled with lots of love and laughter x
Thanks so much Shahrin, I appreciate you! Trust me, achieving those goals didn’t make me any happier, some just added stress. So take each day at a time and do things that make you happy 😘
Happy 30th! My birthday was July 13th. I celebrated by taking a few days off work and getting a haircut. Normally not too exciting but hair salons opened up in our area after a 5 month shutdown so I really appreciated that haircut! LOL
Hahahah I can imagine how amazing that must’ve felt 😂 Thanks for the well wishes, and a belated happy birthday to you! We are only 3 days apart!
Blessings on your 30’s Shelly! I think it is a great goal to hold your goals more loosely ;).
My birthday is next month and, if all goes according to plan, I will be on a road trip with my husband to visit one of my best friends. We shall see!
Happy Birthday!
Thanks so much hun! And I hope your plans go well. It would suck having to cancel everything on such a special occasion 😘
Happy birthday to you dear Shelly! I’m still 30 until December. I never did anything to celebrate turning 30, but your idea of having a day to yourself sounds great!
Thanks Ang! You will be 30 forever, this is the age we stop counting 😛 Jk
I hope you do something special this year though.
That means that this year is my second 30th birthday 😀
Happy Birthday Shelly 🎂
Hope you had a great birthday ❤️
Thanks so much hun 😘😘😘
You are welcome dear😍
Happy birthday!! It’s great you are still shining a positive light on your day when things haven’t gone to plan. Also I commend you on the no goals thing it really can start to take over and make you miss the life that’s right in front of you
Thanks so much for the well wishes 🥰🥰 I appreciate the love!
Happy Birth Anniversary! 🎁
Thanks Jerome 😊
Shelly!!!
Firstly, happy happy happy 30th!🥳
Secondly, I miss reading from you! My fault, that one.
Thirdly, I totally enjoyed this post. I chuckled here and there and nodded a few times because how sweet it is to read your journey. Like we say in Nigeria, “You’re doing well, Madam Blog Manager!” 🤩
Here’s to intentional living your 30s without undue pressure 🥂
Lastly, please can someone explain why I had to number my thoughts? 🤦🏻♀️
Okay, lastly lastly, Happy birthdayyyyyyyy!!! ❤️✨
Omg you’re the sweetest! And no, it’s not your fault, I’ve also been posting much less because of lack of inspiration.
You also probably numbered your thoughts because your film-making, blog managing, awesome self is clearly organized! 😂
And yo, you’re so beautiful! 🥰
My opinion about aging has changed over the years. I know it sounds ridiculous to say I don’t pay attention to age anymore, but I really don’t. I’m that goofball that sometimes has to do a math problem when I’m filling out some form to remember how old I am. (62 for the record.) I remember when 30 seemed old, then 40, but now I don’t think about it except on the days when my body reminds me. 🤣 I believe in the principle of sound mind and sound body. When I retired, I finally got serious about taking care of my body and went from 285 to 200. I gave ten pounds back during Covid, but I’ve lost most of that now that I can get back to the gym.
Happy birthday, and keep doing you. Everybody has to find what works for them. Congratulations on having a wonderful husband and sweet daughter. That’s way more important than anything else.
Haha that’s brilliant, Pete! You will be as young as your mind believes it is, don’t listen to your body! Good on you for losing all that weight though, it couldn’t have been easy at all! And to think they say our metabolisms slow down after 25 😏
Thanks for the well wishes!
Happy belated birthday 🎉
I see a lot of blogs that bang on about goal setting so it’s refreshing to read that you’re living in the moment. 😃
Happpppyyyy birthday!!!!!!!! You are fierce!!! Hope you enjoyed your day!! 😘❤️🙌
Thanks so much hun! You’re are fiercerestest 😉
Happy 30th birthday my dear friend! I wish your birthday could have been celebrated in a more grand fashion but I am glad you could spend it safely with your loved ones. Cheers to 30 spectacular wonderfully beautiful years of you being you!
Thanks so much my love~ 😘😘😘
I’ll cheers to that!
Happiest Birthday sis.
You are a fierce woman and not to burst your bubble or what…but I look up to you.
Cheers to your blog manager😆😆😆You have done well for yourself and cheer for many more wins in the future.
Continue to be an awesome mommy to the little one who’s not little anymore, a hard worker, and a loving wife. 👏👏
Kudos to you
Thanks hun! Hahah yeah blogging manager~ you too are an amazing woman and def need to be celebarated too 🥳🥳🥳
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Happy 30th Birthday!! Hope you enjoy your special day! 🥳💕🤩💐
Thanks so much hun!
My pleasure, lovely! 🤗💗💐
Happy 30th Birthday, Shelly!🎉🎉🎉I hope you enjoyed your day. I’ll be 40 next year, and I plan to celebrate in a big way!!!
Thanks my dear! 40 is a big one, definitely throw a huge banquet or something. I’ll be there on a horse 😅
Happy belated birthday 🎉🎂
thanks hun 😘😘😘
Hope you had an amazing 30th, Shelly! What a neat way to commemorate such a milestone!
Thanks my love! 😘
Hey there! Nabeeha Jameel from BrainStorms here! You have been featured in my latest post, “New Blogs to check out + BrainStorm Award nominations”. Your blog has been nominated for the BrainStorms award. Congratulations! 💞
Happy Birthday Shelly!!! wait are you like 18 in that picture. ❤️ Enjoy every minute!!!
Turning thirty can almost feel like a deadline when you’re supposed to have a bunch of things achieved. When I got thirty someone told me not to worry about all of that because I was already into my thirty-first year… Strangely the thought that the arbitrary milestone had already passed without me noticing did help!
Happppyyy Belated Birthday. I’m so sorry for being late to these posts – just been very irregular with the blogging world. Hope you had an amazing day. 🤗
No worries at all hun! I posted on my birthday then vanished for over a month 🥴
We are living in the same world! 😂