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Jul 31, 2022 News
The Social Edge
By Kiana Wilburg
Kaieteur News – In my teens, I was always excited about the next birthday. I was enamoured by the perceived sense of autonomy that came with reaching a higher number. But mere days before I celebrated my 30th birthday on July 30, 2022, I felt wound up. I was continually enveloped by feelings of stress and anxiety.
It hit me that a new chapter was upon me. Of course, with aging, there are well-known perceptions about all the things you should accomplish by the time you’re 30. Some societal ideals say you should already have the dream house, the car, the kid/s, the husband, and the career by that age. There is nothing wrong with that. However, being in the media for a decade now has afforded me the unique opportunity to see and analyse life microscopically and more meaningfully. The solemn truth is that one can have all those things and still be completely unfulfilled or unhappy with life.
An aficionado of introspection, I therefore asked myself upon reaching this milestone, “Are you happy with how the 20s turned out?” To be quite honest—I am. Sure, there are things I could have done better. But overall, I have emerged a woman of unbridled strength and resolve; equipped with the mental tools to achieve anything I desire while armed with the protection and favour of the Divine One.
As a lover of challenges, I have also asked myself, “How can we make this next decade, one that allows for the best version of you to shine through?” In this regard, I’ve made a list of things that I plan to work on, and in a subsequent feature; I shall reveal what those are and my progress.
In the meantime, I will say this, my 20s, those young, sweet, giddy days of adventure; the period where day and night were virtually the same for me when working or playing, are behind me. Happiness and a sense of purpose all had different meanings to the fledgling back then. The lessons of what appeared to be unfortunate incidents or regrettable actions at the time have been well documented and now inform the new compass that would be used for the journey ahead.
Though it is a bit nerve-racking to have crossed over to the big 3-0, I welcome it with open arms and truly look forward to living this next chapter gracefully and youthfully.
It is a God-given privilege for anyone to be alive today in a world that faces a confluence of crises. With each passing day, I believe it is imperative that we at least try to live it better than the day before. And there are guiding principles that can help us along the way. I have listed a few of them below.
Below are some key things you should bear in mind as well as you pursue to improve the quality of your life whether you’re 30 or older.
1) Have at least one loyal friend: A friend is not a necessity. However, a genuine and loyal friend surely helps to make life enjoyable. With time, I have learned that a big circle of friends does not always equate to quality friendships. Some friends are only as good/loyal for as long as they can use you. Just be mindful and have a barometer/criteria for what you accept as a sense of loyalty and stick to it.
2) A good sleeping routine: For years, I have had to use melatonin and other forms of over-the-counter sleeping aids to assist me with turning into bed early or just falling into a deep sleep. Poor sleeping habits can have a devastating effect on your overall health, energy level, and performance. The sooner you can prioritise this, the better for you.
3) A well-established vision for your life: Do you know where you want to be in the next five years? It’s a question we have asked others at least once in our life but what of ourselves? Having a clear-cut vision with practical steps to get there are sure ways to embark on a self-improvement journey that has a high chance of success.
4) An understanding of finances/saving: This is perhaps one of the most underrated lessons of all time for young men and women. When it comes to your finances, there are three key things you must know: how to save, how to invest, and how to do your own taxes. Financial edification is critical for any forward-thinking person. Start setting up your retirement fund early!
With the foregoing pieces of advice, it is my hope that you are able to continue living your life with a greater sense of ease, direction, and purpose.
To share your thoughts on this week’s perspective of The Social Edge, kindly email me at [email protected].
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