Thirty Here, Thirty Blessed, Thirty Free

I turned a year older on the 8th of October, and it was an extra special day. I felt like a little kid again with all the balloons around me and all the attention I got.

The love was glorious
The food was enormous
The gifts were beautiful
The surprise was delightful

Though I’m not a big birthday person (I don’t fuss about my birthday or throw big parties), I still always make sure there’s food and cake at home. This year, my birthday was on a Friday and my friends wanted us to go out, but I stuck to my regular birthday vibe. A few of my friends came over in the evening and we had a pleasant time with good food, music and great conversations.

In July, I had whined to my boo, Jummy about turning 33 and dreading the comments from well wishers about “celebrating my next birthday with my husband”. It’s such a big age and it was hard not to reflect on this when there are a lot of factors constantly reminding me about it everyday. However, I reminded myself about the many amazing changes that had occurred in my life in the past year and I did this every time anxiety reared its ugly head.

Somehow, by September all my anxiety had vanished and I embraced October with peace. When my birthday finally came, I had no more worries and started my new age with no regrets. It turned out to be nicer than my previous birthday and that was a pretty special day too.

If you’re reading this and you’re worried you’re not where you want to be, keep working, keep trusting and keep believing. You will get there. Never give up.

Stay happy.

Mariam Shittu