Turning 30 can make people feel as if they are running out of time. Society often makes it seem like you should have everything figured out by this age: a successful career, money, a house, marriage and maybe children.
But life does not follow one timetable. There is no single list of things everyone must achieve before 30.
Instead of focusing only on achievements, there are some things worth experiencing and learning before reaching this stage of life.
One of them is learning how to manage your money. You do not need to be rich, but understanding your income, expenses, savings and debts can make your future easier.
It is also important to learn how to say no. Not every invitation, relationship, job or opportunity is good for you. Saying no does not make you rude. It means you understand your limits.
Try to build at least a few meaningful friendships too. As people grow older, friendships can change because of work, marriage, children and other responsibilities. Having people you can genuinely trust is valuable.
Learn how to enjoy your own company. Being comfortable alone can help you make better decisions because you are less likely to stay in unhealthy situations simply because you are afraid of being alone.
You should also make mistakes. Not dangerous mistakes, but normal ones that teach you something. Change careers if necessary, try something new, travel if you can, start a project, learn a skill, fail at something and discover that failure is not the end of your life.
Take care of your body and your mental wellbeing. Do not wait until you are older to start taking your health seriously.
Most importantly, stop comparing your life to people your age. Someone may be married at 25 while another person is building a career. Someone may own a house while another is still figuring out what they want.
Turning 30 is not a deadline for becoming perfect. It is simply another stage of life. The goal is not to have everything. The goal is to know yourself better and be prepared for what comes next.
Brenna AKARABO
RADIOTV10