So I was having a conversation with my cousin on my birthday, and I was sharing how turning 32 felt different. I couldn’t explain it, but my cousin could relate and understand. At the time, I couldn’t really figure out why, but now, thinking about it, it felt serious. It was like, ‘Wow, I’m really in my 30s!’ Like, I’m really here! I know it must sound funny, but that’s how I felt.

Since recent health issues, it has caused me to really sit down and have more time to reflect. It’s like something dawned on me. I have got to do things differently. There is absolutely no way God created me just to be part of this rat race! Absolutely not! There is no way I was put here to just work until I’m old enough to retire and receive my pension. There’s so much more to life than just working your life away. Don’t get me wrong. We, well, some of us, need to earn money to enjoy life and afford basic life needs. However, one thing I’ve come to realise is that your workers, management, if you let them, will work you to the absolute death- then refill your position.

I can honestly say, ever since turning 32, it’s like something hit me. It was like I was having a conversation with myself, telling myself I really need to get serious. I have to take my life seriously. To treat myself, my body, and my mental health seriously. The truth is, no one is going to do it for me. Nobody is going to eat healthily for me. Nobody is going to exercise for me.

I’ve been thinking about how differently I want to do things compared to my 20s. I learned the hard way that my body does not react or bounce back the same way it did in my 20s compared to my 30s. Heavy sigh*.

I realised I could not go on the same way. I was just running around, pushing my body to the limit, overworking myself like it was a badge of honour. Just ridiculous. I learned the hard way that I could not continue doing the same things and expect different results. That’s the definition of insanity. Last time I checked, your girl wasn’t insane!.

I’ve learned the importance of what it truly means to rest. Allowing yourself time to switch off from everything and everyone, and just having some quality quiet time. Allowing yourself time to reflect on your day, what things would you do differently? Boundaries. That word came up a lot in my late 20s, and I saw the negative effect of not implementing boundaries. I saw what happens when I took a firm stance on implementing much-needed, much-overdue boundaries; let’s just say people’s reactions were very telling, but that’s a discussion for another day.

Another thing I learned, and honestly speaking, I think this was the hardest. What I learned is to leave people to the choices that they make. Especially their bad choices. Why this was hard is because, well, I’m human. I care. I genuinely want the best for the people that I love and care about. Which is not a bad thing. However, life taught me that I couldn’t want the best for people more than they wanted it for themselves. It honestly is a waste of time. You just end up hurting your own feelings and exerting all this time and energy into other people’s problems when you have your own life to live. Even though this realisation was hard and somewhat painful, it has been so freeing for me this last year. We’ve got to leave people to their choices!

So who knows what epiphanies I will have when I turn 33, my Jesus year, as they call it. But until then, I will continue to steward my body. I will continue to treat my body and my mental health with respect, and I encourage you guys to do the same. The reality is, if you don’t, no one is going to do it for you.

Drop in the comments how you guys look after yourself. What sort of things do you guys do? Sharing is caring.

Until next time.

Peace and love!