My birthday is less than 2 weeks to go, which means it’s the last few days of my 20s. I am excited!
I mean I am always excited about birthdays but this year is a little bit more special. I feel excited to welcome a new era, and bidding farewell to being 20s.
It is funny though because most of my friends had this anxiety of turning 30. Some think they are old, some think they don’t have as much fun as before, some worry about physical features, some worry about health.
I’m the contrary though. I think my 20s are tough, I struggled a lot and had hiccups here and there. However, my 20s helped shape me to become the person I am today.. so I think it is safe to say that I am ready to face what my 30s will bring to me.
Here are some of life’s best lessons that I learned during my 20s :
If it’s not meant to be, you’ll know why
So.. in my early 20s I was in a steady relationship with this guy who I thought was the one. I mean we were friends since high school who met again during college, started dating just as we were finishing college. It became serious and we both thought that we were bound to get married. I mean what else there was to do? We were together, we had college degrees and started to build career. Getting married should be next on the list, right?
Fast forward to a series of events where we ended up the relationship and I was devastated. For the first few months I kept questioning myself, what went wrong? how did I go from having my life perfectly planned to being alone and confused?
Fast forward again to another series of events where I started to regained my confidence and was able to see clearly. I mean I think I have to write a book to actually explain the series of events, but I was finally able to figure out why I don’t end up with my ex. I love how my life turned out to be, which might be different had I stayed in a relationship with him. See, everything happens for the better.
Plans changed
I am a person who have plans for everything. I like to set a plan and keep a list of options to ensure my plans are well executed. It seemed to work well during my teenage years… I remember making action plan to get into University of Indonesia, even I already had a plan to study my masters abroad before finishing high school!
However in my 20s those plans did not seem to work perfectly. Like my plan to get married after finishing my masters… did not happen. My plan to work abroad also did not happen (yet). No regrets though. But along time I realised, it’s ok to make plans but don’t forget to allow change to happen and be flexible about it.
Family is important
There was a moment in my teenage years where I was ashamed to be seen at the mall with my family! OMG I can’t believe how foolish I was that time. In my 20s, I learned that my family are the number 1 gem in my life and forever I am grateful for their existence.
They will always be there for you, no matter how stubborn you are, no matter how bad your mood swings are, they will always understand, and try to make your day better.
They will cheer for you, support you 100% for every decisions you made, and just their company will warm your heart. Really. And surely this is something that my teenage self won’t believe as it took me awhile to realise.
Shit happens..
But it does not stay long. I mean, it is really up to you. There was a period of time in my early 20s when I was easily disappointed, I felt everything was wrong. I let negativity consumed me. But then I realised that’s how life works. Shit happens, but I won’t let it ruin my life. Not anymore. I learned how to let go, how to laugh at misfortunes and carry on. It’s not as easy as it seems, I know. Even I had my whole 20s to figure that out. Anyway, now I know that shit happens but I won’t let it ruin my life.
Life is a journey
And everybody’s journeys are different. It does not matter if your friends are married, with babies, and you are not. It’s the friendship that matters, isn’t it? It does not matter if your friend bought a house in Central Jakarta, with chauffeurs and all, while you are still paying the installment of your first car, month by month. Everybody has a different story, don’t let others define yours. It’s okay to set targets, but don’t compare yourself to others and discouraged you. It’s okay to set an example, only if it motivates you to become better.
Travel is an investment
By far, it is the best investment that my parents (and myself) have made for me. It started with the opportunity to study abroad for my masters degree, in which I began to see the world. Though I only spent a year in England, the experience would last me a lifetime. There are just so much benefits that I got from my love for travelling and I’m glad that my 20s self have the eagerness and curiosity to always explore 🙂
Now, let’s bid farewell to an amazing 20s. It is full of ups and downs but it’s all worth it! I’m ready to welcome my 30s, cheers to more adventures! ❤
Christa Bercerita 
Ah, selamat menyambut 30s..kak. bahagia selalu :).
Di point.. ” If it’s not meant to be, you’ll know why” aku blm nemu “why” nya apa di aku. Patah hati diusia kebanyakan perempuan indonesia memutuskan untk.menikah memang bikin ancur2an banget rasanya.. still questioning everything.. why this is happened to me. Lols. *lah ini mah jadi numpang curhaaat hahahaha*
Makasih Lativa 🙂
Semangat ya.. ini klise sih mungkin, tapi bener banget lho nanti pasti ketauan kenapa kamu ngga terus sama yang dulu.. dan ketika kamu udah tau, rasanya jauh lebih lega dan bersyukur. You would not like it if you’d stay, because the present is so much better 🙂 hehehe gpp dong aku senang dicurhatin… *lho* 🙂
SO TRUE Christa! I still have a year left of my 20s but I’m not as scared as I thought I would be entering my 30s. I had a lot of ups and downs, especially downs these past few years. Shit DOES happen, it will happen a lot too, you are right, that’s just how life is. It used to bring me down but I don’t think it’s worth it, time is precious right!
Anyway, welcome to a new era, hope you enjoy it! And let’s hope we can go back to England for nostalgia in this new era 😀
AMIIIIIN Aggy, going back to England is definitely top of my list! Let’s make it happen! As for you, enjoy the last year of your 20s yaaa xx
Wah, welcome to angka 3 Taa, it’s fun kok asal di jalanin dengan fun syalalalalalala shit happens, and everybody has their own story. Enjoy the ride….*hugs*
Hugsss enjoy the ride Fiiit 🙂
Selamat menyambut angka 30. Wah sudah melalui banyak hal ya.
Terima kasih 🙂 Masih panjang perjalanan hehehehe
Happy embracing the 30s Chris! I still have about two years ahead of me, so I am going to make the most out of it, hehe 😛 .
Haha thanks Ko! Have fun on your remaining years being 20 something yaa 😀
Umur kepala 3 seruuu koq hehee.
Kebayangnya sih gituu Non :))))
Calon bday girl. Kita meet up dong yuk. Hihi. Udah lama ga ketemu 🤗
Ayooo awal tahun yaaa :*
Welcome to 30s.. Bakal banyak kejadian seru juga pastinya.. for me, 30s was more ups and downs than my 20s.. Tapi aku bersyukur untuk semua yang sudah terjadi.. Semangattt Christa.. 🙂
Thank you Inlyy.. hehehe semangaaat! Iyaa yah harus selalu bersyukur 🙂 kayaknya 30an lebih berwarna nih ya hehehe
wouw…I still have two years leave before that Era…
selamat menyambut angka 3 Mbak Christa..have a wonderful adventures!!
Thank youu, and enjoy your time being 20 something too, Ira :*
Happy embracing 30-ies, Christa! I must say, being 30ies is awesome, in a different way than 20-ies. I had so many dreams in my twenties and I hopped on and off continents to see the world. It was fun, very twenty-something 😀 But the contentment I gained in my thirties, I wouldn’t trade it for the world. You will see :*
Ahh thanks for the warm welcome hihihihi.. I’m excited! :*
Wow milestone birthday! I think 30 is a perfect age. You’re mature enough, afford decent things in life and still young enough to enjoy it.
Yeay, I’m excited! Ah, true, kalau 40an takutnya udah ribet dan banyak limitations, 30an seems perfect 🙂
Eng ing eng.. Sunday will come faster!! Should we meet-up (again) to celebrate it? 😀 #nodongyangudahmau30 hahahaha
Hahaha lets letsss… 😀 😀 😀 (meet up aja kan? :p :p :p) jk jk nanti kita atur yaaah Wien 🙂
Wkwkwkwkwkw ditunggu!!
You’ll be fine Christa. Another decade of age offers challenges & opportunities.
I’m excited 🙂
Just simply hope you will enjoy your 30-s with its up and down, Christa 🙂
Thank you Inong 🙂
The health though, it’s really different! Your metabolism change, your skin regeneration change, no more late nights! You need to make more effort to keep your body in shape when you’re in your 30s.
Hahaha that I have started to feel it.. a while ago I stayed up late (until 3AM~ish) (ONLY) to have TV series marathon… and I felt headache the whole day next day! hahaha… compared to my early 20s where I could easily pull an all nighter :O
Such a great post Christa. Happy birthday!
Thanks! 🙂
Interesting , good post , nice perspective can reasonate with a few , plans changing and things not exactly going the way you expecte.
Thanks for visiting 🙂