Chapter 1: Facing 29

Just a fortnight ago, I celebrated my 29th birthday. Up until now, this decade has been challenging. I'm not dating, I rarely go out, and I'm dissatisfied with my job. To put it bluntly, I feel trapped and weary of my current situation. I have willingly relinquished my potential, bound by my anxieties, stubbornness, and pride. Now, I find myself at the threshold of a new decade, eagerly waiting for an invitation to step forward. If I'm not careful, I may squander the final year of my twenties, even though I've felt like a woman in her thirties since I was 18.

At present, I embody the persona of a 35-year-old Black woman with a cat. My conflicting sides—maturity and youth—have become more pronounced with my impulsive decisions. After a long week, I returned home exhausted, surrounded by a mountain of unfinished work cluttering my cubicle. I envisioned a productive day to tackle it, but instead, I collapsed on the couch after shedding my bra. Dinner was a single pork chop—who needs two?—accompanied by leftover cabbage and sweet potatoes from a meatless Monday that turned into Wednesday due to my taco binge earlier in the week. After eating, I spent some time with Prozac (my cat), scrolled through TikTok, wandered down YouTube rabbit holes, then tackled household chores before calling it a night.

And that was just a glimpse of my Friday.

In a bid to make the most of my last year in my so-called Roaring Twenties, I've opted to blog about my unstructured experiences. This will not only hold me accountable but also foster conversations with others who can challenge my self-imposed limitations.

This year, my singular goal is to pursue ideas that bring me joy, financial success, and inner peace. By starting anew on my birthday rather than aligning with the traditional New Year, I've allowed myself the grace to begin afresh. However, that grace period has ended, and I must tackle these daunting tasks head-on. Here are my intentions:

• Relocate to a new city or state
• Shed 10-15 pounds for good
• Launch a stationery business
• Promote and grow my blog
• Cultivate new friendships

Given my tendency to overcommit, this is a streamlined version of my plans. It's important to note that I've only lightly initiated a few of these goals, with some intertwined responsibilities. For example, relocating necessitates securing a new job, and ideally, I would like to apply my master's degree while also learning a new skill like coding or programming.

This is the moment I often falter—overwhelmed by the desire to make friends, enjoy life, and savor the journey toward my goals.

I am making a final appeal to leave the "Granny Club" behind. No longer will I be the one who sips tea, embraces fiber, and turns in at 8 PM. I'm admitting my love for fiber, but I refuse to be the youngest in the "old friend" category. I will be adventurous, brave, and fierce—even if it means sacrificing sleep or my indulgences in marijuana and gluten.

Another reason I could never be your therapist.

Catch you next week!

Chapter 2: Reflecting on Future Goals

In the video "1 Year Until 30 | Feelings & Plans," the speaker shares their thoughts and feelings about the impending transition into their thirties. This reflection resonates with anyone grappling with similar feelings as they approach a significant milestone.

Chapter 3: Preparing for Life's Next Chapter

The second video, "10 Things You Have To Do Before Age 30," outlines essential experiences and tasks that can help individuals feel more accomplished and prepared as they step into their thirties. This advice serves as a helpful guide for anyone looking to maximize their growth before hitting this pivotal age.