Helllloooo babes!

It’s been so long — seriously. I haven’t blogged since November, but now it’s the eve of my 30th birthday. In fact, this is officially my thirty minutes to turning thirty post! This post is the 9th in the birthday series! Check out my 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, and 29 posts here!

Happy (almost) Sandhya Day!!

I didn’t even get to do a “30 days until I’m 30” post this year because up until last Saturday, I’ve been overwhelmed with the fact that its the end of my 20s. Like who let this happen? *Cue Joey Tribbiani crying at the fact he’s 30*

But this last week of 29 has been good. I had a 30th birthday blowout on Saturday and it was a whole mesh of people who I’ve known for years or for only a few months. The balloon arch picture for this post was from my party!! So many loved ones showed up, there was great food, drinks and cake, and it looked like everyone was having fun. At the venue where I was hosting my party, the venue added a nice touch and printed out 10 pictures of me to put around the room — pictures of me as a kid, pictures with my family, and my pictures from my most recent 30th photoshoot. A lot of people had a “oh that’s a really cute– WAIT that’s you!” moment, which was nice to witness.

This year is the year that a lot of my friends turn 30. Many of them are are creating lists: a 30 before 30 list (these are the friends with later birthdays!), a 30 during 30 list, or 30 things I’ve learned in my 30 years, list. I make a lot of lists but this year I’m just grateful.

Since the party I had other “highs.” My sweet friend Megan stayed with me after the party and I got to spend time with her after months. Work has been good (and a good level of busy), the weather has been so beautiful the last few days, and I got to speak at a panel at my alma mater last night inspiring current law students to follow a career of antitrust. One of my friends came to support me at the event too which meant so much to me.

The last 3 days the song “Sweet Sixteen” by Hilary Duff has been on repeat. I think it’s fitting that as I enter a new era of my life, I go back and listen to songs on repeat from the first CD I ever purchased — Metamorphosis by Hilary Duff. A 2003 icon. I remember listening to it on my purple metallic MP3 player. That thing was the best thing to happen to me until I got my silver iPod nano, which was a total game changer.

With this much love and happiness in my life, how could I not be filled with gratitude and excitement for this next chapter?

A lot of people say that your 30s are amazing, and at first I thought that was just a lie people told themselves, I think I’m starting to believe it. (or maybe this is just a lie I’m telling myself). But 30 feels like it brings an aura of maturity, more self assuredness, more confidence, and hopefully more happiness. But I also hope it brings a lot of growth.

After this party on Saturday, I pretty much came to terms with the fact that I’m 30, but somehow I still feel 25. There was a moment earlier this week when I was reminded that even at the cusp of 30, I’m still growing. I am still growing to be a better daughter, sister, friend, coworker, teammate, and person. I still need to remind myself to breathe, to stay patient, to give me loved ones my time and energy even if I have convinced myself I’m too busy with work or am doing something “more important,” and there are still so many life skills I need to learn to become self-sufficient.

And I think that learning and growing are my main goals for 30. And maybe finally stop lying about wanting to blog more and actually follow through with these promises.

If you’re turning 30 this year, let me know how you’re celebrating, and if you’re already 30, please share your best advice!!

Until next time!

xo

Sandhya

If you would like to celebrate my 30th year around the sun with me, then please click the follow or subscribe button! Feel free to connect with me through this platform, twitter, my coffee and checkins Instagram, my podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, or Amazon Music, or email me at coffeeandcheckins@gmail.com! If you have any suggestions for topics or anything you’d like me to write/speak about, please let me know🙂❤