The Last Day of My 20s

It’s finally here. My 30th birthday. Well almost. I write this on the eve of my day of birth, officially the last day of my 20s, feeling naturally reflective.

How does one spend the last day in their 20s?

In the quiet moments of today, this is what I did:

I marinated in gratitude.

This past year was so special and filled with blessings. I lost 45 pounds, I returned to my theatrical roots, and I even started going to a church that I love. All of the new experiences I had gives me hope for the new experiences yet to come. I thank God for that.

I chose to love the place I’m in.

I’m truly satisfied with where I am in life. It’s not where 20-year-old Leah thought I would be, but it’s beautiful. I love my job, my house, and being close to family. Losing weight makes me feel confident and healthier. I get to bounce around town with my best friend and follow my creative passions whenever I want. Yes, I’ve missed out on getting married in my 20s and God knows I’ve wanted to get married for as long as I remember, but I’m slowly finding the glad in my season of independence.

I recognized my growth.

It’s easy to feel like I haven’t changed at all in the last ten years, but that’s far from true. I like to take stock not only in how I’ve grown emotionally and spiritually, but also in what I’ve accomplished in that time. I graduated college, published two books, paid off my student loans, bought a house, and landed a dream job. I’ve pushed past many of my anxieties and have worked through my ups and downs. I’ve had highs and lows in my walk with God, but I’ve yet to lose sight of Him. And for all of that, I’m proud.

I assured myself that it’s going to be okay.

When I turned 23, I had this realization that 30 wasn’t far off anymore. Ever since, it’s been a battle between savoring my 20s and worrying about getting older. Let’s face it, getting older sucks. But it’s never too late to have a glow up, physical or otherwise. So much can happen in this next decade, I might as well embrace it with grace.

And with that grace, I will wake up tomorrow. And with grace, I’ll be 30. And with grace, I’ll see what comes after that.