A Letter To My 31 Year Old Self

I've been wanting to write this and dedicate it to myself on my 31st birthday, but kept putting it off because I was either in too good a mood, or too foul a mood, or too occupied or just plain lazy and never got to it in time.

So, 2 weeks late, in an ambivalent mood, still feeling lazy, but finally deciding to just do it.

Being in my thirties is not much different from being in my twenties. With the exception that my metabolic rate has definitely slowed down, responsibilities have grown, financial commitments have increased.

Do I know how to get by life any better than 10 years ago - I doubt. Have I made more friends? Well, yes, but I've lost some too over the years for various reasons and learning to let go is one thing that has improved with age.

Am I getting better at being a better person? Well, I try. It's a daily effort and very trying and tiring. Some days I feel like a winner when I tuck myself into bed. Some days, I feel the opposite and that's why I finally settled on writing this now so that when I read this many years later, or a day later, hopefully I remember this feeling and have leveled up by then.

I've been having some relatively stressful days in the office, and that takes a toll on my mental well being. Evidently I'm still not very good at regulating emotions and keeping work separate from personal life. But honestly, who is able to draw a neat line between the two?

People are selfish. People are entitled. People can be mean and unkind. That's reality. But perhaps, we feel that way about others because we too fail to see where they are coming from.

Of course, some people are a lost cause. This category of humans can be struck off and really don't let them bother you because they're not worth it.

Some people may actually have a good reason behind their behaviour or actions. It's for us to choose whether or not we want to step into their shoes and see their point of view.

Some times, explaining yourself may be the best way. And if that solves nothing too, life goes on and well, better next time.

You see girl, life happens. It's been going on for 31 years for you and it likely will go on for awhile more. Like it or not, everything is a choice. So don't bitch about life, don't lament others, and don't be bitter.

Life is better when happy anyway.. May your 31st year be joy filled, adventured filled, and overflowing with kindness.

Happy belated birthday dear self! #love