If you’re in your thirties and life feels like a chaotic group project with a bunch of junior varsity humans—who have strong opinions yet can’t remember to flush a toilet—and somehow every day feels like three days, yet an entire month can pass since you checked your email—you’re not alone. I wrote this a while back while reflecting on the Thirty-Somethings in our family but never shared it. Since it applies to all of you hard-working souls, winter feels like the perfect time to send some love to those grinding it out and glowing quietly under the weight of it all.

Dear Thirty-Somethings,

There’s a solid chance you’re way more accomplished than you’re giving yourself credit for right now. Many of you went from college to grad school—maybe even grad school again (bold move). You’ve moved cities, built careers, gotten married, raised tiny humans, bought homes, adopted pets, and possibly even kept a plant alive in the midst of all of that.

And while you’ve been doing, doing, doing? You’ve gotten better at your job. Sharper about people. Wiser about the world. You’ve been quietly leveling up—while somehow also remembering to take the trash out almost every week.

I see so many of you being pulled in every direction with barely enough time to have lunch, let alone reflect on what you’re actually achieving. But this is why I have to point out to you all—you’re accomplishing so much. You’ve been learning how to lead, how to parent, how to build, how to pivot, how to relationship, how to unclog a drain without crying (or at least while crying more efficiently, which completely counts.)

You and your experience are now the answer to someone else’s problem. You’re holding keys to progress, understanding, and growth. You’ve earned the right to say how you want to be treated in your workplace and relationships, what kind of life you want to build, and who gets to walk that with you.

So in the event that no one’s told you lately…You’re doing an incredible job. Yes, this season of life is overwhelming—but it’s also shaping you into someone even more capable. 

This time in your life is demanding. But it’s also defining. You’ve got this. Keep going. I’m so proud of you.

And please, please Thirty-Somethings, be gentle to yourselves.

And Team, the pic for this episode is actually of my brother and sister in-law who run a clinic for young people with autism spectrum disorder in Milford, Connecticut. To learn more about the amazing things these thirty-somethings are doing for children at So Much To Say, please click this link to their website.

Thanks for listening Team~