Managing Expectations vs Reality

Many years ago, 17 years ago to be exact, I had a goal in mind. That was to get myself registered for driving test the moment I hit 18 years old. For the next 5 years, I look forward to my 18th birthday because I simply had to accomplish that goal. When I finally turned 18, I wasted no time and found myself a private teacher and had passed all my basic, advance and final driving test on my first attempt.

About 3 years ago when we decided we were ready to start a family, I had only 1 goal, which was to get pregnant. Not knowing what to expect and not timing it correctly, I found myself in a situation where I don't know how to react because things weren't going according to plan. Then, I told myself, "this is reality".

When I left school and started working at 18 years, I had another milestone that I was looking forward to. That is the day I turn 30. Everywhere I went, I was always the baby of the company I'm with, either in school or at work. Perhaps I was reading too much into it, but I always felt people would take me more seriously if I was a bit older, so I wanted to be 30 badly. And of course, in light of that goal, I must have a huge celebration when I did turn 30. It must be a huge, elegant bash. I had imagined wearing a nice outfit on a yatch, sipping champagne and eating canapés, and maybe getting drunk at the end of the evening.

The reality I found out not too long after B was born, is that this probably won't be possible until he's way older. I might probably yearn for just a day off in the kitchen, maybe yearn for a good foot rub or a body massage, or simply just a 2-hour nap.

You don't need to be 30 for others to take you seriously I've since found out. Respecting others for who they are, respecting yourself more importantly, and proving to others your capabilities despite your age through the results you deliver are more effective.

That said, turning 30 is just another day.

I turned 30 yesterday.