How does it feels to be in 30s

My phone rings...

Hello, happy birthday - Khushi (sister-in-law wishes me). I thank her, and we talk about a few things in life, and she follows up -

How does it feel to be 30? 

Honestly, not very different, because I have been mentally thinking of the 30s for the last 2 years. A bit long, actually, which led to my slowing down energy-wise for some time. But now, for close to a year, I have my energy back. The raw energy of the 20s. It isn't true 30s slow down. Lifestyle, motivation, people, kick in life do. Health can't be taken for granted, but if you don't have any major issues, health is a byproduct of former things. 

I think you will have the same energy in your 60s as well. - She acknowledges. I take my energy seriously. I thanked her again. It feels good. You know, I used to ponder what it would feel like to be in different stages of life. How would it feel to be 20s, 30s, maybe 40s? As I have crossed those 3 marks, I know it doesn't feel very different, as I mentioned. The child inside is still alive. The heart and soul are still childish, finding joy in the smallest things in life. And want to keep this child alive, who doesn't understand the complexity of life, and wants to play. But with sensibility & responsibilities. 

30s, and aging or gaining experience feels a little different as people mature. As they experience, they start having a different perspective. They become more strategic. Thinking of safety, settling in - all depends on the mindset, person to person. Maybe there are a few new connections in my brain. Sometimes, I think I have traded some old, important connections for these new ones. I don't find convincing answers. But for a kid who didn't want to go to school every day, who attended college lectures to meet friends and have a laugh, studying was done better at home. I wake up now thinking about things to do first. School was the most sensible thing to do in childhood - defined by common narratives, but maybe in my view most impactful, most fun thing was different. I like every bit of that child. Irrespective of what I do, I want to be walking by that child. 

It doesn't feel very different to be in my 30s. But every passing day, every passing year humbles me. It makes me feel how far I have come, but the grand scale reminds me how tiny this timeline is. I feel grateful for everyone I have, everything I have. It makes me believe that if I keep showing up, things will happen. Yeah, it feels great.