Happy birthday, Gladis. You just turned 30! I have so many things to tell you about what will happen but here are the most important things I wish you knew.
This will blow your mind but you’ve actually achieved most of the things you wanted. More importantly, you’ve learned to let go of the things you thought you were supposed to want.
Over the next ten years, you’ll earn a degree, make your first million, buy your own condo, start several companies, travel to 27 countries, teach yoga, and even go bungee jumping. You’ll also meet the man of your dreams.
But these accomplishments will come with many obstacles—sleepless nights, fears, doubts, and disappointments. So many that you’ll question yourself countless times.
Learn to befriend failure.
It’s inevitable as you go through life. Failing means you’re trying something new. Failing means you’ve just discovered one approach that doesn’t work—yet.
Fail fast and fail often. Each time you fail, you’ll not only be one step closer to success, but you’ll also discover something valuable about yourself.
Make sure to fail at something that truly matters to you. Because success will only feel ‘success‘ if it aligns with your own definition of it.
Learn to quit. Contrary to popular belief, winners quit a lot. That’s how they win.
Quitting isn’t giving up—it’s choosing to focus your attention on something more important to you. Life’s too short to waste on opportunities that no longer resonate with you.
There is no single “right” path to success and happiness.
Stop feeling pressured to follow a prescribed path—it’s not meant for you, and it won’t work. Your path will unfold as you try things, trust your intuition, and embrace your unique strengths and weaknesses.
Great things don’t happen overnight.
Climbing a mountain, witnessing the northern lights, discovering a career you love, meeting your dream partner, or building passive income— all of it takes consistent effort and unwavering patience. Do your part and be patient.
Stop stressing about trying to figure everything out—you never fully will, and that’s okay. You will get better at accepting it in time.
Don’t let worries consume your days. If something goes wrong, trust that you have what it takes to handle it, and if you don’t, help will be available.
You’ll only spend a brief moment at the destination.
Achieving your goals, targets, and dreams—it’s over in the blink of an eye. Life is a series of small moments. The goal is not just to achieve the goal but to enjoy the process of getting there.
Find work you love and pour your mind, heart, and soul into it. But remember to rest, pause, and reflect along the way. Celebrate your small wins and when things go wrong, give yourself the space to feel sad.
Then, honestly assess your part in the situation, take responsibility, and make necessary changes.
Above all, be kind to yourself. Don’t shoot second arrows. The gentler you are, the easier it becomes to pick yourself up, move forward, and grow stronger.
Money is not the answer. Fame is not the answer. Even having a partner is not the answer.
Peace comes from reaching a state of contentment in the important areas of your life—a place where you no longer feel the need to chase after what’s missing.
It’s about simultaneously working on different areas of life while learning to be fully present in the moment.
Take the time to learn about money, investing, fitness, focus, meditation, and building better relationships. These are the essential skills you’ll need in life. No one is coming to save you—it’s up to you to take charge of your growth and future.
Enough is a decision, not a number.
You’ll realize how little you truly need in terms of possessions and money. Don’t let the pursuit of more money stop you from doing the things you love or spending time with the people who truly matter.
Don’t buy things you don’t need, so you won’t have to earn money from work you don’t want. Every purchase comes at the cost of your time and freedom.
The real freedom is not freedom to but freedom from.
True freedom isn’t just about the freedom to do whatever you want; it’s also about breaking free from the pressure to conform, the fear of failure, and the need to meet others’ expectations.
It’s the ability to let go of what’s unnecessary, to live simply and authentically, and to dedicate your energy to what truly matters to you.
You can’t pour from an empty cup.
Take care of yourself first. When you feel whole, you won’t rely on others to fill your needs, and every small gesture they offer will feel like a bonus.
Every person you meet will teach you something. Some will lead you toward your passions, like traveling, yoga, and writing, while others will challenge your values.
Always look for the good in people. When someone hurts you, it’s often not about you—they are likely consumed by their own struggles. Don’t take it personally, and you’ll feel so much better.
Not everyone you meet is meant to stay.
So give your all when you’re with them. Put down your phone. Look them in the eyes. Say how you feel. Give long hugs.
Whether they stay for a day, weeks, months, or years, what truly matters is how present you were when you were with them.
You won’t be married or have kids in the next 10 years—and that’s okay. The moment you stop romanticizing the idea of finding your soulmate on a set timeline and focus instead on becoming the “right” person, that’s when you’ll find him. And yes, you’ll meet him before you turn 30.
You will go through many experiences, but you will never be alone. Your family and friends will always be there for you. Don’t take them for granted—not everyone has this privilege.
Don’t worry if you don’t like the taste of alcohol or the idea of getting intoxicated to have fun or dealing with a hangover the next day. You don’t need alcohol to have fun or to be accepted by the right people.
While you may feel pressured to conform at times, don’t. In eight years, you’ll give it up entirely and you’re one step closer to being unapologetically you.
Never lose your childlike spirit as you grow older.
Laugh until your belly aches, cry over happy endings, dance like nobody’s watching, sing your favorite Ed Sheeran songs off-tune, write, paint, play with kids or your dog, plant in your garden, and spend time in nature.
Do things for the joy of doing them. Because, in the end, these are the real things.
After traveling for a while, you’ll realize just how small you are in the grand scheme of things and how little most of the things that bother you truly matter.
You’re but an imperceptible grain of sand in an unimaginably vast universe. So stop worrying so much about making mistakes—they’re far less tragic than you think.
Never stop questioning the status quo, society’s expectations and standards, and every “should” and “must.”
Have the courage to challenge beliefs that don’t resonate with you. It will be difficult, but it will set you free. Don’t stop discovering who you are beneath all the social norms and conventions.
None of this will make sense now, but it will in time.
You’ll have to learn it through your own experiences. At times, it will be painful, but it will also be exciting, fun, and truly life-changing.
So, savor every moment, because, in 10 years, you’ll find yourself in Las Vegas, enjoying a freshly baked cheesecake your boyfriend made just for you.
Until then,
Your thirty-year-old self
Gladis, this letter is such a heartfelt reflection of growth and resilience. Reading your words reminds me how much we’ve both grown through life’s twists and turns. Your wisdom and positivity always shine through, and this blog is no exception.
I’m so grateful to have you as my best friend—your courage and kindness inspire me every day. This letter is a beautiful reminder to embrace life’s journey, even when it’s uncertain. Thank you for sharing this piece of yourself with us.
Thank you for being a witness and a sounding board with all these years! I’m so happy to see both of us pursue a life that is true to us! Cheers to all life would bring us!