BEING 33 in THE WORDPLAY WARRIOR

I’d wanted to write this for me last month, but I couldn’t find the time. I’ve been quite busy lately, but that’s okay. That’s a sign that I’m still productive as a human being.

One of my best friends has said just how more relaxed I seem to be lately. Perhaps it’s true. I think I’ve realised and begun to accept where and how I am now.
How does it feel being 33? Normal. I no longer find it ‘a big deal’ to fret about how old I’ve become. Getting older is unavoidable and age is just a number.

Obviously, people experience being 33 differently. Maybe you’ve already been married. Perhaps you’re waiting for your first, second, or third child this year.
Or you’re about to get married – or still single, like me. Either way, that’s not a problem – as long as you’re still happy. If others still think it’s a problem, then you may ask them to check whether their own lives are problem-free. Yes, seriously.

For me? Being 33 is about being grateful. God is still so kind and gracious to let me live another year, especially since I’m half my father’s age when he passed away on January 19, 2014. He was 66. Get it? 33 x 2 = 66.

Knowing how short life really is, I’ve decided to start treating myself with more care and respect. That means no longer caring about pointless drama, especially the issues that have absolutely have nothing to do with me. I won’t try to impress people whose main goal is to bring others down in order to make themselves feel better. Why waste my precious energy when I can do something else much more important?

These days, I’m also grateful for the great friends who are still around for me – near and far. For those I get to see most often these days, thanks for putting up with me. For those whom I haven’t got to meet face-to-face after a while, I miss you. I know there are distances and schedules between us, but have faith that when it’s time – we shall meet again. Caring for each other doesn’t always mean staying close together all the time – and I’m glad that each of us have a room to grow more independently as well.

I believe I’m right where I belong now. I’m thankful that I’ve grown even closer to my true calling. Instead of constantly fretting about what I still haven’t got in life, I prefer focusing more on what I have right now. This time, I won’t even put up with shallow-minded and ignorant bullies who still think I’m not good enough or I should follow their version of ‘normal’. Guess what? I no longer care what they think. I want to live to be the better version of me everyday and I’m not doing it for them. I’m doing it for me, because I owe it to myself. Sadly, oftentimes they still forget and have to be reminded of this very, very simple fact:

“Every blessing comes from God. Calling a 30-something single woman ‘an old maid’ is like insulting the poor just because you (think you) have more money / are richer. The question is, are you sure you’re really that ‘wealthy’?”

R. / WW.