Article #88 : The Thriving Thirties

How many of you are in your 30's here? Great, then I am sure most of you could correlate with what I am going to talk today. And people who haven't turned 30 yet, don't worry sooner or later you will also be part of the 30's club and that's how, even you could correlate with my article.

On that note, today I am going to narrate the story of a guy who is trying to thrive in his thirties.

Once upon a time in one of the beautiful cities of India, there was a handsome hunk, none other than Giridhar.

Early in the morning, Giridhar wakes up with a call from his colleague.

"Hi Giridhar, there's a marathon today. Are you joining us?"

"No, I can't come. You guys carry on"

"Ok, I understand you turned 30 recently"

"Excuse me, I am not turning to the Marathon only because I am not interested, not because I turned 30"

Saying this, Giridhar cuts the call and gets ready for office. As soon as he comes out, his neighbouring aunty starts saying,

"Hey Giridhar, I have seen your FB account and understood that recently you turned 30. Common Giridhar, get married and don't stop there, Also have children. Do you know, by the time I reached your age, I had 3 children"

"Wow Aunty, that's a great achievement. But do you ever had a boyfriend in your life? No right! Similar to how you had 3 children by the time you turned 30, even I have 3 girlfriends by the time I turned 30. And just like how I can still marry and produce children, you can also start having your boyfriends. For instance, just look at that Uncle who is starring at you since a long time "

This way, Giridhar diverts the topic and leaves the place. As he crosses the stairs in his apartment, he encounters with his neighbouring kids.

"Uncle, just a minute please. We will give you the way"

For a man who is 30+, the word 'Uncle' hurts alot even more than the word, 'Bhayya'(Brother)

"Hello, who is Uncle for you? Call me Bhayya"

"Offo Uncle, look at your hair, it's white. Look at your beard, it's also white. You have to feel happy that we are calling you only Uncle, but not grandpa"

"You kids became notorious these days. I will complain to your parents"

Saying this, Giridhar leaves the place in a frustrated way and starts towards his office. On the way, he stops for some coconut water. The coconut seller initiates the conversation 

"Thank God Sir, you turned 30. Otherwise, we would have missed a daily customer like you" 

"Hey how come you know that I turned 30?" 

"Common Sir, looking at you, anyone can say that you turned 30" 

"What if I say that I am just 28?" 

"To whom are you lying Sir? To me or to yourself? Let's say, you are 28, but it still means that you almost turned 30" 

"There's no use of talking to you" 

Saying this, Giridhar again leaves the place in a frustrated way and reaches office. But unfortunately, there he had to face the wrath of his manager. 

"Giridhar, I told you that you are the Proxy Project Manager and this work would have been completed by now. I understand that you turned 30 recently, but this is not acceptable" 

"Huh, look who's talking! Someone who is 40+ is throwing a sarcastic tantrum at the one who is just 30+" 

"Giridhar, you are crossing your limits" 

"Oh you can cross 40 and I can't cross my limits?" 

"Enough is enough, I will make sure you are on bench from Tomorrow" 

"Sure, you take your desk and I will take my bench" 

Saying this Giridhar returns home in a frustrated way. He takes a closer look at his looks through the mirror. In the first moment, he feels embarassed and awkward about it. But in the very next moment, he realises that turning 30 is part and parcel of the human lifecycle. The world may judge you based on several aspects like looks, marital status, energy levels and even work. But ultimately, it's upto you whether to feel embarassed or embrace the age and thrive confidently in your thirties because while your 20's are for learning, your 30's are for Thriving. You are not getting older, but you are just levelling up. A penny for your thoughts.