Turning 33: The Lessons a Life Can Teach
Today, I turned 33. Not quite the golden years, not yet the twilight, but somewhere beautifully in between. I’ve heard people call this the “defining decade,” the years when you carve your path, lay down roots, and try to balance the chaos of relationships, career, and self-discovery.
It’s strange to think I’ve spent over three decades on this earth—12,053 days, 17,359,200 minutes. Those numbers sound vast, yet the truth is that life’s biggest shifts often happen in just a single minute, sometimes in seconds. The moments that shake us, change us, or set us free—they come quickly, often without warning, but leave echoes that last a lifetime.
Last night, I celebrated with friends, and our conversation turned reflective. Someone remarked on the importance of cherishing time but not all the people within it. That thought didn’t sit right with me. I found myself saying, “I cherish the time we shared and the lessons learned, because everyone comes into our lives for a reason—whether to stay or to serve as a lesson.” That’s the beauty of human connection. Each person we meet leaves a fingerprint on our story, and even the painful ones shape who we are.
As I sit here reflecting, I realize that each decade of my life has given me a defining lesson. And today, as if gifted by God Himself, I’ve uncovered a bonus lesson that ties them all together.
Lesson One: Years 1–10
Dream Boundlessly
When you’re a child, the world feels limitless. You can be a doctor, a princess, a superhero—whatever your heart desires. You play dress-up, and for that moment, you truly are those things. Your heart is pure, and your belief in yourself is unshakable. Everyone around you cheers you on, joining in your fantasy without hesitation.
Those years taught me the magic of dreaming without boundaries. There was no cynicism, no fear of failure—just a wide-open world and a heart full of passion. I’ve learned that even now, decades later, I should dream like that little girl did, chasing life with every ounce of joy and determination I have.
Lesson Two: Years 11–20
Take Responsibility
My teenage years were a masterclass in accountability. I remember one summer at my grandparents’ house, helping clean windows. Distracted, I let one slip, and it shattered. Panicked and scared of being in trouble, I blamed my little brother. It didn’t take long for the truth to come out, and my grandmother told me I needed to confess to my pawpaw.
I cried the whole way to him, terrified of his reaction. While he was upset, his disappointment quickly gave way to appreciation for my honesty. That moment taught me that trust is built on truth and that those who truly matter will forgive when you own your mistakes.
This lesson carried me through college and adulthood. Life gives you countless opportunities to blame others for your circumstances, but accountability is where growth begins. When you take responsibility, you empower yourself to change what you can control and to let go of what you can’t.
Lesson Three: Years 21–30
Even When It Doesn’t Work Out, It Works Out
My 20s were a mix of ambition and heartbreak. I experienced the sting of rejection—jobs I didn’t get, relationships that faltered, approval I craved but never received. Each rejection felt like a dagger to my confidence. But looking back, those closed doors were necessary.
I vividly remember being rejected for a job I desperately wanted. I questioned my worth for days. But then, as if by divine timing, another opportunity arose—one that led me back to San Antonio, to a place where I found incredible mentors and friends. That detour gave me the courage to apply for a position I once felt unworthy of, a role that became one of the most fulfilling chapters of my career.
Rejection taught me that even when things don’t go as planned, there’s a purpose in the pain. There’s a world beyond the “no,” but you have to have the courage to keep going.
Bonus Lesson: Always Remember Lesson One
Now, at 33, I find myself circling back to that childhood wisdom: Dream big and dream often. Life hasn’t dulled my desire for more—it’s deepened it. I still have dreams for myself and my loved ones, and I still believe in chasing them with the same unfiltered passion I had as a child pretending to be a princess.
I see this same purity in my nephews as they run and laugh with abandon. Their hearts are untouched by fear or doubt, and they love with a joy that is so honest it takes my breath away. I pray they never lose that magic and that I can hold onto it too.
A Life Worth Romanticizing
As I reflect on these lessons, I realize how much life has already taught me—and how much more it has to give. I wish sometimes for a pause button to soak it all in: the people, the moments, the traditions. Life changes so quickly, and the beauty of it is in cherishing all of it—the quiet mornings, the loud celebrations, the heartbreaks, the triumphs, and everything in between.
So here I am, a 33-year-old woman who has learned to romanticize it all: the coffee dates, the chaos, the rejection, the acceptance. Life really is a blink of an eye, and it’s meant to be lived fully.
