10 Before 30: How’d I do?

I made a 10 before 30 list, forgot about it, didn’t do much with it.

But let’s look at how I did anyway, several years after the fact because that’s how I commit to things like this.

1. 🚫 Didn’t learn web design again in the sense I meant — and I’m glad for it. 🎨

Instead, I challenged myself in other ways. I made my own bio link page and designed two themes for myself.

I associated designing your own website with a sort of superiority that doesn’t exist, based on criticism and expectations of people who aren’t the people I’d dare experience a lockdown with.

Delegating that which you are not skilled to do, or have the time/energy/spoons to do — this is fine! It’s healthy! It’s great for my mental health.

2. ⚖️💸 Was financially stable, then became homeless after moving closer to fam.

I had my own apartment — my first apartment. I have a car. I mostly paid all my bills by myself.

This is a major reason I tried rebranding to That Adult, because I really want to bring awareness to the ridiculousness that it is not educating autistic children how to do anything, because autistic children grow up to be autistic adults who could adult if people would stop giving up on us.

3. ✅ I learned how to set & enforce boundaries! 🛑

I get a little better at it everyday.

My family doesn’t call me Sarah so much anymore, and I emphasize my chosen name in social circles. I introduce myself to people as Jane. I make it clear that the decision to change my name is not a phase.

I mean, obviously…it’s been well over 10 years since I’ve been at this.

Reclaiming my autonomy and defining myself was a key part of my personal development, and I’m so proud of myself for getting this far.

Little improvements on the daily helps.

4. ✅ I took care of my body. 💙

✅ I didn’t starve myself.
✅ I practice intuitive eating.
✅ I prioritize my mental health.
✅ I don’t push myself when it hurts, just because I think pain is weak. I listen to my body.

Since moving closer to fam and then becoming homeless, I’ve been struggling to pay for groceries thanks to inflation. 🥴

I really, really wish I hadn’t moved away from Greenville, TX, because it was my first apartment and I was doing well. Two maternal relatives convinced me that moving closer to them was “the best decision” for myself; I feel like a fool for believing them.

5. ✅ Less screen time before bed. 💻

Except in certain circumstances, I didn’t not take my laptop to bed. It stayed in the living room, plugged in.

My cell phone is a different story. For one, it’s hard to just go to bed, especially considering I’m going to bed alone. As I grow older, I feel myself longing for someone to go to bed with, so…my cell phone keeps me connected.

How about…instead of telling people to ditch their phone before sleep, we stop telling adults how they should live their life?!

👉 Now, I have a cat, Galaxy. 💖

6. ⚖️ I’m no longer ashamed of that which I want/need to do, although I do experience imposter syndrome to the max. ⚙️

And I’m working on it.

7. ⚖️ I have a little more confidence. 🔥

I’m a work-in-progress.

I haven’t complete confidence. From what I’ve seen of people with lots of confidence, who don’t use it for good, it’s healthy to not have complete confidence.

So I’m good with this.

8. 🚫 Meet some blog friends. 🌎

To be fair, there was a pandemic. And I didn’t have a car until Summer 2020.

9. ✅ Cook more meals. 🍽

I didn’t have a microwave in my apartment, and I didn’t buy one — so??

10. ⚖️ Experience 10 new things?? 💎

I…don’t know? Let’s see…

1. I moved into my first apartment.
2. I was ghosted & mosted, and not with the mostess?
3. I got a hefty tax refund and finally understand what the big deal about refunds is all about.
4. Something happened to me that I can’t legally talk about yet.

I couldn’t think of much else at the moment. I’m sure there are several, but I also realized that I kinda do what I have already done in my life…just a lil’ bit better.

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I wrote most of this post right before I turned 30 in 2021 and slightly updated pieces of it so I could publish it now.

I’ve already created a 40 before 40 list!