Turning 30: A Day of Sunrises, Reflection, Rain, and Sunsets

Soooooo, I am 30 years old🎂 — cheers to that🥂

In the mean time……

Did you know that the average life expectancy among hunter-gatherers was around 30 years?

As in, 11,000 to 12,000 years ago, someone like me would have a great deal of grandkids and my tribe would treat every aspect of my life as though I was living my last days.

But here we are, in this modern day and age, where according to science, the average human life expectancy worldwide is 73 years, ranging from 53 to 84 years depending on the country in question.

What a blessing!

Turning 30 feels that way to me.

Like yoooo, I made it to this MILESTONE age, I might as well relish the weight of experiences, lessons, growth and excitement for the future that it carries.

I think I want to make it to 120 years, because you know, according to God in Genesis 6:3;

“My Spirit shall not abide in man forever, for he is flesh: his days shall be 120 years,”

…..I should be able to.

With all that said, American Doctor, Entrepreneur, Author and everything impossibly possible Peter Diamandis, recommends in his Longevity guidebook that the best way to achieve that is through; a positive mindset, making healthy food choices, exercise, enough sleep and regulating stress.

I wanted the celebration of my birthday to be a reinforcement of the things above, some of which I have religiously done in the past in the pursuit of a healthy lifestyle.

So, I planned a celebration that honored who I am, the journey that has brought me here and contemplating how I can make it to the 120-year-old healthy version of me.

In this blog post, I share how I intentionally took time during the day of my birthday to celebrate turning 30.

Welcoming the Day with the Sunrise

I woke up early to watch the sunrise, embracing the quiet of the morning.

Quite frankly, this is not something I have done in the past as it felt easier to immerse myself in nature’s nature — pun intended — during sunset.

As I got closer to 30, I have been contemplating having a more calm lifestyle and starting each day with a more present mindset, where with each morning I take the time to fully grasp the entirety of who I am and being ME.

And that includes being still as I watch the sun rise.

During that morning, as the sky transformed with hues of orange and pink, I felt a deep sense of peace.

Being the inherently white star that the sun is, and watching it become the many versions it can be was just so calming for me, a new entrant to the 3^rd floor that is both afraid of the unknown but also excited for what I could become.

It was a reminder that every day is a new beginning, an opportunity to show up as my best self.

Meditation, Journaling, and Coffee

After the sunrise, I spent some time meditating and journaling.

Over the last 3 years, I have avidly journaled about my life’s experiences and the feelings that ensue.

Additionally, I have endeavored to be self-aware of my feelings and thoughts through meditation.

These two practices have been great tools in regards to helping me understand my emotions.

This year is no exception especially on a day like my 30^th birthday.

I reflected on the past decade — the challenges I overcame, the unexpected joys, and the lessons that shaped me.

Writing it all down has always been cathartic, and this time was not any different.

It was also a way of honoring my past while setting intentions for the future.

With a warm cup of coffee in hand, I savored the quiet moments of solitude before stepping into the day.

Working out in the Rain

Rrrrrr one of my favourite parts of the day

So exercise has been such a game changer for me.

I endeavor to do at least 5 workouts a week and I definitely had to do one on my birthday.

Besides cycling and spinning, one of the things I immensely enjoy is a good DANCE workout.

… and that’s what I did

Then came a surprise—a morning drizzle, amidst Kampala’s 25 °C warmth.

Rrrrr……yooooooo

My inner child went like, “Perfecttttt, this is the ideal turning-30-playtime!”

Instead of retreating indoors, I danced and jumped in the rain, letting the cool droplets remind me of life’s unpredictability.

It was honestly refreshing, almost poetic, to celebrate a new decade this way.

The rain felt like a cleansing…… a symbol of renewal into my now 30-year-old body.

A Visit to Bahá’í Temple

One of the most meaningful parts of my day was visiting the Bahá’í Temple.

I wanted to spend time in reflection, to ground myself spiritually as I entered this new chapter.

The Bahá’í house of worship is the literal epitome of tranquility.

Located a top of one of Kampala major hills, this temple is not only a conducive environment for peace and quiet but also a great viewpoint of Kampala City.

Count me feeling all fulfilled just being in its vicinity.

Sitting in the peaceful surroundings, I thought about what 30 means to me—the wisdom, the strength, and the responsibility to live intentionally.

Ending with the Sunset at Skyz Hotel

To close the day, I headed to Skyz Hotel to catch the sunset.

I think this is by far the best place to catch the sunset in Kampala – wouldn’t be surprised if I changed my mind on discovering other places that are sunset gems.

The first day I watched the sunset from there, I knew in my core that this is the place I wanted to go to reflect on a lifetime milestone like turning 30.

And I did.

Watching the sky change colors once again felt symbolic — like a full-circle moment from where the day began.

I sat there, grateful for the life I’ve lived so far and excited for what’s to come.

A Birthday Well Spent

When I think about how my birthday went, I am filled with joy and contentment.

Just a day filled with things that nourished my soul.

Turning 30 felt like stepping into a new version of myself — one that is more reflective, grounded, and open to life’s unfolding journey.

Here’s to the next decade!

I am more than happy to hear your thoughts about getting older or what you have done for yourself as a mark for a new age.