Here’s where I start being vulnerable. Sit back and read it till the end. Happy October 6th and have a blessed great day.
And just like that, I'm 30.
Sounds weird coming out of my mouth. I, Joy Maynard, am Thirty.
Not to say I'm not excited about it. I know my best years are ahead if me, the fun now start, but actually reaching this point is just a tad unbelievable to me.
Help me get ready for it!
“RIP to my 20’s?”
While I was searching for birthday themes for my party I came across 2 that stood out for me. I know I could've pulled off an awesome “Dirty Thirty” but that's been done to death, I wanted something fresh. Speaking of death, the next was “RIP to my 20’s” but that seemed so morbid to me. Plus even though I'm not in my 20's anymore, I don't want to kill them off, they mean a lot to me. A lot has happened to me in that time, a lot has changed and they represent who I've become.
I had a serious wake up call. Every year I have another “serious wake up call” like, how many of those are there??? How many more realities do I need to face before it's considered enough? FFSM
BUT, to be fair, each one came with tremendous growth and for that, I am grateful. But keep it cute though, I need a break.
On such a heavy topic as this, I'd like to be able to deliver it in a very cool way, like Meg Thee Stallion rapping about her alcoholism and depression but I am no Meg, so there will be no double entendres or captionable quotes here. There are cool photos at least to distract you from the fact that I'm talking out my business unprovoked. You're welcome.
I am a mother. A mother.
Nine months of mom experience.
I'm coming into my thirties as a new mom and I love that. I already started the “grown woman” evolution. I've had such drastic changes in my life in that short space of time.
I have to come to terms now with the fact that I'm responsible for a family and how it functions. That's not anything I ever considered before. Like it's obvious, as a mom that’s how it goes, but don't forget it took me a long time to feel like a mom, furthermore act like one. Antoine and I are no longer 2 adults taking care of ourselves as individuals and growing as just 2, we're responsible for an entire family! That's a big change, one I can admit I wasn't ready for. Most of my post partum… hardships… were from the fact that I was not ever ready for how much my life was going to change and how little control I was going to have over it. How I would have to continue pushing through and making major life decisions when I felt like my whole life was spiraling out of control.
Luckily, as much as it felt like I was alone, I really was not. I had a group chat with my sisters who either had children already or had one on the way (big up De Breederssss) so anything I needed to say or ask I could do it there. I had friends that I could call on at any time and they were there, and I had a partner that even though most times he had no idea what he was suppose to do to help, just did SOMETHING until we got it right lolll. So to everyone in my life that was present this last year on my journey to Thirty, I say THANK YOU!! I couldn't have gotten where I am without you xoxo
In closing…
Don’t worry, I’m wrapping this up. No “RIP to my 20’s, love that girl. Yes to “Teensy bit Thirty” and forcing my friends and family to play games with me.
Love you that stuck to the end <3