First of all, happy birthday to me and here’s some Mwende Magic to go with it! The first year of my 30s has been a mixed bag of emotions. I think it’s that fighting the pressure from society that insists you should have achieved certain things by the time you are 30 and realizing you really have not. Those feelings of inadequacy coupled with the stark reminder that you are getting older by the day and that certain opportunities like being featured in Forbes 30 Under 30 List are now closed off to you, even if you would never actually get on there. Still, it’s quite the feeling when you realize that the boundless opportunities that you imagined you had access to as a young person are diminishing, and living in an ageist society doesn’t help matters.

Still, there is a quiet confidence that comes from shedding the naïve invincibility of youth. Once you’re done with the existential crisis, your 30s are a revelation. Especially for women. I totally get it now. I know what I want, my happiness is a priority, I will not tolerate unkindness, I am more at peace with who I am and my own company and I am actively seeking joy.

I spent my actual birthday (March 20th), also World Happiness Day, breathing and taking stock of my year. It was a weekday (a Wednesday) so I didn’t want to get up to too much. I did some writing in the morning, and then went to the spa at Jacaranda Gardens in the afternoon for a relaxing massage, a swim and lunch. It was the perfect me time.

I had a nice birthday lunch with a few of my girlfriends at Dari Restaurant on Saturday 23rd March and it was s wonderful to be surrounded by such positivity and love. Women will heal you. I am grateful for my friendships with women. Women have prayed for me, taught me, danced with me, laughed with me, cried with me, sat for hours listening to me trying to make sense of my life, advocated for me in business and encouraged me to pursue my dreams, introduced me to the networks I need, helped me get moving when I encounter an obstacle, spoken up on my behalf believed (in) me, supported me, told me the truth when I needed to hear it and reminded me of who I am when I doubted it or forgot. Women are magic, and I am so glad to know so many amazing ones.

I choose to have red as my colour of the day. The jumpsuit was from Cessmet Fashion, the shoes from Emirates Collection, the clutch bag from Charles and Keith and my make-up was by Jaybee the MUA.

Happy birthday to me! #MwendeMagic

Photography by Creative Lab Africa.

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First of all, happy birthday to me and here's some Mwende Magic to go with it! The first year of my 30s has been a mixed bag of emotions. I think it’s that fighting the pressure from society that insists you should have achieved certain things by the time...