Turning 30

A Love Letter to My 20s

On March 26th, I’m turning 30. It feels surreal to write this—three whole decades of life. But it’s my twenties that truly shaped me into the person I am today. Probably more than any other decade before.

So here’s my love letter to those ten wild, messy, beautiful, and transforming years.

The Beginning: 20 and Full of Dreams

In 2015, I turned 20. Still in my apprenticeship at the local energy provider, I was working as an industrial clerk—something I truly enjoyed. It gave me a solid foundation of knowledge and a glimpse into the kind of structure and independence I would crave later. I was in a relationship, one I’m still in today, which feels kind of crazy and kind of wonderful.

But I was a different version of myself. A girl who often felt out of place. Misunderstood. Judged—for the clothes I wore, for being “too much” or “not enough.” I encountered toxic energies and jealousy in work environments that weren’t right for me. I experienced bullying, though I didn’t call it that at the time. I just knew I had to leave.

Leaving the Comfort Zone: Hello Hamburg

So I did.

I moved to Hamburg to study textile management. I adored it. It brought out my creativity, pushed me to become self-reliant, and gave me a spark I hadn’t felt in a long time. But it was also hard. Really hard.

I went from being a working girl who travelled from California to Cuba to NYC—to a full-time student dependent on my parents again. Days filled with lectures, nights filled with creative tasks. I missed my boyfriend. I missed my family. I even missed my hometown—its calm beaches and quiet rhythm I once wanted to escape.

Coming Home & the Feeling of Falling Behind

When I returned home to find a job, I felt happy but also like I had failed. I had big dreams, and coming back felt like a step backward. But I was back on my feet, back to traveling, back to exploring—with my partner by my side.

Then came 25.
Then came Covid.
And the world we knew stopped.

Pandemic Pause: The Shift Within

With it came anxiety, frustration, the feeling of being stuck even more. My relationship went through its own storms. So did my job. I worked full-time while studying part-time, financing everything myself, not knowing what would come next. I felt like I was trapped in a tunnel, waiting for light.

Traveling had been a part of my identity, and suddenly it was gone. Social media exploded in the beginning of my twenties, and I thought content had to be exotic to matter. So I felt really empty in that matter. But slowly, I learned something different.

That joy can be found in the ordinary.
That life doesn’t have to be a constant search for the next destination.
That presence is a gift.

A Spark Returns: New Paths and Paw Prints

I found a new job. One that gave me hope again.
We decided to get a dog—Zoe—and from the moment I saw her, eyes still closed, I was in love.
She brought responsibility, yes—but also so much joy.
Bringing her to the office, having a team who not only accepts but adores her—it changed everything. And I could not be more happy.

Building Dreams: A Home with Heart

In 2023, we bought a lot and started building our dream twin house—me and my sister, my best friend.

What I’m Taking into My 30s

Here’s what I’m carrying with me into this next decade:

I’ve learned to appreciate life as it is.
No expectations, no anxiety.
Just presence.

I’m trying to be a source of light and positivity—because that’s what I want to surround myself with. Life doesn’t need to be perfect to be beautiful. And I don’t need to be anywhere else—I chose this life for a reason.

I’ve learned to love my home.
To love myself.
To start this blog.
To post pictures of myself—even with pimples, even on bad days—without second guessing. I do not care what negative people think about it. It’s on them and it does not have an impact on my life.

This mindset of self-acceptance, of living in alignment with who I truly am, is the most precious thing I’m carrying into my 30s.

Looking Ahead with Gratitude

I feel excited.
For my unborn niece.
For the soon-to-be-finished house.
Being surrounded with close friends and family.
For my job. And all the opportunities it will bring.
For the community we’re building here—online and offline.
A community that lifts each other up instead of tearing each other down.

That’s what my 20s taught me. And that’s what I’m taking with me.

Thank you for being here. For reading this. For being part of my journey.

Waves of love, always.
Ines