Dirty 30: “‘Finding yourself’ is actually returning to yourself. An unlearning, an excavation, a remembering who you were before the world got its hands on you.” -Emily McDowell (@emilyonlife ) My 20s were about exploration and excavation - a reaching beyond the safe, familiar borders of my upbringing and diving deeply into the possibilities of who I could be. I spent a lot of time meditating on “What is it you want? Why? And most importantly, who do you want to be when you get it?” The choices weren’t always the best ones - mistakes, mishaps, and malfunctions were plentiful. But I cannot regret a single turn, because of where the journey (mistakes and all) landed me. Ten years ago, I sought to have a better understanding of the world. I sought to have a better understanding of myself in relation to it. I sought joyfulness. I sought community. I sought purpose and intention. After three decades of life, I’ve come to understand that to know oneself is a daily practice, not a destination. Community and purpose are living beings that shift and grow, just as you do. Today, I am excited about the person I’m becoming. I’m surrounded by genuine love and support on so many amazing fronts. I am entering a space where I get to consistently engage with the things that I’ve always wanted in my life. What a gift! I’m grateful for the love. I’m grateful for the joy. I’m grateful for the relationships that have made life worth living so far. The excavation and exploration continues! 💓 📸: @heathergershonowitz