Measuring Time in Decades
This year, I’m embarking on a new decade of my life. I’ve always found it helpful to segment my life into decades; it’s a meaningful way to observe changes, gauge progress, and assess the impact of my choices.
From Ages 1 to 9: We’re essentially on autopilot during these years, with our parents or guardians steering our course and making choices for us. However, this phase is vital not just for adherence to guidance but as a fertile period for play, exploration, and physical activity. Children should be encouraged to run, jump, and uncover everything the world has to offer. As guardians, our role is to render the world a safe space for their exploration, balancing protection with freedom. It’s about ensuring safety without smothering, allowing kids to cultivate independence and a natural curiosity about their surroundings. This foundation is crucial for lifelong learning and growth. Reflecting on my early parenting years, I recognize a tendency to overemphasize safety. Looking back, my advice to new parents would be to safeguard your children, indeed, but also to endow them with freedom and room to fail—it’s instrumental for their development.
From ages 10 to 19: This decade is more complex. This period marks our adolescence, a time of questioning and self-discovery. Society exerts significant pressure on young people during these years, dictating choices about education and career paths. In my view, this decade should be about exploring personal interests, forging friendships, encountering potential life partners, and, inevitably, clashing with parents and other adults.
From 20 to 29: The 20s are a period of experimentation, a time to embrace independence, find your community, and lay the foundation for the future. This decade was a beautiful yet challenging time for me. Welcoming two children into my life during these years was demanding but profoundly motivating. It propelled me to better myself and progress in my career. This is also a critical time for financial decisions, which can significantly impact your future. My advice? Focus less on acquiring expensive items and more on investing, even if it’s just $100 a month. Consistent investment and the magic of compounding interest can lead to pleasant surprises down the line.
From 30 to 39: This is the building phase. For many, this decade is when you identify and refine your core strengths, potentially leading to significant career and income growth. It’s also a common time for family expansion, with much of this period devoted to raising young lives. After a decade of exploration and discovery, now is the time to double down on your ambitions and pursuits. Dedication and consistency are key—they will yield dividends. This decade demands a focus on deepening the paths you’ve chosen, nurturing both personal and professional growth.
From 40 to 49: The 40s can feel like a second adolescence, often referred to as midlife-crisis. It’s a period of profound questioning—about career paths, personal fulfillment, and the alignment of current realities with long-held aspirations. Physical changes become more apparent, which can be unsettling for some. Yet, this decade can also be deeply rewarding, offering a sense of contentment with one’s achievements, the joy of a healthy family, and appreciation for the simple pleasures of existence. Success isn’t merely about wealth or possessions; it’s about feeling at peace with what you have, who you are, and enjoying life’s journey alongside loved ones.
And what about the 50s to 59s? I can’t say for sure yet, but I promise to share my insights in ten years. What I do know is that I’m looking forward to it, hopeful for health and happiness for myself and my loved ones, eager to witness their growth, and find new ways to cherish our time together.
Happy Friday.