Are you where you wanted to be at this stage in your life? Why or why not?

No, I’m desperately trying to save to buy a house and get my life together. I’m 31 and I expected to be married and settled by now. It’s taking longer than expected. I’m currently supporting my entire family who lost their jobs during Covid and could not find new ones. That said I’m grateful for good health and a well paying job and that I have food on the table everyday.

I am somewhere where I didn’t expect at all. Not really where I wanted to be because I couldn’t dream this big or well. Extremely grateful that things have taken such unexpected, wonderful turns.

Not exactly. I’m 31 and I thought by now I would have had my first property. I’m still renting, and that sort of makes me unhappy. I’m aware everything happens at the right time but wow! I’m frustrated with my job. I’m a teacher, and I think there’s just too much work, I’m now struggling to find it worthy doing the one thing I used to love. There’s no growth, I feel stagnant and I’ve been applying but not even getting a single response. The subtle rejections have been a hard blow to take. Relationship wise I thought I would have settled by now, found my partner for life and secured…but that also is blur

Not really, because I had experienced loss in a negative way; from losing my Mom to brain tumor in 2022, to selling my house and moving back to my parents’ home as a single parent, and losing sales in my real estate job☹️.
Spiritually and mentally; I am in tact, because my mental health, inner peace and sanity is my wealth 😊

Yes, I’m married to the love of my life and we have just had our first baby.

No, my job in corporate doesn’t fulfill me and I’m desperate to make a career change. These feelings haven’t come at the best time with a newborn. I remain hopeful that my new mom era will spark an exciting career shift for me!

No I’m not… but I’m still young and I plan on achieving something I’ve always wanted by the end of this year…so I’ve got my fingers 🤞🏽

Honestly idk I lost my father and keep envying love I see others get . How I wish it was easy to just wake up n find it outside my door but I’m grateful for life , people take it for granted that our days are really numbered

Nope am 38 year old and everyday I wonder when do I meet the love of life. I just want to fall in love.

I am not where I planned to be. If I were I’d be in the role I planned that I would be by now. But life has taken an unexpected turn and I’m so grateful because with that turn came lessons and so many unexpected open doors.

So no, I’m am not where I wanted to be but I am heading in that direction and absolutely loving my personal growth.

No im not.i am desperately in need of a job
Im just tired of depending on others

No am not unfortunately I was diagnosed with cataract at a very young age had to drop out of school till I get my surgery done had to wait for 3 years for my turn at a government hospital worse years of my life . Life was so difficult still is because I can’t afford glasses since I don’t work

Not where I wanted to be because by now I’d hoped to be married with 2 kids. Settled with a family.

No and yes.

As a single hardworking mom, my daughter will be starting school next year, and I have never been this stressed, if it is not about a school accepting her, or worrying about fees.

tbh, as the woman I am now, I am working so hard to provide for her, she is my all, and I just want her to be successful in life.

No I’m not, this is definitely not the career I had in mind when I was studying. It feels like my life is at a standstill, no matter how much I try and be optimistic about turning it around. I’m stuck in a dead end job. When I apply for new jobs, I don’t even get any responses even if it’s a rejection it would be better than silence. Lord knows my life feels wasted😏

No. I am not where I wanted to be in life at this stage because of hardship. Life has really been hard since I lost my job during covid. I always pray to God for the better life and I know he will definitely come through for me at the right time 🙏🏼

Gloriously not! Where I am is incomprehensible better than the greatest life I could ever have imagined for myself.
Not one thing is perfect. Yet, the sum is greater than the parts, and my world is at peace.

No Im I’ll with this brain disease , Leukoaraiosis, for the past three years so that’s changed my retirement completely 😔

No I should have been retired🥲 and not working at the age of 71

No, I thought I would be further in my career than I am at 30. The road to this point has been long and hard, requiring many months of grit and determination. In my personal life however, I am mother to the most amazing boy and my husband is all I ever prayed for. We live life lacking nothing and are privileged to have our family around us and cheering us on.

Yes. I am a mom to two beautiful sons age 13 and 19 years old. I have a job that is pretty ok. A wife of 19years of marriage, a daughter to one a amazing mom and most of all a community worker caring for our youth and our planet.

I guess I imagined a house full of kids and home cooked meals and illustrated stories being written at night to keep them entertained… the reality is a little messier, I have one gorgeous girl who has taught me to really love and the illustrated stories have to wait for another life chapter and home life is me doing my best to serve a well rounded fare but more importantly serve my little family and the world with love

What a question. Yes and no. Yes, because honestly, I didn’t know where I would be, or what to expect. But also no, because I think I put so much pressure on myself to be further on, and constant setbacks in business add to that frustration. Seeing those around me with corporate jobs or businesses thrive while I constantly battle to move one step forward. I need to learn to have more grace for the season I am in, but just feeling a bit lost at the moment. This too shall pass.

Honestly, I grew up in a relatively poor neighborhood with very few examples of people who “made it”. As a child I focused purely on good grades to secure a bursary to study and get out of that environment. Now in my late 30s I realize that I never gave thought to whether I desire a family or not (partner/child). I never thought about a career path beyond just having enough money to afford the simple things I wanted and to be able to help family members get to the same place.

So I don’t have a clue what this stage of my life was ever meant to look like.

Not at all. Some days the mere thought of how different my life turned out feels like a punch in the stomach. Yet, on other days I feel so content about the season I find myself in. Either way, I blame myself for making a few ‘unintentional ‘ decisions that led to this point.

Yes & No.
I don’t know what I thought this stage would be like – but I do often feel “behind” or like things are taking “too long”.
I’ve never been one to imagine toooo far into the future, even now.
Some things I assumed would have happened by now I don’t know if they’ll ever happen. Other things that have happened are more than I could have known to anticipate.

I never would imagined being at this stage of my life when I was younger but I couldn’t be happier. I used to care so much about what other people thought and it wasn’t healthy. I’ve now built a life that suits me and I’m not scared of doing my own thing.

Yes and no. I’m married to the man (far beyond) my dreams, and we have a lovely life- but we’ve been battling infertility for two years and had two losses. I’m 40 and time feels like it running out on the dream of being a mom to my own biological children. But I do have many wonderful things, far beyond what I thought I wanted out of life. Very grateful!

No. Have had huge setbacks such as losing my job as Head of Design due to factory closure. Now have a Studio of my own which is extremely challenging. Cash flow is a huge problem.

No
Life has thrown me more curveballs than I can count. Just when I feel I’m an the right track to be where I want to be another obstacle. Be it in my finances, career or family life. Sometimes life is just harder on some. However, we push!!!!! And hopefully I will eventually be where I want to be.

Definitely not, i have achieved a lot academic wise. I have grown spiritually and having a better relationship with God

I thought at this point in my life as 39 year old lady i would be married to my king, my friend and having our little family. However Gods plan concerning my life has not come to fruition at times i wonder if it will happen for me considering the desire i habe had since i was 27.

Grieve has also stole part of my life, the past 6 years i have lost my parents and brothers and that has shaken my life purpose and the strength to keep moving. But God always shows up, as i have seen since last years i am slowly starting to feel alive again and noy just existing

I also feel stagnant in my career, forever developing my skills but struggling to secure a better, fulfilling job. But i am still greatful for everything God has blessed me with❤️

Definitely not. I feel like I am behind and the world is moving even faster as I age and grow like a tree. Rather slowly. Comparison is not encouraged but it’s the reason why I feel like my journey is slower than normal. But if I’m even more honest and not looking outwards, I know I am not where I want to be because I am attached to the comfort of my current seat. Taking risks is just much harder now that I have to take care of myself and 2 little humans I made.

Yes and no. Living on a Caribbean Island with my husband (idyllic, right?). However I had hoped that by 27 I’d be more financially stable, ready to start a family and have travelled more (all very privileged issues, but my dreams and my reality). I am grateful for what I have and know that I am following God’s plan and not my own. But I’m not where I thought I’d be.

i feel like i have made little progress and it’s not bad but just not great either. i had a fear of driving for many years and two years ago i got my license and bought a car. im forever grateful for the steps i took to overcoming my fears. i love how confident i am that i now can drive. i am not where i want to be in my career and im not sure if its because of fear of failure or adhd and my own personal stagnation or maybe im just self sabotaging. however i plan on continuing with my studies soon to really take a step in the right direction and start my career in fashion.

Yes, and no.
For the longest time, I thought I would be single my whole life. I met an amazing man last year who turned out to not be my person and after thinking that we were going to get married being back on the dating market isn’t ideal at 36. But career wise, I finally feel like it’s going in the right direction For the longest time I felt like I was behind my peers, but only recently came to realize that we all bloom at different stages in our life or at our own pace.

Yes indeed! I truly feel that I am exactly where God needs me to be! I feel truly blessed and at peace with all the life decisions that I have made (some of which have been challenging but absolutely necessary too!) I am running my own businesses and as a single women it is not easy but I know God has been so faithful to me. I am able to support my mom and aunt back home financially and my own expenses here whilst living alone. It’s such a privilege to have this gift of life as well as the opportunity to help others uncover their human potential through my business.

Not at all. I thought I would be doing all that I’m passionate about. This include getting into the fashion industry & the coffee industry. Instead I have been unable to find another job for the last 10 months. I’m bouncing around accommodation. It’s gotten easier to let go & push through. But this was never how I expected I’d be in this part of my life.

I am! I never had a set plan for my life (5 year goals etc) but I have a husband and two beautiful children and a thriving business (which took a leap of faith to start). Of course a few more island holidays would be amazing but our health and lifestyle is everything I could have ever wanted. I’m so grateful.

Yes and No. Career wise and financially yes but family wise, being married and having children. It hasn’t happened yet so No

No, life definitely has not planned out how I ‘expected’ it to. I have recently immigrated to a third continent and am currently changing careers. Ive gone back to University to study. Changing my living situation as well as my career choice has set me back a few paces but I know it will all work out in the end.

Yes and no. Yes, because I always dreamed of being independent, living my life the way I wanted to and being financially stable which I have at 31. No because my younger self thought I would have kids at this stage but it turns out I’m incredibly happy being the independent, childfree, fun aunt.

My younger self couldn’t have even dreamed of the life I have now – she would be so proud!

To be honest, I am happy with my husband and kids but I feel like I could be happier if I was back in the job market. I miss being a career woman, I always aspired to be this woman since high school and I was on the right trajectory – until Covid happened. But everything in good time 🙏🏾❤️

I am definitely not where I THOUGHT I would be at this stage in my life. It took me longer than expected to meet my perfect person, so I had thought I’d be married and had my children by this age. I also thought I might own a house, but SA property prices and a teacher’s salary are not really compatible. I do sometimes find I feel sad about the things I haven’t yet been able to do, but there is also so much about my life I love and can be grateful for.

Yes and no. I am where I want to be financially, professionally and relationally, but I’m a bit older than I had imagined. Ageing is strange isn’t it? I think I needed these extra years. I think might still need a few more. Growing my family is the next ‘stage’, and wow that feels daunting and exciting and petrifying all at the same time.

Yes and no.
I’m happily married with my first child on the way which is a dream come true, but on the other hand I feel that I should be more ahead in my career and I know that right now it can’t be my main focus which makes me feel like I am losing out on time. I know age is a number and there is no timeline for success, but there is a tiny part of me that wished I had waited to fall pregnant as I wanted to be a career woman first before becoming a mom.

I definitely didn’t think life would look this way but it’s better than I could have imagined for myself ten years ago. Sometimes the dreams we have aren’t big enough. I Definitley thought I’d have kids by now though but I’m so grateful that I’ve had this extra time with just me and my husband. And trusting that in the right time kids will happen.

Yes & no…

Yes – I am so grateful to be married & have kiddies – lifelong dream!

But no, hoping to have bought a house and got my business running without me being involved on a daily basis.

Grateful though to be alive & be where I am 🙏

Not at all, and for that I am grateful! Growing up, I think we can all have ideas about what it means to be an “adult”, what success looks like and create milestones in our heads that we need to reach by a certain age. It’s a lot of pressure!

I have not reached a single milestone that I thought I would as a 30-year-old, but my life is fuller and richer than I expected. I’ve learnt (and am still learning) that surrendering my plans to God is way better and my life is more exciting, adventurous and “successful” than if I’d followed my own path.

Yes and No. I’m more me than I’ve ever been and in a good place but I’ve still got so far to go and grow. Life is a journey with lots of ups and downs. I don’t think you ever arrive at the perfect spot – it keeps evolving. Happy to say I’m learning to roll with the punches a lot better and that makes me happy.

No because I thought I would be a mother at this age, but because of my illnesses it’s been a struggle and I’m unable to afford many things or even go for IVF , or go to the doctors I want. Being sick has put me in a huge financial strain and I’m mentally and emotionally drained, I feel like my life is just passing me by. Every time I pay off my debt I’m back at square one in a few months, I never thought I would be this stressed, ever! Also I can’t even adopt with my financial situation so there’s no win.

Am a healthy 34 year old lady residing in Pretoria .Am stuck in a job that takes 12hours of my time everyday and am still under paid i would love to get a job that i can work 8 hours and get time for myself ,planning to go back to school and upgrade my academics .My dad had a wood cavings business and I’ve been thinking leaving my job and going to resume my dads legacy cause he always told us that the is nothing Fulfilling that being your boss .As yet am unable to be courageous to do that ..Hopefully ill one day wake up and so myself justice

In some aspects I’m in a better place than I could have imagined, in other parts I’m not. For the most part, I’m ok with where I am at and I’m happy for it to be a journey that takes its time. I’m tired of rushing to the next thing on my list. I’m ok to be in the present moment with things in place and others not.

Honestly no, but in reflection I’m happier and more fulfilled than I could’ve dreamed and grateful for where I am and what’s in front of me right now.

I am not there yet but God and my ancestors have shown me love all time while I am working myself to get where I want to be❤️

I am exactly where God needs and wants me to be. That’s the most important thing. The real question is why has he put me here. What does he need and want from me not what do I want. It’s all about the agreements we made for this lifetime and making sure that I do what I came here to do to deliver on his mission and purpose for my life. That I make the impact and contribution he wants me to make and that only I can make because he built me and only me perfectly to achieve it together with him.

Yes! I have a job that challenges and excites me, my friends are supportive and always around when I need them, my partner is a dream come true. I love my life.
I never really assigned timelines to my goals, so whether it took me longer or shorter than others isn’t a factor.
I’m happy, what more could I ask for?