In prehistoric times, reaching the age of 30 marked the twilight of life. While human ancestors have roamed the Earth for millions of years, modern civilisation is just a blink in our timeline. Fast forward to today, and with advances in technology, medicine, and agriculture, the global population has skyrocketed from 1 billion in 1800 to 8 billion. This explosion has transformed society in ways our ancestors could never have imagined.

Today, the 30s no longer mark the end of the road but rather the beginning of a deeper journey—one where we navigate the uncharted waters of existence, meaning, and identity. In developed countries today, survival is less about physical endurance and more about mental resilience. It’s a time when uncertainty and intuition often become our guides, helping us face new challenges and shape both our personal and collective paths.

Rewriting the Script

On average, people today live more than twice as long as they did just a century ago. In just a few decades, the world has changed beyond recognition, with digital technology now deeply embedded in our daily lives, reshaping cultures and societies in profound ways. The life scripts that once defined adulthood are being pushed to their limits as we navigate the rapid changes and complexities of modern life. There’s a whisper in the air, a quiet call for a new approach—or perhaps a deep reevaluation of how we live.

Humans stand apart from other species because of our unique ability to create complex cultures and societies, which have evolved over millennia to shape our identities. It’s as if life plays out on a theatrical stage, where we perform life scripts—roles and narratives that determine how we live. In this shared performance, we are all actors, and the life scripts offer structure, stability, and direction, especially when navigating major life decisions in alignment with societal expectations.

Amid all this, a constant stream of questions pulls me away from fully embracing the present. I find myself yearning for answers, seeking a deeper understanding as I try to make sense of my life and the path I’m on. I want to write my own script and define my role on my terms.

A Wake-Up Call

This journey of self-reflection began at 30, during what felt like an identity crisis—or perhaps more accurately, a wake-up call. At 27, I moved to a new country for the second time, leaving behind the life I had carefully built. This change gave me a fresh perspective, but it wasn’t until I entered this new chapter that I fully understood the profound shifts happening both within me and around me.

As an outsider in a new place, I began to see how much of our lives are lived according to the life scripts. And I realised I wasn’t an exception.

From preschool through university, I was laser-focused on reaching the next milestone, never questioning the path I was on. My only goal was to get that degree, while enjoying youth and friendships. But after stepping into the professional world, I began to feel a growing unease—a sense that the life I had been working toward no longer aligned with who I truly was.

My first real job exposed the cracks in the matrix, as if the script I had been following all along suddenly glitched. It revealed that we’re not climbing a ladder, but a wall. Titles, I realised, are merely design constructs we mistake for something real, and outside the corporate world, no one really cares about them.

What people seem to care about most are marital status and having children. As I watched my peers settle into marriage and family, the widening gap between their lives and mine became impossible to ignore. While they moved forward, I was starting over in a new country, navigating unfamiliar terrain. When I returned to visit, the distance felt even more pronounced—my energy and perspective had shifted so much that I no longer recognised the world I once belonged to. It felt as though I was losing everyone, drifting further away from the connections that once anchored me.

While these life-altering choices are some of the most natural decisions we make as humans, I’ve often found myself wondering why people still choose marriage in modern times—especially when they seem to take on all these milestones at once. What’s really going on? This can’t just be a coincidence.

My path has always felt different. As social beings, we’ve historically thrived in tribes and diverse family structures, rooted in collaboration and community. But now, the way we live, work, and connect is shifting, offering more freedom and flexibility in how we shape our lives and relationships.

A Changing World

I entered the professional world as a futuring architect—not of buildings or systems, but of possibilities. My work focuses on guiding people and organisations to unlock their technology-enabled futures. I provide them with stories and tools to proactively shape what lies ahead, allowing them to be prepared and thrive rather than merely react to life’s challenges. Along this journey, I’ve learned how digital technology has broken down barriers, giving individuals the freedom to forge their own paths and fuelling the rise of the creator economy.

Society is emerging from an era where passivity wasn’t just accepted, but often rewarded—with titles, golden watches, and the illusion of success. As we move from a consumer-driven world to one centred on creators, passivity is no longer an option—it’s beginning to feel like a form of modern slavery. To truly thrive in this new era, we must embrace critical thinking and active participation more than ever.

The life-altering decisions we make not only shape who we are but also who we become. At the same time, these choices influence and reshape the culture around us. Clinging to outdated norms out of fear of being seen as a failure isn’t just misguided—it can be deeply harmful.

Embracing Authenticity

With this realisation, I understood that to make sense of the path I’m on, I needed to embrace my authentic self in a world that constantly pushes us to be anything but who we truly are.

Taking control of my choices in a world that seems to change every day has never felt more important. By being proactive, I can shape my own path instead of merely reacting to life’s demands. It’s about owning my journey, staying true to my values, and rewriting my narrative as everything around me continues to evolve.

Some people say, “You do you,” as if it’s simple. But for others, challenging the traditional script can feel like an assault on their worldview. It’s as if removing one brick from their foundation causes everything to crumble.

For me, learning to accept myself in a world that constantly tries to mold us into predefined roles has been the start of truly living. It’s as if the first 30 years were spent in a fog, and now, I’m starting to ask the hard question:

What is truly right for me?

My thinking is largely influenced by the work of Carl Jung, who suggests that true happiness comes from feeling deeply content by accepting all parts of yourself. It sounds great in theory. Yet, from an early age, we’re taught to reject the parts of us that society deems unfit for the script. But in the end, who really gets to decide that?

Unscripting Life

This is a story about taking control and finding a balance between what society expects and what I have to offer, all while staying true to the person I want to be. At the same time, I strive to be a frontrunner, shaping new expectations for the future.

I call it Unscripting Life.

Each day, through the choices we make, we shape the future of humanity—within the bodies we inhabit, the children we raise, and the societies we challenge, collaborate with, and innovate. Every human being plays an active role in creating and sustaining their culture, influencing the world with each decision and action. We often have more impact than we realise.

Unscripting life means rewriting not just the narratives around our roles, but also around our bodies. Personally, I’ve never felt as connected to my body as I do now. There’s so much to unpack when it comes to the female body, and, honestly, it can be overwhelming. Each hormonal shift feels intensely real, and I’m learning to ride the waves, embracing both the highs and the lows.

Finding Clarity Together

In this publication, I’ll dive into themes like meaning, fulfillment, and technology, all while exploring the essence of femininity. My goal is to challenge the narratives we’ve been raised with. The internet provides a powerful platform to connect with like-minded people—those who resonate with my vision and share a deeper alignment with these ideas and experiences.

I want my writing to push the boundaries of societal norms. If you’re not open to stepping back, viewing things from a broader perspective, or questioning your own beliefs, this publication is not for you. Likewise, I’m not claiming to have all the answers—this is an exercise in sense-making, not a declaration of absolute truth.

My dream is to turn my handwritten journals from the past four years—filled with personal reflections and insights—into something that inspires others on their own journeys. I’m also excited to connect with and learn from those who resonate with these ideas. Along the way, I’ll be sharing my thoughts on topics that both fascinate and challenge me deeply.

The most personal entries will be behind a paywall, not only because they hold deeper meaning, but because I want to connect with those who are truly invested in this journey. I encourage you to reflect on your own life scripts and consider what you truly want from life.

Let’s rewrite the narrative together.

A New Era

In prehistoric times, turning 30 marked the twilight of life, but today, it signifies a different kind of awakening. As modern civilisation continues to evolve at a pace our ancestors could never have imagined, we find ourselves at the cusp of unprecedented freedom and opportunity. Advances in technology, medicine, and societal structures have not only extended our lifespan but expanded the possibilities of how we live, work, and connect.

Yet, the deeper journey we embark on today is not just about navigating the external world but about rewriting the internal scripts that have long dictated our choices. The question is no longer how to survive, but how to thrive—by breaking free from outdated expectations and embracing the unknown. As we step into this new era, the opportunity to reshape our lives and the world around us is greater than ever before. And the path we choose, as individuals and collectively, will define the future of humanity.

ADRIANA

This idea was sparked by Ane Hardman from Life's Hard.

📓 Interesthings:

How has world population growth changed over time?

Your Life Script: what you need to know and why

The shifting landscape of family forms around the world 

The Creator Economy

Speech: “All the world’s a stage”