I used to think I needed a house and a big salary by age 30. Now that I’m about to leave my 20s behind, I have new goals.

In my late 20s, I felt mounting expectations — from myself and society — to achieve certain things by age 30. As my 30th birthday came closer, I felt increasingly frantic. But now my goal for my 30s is to let go of what I am “supposed” to do in favor of what might truly make me happy. I also want to treat myself with more kindness.