Each time I say, Im turning 30, I cringe a little.
Society has never been kind to those growing old, especially women.
(Occasional exceptions are made for some of the rich and a few of the famous.)
Courtesy of Cheslie Kryst / Design: Bella Geraci
I fought this fight before and its the battle Im currently fighting with 30.
How do I shake societys unwavering norms when Im facing the relentless tick of time?
Its the age-old question: What happens when immovable meets unstoppable?
(Why stop at two degrees when you’re able to have three?)
I joined a trial team at school and won a national championship.
Meanwhile, I was rewarded with a lonely craving for the next award.
Some would see this hunger and label it competitiveness; others might call it the unquenchable thirst of insecurity.
I was further along in the journey of learning this lesson when I won Miss USA.
My term was not an exercise in the expected; instead, it felt filled with purpose.
And that was just mylooks.
Myopinions, on the other hand, were enough to make a traditional pageant fan clutch their pearls.
Women who compete in pageants are supposed to have a middle-of-the-road opinion if any so as not to offend.
I openly supported the resurgence of the Black Lives Matter movement and marched in protests over the summer.
I wasnt searching to collect more awards or recognition during my reign.
Rather, I fed the passion that made waking up each morning feel worthwhile: speaking out against injustice.
My 29th birthday felt very emblematic of the season Im looking forward to entering.
I did what I wanted rather than the expected.
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