Millennial living the best life in her 30s explains why it's time to ditch 'outdated ideals' of adulthood

Like flowers, every individual has their own unique, perfect timing to bloom. However, by the time people reach their 30s, they often face societal pressures that impose idealized versions of life, influencing their sense of self and overall well-being. The silent struggle of someone approaching their 30s can only be understood by their fellow 30-something people. A 34-year-old woman named Catarina Santos (@catsantos) has taken to Instagram to inspire other people in their thirties who are going through this dilemma and disturbance in their lives. “You are exactly where you should be,” she wrote in a post that has garnered more than 4 million views.

“I am 34 and I am not a mom and yet I am never without the opportunity to nurture,” said the woman from Byron Bay, Sydney, Australia, who calls herself a “professional life enthusiast, hardwired dancer, wannabe chef.” Behind the text overlay, Catarina shared footage of herself jazz dancing in a hall. “I am 34 and I am not in a relationship, and yet I am never without the opportunity to love and be loved,” she said while posing in a side-arch, dressed in a gorgeous black dress.

Next, she shared a clip of her feet walking through a bedspread of golden leaves. "I am 34 and not a property owner, yet I am never without the opportunity to make any space feel like home," she said, followed by a montage of short clips showing her bedroom and enjoying a candlelight meal. She also addressed another misconception in her video, revealing, "I am 34 and not a millionaire, yet I am never without the opportunity to feel rich," as footage of her strolling along a beach and listening to music played.

“I am 34, and I may not be where I thought I would be, but I am perfectly, exactly where I should be,” Catarina said, wrapping up the video. While her reality-checking video has inspired millions, she admitted that she isn’t immune to the vulnerability many feel in their 30s. “I wouldn’t change a thing about my life, but I’d be lying if I didn’t admit that there are days when I feel pressured to have ticked off all these boxes by now,” she wrote in the post caption.

She added that she shared this reel for those days when she doesn’t feel as strong and for people who sometimes feel this way too. Other tricenarians, apparently sailing in the same boat, flocked to the comments section to thank and appreciate Catarina for expressing what they had been wanting to express all along, while also sharing their views on society’s ideals. “I think I've never felt so seen, beautiful words,” wrote @soundslikeva.

@silkeroc, a 33-year-old woman, wrote poetically, “33 and love is everywhere. When I laugh with friends. When the wind touches my hair. When I make myself a good meal. When my pets sleep beside me. When I hear music and when I dance. Love is always everywhere.” @karomzsignature said Catarina’s video summarized her own life.

Receiving such a tremendous response to the video, Catarina was blown away. “When I made this I wasn’t sure if anyone would feel the same as me or align with my perspective and so the response has blown me away,” she wrote in a comment. However, even though she hasn’t lived up to society’s ideals, it doesn’t mean that she doesn’t want the said things. She told Newsweek that her life is an intricate balance of “understanding [her] desires and also being extremely grateful for what [she has] right now.”

You can follow Catarina Santos (@catsantos) on Instagram for more inspiring videos.