As my 30s approach their end, I can’t help but reflect on the contrast between this decade and the one that preceeded it. The most surprising thing as I reflect now is how, despite the noise made about graduations as a life milestone, my 30s has had far more… decisive inflection points than my 20s.

Looking back on my 20s, the narrative arc seems simple. I graduated a couple times then stumbled about trying to find my place in this world. Then for the finale of that season of life, I began rearranging much of my life and habits for a near complete reboot.

That the reboot coincided with the near end of my 20s appears to be mostly coincidence from my perspective, but my perspective is has limitations.

By contrast, my 30s has featured a number of inflection points:

• Moving to Uruguay with two suitcases, a carry on, and a dream to begin the Immigrant experience
• Really learning Spanish and being humbled by the inadequacy of the Spanish I arrived with
• Attempting to build and cleanly closing the venture that brought me to Uruguay in the first place
• Navigating the events of 2020 and committing to life in this Country of my choice
• Finding a role on a great team that fits my skills and background like a glove
• Navigating healthcare as continuing to defer maintenance ceased to be a viable strategy

The healthcare arc has had its own inflections which have permanently altered my experience of my body. Throughout, the Mutalista system here in Uruguay has impressed me with its overwhelming adequacy compared to my experiences in the US. This has forced my to make a serious re-evaluation of my values.

Here, in Uruguay I have found that I consistently recieve treatment I need without any substantial barriers or arguments. When I needed surgery to save my solitary Kidney, I got the surgery and spent 10 days in the hospital without any need to argue over billing or necessity of the surgery. Doctor orders, the mutalista delivers. Perhaps not as fast as I may want in the moment, but they do deliver and only seem to deliver faster.

I’m still rehabbing my abdominal muscles a year and a half later since it was an open surgery, a laproscopic version was available, but seeing how I only have one kidney the open surgery was a prudent decision.

I walk with a cane now, courtesy of an adverse reaction to ciprofloxacin. I wear glasses now, courtesy of some astigmatism and farsightedness. My Spanish continues to carry a strong foreign accent. At least I leave the house accessorized.

Despite the challenges, I am finding myself increasingly satisfied with where I am in life. Chaos has largely been displaced by calm, humility seems to have taken root in the ruins of hubris, and life goes on.