u/lucifersapprentice12

I turned 30 today.

For the first time in a long time, life feels less like a race and more like a mirror.

My 20s weren’t what I imagined they would be. There were heartbreaks that changed me, bad decisions that I have to own, jobs that drained me instead of building me, health scares that forced me to slow down, and family problems that quietly weighed on every decision I made.

A relationship that lasted two years ended just before this milestone. For a while, all I could think was, I lost two years. But grief has a way of making us measure life only by what didn’t last. Looking back now, I don’t think those years were wasted. They taught me what I deserve, what I can survive, and what I will never settle for again.

I’ve made mistakes. Some were mine. Some were simply life. I’ve questioned myself more times than I can count. There were days I felt behind while everyone else seemed to be moving ahead. There were moments when I genuinely didn’t know how things would work out.

But I’m still here.

And that means something.

I’m deeply grateful to my parents, who kept believing in me even when I struggled to believe in myself. And to the friends who stayed—not when it was convenient, but when life was messy and I wasn’t at my best. You know who you are.

Today, I honestly don’t know where I’ll be working a year from now. I don’t know which city I’ll call home. I don’t know who I’ll marry, or what my life will look like five years from now. And for the first time, I’m okay admitting that. Not knowing isn’t failure—it’s simply where my story is right now.

I’m not walking into my 30s pretending I have everything figured out. I don’t. I don’t have the perfect career yet. I don’t have all the answers. But I have something I didn’t have at 20: perspective.

I’ve learned that healing isn’t linear, that success isn’t a straight line, and that the strongest people are often the ones carrying battles no one else can see.

So this decade isn’t about proving anything to anyone.

It’s about making better decisions. Protecting my peace. Taking care of my health. Building a career I’m proud of. Loving without losing myself. Being a better son, a better friend, and becoming someone my younger self would be relieved to know eventually made it through.

I’m leaving the regret behind.

I’m taking the lessons with me.

Here’s to 30.

Not because I have life figured out.

But because, after everything, I still have the courage to believe that my best years haven’t happened yet.

I spoke with Apple Customer Care regarding cancelling my AppleCare+ plan in India, and this is what they told me:

If you want to cancel within the first 30 days of purchasing AppleCare+, you need to contact the reseller you bought it from (in my case, Croma).

If you cancel after 30 days, Apple Customer Care can process the cancellation directly.
Apple will deduct the cost for the period you’ve already had coverage and refund the remaining balance.

I’m going to choose the second option and cancel it after 30 days since it seems simpler than dealing with the reseller.

Just sharing this in case anyone else is looking for the cancellation policy. If anyone has gone through the process with Croma or Apple, I’d love to hear how long the refund took.

For anyone planning to buy a MacBook Air, here’s the deal I got today from Croma, Lucknow.

MRP: ₹1,19,900
Student Discount: ₹14,388
Credit Card Discount: ₹9,000
Final Price: ₹96,512

The only condition is that you have to buy AppleCare+ (3 years) along with the laptop.
AppleCare+
Original: ₹19,900
Paid: ₹18,905

Thought I’d share in case it helps someone. If you’re already planning to buy one, check with your nearest Croma store as this offer may not last.

Has anyone from Lucknow recently bought a MacBook Air M5 at 95k-96k if yes pls let me know the store and also share the masked invoice.

Just wanted to know for the 9k cc discount are co- branded cards like Axis Flipkart work or not? that's the only card I have with enough limit so I just wanted to know.

Hi all , I recently injured my lower back, pls suggest best orthopaedic doctor in around Raja park/ c-scheme area & other areas.

Thanks.

Anyone from KPMG India G&PS (Government & Public Services) receive their increment this cycle?

Especially interested in hearing from people who joined less than a year ago. Did you receive an increment, and if yes, was it a standard hike or prorated based on tenure?

Would appreciate any insights. Thanks!

Hello guys , request you to suggest a good, tried & tested humidifier for my room (9sqmtr area).
I used a lot of AC because I live in Rajasthan and it causes my nasal passage to get dry & bloody sometimes.

Thanks in advance.