Refinement Over Rushing: Lessons from My Saturn Return

The Potter's Wheel represents 3 things: The Hands of God (Yahweh), the clay ( Human Life), the continuous spin of the palette (God's process of refinement). I pray that each day you wake up with the understanding that God is working to mold and shape you into the best version of yourself. Hard times may fall upon you; however, be still and know that something greater is happening within the process. You are being constructed and instructed to lean into God's will for your life. He knows best, but do you trust Him or the World?

Turning 30 has been a mirror that reflects not just who I am, but also the world around me. So many of us at this age carry silent loads—grief, trauma, stress—that we’ve tucked away while trying to look successful on the outside. We bury ourselves in work, achievements, or vices, hoping the noise drowns out the pain. But the truth is, that approach only delays healing.

I’ve learned this lesson the hard way. I once thought success was about moving fast, about proving something to myself or others. But what happens when you rush into new opportunities while carrying baggage you never unpacked? You burn out, you stumble, and pride takes a hit that’s hard to recover from. I know because I’ve been there.

Now I understand: success isn’t about sprinting—it’s about refining. It’s about slowing down, facing the shadows, and choosing prayer, self-reflection, or therapy instead of distraction. It’s about letting go of resentment, grief, and disappointment so that when you do leap forward, you’re light enough to soar.

My home—the place that has seen my struggles and my breakthroughs—isn’t holding me back. It is my launching pad. And I refuse to leap into the future, dragging old baggage behind me.

So, to anyone in their 30s navigating the pressure to “arrive” already: pause. Find your weaknesses and refine them. Discover the baggage you’re still carrying and set it down. Do the shadow work, sit in prayer, or talk with a trusted guide. Strength isn’t built by avoiding the weight, but by facing it head-on and choosing to rise anyway.

We aren’t delayed—we’re being refined. And refinement is what creates a foundation strong enough to hold the future we’re building.