Marking her 32nd birthday, actress Sarah Lahbati reflected on her life journey and her ongoing search for purpose.
On her Instagram broadcast channel, Sarah shared how her recent experience attending Paris Fashion Week inspired deep self-reflection.
“I'm 32 - in my second year back in the place I came from. Paris. Paris Fashion Week, to be exact. It feels like a six-month crash course in fashion, art, and creativity, all packed into a week and a half. I've met incredible people, though sometimes I still find myself retreating into my shell,” Sarah wrote.
The actress admitted that despite the excitement of the past weeks, she still felt some “birthday blues.”
“Now, sitting on the sofa with Zion and Kai, I feel a mix of gratitude and sadness — call it birthday blues. I won't get too deep, because there's beauty in keeping some things for yourself. But what I do feel strongly is gratitude. Like last year not comparing, just reflecting — I'm grateful, for so many reasons,” Sarah said.
Although Sarah didn’t go into detailed about the cause of her sadness, she remained optimistic and thankful for the opportunity to continue learning and growing.
“I've realized I notice too much and feel too much. I've been told not to make a fuss about it, but it's both a gift and a curse for this habit of reflection. I feel growth. And with growth comes loss — fragments of who I was, pieces I've outgrown. I grieve for them a little, but mostly, I feel proud. Proud, yet open. Still learning,” she added.
Sarah went on to share her wish to “step forward” in life despite uncertainties, saying: “Shutting out the noise — the painful, heartbreaking, shattering things happening in my mother country — I return to purpose. To why I do what I do. Because a life is meant to be lived,” she expressed.
Having lived across three countries, Sarah said her experiences shaped how she views connection and purpose.
“My life has been far from linear. As a young mom, I've found myself in situations that surprised me moments that only existed because I dared to show up. My wish for you is the same: to step forward, even when it's uncertain,” she continued.
She also encouraged others to reconnect with themselves and find their own sense of purpose.
“I don't think I'm important enough to change the world — but I know I must use my voice. I need purpose. And in the midst of so much darkness — and I wish I had a better word — I hope we all return to ourselves, to our purpose, to what's true in our hearts,” she penned.
Sarah explained that her own sense of purpose is rooted in helping others, something she learned from her own experiences.
“For me, that purpose has always been rooted in helping. Not to be a hero, not to make myself feel better, but because when I had nothing, when I couldn't find the words, someone helped me. And maybe that's what I'm meant to pass on -the reminder that helping, in whatever way we can, and choosing kindness, still matters,” she remarked.
She ended her message by expressing gratitude to everyone who greeted her: “And before I end this little reflection — thank you. Thank you for the kind birthday wishes, for the love, and for reminding me, once again, that gratitude is everything.”
Celebrities and friends, including Janine Gutierrez, Pia Wurtzbach Jauncey, Michelle Dee, Kylie Verzosa, Emilliene Vigier, Mark Bumgarner, and director Erik Matti, were among those who greeted Sarah on her special day.
Photo Credit to @drzteo on Instagram
Just last month, Sarah was booked and busy as she attended this year’s Paris Fashion Week, marking her second appearance. In a previous post, she revealed that her PFW journey was dedicated to her younger self.
READ: Sarah Lahbati on her 2nd Paris Fashion Week experience: ‘I’m here to learn, to be inspired’
“Why am I doing PFW? As I try to find the right words, I think back to last year—September and October 2024—when I decided to put myself out there in Paris. I did it for one reason: to make little Sarah happy. She's always loved fashion, always been curious, always wanted to