Is it true? Is age nothing but a number? Here I sit on the brink of 30 wondering this.
Seriously on the brink.
Brink = edge = tomorrow I’m turning 30.
Here I am still getting carded for beer (with two little ones in tow), battling adult acne, and feeling forever unfashionable inside while outwardly proclaiming I opt for a classic style. How did 30 just kind of sneak up on me?
My 20s weren’t spent as a wild child. I wasn’t roaming around trying to find my partner. I feel fortunate that I found him early on and we’ve been together since I was 17. We defied others expectations with our early marriage and didn’t have babies right away, instead we filled our homes and hearts with bulldogs. We took our time having babies and until after I had finished college and had a couple years professional experience under my belt.
I enjoyed my 20s and even though there are regrets and things in hindsight I wish I had done. I don’t regret any of the big decisions I made. I can look back on my life and be really be proud of the places I went, the relationships that flourished, and the little people I created.
When I was younger 30 just seemed so…old. Looking back when I thought about 30 then, everyone seemed to be so mature and polished. Time has definitely found a way of getting away from me.
So what’s changed from my perception to present day reality? Is 30 really the same now as it has always been? Not really that old after all? Or, has technological advances and societal expectations morphed how 30 is perceived?
Although I can’t say for sure, I think it may be a little of both. Longer lifespans, delaying baby making, advances in beauty products, and youthful celebrity images have created this illusion that 30 isn’t that old.
I’ve spent a bit of time these last few weeks leading up to the big day trying to figure out how I feel about turning 30. I know what my past perception of 30 is, how other people have approached it, and how other people are currently embracing it but I just haven’t felt a strong urge either way.
I really thought if I focused too much on turning 30, I was going to have an onset of depression. It just seemed like such a momentous occasion. Another milestone birthday that would alter my life and now that it’s almost here I feel the same.
Honestly I feel comfortable turning 30. At almost 30 I’m more accepting, confident, and self assured than I was at 20. I’m also happy with my place in life - my family and having the best job in the world.
So, with that I will say goodbye to my 20s. It was fun – I learned a lot, loved even more, and can’t wait to see what the next decade has in store!
How did/do you feel about turning 30?
Happy Birthday! 30 is NOT old.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY! 30 did seem like a big milestone, but it has been so long ago for me I can’t remember why…LOL I can tell you now that 30 is really YOUNG, so enjoy every minute of it!
I agree that thirty in general is not as old as it used to be and not just because I’m in my thirties. I think watching our young stars age and still seeing them as young is a big part of it. I for one wouldn’t go back to my twenties for anything, I had some rough years in there and really value the sense of self I have now. I just expect it to get better as I age! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!
Happy birthday! You’re in a good place. I was a mess when I turned 30; it hit me harder than I thought it would. Funny thing is that I was fine at 40, didn’t phase me at all.
Happy Birthday! I turned 30 a few years back and it wasn’t a big deal. I am not even dreading 40 coming up like I thought I would. Hey, 40 is the new 30, right?
I was depressed…when I was young, I was taught you cut your hair at 30 to above the shoulder (I guess society wanted to know when a woman was 30, and she couldn’t be a girlish woman anymore or vain, or care about her hair…I really don’t know where that stupid rule came from.
I didn’t handle 30 well at all, at ALL! I don’t know what my problem was but I was so depressed about that dumb number! Now I just think how dumb it was. Happy birthday girlie!
Happy Birthday!! Hope you have a wonderful day
I must admit, I wasn’t too thrilled about turning 30 a few years ago. What I am dreading is the big 40 coming up in a few years! I do think that age perception has changed. Or, maybe that just happens to everyone? As I grow older myself, I tend to think that age is just a number. I look at my mom and stepdad who are in their late 50′s and 60′s and think to myself, They’re not that old. 15 years ago I would have thought 60 was ancient!
30 is a huge milestone!!!!! It’s the end of an era and the beginning of another amazing decade! I definitely love the peace and confidence I’ve found in my 30s. And for you, you reached another amazing milestone by reaching 30 . . . you stayed with your teenage sweetheart through the tumultuous 20s! You guys can conquer anything – what an amazing comfort that must be!
HAPPY HAPPY 30, DEAR FRIEND!!! What a long way we’ve come
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P.S. . . . apparently I can’t even spell my name right, ha.
Happy Birthday!!
Thanks for all the wonderful birthday wishes! I’m two days on the other side and doing remarkably well – aside from the sugar high from all the cake.
Happy Birthday! I didn’t really care about turning thirty. But then again, I lie about my age and tell people that I’m 27 still so that might have something to do with it. Kidding aside, I was married with one child when I turned thirty (and I had three kids when I turned 31, yikes!) so I didn’t feel the same pressures that some of my friends experienced when they turned 30.
I had no idea that you were with your husband since you were 17! I knew you met him young, but I didn’t know it was that young. I’ve been with Chris since I was 17 too.
I don’t think turning 30 is a negative thing. You’re still just another year older and another year wiser.
Oh, and HAPPY BIRTHDAY! I hope it’s a great one!
Happy birthday! I turned 30 in April and starting rounding up my age to 30 six months earlier so it wasn’t such a blow when the big 3-0 hit. LOL. I’ve never thought of 30 as old, but always thought of people in their 30s as having it all together.,.not so much. Haha.
When I turned 30 it was my BEST birthday every!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I thought 30 was hard, till I hit 40!! LOL
Happy Birthday
Love your thoughts, the 30′s for me were all about bringing up the kids.
I think every milestone seems huge until you hit it. Happy birthday!!!
Ah 30…..I do remember it. Oh wait. No I don’t
It’s funny how every age seems old until you get there! Happy 30th!
I never cared about any of my ages but 29 hit me hard…. like really hard. Because 29 was so bad I think 30 went easier. I hope you had a happy birthday!
I became a Mom at 19, and for some reason I always thought 30 was the perfect age. I looked forward to it and was happy when I turned 30. I turn 40 this month and I’m having trouble being as positive about it.
Girl, I am right there w/you! Ugh it was rough for me too. Happy Birthday though & I hope you have a fabulous day!
To be honest, I am scared. I don’t like getting older. I have just about 3 more years and I’ll be there.
The 30s were great. I’m in my 40′s now.
Hope you had a great birthday! 30 really isn’t old at all!
I let you know when I turn 30…again. LOL! happy birthday!
30 was great… it was 29 that really sucked!
Well happy birthday! 30 is so not old. Although I”ve got 10 more years so we’ll see how I feel then!
turning 30 was really hard and looking back it’s because I really didn’t feel all that accomplished in life. I turn 40 next year and while I’m not excited about it, I feel a lot better about it than I did at 30.
I missed your birthday, I hope you had a great day. 30 was so hard on me. Just like 40 is going to be lol. I don’t know. I like 30 now although I’m 32 now. I feel better than I have in a long time. But it is much harder!
Happy Birthday. 30 didn’t bother me. 40 scares the crap out of me.
I’ll be there in three more years, but it’s honestly something that doesn’t worry me. Getting older is inevitable.
coming from a girl in her early 40′s, i can honestly tell you age is only a number. i didnt even give 30 a second thought, 40 was a little more difficult because, honestly, i still feel/act like i am in my 30′s! i have a lot of friends who are just turning 30 and i also have some who are 10 yrs older, and i think we all agree, its just a number! i think as long as you lead an active life, continue to try and look good, work out, eat healthy, you will find it is not a big deal! happy 30th to you!! xoxo
Happy belated birthday!
You are going to love the 30s! I did!! =)