Before my 30th birthday a while ago, the thought of turning the big 3-0 filled me with dread. Now that I am 30 and have been for a while, I'm here to tell you - it's not as bad as you think. In fact, I've really enjoyed and embraced being 30. In ways, my life has felt more free since I turned 30.
The day I turned 30, it's like a switch flicked and I've been happier than I've been. I believe that there is pressure to achieve so much in your 20's. There's a pressure to reach certain milestones or be on a certain path in life. I'm one of those women who hasn't chosen to comply with those pressures. I would rather follow my own path, wherever it leads me than conform to one that doesn't make me happy. When I turned 30, all the pressures surrounding me in my 20s disappeared. It's like they vanished overnight.
Some in society deem a life like mine unsuccessful because I'm unmarried with children or don't have a stellar mortgage to pay every month.
Me in my 20s would have been disheartened by those sorts of remarks.
Me in my 30s don't really care what others think. It's my life.
Since turning 30, I've adopted a big f*ck it attitude. Things that used to worry the hell out of me don't worry so much nowadays. I'm not giving two thoughts about those trivial things that used to upset me or wind me up. I would rather let those petty things pass me by without causing me unnecessary grief. In terms of my mental health, adopting this kind of attitude has made me a lot happier and more carefree. As the title says, it's freeing.
When I talk about how life in my 30s has become freeing, I mean I've taken all the societal pressures from my shoulders and just allowed my life to be more nonchalant (unlike Joey in Friends, I know what this word means).
One thing I am doing a lot more of is saying no. Saying yes to everyone and everything can be draining. It's good to help out those who need it, but it's important to help yourself too. Saying no helps me to sometimes prioritise my needs over someone else's. Obviously, I'll say yes when I can, but since turning 30, I've learned to say no more often, which has been amazing for my well-being.
Having this sense of freedom in my 30s has been such a game-changer in my life. I don't take life too seriously anymore, only when I need to. If you're reading this and you're about to turn thirty or are dreading when that day comes - don't. Turning thirty is not as big a deal as some make out. When I chatted to people before turning thirty, the majority told me that it's the best and that I'll enjoy my thirties. I'm so glad that those people were right, I can definitely say that my thirties, in terms of my happiness and well-being, have been delightful
I'd love to know your thoughts on this if you're in your thirties. Have you found your thirties to be freeing or filled with more happiness?
Aww happy birthday, Lucy! I'm not yet 30, but reading this has me looking forward to it! It's so lovely to hear someone embracing their 30s with such positivity and freedom. Hopefully, I'll get to experience it just like you have! <3
ReplyDeleteLenne | lennezulkiflly.com
Thank you Lenne! I dreaded turning 30 last year and it's honestly been the best! So much better than my twenties so far!
DeleteI've always been terrified of turning 30, particularly because I thought that that means I will no longer feel the 'youth' of what being in your twenties make you feel, you get what I mean? Now after reading your post, it might not be that bad after all. Happy birthday Lucy! Hope you have a good one! x
ReplyDeleteerin @ herlittleplans.com
Honestly Erin, I feel more youthful in my 30's than I did in my 20's! It's really not that bad turning 30 lovely! x
DeleteCongratulations on turning 31 and for being freed up from the idea of keeping up with the Joneses. Really sad that women are still held to this standard but now they have to be the bread winner too!
ReplyDeleteAllie of
www.allienyc.com
Thank you Allie! I agree, it's so frustrating that women are still held to this standard of having all of their sh*t together in their twenties. I was never going to be one of those women, I'd rather live my life the way I want to!
DeleteYou and I have the same point of view. When I was in my 20s, I care to much about what other think of me. And because of that, I don't know who I am. But now I'm in my 30s, i don;t give a damp anymore. I just wanna be me.
ReplyDeleteI like that you have adopted the same attitude as me since turning 30 Fadima!
DeleteI love being in my thirties. I'm very much of the same opinion as you. It's so freeing! I bet when we're 39 though everyone will be saying 40's is where it's at! Haha.
ReplyDeleteClaire.X
www.clairemac.co.uk
Haha that's what will most probably happen! x
DeleteIt was the same for me! Although everything changed for me and between the ages of 30-34 I met my husband, bought a house, had a baby and got married so those milestones can happen really quickly! But it's okay if they don't as well!
ReplyDeleteYou definitely had some life-changing moments during your early thirties Corinne!
DeleteHappy birthday Lucy! I love being in my 30s. It's absolutely so freeing to discover life in a new way, where you can focus on yourself and forget what anyone else thinks. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteThat's exactly how I see it too Winnie! Not caring what others think is so freeing!
DeleteHappy birthday! I definitely feel like your 30s are for making yourself happy and not worrying about anyone else's opinion! X
ReplyDeleteThank you Chloe! That's exactly how I'm living life at the moment! x
DeleteI totally agree, I feel like now I'm in my thirties I'm far more content and don't feel like I have to prove myself as much!
ReplyDeleteRosie
https://www.loverosiee.co.uk
That's exactly how I feel Rosie, I feel I don't have to prove myself as such since I turned 30!
DeleteI'm turning 31 in a few months and I completely agree! The first year of my 30s has been a big I don't give a f*** about what anyone has to say about my life, it’s my life! Yes, I’m single, don’t have children, nor own a house but I’m completely happy without any of those things! I feel bad for my past self and putting so much pressure on her to achieve so much before I hit the big 3-0. After all, 30 is just another number. ♥
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