What I Learned the Year I Turned 30

Yesterday I turned 31. I’m officially past what is (in my mind right now) the biggest birthday. Turning 30 was definitely something I was not thrilled about, but in many ways this was my biggest year of personal growth.

I made some changes in my career, leaving my last full-time job right after my birthday and going into the contracting world; I made some changes in my personal life, promising myself that I would only commit to the things I really wanted to do and start learning to say “no”.

Because of where my birthday falls, I feel like it makes me reflect not only on the past year (back to my last birthday) but to look at the bigger picture of the calendar year. We’re nearing the time when everyone will start making their resolutions for the new year anyway (which they will undoubtedly break in the second week of January). I’ve never made resolutions on my birthday, but I’m wondering if that’s something I should start doing.

This year has been one of ups and downs, for sure, but when I look back to where I was on my birthday last year, I have to think I’ve taken more steps forward than back. I left a job I hated, I stretched myself professionally, and I made some trade-offs in order to be happier outside of work. I had some major wins with this blog of mine, and those wins and my excitement about them solidified that I really do love blogging. (Not that it was a question, but it’s so nice to have one of those moments where you’re just like YES! ) Personally, it was a tougher year than I would have liked to have. I’m dealing with a few minor health issues that are frustrating. I’m an analytical person and I want answers, and it’s difficult when there’s no right or wrong but a “keep on keeping on” instead. Try this, maybe try that… I’m not good with gray areas.

I feel like this is the year I learned more life lessons than ever before.

Here are just 12 things I learned this year:

Even though you’re 30, you will sometimes need an adult, so you’ll just look for a more “adultier” adult. Like the friend who’s a mom or your older sister who’s only 16 months older than you – someone who has to have it together more so than you do.
You’ll surprise yourself becoming the adultier adult sometimes.
Regardless of your marital status or family size, you will be asked one of the following questions: When will you settle down with someone? When will you get engaged? When are you getting married? Are you pregnant? When are you having children? When are you giving so-and-so a sibling? When when when when…. it’s enough to drive you nuts. You’ll think that people need to mind their own damn business. And then you’ll ask someone one of the aforementioned questions and feel like a total ass.
The friends you turned to in your 20s are the friends you will continue to turn to in your 30s.
House parties and dance clubs are replaced by Netflix and sweatpants, and that’s more than okay.
Your weekends full of engagement parties and weddings evolve into weekends full of baby showers.
New bath towels are a really exciting gift to receive.
Cocktails are meant to be delicious and enjoyed rather than mediocre and funneled.
It is imperative to work out – for your body and mind.
There will be something (or a few things) on every “things you should know by the age of 30” list that you have yet to accomplish.
You will be 100% okay with not knowing things on the “things you should know by the age of 30” lists. (Except you will wonder if you should someday learn how to change the oil in your car…)
Time moves fast – much faster than you thought when it was the end of high school, the end of college, the end of your first year working in a “real” job, etc. It moves faster the older you get, and you’re not getting any younger!