No fair, no fair, NO FAIR!
I can't believe this happened to me! Being in your 30s is not cool - you know that old 1980s show Thirtysomething? It sucked. No one ever had fun - divorces, failed companies, messy kids, affairs...death. I remember being a kid around that time and seeing all of my aunts and uncles turn 30 and I never once thought, I can't wait to be 30, too! Ages I looked forward to were becoming a teenager at 13, being able to drive at 16, becoming an 'adult' at 18 and, of course, drinking legally at 21 in the US. No one ever looks forward to 30.
Thinking about turning 30 this past year has driven me a little crazy. Thinking about it this past week has kept me up at night. I don't know why it upsets me; I've accomplished so much in my life, more than I ever thought I would. I was the first in my family to graduate from college, I am married to my best friend, I have a loving and supportive family, I live in another country, I've traveled the world both for work and pleasure, and I've enjoyed the most incredible privilege of being able to leave my job and be a lady of leisure (don't hate me). I thought most people dreaded 30 because of things not done, regrets, and opportunities lost. I feel none of that. In fact, I think it's because my 20s were so amazing, adventurous, and fun that I dread 30. Being 30 means I have to be a grown up now. I have to start taking care of my body and skin before permanent damage is done. I have to start thinking seriously about starting a family and I have to stop being selfish (or as selfish). Boo.
In 1997 Glamour published an article "30 Things Every Woman Should Have and Should Know by the Time She's 30". Inspired by this, there have been plenty of women documenting their 30 before 30 lists, most of the time treating it like a bucket list of things to do before 'going over the hill.' Honestly, I don't like the Glamour article. It seems forced and a bit unrealistic like a romantic comedy or most Sex and the City episodes (however I do still enjoy SATC).
I briefly thought about my own 30 before 30 when I turned 29, but with all I've been blessed with it seemed almost greedy to want more and I didn't feel the need to. For goodness sake, I've walked the Great Wall of China, I've slept in a boat on Ha Long Bay in Vietnam, been on the top of the peak in Hong Kong, had a picnic under the Eiffel Tower, been to beautiful beaches in Boracay and Cancun, and floated along the canals in Amsterdam; I've gone to Roland Garros and (this Saturday) Wimbledon; I've seen the Red Sox win a world series game, the Celtics win their 17th banner, and countless concerts, musicals and plays. I've been living an adventurous life as much as possible and for some reason 30 seems like the end of it.
Or so I thought. A couple days ago I decided to embark on my own list of 30, but instead it would be a list of things I think my body, mind, soul and heart need. Things that may not be as adventurous as my weekend at Oktoberfest in Munich two years ago, but will surely make me equally happy, if not happier. Sure, some of them are things I've been wanting to do like go to the Opera in Italy, but most of them are active, challenging and address some of my insecurities and fears. What I hope to gain is an exciting, happy, and healthy way to live life day to day not just from one crazy adventure to another. Because of who I am I know there will still be plenty of fun and crazy adventures; I can't retire my ways completely! What I need is a healthy balance of everything I want and need in life and to believe that maybe life does begin at 30 (and it's not just something 'old' people say!). I am looking forward to being a 'grown up' although I know I'll always feel like this kid:
I think I'm ready to be happy about being 30 (or at least fake it till I make it). Hopefully, by my 31st birthday I'll be saying 30 was the best year of my life!
Wish me luck!
I can't believe this happened to me! Being in your 30s is not cool - you know that old 1980s show Thirtysomething? It sucked. No one ever had fun - divorces, failed companies, messy kids, affairs...death. I remember being a kid around that time and seeing all of my aunts and uncles turn 30 and I never once thought, I can't wait to be 30, too! Ages I looked forward to were becoming a teenager at 13, being able to drive at 16, becoming an 'adult' at 18 and, of course, drinking legally at 21 in the US. No one ever looks forward to 30.
Thinking about turning 30 this past year has driven me a little crazy. Thinking about it this past week has kept me up at night. I don't know why it upsets me; I've accomplished so much in my life, more than I ever thought I would. I was the first in my family to graduate from college, I am married to my best friend, I have a loving and supportive family, I live in another country, I've traveled the world both for work and pleasure, and I've enjoyed the most incredible privilege of being able to leave my job and be a lady of leisure (don't hate me). I thought most people dreaded 30 because of things not done, regrets, and opportunities lost. I feel none of that. In fact, I think it's because my 20s were so amazing, adventurous, and fun that I dread 30. Being 30 means I have to be a grown up now. I have to start taking care of my body and skin before permanent damage is done. I have to start thinking seriously about starting a family and I have to stop being selfish (or as selfish). Boo.
In 1997 Glamour published an article "30 Things Every Woman Should Have and Should Know by the Time She's 30". Inspired by this, there have been plenty of women documenting their 30 before 30 lists, most of the time treating it like a bucket list of things to do before 'going over the hill.' Honestly, I don't like the Glamour article. It seems forced and a bit unrealistic like a romantic comedy or most Sex and the City episodes (however I do still enjoy SATC).
I briefly thought about my own 30 before 30 when I turned 29, but with all I've been blessed with it seemed almost greedy to want more and I didn't feel the need to. For goodness sake, I've walked the Great Wall of China, I've slept in a boat on Ha Long Bay in Vietnam, been on the top of the peak in Hong Kong, had a picnic under the Eiffel Tower, been to beautiful beaches in Boracay and Cancun, and floated along the canals in Amsterdam; I've gone to Roland Garros and (this Saturday) Wimbledon; I've seen the Red Sox win a world series game, the Celtics win their 17th banner, and countless concerts, musicals and plays. I've been living an adventurous life as much as possible and for some reason 30 seems like the end of it.
Or so I thought. A couple days ago I decided to embark on my own list of 30, but instead it would be a list of things I think my body, mind, soul and heart need. Things that may not be as adventurous as my weekend at Oktoberfest in Munich two years ago, but will surely make me equally happy, if not happier. Sure, some of them are things I've been wanting to do like go to the Opera in Italy, but most of them are active, challenging and address some of my insecurities and fears. What I hope to gain is an exciting, happy, and healthy way to live life day to day not just from one crazy adventure to another. Because of who I am I know there will still be plenty of fun and crazy adventures; I can't retire my ways completely! What I need is a healthy balance of everything I want and need in life and to believe that maybe life does begin at 30 (and it's not just something 'old' people say!). I am looking forward to being a 'grown up' although I know I'll always feel like this kid:
I think I'm ready to be happy about being 30 (or at least fake it till I make it). Hopefully, by my 31st birthday I'll be saying 30 was the best year of my life!Wish me luck!
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