Turning 30 shouldn’t feel depressing. After all, I’m entering my 31st year. If there was a time to be depressed it was last year. Don’t get mad at me 29 year olds, I’m only joking. Plus, as my stepdad duly notes, you have two options in life – get older or kick the bucket. Putting it that way, aging isn’t so bad at all. Shouldn’t we instead focus on how amazing it is that we are still living after all these years? That’s a lot of heartbeats!
I planned on writing one of those 20 things I learned in my 20’s posts, but I got to the third lesson and quit. It was like pulling teeth (and this was after I told Eric that thinking of 20 lessons would be “easy”). Maybe I need more time to process the last 10 years…
My best friend Allison always makes me laugh, especially when she reflects on our current age. This year she said, “I don’t know about you but I always think of myself as about 22 (until I meet an actual 22 year old and then I’m like, whoa I’m definitely 30, haha).”
Girl kills me!
Eric and I went on a road trip to the Niagara region on my birthday this past Thursday – for once the weather was hot and sunny! We stopped into the outlets in Buffalo for the morning and I found myself gasping at how short the shorts are “these days”. Were they always that short? Did I ever pull this off? When did I start saying “these days”. Also, who is fitting into these annoying Super Skinny Jeans? As if regular skinny jeans weren’t torture enough. I couldn’t even get some of the jeans half way up my calves. I’m going to start a line of jeans called Runner’s Legz.
Yup, I’m officially in my 30’s. At least, articles like this remind me that I’m not alone in my time warp!
It’s been a great decade though, even in spite of all the self-doubt and uncertainty. Thankfully, I remember the ups much more than the downs. I earned an Undergraduate and Master’s degree, married my best friend, moved a handful of times, traveled a bit, turned a passion into a business, and wrote my first book. I’d love to be able to tell you that I feel like I’ve conquered my inner demons and emotional baggage so I can start my 30’s with a clean slate, but that feels far from the truth. I still feel like there is a lot I need to overcome on a personal level. It’s an ever-evolving process. There are so many unknowns about what the next decade will bring, but I do know that I’m excited for the adventure to continue.
and now it’s time to celebrate!
Happy birthday, you dear young thing! I feel like the frisky granny that embarrasses the kids to post among all the aged twenty-somethings. The great news is that you are just entering one of the sexiest, most adventuresome decades and life can keep getting better, especially for glowing veggies. I’m fifty seven (gasp!) and having a blast! If you pay attention, the older you get, the more you know and the funnier life will seem. You will feel more confident and less self-conscious. For me, this led to feeling sexier and more generous. One of my role models is the gifted and amazing Crescent Dragoonwagon, who makes sixty (sixty!) look the the best time ever. Show off your beautiful skin, enjoy silly things, and have a blissful year.
I love this post, Angela – very honest, thoughtful, and relatable. Happy belated birthday!!
Happy belated birthday, Angela! I love your attitude about growing older. It is an ever-evolving process.
Happy belated birthday.
I’m in my forties. Can’t still believe how fast the years pass by. Turning 30 felt like yesterday. Nowadays I try to live in the moment as much as I can rather that dwelling too much on the past or future.
Happy belated birthday. I do agree, my thirties have been by far the best time of my life.. You’re going to LOVE this decade. Halfway through mine and THIS may be the decade I pine after. But I think 40s might be pretty cool too! Thanks for making a visit to Buffalo for your B-day! We love the company. =)
Happy belated Birthday, Angela! I was at Niagara Falls on the same day and it was breathtaking. I wish I had seen you. Even though you don’t know me, I would’ve totally come up to you and gushed about how much I love your blog and how your recipes have revolutionized the way my husband and I eat. I will be 30 this year too. Thanks for this post!
I’m gearing up to celebrate my 31st, and can so relate to the mixed emotions that come with turning the corner on your twenties. For what it’s worth, I am so much happier now than I was a year ago, or two years ago, and I do think that goals and your sense of self start to crystallize in an incredible way in these years. Cheers to you — and damn straight about the skinny jeans.
I’m 43 and think I’m “getting better all the time” (as the song goes….or does that song make me old????) LOVE my 40’s!! 20’s were anxiety ridden, 30’s were my first solid steps and 40’s I finally feel confident and comfortable in my own skin. And yes – physically it’s harder so I have to work out a bit more or eat a bit less to stay the “same” but that’s ok with me. Hope you keep “getting better” too! Enjoy!!!!
Thank you Lisa, I’m so happy to hear this! :) All my best
Happy Belated-
i’ll be 33 on Sunday and I can tell you that thus far the 30s are the best!!! I had a momentary freak out when I turned 30 and thought I either needed to a: have kids or b: get Botox and go crazy- but I can say that the 30s are when you embrace who you are with radical self acceptance and just get the gift of saying, “this is me, this is my life, I’m here to claim it!”
I will totally buy your Runner’s Legz jeans WHEN you come out with the line ;) I always have the exact same problem.
PS – Happy Birthday!!
PLEASE make pants for people with Runner’s legs! It absolutely kills me we pants fit so tightly in the calves and thighs, but then are big in the waist! The worst is when activewear/hiking-pants fit that way. DOnt they know that the people who wear their clothes ACTUALLY have muscles??? :)
Anyway yes. Runner’s Legz please. I will be your first customer!
30 is a big deal..but to me 35 was even more monumental. I became confidant. Somewhat. hahah and it’s life changing to mature that way. To say the heck with everyone else, this is my time. Just this weekend I completed my first triathlon. At 38. And I look forward to many other healthy firsts, because I have the confidence, maturity and general “who cares what you think” attitude now, that I didn’t have in my 20’s. I spent most my 20’s being pregnant, breastfeeding or raising babies. While enjoyable and wouldn’t change it, my 30’s have been life defining. Hard, struggle, lost people, divorce, gained people, found my best friend, but definately a decade of personal growth. Good luck. You’ll love it in your 30’s.
Angela, loved your post :)
You should know that you introduced me and all my family to “green monsters” and as a 41 yr old….I had no problem turning 30 or even 40…but 41 was harder. Go figure!
It just gets better, enjoy!
Happy belated! (really belated.)
I loved turning 30! I felt great. 35 and on, though.. has been a different story. My 35th was a good day in itself, but followed by things that just haven’t let up, including greatly increased insecurities – though I have much less tolerance for BS now. I’m hoping that my attitude will come back to a healthier, happier one re: aging. I’m dreading 40, in a way that I never did with 30.