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 :) thankyou for the inspiration. wishing you the very best in the coming years !
Happy birthday glowy girl! Enjoy the upcoming 4th decade on planet earth!
What wonderful accomplishments to look back on! Happy Birthday Angela!
Happy Birthday! Hope your 31st is spectacular. I always say that “30 is going to be my year” (I’m 28 this year) and I really believe that my 30’s will be WAY better than my 20’s! Enjoy yours
Justine
Happy birthday!!
Happy Birthday Angela!! I hope you know what an inspiration to me you’ve been the last four years of my life since I started reading your blog. I’m amazed by your story, strength and passion. At 28, I feel your pain. I turn 29 in December and I feel like I should be so much further along than I am, yet I am also humbled to be where I’m at. I hope you have a wonderful birthday!!!
happy birthday to you! i can’t believe you are only 30 with everything you’ve already accomplished in your life. seriously. my 20’s were such a hot mess of eating disordered thinking and emotional instability, i never wanted to go back there, and my 30’s were the years i did a lot of hard work to get to a better place. now at 41, life is still a work in progress, but it has gotten so much more relaxed. the urge to be perfect in all things has simmered down a bit. and (i think) i have finally realized that life isn’t as linear as i once hoped, as in — i went to therapy, check! all done with that! i got in shape, check! done with that, too. mother issues resolved! ha – i wish! :)
i hope your 30’s take you ever forward, to more happiness, more peace and self acceptance, with room for less doubt, self criticism and too short shorts!
Happy birthday, Angela! My best wishes for you :-)
Happy Birthday! 30s are the best!
Happy belated birthday. Have a super new year of life! And I would definitely buy your runner’s legz jeans.
Happy Birthday!!! :)
Angela I wish you nothing but the very best for the Milestone year ahead. I had to put your post on Facebook because, at 60 years old, your StepDad’s comment was the best I have ever heard. My personal saying is I will never get old. I may get OLDer, but never OLD and with older always comes wisdom of the ages. Enjoy every second of your life.
Happy Birthday.
Happy belated birthday!! Sounds like you had a lovely time, can’t wait to see the recipes you come up with in your thirties! :)
Happy Birthday!
I went to Niagra Falls and rode the “Maid of the Mist” a couple of years back.
I unterstand your mixed feelings about turning 30. When I turned 30 a couple of years back, I felt like I was running out of time! I think it just reminds us that there is only so much time, and prompts us to re-examine our goals and think about how close we are to achieving them.
Happy birthday! Love the idea of the Runner’s Legz jeans!
Happiest birthday wishes to you, Angela! I hope you’ll believe me when I tell you the thirties are an awesome time on every level. It seems to me no matter what age you get to, there’s always a beautiful MORE calling you forward! :) Have a fantastic celebration. You are such a delight. I enjoy your recipes, writing, and beautiful photography so much.
Happy birthday- if you make that jean line let me know I will definitely be a customer!!!
Happy Birthday, Angela! Geez, just reading all the comments from your friends and readers made me feel really old! I turned 56 this month and its funny how I still think of myself as about 34. I will say, I like me better now than I ever have before and wouldn’t go back for anything. Vegan, Gluten, soy and corn free and now starting the slide into raw foods, I feel better about myself and better physically than I have in years. Enjoy thirty and just know…better times are still ahead!
Happy belated birthday Lisa – thanks for your encouragement! So glad to hear that it gets better :)
Happy Birthday my dear!!!!
Sounds like life is treating you well, so glad to see you happy and enjoying it =)
Hope you are having a wonderful birthday!
ps. love the bit about short shorts & skinny jeans!!!! Thank you for that =)
You’re going to rock your 30s!!! I use “these days” as well. And I wouldn’t dare touch a pair of super skinny jeans, so you’re definitely more courageous than me – must be the ’30’ thing ;)
Happy birthday lady! I’m coming up on 29 and I feel you on much of this.
I so agree with the blogger who interviewed you the other day that you just seem so friendly on your blog, I feel like I know you–so I have to chime in and say it again–Happy Birthday! I turn 32 in two weeks, so welcome to the other side of the first hill ;-)
As a middle-school teacher, I have spent more time lecturing on dress code and cringing when I see those short-shorts and short skirts … :-P But what cracks me up is the “jeggings” I bought … for my infant daughter :-D Like jeans, but comfortable! LOL!
Happy Belated Birthday Ange!!! You should be so proud of yourself for all that you’ve achieved. I’m constantly in awe of what you do, and am so proud to have you as one of my friends. Even though I’m only 24, I had to laugh at your friend’s comment about thinking you’re 22, then meeting an actual 22 year old and realizing you really ARE older! I feel that way when I meet university students. It doesn’t feel like THAT long ago that I was a student, but once I get chatting to them, it’s like “woah, ok I’ve definitely changed since back then!”
I hope you had an absolutely wonderful day, and I can’t wait to see you soon! :) xo
Happy Birthday!!! :)
Beautiful pictures. :) I turned 25 last month. I am not necessarily afraid of turning 30, 40, or 50…I am more afraid of what state the world will be in when those years come.
happy 30th! you’re so funny! love your blog–thx for the continued inspiration :)
I felt the same way as you friend (feeling 22 until…), and then we hired a 22 year old on my team who sits next to me as a daily reminder that I am about to turn 30. Oh well. Happy birthday!
Happy belated birthday!! 30 was a big one for me. So big that for the last three years of my twenties, when someone would ask me how old I was, I’d declare “30”. And then, “no wait! I’m really 28!” Ha ha! But when 30 actually came it was no big deal. Anyway, here’s to a new decade of health and happiness :)
I am 22 and feel 18. I don’t think I will ever feel my actual age!
Being in your thirties (without kids to wear you out) is like being giant teenager except you make more than minimum wage and have no curfew. It’s awesome!!
Happy birthday!
I don’t know when your birthday was exactly but Happy Birthday from the Netherlands! (Am also turning 30 in a couple of months… I am prepared now!)
I just turned vegan after being a vegeterian for almost 18 years, and your blog really helps me out a lot! Thank you for your wonderful recipes and you truly inspire me.
Aw thank you – congrats on going vegan! 18 years as a veg is a huge accomplishment!
Happy Birthday Angela!
So your recipes are wonderful and I know your book will be a HUGE success, but you might be in the wrong field. A clothing line of not-so-short shortz and runner’s legz jeans could make you millions!
You’ve done a tremendous amount in your life Angela. I turn 32 in August and I’m ashamed at how low my life has gotten and how little accomplished to be honest.
Anyway, I say too much :(
I live in Ontario and contemplating a move to Oakville for a while (looking at room rentals now, eek). I would love to ask you about therapy..specificially a couple of therapists I have found via search at the Therapy Center in Oakville. I know your therapy experience was positive,and would SO appreciate your feedback. Not sure if move to Oakville for a bit might help out with that. Thks. either way. You are an inspiration.
Jo
What a great post to read! Love your texts you deserve the best of all. Happy birthday and keep inspiring and share your thoughts! Many hugs
Happy Birthday! I just celebrated my 30th 2 weeks ago and I can say so far 30 has been great! It only gets better and better :-)
I was SO excited to turn 30 because I look really young and I thought I might actually get treated like a grown up. LOL Now that I’m just a few months short of 40 it has other allures and I’m ready for 40. =D Happy Birthday a touch belated!! Thanks for the work you do getting vegan recipes out to the masses!
oh yah, and I agree about the itty bitty shorts and seriously? jeans. You could truly make a fortune. LOL
Happy Birthday Angela!
That countdown made me miss Nick for real!
Happiest of Birthdays to you Angela! You have accomplished so much in your life already, it is incredible. I have to agree w/others who have said 30s are a good decade. I definitely agree!
I turn 30 in July! Happy birthday to all of us leaving our 20s behind this year.
A very HAPPY BIRTHDAY Angela!!!!!! It sounds like you had a great day! I will be turning 30 this year too. Yaaaaay!!!! I always say that age is nothing but a number. It’s how old you feel on the inside that matters. :)
Happy Birthday!! Thank you for your wonderful recipes!
Angela!
I love you and you are so inspiring! Just turned 32 and definitely feeling similar to you. Keep on making awesome recipes. I cannot wait for your book!
Happy Birthday!
hope you had a lovely birthday Angela!
Happy belated, Angela! We went to Niagara Falls for my 30th last year too, but the weather was far from hot & sunny in April unfortunately. Still a good time :)
I definitely feel young until I meet someone young, ha! I turned 30 on the twelfth and was carded today. I handed it over and then joked “oh wait, no because then you’ll see my birthday! I wasn’t really ready to turn 30.” The guy said “Oh I know!” And then paused before adding “I mean, I still have two years to go but I’m already freaking out.”
WHAT?!
Kids these days… ;)
Happy happy birthday, Angela! You have accomplished so much by 30! Cheers to your next adventures.
Hah, what your friend said made me laugh out aloud.
Yesterday I felt 16 and now I’m 24… where did it all go?
Happy (belated) Birthday Angela! My husband and I are trying to make a switch to a predominantly vegan diet and your blog has been such a help to us. Thank you!