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! I enjoy your blog so much and can’t wait for your cookbook. Oh, if only “Runner’s Legz” jeans were real because I’ve never found a pair of skinny jeans that fit my “athletic calves.” I turned 40 this year and must tell you that life just keeps getting better after 30. ;-D
happy birthday!! i have absolutely loved your blog these last few years! i cannot wait for your cookbook. and i would totally support ‘runner’s legz’ jeans, i cannot get anything over my calves either! best wishes!
Hi Angela!
I’m such a big fan of all that your blog entails. Both the insanely delicious recipes and the kind and wise words that you share with your readers. Your honesty, especially in posts like this one, is so relate-able(thought this was a legit word? the “-” will have to do) and a pleasure to read. Wishing you a wonderful birthday and thanking you for this lovely space that you have created.
Thank you for your sweet comment Margaret! I appreciate it so much. :)
Happy Belated Birthday! You are entering a truly wonderful decade (this is when you kick the baggage to the curb). I have just turned 41….and I’m hoping this decade will be just as fabulous.
Happy belated birthday Penny! Here’s to a great decade :)
Happy Birthday to You! I turned 59 today and want to thank you so much for your site! The banana/oatmeal/peanut butter ‘thing’ has been my favorite breakfast ever! We’re trying to clean up our eating habits to make our 60’s decade a healthy one and your recipes are so wonderful!!! Every one I’ve tried has been a big hit with my family ~ thank you so much for your inspiration and the pictures!!!!! (I’m a visual learner and every picture looks so good that
I want to try it!)
Happy birthday to you! Thanks for your lovely comments!
Happy, happy birthday, Angela!! I hope you had a fantastic celebration (and the rest of the b-day month, too, ha ha!!). :D Reading through your list of amazing accomplishments, I’m just in awe–so much, so young! I loved my 30s but I didn’t really start coming into my own until my 40s. And dare I say that those uncertainties are still not totally eradicated, even now? I figure it’s a growing process and I’d hate to feel as if I had nothing left to learn!
Enjoy this decade and all you’ve done so far. I can’t wait to see what you’re up to in the next decade! And looking forward to seeing you at VVC! Hugs! xo
Ricki, this is a wonderful comment. I feel exactly the same. My 30s were a decade of real growth as were my 40s, and that decade began with the added layer of a family to raise. In my 50s I’ve gone vegan and taken up hot yoga. Angela’s accomplishments are astonishing at any age, but all in her 20s? Wow!
We gonna celebrate you BIGTIME, lady. xo
Happy belated Birthday!!! Special birthday to be celebrate it the whole month!
Happy, happy birthday Angela! I will be turning 30 in December and tend to have a similar stance to you – it’s something to embrace rather than fear. I also know what your friend means when she says she feels 22 until she interacts with a 22-year-old…yep :)
I hope you enjoyed your celebrations, your 31st year is wonderful, and that someone hears your call for regular length shorts and runners leg jeans, so those of us who are past 22 have clothing choices we can get excited about!
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!!! :)