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!!! :)
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!!