What advice would you give your 30 year old self.

[FishOnTheTrain]

Just turned 30 and struggling to come to terms with how fast my 20s went. I don’t feel old enough to be 30. I think I’m having some sort of age/time related crisis to be quite honest.

So, wise women of MN…what advice would you give yourself if you were 30?

Retrain into something you love. I toyed with doing accounting and really with I had. Too old and not enough time to do it now.

Put 25 a month into a low cost index fund

My 30-year-old self had it going on! I woke up on my 30th birthday happy to be unemployed and starting a final full-time year at college having worked full time and studied part time the preceding 2 years.

My early 30s were, on the whole, great, much better than my insecure and anxious 20s. It all started to go wrong as I approached 40 childless and without a steady partner.

Enjoy it. In 5 minutes you will be 40.

I would have stayed in nursing instead of becoming a SAHM, just because my DH at the time thought that was what I should do.
I would have taken more time to do things that I would like to do rather than what was best for my DH and even for my DC's
I would have treated myself to some nice things, and would have taken better care of my health.
Most things can be overlooked as you get older, you don't really miss the treats and times you didn't have, but you sure do miss having good health when it's gone.

Get qualifications.

Always work even just a few days a week.

Never rely on another for everything even if you can.

Pay into a pension or S&S ISA for long term security.

Concentrate on health. Maximise your chances of staying healthy for longer.

It does seem to slow down a little when you start to feel comfortably mid-30s, then BAM goodbye late 30s hello 40 and wooah what happened there, where did that time go and my don't my size 10 clothes fit any more? 😆

Save save save OP. Drink more water.

Personally, for me, - have children as soon as possible
Buy a bigger house
Go out and away more

Don't think of yourself as old. 30 is still young.

Prioritise your old age - health / fitness and savings /pension.

If your relationship is not great, leave now.

Take pleasure in the here and now. I know it seems to contradict the first point, but always looking for the next thing, means you don't appreciate what you already have - it's the little things that make life pleasurable. They don't need to cost money.

If they're still alive, talk to your parents properly about stuff. Get to know them on an adult to adult basis. Ask about their families, all that disappears with them.

Really agree with this:
If your relationship is not great, leave now.

There‘s still time for everything at 30, but I think 30 was when foundations started getting laid, and after exploring in 20s it’s the time to make choices—wish I’d been a bit more decisive then—about kids, career path and relationships

Please give up alcohol now, save yourself a lot of trauma.

Read and exercise

Take a long, hard look at your current and past relationships. If you are in one now and it's tricky, just get out. Start saving/investing. Look at your employment. Is it what you love and will progress in or a slog until retirement? If the latter, see what else is out there (that can be a "where do I start!? question but maybe put a few feelers out on here - loads of advice/personal experience.

Stop wasting time on jobs and relationships you're not happy in.

I would tell myself 30 is still young and everything is still possible, enjoy each day even if you do absolutely nothing and be kinder to yourself, you can only do what you can do.

On a practical level, start yoga and do some every day.

I'd tell my 30 year old self to advocate for my medical and menstrual health, yes you do have endometriosis and the pain isn't normal at all but it will take until you are 43 to have surgery.

I'd also say crack on and go to the gym earlier, you are in fact super strong really physically able and gutted you didn't realise until you were in your 40s!!

Head over heart in all matters. I did know that at 30.

Get back to work properly.

Stop smoking.

Hang tight, he's the one
Quit smoking ffs
You're not crazy, you have sarcoidosis

Work towards financial independence.
Never give money to prop up another's expenses, no matter how charming they are.
Take care of yourself- body and mind, it will set you up for a happier life in your senior years.
Don't buy crap, put that money in a savings account.
Less is more, minimalist living has a lot going for it.
Plant trees wherever you can.