If you could give any advice to someone in their early 30’s - what would it be?

[ForAquaMember]

Recently entered my 30’s and curious to know what advice you’d give to me

save into your pension as much as you can - challenge yourself - the day may come when you want or need to leave work there is a joy in the freedom a pension gives you

keep fit, keep slim, eat well ( especially if you are not saving so much in that pension)

don’t lose who you are - my 30s and 40s were full on - working, family, parents - make sure that when it all stops you know who you are, how you like to fill your time, who your friends are - don’t have “mum friends” - make sure you have one or two real you friends

don’t stay with a man( woman ) you don’t love, you don’t like or who isnt a true friend. Don’t stay with a man who isn’t strong enough - strong and confident. I don’t mean muscly and arrogant -more mentally strong - a man who will work a crap job or wipe a babies bottom , or pick up your household activities when you are poorly. A partner

don’t beat yourself up - aim to be a good enough human not little miss perfect . You have feelings and emotions and they matter.

It's later than you think.

Future proof your health, wealth and happiness - pension, overpay mortgage if applicable, train for a career that will exist tomorrow, don't do drugs, alcohol, smoking and watch your diet and health.

If you want kids, start thinking about it. Don’t assume you’ve got another 10 years of childbearing capability.

And if your DP is saying, we'll try in 2 years/afterwe're married/after my promotion/when we have out own house, be prepared that he might not want children with you.

Same with waiting for a proposal.

Be in control of your own future.

By assets not liabilities, invest in a pension, a S&S ISA, understand compound interest.

Get on the property ladder, if you aren’t already. Take out a decent life assurance policy, before it gets expensive! Daily sunscreen, without fail. Don’t waste time on crap boyfriends - cut your losses and move on if necessary. If you want a family, these years are crucial and you need to use the dating time strategically and not drift.

Start doing yoga now (instead of waiting until you're creaky and older!)

I think some of these things are valid though! But agree it’s sensible to be in control of your own future x

As someone only a few years ahead of you I would say that if you want DC but dont feel ready yet then get a basic fertility MOT. By 34 my egg levels were crazy low.

Also take up pilates, moisturise and use sunscream.

Spend time with your parents if you like them! They don’t always live to a ripe old age.

Get fit and stay fit.

They are valid, but what can happen is that the job/house/promotion/propsal/2 years' time doesn't materialise and suddenly you are 38, he's left and his new GF of 5 minutes is pregnant.

Not having children is fine, they aren't compulsory, but don't let it be someone else making that decision for you.

Stop focusing on blockers. The reasons why you can't. All the things which may be wrong with you that makes you say no. Focus on opportunity, in whatever form that means for you, and take it. People are their own problems and their own solutions.

Cut right back on alcohol.
Put whatever you can into savings, even if it’s only a fiver.
Dance like everyone is watching. Dance often.
Moisturise.
Dont be in a relationship with anyone you don’t find physically attractive - personality will not outshine ick. Equally have zero tolerance for sulky behaviour or silent treatment.
Dont feel you have to hang on to friends.
Be brave enough to stay true to yourself, even if the world doesn’t agree.

There is a saying that you will always regret the things you didn’t do more than the things you did. This is true.

I love how many of these responses talk about skincare! 😂

If there is something you want to do, do it now.
I paid into a pension from the day I started work, ate healthily; exercised etc etc.
Im now in my 60’s retired with time and money to do stuff and I’m too bloody ill to do everything I want to.

Don’t marry anyone you have an inkling may not pull their weight if you have kids, people don’t change. Also second the pension!!

1. Exercise! Manage your weight. Your joints will thank you later.
2. Look after your pelvic floor, especially after kids. If it goes, you may never get proper function back.
3. Keep doing things for you in your 30s/40s, even if busy caring for others. Don't get to your 50s and realise you can no longer do all the things you had planned, because your health is no longer up to it (see point 1).

I agree so much on the posters that say enjoy life now! I think we are all a bit guilty of putting things off to the “right moment” when in fact there is never a right time

Enjoy your life. Be selfish because it's likely that in the next 10 years it's going to get crap and that as a young person you will be expected to bear a heavy burden of other people's crappy decisions.

Pension
Overpay mortgage and get mortgage free as quickly as possible
Work abroad if opportunity comes
Don't rush to be with someone just because your clock is ticking as your more oikley end up with someone who isn't an equal
Regular exercise routine now

Not so sure about the pension one - my partner's pension provider went broke and he lost all the money. The same thing has happened to another friend of ours. You may be better off investing instead so you are in control of your money, or at least only putting so much into a pension and also investing via another means.

Definitely work in another country, don't limit yourself to staying in the one place. The most interesting people I know have lived in several different countries and have amazing stories to tell.

And don't get married, have kids and get a mortgage just because everyone else is doing this - it doesn't suit everyone. Some of my happiest friends don't own property and spend their time travelling and one of them is well into her 60s!

Put as much into your pension as you can
Check your boobs and get regular smears