To be sad about turning 30 in a few months time.

[Nearly30YearOld]

I probably am, but I feel like my 20's just flew by too quickly. Everything is a big haze with more sad memories than good, even though I graduated, got married, had my children. It feels like I've lived one big disorganised messy life so far.

You always hear how your 20's are supposed to be the time you're full of energy and have great skin and hair, but I can't say I've had that. My hair started turning grey at 21, I've alway had crappy skin due to being told from my teens that young skin doesn't need any kind of facial scrub, when mine so obviously did. Only 5 years ago when I discovered garnier's 3 in 1 mask/scrub/wash did my skin begin to look flawless and clean, but even then worry lines had set in due to family problems and recurrent miscarriages. I look at friends in Facebook who are the same age and they look so young and worry free.

My work life hasn't been the best. I worked my way up from the bottom in my chosen career but working 9 hours a day with constant deadlines and being worked to the bone by my manager took its toll on my health and my self esteem. I left my job out of anger and dread working in the same industry again, incase people try to walk all over me again.

So I'm 30 in a few months time and I haven't got much to show for it, apart from my beautiful children and a marriage that was on the verge of breaking down same time last year due to DH sharing all my most private conversations with his family. I feel like I can't trust him anymore.

Iabu? Should I just pull myself together, because its just a number isn't it?

It's because it's when a lot of people have disposable income. The 18-25 year old demographic is the advertiser's dream, so a higher proportion of 'fun' products are marketed to them:

20 and having fun? - buy this drink
21 and having fun? - you need this dress
22 and having fun? - time to think about a car so you can get to all the fun places you have fun in.

It's all a construct. And if you're not having fun, you then buy the products to fix the completely false problem anyway.

Whereas in RL most of us struggle!

.for some reason I settled into my looks, got more confidence and really started to shine - I was quite a stunner I think .

I love that CuttedUpPear, really made me smile. That's exactly how I felt in my thirties and continue to do so in my 40's.

Age as they say, is just a number, so yes-pull yourself together!!

I´ll be 50 soon-yippee!

The children are teens & don´t need me.

I can go out & do what I want.

I can have grey hair if I want I can dress how I want.

Although tbh, that´s always been the case.

Sounds as if you are too sucked in by the crap that magazines churn out.

Life is what you make of it!

Being over 40, I think: glad I am not 30, or in my 20s anymore. Would not do that again! The stress, the babies, the problems.

I think 40s are great, as now we have a bit more financial security, the kids are a bit older ( not so much work now), we are more settled, and more importantly, you have a better idea of what really matters in life.

I found my late 20s very hard work!

I'm 30.

I like it. None of that try-hard fit-in dress the best, party hard pressure of the early 20s, none of the settling down house buying, marriage or pregnancy of the late 20s.

I've got a degree, I've had my kids, now I'm making plans just for me and wear what I please. Joyous.

I'm only 31 but feel very similar about my 20's. I'm a new person now after having children and am more confident and achieving so much more than I could have done a few years ago. I'm setting up 2 businesses to fit around looking after my dc's and planning to retrain in something exciting in a few years time when all my dc's are at school.
I have achieved a lot more than many other friends my age. Most of them are only just getting married and having their first babies but I've been there and done that!

I loved turning 30 seriously it was the best you feel so much better turning 30 I promise you will , I was a bit eekk about 40 but that turned out ok too

Thanks for all the replies.

I'm kind of glad I'm not the only one who hated her 20's. it's way overrated, thanks to marketing ploys.

I'm definitely going to plan something special for my birthday to say good riddance to my 20's

Im gonna turn 30 in August, i hope my 30's are alot more productive than my 20's.

Hmmm...I had both my dc in my 30s.
And started OU courses, moved house from a place I hated and relocated.
I turned 40 last year...bring it on :)

Going grey is a million times better than it dropping out!!

I'm sure you look fine. Flick through take a break etc to see how you compare! Instead of comparing yourself to people like Scarlett Johannsan etc who as you know - have a full team and pots of cash behind them. Or friends Facebook pics which no doubt are carefully selected!

People will never be happy if they compare themselves to other people. There will always be someone younger, thinner, prettier, richer and you'll just drag yourself down doing it

Anyway 30 is YOUNG!! Don't look back in your 80s thinking about how you wasted your 30s!! Enjoy your birthday and the years that follow. The only alternative to getting old is death so you already are on the winning team.

I'm trying to persuade my DW that 30 is not that bad - she turns 30 this summer and is quite depressed about the idea, so I'm glad of a few reassuring things to say to her! I am 33 (when I turned 30, she was constantly teasing me about being "old"!)

It's strange but when i turned 30 i was really low and very upset about it. I was however 3 days short of my due date with my DD2 and DD1 was not even 2.

When i turned 40 i loved it. I had a massive party and danced on the tables. I felt like i was truly me.

Last year i turned 50. I was a bit meh about it. Not because i was 50 but because i am just not bothered about what age i am now. I feel good, i look okay and i am happy with life.

YABU. Turning 30 ROCKS!!

You are no longer some no mark, immature, never-taken-seriously fliberteegibbet. You are a serious, adult, mature woman who knows what is best, knows what she wants and knows that she is worth enough to demand it!! At least this is what I felt (6 yrs ago now). Not going to take crap from anyone, empowered if you will. Also, on a less serious note, i look much better now than I ever did in my 20's when I still had puppy fat,spots and an inability to dress properly for my shape!!

Plus you have beautiful children which many many people would give anything for. And a career (which I don't and often wish I did).

Enjoy the 30th birthday surge!! You are (30 yr old) woman - hear you roar!!

I felt sad about turning 30 as I felt it signified the end of youth. My 20s were carefree, I went to uni, went travelling and had a few years of very carefree marriage with no kids, therefore lots of money and holidays.

Turning 40 was OK as you're already old mature.

On my 40th, someone told me to take lots of photos, as 'it's the last pretty birthday' now that's depressing and true.

I dreaded my 39th, was quite ms.miserable about the prospect......however I turned 30 last week and guess what, I didn't age 50 years overnight! I've been doing a lot of thinking recently and like others here I've realised I'm a lot more content with life. I'm studying a for a degree, got 2 lovely kids at school, and maybe another baby in a couple of years

in short, I'm glad I don't have to go through the suite of my 20`s again!

just realised I wrote 39! that should be 30!!!

YANBU!! I hated turning 30 and am to admit I did dry!!

However, turning 40 was a doddle and much much easier for some reason....am not far off 42 now and feel great. Not quite sure how I will feel though once the next biggie creeps nearer!

Youth is wasted on the young!! So bloody true as well.........