What do you like about being in your 30s?

[Zigzagzzz]

So I've just turned 30 and now feel like the best years of my life are behind me. I have one 7mo ds so no more carefree days and a body that probably won't be the same again!

So please tell me what you like about being in your 30s and if there's any reasons why it's better in your 30s than your 20s!

I had a bit of a meltdown when I turned 30. I loved my 20s - lived overseas, travelled, partied, married DH at 28 and at on my 30th I felt like all the fun was over and it was just going to be a slow decline of paying the mortgage until death 😂

I’m 38 next week and life has absolutely changed and I do sometimes miss my hedonistic 20s but on balance I’m happier. Much more confident in my career, not as anxious about my competence or how people perceived me as I was in my 20s, 2 wonderful healthy children who are exhausting but make me so happy, a bit more financially secure. The first few years of having kids was hard on our relationship but I think DH and I are closer now and appreciate each other more.

I also took up running after DC1 for the first time ever and was fitter than I’d ever been in my 20s. Still working on it after DC2 but I know I can do it again.

The hangovers are terrible though and I do miss my 20 something face - the aging process has really accelerated since having kids 😱

I feel much happier in myself. I spent my late teens / twenties trying to fit in with people and trying to impress people by going out to pubs late and the odd nightclub, even though I hated it and felt completely out of place the whole time. I was also too much of a 'people pleaser' and use to make a lot of effort for people that wouldn't do the same for me. Now I accept that I'm not 'cool' and am very happy to spend my weekends at National Trust properties and gardening, rather than pretending to be something I'm now. And I've learnt to only put time and effort into people that would do the same for me.

I suppose part of it is when key life events do/don’t happen.

I loved my 30s because I met DH, married, had 2 kids, became a home owner, qualified in my profession and generally became a happier, more confident version of me.

My 30s were far more positive that my 20s for all of the above reasons. I’m just about to turn 40 and I’m quite excited about what that decade will bring 😊

I think on the whole I give fewer fucks, or perhaps more accurately I channel my fucks into the things that matter and stopped caring about the stuff that doesn't matter.

I’m more confident within myself and have finally knocked my people pleasing persona on the head. I’m happy as a SAHM to trying but brilliant twin toddlers and genuinely no longer give a solitary shit about whether people like me or not. No more facade, no more second guessing myself. Doesn’t mean I use that as an excuse to be rude or nasty for the sake of it - but I’m just happy being me with no need to put up any fronts anymore

I'm happier and have higher self esteem now I've stopped worrying out trying to impress people
I wear better quality clothes that suit me rather than low cost fashion items
I have my son
I own a house
I've accepted that a like what I like and it really doesn't matter if there considered cool or not
My body isn't as good as it was in my 20s...and I really don't give a shit

My twenties were good and I enjoyed them but I cant imagine trying to live in that mindset for another few decades

Another vote for not caring what other people think.

More assertive. Established in career.

Kids aren’t as hard work as they’re older.

More money so we have a nice house, cars and holidays.

No more yo-yo dieting. Found a weight I’m happy with and stick to it.

Staying in is the new going out.

I dreaded turning 30 but my 30s have been great.

I have finally reached a point in my career I never expected to

I have improved my work life balance by working part time

I have developed more meaningful relationships

Financially I feel a lot more secure and can relax a little and enjoy it

I had my first child when I was 31 after many years of heartbreak trying

My 20’s in comparison were pants

We were talking about this at work the other day.

I always thought that confidence was something you just gained with age & I guess it is, I just worked out that everyone’s winging it, so what’s the point in being shy?

So massively more confident. A couple of things have changed for us but overall, financially we’re more or less in the same place day to day. I’m with the same man, two kids.

Definitely happier as well. Not as free, have very little time to myself. But I feel secure in my family & in work.

Don’t really care too much what others think of me & I let more things go instead of obsessing over them.

Your 30’s rock, by the way. I’m 36. I actually wish I’d had the attitude I have now when I’d been in my 20’s.

Although, yeah, the hangovers do suck.

I like my body after years of self loathing. I've worked out which clothes suit me and are comfortable.

At 45 I’m feeling really old right now!

My 30's are proving so much more enjoyable than my 20's in many ways, although admittedly they're not as "carefree" due to having two DC, I feel happier in myself.

I care less about what people think of me than I did in my 20's.

I am completely secure in my relationship with my Husband.

Sex is better (and he's had the snip so no more faffing about with contraception or panicking if my period is a bit late!).

I finally have a job that I'm passionate about, that comes with respect, autonomy, a feeling that I'm making a difference and crucially, a good work/life balance for the first time in my life!

We now own our 'forever home' which gives us a lot of pleasure and a feeling of security.

No one expects me to go to nightclubs.

Things like Christmas and Halloween are exciting again now that I have my own DC and get to see it through their eyes.

Meaningful but low maintenance and completely drama-free friendships. We accept that we're all busy with work and DC so we don't live in each others pockets, we just enjoy each others company when we see each other but there's no pressure to be in constant contact.

I've finally figured out what hair style, make up, clothes, colours, accessories etc. suit me and feel more confident as a result.

I trust myself more than I did in my 20's.
I trust my own instincts, my ability to make decisions at work, to be a good judge of character, to know what's right for me and my family. I have more faith in myself I suppose.

My favourite decade.

I got married, had dc and my career was established by then. We also paid our mortgage off. I stayed in my first five star hotel when I was 31 and on honeymoon. I haven’t stayed self catering anywhere since then apart form if we hire a canal boat.

I had a quarter life crisis at 25 and a third life crisis at 30 (lighthearted) but I’ve actually enjoyed my 30s a lot so far and am even ok about turning 35 next year. For me it’s that I am finally more comfortable in my own skin and I have progressed a lot in my professional and personal life compared to my 20s. I was a bit silly during my 20s and whilst I had fun at the time I wouldn’t want to go back.

In my early 30s I used to miss the going out and slightly irresponsible days of my 20s but I honestly don’t feel like staying out until 8am anymore (and now can’t due to DD anyway) - instead I prefer a glass of wine or a nice dinner out. That said if you like going out you’re never too old!

I also started realising that I’m still young and will be for some time because if I feel old now I can’t imagine how I would feel at 75! and that’s a long time to keep looking back rather than focusing on the present and future.