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Original poster

What happened when you turned 30?

29 replies

Whatintheworldgirl · 30/10/2023 09:09

I don't want to express my inner thoughts because I don't want to trigger anyone but life is and has been horrific since I was 4 years old. Turning 30 yesterday I feel mentally I am alot more aware however I still dread waking up everyday. Did any positives come from your 30s? Need positive stories if I'm honest. What did you achieve? Do you feel stronger? Do you feel more secure in yourself?

OP posts:
Nothanksthanksanyway · 30/10/2023 09:12

My 30s were the best years ever ( I turned 40 this year)

I learned more about myself, had therapy, made friends, became more confident, did well at work.

im a much better person that I ever was in my 20s. you can do it OP!

Original poster
Whatintheworldgirl · 30/10/2023 09:15

Nothanksthanksanyway · 30/10/2023 09:12

My 30s were the best years ever ( I turned 40 this year)

I learned more about myself, had therapy, made friends, became more confident, did well at work.

im a much better person that I ever was in my 20s. you can do it OP!

Thank you so so much!! Your reply is hugely appreciated. I've been so ill the last two years so my hope for a better life is tarnished. Your response really helps

OP posts:
Feliciacat · 30/10/2023 09:17

Hey! I’m midway through my 30s and as a previous poster said; they’re better than my 20s ever were! I was so insecure in my 20s. 30s is when you become more self aware and that improves life. I’m sorry you’ve been unwell and I hope you can overcome the illness as best as possible.

sangriapeople · 30/10/2023 09:17

Although not MH related for me, I did dread my 30s. I hated the lead up and felt like my best days were behind me.

I have however loved my 30s. I feel wise, strong in general life, strong in my career.

In my 30s I:

Left a relationship that wasn't right
Became financially reliant on myself for the first time ever
Bought my own home
Left a job of 10 years for a higher position, less hours and more money
Worked on myself and got my priorities in order
Learned the art of finding joy in the little things in life
Gratitude
Shed friends who weren't really friends and kept those close who I value and value me
Met the love of my life
Got engaged
Got a lovely home together
Decided to try for a baby

My 30s were the best decade of my life and now nearing (ish!) 40, I'm not going to dread it. I'm very optimistic.

I truly hope it's the same for you, OP.

mondaytosunday · 30/10/2023 09:18

I figured out a few things about myself. I lost a load of weight. I moved countries. The highlight was meeting my husband at 39! Then 40s - kids!

DeadBugMountainClimber · 30/10/2023 09:21

I feel that the key to @Nothanksthanksanyway post is ‘had therapy’. Things won’t automatically improve because you’ve turned another year older, @Whatintheworldgirl. Things can only have a chance at improving if you take proactive steps to improving them. I understand that some elements are likely out of your control and some things will feel like mountains to climb but taking a bit of control and understanding that you do have the power to make changes, however small, is important.

Chonkadoodle · 30/10/2023 09:23

I LOVE being in my thirties, the best is yet to come sweetheart x

SleepingStandingUp · 30/10/2023 09:37

Make your 30s the year you start therapy. Focus on you.

For me my 30s brought my husband, a wedding and three kids. It brought stability and a new awareness of what should be my priorities.

BorisIsACuntWaffle · 30/10/2023 09:40

Became a mum.
Grew in confidence. Changed career eventually (45)

DeepEnd · 30/10/2023 09:40

In my 30s I got a decent job, quit smoking, put weight on, got married, had a baby, lost the excess weight, stopped drinking excessively, felt like a grown up for the first time.

40s just plodded along, no real dramas.

Mental health challenges still come and go but I feel more resilient.

AvengedQuince · 30/10/2023 09:40

My child turned 8, so increasing freedom as I could start to leave him for short periods.

GOODCAT · 30/10/2023 09:44

30s are fab you gain in confidence, but still have all the advantages of youth. Enjoy!

MeinKraft · 30/10/2023 09:49

I am confident in a different way. There's a great feeling of security that comes with knowing you can deal with the exceptional challenges life throws at you.

Velvetbee · 30/10/2023 09:51

My 30’s were great and my 50’s are turning out to be even better. Greater self knowledge and caring less what people think has made a huge difference in my ability to interact with the world (or not) and make good things happen. I spent so much of my youth doing the things other people told me were fun.

Wildehorses · 30/10/2023 09:52

Travelling, marriage, kids, promotions at work … my 30s rocked, am sure yours will too! My main advice is to work hard and play hard while you can, I am 52 now and exhausted!

IHeartGeneHunt · 30/10/2023 09:55

I got out of a truly horrible situation with a man who was treating me very badly, I got myself clean and sober, I got a flat and a dog and had my daughter!
And now I'm in my 40s I feel happier than I ever did.

HawdMeBack · 30/10/2023 09:57

I've just turned 39 and my 30s have been the most defining decade so far. All of my major life events have happened in the past 9 years, good and bad (but the good far outweighs the bad) x

Superscientist · 30/10/2023 09:57

I gained about 4lbs and in turn started to like my body for the first time ever

I am enjoying my 30s way more than my 20s. I spent my 20s studying as my career required 2 degrees and 3 years of work experience to qualify. Also pretty broke due to being a student for so long. My 30s have come with more financial security and I have been able to set up home

Graspingnettles · 30/10/2023 10:02

I am only 34, so not even halfway through my 30s yet. The last few years though, I've learned and continue to learn a lot about myself, and have a lot more clarity and insight into how my early experiences continue to impact me today. I've somewhat repaired my relationship with my mother, which is miles better and has had a huge breakthrough, though there is still some way to go.

My marriage has always been a positive part of my life but this continues to grow and seeing us still able to learn about each other and grow after so many years has been cool.

I also feel like I'm finally starting to find my stride as a parent - 8 years in!

There's something about this age which feels good. More mature, wiser, and so much more aware especially in terms of recognising just how much I don't know. Also in terms of accepting/understanding how everyone else sees the world through their own lens and there are lots of right ways to be. There's just pros and cons to ways of being rather than rights and wrongs (obviously not counting actively harmful behaviours etc).

I don't know. 35 next year feels like a milestone but I also feel excited about what I might see this decade.

AnneLovesGilbert · 30/10/2023 10:05

I got divorced. Best start to the decade ever. The first couple of years were a bit sticky but I turned 40 living a life I couldn’t have begun to imagine 10 years earlier.

Pooooochi · 30/10/2023 10:06

My thirties have been great.

Somehow my own self belief is on a level where i truly do not care at all what anyone else thinks, its so freeing.

Firebug007 · 30/10/2023 10:08

Honestly my 30s were a tumultuous time and quite stressful. I made a lot of mistakes and did a lot of growing up but it wasn't until my 40s I felt I'd figured life out somewhat and was happy with where I ended up. Life is good now but it took a lot of hard work. The best advice I can give is to be careful of the people you let into your life, try and hang on to the people who are a positive prescence and move away from those who are not 💐

Ragwort · 30/10/2023 10:10

I loved my 30s, exciting career, bought my own house (twice), moved (twice) got married & bought a house with DH, lots of hobbies, interests, some fabulous holidays. Didn't have a DC until I was 43 ... to be honest I've generally enjoyed all my 'decades' (now mid 60s) but I recognise that, in general terms, my life has been settled and I haven't experienced any major traumas.

Nevermind31 · 30/10/2023 10:15

Nothing happened when I turned 30. It was a huge thing in my head, and nothing changed by turning 30.
however, my 30s were a great time. None of the insecurities of your 20s, none of the “old ness” of your 40s - the golden middle!

Catsmere · 30/10/2023 10:19

I went into my Goth phase in my thirties! Had a lot of fun with a group of friends, first friend group I'd ever had.

Of course I turned 30, 30 years ago, so things have changed somewhat - and apart from my weight, they're better now!

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