Top Ten Reasons to Love Your 30’s! (Love Your Decade Series)

2Life can be celebrated at any age! (I don’t mean to sound like a Hallmark card.) The big 3-0 was a bit daunting to me when I was in my 20’s. It sounded like a “real adult age” that might bring on some serious responsibility! I mean some people literally stop counting their age after they hit 29! While intimidating at first, I have found many perks to living in my 30’s. Sure there are things I miss about my 20’s, but there’s a lot that I do NOT miss! I’m thankful I still have more years left in my 30s and wanted to share some of the positive perks I have found about living in this decade of life!

  1. Confidence is Key. Let’s face it. When I was in my teens and twenties, I was figuring out who I was. In my 30’s I feel I have come into my own and know who I am. It’s easier to stand up for myself, accept constructive criticism, and express my opinions. This has benefited me well at home, in the workplace, and in social settings. While I know I will continue to grow and change as the years go by, I am way more comfortable in my own skin and I like who I am!
  2. Sayanara People Pleasing! Thanks to that confidence I don’t really care if you disagree with me. I don’t care if you like me. I don’t mind saying “no” to volunteering if it’s going to overwhelm me. I’m living my life the way I feel is best, and I don’t feel the need to live up to some random person’s expectations just so they will like me. Maybe that sounds mean, but guess what? I’m 30 and that’s how I feel!
  3. Set Priorities. With a few more years of “adult life” under my belt I have found that it’s easier to know my priorities in life, and let go of the stuff that doesn’t matter. I didn’t say I was perfect at it, but it’s easier. I simply can’t be everywhere at every moment and be involved in all activities, therefore I choose what to be involved in based on what works best for me and my family. If only the 32 year old could have told the 25 year old me this!
  4. Body Changes = Fun Challenge. Hear me out before you think I’m being negative. My body at thirty has seen some major changes. Two babies have changed the hips and belly region quite a bit. Some parts are squishier and jigglier. The metabolism and energy levels have changed. However, when I realized that things weren’t going to change until I made a change, I accepted the challenge and started working out. I had never done this before in my life. Because of it my body actually looks better now than it did in my 20’s! I have found a fun and healthy way to challenge myself and have made some great friendships through my gym!
  5. Family Frame of Mind. My 30’s have brought about lots of family fun. A Friday night can be games with the family or movies and popcorn on the couch. Maybe we aren’t taking elaborate vacations right now but there really isn’t anything better than trips to see our family, and watching our daughters play with their cousins. My favorite memories as a child are holidays with family and it’s exciting to be making those memories now with our own children.
  6. Dinner is Served. I don’t know what I ate for most of my twenties. I think cereal and sandwiches maybe? My husband and I did learn to make a few dishes when we first got married, but we ate out a lot because making meals for two just seemed like more of a hassle. Now that I’m in my 30’s, there are kids in the picture and family meals are an important occasion. While I can’t say I’m the biggest fan of meal planning and grocery shopping, it is a necessary part of our lives. When I can put a homemade healthy meal on the table for my family it puts a big smile on my face…even bigger if my picky daughter will eat it!
  7. Feeling Settled. A lot of the uneasiness in my early 20s came from uncertainties. Will we stay in our apartment? Where should we live? How long will I keep this job? The 30s definitely feel more settled. We are in a house we love in a great neighborhood and I’m serving in my favorite job title right now as a mom! It’s a good feeling!
  8. Live in the Moment. We all hear this phrase often, but I think it’s easier to do now that I’m in my thirties. Experience and perspective have taught me that we aren’t promised tomorrow. The things I’m worrying about usually are just that…things! They aren’t what is important in the grand scheme of life. And while at times I get bogged down with the trivial drama on Facebook or the worries of tomorrow, I find it easier to be content in the moment. Nursing my baby, a round of Uno with my daughter, a quick geocache with the fam or a lunch date with the hubby. I try to appreciate and be thankful for these moment daily.
  9. Faithful Friends. My social circle is pretty much set now that I’m in my 30s. Not that there’s no room to meet new people, but I’m happy that I’ve found a group of faithful friends that I can count on in good times and in bad. They’ve seen me at my highs and lows and have loved me in spite of it all!
  10. Marriage is Better with Age. In ALL areas…if you know what I mean. Wink face. But also years of living with a man have taught me to accept him for who he is instead of change him into what I think he should be. And he has learned when to talk, when to listen, when to help, and when to let me do it on my own. It’s a balancing act some days and we aren’t perfect, but marriage is a beautiful commitment that really can get sweeter with age. And if it’s this good in my 30s, then I look forward to my 40s with him!

When I read back over this list it sounds like I’ve mastered all of this things, but truly I have not. I do think they are clearer and easier than my 20s and I look forward to growing more in these areas as I finish out this awesome decade of my 30s!

What do you love about the decade you’re living?

Previous articleTop 10 Reasons to Love Your 20’s (Love Your Decade Series)
Next articleTop 10 Reasons to Love your 40’s (Love Your Decade Series)
Katie
Katie left her home state of Tennessee to come pursue an interior design degree in Oklahoma fourteen years ago. She met a handsome young fella from Oregon while in school, and they decided to marry and settle down in OKC. A dog and two daughters soon followed. She has been a textile designer, showroom merchandiser, custom furniture draftsman and children’s minister, but her most challenging and favorite role has definitely been that of a mother. You can read about the adventures she shares with her family at Strawberry Ruckus. Katie enjoys reading, being creative, exploring old houses, eating peanut butter, zumba and watching complete television series all at once on Netflix.

1 COMMENT

  1. Katie,

    I couldn’t agree more with you on saying Sayonara to People Pleasing! My 30’s have been about boundaries, where my time goes, who I am investing and who’s investing in me, etc. Amen to that Sista’! Great write up! 30’s have been challenging, not because of getting older in age, but because of the life circumstances. I have found more strength and grace in my 30’s than in my 20’s. I don’t know that I would’ve been open to receive that strength, grace, and mercy in my 20’s though, timing is key!

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here