Five Things I’ve Learned In My 30s

As you may know, my birthday is this weekend. I’m moving into the next decade of life. I tend not to call out my age, but f this. I’m looking forward to 40! (I look forward to every birthday, so… yeah.)

I’m sitting at a coffeeshop, reflecting on the last decade of my life. The Wife and I moved in together. We got married, to the relief (?) of both families. Haha! We both changed careers. We traveled to visit extended family all over the country. We bought a house. We had a baby.

In this reflective state, I thought I’d write a post about…

Five Things I’ve Learned in My 30s

5. You can change careers and be OK.
I went from working in nonprofit development to going to grad school and moving on to a career in digital marketing and social media. Yes I have a substantial amount to repay in student loans. Yes I “started over” in the corporate world – just a little. AND yes, I brought my prior experience with me to the corporate world to my employers’ benefit.

Just because you start off in one industry or field doesn’t mean you have to stay in that industry. I’m the perfect example of this.

Everything – time – is fluid. Adapt. Pivot. Make the change you want to be.

 
4. It’s never too late to get fit and healthy.

I didn’t run my first mile until I was well in my 30s. I ran my first half marathon in 2010, and then I kept going. That bling, man – the bling is addictive. So is the runner’s high. I got to do two things that I enjoyed by traveling to race!
Later, I learned how to lift weights. I also rumba’d and went spinning. My muscles got stronger and leaner. I got healthier. I ate so much better.

 
3. You become more tolerant and less tolerant of dumb people.

In my 30s, I took everything with a grain of salt and I also became more positive in my outlook (not that I was a negative nilly to start with). I learned to nod and dismiss ignorant acquaintances. Just because you don’t agree with their beliefs doesn’t mean you need to engage in a heated discussion where you just end up angry. I learned to argue and keep discussions productive. Some people just like to be argumentative. I learned to agree to disagree, and to leave the conversation. Some people just have prejudices, and you’ll never be able to change that.

2. Making new friends is possible and important.
I have a handful of great friends that I can count on, no matter what. It doesn’t matter that I don’t see them often. We can just pick up where we left off when we see each other.

I’ve made some new friends this past decade, and they are wonderful confidantes. They challenge my thought process, my expertise and poke around my philosophies. I’m so glad they do, or I’d stay stagnant. They push me physically – I’ve gotten more fit because of them. They inspire me – I’ve grown as a digital marketer. They confide in me, and I to them – they’ve made me more passionate and protective of our friendships.

 
1. I learned to make myself a priority.

Self care is important. I feel like I used to accommodate people a lot. I think I still do. But I’ve caught myself doing that to the detriment of my sake. I do this less. I make me a priority. No one else is going to make you a priority. You must fight for yourself. Then you can fight for others in need.

On the frivolous side, I’ve been able to afford a massage, haircut or a pedicure here and there. I used to think a massage was indulgent. It is! And you know what else? Sometimes your body needs it. Tense muscles, sore backs, postpartum, post natal. I’m not going to apologize for paying someone to help me get my muscles unstuck.

PS – once you’ve run a half marathon or full marathon, a massage is glorious! Your legs will thank you.

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Life was awesome in my 30s. At the end of my 30s, I brought a new life into the world. I anticipate my 40s being more awesome with her.

Life has changed a lot. We are a party of 3 now. I truly could not imagine my early 30s with a child. I’m so glad The Wife and I had our time to travel, eat crap, go out late at night, take on solo trips, work a ton of overtime, go to school, and so on. Life was awesome. And life just gets more awesome.

There you go. These are my five things.

What are your Five Things you’ve learned in the past decade? Please share!

Have a wonderful weekend!