I find it slightly amusing that this post, sitting as a draft since September, is being published on my 31st birthday. It’s a bit telling of how my life has been the past several months: Non.Stop.
I indulged you all (and my devices!) with a freebie for New Year’s and truth be told, I haven’t looked at my blog since then. I’ve been nursing a really nasty cold, and I’m pretty sure my nostrils are so chapped they’re getting ready to split. Sorry if that’s TMI but it’s the truth. Since we moved in November, it’s been a nonstop ride of cleaning, unpacking, hosting a holiday. Repeat.
We hosted both Thanksgiving and Christmas in our first home, all within 60 days of moving in. We’ve traveled down the Florida coast a few times as well, in addition to me designing blogs and conducting medical spa website design. I’m honestly not sure how I’ve managed to do this all in such a short time, but this poor blog has certainly gotten the short end of the stick. My life lately reminds me of my college days where I happily took on 20-24 credit hours per semester, my nose stuck in several opera scores at once, had several jobs (as a freelance musician and a barista), and was an active member of Phi Sigma Sigma.
Maybe these are the tell-tale signs of an overachiever? I dunno, seeing as I’m not the type-A personality.
Last time this year, I was celebrating my big 3-0. Good food, good times, with friends, all in the comfort of Savannah, Georgia. This year, it’s just my husband and I, in our first home in northern Florida. He has a few surprises planned for me, and in an unprecedented move for someone who hates cooking, I’ve planned my own birthday dinner. In my fridge are the ingredients for rosemary roasted lamb, mushroom risotto with black truffle oil and roasted asparagus. I just need a good red wine and I’m set to go!
Anyway, I thought it would be fun to share a list of things my thirties has changed about me. Dear God, please let thirties not sound like a death sentence. Otherwise I’ll be forced to repeat my 29th birthday for decades to come. Amen.
Twenties vs. Thirties
20s – I won’t be caught dead at a club before 10 PM.
30s – You want to meet up after 8PM?!
Sometimes I want to go back and ask my younger self “Who are you, and can I have your energy, please?”
20s – Putting on makeup to go to the grocery store.
30s – Teeth brushed? Check. Going to the grocery store.
Ok, it’s not that bad (most of the time). But I really need to invest in one of those illuminated magnifying mirrors. The rare times I look at my eyebrows I almost yelp in surprise. (Please tell me I’m not alone).
I find that time moves so much faster now that I’m older. I’m chalking it up to more responsibilities and balls to juggle than mental aging. Dear God I hope that’s right!
20s – Caring what people think of me.
30s – Not caring what people think of me.
I think this is my favorite part of getting older. Opinions and gossip have no boundaries. For every action I make I find that people will have opinions, good and bad, so I’m better off doing what my heart desires anyway.
See? Dr. Seuss has good advice no matter how old you are :)
20s – Keeping toxic friendships for no good reason.
30s – Cleaning house in the friendship department with no regrets.
The no regrets part is of utmost importance here.
20s – Buying magazines based on the latest fashion trends
30s – Buying magazines based on home décor
A.K.A. I’m turning into my mother. Or maybe I’m becoming a mature adult. I find that I’m becoming less inclined to buying furniture from Craigslist and instead going to the retail stores.
Nicer stuff is just nice. I don’t care if people say that kids destroy shit. I don’t want to live in a space that doesn’t make me happy or inspire me to be clean. Our kids will just have to grow up knowing they can’t be destructive. Right?
The Southern Thing says
Happy Birthday!! I still have a few years to go before I hit 30, but I can agree with you on all of these! It’s funny how much we can change in such short time! Enjoy your 30s; it’s the 40s that start to sound old! You’ve got plenty of time ;)
Rekita says
Girl, I can’t even stay up past 9 pm anymore. I am knocked out before my kids are. in my 20’s, I didn’t hit the club until about 10 or 11, lol.
Ashley LaMar says
Hahahaha! YES to all of these!!! The other night I caught myself saying, “I’m tired” and then seeing the clock read only 9:15pm. And the eyebrows thing just don’t even get me started. They are shameful. My 22-year old self would scold me.
Meg O. says
Happy birthday!!! I totally agree with everything on this list. Except I still put makeup on to go to the grocery store. LOL. But that’s my makeup freak self.
Lisette says
You would ;)
Krystal @ Creatively Dysfunctional says
Happy Birthday & welcome to the 30s Club! I totally agree with this entire list!
♥Krystal
http://www.CreativelyDysfunctional.blogspot.com
Lisa @ Sorority Life to Army Wife says
Happy birthday! I’m 26, and most of these already apply to me, haha.
Alanna @ Alanna and Co says
Ah! I’m only in my twenties and I agree with most of these. I’m trying not to care what people think about me as much. Happy Birthday!
Lisette says
Thanks Alanna! You’re saving so much time and drama by not caring.
Isabel says
Happy Birthday!! The 4th and 5th points are so true! Perhaps being mature is finally learning to focus our energy on only what’s important :)
Lisette says
Thanks Isabel! I couldn’t have said it better myself!
Georgia says
Firstly Happy Birthday!
Secondly I am turning 26 this year, my little sisters are kindly telling me that this is the year I am over the hill. However I noticed that everything you wrote about in you 30’s applies to me and has applied to me for the past few years and I think that the cause for feeling so content in enjoy evenings in and not wasting my time with anyone that I don’t believe deserves it all comes down to the fact that I am married. Once you have found your soul mate I think you finally feel comfortable and settled enough to only focus on the important things in life and not waste your time thinking about anything that doesn’t improve your life.
xx
Rachael says
Is it dorky that this made me kind of excited to turn 30? lol.
Lisette says
No, not dorky at all! Your 20s are all about learning about yourself. The 30s, I think, are all about loving the person you’ve grown into.
Becca says
28 here. Been “cleaning house” for the past year, and I have zero regrets. Life is much less dramatic now.
Lisette says
It’s a great feeling!
laura says
hahaha Im 28 and Im firmly in the 30s box! I just cant be bothered with going out late!
Lisette says
I would fall asleep mid-sentence at bars when I was 24. My (then fiancé) husband would get so mad at me. Haha, but I always got up to work at 5am so he had to deal!
Gillian: Eyelinerflicks says
I cannot agree enough. I’m now halfway to 32 ahem and it may also be something to do with buying my first property and officially having our OWN space etc but I’m all about staying home, interior design, cooking and forgetting about the outside world these days.
And going out after 8pm…..MADNESS!!!!
Gill x
Lisette says
You and I are two peas in a pod, my friend! We just became first time homeowners 2 months ago and there’s SO MUCH to do at home!
Holly says
I think a lot of it is because I have two small children, but I have NO energy anymore. I’m lucky to make it to 11PM!
Jen says
Yea, yes & yes! Your list had me nodding my head. Times have real changed since hitting the big 3 0. And definitely for the better :)
Lisette says
Agreed! I’m glad I’m not alone!
Mel says
I LOVED this! I am only 23 but seriously relating on a few of these already and I’m actually pretty excited to see how I changed and what I have achieved by 30. 13 going on 30 helped us all out on that one.
Mel xx
http://www.justmelkate.blogspot.com
Lisette says
YES! I love Jennifer Garner in that movie. It’s awesome! Thanks for stopping by!
Lizzy says
I haven’t even become 21 yet, but I have learned the lesson of getting rid of toxic relationships. I realized that I only get one chance to live my life and I don’t want anyone to ruin that chance!
Great post :D Thanks for sharing!
xx, Lizzy
Lisette says
It’s certainly a very important lesson to learn, and it’s a great thing you’re learning it then! 20 was a rough year on me, and 21 was as well. But, it’s an exciting time of your life! Enjoy it!
Vashti says
Ahh the good ole 30s. I have to say I can’t wait. I’m turning 29 on the 23rd [whoop whoop] and needless to say I am not dreading it. I am looking forward to finally being the age that I act. I am also over the indulging in lively gossip and drama. I am much more looking forward to a better me, more travel, and more photography in life. Happy Birthday and may there be many more years to come.
PS: I am not quite sure why clubs still exist at this point. = D
Vashti
http://www.herestotakingchances.com
Lisette says
Happy early Birthday! Spend the last birthday of your 20s in a nice lounge. Go all out with hors d’oeuvres before dinner. Treat yourself! It’s a special year!
Meghan says
Haha! Sounds like we’re aging in the same ways. It’s so true. I’m trying to get back to putting makeup on, but I feel like that time is better used elsewhere. (And yes I’m in the eye brow boat with you. I JUST got a lighted magnifying mirror. They really do help. It’s a conair touch light one. Very cool. ) Turning 30 really scares me, like 40 does most people, but I’m excited about being more comfortable with myself and knowing what I want to do with my life.
Lisette says
I’m weird. Milestone birthdays I’m all excited about (16, 18, 21, 30) but then the year after I’m borderline freaking out feeling “old.” 40 is a big one though, so thanks for putting it in perspective :)
Janet says
lol! Yes, I totally agree with this list and was just thinking about some of these lately for myself. I have some interns working in my group and talking to them about college life and boyfriends, just cracks me up and reminds me I’m no longer 20. :) Your last one hit home as I recently told my hubby, I’m tired of buying stuff that was cheap and that’s why we got it. If we want it, we need to save for it and get what we really, really want. Restoration Hardware, anyone? Guess I’ll be saving for a another year or so, but I’d rather do that, than buy something, hate it, and then HAVE to live with it for the next 3-5 years just cause. We don’t have kiddos yet, but I would hope that I don’t avoid getting something I love for fear of dirty kiddos! :) Happy Belated Birthday!
Lisette says
YES! Hustle and save money for the nice stuff! It’s about time we had grown-up, nice things, right? Thanks for stopping by!
B @ The Sequin Notebook says
Not caring what people think is one of my favorite things about being in my 30s! I’ll be 32 in March so I’m not toooooo far into my 30s yet but I definitely feel much more comfortable in my own skin than I did in my 20s. Oh, and happy birthday!
Lisette says
32 sounds so far away yet right around the corner! I’ve learned numbers don’t really matter any more. It’s what you’ve learned about yourself and life. Thanks!
chelsea @ the new wifestyle says
this is especially great, as i’m turning 28 in a few weeks! as someone with crazy, out of control eyebrows, i so appreciate this and need one of those little mirrors too.
i’m still working on actually not caring what others think of me (even though i can say it and feel it soooometimes). well i’ve got 2 more years to get it together before 30 so here’s to hoping.
get on that red wine and hooray birthdays!
Michael says
I’m right there with you. I hit 30 (happily) at the end of November. Truth be told, I felt a lot of these things not long after 25. Especially the first one. Happy belated birthday!
Kelly says
Well I am one of your great transfers you did since turning 30 (even though I still think of you as 25). Happy Birthday and I love these points!
Laura says
I turn 30 in a month! I guess it’s a little daunting, but it’s also a bit of a relief. I never thought I’d say this but I’m looking forward to it. I feel there’s a stigma associated with being in your 20s, like you’re irresponsible or too inexperienced (Hello! I have a 5 year old and run a super busy restaurant). I’m ready to embrace my 30s!