Three-oh
Posted: September 5, 2011 Filed under: Birthdays, Goals, Life, Women | Tags: beyonce, birthday, evening standard, Life, money, postaweek2011, thirty, turning thirty 6 CommentsThe other day, I was reading an article in the Evening Standard called 30 things to do before you’re 30. The article referred to the now grinning with pride Beyoncé pictured below, and how she had managed to get pregnant just in time – she’s 29.
See how she glows? She’s glowing with relief because, at 29, she must be feeling the pressure. There are just so many things one must do before turning 30 – everybody says so.
According to the article, when people are faced with turning thirty, they think they ought to have bought a property, had a baby, co-habited, owned a designer handbag, written a book, dropped their last “e” (what?!), learnt a language and lived abroad. Phew. I’m exhausted just thinking about it.
Given that I only have just over 3 months before the big three-oh hits, I don’t think there’s much chance I’m going to cross everything off the list.
But, you know what, I don’t really care.
I used to have this feeling that turning thirty was the be-all and end-all. I know people who still think this – friends who are getting their knickers in a twist because their birthdays are approaching and they’re not married/up the duff/living in their dream home/all of the above.
I had one goal this year – one “thing to do before I turn thirty”. It’s proving difficult, and I’m not sure if I’m going to have achieved it 100%, but my goal was to be financially independent by thirty. By “financially independent”, I mean that I don’t want to be taking any hand-outs and I don’t want to be relying on credit cards.
I’m living in a really shitty little flat at the moment. It’s worse than some of the places I lived in when I was a student. But, you know what, I can afford it. My salary is low, but I’m budgeting my living expenses to match. For once, I’m not living beyond my means.
My twenties have been about working out what I want from life. I hope my thirties will be about achieving those things. I don’t think I need a list though, do you?
Great post! Doesn’t sound like you need a list.
I have a giant to-do list, but without any deadlines. I just pick off what I want to do, when I want to do it.
Now I’ve crossed 30, I’m more chilled and actually finding more time to do the things that interest me (like learning Japanese!). Don’t think I would have found the time a couple of years ago.
That’s good to hear. I feel like I have to cram the Japanese in right now – maybe I’ll find more time after I turn thirty! 😉
How about,’learn to be content with the blessings you have rather than worrying about what you haven’t achieved’. If you do that by the time you’re thirty, you’re saving yourself a lot of heartache!
Very wise advice, Liz! Thanks. 🙂
I was upset about turning 30, not really worried about any lists, just the number. But now I’m 31 and I really don’t care anymore. Actually, I’m kind of glad I haven’t figured my life out yet. It’s exciting to not even know which country I’ll be living in next year, let alone everything else!
I like your attitude! Actually, now that I have turned 30 I don’t feel any different and I don’t really care. I’m happy whatever age I am. 🙂