3 Lessons I’ve Learned Since Turning 30

“You’re still a Rockstar, I whisper to myself as I take my multivitamin and climb into bed at 9:45 pm”  -Anonymous

Who’s with me? I turned 30 this year and it hit me.. hard. Growing up as a kid you think 30 is so old and so far away and then it sneaks up on you and hits you right in the face. It is surreal because you don’t really look older or seem any different but I feel different. Turning 30 made me feel more adult and more mature. There is something about turning 30 that makes you take a step back and look at your life and the people in it through a different lens. To me 30 was a chance to reflect.

I have learned so much in the past decade that I wish I could have told my 20-year-old self. I am going to discuss what I feel are the three most important to me.

First, be your own person. It is so hard for us when we are younger to do this. It is so easy for us to want to act like our friends or change who we are to please that boy we like. Don’t change who you are for anyone else. The people who should be in your life will stand by you no matter what. I definitely lost some friends over the years who I thought would be around for a lifetime and I was upset about it for quite some time, but now realize it all happened for a reason. I have a handful of extremely close friends in my life who are like sisters to me and that’s all I need! More is not always better.

Second, don’t be afraid to take risks. Whether it a personal or professional risk, take it. This is the time in your life to do it. Go run that 5K you always wanted to do, take the new job, get that puppy. Do the things that make you happy even if they are scary at first. Even if things don’t work out the way you had planned you will be happy you did it. The only thing worse than failing is wondering what if?

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Third, always put your best foot forward. Whether you realize it or not, the world is not as big as you may think. You never know who you’re going to run into and when. You never know who that person is connected too. I always make sure I am the best version of myself no matter if it is in the supermarket or at work. You do play a big part in how people perceive you but part of your image and reputation is what people say about you when you are not in a room. So, I always act how I want people to talk about me behind my back. When I am not in the room some of the things I hope people would say about me are that I am kind, ethical and hard working.

In summary, you are a Rockstar in your own way. Life will have its ups and downs but with age comes wisdom. As much as I was dreading turning the big 3-0, I must say it is turning out to be a pretty great year. 

Here’s to looking forward and to constantly learning new things along the way!