May 11
Looking 30 in the eye
This is my last day to live life in my 20s. Since I have obsessed about turning 30 for so long, I am hoping that it will be less of an obstacle when the actual day arrives … tomorrow.
What happens at 30?
I have always looked at the day I turn 30 as Doom’s Day. I am not really sure what I expect to happen tomorrow, but I have some ideas and questions about this dreaded day.
Does the world blow up? Do wrinkles spread across my face immediately turning me into a giant prune? Will my hair start to fall out leaving only a select gray few? Will people start calling me ma’am? Will I become an emotional broken woman who starts to cry every time she looks in the mirror? Will everyone suddenly expect me to act like a mature adult? Will my butt blow up and have a difficult time squeezing into my jeans? Will my teeth fall out leaving me with a new set of dentures?
Or, maybe …
The day I turn 30 a giant tub of jello will be waiting for me. I can swim and snorkel and look at all the pretty fish. Waiting next to it is $30,000 that I can spend any way that I wish, but it absolutely must not be used on anything practical. Midgets will come from all corners of the world to entertain me with their wrestling skills. During the show, I will be given a giant tub of chocolate that will make me thin … not fat. I will be shown the fountain of youth and a lovely time machine and told that I can live forever in my 20s if I want …
Goodbye 20s, hello 30s …
In the past three decades of my life, I never felt in control. It always felt like someone else had the steering wheel, and I was just along for the ride. This powerless feeling left me bleak and hopeless at times. At other times, I desperately tried to cling to the steering wheel and turn it back into directions I wished to go. I succeeded several times, but during times of weakness I always surrendered the steering wheel to another driver.
20s, the training ground for life …
I have made so many mistakes throughout the course of my life. Each one has slightly altered my original path. Without them, I would not have learned how to live … how to be me.
Maybe my 30s are the time when I actually become comfortable in my own skin and am able to make sense of all the mistakes. Perhaps, it is time for me to take back the steering wheel and finally show all the other drivers that I am ready to be in control of my own destiny …
Whatever happens tomorrow I go into the day ready to look 30 in the eye! I am strong. I will not let a number defeat me and beat me to the ground. I am excited about this next year of life!
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OH, love….I didn’t feel like life started (really) until after I turned 30! So far, I love my 30’s….I’ve become more confident about myself and my decisions; I’ve learned to stand up for myself more; things just seem to make more sense, be it from mental/emotional maturity, or just that I’ve lived just enough to understand things better.
Either way, you’ll hopefully continue to find yourself and know that you’re making all the right decisions now!
Happy Early Birthday-
Maybe this will happen for me. Thanks, Angela!
I was actually damn surprised I made it alive to see 30. I went out and had my hair dyed with blonde highlights. I streaked across NC State campus in my underwear screaming “It’s my birthday!” and laughing. It was also the only birthday so far I physically felt. It wasn’t only in my mind, but deep down in my center, I felt solid, and balanced.
The outward day will be just like any other - anything can happen. YOU will be just as you have always been - capable of making your own choices, no matter what the day brings. Make it groovy!
As an update, I thought I should tell everyone that I survived Doom’s Day. Nothing out of the ordinary happened. It was just like any other day … except more wonderful. I got to spend it with family and a special friend. Who can complain about that?
30 was good for me.
Now I’m dreading the big 4-0!! It’s right around the corner!
For women, 30 is like turning 50
Dear Jennifer,
You have already made many accomplishment in your life! You know the 30’s was a wonderful decade for me… probably the best thus far… Although the 40’s was a lot of fun. I will tell you another day about the 50’s>>>
Love you,
Tammie
When I turned thirty, I realized I wasn’t going to become anyone famous-rich etc. That this was it for the most part and that now I should live in the NOW. I felt that I knew myself and went on to live life my way and enjoy even the less than wonderful days. Now, at 71, I would like to be thirty again, but only if I could keep the lessons learned over the past 4o years. I hope you will enjoy each day you have left and make the most of them. Love, Grammy