I turned 30 yesterday. As you probably already know if you read this blog regularly or follow me on any social network.
Unlike 18, or 21, when your age affords you different privileges and responsibilities, 30 and any other age ending in a zero or a five are only milestone birthdays because they are big, round numbers.
When I turned 25, I had a meltdown. I hadn’t measured up to the standards I’d set for myself to meet by that age.
I’ve had an intense past few months, and maybe that distracted me a bit, but I wasn’t the least bit upset about turning 30 yesterday, and I celebrated the actual birthday in a fairly low-key way. I mean, it was a Monday and a workday.
A free spinach feta wrap was a good way to start the day.
I met up with Jen for lunch.
Three of my awesome friends had these flowers delivered to me at work.
And then I had a Junior League meeting and did some more celebrating there. Someone at the meeting said “I can’t believe this is what you’re doing for your 30th birthday!” Well, there’s plenty of other celebrating, and it was so much fun to spend it at a place that means so much to me. There were a few other people with things to celebrate at the meeting, so they had champagne and cupcakes…and everyone sang happy birthday to me.
Afterwards, a smaller group of us went to Amber for maybe just one more glass of wine, some sushi and lots of laughs.
Well, the card that both my mom and Tina got me is right. I certainly don’t feel any different today than I did Sunday, but if I think back to how much I’ve learned since I turned 25, I understand how people say that the 30s are actually pretty awesome. Yeah, my life isn’t quite what I thought it’d look like at this age, but I am happy to be surrounded by wonderful people and I’m proud of what I have accomplished.
How old are you?
Happy, happy birthday!
I am 30. 🙂
Like you, I had a really hard time with 25. The end of precociousness. My life didn’t really resemble what I expected. 30 has actually been pretty great so far. Probably because I still feel 27 and I’m stronger than I’ve ever been. 😀
As a 90’s teen, I think you’ll appreciate this:
http://www.buzzfeed.com/amandamarsh/the-typical-day-of-a-teenage-girl-in-the-late-90s-96ht?s=mobile
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!! May your 30’s keep you strong, healthy, and beautiful on the inside and out.
I’m 43 (ancient) and was fine for all my birthdays except 35. I couldn’t even talk about going for supper with friends to celebrate without crying. I guess I wasn’t where I wanted to be. I can remember 11 months later, running up a crazy hill and coming to terms with what life has to offer. A calming feeling came over me and I knew I’d be able to tackle 36 and any other bdays that approached.
Happy happy birthday!
I’m 28 and I also had a mini meltdown, although mine came at 26, not at 25. For some reason, that felt like a much bigger number… the “bad side of the 20s” as people called it. Whatever, being 28 is awesome. Only slightly less awesome than being 29 or 30.
@Vera: I turned 26 this past November and I’m having a 30s meltdown! So I got mine at 26 too. I have measured up to my expectations either (yet).
HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY!
Happy Birthday!!! I am turning 25 in July, and having my own minor freak out about all the things I want to achieve. I have my ‘Bucket List before I’m 30’ http://www.therunnerbeans.blogspot.co.nz/2011/11/before-im-30.html
which I am doing quite well on, and keep adding more to!! Looking forward to hearing about your birthday surprise trip!
I’ll just say in my 30s…
Happy Birthday!!! The card is hilarious!
happy birthday! you look so pretty and SO HAPPY! 🙂 to many more.
I’m 34, and am definitely one of those people who says that the 30s are the best. I’m so much more settled and comfortable with the person that I am, as compared to my 20s when there was so much going on. And I think that eating well and plenty of sleep and exercise all can keep everyone from feeling “old”. You are going to love this decade. 🙂
Happy birthday (again!) my dear! Your birthday sounds like mine always are, a lot of low key relaxation with close friends.
Happy belated birthday! We actually share the same birthday! 🙂 I turned 34 though. When I turned 30 I had a mini-meltdown, because I was single and lonely and not where I imagined my life would be at that age. But I decided to change things and now I am married and the happiest I have ever been. So far my ’30’s have been the best years of my life.
Hey happy birthday! We met the night before my 30th (you came with Anne, in Clarendon, two days before MCM) and I have to say, since turning 30, I’ve never been happier! I hope you find the same to be true. Here’s a quote I really enjoy on the topic:
A woman over 30 knows herself well enough to be assured in who she is, what she is, what she wants and from whom. Few women past the age of 30 give a damn what you might think about her or what she’s doing.
~Andy Rooney
Happy 30th birthday! Here’s to many more! 🙂
I’m 28, going on 45… and very very happy with this stage of my life! 🙂 Happy 30th birthday! You have so many reasons to be very proud of where you are!!!! ENJOY IT!
Thank you for sharing your special day with me. It was great to see you. Have the best weekend ever.
My scary, quarter life crisis age was 26. Now I just roll with the passing years and take it as it comes. Happy birthday Theodora! I hope your 30s are exceedingly good to you. Also, love the banana card!
Happy Birthday! Thirties are really the best years!
I’m 30 and could not be happier about it. My early 20’s were filled with tumultuous emotions and bad times. The day I got to leave the 20’s behind I felt an immense sense of calm and confidence!
I will be 30 in a few months and as someone who also had a 25 year meltdown, turning 30 is going to feel good. Being in a good spot, with great people, and awesome accomplishments! Happy Birthday!!
I’ve got you beat! I’ll be 32 three weeks! So I was a couple years ahead at AU! I told my husband my plan for my 40th birthday over the weekend…so yeah. Getting older…
As of 2 weeks ago, 32 and age is just a number 🙂
I have to say when I was 3 months shy of turning 30, I looked at my life and some of the things I was doing and decided I wanted to enter my 30’s being the best me I could. Things might not be perfect but I am proud of the way I live my life, and evolve, and that all makes me smile.
HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!
I actually was totally fine with 25, I was content with where I thought I should be. Now at almost 29 I am definitely questioning certain areas, like is this where I will always be happy. damn old age 😉
Happy Birthday!
I will be 33 this summer and have definitely been enjoying my 30s and hope the best is yet to come!
Happy Birthday! It’s so true that age is just a number. I enjoyed my thirties and, now that I’m 40, am looking forward to more fabulousness! I honestly feel better and am definitely fitter and healthier than I was at 25!
happy dirty thirty! plus a day.
i turned 30 in december and have been crying about it ever since.
Happy birthday!
I’m 36. 30 was the year I started dating my husband. 🙂 It really was like in one year, I started becoming a real adult. I’ve loves my 30s so, so much.
@Jen:
*loved. Not loves.
I’m 37 now and I have a mid-life crisis about once a week!
I actually really LOVED turning 30, I totally embraced it. It’s the decade where I finally got comfortable in my own skin. I WILL readily admit that hitting the big 3-3 this year kinda sucked, but at least I did it in style, running my first marathon?? 😉
I am 28. I have had friends who are much younger who freak out about their age and I don’t quite understand it. Ageing has never been something that scares me. That may change as I get older but I hope not.
Happy birthday! You look really pretty and that banana card is funny.
Happy birthday! I’m 27 (but can easily look 17, a blessing and a curse). I don’t really mind my age, but what I do mind is the realization that the years are going faster and faster. I hope that by the time I’m 30 I feel more settled, as those who are already in their 30s have said.
Happy 30th!
I just turned 42 and am completely ok with it because I am happy and healthy!
I was surprised how much I enjoyed turning 30, too! I’m now 31… I think it’s going to be the best decade. 🙂 Happy birthday to you!
Happy late birthday by two days! Looks like you had a wonderful day.
Happy Birthday girly! My fiance can’t wait to turn 30. He feels like that is when his life really starts (he’s 28 and been in grad school all of his 20s). I just turned 22 and am excited for my 30s but also happy to wait a little while. ;p
I nearly picked out that card for a friend! I find it very clever.
Happy birthday!! I’m 28!
so glad you had a fabulous birthday, and hope your trip is super fun!
I’ll be 30 in July, and not sure how I feel about it…one day I can’t wait, the next I freak. shall be a good time no matter…I hear the same thing that our 30s are the best!
Lurker/ follower here. 30 is fine. 40 no sweat. 50. That’s the one that makes you re-evaluate. Enjoy!!
Only a week late, but I’m 23. 6 months from today I’ll be 24. I feel like my life is just starting and I can’t wait to see where I am and who I’ll be at 30!
It just gets better. Honestly.