Categories: regular

30.

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?

Theodora Blanchfield

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  • 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!

  • 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

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Theodora Blanchfield

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