What are your 30s like?
I really wish someone would have sat me down when I was 20 and told me some of the things to expect during that long, winding decade. I probably wouldn’t have listened, but I am all ears now. Most developmental advice is to teenagers, it seems, e.g., you will fall in love, but it probably won’t be forever. That sort of jazz.
What I am looking for is advice or wisdom that you wish the 40 year old you could tell the 30 year old you. What sort of challenges to expect, what sort of changes to anticipate, etc.
The first comment in this Ask MetaFilter thread asking for advice for someone going into their 30s gets right to the point:
START EXERCISING NOW IT ONLY GETS WORSE. (#)
If you are going into your 30s situation the whole tread is worth reading. I admit, I’m not even close to a time where I should be thinking about this kind of thing, but there some comments that I admire. Here are some little bits of advice that I like, cropped out of longer posts:
Realize that you’re a far less risky proposition for car insurance companies - especially with a few years no claims bonus and buy the bad boy you’ve always wanted without being stung for the privilege. I’ve got my eye on an Impreza.
Circumstances permitting, now you have both real skills and means you should be making regular contributions to charity (esp. in the US where I understand that they’re deductible for tax) and doing pro bono. For not for profits, a regular income stream is worth exponentially more than 20 bucks tossed in a bucket every so often - they can budget. (#)
If you play basketball, you will be retiring from the sport in the next 10 years.
You will feel a little less interested in socializing than in your 20s. Not a good or bad thing, just a thing.
NPR gets way more interesting,
Recovering from drinking too much takes 2 days not one morning. (#)
Ennui is no longer charming. (#)
Take care of your teeth. Everything else is overrated. (#)
When I turned 30, a 40-something friend told me, “The best thing is that you don’t have to try to be cool anymore.”. Now that I’m 43, I interpret that as meaning that a lot more of your self-worth comes from what kind of person you are, not what groups you associate with. (#)
Buy only very nice coats, they are investment pieces.
Take more photos of your friends, family and children. Print them out and put them in albums, don’t leave them on the computer.
If an argument goes on for more than 20 minutes with ANYONE and it’s not life-threatening or damn near… just acquiesce to the other person and walk away. Who gives a fuck if you’re actually right; can’t you use that time more productively?
Confront your prejudices and fears. (#)
Have lots of sex and look in the mirror with an appreciative eye. Can’t believe I ever complained about two wrinkles in my early 30s. (#)
Do not, DO NOT, any longer put off coming out if you’re gay and still in the closet. You will be wasting a fantastic decade of self-realization and wonderful relationships. (#)
While not as good as this thread, there are a few things worth looking up in an older thread about turning 30. Particularly…
Beats not turning 30. (#)
