Today is the day that I officially wave goodbye to my 20’s forever! Yep, it’s my birthday and I’m turning the big 3-0. It’s sounds so weird to say ‘hi, I’m Jemma and I’m 30…’ and similarly to tick the 30-40 box when filling out a form. I’m entering a whole new decade in my life and honestly, I’m not as scared about it as I thought I was going to be. In fact, now that the day has actually arrived I couldn’t be any happier.
There’s definitely no turning back and in my teens, the very thought of turning 30 sent shudders down my spine – to a 14-year-old me it just sounded so old! Now that I’ve crossed the threshold, this moment in my life isn’t as daunting as my younger self once thought. It’s a massive milestone and in many ways also a great achievement.
I never regret anything. I’ll be the first one to say that I’ve made some bad judgements in my life, however without my brief spells of insanity, I wouldn’t be the person that I am today. Plus, with most things in life the bad is always largely outweighed by the positives. Recounting everything that I’ve achieved so far in my 30 years on this earth is pretty awesome.
Without wanting to sound big-headed I have a lot to be proud and thankful for in my life. With two degrees including a Ph.D., an amazing husband, a happy and healthy little boy, a beautiful family, supportive friends, a wonderful home and car, a small business and a job that I love I really can’t complain. Truth, I never imagined that my life to turn out this way, but I will be forever grateful that it did because I’m loving it!
I’m far happier now than I ever was in my twenties. I finally feel like I’m finally in the driving seat and on the right path. My twenties were filled with ill-informed decision-making, second guessing, insecurities, body woes and a whole heap of issues. Right now as I write this, I feel like a huge weight has been lifted off my shoulders. I can sigh a huge sound of relief because I feel settled, comfortable and more relaxed than ever before.
Having an air of confidence appears to be a common theme to turning 30 because this can also be extended to my relationship with my body. Rest assured, I’m not immune to body image issues, comparison traps and ‘fat’ days, but now that I’m a bit older and have some life experience under my belt my mindset towards my body and how I care for it have completely changed. Having a baby certainly flicks a switch in this department, you’re swiftly reminded that there are far more important things in life – I think that is a whole other post in the making there!
So, I raise a glass to all of you turning 30 this year. It’s really not that bad, in fact, I’ve got a sneaking suspicion that it’s going to be my best decade yet!
Blimey you have achieved so much at only 30! Have an amazing birthday! I think I was actually happier in my twenties but my thirties brought me my children and you can’t top that!x
Thank you lovely! I had an amazing time.
Happy birthday! Getting older is sort of unreal, I sometimes forget I’m in my thirties as I still feel like a teenager! Other times I’m worried as the fertility clock ticks on. And I don’t feel like I ‘look’ older, I feel like young people look younger! Have a lovely day anyway and good wishes for your thirties.
Thank you! I get what you mean, sometimes I still feel like I’m 18…until I look in the mirror, ha!
I’m a little ahead of you and can totally confirm – def best decade yet!
That’s reassuring! You definitely make it look like the best time ever!
Adam was terrible about turning 30 – its a couple of years away for me still, but I really couldn’t care less. Age is just a number to me – maybe I’ll feel different about it when I’m nearer xx
Such a great attitude to have Harriet! Love it! 🙂
Happy birthday Jemma. I turn 30 next year so I can still relate.
Thank you lovely!
Happy birthday. I had a bit of a meltdown when I turned 30 last year but as you say it’s actually not that bad and I’m very happy. You’ve achieved so much up until now and that’s amazing so you have every right to be proud x
Thank you! Happy to hear you got over turning 30 and enjoying it now. 🙂
Happy birthday! It’s funny how our definition of “old” changes as years go by.
My very best wishes for the third decade of your life. Wishing you happiness and continued success.
Thanks so much Helen!
Cheers to that and happy birthday! I hope that you still make use of your Dr title? You should definitely be proud! xx
Thanks Laureen! Actually I rarely use it these days, but I’m still very proud of my PhD.
I’m actually terrified of getting older. I’m not yet 25, but still the 30 mark, 40,50 etc scares me.
Don’t be scared, embrace it! 🙂
Happy 30th lovely and well done for being true to yourself. Leaving an era of a life behind can be strange but you have welcomed it with positiviity and that is lovely.
Thank you Ana!
Happy Birthday, Jemma. I hope you have a fabulous day.
I’m turning 30 later on this year and I have to admit that I’m a bit scared.
Thanks! You will be great, turning 30 is fun!
I love this post and hope you had a wonderful birthday! I turn 30 in September and feel the same, that the rubbish bits are in the past and it’s going to be a good decade. Have an amazing time in your 30s xx
Thank you! I hope you enjoy turning 30 later this year.
Happy birthday! I think all milestone ages are what you make of them. Plus I do think that once you are an adult you don’t tend to tell people your age – I have to think sometimes and work out how old I am because it doesn’t bother me and isn’t really important.
Thanks Maria! Love that you forget your age, it really shows how comfortable you are in your own skin. 🙂
Well, I’m new to my twenties and turned 22 last Thursday so obviously can’t relate wholly! 😉 BUT even when I turned 20 it was a huge weight off my shoulders because I absolutely hated being a teenager, and the final teenage years were pretty horrendous! I can only hope that when I turn 30 I’m as happy and healthy as you are!
She’s So Lucy
I think the older we get the more confident in ourselves we become. You’re going to rock your 20s!
You don’t sound big headed at all! You should be proud of what you’ve achieved and the life you have – you’re bloody amazing! Age is just a number, it’s mindset that’s the most important thing.Live life to the full 🙂
Thank you, lovely! That’s really made me smile. 🙂 Living life to the max is something that I always have at the front of my mind.
I turned 30 last year and I really didn’t mind. I had achieved so much in my 20’s that I was ready for my 30’s. I was ready to enjoy what I had and enhance our life even more. I felt I had found myself more, learned what I love, who I love and where I wanted to go. Bring on the 30’s!
I’m feeling exactly the same way. Being 30 is awesome!
Happy belated birthday! 30 used to seem so, so far in the future that I sometimes can’t believe that I’ll be 30 next year. You should definitely be proud of what you’ve achieved! x
Thanks Lily!