Why Turning 30 is Awesome.

I turned 30 last weekend.

We aren’t joking around anymore…this is like real adult-ness now.

I can’t believe I’m 30, not because 30 is old (it’s not by any means), but because I don’t feel 30. I’m still figuring things out by trial and error, I still call my mom with cooking questions and I sometimes forget to take the trash out (ok, I never take the trash out, that’s Josh’s job). But you see where I’m going with this.

But it’s happened, I turned 30 and I did live through my 20’s and have some pretty incredible stories to tell.

Nowadays my muscles are a little tighter when I get out of bed, it takes me a few more days to recover from a night of drinking and my circle of friends is smaller but closer. My time is more important, so my priorities are clearer and I’m saying “no” more than ever to activities that don’t meet my goals. I long for a night in my jammies on the couch more than a night in heels dancing, which might make me sound old, but I think it makes me sound wise. 🙂

I’m happier.

I am loving this stage of life. Of course the early morning cries from my toddler, and long days can make for some frustrating moments, but overall I am happier than I have ever been. I’ve always been an optimistic person, but now there is a joy inside of me that feels right. Im not chasing happiness, I’ve found it in my husband, daughter, family, friends, adventures and failures.

I’m more confident.

No more of the 20-something uncertainty. This is me. I don’t dance around the point or hide my opinions. I can make babies, I’ve given birth…I can do anything. 🙂

I feel accomplished.

10 years ago I would have never guessed that my life would have taken me in the direction it did. My story has been a roller coaster and thankfully I have a wonderful family who have been along for the ride. I can’t believe I’ve already done at 30 what I have, and that only makes me excited to look to the future to see what the next 10 years hold.

I’m grateful

I’m thankful for my body which has stuck with me over the last 30 years, through one pregnancy, and now we are working on my second. For all that I’ve put it through in 30 years I’m glad it is still kicking.

I’m thankful for the family and friends who surround me and lift me up, without them who knows where I’d be. And I’m thankful for my hubby Josh who sees me at the worst and still loves me as if it’s my best.

I’m a mother.

What a simple statement that has so many lessons and consequences attached. Becoming a mother has kicked my butt more than I ever thought it would. It’s hard, and inspiring. It’s mind-numbing and humbling, but exciting and rewarding. It has defined my last year, and will continue to define the next 30.

I found my path.

My 20-somethings were spent searching, trying new things and experimenting with which direction my path would lead. I switched jobs and quit jobs to travel and questioned where I was meant to find my happiness. How did I fit in this world, and how am I meant to leave my imprint?

I can honestly say that at 30 I see that path so much more clearly than ever before. I’m not saying that there won’t be detours and lane changes, but I believe I am on the right path and am enroute to becoming who I want to be.

30 isn’t the end of my youth, it’s the beginning.

There is a myth that by 30 you should be “doing something important” with your life. Our expectations have been set so high that we are missing the small details, the moments where we are doing life. We miss out on adding those small details up and seeing the bigger picture. We are focusing on our failures and what’s missing, vs. all that we have done and celebrating the successes.

I’m looking now at the big picture.

I have a long way to go and a lot of life to live and I don’t plan on focusing on the woulda, coulda, shoulda’s over the last decade. I get it now, at the young age of 30, that I am in control of me. I control my actions and responses. There is no more complaining or blaming, I fully realize now that I decide my path, set my goals and I am the one accomplishing them.

Life is meant to be lived, not perfectly, but messily, chaotically and uniquely – in a way that leaves you with lessons learned and stories to tell the next generation.

So bring it on 30 – I’m ready for you!