29 today! 30 is looming... advice please?

Question

Hi folks,

I turned 29 today, and am now ALREADY doing the "oh-my-god-I'm nearly-thirty-years-old" thing. When I was 18 I felt as though I was at least 40 and was incredibly mature. Now, I wonder if I'll ever grow up. I feel as though my life should be well, on track by now.

I know I just need to stop worrying about getting old and just get on with my life and achieve as much as I can. My question is... how do you get past this silly 'age panic' nonsense??

Yes, I know I shouldn't let it get to me, but I just wondered if any of you had any advice?

Thank you. :-)

Thanks for reminding me that there are so many kind and sensible people out there.

You'll all probably think I'm just being daft, but I share a birthday with George... although I was born in 1978! So, silly as it is... happy birthday for yesterday to you George, and I really hope you got you wish and have found peace.

(That was George Harrison I was on about.)

Answer 1

Amber,

Do not worry about tomorrow: tomorrow will take care of itself.

It's all in your head. Just make sure each and every day you're enjoying life, on your terms. Nothing to say your life isn't on track, you may just be on a different track than you expected, or you've defined the goal but then not moved as quickly towards it as you'd planned.

Otherwise, you'll worry about 31 when you hit 30. Don't let anyone tell you certain things must happen by certain ages. If there's something you think should be happening and it's not, see if there aren't steps that you can take to work towards that goal. But if it's really not important, or it's someone else's advice, throw it out the window. (Ironically, I'm giving advice.)

Happy Birthday, and here's to one excellent year of living your life to its fulles!.

James

Answer 2

Happy Birthday! I just turned 29 on Friday! I decided I am not gonna spend a year of my life worrying about the number 30. EVERYONE does it and it's silly. I think what people obsess over is a round number. Turning 10 was a big deal, and so was 20 ...and 30 will be and 40 and so on.

Anyway, I really can't wait to be 30. It's the prime time of a person's life, and this decade will be full of love and babies, and career goals, etc.

Also, I think the media makes anyone over 17 feel old. When you see a 17-year oldmodel on tv, that is a child, not an adult. Yet, we are all supposed to feel that beyond 17 is old. NOOOOO WAY!!

:)

Answer 3

Since 30 is the new 20, live life to the fullest. In your teens, you spend so much time trying to be an adult that by the time you hit your 20's, you think you know everything. By 25, you figure out that you really don't have a clue. That's when you start to get it 2gether and though you may stumble a few times, you are able to hold your barings and not fall.

Don't worry about turning 30. You've still got 355 days to worry about that. I'm sure, if you're smart, you'll make the most of these days. By the time you reach 30, you'll have no worries. Just keep believing in yourself. Just keep being your lovable, creative, easy-going self and you'll be fine.

Happy birthday! Drink enough 4 me 2 :)

Answer 4

Have a big 30th party. I really couldn't be arsed having one but was forced into it by my partner. It was a brilliant night, well - brilliant weekend really cos we all had an all-dayer on the Sunday.

The funny thing about hitting 30 is that it doesn't really start to affect you until you are about 32 or 33. Then you start wanting kids and start wearing 'older' people's clothes. Also, you aren't allowed to have a haircut that has a name once you are past 30, e.g. a Beckham or, if you are really old, a Gazza!

I'm 35 and feel as though I'm rapidly heading towards my 40's - now that IS fcukin scary!!!

Answer 5

The worst possible thing to do is expecting to live your life based upon what you perceive to be other people's expectations. If your friends of the same age group are married and settled, it makes you feel that there's something wrong. In fact, there isn't. Marriage isn't a race. Your worthiness is not judged by whether you're married/settled. The same also applies in terms of your career.

Another thing to remember is that, in general, it is taking people a lot longer to grow up now. Back in the 50s/60s, people were settled down with kids by the age of 20-23. Now, some people are taking to the age of 40 as they want to do other things beforehand.

Answer 6

oh,for heavens sake-relax !!! people dont stop living becaus eof arbitrary numbers,they stop living because they give up on life.a friend of mine got his private pilots liscence at 71.a woman i know was politically active in her 90's-working for a variety of causes ! i backpacked through south america with my husband,and im 46.dont worry about "feeling mature",i 've lived long enough to tell u it never happens-u will feel like u,all ur life-i always expected one day to wake up,and to be wise and mature,but i'm still trying to figure it all out,and i'm maybe a little wiser thru experience,but still a child inside-and thats a good thing! u sound absolutely normal and right on track.sure,the career and relationship thing might not be solved yet,but it will be-and u'll experience heartache,joy and wonder as it unfolds.on the eve of 30,my 2 best friends and i had terrible jobs,crappy apartments and lousy boyfriends-talk about panic!!!within 5 years,we had husbands,families,and better,rewarding jobs.its a process.make good decisions-the best u can-change the things u can-and move forward always.but enjoy the journey,u have one life-dont rush things! i have friends who died at ages 14 and 19.i have others who died as young adults-36 and 39.my mom lost friends who ranged from 43 to 54.be glad for every day u are given.age isnt a curse,its a gift.treasure it.when i enjoy something,i'm conscious so often of friends who have passed,and how brief their time here was-if i have a wrinkle or 2,or weigh a few more pounds than i did in hi-school-i can either grieve for my fading youth,or thank my lucky stars that i have been given more time.best of luck,and i wish u many happy tommorow's-HAPPY BIRTHDAY !!!!!!!!

Answer 7

Well, I think most people begin to feel the way they are when they hit big numbers. It is somewhat sorrowful to get older, but it is a certain and absolute eventuality for everyone for the lack of a better word. Everyone gets old. I think you just have to accept it, and be thankful while you are still young. 29 is YOUNG. Period!

Look at it this way, if you are something like 59, you'll wish you can be 29 again. I guarantee that! Youth and eventually human life is temporary. Just accept the law of nature and do what you can to make yourself and others happy.

Answer 8

It's normal to feel this way, you must allow yourself a little self pity,but for the sake of your sanity you need to accept and move on,this same thing will happen when you hit 40 and even more at 50,but even with a make over there's nothing we can do to stop getting old,the best thing you could do is keep your body and mind in the best shape possible,exercising helps so much to have a healthy attitude towards aging.

Answer 9

Happy Birthday, I wish I had just turned 29 and 30 was looming!
Turned 39 last November and OMG 40 is looming..... not worried though, have already booked my weekend away with the girls. Can't wait.
Life is far too short and age is only a number -no real bearing on who you are and what you should do.
Enjoy your life...

Answer 10

30 ain't nuthin'. I'm 48 with a daughter in college and I still don't feel "old."

30 is a milestone, though, so you should certainly have a big party. I threw my own, so that I could be sure that everyone who should be there was there. (Note that I didn't spend a lot of money, just appetizers and drinks.)

For my 40th birthday, I reserved a big room, invited about 20 friends, and we played improvisational theatre games. One of the games was opening a gift in a creative way, and everyone got to take home one of "my" gifts.

So my advice would be to use this occasion to take stock of your friends (the only real wealth any of us has), count your blessings, get everybody you love together in one place and do something that will make the day memorable for everyone.

(oh, and p.s., happy birthday!)