Summary

The article discusses the personal reflections and societal pressures associated with turning 30, advocating for embracing the age without anxiety or conforming to traditional expectations.

Abstract

The author of the article expresses a personal struggle with the societal expectations and pressures that come with approaching the age of 30. Despite feeling the same as in previous years, the author notes that others often react with surprise or disappointment to their age, suggesting a cultural stigma associated with this milestone birthday. The piece argues that biological and social perceptions of turning 30 differ significantly, and that the age itself should not dictate a need for sudden change or adherence to conventional life milestones like marriage, homeownership, or a certain type of career. Instead, the author emphasizes the beauty and opportunities that come with entering one's 30s, such as increased self-confidence, wisdom, and the excitement of entering a new life phase while still being young and energetic. The article also touches on the differing societal attitudes towards aging for men and women, suggesting that women face more pressure regarding physical appearance, while men are often seen as reaching their peak later in life.

Opinions

The author feels that turning 30 is overly emphasized by society and does not feel different biologically or personally.
There is a sentiment that societal expectations for someone turning 30, such as settling down or achieving financial independence, are unfair and arbitrary.
The author advocates for embracing the aging process and not succumbing to the pressure to meet societal norms by a certain age.
The article suggests that the anxiety associated with turning 30 can be reframed as excitement for the next chapter in life, which can be more fulfilling due to gained experiences and wisdom.
The author believes that self-confidence and self-esteem improve with age, particularly after spending one's younger years in self-discovery.
The piece highlights a double standard in aging, noting that women face more scrutiny over their physical appearance than men, who are often seen as becoming more attractive with age and experience.

The Sudden Anxiety of Approaching 30

Damn

A few more months until I leave my 20’s and nothing seems different.

26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, they are all numbers. I still feel the same I did a few years back, still a kid inside out. I don’t want to own a home, I’d rather rent, I don’t want marriage and kids, I‘d prefer romance. I don’t want to be in suits and ties, I only wear sportswear. I don’t want responsibilities, I want to be a leashless puppy.

30 is the new 20 for me, but everyone else thinks it’s out of style.

People make me feel bad about approaching 30

I look awfully young, when I mention my age, people usually jump out of their seats. “you look like you’re still in college.”

I usually feel a sense of disappointment or even disgust from people. Well, my suggestion is to embrace it. If you can’t accept other people’s aging, you won’t be able to accept your own inevitable fate later on.

When my mom tells me “Colin you are almost 30 now, you should XYZ.” Or “There’s no time to fool around anymore.”

I respond with “so?”

Why is becoming 30 such a big deal? Why not 28, or 35? If it’s only because of the metric system, then let’s calm down.

You shouldn’t change when you hit 30

See, there’s a distinction between being 30 in biological terms and social terms.

In biological terms, we are no different than 29 or 28. We don’t feel different, our bodies didn’t start breaking down, our brain didn’t slow down. There are expectations of marriage, financial independence, and maturity.

Sure, these expectations are more than fair, but turning 30 years old isn’t the same as turning 18 years old. It’s not the same as the transition from teenage to young adulthood overnight. There is no need to change a thing.

No need to be anxious

Turning 30 is the first time threatened by father time. We never thought about it growing up, going to college, or even in our twenties. But then, our peers are starting families and settling down and pressures us to do the same. We start to feel a sense of mortality kicking in, it’s scary and sad.

Because we are no longer the child of the family, the up-and-coming prospect, or the ‘future’. We are a generation past, and new people are in line to take our spots.

It’s cool because the next chapter of our life is even more exciting. Because we have experiences, relationships, relationships, resources, and wisdom. At the same time, still young and full of energy and fire. Still getting started but without the constraints of school and parents.

As they say, our brain can’t differentiate anxiety and excitement. So the fear of becoming 30 years old should shift to the excitement of hitting our prime.

The beauty of our 30s

We know who we are and what we want.

In my teens and 20’s, I hung around different groups and tried different jobs, nothing was quite me. It wasted my time because I didn’t spend time with people that I enjoyed being around and I didn’t do meaningful work.

So I spent the last 29 years to figure out our niche, now that the discovery process is over, I can start to live.

Oh, and not to mention self-confidence, which was nonexistence for the majority of my youth. Through trial and tribulation, I built a strong sense of self-belief and self-esteem. Now that the monkey is off, I won’t second-guess myself.

Difference between men and women

Age is a sensitive subject, especially when it comes to women, so let’s talk about women first.

Of course, you will still be beautiful in your 30’s, but not quite the same as your 20’s. As your youth starts to fade, so does your reliance on it, it’s a good thing. The sooner you stop putting all your self-worth into your physical appearance. The less pressure you will feel to keep your looks. You will start to realize your outer beauty is only a shell and it doesn’t define your value as a person.

For men, the true peak comes around 40 years old. So ’30s is still another preparation phase for the best version of you that’s yet to come. The most attractive men are sophisticated, experienced, wise, with stories to tell.

Sometimes I worry about my 30th birthday, that I won’t feel the same anymore. But instead of looking at it at an impediment, I see it as an advantage and the start of a new chapter.

I don’t see the fuzz, what is there to be insecure about?