1. It’s okay to say no.
Being a self-proclaimed people pleaser, I have said yes to things most of my life that I didn’t always want or believe in. Once 30 hit, it was like I had had enough. I was tired of saying ‘yes’ and decided that I was going to start saying ‘no’- even at the risk of disappointing others. The world hasn’t fallen apart since I started that, in fact, it has gotten a lot better and a lot more free.
2. You realize your worth.
It’s as if, you finally look at yourself and go, “Wow, I’m actually pretty awesome and I’m going to start embracing that!” Whether relating to jobs, relationships, or even self-reflection, you start owning that you’re worth a lot and that you will no longer put yourself down or accept things that do not acknowledge and reaffirm your worth.
3. You begin to understand what’s really important in life.
Your priorities change to highlight more meaningful things. You realize that time and life are precious and that you want to start focusing on the things and people that truly matter to you.
4. You start living.
Maybe it’s that I finally realized it is okay to mess up, or that there really is no “perfect time” to do things, but all I know is that ever since turning 30, I have started looking at my life and all the things I want to do and I have started doing them! Even if it’s just one little step in a new direction, I have started choosing to live the life I have always wanted.
5. You begin to know and accept who you are.
30 seems to give you permission to accept yourself and start thriving in being that person. You finally shed the idea that you have to be who everyone wants and expects you to be. You decide that the only person you want to be is who you really are and you’re finally okay if others don’t accept that. Whether it be tastes in music or personal style, you finally decide what YOU like and not just accept what’s trending.
6. You realize it’s okay not to have a cookie cutter path.
Society tells us that everything in our life has to look a certain way, but in reality, we are all individuals on our own unique journeys and we have to respect that. At 30, I can finally accept that this path is uniquely mine and it’s okay that it doesn’t follow the “rules.”
7. Boundaries are important.
I feel like when I turned 30, all of the sudden, I understood why boundaries were important. Boundaries help us protect ourselves and live our best lives. They keep us away from toxic people and situations, they allow us the opportunity to do what is best for us, they allow us to create safe places in our lives. They help us live the life that brings us the most fulfillment and joy.
8. Self-care is a top priority.
I’ve always been into taking care of my body but once 30 hit I realized I wanted to take the absolute best care of my body that I could. Skincare became more important, exercising to create a lifestyle and not just to stay fit, taking care of my mental and emotional health, etc. I have learned how to let myself be in tune with what my needs are each day-whether it’s a nap, a walk, a night in, or a glass of wine, taking care of myself has become a huge priority!
9. You quit waiting for things to happen and start making them happen.
Things I have talked about doing for years suddenly became things I decided it was time to do. From starting yoga to traveling to Bali, to allowing myself to create a writing career, I finally decided I would start trying things and I would allow myself to enjoy the growth process that came from it all. Making excuses is no longer part of my routine!
10. Your confidence gets really strong.
You finally have this amazing sense of self. You’re taking all these steps to be who you want to be and do what you want to do and the reward that comes from it is a huge amount of belief and confidence in who you are.