This Isn’t High School. This is 30!
We’re officially towards the end of 2019. And guess what? Not only will we be starting a new decade, but some of us will be leaving our 20’s. Leaving our young, wild, and free years behind to embrace the big 3 0. THIRTY YEARS OLD!!!!
I would say that I can’t believe it but now that I am 30, I’m more realistic. I’m grounded in who I know (and think) I am. Yet, I’m hopeful about what this milestone will bring into my life.
Each year when we approach a new age people ask, “How does it feel to be insert age?” Sometimes this question is addressed with uncertainty. However, I know exactly how to address this question… This isn’t high school. This is 30!
This means…
At 30, You Know Whose Opinion Matter
There is a misconception that other people’s opinions don’t matter. Yet, who we are is a collection of opinions. Our reputations are opinions. Our business sells are made from opinions. What’s trending is due to opinions. And so much more is based on opinions. This is why other people’s opinions do matter.
However, in high school, too many people made the mistake of thinking everyone’s opinion mattered. Some people are still self-conscious and scared to move forward because of people’s opinions.
Fast forward…
At 30, we should know that the wrong people’s opinions don’t matter. Anyone being negative toward you, their opinion doesn’t matter. The random people who judge you on social media opinions don’t matter. Anyone that doesn’t believe in your growth opinion doesn’t matter. When you start a business and everyone that you wanted to support it, doesn’t. Guess what? Their opinions don’t matter.
Meanwhile, the people whose opinions matter, you will know. They are the people who give you constructive criticism. These are the people who pray for you, encourage you, and build you up. These are also the people who support your business. Essentially, these are the people who want to see you win. By 30, you know the difference.
At 30, You Know the Value of No
In high school, the answer to everything was ‘yes’. The thought of missing out on anything felt like a death sentence. Most of us had a serious case of FOMO (Fear of Missing Out). If we did miss anything, it often ended in a moody attitude.
Fast forward…
At 30, we have mastered the art of saying ‘no’ to as many things as possible. We have a million reasons to back-up our response as well. We have work, kids, partners, friends, scheduling conflicts, financial commitments, goals, church, meetings, etc. The list is never-ending.
So, the more things you say ‘no’ to at 30, the merrier. At 30, you know that the word ‘no’ is a blessing and a curse. The word ‘no’ can help you get some extra rest or more work done. However, saying ‘no’ can also make room for five new things in your schedule. Either way, there is great value in the word ‘no’. 30-year-olds know best.
Used to saying “No”? Ok… 7 Things You Need to Stop Today
At 30, You Can Do Without Gossip
When we were younger, the excitement of juicy gossip was unmatched. Who was dating who? Who was wearing what? Who said what? How did they say it? Anything that wasn’t our business was intriguing.
Meanwhile, at 30, we simply don’t care or have the time for gossip. We have lived long enough to be humbled by life experiences. We now know the struggle of managing our adulthood. With this wisdom comes no time for someone else’s business.
It’s impossible to manage someone else’s business while we manage our long to-do lists, take care of our families, build our business, and pay attention to our health.
As a matter of fact, at 30, gossip is equivalent to negativity. Who needs more of that? I’m not sure but whoever feeds off negativity is not 30. At least I hope.
At 30, You Accept All of You
In some cases, high school came with better physiques, memories, the ability to thrive off a cupcake diet, and so many other perks. However, between high school and 30 years old, many of us have been slapped in the face by the truth. We know that the thought of a cupcake could cause us to gain 5 pounds. We even discovered that our memories aren’t that reliable.
Before 30, we may have been in denial about our new reality checks. Yet, at 30, we fully accept who we are. We know that who we are is a collection of choices we have made. Some of those choices were good, while others were learning experiences. Either way, we accept what those choices have brought into our lives.
If we do not accept our realities, we know that it is our responsibility to change it. This is not a season of blame, irresponsibility, or the mindset of a savior complex. At 30, we are fully aware that things don’t change unless we do. That’s why we fully accept ourselves because if we desire, we know we have the power to change.
Need help with self-acceptance? Try counseling. The Most Valuable Lessons I Learned From Seeking Counseling
At 30, Life is a Journey. Not a Destination
In high school, we spent a lot of time wishing ourselves into our futures. We couldn’t wait to graduate. We couldn’t wait to live on our own. We were convinced that only if we could get to the future all our problems would be solved. Little did we know, a new set of trials and tribulations came with each milestone.
At 30, we no longer look at milestones like destinations. Now, we know that life is a journey. Each stage of life we make it to will require a different version of us. The best part about living life is that we can reinvent ourselves at every stage.
If you make it to your dream destination, then discover that it isn’t everything you hoped for, you can keep searching. The beauty is in the journey. Life is meant to be lived along the way toward your goals.
However, the misconception about goals is that once you achieve them you can live your life comfortable. The truth is once you accomplish your goals the journey will require that you keep moving. There are always new things to conquer. You will outgrow the level you were hoping to reach. That’s exactly why life is a journey.
Overall, high school is way behind us. At 30, the only opinions that matter are the positive ones. At 30, ‘no’ is a complete sentence. At 30, gossip is not entertaining anymore. At 30, you accept who you are. At 30, life is the journey, not the destination. This is exactly why this isn’t high school. This is 30!
