10 things I loved about turning 30

It was my birthday last week. A big one. The last big one for quite some time. The big three-zero.

A few years ago I might have said that I was dreading turning 30, that I would be 'old', that I would be 'boring'. I may even have joked that my life 'would be over'.

How silly I was.

Being 30 is great. At worst, it is certainly no worse than being 29. As for the best bits, I hardly know where to begin...

1. According to my friends at Thursday toddler group, at 30 you're apparently 'mature' without being 'old'. I say apparently because I still enjoy being pretty immature sometimes.

2. You know who your friends are and have left all the inane teenage bitchiness far behind you. I have amazing friends. Some even threw me a surprise birthday lunch this weekend! I've got a few treasured friends from childhood, but often look back and see someone who was just so desperate to fit in and be liked. Now I don't feel that pressure, I feel free to choose friends with warm hearts and a great sense of humour and although I hope they like me back, being popular is no longer my priority.



3. Looking back on three decades of great memories. One of the amazing friends mentioned above put together a photo display for my lunch party. It had photos from my childhood, memories from school, a photo from the day Matt and I shared our first kiss, honeymoon selfies and family portraits. Sometimes it is easy to feel like life has passed you by, but I loved looking at that board of proof that I am living a wonderful life.

4. Gifts aren't everything, but they're certainly lovely. I received some extremely well thought out gifts and have been overwhelmed again and again by how well people know me - and just how generous they are.



5. I love being old enough to not worry about being told off for doing something funny. Like eating leftover chocolate birthday cake for breakfast. Instead I get caught out and made to share by my toddler.

6. It's more acceptable to be boring. I'm not one for making a huge fuss. Yes, I've had some fantastic parties and hilarious drunken nights, but late nights and hangovers have not been kind to me since turning 25... So I'm quite relieved that I can go for a fun and sophisticated (ahem) meal out with prosecco and yet still be home at a reasonable time to put the kids to bed and watch a film. 

7. There isn't as much pressure to be 'trendy'. I'm not fashionable. I never have been and I never will be. Therefore I find it quite comforting that now I'm that bit older there doesn't seem to be the pressure to follow the latest trends religiously. Of course you can still look nice at 30, you can still make the effort and be stylish. But no one is expecting you to attempt something crazy and that is fine by me.

8. Big birthdays are better with kids. Having Lily singing happy birthday to me made my day. I'm not just saying it, my kids are my biggest blessing and my greatest joy. 

9. Growing old means my husband is getting older too. He may be three years younger than me, but he's certainly mature enough and loving enough to plan my birthday treats. Apparently I am the 'Doc' to his 'Delorean' and there is no one else I'd rather face the future with.


10. I still have a decade before I turn 40. Cause, you know, 40 is seriously really old and it's all down hill from there...


A Cornish MumThe Twinkle DiariesYou Baby Me Mummy
Unknown said...

Lovely post - happy birthday! #TenThings

Anna said...

Whoooooaaaaaa!!!! Noooooo!!!! I am facing 41...real soon. I still feel all those things and I don't feel any older. It is nice to truly and finally 'grow' into yourself comfortably. Happy birthday. #TheList

Robyn @ The Years Are Short said...

Happy birthday - so lucky you got a surprise party! I worried about turning 30 after a mini-crisis at 25, but actually I loved it because I went from being at the oldest end of the '20s' to the youngest end of the '30s'! #TheList

Our Cherry Tree said...

Thank you! x

Our Cherry Tree said...

I know it's cliched but now I'm 30 I have realised age is just a number. I used to think that 30 was really old, but really I feel no different to being 25 and so many of my friends are 40+ so that gives me hope for the future :)

Our Cherry Tree said...

Thank you! It was such a wonderful surprise, I was well and truly spoiled! If the next decade is as good as this then that's fine by me! x

Unknown said...

Happy birthday! Turning 30 is great, I found suddenly people took my opinions seriously since I was older. And don't forget that saying from 13 going on 30 - you're 30 and flirty and thriving! xx
#tenthings

you baby me mummy said...

Happy birthday! Of I feel old now as it is only 18 months till I turn 40, which just doesn't seem possible! Thanks for linking up to #TheList x

Mummascribbles said...

Happy belated birthday. I really enjoyed turning 30 even if it went by in question bit of a blur since Zach was only 4 weeks old! You are right about the friends thing for sure. Although two of mine had a fall out and no longer speak to each other! It's like those teenage years again! Thanks for linking up with #TwinklyTuesday

Stevie - A Cornish Mum said...

I turned 32 this year, and to be honest the older I get the happier I get and the more my life is as I want it to be :)
Thanks for linkinh up to #TenThings
Stevie x

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