Question for 30 somethings- What was it like to turn 30?
469331
Oh, I felt so terrible when I turned twenty - I wasn't a teenager any more, and felt things couldn't get any worse.\nIt was a major loss, I thought, of hope. I hadn't a clue how life operated! How could I? (Imagine asking a baby what they think of a discussion forum that gives you actual options?!) \n\nI thought I was supposed to be starring in the movie of my life by then, and if not, I was probably too ugly and stupid to be allowed to live. At twenty years of age, I was pretty amazed that people didn't throw rotten fruit at me in the street! I grew up thinking that now I was twenty, I had to wear navy nylon clothes, crisp white blouses, horrible shoes, and be a predictable adult. Or else be famous and be allowed to make my own rules - too late for that <g>. \n \nBut thirty was no problem, I liked my life and new career a lot better by then! I'd gained more than I'd lost, had made  good friends whom I still have. I'd outgrown the users and the naggers, and had the confidence to let them go gently, in a friendly way. And I was way too busy to be bullied by dominant people, or wonder or worry what was expected of me. I realised that if you are happy and busy, you don't feel the burning need to conform or go around telling everyone what you expect of them.\n \nThis annoyed my mother so much that she actually told me that I had disappointed her - that she still expected me to marry a glamorous and famous person! \n\n(Oh, if only she had spelt this out to me when I still thought she knew best and wanted the best for me! Pity about her ; )\n\nOne of my neighbours is eighty-two. She has so many interesting things going on, and has outlived anyone who annoyed her - she really enjoys life! I managed to catch her in last week, and asked her what it was like to be eighty-two. She laughed for a full minute and said "Well, when you consider the alternative!" Yes, there is life after thirty! \n\nMy aunt loved music, worked full-time, and took care of her mother all her life, and then went deaf. She just took early retirement and started dating! He made her admit that she couldn't hear well, she bought a hearing aid and they travel a lot to opera weekends. \n\nHey, there's hope for us all! : )
443521
As a child you have no real worries unless you come from a broken home.  As a teen you can party and discover your sexuality.  In your 20s you have a lot more control over your life.  In your 30s you have even more control, you know more stuff, and generally you are getting to the point when you can afford the nicer things in life.  In your 40s you can afford some nice things in life, but you probably have a lot more responsibilities such as kids.  In your 50s your body is starting to wind down and you now look old.  In your 60s your career is coming to an end and you are starting the process of dying.  After that look forward to health issues and death.  So take your pick.  Personally I think 25-35 is the best age group.
394146
Well doll I don't know if you heard but 40 is the new 30, so don't turn in your convertible for the volks wagon just yet...The way I see it is like this: In many other countries your not old until you've reached about 75 80, and so these men and women who are 'middle aged' or close to it, don't necessarily see themselves in that light.  Now in America because things are changing everyday and things seem to be getting faster and faster but we get more out of shape and lazy because we have technology that does everything for us, Americans seem to have more health issues after thirty five (heart attacks, diabetes etc.).  But just because you're 40 doesn't mean you have to be 'old'. Renew yourself, use all the knowledge that you have obtained in your life so far and apply it, meaning do something different, do something you regretted not doing in the past (with in reason). I guess my answer to your question is that what happens after you turn 40 is that you keep living (I mean no one grows horns or get abducted by aliens once they turn forty, like forty isn't they age that all human beings get there first tail) chill relax, and live a little bit more than you did last year!!
530760
I am 74 and started a new career last year. They asked me how long I will be staying there and I said "at least till I am 80". I am charming. Don't know about the sexy but life is what you make it. I never feel my age and I work very hard at least 10 hours a day and I do go dancing with my grandson now and then. I had more fun in my life than my children. I feel bad about that. I went to dances with my mother when I was young and I had a blast. I did not know back then that you HAD to have THINGS. That made a big difference.
10930
I probably felt like I was an adult when I moved out of my 'rents house at 19. I'm 28 now and still don't feel much like an "adult".
706773
1. What were your goals as a teenager?   Get a stable job/career, earn just enough to provide for myself and my family, to get married and have kids\n\n2. Did these goals change, as you got older? If so, how?   I realize having a job that is stable is vital and now that I actually do have one, it's not just being able to earn enough but I want to grow more professionally. I am planning to take up master's degree spring next year.  Also about the marriage subject, been married and divorced once and this kind of made me see things differently.  I don't pressure myself anymore about starting my own family.  If I don't find the right person, I will choose to remain single and just keep dating.  \n\n3. Did you reach any of these goals? Why or why not?  Professionally, I did.  I believe it's because of hardwork, perseverance and lots of grace from above.  \n\n4. Is there anything that you would change? Why or why not?  Not one thing.  Been through good times and some really hard times but have always chosen to see the positive and learn from these experiences.\n\n5. Describe a typical teenager from your generation. (Ex. Clothes, Popular activities, music)   The gamerooms/ arcade started.  The 80's is most popular for its music and music videos so you find the teenager dressed like their favorite artists in that popular music video.  Fashion-wise, big hair, shoulder pads, tight ankle-length jeans in candy colors (Gosh, I get goosebumps just thinking how I looked like!). \n\n6. What were the pressures that you felt as a teenager? How would you compare these pressures to those that tenagers must face today?   In my time, pressure were from your peers about having a boyfriend or fitting in with a group in school.  Today, these plus sex/ drugs/ being accepted for one's sexual orientation/ dealing with teenage depression/ even guns in school.\n\n7. Regarding your values, who was your biggest influence? Why?\nFrom what my parents taught me through their examples and  from my own experience. Observing people's behavior and how they react to situations.\n\n8. How did the media influence you and your generation regarding appearance, behavior, and your role in society?  Just like today, whatever the movie celebrities/ music artists wore became trends to almost every teenager you can see.\n\n9. What advice would you give a teenager today?  Listen to your parents, they want only the best for you.  Do not let your peers pressure you into anything.  Do not hesitate to talk to someone you trust about any doubt/ question/ or if you just need someone to talk to (could be a parent, sibling, school counselor, aunt/ uncle, friend etc.).
510336
Tomorrow just believe you will wake up with an "Age Lift"  It is all what you make out of it.. a lot of people say they didn't really start living until they were in their sixties with newfound wisdom & freedom ... don't compare yourself to people in their teens, twenties, thirties, forties etc.. of course you will feel old if you are 30 comparing yourself to a 10 year old!
348989
Never say that.  If you do, when your 40, your going to wonder why you didn't go when you were 25.  I'm  22 and I just started last year.  I enrolled in my local community college and I take evening and weekend classes. I found that there are      people of all ages (and I do mean all) starting over.  In my Anatomy class, theres a guy that looks every bit of 60. If your thinking about going back to school please go.  it will benefit you in so many ways. don't ever think its too late.  My first day i was so nervous because I thought I was going to be surronded by a bunch of teenagers (even though it wasn't that long ago for me) but it really wasn't.  Some of my classmates have kids my age.
263037
I LOVE your questions!! Now that that's out of the way: YES!!! I want to do SO MUCH and i'm already 36. I feel like time is running out, and I've got 2 kids, who need me, and when and how am I going to fit in all these things??
1179644
Happy birthday!\n\nFor me, 23 was a great year. I finished University, moved country....I had great fun that year. And for a while I was stuck on that age. Even now people ask me how old I am, and I have to think, since 23 flashes in my head.\n\nI can give you anything material, but I wish you the best for your 23. \n\nHave a great year.
987633
It's all part of life. your 20.. Be yourself, or you will be miserable for the next 60 years.
984749
lol \n:-)\nlast year.\nhmm..i was so cluless. first time experiencing so many new things. Felt like i was being forced to grow up, by experincing so many things adults think we can't handle.  hmm i see you are a sophmore just like me! :-)\nhave a great day!
189490
This is for all you girls 30 years and over.... and for those who are turning 30, and for those who are scared of moving into their 30's...AND for guys who are scared of girls over 30!\n\nThis was written by Andy Rooney from CBS 60 Minutes. (NOTE: This was e-mailed to me so I'm not sure if Andy Rooney wrote it or not - but it's still true regardless.)\n\nAndy Rooney says:\n\nAs I grow in age, I value women who are over 30 most of all. Here are just a few reasons why:\n\nA woman over 30 will never wake you in the middle of the night to ask, "What are you thinking?" She doesn't care what you think.\n\nIf a woman over 30 doesn't want to watch the game, she doesn't sit around whining about it! . She does something she wants to do. And, it's usually something more interesting.\n\nA woman over 30 knows herself well enough to be assured in who she is, what she is, what she wants and from whom. Few women past the age of 30 give a damn what you might think about her or what she's doing.\n\nWomen over 30 are dignified. They seldom have a screaming match with you at the opera or in the middle of an expensive restaurant. Of course, if you deserve it, they won't hesitate to shoot you, if they think they can get away with it.\n\nOlder women are generous with praise, often undeserved. They know what it's like to be unappreciated.\n\nA woman over 30 has the self-assurance to introduce you to her women friends. A younger woman with a man will often ignore even her best friend because she doesn't trust the guy with other women. Women over 30 couldn't care less if you're attracted to her friends because she knows her friends won't betray her.\n\nWomen get psychic as they age. You never have to confess your sins to a woman over 30. They always know.\n\nA woman over 30 looks good wearing bright red lipstick. This is not true of younger women.\n\nOnce you get past a wrinkle or two, a woman over 30 is far sexier than her younger counterpart.\n\nOlder women are forthright and honest. They'll tell you right off if you are a jerk if you are acting like one! You don't ever have to wonder where you stand with her.\n\nYes, we praise women over 30 for a multitude of reasons. Unfortunately, it's not reciprocal. For every stunning, smart, well-coiffed hot woman of 30+, there is a bald, paunchy relic in yellow pants making a fool of himself with some 22-year-old waitress.
702292
I`m 56 and I can relate to all ages .\nWe all were young at one time ,so we can advise in our own way .\nI mostly think like I do when I was in my twenties .\nThat period of my life really shaped me .\nI lost family members ,had my heart broken ,loved ,lost and found friends and family again.
501854
I've known stubborn set-in-their-ways people who were 7-years old.  I've known enthusiastic, open-minded, ready to learn and take on new challenges people in their 90s.  My guess is that people are who they are and the years just pile on after that, and it's who they are deep down that will see them open to change or not.\n\nBut my opinion isn't written in stone.  I'm open to changing it.\n\n;)
117422
WOW!  You made it to 35?
235234
Heh, I'm 19, I feel that way... Aging and it's fast pace scares me. My health hasn't been exactly "stellar".  Physically, some days I feel like I'm 80 years old. I no longer buy into the teenage baby mama drama from my former friends, like I did at 16. I guess I have trouble adjusting to age, and change.