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Today is my 30th birthday, and it has seemed like this milestone has been a long way coming. I have been thinking of 30 for a while, and this year is a next decade of success, growth, and contentment. It always seems like such a long way off when you are thinking about it, and sometimes you have this vision in your head of “I will be married, and have 2 kids already.” When I was in high school people thought I would be one of the first ones that everyone thought would get married. Since I was 25 and wrote this post, I have grown so much. I am so glad that I haven’t gotten married and started a family yet, as I don’t think I would be ready. I am also so thankful of where I am at in my career and just how much I have grown as a woman in the past 5 years. I think everyone is meant to be exactly where they are in life and timing is everything. I wouldn’t have wanted it any other way, and am looking forward to what I feel like is going to be my best year yet. Below are 30 pieces of wisdom I have gained at 30.

30 Pieces of Wisdom I Have Gained at 30

1. Max Out Your 401K Employer Match: This is the easiest and most beneficial thing you can do for your 401K. If you aren’t at least putting the minimum employer match into your 401K, do this immediately. This is almost like free money really. Most employers match at about 6% average contribution. Put at least 6% and then invest in other ways through retirement accounts. The good thing about this is that you won’t even miss it since it comes straight out of your account prior to your pay check.
2. Have Your Signature Drink, That Isn’t the Cheapest Bottle of Wine: We didn’t just graduate college, and didn’t just start working in the real world. This means that you don’t always have to go for the cheapest bottle of wine either. There is nothing wrong with that, but at our rose party, my friends for sure knew the cheapest bottle in a blind wine tasting. Some of my favorites range from about $15-$30. As far as my signature drink it is typically a prosecco or wine. Although I tend to surprise people as I like the smoky drinks with mezcal and jalapeño as well.
3. Invest In A Solid Work Wardrobe By Now: I remember before my first day of work at my corporate job, my mom went shopping with me at Francesca’s. I got some bright blouses, scarves, and some fun printed skirts. This was also when I still wore tall pointy pumps to work as well. Those days are gone, and now I have more quality basic pieces that I mix and match with all of the time. This includes quality slacks, neutral color blouses, and some good sheath dresses. I still do wear a lot of prints to work, but these are now mainly leopard or other neutral type prints and something that I would also wear to church.
4. Understand That You Can’t Do It All: You will be pulled in lots of directions and you will have to understand for your sanity that you can’t do it all. There are different seasons in life for a reason. Trust me I am a big FOMO person, but I also realize that if I do too much I get major anxiety. This could be related to responsibilities you have at work, friend’s events you have to attend or any other thing you think of as a commitment. Take a deep breath and do what you can do well.
5. Cherish Your Friend’s Major Life Events When Everyone is Together: By now everyone is really busy whether your friends are married, have 2 kids, live out of town, or have a stressful job. It’s no longer back in the sorority house or shortly after landing the first corporate job where everyone can still hang together regularly. This takes planning with a date in mind and is usually for a major life event. Cherish these moments where you do get to meet up with your college friend’s if it’s for a bachelorette weekend, wedding or even their kid’s first birthday party. It’s time spent together and these times mean so much more as you get older.
6. Don’t Stop Educating Yourself Because You Have a Good Job: There is always something you can continue to learn or an additional certification or class that you can take. I took my PMP (Project Management Professional) exam 2 years ago and it pushed me harder than any test that I took in college. I wanted to do this for me and so that I could grow not only in my career more, but in my overall self. Yesterday I finished a course on more in depth of my industry. I think continuing to grow your mind, expand your horizons and get a different perception is key.
7. Loves Don’t Always End Up As Forever Loves: I thought I was going to be engaged 100% at 27 to my ex boyfriend. Then one trip and several things that I look back on that we bickered about, wouldn’t have worked out as forever anyway. You think you know someone and their true feelings and intentions, but can be blindsided in a minute. It hurts and it hurts 10 times worse as you get older. Just know you will get over it, even if it takes a couple of years. Know your true worth and if there are things that you see as “annoyances” which we all have, but you can’t get over them, chances are you won’t. I have learned that you can’t change people whether it’s their habits, friends, or mannerisms. You can take them as they are or realize in the end that it would have never worked anyway.
8. Enjoy “You” Time: This can be one of those daunting things that can sometimes not seem right at first. We all believe that we are supposed to always have a group and be around people constantly. Enjoying “you” time is what everyone needs to get a feel for. It could be as simple as having a Sunday night ritual like a relaxing bath, book and a face mask or a simple dinner out to eat by yourself. Yes, I know it seems weird to go to dinner by yourself but if you haven’t done it be brave and just do it, without being on your phone the whole time.
9. You Don’t Have To Like Cooking: I think this is one of those perceptions that as we get older we will start to “enjoy” cooking. I will tell you that my best friend/roomie and I do not enjoy cooking and dread going to the grocery store in general. My entertainment is going to dinner on the weekends and I realize that I can’t do that every night because I don’t watch the calories when I am out to eat. If you are like me you will make a recipe on Skinnytaste because it is healthy and semi easy. It’s ok if your normal menu is snack foods and cereal or grilled cheese and tomato soup for dinner. Just because you are 30 doesn’t mean you have to like cooking.
10. Be/Have A Mentor: I first wrote about the importance of having a mentor in this post 2 years ago. This is one of those key pieces that a lot of people tend to glance over when they are doing well in their career. It is important when you are making a transition or thinking of making a transition, but it is also valuable throughout different phases in your life. It is also a good time to think about how you can be a mentor to someone else.
11. Try Something New: As you get out of your 20’s, your hobbies and interests sometimes change as well. Enjoying and picking up a new hobby that you might not have ever looked at is something to consider. I have 2 harmonicas that I have even trying to learn. The piano has been the only instrument I have been able to really play, so eventually playing the Piano Man on the harmonica to me would be so fun!
12. Visit That Dream Destination: I have been wanting to go to Europe ever since I could remember and this year before my 30th I was able to go. This was always that dream destination for me. It was everything I wanted and more from it. Planning and going on a trip like this really opens up your eyes to so much that you might not have ever dreamed of.
13. Friendships Come And Go: This is one of those pieces of wisdom that I have learned over the last 10 years. Some of the people that you hung out with right after college are not the same friends that you have now. One of my good friends who is going to Miami with me this weekend I met at work actually in the bathroom and we became really close. On the other hand some others that I shared common interests with at the time, do not have the same interests now. People change and new people come into your life.
14. Work Out Like You Are A College Freshman Not Wanting To Gain The Freshman 15: Your body for sure changes as you approach 30 and you really find out what type of workouts work and which ones do not. You have to get in a consecutive workout routine throughout the week. I used to hate working out, but since I started doing reformer pilates and barre, I actually enjoy feeling the burn. It’s not like in college when we could still eat and drink a lot but working out helped us not look bad. It is now crucial that we work out even if we are eating healthy.
15. Take Care Of Your Skin, Including Regular Facials!!: We all know that this is a key piece for me and that skincare is extra important. I used to have bad skin in my teenage years and worked hard through products and regular facials. I now go for other reasons like preventative care and to do an overall deep cleansing. It is all about the products you use and the care you take. I go every 6 weeks and have got into a regime with this. Some people get their hair done, and I instead get my skin good!
16. Find A Charity You Are Passionate About: It is time we use our talents, time, and money to give back to those in need if we haven’t already. By now it is good to have your nitch with a charity that you support. Whether you volunteer or send donations, it is important to be able to find your place with supporting those causes that need your help.
17. Try The Dating Apps: If you are like me then you are currently single, work, and really want to relax or be with your friends after work. I have tried the dating apps and have gone on many dates from the dating apps including a couple of people I really liked. I have also had funny stories from dating apps and people not being anything like they portrayed to be. If you want to give it a try I say do it and get out of your comfort zone for a little.
18. Be Independent: Know how to do a lot of things that makes you rely on someone else, and learn how to do them yourself. Whether this is jumping your car by yourself, doing something around your house/apartment or having to come up with a big presentation. You try it first and put your all into it and if you need help then you can ask.
19. Don’t Think You Have To Keep Up With The Jones’: It is so hard to not fall into this shiny new object syndrome and keep up with the Jones’ all the time. If you want something and have been wanting it then by all means you do you girl. On the other hand if you know you shouldn’t get something or even worse you can’t afford it, then just don’t. Your bank account and your gratitude will thank you later. I would love to have a brand new car, but since my 6 year old car looks new, runs well, and has great gas mileage, why should I get something new just for the “newness”.
20. Visit And Talk With Your Family Often: Your family is everything and they have been there through a lot with you. My dad just told me today “Happy halfway to 60, we wish we were still your age.” It is so crazy to think and imagine your parents and siblings not being around forever. Cherish the moments you spend with your family and make it a priority to visit them. I see mine at least every week or every other week. I also call my mom about 3-4 times a day as well. We have a little routine where I call her as soon as I get in the car on the way to work. This is a little tradition that we have always done since I have been working. Make those traditions with your family and cherish them!
21. Factual And Logical Is Always Better Than Emotional/Political: This is especially true in the work place. It is sometimes hard to not get emotional over certain situations or topics. Trust me I have for sure, but I have learned to control those and if I need to take a walk after or just close my door to give me a minute I will. If you can rely on facts and logic in the work place then you have mastered a lot of what takes people their whole life to fully grasp. As one of the youngest in my work place and having a boss that has become also a mentor and friend, this is one of those lessons that I have learned over the last 2 years.
22. Try Not To Compare Yourself To Other’s Life Situations: Easier said than done, but it is better to just be in the moment and not have to worry or think about other’s situations. Sure you can think “I wish I had a 2 year old right now” but they might be thinking “I wish I could come home from work and just do nothing.” I feel like it is so easy to do this, and get’s even worse as we get older. If you ever think “I want that person’s life,” chances are they feel the same exact way about yours.
23. Live In The Moment, But Document It Too: This is a little bit of a double standard here. I believe that you should live in the moment, but if you are going to for instance to Europe then take all of the photos and write your experiences down. Don’t just keep the photos on your phone, but be old fashioned and get them printed out and put in a photo book. These are pieces that you will be able to open up and will instantly put a smile on your face. I have known too many friends who have had issues with their phone and have lost everything. I also write in my diary quite often about different events that are going on in my life. This could be passed down and read for even your grandkids as well.
24. Make Sure Your Credit Score Is Good: By now you probably have at least 1-2 credit cards that you use often whether it is for groceries, gas, or your essentials. Looking at your credit score frequently and making sure it is accurate will do wonders. I have a free service that my bank does that sends me mine every month. When you are looking at buying a house  your credit score will come in handy!
25. Don’t Over Drink With Coworkers Or During The Week: I have combined this into 1 piece of wisdom because most work events happen during the week. That little saying of don’t drink more than 2 drinks at work events should always remain true. When you drink your true feelings about certain topics come out or better yet someone takes a picture, so always good to keep it under control. Also I don’t know about you but I can’t stay out late on a weekday anyway no matter who it is with.
26. Start To Embrace Family Heirlooms Or Antiques: Over the past year I have been able to embrace more of my family’s heirlooms and antiques instead of buying new trendy pieces. I have a cross in my room that was made with my grandmother’s favorite clothes as the texture in it that my mom made. I also have my grandmothers’ necklaces, china, and some handbags. It is nice to be able to use these and really cherish them as they were a key piece of your ancestor’s lives.
27. You Don’t Always Have To Explain: Sometimes if you don’t agree with someone or are in a situation that you don’t like, just leave or say “I don’t agree.” You don’t have to explain why all of the time and sometimes just walking away or saying those 3 simple words are all you really need to say. I have been on dates where I was very bored or they have been awkward and said “I am going to go now” and that is that. No explanation is needed. It sometimes takes more energy to do this.
28. Life Is Too Short To Settle: Like I said earlier, I am so glad that I didn’t end up getting married in my 20’s. Marriage is forever to me and I am not going to settle. Sometimes you can be blinded by the shiny object and are thinking of the right now in your 20’s instead of the forever. Yes, I go on dates and I get to fully understand that at this point in my life what do I want. This is the same for jobs, friends, and just overall life events. Know what you want, but also know that it will take work and it’s not going to be perfect. If you can get beyond the imperfections then it’s a match.
29. Say Yes When Someone Presents A New Opportunity: Every step in my career has been through someone seeing something in me or looking at my strengths in new areas that I never saw before. You might not ever expect you would work in a certain area, but when presented with the opportunity and saying yes you realize it was the best idea ever. Typically these people including your boss and others see something that you don’t. Take these opportunities as blessings and a way to thrive in a way you never thought possible.
30. Trust God And Know That Timing Is Everything: At the end of the day embrace these years! I just turned 30 and I am super pumped for what is to come. No one else’s time frame is the same as yours and that is what makes it super special. You are where you are at for a reason and have gone through struggles to grow into the real strong woman you are! Cheers to 30 years 🙂