Entering a new decade can be daunting. Getting advice for your 30s from people that have been in your shoes and can speak to how you are currently feeling is incredibly helpful. Which is how I got the inspiration for this article.
Being in my early thirties myself, I knew that if I could use some direction about navigating this new decade, then others most likely do as well. With that being said, I interviewed a few ladies in their late 30s and they gave some great advice for your 30s. Here is what they had to say about being in your early thirties.
Perspectives On The Early 30s
What was the biggest life lesson you have learned in your 30s so far?
Melisha (36): “No matter how hard you try, you will never be able to make everyone else happy. Even if you did, it will almost always be a sacrifice to yourself and you will be miserable in the long run.”
Suzy (39): “It’s ok to not have your life figured out. It’s ok to do things different and it’s ok to not have it all figured out. Life is often times day by day and sometimes minute by minute. Heal from your traumas instead of looking for someone to heal you, the world owes you nothing, but your responsibility is to heal and stop the cycle.”
Karen (38):”I have zero control over other people. I can only be responsible and held accountable for my own actions.”
What advice for your 30s do you wish someone gave you, or about life in general, when you were in your early 30s?
Melisha (36): “I wish someone would’ve explained that I am in a relationship with myself before ever being in one with someone else. It’s like you are married to yourself and have to be true to that relationship before any other one.”
Suzy (39):”30’s are when you’re just starting to figure out adulthood and how to settle down. Some people have to do it faster but most people are starting to settle down in their 30’s.”
Karen (38): “Your life doesn’t have to look like everyone else’s or follow the same time line. Enjoy each season of life regardless of the circumstances. It’s okay to fail. Failure is a normal part of life.”
If you could give one piece of advice to women that just turned 30, what would it be?
Melisha (36): “Relax. You aren’t behind or being left behind by your friends if you haven’t done life the conventional way (marriage, kids, etc). Every person has their own path and yours might look different than you thought it would but it is extraordinary and beautiful all the same. Life happens for you, not to you. Embrace all that life has to offer.”
“20s are usually spent trying to figure out how you fit into the world and changing yourself to do so. Your 30s should be spent finding the pieces of yourself you’ve left behind and embracing all aspects of YOU unapologetically. It might seem hard but just know you can do hard things.”
Suzy (39): “Find joy in the small things. Everyday isn’t always a good day but everyday there is always something good.”
“Advocate for yourself in every relationship and situation. No one knows you, yours hopes, desires and needs like you do. Stand up and fight for yourself.”
Karen (38): “Take care of yourself, you owe it to yourself.”
My Personal Takeaways On Being In Your Early 30s
That was some great advice for your 30s that was shared. Read over their words a few times to let it truly soak in. Here are some of my key takeaways about being in your early thirties from all that was shared. I’d love to hear yours down in the comments.
Be Authentically You Unapologetically
You can’t please everyone, so why try? It’s a much better use of your time to show up as your authentic self. The people that truly accept you for who you are will be there, and everyone else doesn’t really matter where it counts.
Trying to make everyone happy can make you stretch yourself too thin. And, doing so gets you further away from who you truly are. So, some key advice for your 30s is, it’s not worth it to change who you are so others can be happy.
You Don’t Have To Have Your Life Figured Out By The Time You’re Thirty
There’s something about turning 30 that feels so authoritative and final. I don’t know if it’s because our parents seemed to have their life together at 30, society’s skewed image of an adulthood timeline, or something else that makes me feel this way.
The truth, it seems, is that we are all still figuring out adulthood in our thirties. Some may have already got it figured out, others may not be anywhere close to doing so, and the majority of us are in the middle.
So next time you are worried about when you’ll reach a certain milestone, just remember that there is no rush because we are all meant to be on different timelines. Also, a great piece of advice for your 30s would be to remember that life can change on a dime. Even though you might have something figured out now, life always changes.
Love Yourself First
Loving yourself is so crucial at any age, but especially while you are in your thirties. With a lot of growth and transitions happening in your life during this decade, let self love be your constant. When you show yourself love, you are showing others how to love you too. Remember that. This is probably one of the most crucial pieces of advice for your 30s.
Failing Is A Part Of Life, How You Handle It Is What Matters
Failure shouldn’t always be viewed as a negative thing. You can learn a lot from it actually. When you realize it’s a normal part of life you can take the emotion out of the failure and grow from it instead.
Life Is Meant To Be Enjoyed
We shouldn’t be stressing about what didn’t work out or hasn’t happened yet. Each season has a lesson you can learn from it, and is therefore a gift. Enjoy the present moment you are in without worrying about the past or future. Take this advice for your 30s, you’ll be better off for it.
Final Thoughts On Advice For Your 30s
Everyone has their own personal experience of the decade in their 30s and by the time people are in their late 30s the experience and growth has transformed them. Looking back on the early 30s, many people have some thoughts on what they wish they could have done differently.
What did you think of the advice for your 30s that was shared today? Did it give you a better understanding of what to focus on in your early thirties? Let me know your thoughts in the comments.
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