Reader Question: How To Get My Life Together At 30?

Today we’re going to talk about a big question that many 30-somethings find themselves asking: how to get get my life together at 30.

If you feel like you’re in a rut, know that you aren’t alone. The 30-something crisis happens to most people.

If you’re feeling lost and adrift at 30, don’t despair – there’s still time to get your life back. Many people hit a wall when they turn 30. They suddenly realize that they’re not where they want to be in life, and they don’t know how to get their life together.

Your 30th birthday might feel like a big milestone. And while it’s not sad to turn 30, things might not look like how you expected them to when you were younger. And that’s okay!

Getting your life together at 30 can seem like a difficult task, but it is possible to make significant changes and get on track for a successful future. Most times if you change a little thing, a big change follows.

The best way to get back on track is by making positive life changes that put you closer to where you want to be.

How To Get My Life Together At 30

Make a plan to get your life together at 30: The 5 Year Plan

The first step is to sit down and figure out where you want to be in five years, both professionally and personally. Successful people generally have an idea of where they are headed in life.

Once you have a goal in mind, you can start working backward and figure out what steps to take to get there.

Try these exercises:

Future self: Think about what you want your life to look like in 5 years. Close your eyes, and try to see yourself in that future scenario. What are the things that make you happy? How do you spend your time?

Past Self: Think about what high school you wanted out of life. What were your priorities? Sometimes looking back can be the best way to propel us forward.

Brain Dump: Take out a piece of paper and just write everything on it (called a brain dump) that’s on your mind when you think about your future. When you’re done, group items into trends for insight into what you really want out of life.

Making a Plan

You need to make a plan and stick to it.

This has been huge for me. I didn’t have a plan or any goals when I was younger. I just kind of went with the flow and did not accomplish much. But now that I’m older, I’ve realized that making a plan and following through with it is essential if you want to achieve anything.

The first step to making a plan is to decide what you want to achieve. Do you want to improve your finances? Get more organized in your personal life? Start exercising regularly? Whatever your goal may be, it’s crucial to have a clear idea of what you want to accomplish.

Once you’ve identified your goal, set some smaller goals to help you get there. For example, if you’re working on improving your finances, start by selecting a budget and tracking your spending habits. Maybe get more intentional about saving money each month or seek new ways to earn additional income. Having concrete action items will make staying motivated and on track easier.

Next, map out a realistic timeline for achieving your goals. Depending on what you’re trying to do, this might mean breaking things down into smaller chunks or going week-by-week or month-by-month. Some plans may be longer-term, while others may need more immediate attention – but having a clear timeline can help keep you focused and accountable as you work towards getting your life together at 30.

Finally, enlist the support of friends or family members who can help keep you motivated. Whether it’s asking for advice on tackling a particular problem or simply having someone else who is also working towards a goal to talk with regularly, finding people you can rely on makes it easier to stay committed over the long haul.

SMART Goals

Another helpful technique for getting your life together at 30 is using SMART goals.

SMART stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Timely. When setting goals, it’s important to use these criteria to make sure you’re on the right track.

For example, if your goal is to eat healthier this year, that’s not a specific enough goal. A SMART version of this goal might be to eat at least 3 servings of fruits and vegetables every day for the next 6 months.

Similarly, if your goal is to improve your finances, you need more than just “save more money.” A SMART version of this goal could be to set up a budget and save $50 from each paycheck over the next 3 months.

Making SMART goals can help you stay focused and motivated as you work on getting your life together at 30.

PEP Talk

Getting your life together at 30 doesn’t have to be overwhelming or intimidating. By taking things one step at a time and setting realistic goals, you can make significant progress toward achieving your objectives. Creating a plan, enlisting the support of others, and using SMART goals can help ensure success. So don’t wait – get started today!

Tough times don’t last, tough people do.

Get organized.

A big part of getting your life together is getting organized. That means decluttering your home, setting up a budget, and creating systems that will help you stay on track.

This is another critical tip that has helped me immensely. If you’re not organized, it’s easy to let things slip through the cracks and end up in a total mess. But if you take the time to get organized, you’ll stay on top of things and keep your life together.

35 Changes To Make For Success In Your 30s

Check your finances

First, take a good hard look at your finances. Are you in debt? Do you have savings? What is your credit score? Getting your financial house in order is essential to getting your life together.

Create a budget: Once you have a handle on your finances, it’s time to create a budget. This will help you make sure you’re spending your money in the right way and not overspending.
Start paying off debt: If you have debt, start working on a plan to pay it off. The sooner you can get rid of your debt, the better. If you have debt from credit cards, pay that off too.
Build up your savings: In addition to paying off debt, you should also focus on building up your savings. This will give you a cushion in case of an emergency and help you reach your financial goals.
Invest money wisely: Another important thing to do with your money is to invest it wisely. This can help you grow your wealth over time.
Ask for raise: If you’re employed, make sure you’re earning what you’re worth. Research salaries for your position and industry and ask for a raise if you’re not being paid enough. You will never know how much money you could be making if you don’t ask for it.
Start side hustle: In addition to your full-time job, consider starting a side hustle to make extra money. There are many ways to do this, so find something that fits your interests and talents. There are a lot of different things you could be doing to earn extra income.
Create a retirement plan: Retirement may seem like a long way off, but it’s never too early to start planning for it. Figure out how much you need to save and invest to reach your goals.
Buy life insurance: If you have people depending on you financially, it’s important to have a life insurance policy to protect them. This will give you peace of mind and ensure that your loved ones are taken care of if anything happens to you.

Evaluate your Career

Next, focus on your career. If you’re not happy with your current job, start looking for something new. Or, if you’re stuck in a rut, consider going back to school or changing careers altogether.

Finding work that you’re passionate about is crucial to getting your life together at 30.

Ask yourself “am I happy doing this work?” If the answer is no, it might be time to move on.
Consider your options: If you’re not happy with your current job, take some time to consider your options. What other career paths might be a good fit for you? It’s never too late to start a new career.
Do some research: Once you’ve identified some potential new careers, do some research to learn more about them. What education or training do you need? What is the job market like for this field?
Create a plan: Once you’ve done your research, it’s time to create a plan. This may include going back to school or changing jobs.
Start taking action: The the best thing to do is take action and make the small changes you need to make in order to reach your goals. Start applying for jobs, signing up for classes, or reaching out to potential mentors. Taking action gives you a better chance of reaching your goals.

Focus on improving your health, fitness, and mental wellness

Another important area that can impact your overall quality of life is your health and fitness. If you’re not healthy, it will be harder to feel like you have your life together.

Check your diet: The first step is to take a look at your diet. Are you eating healthy foods? Or are you relying on processed, unhealthy foods?
Start exercising: In addition to eating right, you also need to make sure you’re getting enough exercise. Exercise has numerous benefits for your physical health, including reducing stress, improving sleep, boosting energy levels, and clearing your mind, and reducing stress.
Set fitness goals: One way to stay motivated to exercise is to set fitness goals. Whether you want to lose weight, gain muscle, or simply improve your overall health, setting goals can help you stay on track. Healthy habits are best started in the present moment.
Find a workout partner: If you find it difficult to stick to an exercise routine on your own, consider finding a workout partner. A friend can help keep you accountable and motivated. Finding a routine can help too. Try a program with many different options (like Les Mills On Demand) to find what you like.
Make time for relaxation: Another important step in getting your life together at 30 is to make time for relaxation and self-care. If you’re constantly stressed out, it will be hard to feel like you have your life together.
Set aside some “me” time: One of the best ways to relax is by spending some time alone. Whether you like meditating, going for a hike, or reading a book, make sure you’re carving out some time each day to take care of your own needs.
Seek help if needed: If you’re struggling with stress or anxiety, it may be helpful to seek professional help. A therapist can help you learn how to manage your stress healthily.

Taking the time to focus on your career, finances, health, and wellbeing is crucial to getting your life together at 30. By taking action in these areas, you can improve your overall quality of life and feel more confident and capable as you move into this new decade of your life.

Relationship habits to improve:

Spending time with loved ones: One of the best ways to reduce stress and feel more connected is to spend time with loved ones. Whether you have a partner, children, or close friends, make sure you’re making time for the people you care about.
Staying connected: In today’s world, it’s easy to stay connected with loved ones even when you’re far apart. Whether you’re using social media, video chat, or simply texting, make sure you’re staying in touch with the people who matter to you.
Making time for date night: If you’re in a relationship, it’s important to make time for date night. This can help you reconnect with your partner and keep your relationship strong.
Communicating openly: A healthy relationship is one that’s built on open and honest communication. To keep your relationships strong, make sure you’re communicating openly with your loved ones whenever necessary.
Working on conflict resolution skills: Even the healthiest relationships will experience moments of conflict from time to time. It’s important to have good conflict resolution skills so you can work through disagreements healthily.
Making time for friends: In addition to spending time with your romantic partner, it’s also important to make time for friends. Whether you have coffee dates, go out for drinks, or simply meet up for a walk with your best friend, quality time with friends is crucial for a well-rounded life. A phone call with a family member can be good for the soul.

If you’re looking to get your life together at 30, focusing on your relationships is a great place to start. By making time for loved ones and strengthening your communication skills, you can build strong and lasting bonds that will help you feel more fulfilled and supported as you move forward in life.

Good habits to start:

Waking up early: One of the best ways to improve your productivity and set yourself up for a successful day is to wake up early. Getting out of bed early can help you get a jump start on your day and get things done before the distractions of the day set in.
Making a daily to-do list: Another great way to improve your productivity is to make a daily to-do list. This can help you stay focused on what needs to be done and avoid getting sidetracked.
Getting enough sleep: Getting enough sleep is crucial for both your physical and mental health. To make sure you’re getting enough rest, aim to go to bed and wake up at the same time each day.
Start a gratitude journal: A gratitude journal is a great way to start your day on a positive note. Each day, write down a few things you’re grateful for. This can help you focus on the good in your life and appreciate all that you have.

Bad habits to quit:

Quitting smoking: One of the biggest steps you can take in your 30s to improve your health is to quit smoking. This can not only help you avoid a host of negative health effects, but it can also save you money and help you live a longer and more fulfilling life.
Saying yes when you mean no: Oftentimes, people struggle with saying no when they really mean it. This can lead to added stress and a packed schedule that’s difficult to manage. If you find yourself struggling with this issue, try to make a point of saying no more often in order to take better care of your own needs.
Eating too much sugar: While sugar can be a nice treat sometimes, eating too much of it has been linked to a wide range of health problems. To avoid these negative effects and feel better overall, try reducing your sugar intake or quitting completely.
Avoiding exercise: Getting regular exercise is crucial for physical and mental wellbeing. If you find yourself struggling with motivation or feeling too busy to exercise, try setting small goals and finding an activity you enjoy to keep yourself on track.
Play less video games: Video games can be a fun way to unwind, but spending too much time playing them can lead to problems. If you find that you’re struggling to limit your video game playing, try setting strict time limits or placing restrictions on when and where you can play.
End a toxic relationship: A toxic relationship can be detrimental to your wellbeing and cause a lot of stress, so it’s important to recognize when it’s time to end things. If you’re struggling with this issue, try communicating openly and honestly to avoid any confusion or miscommunication. Toxic people hold us back.

If you want to get your life together at 30, focus on improving your habits.

“Don’t compare yourself with anyone in this world … if you do so, you are insulting yourself.” – Bill Gates

Set priorities to get your life together at 30

When getting your life together, it’s essential to set priorities. What is most important to you? What do you need to focus on to achieve your goals? Figure out what’s most important, and let that guide your decisions.

You might have to get out of your comfort zone to see change in life. This is a good thing! We are meant to experience new things. Take baby steps to do this. One thing at a time. You are capable.

Take action.

Getting your life together is not going to happen overnight. It will take time, effort, and a lot of hard work. But if you’re willing to put in the effort, you can achieve anything you set your mind to achieve.

In Summary: How To Get My Life Together At 30

These tips will help get your life together and back on track. In the long run, it is never too late to but yourself in the right direction and work towards a better life. This blog post is full of good ideas to get you started.

Remember, you are in control of your life. You might not get a say in everything that happens to you (because bad things will still happen in your life), but that does not determine your value, your worth or your future.

Best of luck!