Your 30s are a lot more than just being flirty and thriving.
It’s also a time to put all the wisdom you’ve gained thus far into good use.
This could mean avoiding dating men who are waving red flags, making smart financial decisions that will set you up later in life, breaking up with toxic friends, and spending less time sweating the small stuff.
All this and more was shared by 19 women who revealed what they understand better now as adults!
Thanks to Disney movies and cheesy rom-coms, women have been led to believe that men will come and save them when things get rough. But that just isn't true, nor should it be. Learning to lean on yourself is one of the most important things.
"I'm 37. I don't care about getting a college degree, having kids, buying a home, getting married, being liked by people. Life is OK. Everything will work out how it's going to work out. I'm just happy I don't have a terminal disease (yet-death is coming for all of us one day) and I still have my loved ones. Life is good." - u/deleted
Just remember: when someone shows you who they are, believe it the first time. So be careful who your friends are. Once they've shown you all their cards, it won't be long before they turn on you.
"I subscribed to the idea of 'sleep when you’re dead' and was proud to be pursuing multiple degrees and sleeping every other day. I was proud to be invested in fit culture and restrict myself. I looked good and had accomplishments on paper so of course I’d be happy, right?" - u/PM_ME_UR_FROST_TROLL WRONG.
Don't listen to what society says. If you choose not to have children, this doesn't make your worth as a woman — or a human being — any less. Stay true to yourself and don't worry what people think.
"I spent a lot of time wishing I could do things instead of doing them, then when I started doing them in late 20s realized they were never so far out of reach. Just never knew how to get it." -u/uhhhhhhhhh_no
Heck, most of the people on Love Is Blind are in their 30s. This is probably how a lot of them have the wisdom to avoid choosing the wrong person.
"Your mental health, your physical health, how you think, etc. Set boundaries and choose people who respect them and have their own boundaries. Cut out toxic people…even if they aren’t trying to be toxic, if you feel worse after interacting with them they need to go. You only get one life don’t spend it trying to solve other people’s problems." - u/An1230982356
We're all just flying blind here! And that's OK! When you were younger, you probably assumed that everyone older had their life together, whether that was a teacher, relative, or your parents. But once you get to be their age, you realize that we're all just winging it.
"Sometimes I think we spent so much time thinking 'ok, what's next' that we don't actually enjoy life while we're living it. Enjoy life while you're young and healthy enough to do it. Saving everything up for retirement is not worth it. Many of us never get there, or have health issues that mean we can't do the things we always wanted to." - u/magical_elf
You might as well learn to accept that life is unexpected and make the most out of what we're given.
As one Redditor wrote, they wished they spent more time with their parents before they passed instead of worrying about them.
"I always knew I was on the fence about kids, but had a very rosy idea of marriage. Now, I freaking love living alone and I'm really not sure I'd want to compromise that for any but the absolute ideal person (for me)." - u/Impressive-Bench9223
You have nothing to explain. Once you've set a boundary, it's up to others to accept it. If they continually push and cross those boundaries, it might be time to evaluate those relationships.
"So do (job/hobbies) what makes you happy. Dress in a way that makes you happy. Do your hair and makeup how you want, for you. Trying to impress others is such a waste of time and energy. Everyone is too wrapped up in their own [expletive]." - u/SaebraK
Learn not to sweat the small stuff! Life is too short to adopt a "doomsday" mentality where you overthink negative scenarios or what-ifs. The worst possible outcome rarely happens, anyway.
"No one. We just all do our best with the information, time, money, energy, and knowledge we have. I used to think that my parents (or basically any adult) had all the answers. Nope, they just wing it, as I do." - u/Duck__Holliday
"Everyone is finding themselves and dealing with their own baggage. You do you, don't worry about what others might think.... because they don't actually care about what you think of them. Friends will stick with you no matter what." - u/deleted
It's all about baby steps! So many of us let fear drive our lives. This leads to deep regret from many opportunities left behind. It's better to live a life that challenges you.
"Unpack, decorate, enjoy yourself, go far with your career, travel. Do everything you want to do now. Marriage doesn't make any of it better and waiting will just cause regret." - u/bolaixgirl
H/T: Reddit
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