30 of the Best Things That Come After You Hit 30

The days of dreading your 30th birthday are over.

Seriously, stop thinking about that looming “3” at the start of your age as signifying the end of your best years.

While some of the wildest, most memorable times of your life undoubtedly happen in your 20s, there’s so much more to look forward to once you reach 30. Like, for instance, not worrying about making rent. Or, you know, being an adult.

Here are 30 of the best things that come after you hit 30…

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1. You’re finally confident (for real).
You no longer have to fake being confident; you are. And you have the experience to back it up.

2. You know exactly what you want and need in relationships.
You’ve been through enough of them to know exactly what’s worth your time, and what you are and aren’t willing to put up with. (See: No more f*ck boys.)

3. You don’t give a damn what people think.
Unless they’re your best friends. And then you care because you actually know they care. 

4. You can afford to treat yourself.
And you deserve it for all of your hard work. Yes, that and that.

5. You know what’s worth getting angry about.
And, even more importantly – what’s not.

6. You have a better relationship with your family.
You have grown to truly appreciate the value of those relatives who once got on your nerves. You hear that Uncle Lou, we love you (and your four cats).

7. You stop comparing yourself to others.
You’re on your own path, and that’s just fine by you.

8. You learn to simplify your life.
Whether it comes from your closet, or toxic friends, you’ve learned to clear the clutter in your life.

9. You waste less time.
When it seems every waking moment in the day is accounted for, you’ve realized how precious your time is.

10. You gain a stronger sense of empathy.
You’ve met people from all walks of life and been exposed to personal struggles to which you may have once been oblivious. And you’ve listened and learned from them.

11. You can date a wider age spectrum.
Your dating possibilities increase once you hit 30, as you can date up or down in age within a minimum 20-year time window (hello, options!).

12. You have better stories to tell.
You’ve been travelling and living it up for years now, after all.

13. You’ve learned from your mistakes.
You can even laugh at them now. Well, except that one, that one wasn’t funny…yet.

14. You give better advice.
That’s because you’ve been there and done that, and still managed to turn out half decent.

15. You’ve mastered the art of multi-tasking.
In fact, you’re having a coffee, in a meeting, and typing up a report as you read this.

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16. Your hard work finally pays off.
Whether it means bonuses, promotions, or rewards; all of your pavement-pounding is finally beginning to pay off.

17. You learn the value of ‘me’ time.
You no longer get antsy spending the majority of your weekend alone at your place – in fact, you crave it (along with sweatpants and binge-watching, and a good book).

18. You’ve had your friends for decades.
Not only do you share inside jokes that go years back, they don’t judge you, and you can go months without speaking and reconnect as if no time has passed.

19. You have more nostalgic moments.
Whether it’s 90s hip-hop, or a Melrose Place re-run, you’ll have more nostalgic moments on the regular because you’ve been around long enough to collect them.

20. You experience less FOMO.
You’re perfectly at ease with sparing yourself the mid-January hangover and living vicariously through your friends’ social media posts. And then getting up in the morning and going for a run.

21. You know what works for your body and have your personal style.
It may have taken some time, but you’ve finally figured out what flatters you the most, and what you’re most comfortable wearing. From the boardroom to the bar, you’re on point.

22. You’re able to detect the warning signs in potential relationships.
And smart enough to run for the hills when you see them coming.

23. You don’t take life for granted.
By this age you’ve likely been exposed to enough death and hardship to experience a reflective re-evaluation of life. 

24. You’ve learned how to apologize.
This has been the by-product of you sucking up your own pride (which is a great thing in itself).

25. You know when to take professional risks.
You’ve made enough of a mark on the workforce to have a solid sense of security when it comes to your future, so you take more positive risks. 

26. You’re comfortable in your own skin.
It’s the by-product of your confidence, not caring what people think, and (finally) admitting your flaws.

27. You have better sex.
Just…trust us.

28. You’re aware of your own issues.
But you’re also aware of how to deal with them.

29. You can cook yourself meals.
Notice the plural there. You’ve moved well beyond the Mac n’ Cheese stage.

30. You have better conversations with people your parents’ age.
You’ve finally reached the age when you can converse with your parents’ friends and older industry professionals as an equal.

31. You’re making a difference.
By 30, most of us have chosen a cause of importance to us, and have invested both time and money in supporting it – whether this means purchasing a gala ticket to an annual charity event, or actually sitting on the board, you’re doing you…and it’s helping others.

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