my thoughts on 30

In seven months from today, I’m going to reach the age every 20-something is supposed to dread … 30. But you know what? I don’t want to dread it. Thirty is way too young to start thinking our lives are over. I want to celebrate! I want to go skydiving, have a party and maybe go to the Blake Shelton concert that will be in town a couple days before the big day.

A while ago, while watching the Today Show, I heard about the book “Thirty Things Every Woman Should Have and Should Know by the Time She’s 30.” And even though I knew it might be fluffy, I vowed to read it. Months went by and maybe even a year, until a couple days ago when I figured now was better than ever in case there was anything on that list I needed to accomplish by Sept. 6 … before it was too late.

But you know what I loved about this book? It didn’t make 30 seem like the ultimate deadline. In fact, Katie Couric mentions in one of the chapters that if you don’t have everything you imagined by age 30, don’t sweat it. She didn’t get her dream job, meet her husband or have kids until a few years after that. The book was overall very positive about women of all ages and it made me think of life as more of an entire journey that shouldn’t be limited to age deadlines. I would recommend this book to any woman, no matter her age.

I know there were certain birthdays where the number sounded old to my young, immature mind, but I’ve never actually felt old (and why should I, right?). Honestly, I don’t think I’ve ever been too concerned with numbers for the most part. Yes, it seems a little crazy I’m entering my fourth decade soon, but mostly because time goes so quickly, not because I don’t want to reach it.

I worry about those silly things many of us worry about … wrinkles, gaining weight, graying hair, slowing down … but deep down inside me, I know that I shouldn’t. And those things should not be attached to one number like 30, which is an extremely vibrant age in the grand scheme of things.

A while ago, my friend shared this image on Facebook:

I fell in love with it. What greater blessing do we have than to grow old and experience life?

In the “Thirty Things” book,  the list contains all kinds of things to have and know from what it’s like to live by yourself, to owning tools and a black lace bra. The book suggests knowing how to fall in love without losing yourself, when to try harder and when to walk away, and to own at least one piece of furniture that never belonged to a member of your family.

But the book also says you should find out why they say life begins at 30.

I’ve had a wonderful time “growing up,” whatever that means, but there is so much to look forward to. Once upon a time when I was 19, I really dreamed I’d publish a book by the time I turned 30. Well, that hasn’t happened yet, but I guess that’s one more thing I have to look forward to! That, along with establishing my new little family, maybe buying a house, maybe having a kid or three and a dog. I’ve got places to see – like Peru and Iceland and Germany and … Montana! I’ve got so much more living and laughing and loving to do!

So, here’s to the last seven months of my 20s. I think they’re going to be pretty great. And here’s to the years after which will hopefully only get better and better.