The Great 30s Awakening
I don’t know about you, but I thought my 30s would be... simpler. Not “easy,” exactly, but I thought that I’d at least be more settled. I’d pictured a decade of smooth sailing—steady jobs, stable relationships, some semblance of “figuring it out.” Instead, it feels like life has shifted into this bizarre in-between: not quite carefree youth, but not fully the “adult who has it all together” that I’d envisioned.
It’s like we’re all quietly asking ourselves: “Wait, is this it? Or am I still warming up?”
The Unspoken Realities of Our 30s
1. Friendships Get Weird
Remember when friendships used to be easy? You’d just text, “Want to hang?” and they’d show up. Now, it’s a logistical nightmare of shared calendars, childcare arrangements, and “Let’s do something next month.” And let’s not even get started on the emotional minefield of drifting apart from people you thought would be in your life forever.
But when you do see your people? It’s magic. It’s laughing until you cry over dinner, remembering that even when life pulls you in different directions, your roots run deep.
2. Work Isn’t What We Thought It’d Be
We grew up being told, “Do what you love, and you’ll never work a day in your life.” Turns out, even when you love your job, it’s still... well, work. And many of us are grappling with the realisation that a “dream career” isn’t always dreamy. Some of us are burned out (or on the way there), others are pivoting, and a lot of us are just showing up every day, figuring it out as we go.
3. Your Body Starts Sending Memos
Oh, you thought you’d stay indestructible forever? Cute. Suddenly, your back hurts after sitting too long, hangovers last 48 hours, and you realise sunscreen should’ve been a priority 10 years ago. It’s a humbling reminder that this body of ours needs care—and a lot more stretching than we ever thought.
4. We’re All Figuring Out Love, Family, and “The Plan”
Whether you’re single, coupled, parenting, or navigating the complexities of “modern families,” everyone in their 30s seems to be grappling with the same question: What do I actually want my life to look like? Marriage, kids, mortgages—none of it feels as automatic or linear as we once assumed it would.
The Cornerstone of the 30s: Self-Acceptance
What I’ve realised is this: your 30s aren’t about “having it all together.” They’re about finally making peace with the fact that no one really does. The beauty of this decade is in the messy middle—figuring out what works for each of us, letting go of what doesn’t, and embracing the fact that life isn’t necessarily a straight line.
It’s also about giving yourself grace. You don’t have to achieve everything right now. You don’t have to compare your timeline to anyone else’s. You’re allowed to change your mind, to grow, to stumble, and to figure it out in your own way.
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The truth is, most of us are quietly reinventing ourselves in our 30s—personally, professionally, emotionally. We’re learning to prioritise what matters and let go of the rest. We’re unlearning the hustle culture we once glorified and discovering that “success” can mean so many things.
It all comes down to this: there’s no one way to do life. There’s just your way. So here’s to navigating this weird decade. To the friendships that evolve, the careers we’re redefining (or inventing), the bodies we’re learning to care for, and the lives we’re building—on our own terms.
