Top 5 Things I Learned When I Turned 30

1.    You realize things don’t go downhill
I must admit, the day before I turned 30 I had a slight panic attack. I had this vision that I was going to wake up the next day with a face full of wrinkles, sagging breasts and a big gut. Wrong! Don’t listen to stories that other women tell you. We already have a tough time with media affecting the way we view ourselves. If you live an active and healthy lifestyle, there is nothing to worry about. I know it's not the best example, but if you look at Kelly Ripa or Demi Moore or even other 30 plus something’s you know they still look fabulous. Granted the two I have mentioned are celebrities, to whom looking good is part of the job description, it still gives us common womenfolk hope. There is nothing impossible when you put your mind into it and that includes looking hot at 30…or 40…or 50!

2.    You get more street credit
I mean that people give you more credit. I have always looked younger for my age (thank god for my Asian genes) so one of the problems I encounter is that some people perceive that I lack the experience to back up what I say. Nowadays, every time I bring up a point that requires some sort of credibility I simply go: “Trust me, I’m 30 and I know what I’m talking about.” It sounds silly, but it's true people have a hard time trumping that. On a more serious note, I believe it’s really the attitude of confidence that you have to take advantage of. Aside from experience, it is the way you say something that delivers impact.

3.    You begin to take stock of your life
I remember doing a lot of self-reflection that first month of my big Three-Oh. My head was filled with questions about what I have done with my life so far or what I still plan to do with it. The worse thing you can do is to compare yourself to others that are your age. Everyone is different and that means we want to live our lives differently. It’s good to reconnect with your goals and your dreams but be careful not to take on others. I, myself, started “tweaking” some aspects of my life that needed improvement (ie. my finances). More importantly, I also decided to take some time to appreciate all my accomplishments. So often we are our own worst critics and we forget to appreciate our successes.  There is value in celebrating our personal wins.

4.    You still have fun
They say that with age comes responsibility. It also comes with great fun. I actually have more resources to spend on traveling as opposed to when I was a starving student. Plus, you get to realize that fun isn’t all about partying or drinking.  It’s spending time getting to know yourself and the people you love. No peer pressure, more meaningful conversations and sometimes less BS. As long as you continue to be curious about life, you will not lose your sense of fun. Trust me, I’m 30 and there is no being stuffy or boring at 30.

5.    You become self-possessed 
Self-assured is another word for this. As an individual at this age, you know yourself more. This knowledge allows you to become comfortable with yourself so you are more at peace. Again, confidence is something that just develops over time. I still have my days of insecurity, but more often I feel good about myself. It is very empowering to be in possession of yourself. I think that this has been the greatest gift I’ve had since turning 30.

So ladies if you find yourself hyperventilating with the thought of becoming this age, just take a moment to breathe in and breathe out. At the end of the day, it truly is just a number. I was at yoga the other day and I overheard a woman telling her friend this: "Gosh, you know when you were like 21 and you thought you were so fat? I just realized that I really wasn't. I wish I was accepting of myself as I am now. I could have done so much more with that body and that skin!". Such an aha moment. It's never too late for any of us to realize this.