My 30th birthday is next summer.

[Emerald1486]

You can do it!

[jigsy]

We can totally do it! Turning 30 hasn't quite shaken me yet, but my Dad's health problems have done a huge number on me.

But you know I am right there with you. Fuck growing up, that's all I have to say.

[girlsownlove2218]

You got that! The hardest part is just getting started. If you don't see instant results, don't get discouraged and give in; keep at it.

[Deleted]

Honestly there is nothing to dread. My 30s have been SO much better than my 20s even with some not so awesome stuff happening. The day to day is much better. That being said I think your goal is awesome and totally doable!

[berbles]

LOL, I was trying to find you a funny ecard and found one for myself instead (32nd bday is in 2 weeks)

[pinkdutchtulips]

I freaked out about turning 30 as well and I dwelled on where my life was vs where I thought it would be at 30 ... I turned 40 this past summer and OMG the wisdom I picked up bt 30-40 !!

have fun w your 30's

[jigsy]

Dec 2, 2014 18:15:17 GMT -5 mp said:

Dec 2, 2014 18:09:16 GMT -5 jigsy said:

We can totally do it! Turning 30 hasn't quite shaken me yet, but my Dad's health problems have done a huge number on me.

But you know I am right there with you. Fuck growing up, that's all I have to say.

I'm sorry about your dad.

I don't know what it is about being 30. It's not a big deal. I don't feel it's a big deal to see my friends turn 30. BUT ME? OMG. I am honestly feeling like I'm so far away from ... what I want? Where I've been? I don't even know!

I don't know about you, but for me it has just been a wake up call that makes me feel like my life is a mess. Like, I've never really thought about having kids, and with XH, it was pretty much off the table. I was good with that. But now that I split from him, I'm starting to do the math and if I do want to have a kid, I really have to get on finding a dude, because I would want like 3-4 years sans kid to establish a good life...and whole shit, that is just crazy talk. Then I also think if I want a new dude to meet my dad, I REALLY need to get on it because meeting the parents, especially when they are out of state, would be a huge step. So I am thinking my poor dad will just never meet my next husband or my non-existant baby

And then I think, fuck, I'm 30 and I still have no career goals other than "find something else"...so here I am, no happy family, no kick ass job...and while on a day to day basis, I am happy with my life, when I look at the whole picture, I freak out.

And there is my mini-freakout word dump. LOL. I am totally ok though.

[achase123]

Totally reasonable time frame. I remember worrying about turning 30 (I'm 32) but it's been so much better than my 20s. Who really is where they want to be? If I'd been Married with 2 kids at 30 but no career I wouldn't have been happy either.

I think it's an awesome milestone!

[abcdefu]

Dec 2, 2014 17:57:54 GMT -5 mp said:

And I'm freaking out a little. All these things I'd planned on doing!

I mean, I thought I'd have someone in my life again. Maybe have a Master's Degree. But life never works the way we think it will, amiright?

So. I am trying to focus on something awesome instead of dread.

And I want to get in shape - and reward myself with a boudoir photo session.

So. After the Middle East I've been eating like crap, and I feel it. It won't be more than 10 lbs, really - it's more just getting it in the right places. And losing the muffin top.

Encouragement? I have 8+ months to do it. Reasonable timeframe?

Talk to me.

I was just talking to my roommate about this yesterday. I told her I wanted to lose weight and get a boudoir session done to boost my confidence. You can totally do this!

Also, I know how you feel, I am a year younger than you, but thought, by now at least, I would have found someone and adopted a couple of kids. I never thought I would have had so many setbacks. I am just learning to embrace them and use them to make me stronger!

[BioNerd]

25 was harder on me than 30 for some reason.

I've always heard the 30s are the best because you're finally getting settled in to your career and life.

The weight loss sounds totally doable!

[1confused1]

You can do it!!!

And I agree with everyone, my 30s have been awesome (despite the crappy divorce stuff)

[girlsownlove2218]

Dec 2, 2014 18:22:10 GMT -5 berbles said:

LOL, I was trying to find you a funny ecard and found one for myself instead (32nd bday is in 2 weeks)

Isn't 16 still jailbait? Not that it impacts my dating life, I'm just curious.

[Deleted]

30's are great! 
Just turned 33.... Wait...I'm 33?!?   LOL
When I turned 30, I was kinda weirded out because I still (in my head) felt about 18.  I was married to xh at that time and shit sucked so I guess I felt like I wasn't in the right place. Anyway.....so yeah 30's....I'm not where I thought I would be either, but I'm happy.  When I was 17 or 18 I remember thinking that by the time I was 25 I'd be long married and done having kids.  HAHAHA...I was silly.  You'll be a fabulous 30 year old!!  Just as you're a fabulous 29 year old right now. 

[abcdefu]

Dec 2, 2014 19:58:12 GMT -5 FormerlyRR said:

Dec 2, 2014 19:18:07 GMT -5 BioNerd said:

25 was harder on me than 30 for some reason.

I've always heard the 30s are the best because you're finally getting settled in to your career and life.

The weight loss sounds totally doable!

Yes, 25 was hard on me, too. My 30s were amazing, as well as my 40s. And I'm excited about my 50s.

I still think you are lying about your age! You look like you're still in your 30s!

[mcc]

I had a hard time with 30 too. I had one if those 30 by 30 lists and failed horribly. Then I realized I'm freaking awesome and as long as I'm happy, that's what matters. You're awesome too--look what you've accomplished!

[lyssbobiss, Command, B613]

I absolutely think you can do it! And instead of focusing on what you haven't done, what about the amazing stuff you HAVE done? You've traveled to incredible places, you're successful, you're an amazing friend to so many people - please don't sell yourself short.

[Deleted]

10lbs in 8 months? That's less than 1lb a month! lol that part you will kick ass at and I think the boudoir photos are a really fun idea.

I'm 32, and I think 30 used to sound a lot older than it is! So far, my 30's have had tons of change and ups and downs, but I think they've all been good changes. Well, except the job thing I'm going through right now, but whatever. My 30's haven't been settled at all, but they've been exciting and the best part is that I have the maturity and life experience to handle them. The stuff I've been through in my 30's would have killed me 10 years ago but now I am confident I will be ok and that life is good no matter what happens. So, I think the best part of getting older is just the knowledge that comes with it. The better sense of self and acceptance that most people don't have it together all the time and that's ok.

I also think that your 30's are a perfectly lovely time to meet the right person to marry, for all the reasons I just mentioned. You're smarter and better in your 30's. That means you'll make better choices and attract better people who are looking for the things the older version of you have to offer.

[calle28]

Oh man, I'm right there with you. I don't know where I thought I'd be at 30, but it definitely wasn't divorced with a job I hate.

I turn 30 next September and I'm honestly dreading it.

I think I would feel better if I had an awesome job or an awesome relationship with a great guy. But I have neither. I do have great friends, my family and my health. Why do we always focus on what we don't have?

[achase123]

I think the photos do sound amazing too. That's a nice thing to do for yourself.

[spunkypenguin]

I feel ya. I turn 30 next summer also and it feels...weird...to be, basically, starting from scratch at the age of 29 1/2.

I think it's totally possible to achieve a few small goals in 8+ months! I think we all have vague goals or ideas about where we thought we'd be at a certain point, but if you set a specific goal, it's a lot easier to get there.

[abcdefu]

mp I really want to get boudoir pictures done because I have never felt sexy. I am really short (4'11 and 3/4) so everyone always considers me to be "cute" and "adorable". I feel like people don't consider me to be a woman. I never get called "beautiful" or "sexy". I am hoping to lose the "awww, you look so cute!" comments by the time I am 30.

[riverpestie]

I turn 34 in less than 10 days and I am having mixed feelings about it. :^)

I think you're extremely accomplished and well traveled. I also think you're adorable and if you want to lose weight before your 30th birthday, I have no doubt in my mind that you will do it.

[Wanderista]

I totally agree that having more experience, self-knowledge, stability and confidence is invaluable. I'm pretty much optimistic about the future whatever happens because I know that I can handle most of what life could throw at me. I am not on the same track as some of my friends but I am ok with that.

[Wanderista]

I also want to add that there is no formula for how you need to live life. I mean, I guess aside from it being basically good to be a good person and to be true to yourself. Nobody gets a medal for "winning at life" other than their own happiness, their experiences and the people in their lives who are meaningful to them - however they define those things.

No one is better than someone else because they achieved certain milestones at a different pace than someone else. I know that's easy to say but it is true. Basically, don't be too hard on yourself. I know I have had feelings like that before, it's ok to feel them but try not to dwell on them. Just do whatever it is that you need to do in order to feel happy not what you think you should do.

If you do have a particular goal though, don't give up on opening yourself up to it being able to happen. I'm just saying that generally.

[onedayatatime]

I get it - I had a really hard time with this earlier this summer - turning 30 and mid divorce. I was definitely freaking out.

But it happened and I remind myself that this can be a decade of good things.