So yesterday I turned 30, and once again, my wonderful fiancee made it an epic one (which will continue to be more epic with my party, and my gifts which all are still in transit, damn postal services (it should also be noted that I have no idea what my gifts are other than they are epic)). And Facebook is the greatest thing to happen to birthdays since the Carvel Ice Cream Cake (OK, maybe not THAT great, but close). I surely feel the birthday love thanks to that crazy website.
Of course, turning 30 is a major point in anyone's life (who is able to make it this far, anyway). It's a whole new life decade.You can't help but reflect on such moments.
The best words of discouragement I have heard were from a coworker who is also turning 30 this year. He said, something along the lines where you are no longer impressive when you are 30. For example, if Mark Zuckerberg was 30 (or older) when he created facebook, there probably wouldn't be a movie made about him, or would people think "ew, what's this creepy guy doing making a social networking site for college kids?" Would Lebron James have been so hot if he started the game at 30 (well i guess if he was that good at 30, people would probably say "wow, he's in awesome shape for a guy his age")? Would Mozart have been so popular around Europe if he wasn't a child prodigy? , and would we know who he was today? #0 is an age where you are expected to be doing great things, so if you do do great things, no one is really impressed any more, and life sort of continues like that until you reach just beyond middle aged where making major life changes or creating great business/etc suddenly becomes impressive again. Let's say I were to start a new career, sure people would be happy for me, but that happiness would be lined with expectations of "yeah, well you are 30, this is where you should be/should have been already." You also are now a full decade apart from what I like to call "the college peak". That's a full decade. Imagine who you would be if you were 20 in college right now, with all the technology that wasn't even close to being there when you were. It's a transitional age for sure. You are most definitely an adult, and for sure no longer someone to be considered a "youth". You are now in the age range of "sir" or "ma'am". 30 is huge.
Of course, on the positive side, there are a lot of good things about becoming 30. For one, if you haven't already, the 30's are (for the most part) when you start to form your own family. Whether it's one at home with a spouse and children, or at a job where you are (hopefully) elevated to a status of manager/supervisor/parent. This holds true for me. I am already a manager at my current job, and I am getting married before the year is out, and hopefully starting the process towards children in the next few years. I am starting to take more responsibility in my life as a result of this, and feel better about myself for it. I don't really need to do anything to impress the world so long as it makes me happy (although I wouldn't be apposed to setting the world on fire, metaphorically). My opinions on grown up matters actually will seem important, just because of my years, and I will find I am sought after more so, than I would be if I was too young. My mom said to me on the phone yesterday (paraphrased) "Just because you are 30, doesn't mean you have to feel 30. I certainly don't feel older than 25." And it's true, just because you are physically older, doesn't mean you have to 100% be older. Yes you need to have a job and pay your rent/bills, but you don't have to give up on things you love because now they might seem immature (although if you still regularly play with your Fisher Price Grow With Me Play Kitchen, you might want to see a doctor). You won't see me skipping out on the new Muppet movie in November, and you sure as hell won't see me stop watching cartoons any time soon, and I get just as much fun out of playing Super Mario Brothers now as I did as a kid (sure now it's on a wireless controller on a disc based system, but still). Plus, the age of 30 is just a number based on the measurement of time which has been deemed acceptable by humanity as being the only measurement, but who is to say what my age is beyond that standard, and frankly arbitrary, measurement? Of course that's just too much philosophy for this blog, but the point stands to support the positive.
If you asked me literally two days ago, I don't think I'd be saying "I think I am going to like 30, and I say bring on the next decade," but here I am, bringing it on!
I will always have time to complain about eventually turning 40.
Of course, turning 30 is a major point in anyone's life (who is able to make it this far, anyway). It's a whole new life decade.You can't help but reflect on such moments.
The best words of discouragement I have heard were from a coworker who is also turning 30 this year. He said, something along the lines where you are no longer impressive when you are 30. For example, if Mark Zuckerberg was 30 (or older) when he created facebook, there probably wouldn't be a movie made about him, or would people think "ew, what's this creepy guy doing making a social networking site for college kids?" Would Lebron James have been so hot if he started the game at 30 (well i guess if he was that good at 30, people would probably say "wow, he's in awesome shape for a guy his age")? Would Mozart have been so popular around Europe if he wasn't a child prodigy? , and would we know who he was today? #0 is an age where you are expected to be doing great things, so if you do do great things, no one is really impressed any more, and life sort of continues like that until you reach just beyond middle aged where making major life changes or creating great business/etc suddenly becomes impressive again. Let's say I were to start a new career, sure people would be happy for me, but that happiness would be lined with expectations of "yeah, well you are 30, this is where you should be/should have been already." You also are now a full decade apart from what I like to call "the college peak". That's a full decade. Imagine who you would be if you were 20 in college right now, with all the technology that wasn't even close to being there when you were. It's a transitional age for sure. You are most definitely an adult, and for sure no longer someone to be considered a "youth". You are now in the age range of "sir" or "ma'am". 30 is huge.
Of course, on the positive side, there are a lot of good things about becoming 30. For one, if you haven't already, the 30's are (for the most part) when you start to form your own family. Whether it's one at home with a spouse and children, or at a job where you are (hopefully) elevated to a status of manager/supervisor/parent. This holds true for me. I am already a manager at my current job, and I am getting married before the year is out, and hopefully starting the process towards children in the next few years. I am starting to take more responsibility in my life as a result of this, and feel better about myself for it. I don't really need to do anything to impress the world so long as it makes me happy (although I wouldn't be apposed to setting the world on fire, metaphorically). My opinions on grown up matters actually will seem important, just because of my years, and I will find I am sought after more so, than I would be if I was too young. My mom said to me on the phone yesterday (paraphrased) "Just because you are 30, doesn't mean you have to feel 30. I certainly don't feel older than 25." And it's true, just because you are physically older, doesn't mean you have to 100% be older. Yes you need to have a job and pay your rent/bills, but you don't have to give up on things you love because now they might seem immature (although if you still regularly play with your Fisher Price Grow With Me Play Kitchen, you might want to see a doctor). You won't see me skipping out on the new Muppet movie in November, and you sure as hell won't see me stop watching cartoons any time soon, and I get just as much fun out of playing Super Mario Brothers now as I did as a kid (sure now it's on a wireless controller on a disc based system, but still). Plus, the age of 30 is just a number based on the measurement of time which has been deemed acceptable by humanity as being the only measurement, but who is to say what my age is beyond that standard, and frankly arbitrary, measurement? Of course that's just too much philosophy for this blog, but the point stands to support the positive.
If you asked me literally two days ago, I don't think I'd be saying "I think I am going to like 30, and I say bring on the next decade," but here I am, bringing it on!
I will always have time to complain about eventually turning 40.
1 Comment-Oh's:
Bring it on! Can't wait to set the world on fire with you.
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