This post was inspired by Mrs. Ice Cream’s post about what she learned from her 20’s. I’ve got to say, I am glad my 20’s are behind me. They weren’t particularly difficult for me, but I feel like I’ve really hit my groove as a person in my thirties. The reasons are never ending, but some of the biggest ones I’ve detailed here.

1) I’m more confident in myself, as a person. I feel like I know better what I really want. It is easier for me to say to myself, this is not what I want, I am going to try something else. This translates well in parenting, especially with how much judging goes on between parents. I am making decisions that are best for me and my family now, rather than making decisions to make other people happy, or to keep the peace.

2) I have my priorities straight for me. And I am unashamed that these are the priorities I have and am focusing on. For me, my family is number 1. They always will be now. Work has fallen way down the list, and I used to be super insecure about how I felt about that, but I am owning it now. I have put a priority on making magical moments for my kids, and this includes trips, visits to science centers, zoos, etc. My desire to be the best at everything is fading slowly and I am happy about that. I feel like I put a lot of pressure on myself in my 20’s to be the best, work the hardest, spend the most time on a project, etc. and it was exhausting. I am glad to be free of that now.

3) I like/love my body. I’m just going to say this… I feel pretty confident about my body and how it looks. I am short, and I have thighs that could crush a watermelon, but I don’t care anymore. I am proud that my body carried two babies, that I was able to give birth with very few complications, that I was able to feed both of my babies for a pretty good chunk from my body. I like the way I look for the most part. I think I still look young (maybe I am delusional on this one) and I have a fairly good wardrobe now that makes me feel like I look pretty good. I can feel myself trying out new looks that I would have been too scared to try in my younger years.

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4) People take me more seriously. Or at least I think they do. I have always had a bit of a baby face. It made me look a lot younger in my 20’s and it was frustrating at the time. I think I look more my age now and I feel like that is actually working to my advantage in some aspects of my life. There can be a stigma attached to being in your 20’s, like being a 20-something means you don’t know enough to be an expert. I feel that less and less as I get further into my 30’s. I guess there are some advantages in looking older.

5) I feel like a grown up. Finally. For the longest time, I felt like an overgrown kid. I almost felt like I was faking the whole grown up thing. But having kids and doing crazy things like buying a house or a car really changes that perspective. I think that being the responsible party for another human being really strips that childlike feeling pretty quickly. Or it did for me at least. Once I was pregnant with LeLe, I felt totally different. I still don’t necessarily feel like I have my stuff together, but I do feel like I am getting there. I think one of the biggest reflections of this is that I am willing to be honest about the struggles I am going through. I would have hidden them in the past, but I am owning them now.

6) I feel free to make huge changes in my life. This one is a big deal for me. We can move, I can start a new job, we can have more kids, etc. The possibilities are endless. I get to make the decisions for me, and my family, and I don’t have to check in with anyone else (other than Mr. Cereal of course). I can’t begin to tell you how freeing that is. I feel like our lives are on the brink of really starting. Like we can go anywhere, and do anything. It is amazing for me that this is our life to do whatever we want with it. In my younger years, I always wanted to make sure that I was doing the right thing and now I just want to make sure that I am doing the right thing for me and my family and no one else.

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When I was young, like 10ish, I thought that 30 was soo old. I couldn’t imagine being that old and now that I am here, I am amazed at how different it is. My 30’s have been the best portion of my life so far. I suspect that the years will continue to get better and better.