Today I turned 30 years old — and officially transitioned into the new decade! 30 is a strange number: you are no longer in your 20s, but you’re not in your 30s, either. You’re just… 30. Whether you’ve already hit the big three-oh or just approaching the threshold, here are some of my celebratory moments that made me feel lucky to be this age.
- I know exactly who I am, why I am, and have the confidence to be it every day.
We spend our 20s trying to prove ourselves and agonizing over how others perceive us. You tell yourself you shouldn’t care, but deep inside somehow you still do. But it gets better, and by the time you turn 30, that pressure is suddenly gone. My 20s were one big experiment: personal style, careers, relationships — I’ve done it all! I’ve tried on a million and one masks to see if one fits and magically makes me, me. But what shapes you is the aggregate of all those things and experiences. Sometime during my 29th year I started noticing the ease with which I made the decisions that used to take lots of back-and-forth and second-guessing. It’s as if someone wiped the front wind shield, making the view crystal-clear. When you turn 30, you chuck a lot of uncertainties aside, stop apologizing for who you are, and just… enjoy the ride.
- I know how to dress for my body type – and make my best features shine.
Heaven knows, I’ve gone through many awful (ahem, experimental) outfits, hairstyles and makeups in my history of online blogging. It was like battling a giant, polka-dotted, neon rag monster that wouldn’t be tamed! Well, I’m happy to report that I’ve grown out of my blue-streaked bangs and ripped fishnets and graduated into a style much more befitting of my personality: artistic, color-intensive, with a retro edge.
A quote, often attributed to Coco Chanel, taunts: “If a woman is still not beautiful by the age of 35, she is probably not that bright.” Whether Coco actually said it or not, the message is clear: experiment away, you have plenty of time to figure out how to make yourself look great! A woman in her 30s has a level of confidence that females in their 20s have yet to discover — the type of confidence that is attractive to men and women of all ages. By now, you’ve either accepted and learned how to make the best of your flaws, or found a way to minimize or get rid of them altogether. I know that a good belt works wonders for my waist-to-hip ratio, long hair is always beautiful, and false lashes are more than just a luxury, they are a way of life! Here’s to finally being able to say you’re a beautiful woman — and mean it!
- I am ready for my Golden Age of creativity!
If history is any indication, mathematicians generally produce their best works in their 20s, and artists in their 30s. What happens to creativity as one gets older? The mind is already set on a definite track, we stop trying to please others and work harder than ever because we enjoy our craft. I am looking forward to reaching my fullest potential in my 30s with Lime Crime and fashion alike!
Hello, 3-0: I love you!
- I am content with my career’s trajectory.
Being named one of Top 50 Inspirational Women Entrepreneurs of 2010 came as an awakening shock. In spite of running my own business for a couple of years, I’ve never thought of myself as a serious businesswoman. It made me take what I do more seriously and strive to get better at it. I’ve learned how to command respect in a business meeting, negotiate like a pro, give an elevator pitch, and manage conflict. I am so ready to become a kick-ass businesswoman and a force to be reckoned with!
- I know how to spot a fake.
Whether it’s a handbag, a diamond, or a potential friend — I know what’s real and you can’t pull one over on me. Although I’ve always been a fairly good judge of character, my intuition now is more acute and I know I can rely on it completely. I’ve cleansed my life of fair-weather friends and hidden agendas, and surrounded myself with an amazing network of individuals I can trust and who keep me inspired every day!
- I am more financially secure than ever.
I’ve worked hard through my 20s to earn my independence. I’ve lived in a cramped Brooklyn apartment with my boyfriend, worked out of a kitchen, and mailed hundreds of packages out of my attic. I’ve learned the value of money before I had any. At 30, I am grateful to be able to afford a beautiful apartment in a central area of Los Angeles with my husband, provide a royal living for my 3 cats and still have some money left over for shoes and little luxuries. We don’t own a house yet, but that’s just something to look forward to in the upcoming years!!!
- I get to plan out a whole new vision for my 30s.
Switching decades means I get to refine my Candyfuture and reinvent myself in a whole new way. The process has already begun: my style is shifting towards more polished & ladylike, and my fashion choices become more intentional. I’m developing a taste for art and interior design, and gaining a deeper understanding of what beauty is, its significance and its limitations.
They say, 30s are like your 20s except you’re 10 years wiser. I say: Bring it on!
Here’s what Twitter thinks:
- ClassicGrrrl Happy Birthday! FYI- My 30′s have been WAY better than my 20′s!
- ashleyinfo Hell yes! Ppl respect u once u hit 30. 20somethings are still children. Your work gets BETTER rewards cause youre taken seriously.
- Oddwhims Your 30′s r better than your 20′s…u become more confident with your appearance!
- CloverisQueen I’m turning 30 this Sunday…idk how I feel bout that…specially since I work w people who are 16-22 for the most part =.=
- cherry_MUA 30 is so much better, your old enough to not let silly things bother you but still look young enough to enjoy it!
- DanaDelaneyMUA I turned 30 in Jan. As for “it” getting better? Age really is just a #. I feel no different. Maybe too soon to tell?
- x_MissClaire_x 30 is like being 20 you’re just 10 years wiser
- nici_chan nici_chan You bet, but it starts to go faster too! So live every moment to it’s fullest!
- ShellyAnnSilks hell yes! I just turned 36 and u couldn’t pay me enough to relive my 20′s!!!
- fayemarieblogs it does get better from 30 – my life suddenly got better as soon as I turned 30 :) xxx
Deerlings: What are your feelings towards this round number? Are you excited for it, dread it, indifferent? Do you have specific expectations or a list of achievements you’d like to accomplish before turning 30?
Happy Birthday! You’re fantastic!
Kind wishes,
Antonia
i’m only 18 but i’m already dreading getting older. this makes me feel so much better about it :)
Happy Birthday! I wish you the best!
And congratulations for those moments! I’ll work hard to reach my 30′s feeling exactly like you are now! ♥
You inspire me!
KISSES!
Happy Birthday Doe!!
I am only 14 but I feel I know what my style is and stuff, but I bet when I’m 30 I’ll be like “What was I thinking” Haha :3
Happy birthday! Congratulations on all of your achievements.
first off, HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!
secondly, you said you have learned the limits of beauty… can you please tell me what you mean by that?
Happy birthday!!!
All your 30 lovings are so cool! I really hope to feel like you when I’ll turn 30 *___*
Happy Birthday Unicorn Queen! You’re an inspiration to me. I completely agree that artists produce their best work in their 30′s. I can’t wait to see what you come up with next.
Love and Kittens,
Therina <3
Happy Birthday! Here’s hoping that your 30th birthday brings 30 unicorns of joy to your threshold!
I’m only 19 but I feel like a 19-year-old girl having a mid-life crisis, well not so much now but I really felt the pressure of adulthood my last two years of High School, so right now I’m taking a breather to decide what it is I want to do with my life without the pressure of anyone telling me what is good for me (what do they know?). I don’t want to be the type of person who wakes up and hates their life when they’re still fairly young because they knowingly or unknowingly gave in to pressure and conformity to be something that never really excited them to begin with, and I’m glad to see that you don’t appear to be one of those people at all–and its only logical to assume that you’re a happy 30-year-old (BTW, you SO don’t look 30!) because you’ve been in control of your life.
Maybe you’ve been asked this before, but how did you celebrate your birthday when you first came to the U.S.? What I mean is that since there is an eight or nine hour difference between New York and western Russia, did you celebrate on the 15th on Russian-time or U.S. time? OI’m just curious :)
Sara Reply:
June 15, 2011 at 2:36 pm
Ugh, it kills me that I accidentally put and O in that last part.
But anyway, I forgot to tell you Happy Birthday! :D
happy birthday sweetie ^^
Happy 30th to you!
I’m totally with you. I turned 30 last year, and it has been my FAVORITE age EVER! I dreaded it a bit as it was coming, but for all the reasons you so eloquently stated, it didn’t take me long not only to accept it but to absolutely LOVE it. 31 is just around the corner for me now, and that’s okay too…31 will bring me my baby girl due in October! :)
I couldn’t have said any of this better myself. Bravo to you. And like one of the tweets said, you couldn’t pay me to relive my 20s!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!…NICE TEXT
Happy Birthday!
I’m currently 26 and slowly coming to terms with the fact that I have to decide what to do with my life. I lived in so many countries that I find it hard to settle down, but getting married within a year (got engaged recently, but we’re not in a big rush) should do the job. I’m pretty scared to be heading down the wrong path, because the time to make big mistakes and the luxury of having all the time in the world to fix them seems over. I hope I will have passed that by the time I’m 30, and while I’m not willing to give up a single day until then, I’m looking forward to a rest. That, or I will simply remain restless and explore more :) we’ll see I guess.
Well I just turned 20 a couple of months ago so I think it’s too soon to think about how I feel about the 30, terrified might be a good adjective hahahaha Happy bday anyway Doe :) and keep up with the good work!
Woohoo!! Happy birthday! ^o^ <3
Happy Birthday to You! And welcome to 30s!
I am 37 and I have nothing to complain.
the dirty thirty
Happy Birthday!
I just hit 22 earlier this month, and I’m not sure what to think about 30 just yet.
If it’s anything like you describe it, then I’m sure I have plenty to look foward to. :)
HAPPY BIRTHDAY! <3 U!
First of all: HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Or С Днем Рождения, дорогая Doe! (I hope that’s ok) or “¡Feliz cumpleaños!”, as we say in our language (Spanish, I’m from Argentina).
So, I’m turning 28 this year and even though I was feeling a lil’ bit old -missing my early 20′s I guess- I’m totally ok with reaching to my 30′s! I’m getting married this year, we’re building a house, and all that is possible because time has passed, so how could I be upset about it?
I hope I can enjoy my 30′s as you’re doing it now, Doe. ¡Felicidades!
Happy Birthday!!! :)
Happy birthday, Doe!
I’m a 22-year-old in a loving, committed, perfectly imperfect relationship with a 30-year-old. So many of the things you talk about noticing in yourself are the very things I love in my boyfriend. He knows who he is, what he loves, what doesn’t work for him, and has the confidence to own it. He treats me better than any guy I have ever met – so considerate, thoughtful, sweet, and genuine in every interaction. We were both looking for a lifetime partner who loves us unconditionally and found that in each other. Like you, he is an artist (drawing and painting, although he’s also very musically inclined) and I have seen his creativity light up in the past six months. I can’t imagine being with anyone but him. I’m looking forward to the continuation of your exciting life adventures, sharing my life with this incredible man, and making my own way to reaching my big 3-0.
Doe Deere Reply:
June 16, 2011 at 10:59 am
Good for you, Sarah! Some people search a lifetime for a partner like yours, you’re lucky to have found him so early on in life. :)
Well, I always saw myself as 44… My “soul” is 44. I know that’s weird, but I remember being 10 and thinking “I want long silver hair and crowsfeet from smiling a lot. I want to know what’s going on around me and feel like I am in control and wear piles of jewelry and Chanel suits.” I have never really feared aging, but rather looked forward to it… It probably helps that I am 23 and look like I’m 17. Hahaha… I just think that wisdom and elegance are synonymous with getting older.
Happy 30th!
Happy Birthday!!!! I loved my 30′s. The forty’s are even better. Enjoy every moment you have on this earth to the fullest. There is no reason to dread an age. Hey one more birthday means one more day you are alive, lol.
Happy birthday doll! Been there… you’re so right! But don’t forget the crisis before you actually get there! (I had a big one before I hit the magic number…). Χρόνια πολλά γλυκιά μου! :)
Happy birthday my dear <3
I can only hope I'm half as accomplished as you are by the time I hit 30!
Happy Birthday darling!!! Or, in dutch: Hartelijk Gefeliciteerd!!! :D
Doe Deere Reply:
June 16, 2011 at 10:57 am
Wow, I’ve never been wished Happy Birthday in Dutch before! Thank you :D
You’ve acquired the wisdom available to those your age and you’re using it to good advantage. Your thirties will be fabulous!!
What?! There’s no way you’re turning 30, you look so young! I had always sworn you weren’t a day over 22. I guess some of us are blessed with good genes.
Happy Birthday though :D I hope you had a good one.
Happy Birthday!
My friends and I are all just passing our mid 20s, and most of them are freaking out about the approaching 30. I say, don’t worry about the number. You’re not getting ‘older’, you’re having a BIRTHDAY! Everybody loves birthdays! And really, who doesn’t want free cake!?! ^_^
serously doe, you realy an inspiration to me and i looking up to you :)
i want to wish you the best wishes for your birthday and much secuses in the follow road you will choose :)
this ariticle actualy realy calm me down becouse sometimes i am afreid of growing up…. suraunding with people who say that a grown-up life are difficult, hard… and well… not fun haha.
i think it’s realy amezing that you are let youself be who you want to be…:) sometimes people who reach 30 things “oh im grown up now… so i should be bouring”XD
bdw it’s kind of odd to say… but i realy loved the editorial of the snow qween you made…. and well, now you are my screen lady on my new sumsung galacsy XD
Happy Birthday!!! 30.. A milestone!! Have a nice day with your friends and family, gifts, cake and presents! And most important of all: ENJOY!!
( I’m turning 25 this year, I think that’s a milestone too.. :) )
Happy Birthday!!! 30′s are way better than the 20′s– really, things only get better. Enjoy!
Doe Deere Reply:
June 16, 2011 at 10:12 am
I’m happy to hear that! :D
Hope you had a wonderful birthday. As someone who is leaving the 30s soon, it’s a fun age to be. Of course, age is all relative so enjoy yourself no matter what the “number” says.
Doe Deere Reply:
June 16, 2011 at 10:11 am
Thanks Poochie, I did! It’s lovely seeing you comment again — I’m totally addicted to your fabulous blog!!!
Hi! I’m turning 30 on November and I’ve to thank a friend who has linked me your post. I adore your blog and I adore what you’re writing about being in 30′s.
Actually I feel I don’t want to grow up, sometimes I’d like to have 25 instead of 29, but your words are so positive and so true that maybe I’ll change my mind by the time I’ll turn 30! :)
Thank you!
Doe Deere Reply:
June 16, 2011 at 10:11 am
It’s my pleasure, Marta! 30 really is fabulous and once you realize you’re the same person as you were at 29, you stop fearing it. Welcome to the blog! :)
I used to dread turning 30, but the week it happened, last autumn, I suddenly started feeling better in my life. Just like magic! Self-confidence just happened to me. I think it’s the result of years of working on my issues, and then turning a ‘grown-up’ age, and still being me, and realizing I was going to stick up for myself.
I also realized my age does not define me. I did not suddenly start talking about weedeaters and office supplies and the sort of boring topics I had in mind for a 30-year old. I am more than ever a rebel, more so than before, because don’t nobody try to stop me now.
Being 30 now is not what it used to be. Being any age nowadays isn’t either. Life has shifted to a larger time scale. The values are different, and conformity is not a mandatory option for everyone anymore, so we feel young longer. Well, that’s my theory.
Also, never in my post-childhood life have I worn so much color. Fading to beige is for other people!
Happy Birthday! no matter your age if not talented and beautiful that you will be forever!
Happy Birthday!
When it comes to getting older, I like to follow the philosophy of one of my bellydance teachers. When asked if she was afraid of turning 40 a couple years back, she said, “Are you kidding me?! My 30s were some of the best times of my life. I’m so excited to see what my 40s have in store for me!”
Lenore Reply:
June 16, 2011 at 6:52 pm
Yay, fellow belly dancer! :) My teacher turned 33 this year and prefers to live in denial. She says you are only as old as you feel.
Turning 30 was amazing. I love this girl I’ve become (and am becoming)…I totally tell everyone that your 30′s are your 20′s, you’re just less of an idiot. Welcome to the club!
happy happy birthday to you! ^^ now that i’m still 23 yrs young it’s horrorfying to think about turning 30 someday sooner or later.. but i guess, 30 is an age in which you’ll be much more respected as a woman, not a girl anymore.. and you’re still as beautiful as a pretty girl in the twens.. ^^ ♥ *hugs*
Happy birthday, and well done on all you have achieved! :)
I think what makes turning 30 such a big deal for some people are the rules that are suddenly in place. Magazines such as Glamour and Cosmo always post comments about how you shouldn’t wear Blair Waldorf headbands or miniskirts in your 30s. They probably mean well but it’s not exactly the most positive thing to write.
Happy birthday! I’m only 22 to I’m still on the younger end of the 20′s spectrum, but the older you get the faster time goes so I’m sure 30 will sneak up on me before you know it. I don’t dread turning 30– I am excited for it. I recently acquired a teaching position with 2nd grade and because of my small stature and little-girl face, most of my students think I look like a teenager. It’s difficult at first to gain their respect when I remind them of their older sibling! Everyone says to be grateful for it, but it is so inconvenient in the working world because you need to work five times harder to be taken seriously. I am excited to turn 30 because then I may finally look like an adult.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Hope it’s unicorn and sparkle-filled :)
Oh man, I’m turning 30 this Saturday. I was looking forward to it, until this week I had a sudden pre-30 crisis. “oh no, I didn’t achieve every tiny things I was supposed to!”. Your article really helped cheer me up, and made me realize I’ve already achieve so many of my goals. I think 30 is going to be fantastic. My goal is to embrace becoming a mature and wise woman, but never let go of the care free girl inside.
Happy Birthday! Great entry.
Happy birthday, Doe! I’m only 15 but you’ve inspired me to do as much experimentation with my style as I can! :)
Happy 30th birthday, Doe! You don’t look a day over 18 :) There must be some kind of magical Lime Crime elixir-of-youth that you keep all to yourself… ;)
First off, happy birthday! You are gorgeous at 30, and still will be at 40, 50, 60…
I’m looking forward to 30, myself. It’s still a couple of years away (I’m 27 now), but I think it will be a new phase of comfort in my own skin and the power to accomplish my dreams. I plan to come at it running.