Some people dread turning the big 3-0. I am not one of them. Maybe it is because I do not spend my time dwelling on the perceived bad things that come with 30. Instead I choose to look at all the great things that come with turning 30. It helps me to embrace 30 instead of dread it.
Here are my 30 reasons why turning 30 rocks:
- I get to check a new age group box on forms.
- I get to say, “I remember when I was in my 20s”.
- It is a milestone birthday.
- It is more exciting to say “I am 30″ than “I am 29 or 31″
- More exciting to blog for a week about your 30th birthday.
- I get 10 years to prepare for turning 40.
- I get to take the time to look at a new vision for my 30s.
- I have stopped trying to find myself and started creating myself.
- I get to start anew in my new age range.
- I have great experiences from my past and so now I get to add new ones!
- I can celebrate BIG for this birthday.
- I have years to get use to being called sir.
- When I get carded it is a compliment instead of them not thinking I am old enough.
- All the life lessons I learned in my 20s, I can now apply to my life.
- Don’t have to worry about being 30 because I just AM.
- Get to read all the self help books about surviving your 30’s and nod in agreement with them.
- Do not have to do it alone since many of my friends and my niece are turning 30 with me.
- A major birthday like 30 means better presents!
- If I have learn nothing else from Desperate Housewives, 40 is the new 30 and 30 is the new 20.
- People naturally take you more seriously when you are in your 30s.
- You get to smile when people can not believe you are 30.
- No longer have to struggle to be an adult because you have years of practice.
- 5 more years and I can be president.
- Instead of stressing about acne, I can stress about wrinkles and white hair.
- When I was younger 30 was OLD, now I feel 30 is young.
- Don’t I wait for Santa to bring me a wii, I can go get my own.
- I maybe turning 30 but I will still always be the youngest in my family.
- Turning 30 makes you appreciate your 20’s and look forward to your 40s.
- There is only on option to not turning 30, that is death. I say, “Welcome 30!”
- Like the Christina song, “Keeps Getting Better”
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Ariela
on 13 Oct 2008 at 10:53 am #
Michael,
As one who turned 30 just a month ago I couldn’t agree more with your list (specially #21!).
Also, was going to wait until tomorrow to say it, but I might as well do it now and be one of the first ones on wishing you a HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! Welcome to the 30’s, they rock!!!
God Bless,
Ariela
Michael
on 13 Oct 2008 at 10:56 am #
Ariela,
I am glad you are loving the 30’s so far!! I am looking forward to turning 30 tomorrow!
Brad
on 13 Oct 2008 at 11:06 am #
I will never forget my 30th birthday!

David, my housemate took me to my favorite restaurant, “The Wild Ginger” we ordered and had some appetizers. I just felt light headed and nauseous. I didn’t have time to excuse myself to go to the restroom and all of a sudden I had explosive, projectile, vomit. The wait staff rushed me an ice bucket, but by the time they got it to me it was too late! As we were getting ready to leave without our food, I noticed a chunk on this man’s sweater his back was toward my table. I was so embarrassed by the whole circumstance. At least it was a memorable birthday.
I hope yours goes without such drama!
looking back you lived 10,957 days! Taking 30 years and multiplying them by the number of days in a year and then counting leap years! LOL
HAVE A HAPPY 30th BIRTHDAY!
Always-
Brad
thegayte-keeper
on 13 Oct 2008 at 4:10 pm #
I turned 30 this year and it has been a blast every since…
vijay
on 25 Nov 2008 at 3:32 pm #
i turned 30today!! i dont want to grow any older than i already am!!!
Michael
on 26 Nov 2008 at 8:20 am #
ViJay
Congrats on turning 30!! You are going to love it!!
Grec
on 10 Dec 2008 at 3:00 pm #
Im turning 30 tomorrow… I think #23 is hilarious! But im questioning if 30 is old??? Am i going to be old? Im always the youngest outta everyone… I guess I’ll still be the youngest lol. Dont wanna leave the 20’s tho!
Michael
on 10 Dec 2008 at 4:04 pm #
Grec,
You may not want to leave your 20’s but your 30’s are going to be even better!!
Keven
on 27 Feb 2009 at 3:51 pm #
I have a week till the “DAY”
I look at your words as hope.
I recall when I was 19 people asked me “Whats old?” I would say 30…..
Now its here and I just dont know what to do.
Thank you for what you wrote.
I’m looking for reasons to be all sad and tore up over it, but you helped me to smile..
Thank you….
Keven
on 04 Mar 2009 at 11:15 pm #
Ok like 2 days till the BIG 30. I just dont know if I like the idea.
Where did all the years go and why so fast???
Claire
on 07 May 2009 at 10:38 am #
Quality list you´ve got there!
I celebrated turning 30 last week by going on a 4 day bender and loved every minute of it, even the 3 days it took to get over it! Being single at 30 is also so good, 30 n flirty!
What a boss age – loving it!
Emmanuel
on 10 May 2009 at 8:08 am #
I am celebrating my 30th next saturday… hoping to enjoy and make the most of it!
Christy
on 01 Jun 2009 at 1:12 pm #
Right on, man! My guy is turning 30 and I hope to use items from your list on the wrapping paper – what a great age! My favorite is “I have stopped trying to find myself and started creating myself” but I know Rich’s fav will be “5 years until you can become president” – something for everyone! Keep on keepin’ on and don’t ever be afraid to quote Desperate Housewives, no matter what your age!
Michael
on 01 Jun 2009 at 3:46 pm #
Christy,
It is so true! You are never old enough in some people’s eyes and too old in others. You can just be yourself and live your life the way you want.
Penelope
on 08 Jun 2009 at 4:57 pm #
I turn 30 next week. As I inch closer, I’m not sure if I’m sad or happy. I’m still a little in shock that it’s actually here!
Katie
on 14 Jun 2009 at 12:12 am #
My friend is turning 30, a few years older than me, what’s a good present to get for someones 30th?? want it to be special!!!
Michael
on 14 Jun 2009 at 7:53 am #
Katie,
A walker? LOL I am so joking.
I do not know what will be perfect for your friend but here is an idea I love. I am not so much about gifts but experiences. I love when my friends say, “We are going to do this to celebrate!” This allows me to spend time with them, have fun, take pictures and create a memory I will always have instead of a gift I may keep or not as the years go on.
Just my thoughts…
Peter
on 15 Jun 2009 at 2:21 am #
20 days or so (july 5th) not really looking forward to it. unemployed, kind of lost in life, living at home. if i could have seen where i’d be at 30 when i was 20 i don’t know if i’d be around today to turn 30.
Michael
on 15 Jun 2009 at 2:05 pm #
Peter,
Just means now you have the opportunity to make changes so 40 is even better. We never know what the future will bring and there is nothing we can do about the past but we can create a better present with the new choices we make.
Venus
on 01 Jul 2009 at 7:32 pm #
I´m turning 30 next week * july 9th * !!!!! and still can not believe it!!!!! I´m so scared … excited, confussed, thankful, happy, sad, anxious, …. lol it’s just crazy!!!!!!
Lindsay
on 04 Jul 2009 at 6:16 pm #
I’m 30 next Saturday (11th July) and I’m looking forward to it!! Celebrating with a weekend at the seaside with my closest friends. I’ve decided to embrace the whole ‘30 and fabulous’ and ‘flirty-30′ thing! Plus I figure 30’s can’t be worse than 20’s – at least I’m older and wiser now!!!
Melissa
on 15 Jul 2009 at 10:44 am #
I gotta say I love this list!!!
However, I must admit that I am sad about turning 30…. I’ve got 8 days to go, turn the big 30 next Thursday the 23rd July. I don’t know what to feel, I just know that I’ll be sad to say that I’m not in my twenties anymore. Where have the years gone, I mean seriously, I can’t be 30??? Arghhhh!!!
Venus
on 15 Jul 2009 at 11:35 am #
Hi Melissa, just wanted to tell u that turning 30 is not that bad … I was 29 last week lol and I can tell it feels great now! so enjoy your day and have a wonderful bday!!
Joel Thornton
on 20 Jul 2009 at 11:33 pm #
So, stumbled across your list with under an hour to go until I am officially thirty… feeling old as dirt right now. Thanks for putting some kind of positive spin on the whole thirty thing, not sure I am 100% ok with it, but hell what choice do I have. Not sure I can say that I have a sense of regret about the past decade of twenty’s , but I still have a sense of wanting to go back and do it over again. I think that is the tough part of turning of 30, for the first time in my life I feel aware of my own mortality, and I am not sure where the hell the last decade just went, I just hope time slows down a little bit.
Michael
on 21 Jul 2009 at 9:37 am #
Joel,
The only way to slow down time is to make the most of it and really enjoy it. Not catch yourself wasting it away by being busy and not doing things for yourself.
joe
on 30 Jul 2009 at 12:54 am #
just turned 30 and feel blessed to be alive….although my girlfriend and I broke up the day before my bday and I ended up being in Vegas by myself….still happy to be 30!
Michael
on 30 Jul 2009 at 7:34 am #
Joe,
Congrats on being 30! It is the start of a new beginning for you. Vegas is the best place place to celebrate because as we know, what happens in Vegas…STAYS in Vegas!
Live it up!
Turk
on 17 Aug 2009 at 5:05 pm #
Turning 30 tomorrow…and as most people are a bit anxious about it. But hey its one of those things thats going to happen eventually to most people so at least im not alone. Looking back im thankful for my 20’s and im saying goodbye to them with fond memories from some of the best years of my life.
Then again, being 29 just sucks…its such a silly age. For all practical purposes you are not part of the 20’s crowd anymore but somehow cling to this silly age because its the last barrier between you and 30???
So i say goodbye and good riddance to 29! 30 HERE I COME!
Michael
on 17 Aug 2009 at 8:47 pm #
Turk,
Good for you and welcome to 30!! You are going to love it!
Alisha Rose
on 30 Sep 2009 at 8:58 am #
Thank you for the tips, although I only share the “I dont look” 30 feeling.
I will be turning 31 tomorrow! The 1st of October, and it feels like doomsday for me!!! I wasnt happy about being “30″ either! Sorry I dont mean to kill anyones buzz who is excited about it! Its just our 20’s seemed to be alot funnier!! I am a female and yes I get carded all the time, it was kindof annoying at first, but now I love it! I actually enjoy looking at there faces when they see my age! But why I dread hitting a new 30-something I just dont know???
Its getting olded I think, its the whole yeah we are generation X and we are no longer the youngsters I guess? But thank you for the “good tips”! (-’
~Alisha~
Charlie
on 06 Oct 2009 at 12:36 am #
Just turned 30 half an hour ago and I have to say I was horrified by the first 6 or so items on your list. That does NOT make me feel better about no longer being in my 20s. Your other listings along with your readers comments helped me get into a better frame of mind, however. Guess there’s nothing else to do but make the best of it. Good luck with the rest of your 30s.
RB
on 08 Oct 2009 at 10:32 pm #
#15 helped me the most–who cares how old you are?? you just are. as my 90-yr old grandmother says, “age is only a numba”…
Yahya E B Henry
on 13 Oct 2009 at 7:55 am #
Great list… my favorite is number 8:
“I have stopped trying to find myself and started creating myself.”
I turn 30 tomorrow and was looking for some commentary on this milestone age and found your list. Thanks for sharing. I’m looking forward to 30-Land *waving bye to my twenties*
Yahya
sarah
on 10 Nov 2009 at 6:38 pm #
I turned 30 today! It feels like a good age, and I am full of possibilty…
John Q
on 22 Nov 2009 at 5:40 am #
Happy New Decade for all 1979s babies!….I remember being 20 in the year 2000….i was just born in the 70’s, grew up in the 80’s and 90’s and this decade we’re in (2000-2009)… I like the name the Ott’s…
Amanda
on 29 Nov 2009 at 12:54 pm #
I am turning 30 in a few days, and I think it’s going to be WONDERFUL!
Toni
on 30 Nov 2009 at 12:06 am #
In 14 day’s i to will join the dirty thirtys… Having mixed emotions about it, always thought by the time i hit the big 30 i would have my life sorted kids marriage the whole lot…. Needless to say this was not to be… But DO LOVE your “I have stopped trying to find myself and started creating myself” thanks for the wise words.. Also to everyone else it makes me feel normal to know i am not alone in turning 30 xo
Emily
on 28 Dec 2009 at 10:09 pm #
Turning 30 tomorrow and its going to be the best year yet! I spent 2 whole long, painful years finding myself, and you know what? I AM found! I’m not seeking anymore and that means I get to BE and DO and I have a lot to share and offer the world. If you did the work when the Saturn Return started, turning 30 is the greatest awakening. It starts being OK to dream big again. I’ve rediscovered hope and it feels so good. May you all be as blessed as I have been. Peace!
Kary
on 05 Jan 2010 at 9:09 pm #
Hi !
I´m 27 and I´m freaking already about turning 30. For me it has not been the typical journey. I´ve been studying, and studying, and studying, and it doesn´t look that it will stop soon. I´m a physicist and I´m doing my masters degree on medical physics and I want my Phd when I´m done. So as you can see, there has been no time, or very little for a social life, traveling, spending money or even making money,partying, dating, or making the regular stuff that the twenty-something normally do. So as I approach the big number I feel kind of sad that I´ve been missing so much.
So all you out there that feel bad about turning 30, be glad that you lived all the great stuff that you were suppose to. Maybe it was good, maybe it was bad, but you got to experience it.
As for me, well I just hope that when I do turn 30 it will turn out to be fantastic and somehow I hope that in the next decade I will get rewarded for all that I missed on my 20´s.
Have a fantastic decade!
Kary
Mba
on 14 Jan 2010 at 7:41 am #
I am turning 30 in August, I am so much looking forward to it, I used to be nervous about but I can’t wait anymore. Thank you for the 30 reasons why I should look forward to it! You rock!
Chris
on 23 Jan 2010 at 9:20 am #
My friend Jeremy turns 30 today, and just like this list he ROCKS!!!
Happy birthday, Jer!!
richa
on 03 Feb 2010 at 4:28 am #
Loved it!!!:)
richa
on 03 Feb 2010 at 4:29 am #
Loved it!:) and so true!
mimi
on 09 Feb 2010 at 9:49 am #
this is such an eye-opener for me! thank you very much for writing this… after i read it, it took away half of my apprehension for starting this new chapter of my life…. and it even inspired me to creat my own list! i turn 30 today… and i have mixed emotions… excited yet scared, nonchalance yet concerned… and all these are funny because i used to really be excited on my birthday… well, again, thank you for writing this.. oh by the way, i’m in the Philippines, so i have 10 more years before i can be President :p
kevin
on 07 Mar 2010 at 12:07 am #
i am turning 30 this june and im a little concerned. not at 30 but at how i wasted my 20’s. it made me question the direction i want to take for the next half of my life but what is still a mystery. i am analyzing the things i like vs. the things i hate. reading the comments posted helps alot. you guys (and gals) ROCK!!! im excited but have no clue of what to expect. well i already know great things are in store, i just would like to know what store it is so i can shop already.
rapidly approaching 30
Pete
on 07 Mar 2010 at 10:16 pm #
I turned 30 in December. It took 2 months to hit me cause I was working all the time. Now that I’ve had a moment to think about it, Im having issues. I know there’s so many years ahead and I’m not scared of getting old. I’m scared of not being exciting, vibrant and attractive. I look at people and I can’t tell how old they are anymore. I can’t even see people in my age group. Everyone either looks young or old. I guess it’ll be fine, but I feel like crap. My wife is telling me to get help. Lol
Karen
on 07 Mar 2010 at 10:52 pm #
In your 30s, after one of your parents die, you become enlightened and start realizing how stupid all of the chasing education and degrees and fame and material possessions has been…. None of its important in the end and we are all going to die, so live every day with that awareness. Love the people in your life with all your heart and make sure they know that. That is our only purpose in life – everything else is a lie.
Kary
on 07 Mar 2010 at 11:20 pm #
Yes, I agree. Love the people in your life, your family and friends above all. But while you do that also love yourself and fullfill your dreams. Even if it means chasing an education, being famous, or whatever makes you happy. If you are happy your loved ones will also be happy.
It´s all about being happy, loving eachother, no matter if you are 20, 30 or 70.
Oluwakemi
on 09 Mar 2010 at 7:05 am #
I’m turning 30 this year (April 20) I have mixed feelings. I have no idea what my life is going to be. I hope to get married to my boy friend (I have no idea when), get a better paying job and have a better relationship with God. I’m kinda lost right now. I like the blog and the comments. Thanks Michael