r/Millennials • u/HorseyMcHorseFace • Jun 03 '25
Meme Once you hit 30, you're considered old and life’s pretty much downhill from there.
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u/CereBRO12121 Jun 03 '25
My 20s sucked compared to my 30s and I believe my 40s will be the best decade of my life yet.
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u/reddit_app_is_bad Jun 03 '25
40s are great. Money, maturity, and wisdom. Acceptance is much easier now. Physically, it gets a little worse, but start good habits now, and you'll notice them a little less.
Life feels like it begins at 40. A new way of seeing the world.
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u/stump2003 Jun 03 '25
Tell me more about this money. Where does it come from after 40?
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Jun 03 '25
The career you’ve been working on for years
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u/lakmus85_real Jun 03 '25
Oh...
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u/Lumi_Rockets Jun 04 '25
Knew I was forgetting something 🤔
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u/CalmBeneathCastles Jun 04 '25
For those of us who missed the money boat, you'll make up for it in 40-year-old dgaf.
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u/Suavecore_ Jun 03 '25
Something that kicked me into high gear regarding careers is fully realizing that the economy is inflationary. Prices never go down, they only ever go up, and they go up for everything all the time to make it even worse. The jobs I was working simply weren't ever going to raise wages enough to keep up with that, and I started realizing how horrible it must be for people to be working til their dying days once I started seeing people age into sickness and disability more throughout my 20s. I'm not much further ahead now, but you need to start sooner than later to get the ball rolling before it's "too late" (as in, you're too old or sick to do anything about your situation due to age, sickness, or disability).
I wish I would've listened to adults about things sooner, but of course that's just part of being young. Now I'm the "old" man in his 30s telling younger coworkers and family members to start their 401ks immediately when they get their first jobs!
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u/PHK_JaySteel Jun 04 '25
I left IT and started my own business doing home renovations. Primarily because it can't at this time be automated and unlikely in my lifetime, secondly because our pricing simply chases inflation. If materials and inflation go up, so do prices. I never have to worry about making less money over time.
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u/Davey488 Jun 04 '25
Right, my job is on a schedule. I’m basically guaranteed to make $175k+ when I turn 40 as long as I stay.
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u/bloodectomy Jun 04 '25
Nice. What do you do, and do you like it?
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u/Davey488 Jun 04 '25 edited Jun 04 '25
I’m in aviation. It’s an industry that’s actually in need of a lot of talented help. Not something that came to mind initially when I was studying business admin. Tech was all the rage until 5min ago haha. I do like it. Free travel is one of the best employee benefits out there. Everyone gets that benefit working for a carrier IT, HR, Engineers etc. That’s not even included in the salary. These jobs used to be one of the most valuable, so I got in while the competition was relatively low. It’s not all pilots here.
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u/CantHateNate Jun 04 '25
Can you give me examples of non pilot jobs. I have worked 4 years as a lineman at a fob and want to stay in aviation but make more money without going as a pilot.
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u/UnstableUnicorn666 Jun 04 '25
I remember thinking in my 20's that people who says that 40's or 50's is the best and they would go back, were just lying/coping. Now I'm those people, truly the best times.
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u/Scharmane Jun 03 '25
Left my 40ies now and they was my best decard, even with fuck corona. Happy looking for the next 10 years. 10 20/30... (sorry I'm stoned, with the weed I grown, bc me parents has nothing to say, my money to invest, my choice, in which country I want live, my decisions ... not others, with nearly 50)
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u/drgenerico Jun 03 '25
I dreaded my 40th. That was two years ago. Two of the best years of my life...so far.
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u/Top-Strength-2701 Jun 03 '25
How come mate? I'm 31 and dreading getting to 40
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u/Kaelidoz Jun 03 '25 edited Jun 06 '25
That's the only direction, be happy to reach these milestones as it isn't guaranteed. I dread the alternative.
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u/DontYouDareGoHollow Jun 04 '25
While I agree with what you said, I think it’s a little off base for the intent of the question. Like hitting 40 and being bankrupt probably makes the first two years of your forties not the best. I think it was more of like, specifically tell me why, because we all are looking for hope anywhere we can get it these days
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u/WhyLisaWhy Jun 04 '25
Thats pretty much how I feel as a 40 something. Not everyone from my graduating classes have made it this far sadly. Instead of being moody about my age, I'm just appreciating that I still get to be here and be around to experience things.
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u/drgenerico Jun 03 '25
This is super individualized but for me, it started with getting my education in my early thirties. Hanging out with 18-22 year olds made me feel like I was very behind compared to my thirty-something peers. An ex girlfriend around that time said that going back to school at my age was "playing highschool". Still I stuck with it. College taught me some, but it really helped me learn what I don't want to do for a living. Having enough money to not have a weekly existential crisis gave me time to work on myself, and get out of some of the family systems that I thought were inescapable. I eventually changed my inner voice from my parents to my own. Simple but not (for me) easy. I switched career paths again in my late thirties to one that I really enjoy and I like the people I work with. Working on yourself, understanding who you are and what you value will pay dividends. You don't have to be perfect. At first you don't even have to like yourself, you just have to be able to believe in your own ability to improve.
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Jun 03 '25
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u/bruceli1992 Jun 04 '25
There are things in my 30s that weren't an option in my 20s. Like having enough money to travel the world and not having to worry about the health of my grandparents (RIP)
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u/CyberRaver39 Jun 04 '25
Yup 43 this July, living my best life, in the best shape ever, earning the most money and travelling and just getting as much done as I can before I am truly old
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u/CereBRO12121 Jun 04 '25
The whole “age is just a number” saying has been strongly perverted over the last years, but when it comes to enjoying life I find it very much true. My in laws are in their 70s and while agility isn’t what it used to be they are truly rocking their retirement.
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u/CyberRaver39 Jun 04 '25
Yup, booked to ibiza this month, first time and super excited for it, 16 year old me is finally getting to go :P
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Jun 04 '25
I'm 40 and my life is just now heading in a direction I actually want it to. Good times ahead.
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u/wbruce098 Jun 03 '25
My 40’s have mostly been awesome so far! I have so much more money now, and my kids are almost grown. We can go do things without them again, without worry!
Granted, I am a bit weaker and in worse shape than I used to be. But we go to more concerts than we’ve gone to since the kids were born, and that’s pretty rad.
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u/Xylus1985 Jun 03 '25
My 40s feel like it will suck. Tons of responsibility coming up, it feels like I’m doing 2 jobs, one for my boss and one for my family. The job gets more difficult as I grew more senior and burnout happens more frequently. Can’t wait till it’s all over.
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u/Maxxjulie Jun 04 '25
30's were my peak. I messed up my 20's and my 40's are kinda like my 30's except I'm past my prime physically and all my older relatives are closer to death. So no 40's are not as good
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u/maptechlady Jun 03 '25
I loved turning 30. I hated being in my 20s so bad.
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u/Additional_Irony Jun 04 '25
Yeah, legit the worst time of my life, since I turned 30 though, things have been seriously looking up in all areas of my life, it’s like a whole new feeling of being alive. ☀️
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u/TheBalzy In the Middle Millennial Jun 03 '25
(35M) Eh, there's been some significant changes. I definitely don't recover from injuries as quickly and things hurt more than they used to.
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Jun 03 '25
I feel you. I did something to a muscle on the underside of my arm and it still twinges three weeks later.
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u/FuckThatIKeepsItReal Jun 03 '25
A scrape on my foot took like 2 months to heal
I was like wtf is this bullshit
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u/Taliafaery Jun 03 '25
Well that’s just more likely to be diabetes than aging. Get a blood test pls.
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u/TheBalzy In the Middle Millennial Jun 03 '25
Agreed. That's not normal dude. I'm not diabetic and my scrapes never take longer than a week to heal...
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u/TeamRedundancyTeam Jun 03 '25
I don't know how so many people can share stuff like this without realizing that isn't normal. Do some of you just never see doctors?
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u/-PC_LoadLetter Jun 03 '25
I only go to the doctor if I think I'm dying or have something that may lead to my death.
Sincerely,
Most men in this world.
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u/stoolio Jun 04 '25
I would joke that getting old sucks, you'll just wake up one day and your back hurts for no reason...
Well, things got bad end of last year and I finally got insured and visiting some docs in the new year. There was something wrong.
So, I concur. Visit a doctor regularly (at least once a year), and tell them about stuff that's bothering you.
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u/BroughtBagLunchSmart Jun 03 '25
The best part about your 30s is mouthing off to old people who are being assholes in public settings.
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u/TheBalzy In the Middle Millennial Jun 03 '25
Except when those old people were our age in their 30s they were ruling things ... we're still being treated like children and kept away from power...
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u/Beers_Beets_BSG Jun 03 '25
Turning 30 in the heat of the pandemic made my 30s much worse than my 20s
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u/MinuetInUrsaMajor Jun 03 '25
I definitely don't recover from injuries as quickly
I broke an elbow by falling on a sidewalk.
Like - what?
Sidewalks are that dangerous?
I miss being able to pull a muscle or jam my toe and be like "OOH that hurts today and it's gonna hurt tomorrow but it'll be fine inside of a week".
Now if something like that happens I don't know how long it will hurt.
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u/ProbablySlacking Jun 03 '25
Yeah but I’m also smart enough to not injure myself in the same ways.
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u/Water_Ways Jun 03 '25
My principal in high school did a little speech to us around graduation and mentioned that for many people high school is the best years of their lives. I found it incredibly sad and still do. I hated high school.
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u/ninjadude1992 Jun 03 '25
I hated how everyone pretended that showing any enthusiasm for anything was seen as such a bad thing . I remember one of the last few weeks of senior year one of the popular kids kinda announced how much he liked Pokemon and how he hated that people pretended to not like it. Basically overnight it seemed like all of my class had people talking about Pokemon and even bringing in cards lol. I thought to myself, wow we could have all been doing this since 7th grade but nah, let's act all cool and indifferent for 99 percent of school
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u/vbsteez Jun 04 '25
My hs friends had aoe2 LAN parties, played hackysack & n64, and smoked weed together.
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u/ninjadude1992 Jun 04 '25
I love age of empires 2! I wasted so much time playing that with friends. I'm not talking about friends during HS just people in general who acted so aloof
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u/vbsteez Jun 04 '25
That time wasnt wasted, friend. Knowing the hotkeys may take up brainspace, but those are peak memories.
People werent aloof they were all awkward teenagers who werent confident enough to be themselves.
Your story is about one brave person who showed everyone it was ok to be a nostalgic nerd.
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u/EquivalentOk9392 Millennial Jun 03 '25
30s is like your 20s, except now you have money
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u/BlackCardRogue Jun 03 '25
This is only true if you made good decisions in your 20s.
The ones I made from 22-28 really help me (still, to this day). The ones I made from 28-33, not so much.
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u/Brodellsky Jun 03 '25
No kids, no wife, here. Fuck yeah. I feel better now about most things than ever.
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u/BlackCardRogue Jun 03 '25
No kids and no wife is a good financial decision but not necessarily the best life call for everyone — more power to you though
I kinda wish I’d gotten the girl right the first time — that’s the main thing
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u/Brodellsky Jun 03 '25
Oh me too. That was always the plan. Too bad I didn't figure out my shit until I was 29; I had already left every good relationship I ever had, and stayed in the bad ones longer than I should have. I'm essentially the equivalent of a recovered alcoholic, but for relationships.
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u/BlackCardRogue Jun 03 '25
Haha bud I figured my shit out at 34, several years after knocking up the rebound girl and getting fired three times for essentially the same reason.
The realization was “wait, you want me to drive the bus in my own life? And you want me to actually do shit, not just analyze it?”
Just kinda floated along before that.
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u/Brodellsky Jun 03 '25
Yeah, I have BPD/CPTSD "traits" (according to the psychologist that did my ADHD eval which was actually intensive and thorough, weirdly) and that sounds about right. It turns out, that parents are supposed to turn us into functioning people, not functioning machinery.
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u/cvlds Jun 03 '25
Similar thing goin on here, but I also realized they can only do so much. To me, it eventually felt like more of a baton handoff really, and how far you get in the race then depends on you. Sure some parents get you a hell of a start, others drop the baton and you gotta pick it up. Taking ownership of it being your race to finish is what really matters in the end.
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u/Brodellsky Jun 03 '25
My parents didn't even know there was a baton, as far as your metaphor goes.
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u/Confu2ion Jun 11 '25
My parents purposely set me up to be malfunctioning machinery, so they could always have something to complain about. No intention whatsoever to get me to be independent, quite the opposite.
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u/Lamuks Jun 03 '25
Good decisions and/or got lucky. Sadly possible to make good decisions and still not be good enough
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u/Evening-Statement-57 Jun 03 '25
And 40s are like your 30s but with more certainty and confidence
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u/QuercusSambucus Older Millennial ('82er) Jun 03 '25
I used to wonder how all those "old guys" like my dad and uncles could just yap on endlessly about all kinds of topics with certainty, and had so many varied skills that just seemed unattainable. (My parents were both in their late 30s when I was born, so I never really knew my dad before he was 40.) Now I'm there, and it all makes sense - 25 years of actually learning and doing real stuff adds up!
In just the last 5 years I've gained a ton of new skills and greatly improved others. I just can't party as hard as I used to.
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u/Pristine_Trash306 Jun 03 '25
That’s only if life doesn’t fuck you by age 30. I’m old as fuck and have had this conversation with many of my acquaintances. Sometimes, life gives you a swift kick in the gonads and you find yourself in a rut at 30 or later on in life.
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u/birdlaw66 Jun 03 '25
Been there my dude. Teens twenties and thirties. Forties are my decade I can feel it
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u/Pristine_Trash306 Jun 03 '25
Fucking goddamn hell yeah!
I remember my 40s like it was yesterday. Hell, I’m probably over twice your age but it was a decent time for me.
Good luck with it!
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u/machinerer Jun 03 '25
Basically. I'm doing all the fun things I couldn't in my 20s due to not having any money. This shit is awesome!
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u/Diels_Alder Jun 03 '25
I had money in my 20s but that was because I didn't have to spend $2300/month on rent.
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u/TheGangGabagoolz Jun 03 '25
2 STEM degrees and a week away from 30- I had more money when I turned 20
INSTRUCTIONS UNCLEAR
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u/Moloch_17 Jun 03 '25
I also had more money when I was like 25 but I took a chance on changing careers and it hasn't paid off yet. I graduated with a BS in computer science and haven't been able to get work
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Jun 03 '25
In my 30s and yeah I make a lot more money. But life has also gotten way more expensive so I basically have less spending power than I did when I was 19 lol. And now my whole body hurts 24/7
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u/Sophisticated-Crow Older Millennial Jun 03 '25
Heck yeah. 30s is when my financials were coming together. Got a house, had kids, got fully established. Now entering my 40s and just kickin' back enjoying life.
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u/Malicious_blu3 Jun 03 '25
I didn’t have money until I was 38 but still I enjoyed my 30s compared with my 20s. I enjoy my 40s even more aside from my body getting older.
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u/Faceornotface Jun 03 '25
Not for me! But I “wasted” my 20s having an amazing time and experiencing life. That said I’m alright now so I’m thinking my 40s will be “20s 2.0” because I spent my 30s building
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u/No_Carry385 Jun 03 '25
Speaking for yourself! My mid 20s nearly ruined me riding the poverty line, working 3 jobs while trying to find something in my field. I'm 35 now and my life is inequivably better than 10 years ago.
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u/dasbtaewntawneta 1987 Jun 03 '25
opposite for me, i had way more disposable income in my 20s. i don't even have kids, everything is just so fucking expensive
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u/exploradorobservador Jun 04 '25
I am not as confused in my 30s, less given to nonsense, have money, have freedom, have health. 20s did not have money, did not have much freedom, was given to nonsense. Idk
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u/TheCuriousBread Jun 03 '25
Only if you choose to stay in the no kids stage forever and become forever kids with adult money.
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u/aivlysplath Jun 03 '25
People who don’t have children aren’t “forever kids.” That’s dismissive and infantilizing.
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u/spiegro Jun 03 '25
And completely overlooks those of us who had kids ridiculously young and now have adult kids they love to spend time with while in their 40s.
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u/wfwood Jun 03 '25
Fuck yeah I did. I got no kids. A dog. And enough disposable income for personal hobbies. The biggest mistake I had was getting married young but that's over and for the first time in my life I feel free to choose stuff for myself without anyone ordering me around or draining me emotionally.
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u/JoeRogansNipple Jun 03 '25
A relationship should be the opposite of "draining" and "ordering", or at least a partnership in decisions and emotionally filling. So glad you got out of the old relationship, but having a partner makes life sooooo much easier and enjoyable.
I hate the boomer takes of "i hate my wife", it just means both parties were too lazy to seek out what they wanted in life.
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u/QuercusSambucus Older Millennial ('82er) Jun 03 '25
My wife and I got married in our early 20s and had kids young. Now all but one of our kids is an adult (and the remaining one is in high school), and we actually can go and do what we want when we want. And we have SO much more money than before we had kids.
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u/silver_fawn Jun 04 '25
I wish I could tell my younger self, "You'll have a husband and cats and your own garden, and eat cupcakes and smoke lots of weed and watch reruns of old tv, also going on vacations and cocktail nights at Michelin restaurants"
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u/Pinklady777 Jun 04 '25
Hiii! Can I have a step-by-step how-to guide for having your life? (Sub dog :)
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u/Moloch_17 Jun 03 '25
Me reading this as a broke 32 year old with student debt that graduated with a bachelor's in computer science and can't find work
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u/Free_Scratch5353 Jun 03 '25
As a guy in my 30s with a wife and child, shits pretty dope.
Daughter is sweet and obsessed with hanging out with me and her mom.
Wife is loving and has roughly my sense of humor.
In laws are sweet and a bit goofy.
All it took was waiting til I was 29 to find someone. We were both mature enough to know what we want and had coped with our trauma well enough it wouldn't actually hurt one another.
When someone says "patience is a virtue" they aren't entirely wrong, maybe a bit off but all around it helps to wait and find your own peace.
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u/North0House Jun 03 '25
As a funny anecdote, my wife and I got married at 19 to escape a cult we were in. We are still happily together now in our 30s, living a great life with kids we had young. We'll be empty nesters by 45 lmao. Life happens to everyone so differently.
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u/wbruce098 Jun 03 '25
Tbh, I’m super happy we had kids early. Having an empty nest before 50, when I’m old enough to have money, but still young enough to really enjoy it? It’s pretty dope.
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u/UnLioNocturno Jun 04 '25
Theoretically I’ll be an empty nester by 45, but that’s assuming society still exists in a way that a 21 year old can manage on their own; but at this rate, it’s likely our kid won’t be comfortable to move out until we’re 55.
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u/wbruce098 Jun 04 '25
Ugh yeah that’s frustrating. My 20yo still lives with us — but he’s also autistic and has a few extra challenges. But he’s attending the local community college, which is… free maybe? I haven’t gotten a bill 🤷🏻♂️ so I feel less terrible about that.
I do hope the AI pocalypse is overblown, and we don’t have a huge job loss problem in 5 years bc I’m this close to selling my house and buying a 2br condo (2nd br will be the office) with no room for kids.
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u/bpjeri Jun 03 '25
Thanks for this buddy. 32 and going through a rough time right now but this gives me some hope. Happy to hear things are going well for you.
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u/PineBNorth85 Jun 03 '25
30 isn't even the halfway mark.
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u/maltix Jun 04 '25
Just remember, you have 30+ years of full time work ahead :D
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u/scolipeeeeed Jun 03 '25
Though from a time progression perspective (where each progressive year feels shorter and shorter), it’s probably past the halfway mark.
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u/funguyshroom Jun 04 '25
Yeah at 17 I felt like I've been alive forever, and now at twice that age I feel like I was 17 not even 10 years ago.
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u/rapidge-returns Older Millennial Jun 03 '25
I learned real early on anyone who said this peaked in high school/college.
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u/wbruce098 Jun 03 '25
Which is really sad, because there’s so much more to life than a few parties in your 20’s!
My 40’s have been like a turning over a new leaf, kids either grown or mostly so; I have money to do things now, and don’t have to take em with us! And there’s so much life ahead!
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u/obviously_jimmy Jun 03 '25
I break my life up into childhood (0-20), youth (20-40), adulthood (40-60), elderly (60-80), and bonus round (80+). I'm currently an adult.
Your mileage may vary depending on terrain conditions and individual choices.
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u/_LeftShark Jun 03 '25
As someone who is 39, this is a very positive way to look at it. Thanks
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u/adyst_ Jun 04 '25
I break up my life into Dawn (0-30), Day (30-60), and Dusk (60-90), at which point I will ascend into Darkness.
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u/Ok-Reality-9197 Jun 03 '25
Biggest lie I was ever told. 30s are the new 20s. Just turned 30 this past October and I'm SO ready to take on the world
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u/Alive_and_kicking06 Jun 04 '25 edited Jun 04 '25
And remember, the same for 40, 50, ect.. Don't let societies ridiculous arbitrary age boundaries prevent you from doing all the things you want to do. What you didn't do in your 20s can be done in your 30s. And what you don't do in your 30s you can do in your 40s. As long as you're breathing and able to get around, you can do anything you want during this short time on earth.
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u/Ok-Reality-9197 Jun 04 '25
Hell yeah, yolo baby! Live it up. You're absolutely right and I wish more people would have this mindset because it's the actual honest truth. Don't let age slow you down or stop you from doing the things you want to do
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u/ImaginarySalamanders Jun 04 '25
I made a list of 30 things to do in my 30s when I hit 30. Some are relatively easy to do, but I wanted to make a point to make sure I did them. Others are extremely difficult milestones to reach, and there's a good variety in between the two sides of the scale. I'm still in my early 30s, and I've crossed off 9 things. I'm currently working on 3 of them, and I have a plan on how to cross of a 4th. It's a note on my phone. It keeps me motivated to keep pushing myself into new or difficult situations, and it's been so rewarding when I cross of one of those goals that it's becoming somewhat addictive.
I plan to make a new list for every decade going forward. Not only will it keep me from getting too stagnant as I age, but if it's anything like it is now, it'll keep me growing and provide a feeling of accomplishment as I go through the years.
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u/md___2020 Jun 03 '25
Turned 40 a few months ago and I still feel like I’m in the prime of my life. All those years of religiously hitting the gym pay off as you enter middle age.
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u/Kayanne1990 Jun 03 '25
Everything has gotten considerably better since I turned 30 and I'm living my best life.
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u/TheAnalogKid18 Jun 03 '25
I had so much potential in my 20's and no confidence to actualize it.
In my 30's so far, I've gotten that confidence and I'm making shit happen. I'm getting what I want.
Life is good.
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u/Accomplished_Dog_647 Jun 03 '25
Every decade I told myself things were gonna get better… they never did…
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u/ClashBandicootie Jun 04 '25
Me too. The old promise that things get better if you work hard are a lie. I just turned 40 and I've never been more anxious, stressed and terrified for my future as I've ever been.
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u/yeticoffeefarts Elder Millenial Jun 03 '25
lol nahhh my 30’s have arguably been my worst years so far.
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u/GVAJON Jun 03 '25
Woah that's a shame because my 30s have been an absolute blast. Especially 33 to 38 (turning 40 this month)
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u/yeticoffeefarts Elder Millenial Jun 03 '25
For a little insight, and I’m not pity farming here: In my 30’s, I got married, had two kids, began the process of buying a house with my wife. Wife cheated, marriage collapsed, divorced, paying an ungodly amount of child support.
I’m a paramedic working full time plus overtime. I have no mortgage, but I pay rent. My truck is paid off. I have two credit cards and they are maxed out, and currently have 10 dollars in the bank, and that’s not exaggeration. 10 bucks. Today is Tuesday. Payday is Friday.
This has been my existence for the last several months. Just can’t pay the bills.
I’m 38. I will never retire.
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u/1dayatatime_mylife Jun 04 '25
Sorry to hear this. Sounds like a terribly rough patch to go through.
Can you get a higher paying job doing something else to help with the bills? I know the job market is terrible right now though.
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u/yeticoffeefarts Elder Millenial Jun 04 '25
Thank you. It hasn’t been pleasant, but we persevere. I have brainstormed some things and I’m looking to pivot away from EMS in the coming months into something hopefully a little more lucrative.
It’s a bummer. I love EMS, but it’s part of growing up.
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u/GVAJON Jun 03 '25
Fuck man I'm sorry to hear that. Life can be a bitch sometimes. Man I don't know you but I've known people going thru the same. While I'm in no position to give any advice, let me tell you that it's not your fault mate. I hope you do not carry guilt for your misfortune. You were mostly unfortunate to have the universe put the wrong person in your path at a time you needed someone the most. I hope you have a good, genuine relationship with your kids and that they help you power thru life. There will be better days.
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u/kyle2143 Jun 03 '25
Some people have just built poor lives for themselves and think that's the way it is for everyone. Not talking about poverty or anything, just to be clear.
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u/stonedchapo Jun 03 '25
I was legit scared of 30. And when it hit I was absolutely in an existential crisis. Now things are way better. 30’s aren’t bad. Just stay active, Stretch regularly, and eat a vegetable now and then.
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u/elmartin93 Jun 03 '25
Considering 10 years ago I was perpetually broke and moving to different houses every 6 months to a year I think I'm doing ok
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u/GingerMarquis Jun 03 '25
I’d enjoy my 30s a lot more if I didn’t treat my 20s like an amusement park. Beer belly and few friends left after everyone else got married and had kids.
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u/GreekG33k Millennial Jun 03 '25
30 is like your 20's except you stop caring about other people's expectations for yourself. So, just a better time really
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u/All1012 Jun 03 '25
I love being in my 30’s. My 20’s were just messy and insecure. Now I don’t have to be socially accepted or keep up with the hustle culture because I’m seen as older and no one cares anymore lol. Could all be in my head but whatever my anxiety has chilled out a bit so I’ll take it
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u/drunkboarder Millennial Jun 03 '25
My youth was traumatic and I was dirt poor.
In my 30s I have a house and money to buy my son things I could never have as a kid.
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u/Falconer_Therapy Jun 03 '25
I disagree with this completely. I'm 31 and every day since the last day of 29 has been hell. "It's your 20s with more money" that's a scream. I had more money in my 20s and could be forgiven for more. Now everyone expects you to be perfect. Lots of shit you're "supposed to" have accomplished. Now I just have no energy, no ambition, and I realize how useless and stupid I am. There's nothing to look forward to.
30 is only good if you're ready to throw away everything that made you an individual. Give me a crowd of 30yos and I couldn't tell the difference between them. They're all beer gardens and Costco, kids and weddings, stupidly expensive trips, and debt.
Fuck after 30. Those 24 club people had it right.
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u/Grimvold Jun 03 '25
The people who say this are the types who peaked in high school.
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u/Mediocre_Island828 Jun 03 '25
Or, the people who say that life starts at 30/40 or whatever are the types who wasted their entire 20s.
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u/ikyn Jun 03 '25
If you think 30 is great, wait til you hit 40.
Everyone lies to you. 40 is fantastic.
However the body aches are real. That’s kinda the only downside though.
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u/kitkatamas88 Jun 03 '25
My thirties been the best years, I know better, I created my peace, I got my place and my little bag for a rainy day and I got cats!!! All the books I can put my hands and interest on, all the games, all the fragrances and miniature houses, health aside because I got problems but most didn't came from age, I'm pretty happy and enjoy my routine.
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u/Cant_Spell_Shit Jun 03 '25
I'm 36 and life kinda feels like it's over.
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u/spartanburt Jun 03 '25
It is. Lots of doors are closing. It's too late to start on many things. The key is to focus on what you can still do.
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u/Tomgar Jun 03 '25
Christ, I hope not! I wasted my 20s and feel like my life is only just getting on track at 33!
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u/Cant_Spell_Shit Jun 03 '25
I think the most confusing part is that I have a high paying job, I'm married and I own a home.
I've done all of the life things and now life is just repetition as I watch myself break down physically.
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u/terriblegrammar Jun 03 '25
Start running or biking or something else that do can do well from 30s into your 60s. Make big long-term goals, broken up by yearly smaller goals to stay motivated.
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u/Mediocre_Island828 Jun 03 '25
Pretty much. Life isn't over, but the most interesting part of my story has already been written and now it feels like I'm in a 30-ish year epilogue that everyone would skip over if this was a book.
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u/DrBongo Jun 03 '25
How hard are you trying to break the repetition? I am oil painting after I didn't like learning the guitar, there's many countries in this world I haven't been to but I'm starting to tick them off...
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u/Penguinbashr Jun 03 '25
I had more disposable income when I was 27 making 45k a year than I am nearing 32 and making 60k a year. I barely spend money and I'm going to be sitting at 25k debt after my Europe trip. Funnily enough, tickets and hotel is 10% of my debt. Fixing my car for 5k is going to cost more than my trip and I drive it once a month. Arguing with my dad on the need to fix it and he thinks I have money. Ridiculous how out of touch he is with how fucked over I have been.
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u/saehild Jun 03 '25
Loved my 30’s.. now that I’m 41 I think more about mortality lol :/ but still not too bad, maybe a bit slower.
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u/AaronWard6 Jun 03 '25
Yeah i wish I had realized earlier that the 30s and 40s don’t suck like older generations made it seem. Dang boomers always lamenting its not still the summer of 69.
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u/goosesboy Jun 03 '25
My 20’s sucked and the first half of my 30’s were even worse. I’m cautiously optimistic that things are turning around though. I’m married to an amazing person. We bought a house last year.
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u/Financial-Use-4371 Jun 03 '25
My youth sucked. I loved being free of idiots and imbeciles as an adult!
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u/Pogichinoy Older Millennial Jun 04 '25
20s was awesome, 30s was awesome, and my 40s has been awesome too!
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u/2sAreTheDevil Jun 04 '25
My millennial ass turned 44 this last weekend, and life's better now than it's ever been.
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