The 3 MOST IMPORTANT QUESTIONS TO ASK YOURSELF IN YOUR THIRTIES
As a gal in her early thirties, I want to share what I found to be the three most important questions to ask yourself as you as you enter this exciting new decade! #DazzlingInMyThirties #30AndWiser
So you're turning 30?
At one point or another, I think many of us envisioned the milestone of 30 as the juncture where everything falls into place – a flourishing career, ideal partner, the keys to our very own home, and perhaps the expectation of new life on the way. 👶🍼
Our twenties were a wild adventure, full of exploration and experimentation, and hitting the big 3-0 might feel like the end of the party. But I’m here to tell you, stepping into your thirties isn’t all doom and gloom. It’s actually quite the opposite!
I used to dread turning thirty until I shifted my mindset and took a more intentional and proactive approach to navigating this new chapter.
In this blog post, I’m excited to share:
🔹The 3 most crucial questions to ask yourself as you step into your thirties
🔹How these questions will shape the trajectory of your coming years
🔹How to make the most of this empowering new decade
So, if you’ve been feeling nervous about turning 30, fear not! I assure you, this next chapter will be nothing short of exhilarating and once you reflect on these questions, you’ll be set to turn your thirties into a revamped version of your twenties! ✨ #Twenties2.0 #LetsGo
1) Do you like the person you've become?
No, I don’t mean in terms of your accomplishments or your current life situation – I think it’s safe to say that many of us get caught up in self-criticism, feeling like we could have done better in our careers, finances, health, relationships… and so the list goes on.
What I’m truly asking is this: Do you genuinely like who you are as a person?
It’s a difficult question to ask yourself but at age 30, you’re at a pivotal point where your habits and patterns of thinking start to solidify, becoming more and more ingrained as time goes on. That’s why it’s important to face this question now.
Upon reflecting, if you find yourself at odds with certain aspects of your character, don’t beat yourself up! At 30 years young, you still have plenty of time to redefine yourself and lay the groundwork for your future self.
When I turned 30, I suddenly felt immense pressure to “get it all together.” I didn’t have any of the traditional things one would expect to have at this age.
I felt far from where I wanted to be but I forced myself to take a deep look at my past patterns and behaviors, noticing the gaps between who I was and the person I wanted to become.
Carol Dweck’s book, Mindset, was a game-changer for me in this process. She breaks down the difference between having a fixed mindset versus a growth mindset in such a relatable way. (If, like me, you grew up in a household where your parents were quick to assign labels like “the smart one,” “the messy one,” etc. to you and your siblings, then this book might resonate with you as well.)
Once I broke from the notion that I was bound by a fixed identity and I wrapped my head around the idea that change was totally within my grasp, I suddenly felt like all these new possibilities that I never previously considered were suddenly available to me. 🤯
So, if you’re not happy with who you are and the direction you’re headed, here’s a little reminder, ladies… you’ve got the power to shake things up! You are capable of change, and once you embrace this truth, trust me, you’re going to start waking up with a brand new zest for life and you’ll start noticing all kinds of positive shifts manifesting in your life!
2) Are you satisfied with your current career path?
Okay, this one is a little less deep but equally as important. The career path you choose is not just about paying the bills (though that’s definitely significant) – it’s about shaping your whole life, from your health to your happiness to your feelings of self-worth.
At thirty years old, you’re like a fine wine aged to perfection. 🍷 You’re no longer stumbling into your first adult job like a lost puppy. You’ve got the wisdom, emotional intelligence, and self-awareness to strut into any job like you own the place.
Well… that’s the goal, anyway. 🤷🏽♀️ Sadly, many of us don’t feel this way. Instead, we feel defeated and dissatisfied in our careers but we struggle to muster the confidence to pursue more for ourselves. If this resonates with you, then it might be time for some SERIOUS career introspection. 🔍
Maybe you feel like your skills and talents are gathering dust on the shelf, being “wasted” on mundane tasks instead of being utilized to their full potential at work. Maybe there’s a passion burning inside you, but you’re scared to pursue it due to fear of failure. Or, maybe you find yourself daydreaming about the “perfect job,” but failing to take any concrete steps to actually make anything happen (I was in camp #3).
There are a million and one reasons why you might feel stuck in your career, but at age 30, it’s the perfect time to figure out why! Maybe it’s time for a career pivot and a chance to chase your dreams. Or perhaps it’s about shifting your mindset, seeing your current job through a new lens of possibility and growth.
Whatever it is, the inside scoop is this: you don’t need all the answers right this second. It’s okay if you aren’t 100% clear on your vision yet. The key is to keep trying new things, keep learning, and keep pushing yourself beyond your comfort zone.
If you need some inspiration on where to start, explore some unique ways to begin investing in your professional growth in my latest blog post: 5 Creative Ways to Build Skills for a Resume from Home.
So ladies, reflect, ponder, and journal like your life depends on it to uncover the root of your discontent. But don’t let it stop there. Take action, even if it’s just a baby step toward your future self, because let’s be real, it’s the inaction that will diminish your self-worth and THAT is the real dream killer.
3) Are you living a balanced life?
Alright, let’s wrap things up and talk a bit about balance. ⚖️ We’ve gone into depth about chasing our dreams and climbing the career ladder, but let’s hit the brakes for a moment and focus on another hot topic: SELF-CARE. ✨
Yes, I know we’re all ambitious boss babes here hustling hard to build our dream lives, but sometimes it’s necessary to take a step back so we can see the big picture.
Self-care isn’t just about slapping on a face mask and painting your nails; it’s about carving out time for whatever fills your cup and puts a smile on your face!
Whenever I find myself going overboard with any single activity, I start feeling seriously out of whack. If I dive headfirst into work like there’s no tomorrow, I end up feeling totally disconnected from myself. But if I’m all play, play, play without putting in any meaningful work, I’m left feeling kind of lost and directionless.
To build a genuinely happy and balanced life, we have to prioritize ALL ASPECTS of our being. Our 30s aren’t just about the 9 to 5 – they are a time to really tune into who we are and what makes us feel alive! 🌠
So, amidst all the chaos and hustle, don’t forget to carve out some time for what really lights you up. Don’t overlook the importance of nurturing all aspects of your existence – aka the things that make you YOU! From your health to your hobbies to your relationships – keep investing in the full spectrum of your awesomeness as you navigate the thrilling adventure that is your thirties!
So there you have it, ladies! Your thirties aren’t just some scary milestone – they’re an exciting decade full of new experiences and accomplishments. And armed with the knowledge you’ve gained from these questions, you’ll be strutting into this new chapter like a boss.
We might not be in our twenties anymore, but we certainly feel more sure of ourselves. We have more comfort, stability, and inner peace than ever before. And hey, we aren’t creaking when we walk yet, so I’m pretty sure we can count that as a win for adulting! 😉🎉