Thirty

Friday afternoon I had the pleasure of welcoming a dear friend into her fourth decade.

We met at the gorgeous Pippin Hill to celebrate Kath’s birthday.

(Tate makes friends where ever he goes.)

I got to thinking about this decade that myself and most of my friends are now in and, after a year and a half of it, I can wholeheartedly say that the 30’s are the best yet!

I’m much less self-conscious than I was in my teens or 20’s.

I feel more comfortable than ever in my body (even as my skin starts to wrinkle 🙁 ).

Friendships are deeper, more important, and in some ways easier to make.

I’m learning to say ‘no’ to jobs that I don’t need or want.  In my 20’s I felt like I needed to jump on any opportunity that came my way.  These days I still work 6 different jobs, sometimes in the same day, but I also turn down things that don’t fit with my overall goals or enhance my quality of life.

I feel settled but not tied down.  My 20’s were spent in 4 different cities (Salt Lake, Portland, Lima, Charlottesville) and almost a dozen different houses.

I’m less uptight, less anxious, less judgmental than I was a decade ago and I think it comes from gaining a little perspective and coming into contact with so many different types of people and experiences over the years.

How about you?  What’s your favorite age yet?

You’re next Matt!