So, you’re thirty something…
No longer a 20-year-old college kid but still a few years shy of turning 40.
Nonetheless, we believe that as you’re in your 30s, it’s time to leave a few things in the past so you can move forward in life and be happier.
Here are 10 things you can stop doing today:
1. Stop Living Up to Others’ Expectations
Do you find yourself living up your parents’ or friends’ expectations? How far did that get you in life? In his 2005 Stanford Commencement address, the late Apple CEO, Steve Jobs said: “…have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary.” If you don’t feel your life is heading in the right direction, now is the time to stop listening to others and to follow your heart and intuition.
2. Stop Wishing You Had Someone Else’s Life
So, you want to be as successful as Steve Jobs, as famous as Lady Gaga or as fast as Usain Bolt? Well, that works great when you’re in your teens but not when you’re in your 30’s. The aforementioned people started working hard towards their goals long before they were even 20. This is not meant to discourage you though. If there is a dream you want to achieve, start doing it today for it’s never too late! But first, love yourself, accept who you are and be grateful for what you have. Don’t try to live someone else’s life as this will result in frustration, jealousy and anger.
3. Stop Blaming Your Mother for All Your Issues
According to The Millionaire Mindset book, being stuck in the blame game (where most of us happen to be) prevents you from ever moving forward. Maybe your mother had too high expectations from you as a child. Maybe she was too hard on you. You can either keep blaming her for everything or you might as well take responsibility and start grabbing life by the horns. The choice is yours.
4.Stop Living Paycheck to Paycheck
Economic times are tough. Still, living paycheck to paycheck is stressful, scary and is not a recommended way to go through life. Maybe you’re overspending and need some financial guidance. You will find plenty of help on financial planning, budgeting and money-saving online. Alternatively, you can seek advice at your local bank.
5. Stop Buying Plastic Furniture
There’s no need to fill your house with Natuzzi and Williams-Sonoma luxury furniture your kids can inherit. But as you’re no longer 20, it’s time to get rid of that flimsy plastic kitchen table and those plastic chairs that even your cat is tired of scratching. Start looking at design magazines and websites, go to affordable designer furniture stores such as IKEA and find ways to bring some style into your home!
6. Stop Eating Fast Food
Don’t get us wrong. The odd taco, pizza or chips when you’re out with friends is OK. After all, you need to enjoy life and tasty food isn’t always healthy. But as a general rule, it’s time to start caring more about nutrition. For the cost of a typical fast food meal you can buy a few days’ worth of food products. Clueless about cooking? There’s no shortage of quick and easy recipes online.
7. Stop Forgetting Your Fruits and Vegetables
We’re not here to teach you about the benefits of eating fruits and vegetables. You probably know most of them already. But since no one is there to remind you, fruits and vegetables have disappeared from your menu along with their vitamins. If you need an afternoon snack, there’s a chocolate bar for that. And why make a salad when you can open a can? But seriously, it’s time to bring fruits and vegetables back to your plate, we say! How many, you ask? The more, the better.
8. Stop Waiting Around for Things to Happen
We know you’ve got plans for this big round-the-world trip, after you’ve launched your startup and sold it to Google, that is. But how come most of your big plans are still, well, plans? Positive thoughts, gratitude statements, vision boards – they all work. But now is the time to make things happen because they simply won’t happen on their own.
9. Stop Wearing Wrinkled Clothes
Nobody seemed to care when you went to school with wrinkled clothes. Even later, in college or university, your friends and partners made no fuss over a fold or a wrinkle in your button down shirt. You were all students, after all, with no extra time or money for ironing. But now that you’re in your 30s, how about you wave goodbye to the wrinkled chic and make the iron your best wardrobe friend? There is nothing worse than a dressed up guy/girl with wrinkled clothing. Don’t let that be you…
10. Stop Stalking Your Schoolmates on Facebook
“People come into your life for a reason, a season, or a lifetime…”
(Brian A. “Drew” Chalker)
School is a season in our life. Often an exciting one, when we learn a lot about life, about society or even experience our first love. But don’t you want to leave that period behind? So what if you can easily spot your high-school prom date or your prankster classmate on Facebook? So much time has passed and your life has gone through different paths, the chances are any interaction between you will merely cause embarrassment. So leave seasonal friends behind, stop wasting time on Facebook and move on with your life!
So, there you have it. Ten things we believe you should stop doing, now that you’re in your 30s.
How about you?
What are the things you’ve stopped doing now that you’re 30 or older?
What things do you wish your 30-year-old friends stopped doing? Share your thoughts in the box below!
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