Milestone B-days (30, 40, 50 etc.) and Your Feelings

[lspst8]

So, today is my 30th birthday. I feel exactly the same as I did yesterday. I didn't worry about or dread the day like some of my friends did. One of my friends turned 30 over a month ago, and she still moping about it! She says she has to "officially" be an adult now, even though she has been acting like a responsible adult for 6 or 7 years now -- you know, pays the bills, has a mortgage, goes to a job that provides benefits -- typical "adult" stuff.

So is my reaction normal? Will I feel super old and "adult-like" at a different birthday like 35 or 40? Maybe it is because I got married 2 weeks ago, that I didn't even think about this birhtday. Getting married is a much bigger change than turning 30, in my opinion. I figure you either get older or you die, so I'd much prefer getting older

How did you all feel at your last milestone birthday? Which one hit you are the hardest?

 

[jagmom]

I just had my 30th birthday at the beginning of this month. I am in the camp of somewhat moping about it. I think its mainly because the older I get, the more I feel that some of the choices of life are behind. When you are just in your early 20's, it feels like you have so much time ahead of you to do the things you want to do. Now I just feel like I have to keep doing the things I am doing because making a change in career, etc. is so huge. I mean, I am married, own a home, have 2 children, and I have to save for retirement. It makes the idea of making a big change in life that much more daunting.

 

[Darsa]

I honestly didn't give a crap about turning 30... I'm seven months away from turning 40 now, and THAT is kinda freaking me out.

 

[diesel]

I was devistated to turn 30. One of my friends had to take the day off from work when she turned 30 because she was so upset. Turning 40 was so much easier. I think it was just the thought of no longer being in my 20's that had me so upset. Turning 40 was no big deal to me. I hope turning 50 will be the same.

 

[MUFFYCAT]

Turning 30, 40 and 6 months away from 50 have not bothered me.
I feel better today then I did when I was 40 years old.

It's only a number, don't worry.

 

[Mickeyistheman]

Turning 30 was really really bad for me. I was all gung ho and couldn't wait to turn 30 and then about a month before I got really depressed thinking about what has passed me by in life. What I haven't done yet, what my mother had done by the time she was 30 and that made me feel even worse.

I didn't want a party or anything like that.

However my best friend was awesome as were my friends and they did a small surprise at my favorite restaurant. Turning 31 this year was nothing.

I think its different for alot of people. I am still single and have no children and now all of my friends are getting married and having more children so that sort of resonates a bit more with me. The timeclock is ticking and its not fun!

But Happy Birthday and I do hope that whatever you do you have a good time!

 

[PatsMom]

Turning 30 wasn't bad at all. Forty was a piece of cake! I'll be fifty in about a month and that one isn't bothering me either. My only thought was how to make sure no one had one of those awful parties with the black balloons. So I decided to go to Disney for a week. A little earlier in the year than I like to go because it will still be hot but a great way to avoid a party!

 

[Disney Doll]

I have hit 30 & 40 thus far (and am bearing down pretty heavily toward 50 ) and they have never fazed me.

 

[SaraJayne]

I turn 35 this weekend, and it really hasn't bothered me (yet).

Turning 30 was hard for me. I think as I get older, all of my past choices are cast in doubt.

All of the "what if's"...ya know?

Where would I be if I hadn't done this (gotten married at 22? had a baby at 22? not graduating college until I was 26? etc...)

 

[Minnie824]

I don't care about the age. My friends (there are 5 of us) all have birthdays earlier in the year than me, and they all were complaining about the "30" a few years back. To me, it doesn't matter at all. I think what bothers me more is how quick my kids are getting older. That time seems to fly.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

37 was a hard yr. for me. I felt that I was not getting things done "on my list", my life felt crazy, my dd's were 6 & 11. I also had some medical issues, not serious but annoying.

Now I am headed to 45 and I am like, happy to wake up and be healthy. Whatever I get done or accomplish I will enjoy.

 

[NMAmy]

So far, 30 didn't bother me and neither did 40. Fifty is rapidly approaching and I was okay until dd told me that I was "pushing 50" the other day. That was just mean, I still have four whole years!

 

[*pixie*dust*]

Strangely, 25 was hard for me. It was that I was closer to 30 than 20. But turning 30 was no biggie. It was kind of weird.

 

[apirateslifeforme]

30 only bothered me because it suddenly hit me that time was flying by. What happened to my 20s? I don't even remember them! The actual number, though, wasn't a big deal.

I turned 35 last month and it's still bothering me. I have nothing to show for it. I'm divorced, I had to move back home with my mom, and I lost my job. That's not to say my life is terrible; I have a wonderful boyfriend who I probably will marry (he is also 35 and never been married, no kids), living at home is pretty good, as I'm able to save up and pay off my ex's debt, and I'm able to go back to school while looking for a new job. Still...I'm 35 and doing all the stuff that people a decade younger than me usually do!

For some reason,though, I'm looking forward to 40. Go figure.

 

[JESW]

25 was a lot harder on me than 30 was. At 25 I was still single and not sure where I was going or what I wanted to do. At 30 I was married and we were close to owning our first house.

By 35 I had my son...and by 40 I had both of my kids.

But now 50 is coming up and I admit that I am a bit freaked out about it. Months ago I made reservations at Disney as I KNEW I would need some pixie dust that day - by the truck load! And Disney is so nice that they are having a MNSSHP on that night just for me!

FOr this special trip I made dining reservations for all the places I like and I will do the things I like to do. (Fortunately my family likes all the things I like. )

50 to me is such a HUGE number. I read the obits every night and see too many people that age who have died. Health issues start coming up and you can't keep putting off losing weight and getting healthier. My parents are in their 80's and it is hard seeing them age. I take care of my kids and help with my parents care.

I look back on my life with some regrets as there are things I wish I could have done but didn't. A lot of my life now is taking care of others - glad I can do it, but somehow "I" got lost in it all. There are days when that bothers me a lot. I never did figure out what I wanted to be when I grew up....

I have been a bit down lately and I think it is because this birthday is coming up. I am so very glad that I have a Disney trip to look forward to!!

Jill

P.S. HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!

 

[bicker]

I had always thought that 40 or 50 was the toughest, but just looking over at my wife, whom I've seen through both 40 and 50, as well as 55, I think 55 might be even tougher: 40 and 50 are 10 years after something else. Arguably I suppose you could say that either is "half way" somewhere, but still somewhat remote. 55 is "ten years before" something. That's, I think, more disturbing than any of the others... ten years isn't that long.

 

[BeachGirlFLA]

Well, I'm 32 but as long as I don't look my age (and most people don't think I'm in my 30's) I really don't care how many candles I have on my cake

 

[SDFgirl]

I am 32, so I've only had my 30th to "mope" over...but I didn't. I dunno, I was a newlywed, pregnant (but I didn't find out until a week after my birthday), and in love! Life was just getting interesting for me!

I've never really seen the point of getting sad over growing old. Sure, I don't look the way I did when I was 20 - but I've got two wonderful kids, a great husband. Life is pretty darn good!

 

[crz4mm2]

Big 50 coming up for me in Oct.
None of the others have struck me as anything other than a birthday.

I dunno about this one. I am not there yet.
I don't feel old, so I am not.