30

A few weeks ago, yours truly hit the big ol’ grand age of three zero. For some unknown reason, I have always looked forward to turning 30. In fact, I've always looked upon the 30’s as the period where you start to really come into your own and really know yourself. The 30’s are when you go from a “spring chicken” to “fine wine” (Totally stole that one from Kelly Rowland). Plus, in my opinion, it’s that age where you can finally start claiming to be grown and people actually start taking you a bit more seriously. In general, I really can’t explain it but I was pretty excited to turn 30…and I had an amazing birthday as well. Big big shout-outs to my big sister who made it one to remember. I truly truly love that babe.

I remember my mom once told me that on her 30th birthday, she was so depressed. According to her, that was her worst birthday ever, because she was so sad that she was officially “old”. I had a good laugh at that one. In comparison, I do not feel old or anything close to it…I think that I will officially start to feel like I’m getting up there (but not quite old actually) when I hit the 40 year mark but till then, let’s rock and roll baby! According to Nigerian Twitter, I’m at the age where I should only be tweeting for “networking purposes” and not for bants as per old age stuvvs. To that, I say…who gon’ check me boo??? Watch me turn 40 and still be all up in there. There’s no rules or regulations to these things.

I was reading my most recent September 2013 issue of Glamour Magazine and Olivia Wilde has an article in there titled the “Do’s and Don’ts of Turning 30”. My interest was peaked even further when I read that Olivia is “defying all Hollywood stereotypes by being excited to turn 30”. I was like heyyy that’s definitely my type of girl. And I did enjoy reading her do’s and don’ts because it reminded me of something that I would write…so I figured that I would share a short, summarized version because I thought it was a fun read for anyone approaching 30, who just turned 30, or even well into their 30’s. If you want to read the full thing, then go and buy your own Glamour :-D
So here are Olivia’s tips (summarized and in a nutshell):

1. DON’T freak out about all the brilliant people who accomplished more than you by 30
2. DO enjoy your sexual prime – According to Professor Alfred Kinsey, women really start heating up in their 30s.
3. DON'T cut your face – Take care of yourself now that you’re old enough to know how. Drink water, get enough sleep, and don’t go near a tanning booth.
4. DO travel – This is probably the last time until retirement that you won’t be considered a bad person for booking a last minute ticket to Morocco because you damn well feel like it. You’re old enough to know where not to go e.g. Cancun but young enough to feel guilt-free being entirely unreachable.
5. DON'T propose to the next guy you meet just because you worry he’ll be your last chance at lifelong companionship– Sure, you might have attended more bridal showers than yoga classes, but that doesn't mean that you’re destined to be a craggy spinster, searching for roommates on Craigslist at 50.
6. DON'T feel pressured to pop out kids – Wait for the right partner and make sure you’re where you want to be in life before picking neighborhoods based on school districts.
7. DO reap the benefits of your accumulated wisdom – You’re 30: You know stuff now…your 20’s were for messing up and learning from those mistakes. Now you get to live with knowledge under your belt…and make it a nice belt too. You’re 30, stop dressing like a hobo.
8. DO learn a new skill – You’ve already lived longer than most women in the 13th century, so why not look at your thirtieth as a rebirth?
9. DON'T be bogged down by your past – Make this next go-around whatever you want it to be…consider your baggage (bad boyfriends, job setbacks, body issues) lost by the airline of life.
Her closing note? “That’s it. Now, go and be awesome”.  And I say a big amen to that!

So if you’re dreading the big 3-0 or just turned 30 and you’re hating it…why should you? It’s a great age group to be in so embrace it. And if you’re in your 30’s and you’re loving it then more grease to your elbows. Keep on rocking it and don’t feed into all the notions about where and what you should be doing in your 30’s.

And this is where I shall leave ye folks. Just wanted to peek my head in and say wazaaap. It has been a minute and I need to get my lazy butt off and actually do a real blog post. That, I will soon enough but till then...have a fantabulous rest of the week folks!

And that is all she said.