Why are your 30’s SO MUCH better than your 20’s were?

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Why are your 30’s SO MUCH better than your 20’s were?

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  1. Kind-Set9376 Avatar

    More money and financial stability, being in an actual field of work, having finished all schooling finally, and having more friends.

    My MH is significantly better than it was when I was in my late teens and twenties. While I’ve gained weight, I have more time to go to the gym or for a walk than I did while in college or grad school. Outside work, I can prioritize whatever I want. I like when I leave work (for the most part), I can go home and not do work unlike times when I had homework. I like having PTO to take off days of work and do nothing. I’ve developed more friendships since I was younger. My career is person focused, so I feel like my social skills and ability to feel confident socializing has improved.

  2. Essiechicka_129 Avatar

    My 20’s were horrible! I was diagnosed with epilepsy at 21 and it wasn’t controlled well throughout my 20s. I went to college late and struggle with college thanks to having epilepsy but I finally graduated couple years ago. I couldn’t drive throughout my 20’s which means zero independence and freedom. My relationships were horrible and I now have horrible self-esteem. In my 30’s its like I restarted my life that I never had in my 20s

  3. tom_petty_spaghetti Avatar

    Confidence from not giving as many fricks.

  4. Whitpeacock Avatar

    For me it was because I got a little glow up, gained a ton of confidence, and finally landed my career in lending that I worked my entire 20s to achieve.

  5. QZ91 Avatar

    For me I cared a lot more about what others thought when I was in my 20’s. I also had a lot of fomo so self care often took a backseat. Having more money and no student loans is also helpful.

    That said, I don’t regret how I spent my 20’s. It made me into who I am and I really cherish the memories. You can’t enjoy your 30’s without figuring shit out in your 20’s first.

  6. JustPassingShhh Avatar

    Cos I knew who I was by the time I hit my 30s

  7. BlasphemousFriend Avatar

    I’m now so much braver, smarter, wiser, and better suited to stand up for myself, acting as my own cheerleader and protector than I was in my 20s.

    I don’t feel as unsure.

  8. Try4se Avatar

    Escaped abusive parent.

  9. throwaway_hotgirl Avatar

    My early 20s were much better

  10. Harmless_Poison_Ivy Avatar

    Definitely more money.

  11. greatestshow111 Avatar

    More money, better rep in the industry to have a good career, and met enough people to be more confident in myself and not care about what others think. Also better ability to see through people and their intentions.

  12. apocalypsmeow Avatar

    I am just generally more confident, have a better idea of my interests and boundaries, feel better about my mind and body, know better now to take care of myself mentally and physically, and I finally quit drinking.

  13. wediealone Avatar

    My 20s were soooo chaotic. I moved out at 17 to a city far away from my hometown and immediately started acting like a wild animal let out of a cage. Partied and drank a lot, went to raves and did drugs (nothing hardcore thank god, but I’m no stranger to ecstasy and lsd). Had a string of horrible and unhealthy relationships, my mental health was in the toilet, and the cherry on top of the shit cake was when I got diagnosed with cancer at 27! It was a nightmare.

    I spent my 20s partying, having a slew of relationships, and genuinely thinking I was living an “exciting” life when really I was suppressing my emotions and trying to run away from my mental health issues.

    I honestly think the cancer was what saved me. I realized I needed to get my shit together, because life is so fragile. In my 20s I thought I was invincible, now I’m wise enough to know I’m not special. I broke up with my abusive boyfriend, moved back home with my parents, and started meds and therapy. I practiced living a sober, stable life until it stuck. Sometimes I miss the “Wild days” and look back fondly at those nights where I had so much fun, but I know now that fun comes with a price. So I spend my days working, volunteering, taking care of my health and doing hobbies. I don’t need chaos or wildness or excitement, I need peace. And I’m finding a lot of solace in that in my 30s. So I think it’s definitely going better than my 20s!!

  14. vaginaandsprinkles Avatar

    I feel like 20s were the grind. School/work/social life/establishing independence. 30s are a lot of relaxed and enjoying my long-term relationships and life. It’s less anxious and hectic for me.

  15. destria Avatar

    I’ve just started my 30s and I’d say it’s mainly the feeling of being more settled somewhere. Settled in my career, married to my life partner, a solid group of friends who are staying put for the foreseeable future, home ownership, being part of my local community. I spent my 20s being very transient, jumping between jobs and different cities, making friends who’d disappear after a year because either they moved or I did.

  16. BitterPillPusher2 Avatar

    I once saw, “Your 30s are like your 20s, but with money.” And I think that’s true for the most part. But aside from generally being in a better place financially and professionally, you just have more maturity and life experience, so you don’t waste your time and energy on things you shouldn’t and generally make better decisions. So you spend less time dealing with the fallout of bad decisions.

  17. LoveSeasVoyage Avatar

    I don’t make the same stupid mistakes that I did in my twenties, but I’m still young. That would be my answer.

  18. _notamindreader_ Avatar

    Main reason – you stop seeking validation from others and comparing yourself to everyone else.

  19. pandamandaring Avatar

    My brain is fully developed.

  20. BTWeirdo1308 Avatar

    For me it’s been my kids. Having a kid is Sooooo much work. But it’s absolutely worth it. It breathes new purpose into your life. AND you get to re-experience things through their eyes.

  21. Sarmilo Avatar

    For me, they’re pretty much the same. Nothing has really changed. But i’m also only 34, so I have half a decade of my 30s left.

  22. HappyHippyToo Avatar

    Because I’m now at 35 almost debt free, living in my own flat with my dog and my cat, having a well paid job. 20s were pure survival mode. Now I know who I am and I’m unapologetically able to enjoy life more based on my own standards. I’ve put in a lot of therapy work in my early 30s and it’s paid off massively!

  23. RedRedBettie Avatar

    My 30s were kind of a tough time but my 40s have been the best overall

  24. beattiebeats Avatar

    I got out of a bad marriage in my early 30s and got into a great marriage in my mid 30s

  25. i_illustrate_stuff Avatar

    I’m not sure mine are better to be honest. I like that I have more confidence generally, but I get bummed that there’s still ways my social anxiety holds me back. It feels bad that I’m almost midway through my 30s and still terrified of inviting people to hang out, and still have very few true friends because I allow anxiety to make me avoid one on one connection. I don’t have more free money than I did back then because I have more fiscal responsibilities, and the job market in my field is shrinking rapidly so there’s little room for growth. I don’t feel like I look the same as did when I was in my 20s and not in a positive way, my body seems to want to be heavier, I have pain I didn’t used to have, my skin is different.

    But hey, I’m married to a great guy, so at least I don’t have to deal with the dating scene lol. And I have a home of my own which I love and am grateful for. I live in a cool city with way more to do than my hometown. I have a lot to work on but also the whole rest of my life to work on it!

  26. jesuschristjulia Avatar

    Just hit 50 and lemme tell ya – it gets better every year!

  27. Ok-Independence-7380 Avatar

    Confidence and finally hitting my stride in my career

  28. Dazzling-Toe-4955 Avatar

    You are more confident

  29. Downtown_Mud_3058 Avatar

    stopped caring about what people thought/ said of me

  30. _PrincessButtercup Avatar

    Life experience and money, wisdom, you figure out your strengths and weaknesses, how to get ahead quicker. What’s even better? Your 40s and then you’re 50s! I am 54 now and I have never been happier or more content. The only real blip was menopause but if you go on HRT you can avoid a lot of the unpleasantness. Is it all perfect? No. Do I like seeing my youth drip away? No, it’s hard. But the journey is so satisfying is your living your life on your terms, whatever those may be. Enjoy the ride!

  31. Viggos_Broken_Toe Avatar

    So many reasons. All the good stuff started for me in my 20s, they just got better in my 30s. Moved across the country at 25. I got what turned out to be my dream job that same year. Met my husband at 29.

    More friends, more family, more love, more money.

    Some parts are worse though. For the short term, I live in butthole, Texas. I love my job but taking this assignment was kinda stupid.

  32. TheSunscreenLife Avatar
    1. I was done with education and could make money and had more free time. 

    2. The money and free time mentioned above meant I traveled more. In my 30s I went to Hawaii, Puerto Rico, Mexico, canada, spain, France, Italy, Switzerland, Germany. 

    3. I met my now husband. The stability that came with this relationship meant I was happy. And done with the crapshoot that is online dating. 

    4. My husband and I own our home. Having a place to go to that’s “home” and not just a rental made me content. 

    5. My son was born in my 30s. He’s enriched my life and drenched it full of wonder in a way that no other experience has. 

  33. No_Foundation7308 Avatar

    I kind of feel the opposite. My 20s were a blast! I traveled for work, saw all 50 states on the company dime and spent time abroad as much as possible. I hit 32 and decided to ‘settle down’. Now I have a kid who’s 3 and all my time seems to be consumed by them or my wallet is consumed by them and daycare. I think by 38 and going into 40 I’ll be back to feeling good again, traveling more, doing hobbies more.

  34. soneg Avatar

    I was married in my early 20s but divorced by early 30s.

  35. Sharona676 Avatar

    Because when you’re 30 you know who you are. At least it was on my part 😆

  36. Worldspinsmadlyon23 Avatar
    1. got my dream job which meant happy at work, a better schedule, and better pay/financial security
    2. could afford to travel more (did some in my 20s but many bucket list trips in 30s)
    3. anxiety so much better controlled with some good therapy and learned coping skills
    4. got pregnant with my son
    5. started writing again
    6. started coaching with Girls on the Run
  37. GamingCatLady Avatar

    Inwas established and had money!

  38. LearnDoTeach-TBG Avatar

    Self awareness, self acceptance, and more money.

  39. Four_beastlings Avatar

    When you turn 30 your fairy godmother appears and hits you with her “I don’t give a fuck” magic wand. This is real. Sometimes she arrives early and sometimes your abusive parents or ex trapped her and put her in a cage so it takes her a little bit longer to get to you, but she always finds you in the end.

    And then… You just don’t give a fuck what anyone thinks. And it’s amazing. You start doing whatever you want and wearing whatever you want and learn that petty shit doesn’t matter.

  40. elissellen Avatar

    20s I was living like I was running out of time, 30s are how can I make the time I have quality.

  41. champagneinthebrain Avatar

    I’m less poor & less stupid.

  42. Whacking_Material Avatar

    I stopped telling myself I wasn’t worthy of love and stopped dating horrible people who treated me like garbage. Finding my self-worth in my 30s and not accepting the bare minimum has made my life so much better. I’m finally happy with who I am becoming and what I have to offer. I left a horrible marriage, got treatment for my mental health issues, and I put solid effort into maintaining healthy relationships. My parents are finally starting to see me as a real adult with a good head on my shoulders. The people I’ve dated have been ready for something real, which led me to my amazing boyfriend. My 30s so far have been wonderful and I’m only about to be 32!

  43. rememberpianocat Avatar

    I feel the opposite.. I enjoyed my 20’s. 27 felt the best. Now it just feels like I’m at the age where I witness more world instability and sadder and sadder events keep taking place… Also I make the most money I’ve ever made, but inflation has become so bad my check vaporizes before I can put much in the bank. At my age my parents had 3 kids and paid their mortgage on one income. I have a mortgage that I’ll likely never pay off, thats about it.

  44. CancerMoon2Caprising Avatar

    more money, more self confidence

  45. Interesting-Let-1360 Avatar

    At 23, I ended a super toxic relationship. It took me years to recover. Today, at 30, I’m mostly mentally healthy… and I feel confident in myself and I love my body, something I’ve been made to doubt my whole life!

  46. TheDayUnderway Avatar

    My 30s have been the absolute worst years of my life. My health has suffered even though I’ve always been a healthy person and I lost my Dad who meant the absolute world to me. In theory our 30s should be the best time of our lives, but not for me I guess. 😔

  47. HanShotF1rst226 Avatar

    More money, less fucks to give

  48. Valuable-Disaster567 Avatar

    I’ve lost 125lbs. Got a nice career going. My 20s I was fat and poor.

  49. aliasgraciousme Avatar

    Your 20’s are just puberty with bills. Your 30’s are settled in your body and ideally in your mind/bank account. Your brain is fully developed so you can work on your shit without it majorly changing on you. You’ve come to terms with your shape and through practice finds what looks best on you. Acceptance

  50. Atakku Avatar

    As someone who is 37, my 20s weren’t that bad. My health was much better and I feel like I was able to take care of myself better. I started my 30s being a parent so maybe that’s why I fondly look back at my 20s. If I didn’t have kids maybe being in my 30s would’ve been less stressful or maybe worse? I love my kids but my body is hurting 😭.

  51. ahawt1 Avatar

    It honestly should be studied. I feel like such a baddie going into my 30’s! Currently 29 but I can feel it lol.

  52. TabletopPixie Avatar

    They’re not. Not for me anyway. They’re not worse, though. Just better and worse in different ways.

  53. BananeDionne Avatar

    Well… it’s not!

  54. TrueCombination2012 Avatar

    no se donde escuchaste eso jajaja

  55. pinkbarbi Avatar

    More money. Lol

  56. chaigulper Avatar

    Reaping the benefits of all the work I put into myself in 20s.

  57. introspectivekitty Avatar

    Late twenties now but I definitely have way more understanding of boundaries that I wish I had when I was younger. I would have kicked soo many guys and some girls to the curb instead of trying to “be nice” and endure bad date encounters or relationships because I was afraid to hurt their feelings and didn’t know my worth. Also I have way more understanding and acceptance of my faults or mistakes. Plus, more understanding about managing money, traveling, time and physical/mental heath. While definitely still rough and still dealing with some stuff, I guess life experience does make you more prepared to be a more capable and better you. But remember you have to be the one to decide that from the lessons and experiences have learned and lived.

    TLDR. Think of early twenties as your practice mode or beginning, where you die a shit tone of times until you get an understanding of the game and your strengths and weaknesses. Your thirties are where the real game begins!

  58. No_Elevator_678 Avatar

    More stable. 29s can be a real struggle trying to gain work experience and build some sort of career. In your 30s it starts to possibly work out

    Also I think a lot of it has to do with when you get to your thirties you really stop caring about the useless garbage that you do in your late teens and twenties.

    You rediscover the real you sometimes.

  59. Strong_Roll5639 Avatar

    I got married. Bought a house. Own a dog. Financially stable.

  60. goldandjade Avatar

    I went to therapy in my 20s.

  61. PaintingSouth3409 Avatar

    They haven’t been that great so far I turned 30 Nov of 2024 and this year has kind of sucked so far. I do hope it gets better

  62. funkybehavi0r Avatar

    You’re not too old or too young to do anything. Buy a house, go to school, go back to school, get married, start a family, start a business.

  63. themafiosa Avatar

    IDGAF and it’s ok to be selfish. I spent so many years worrying what other people think and now I do what I want for me.

  64. Appropriate_Tea9048 Avatar

    I finally met the love of my life and we’re getting married in two weeks

    I have a better job

    I travel more

    Have an adorable cat

    I’ve cut people out of my life who weren’t good for my life

    I’m more confident

    I have a savings built up

  65. throwRA_notagain Avatar

    Mine aren’t, but I my mental health is slightly more manageable. I get up faster when knocked down. I have more wisdom.

  66. impossiblepants Avatar

    Just wait until your 40’s when you don’t give one single fuck anymore. It’s glorious!

  67. Grxmloid Avatar

    Mainly the wisdom and knowing myself more, not the self I thought I was.
    That’s resulted in work that’s more aligned, and stable, meaning more money to fulfill my dreams and desires.

    But initially I got sick, and everything about my emotional state and lifestyle imploded and I had to rebuild my life. This is also the precursor to many people going well into their 30s, health issues arise, often from ongoing stress and unresolved trauma, and you are forced to srop, look at yourself, heal, and realize how fragile you and life both are and what it will take from thereon in. And that is a powerful thing 

  68. fridgidfiduciary Avatar

    Not broke. No longer in survival mode.

  69. kittysayswoof91 Avatar

    More money, better boundaries, better at prioritising health and wellness and far less anxiety and angst. My 20s were a time, but I much prefer my 30s!

  70. Wisco_JaMexican Avatar

    I found my soulmate to enjoy it with. Ive learned to set boundaries.

  71. misbehavinggamergirl Avatar

    more confident and secure in who i am, give less fucks, appreciate life/health/mobility more, notice the small things in life that make me happy more so than i did in my 20s, etc. 🤍🤍

  72. khal-elise-i Avatar

    It wasn’t until my late 20s that I truly understood that I am a capable person. Like when i got my first real job i was afraid I wouldn’t be able to understand how to use a cash register.

    Took some therapy to realize that my family and long term partner were incapable of seeing me as a competent adult. Once I understood where the lack of confidence was coming from, I started making my own decisions and haven’t looked back.

    Im 31 now and have moved states twice, lived completely on my own, changed careers, and found a supportive partner and I’m just living my best life now.

  73. punkRamennoodles Avatar
  74. tawny-she-wolf Avatar

    Money and self confidence are great.

    So is ditching the ex at 28yo when you come to your senses

  75. Monaroh Avatar

    I have money, I am completely sober, I am fitter and healthier, and I have a trust in myself that has been earned through hard work that I didn’t have the focus for in most of my 20s

  76. Witty_Illustrator_79 Avatar

    Going through 20s was not easy being depressed and keep trying to kms. However, after multiple therapy sessions and being diagnosed properly AND provided with the correct medication, I am feeling better at the moment. I’m turning 30 in a month and I am no longer mad about being alive. However, I do still think about the purpose of life once in a while and considering my self exit attempts keep failing, maybe God wanted me to be here for a reason. I just have to slowly try to accept this fact. Plus, with my adult money, I am able to get the things I have always wanted since I was a kid. I grew up in a broken home with very little attention. I have learned to be so much nicer to myself and started gentle parenting myself whenever I am feeling overwhelmed. It was such a bizarre feeling. Sometimes, I dont even do anything during my day off and I am not mad about it. I used to be so anxious about a lot of things but let me tell you, gentle parenting yourself helps so much! I love me, the past AND the present <3

  77. xoxo_Cupcake Avatar

    You know what’s amazing? Not having to pretend I enjoy clubbing anymore. Netflix wine and in bed by 10pm? That’s my kind of wild Friday night now and I’m not even slightly ashamed about it.

  78. elusivebonanza Avatar

    I feel much more in control of my life in all the ways. My mental health is super stable. I am making my own money. I am in the middle of getting divorced but I see it as a win because I’m getting out of a relationship that’s not good. I now know exactly what I want out of life and won’t settle. I feel free asf!

  79. Horny69Babe Avatar

    Finally having my shit together financially. In my 20s I was living paycheck to paycheck but now I actually have savings and can buy nice things without feeling guilty.

  80. Luzi1 Avatar

    In my twenties it was extremely important to me to be perceived as professional and to be taken seriously. In my thirties I learned that I can be an accomplished professional and still have fun. Wear the leopard print and the space buns. Go bra free if you want to. Go to concerts and have fun.

  81. anxietea_1818 Avatar

    30 feels like liberation! I’m more confident, know what I want, and set clear boundaries without worrying about what others might think💥

  82. mx2649 Avatar

    A divorce ✨

  83. Springlette13 Avatar

    First I make about twice as much money now in my mid thirties than I did when I was a new college grad. I no longer have to do mental math about how much ramen I’m going to need to eat to afford that pair of shoes. I can afford to go on vacation and see places I’ve always dreamed of. I’m not rich by any means (still can’t afford a house in this market) but I generally make enough to comfortably support my life.

    I now know how to adult. A decent chunk of my twenties was figuring out how to live on my own, and pay all the bills that needed to be paid. It’s a rude awakening when you fully realize that the fridge won’t have anything in it if you don’t grocery shop regularly. That the bathroom doesn’t clean itself.

    And most importantly, I don’t care. I’m comfortable with who I am, and I know what I want. There is so much joy and freedom when you realize that what other people think of you doesn’t matter. Enjoy your “childish” hobbies, buy the tacky decorative item that makes you smile every time you look at it, and don’t waste your time doing things that are “supposed” to be fun but actually aren’t. I’ve long said I can’t wait to be one of those old ladies with zero fucks left to give, and I feel like every decade I get a bit closer to that.

  84. xoxoHoneybun Avatar

    My personal relationships are just… better. I’ve learned to spot red flags early cut out toxic friends without guilt and actually communicate instead of playing mind games.

  85. Out_of_the_Flames Avatar

    I think I finally know who I am now. It’s taking a long time to try on different interests and personality quirks, to work on my childhood issues and sort through the good and bad that my parents gave me. I’m starting to really get a hold of who I am and I’m enjoying being that person.

    On top of that, I think 30s are often and better than 20s because you’ve been around long enough to know that it’s not supposed to get easier. The perception going from your teens to your twenties is that life is going to be great and easy and you’ll automatically know all sorts of things. But that’s just not the case and that misconception fades away with time. I’m also more financially secure now and have less trouble making decisions for the long-term because I’ve seen how some of my earlier decisions have played out.

  86. xxxfashionfreakxxx Avatar

    My 30s so far have either been exceptionally good or exceptionally bad.

    The bad is that I lost loved ones.

    The good is that I have more money, more independence, more travel, more fun experiences, even better dating experiences (although i wouldn’t say it’s been a breeze). I’ve made more friends that want to hang out and do things. Looking at actually starting my dream business.

    Here’s to more success, more travel and fun, and finding true love.

  87. iamthefyre Avatar

    Accepted a lot of things about others and not caring about others anymore. Also prioritizing myself has helped improve my life. Money for sure fixed a lot of worries.

  88. Active_Recording_789 Avatar

    More certainty, less staring into the void, some years of experience in a career, a plan to move forward, some money to do fun things with…

  89. Chicka-boom90 Avatar

    Because you see things clearer. You don’t take anyone’s shit , you speak your mind. You’re more mature (most not everyone).

  90. puppypersonnn Avatar

    Money a decent relationship and no f given. After the cost to get my hair done crept up to $300 I just stopped getting it done. Haven’t got it done since February and it feels great to not care about judgement. I’ve actually gotten compliments for going natural.

  91. South_Hedgehog_7564 Avatar

    During my 20s I lost a child, my dad died from cancer, I got cancer myself and had to have chemo and finally I was blown off the road by a stolen car. My 30s were definitely better.

  92. Charming3-Angel Avatar

    Finally having my shit together financially. In my 20s I was living paycheck to paycheck but now I actually have savings and can buy nice things without feeling guilty.