Navigating Your 30s: A New Chapter Begins
Turning 30 is the weirdest thing. It’s like you have known for the past decade that you are now a full fledged adult but passing this barrier now means you’re supposed to spend weekends in Costco and have more conversations about your new air fryer than you’d like to admit. Maybe you’ve been here for a few years now and you’re kind of sick of the monotony and asking yourself – is this really all life has to offer? It’s not – but you need to make an intentional change. Like now.
Breaking Away from Traditional Expectations in Your 30s
Now, you might be looking around at your friends group, and they are all doing the traditional marriage, kids, mortgage thing. But what happens if none of that seems fulfilling? Let’s be honest – the American dream is kind of a joke, getting us all on the conveyor belt of life, paying taxes, and taking our three weeks of PTO.
The Secret Truth: Everyone Feels the Same Way
Everyone feels this way, but no one really wants to talk about it. For most of us we thought we were doing everything right in our 20s and it’s kinda’ hard to slam on the brakes and say, WTF. Right? Maybe your job isn’t your passion, and it turns out your kids aren’t giving you that sense of purpose you were looking for. Or perhaps the thought of having kids and settling down isn’t exactly what you want for yourself.
My Personal Journey: Breaking Free
I was in a ten-year relationship and was doing the whole career, mortgage thing. I was living with my boyfriend and staring at 30 with immense depression about where my life went and how this was the expectation of how I should live for the rest of my life.
Honestly, the thing that is probably between you and feeling a sense of happiness is more simple than you think. I decided to have a mid-life crisis, which I don’t exactly recommend.
But I wasn’t happy with my job. My boyfriend at the time didn’t want to take things any further with me. So, I left. I quit my job. I moved out of the house we bought together. I started a business, moved to a new country, and basically just said “F it” to everything I knew.
Finding New Adventures in Your 30s
Somewhere in that mix, I met up with a young guy full of p*** and vinegar who also wanted to see the world and live on his own terms. While that felt like the most exciting time of my life, eventually, monotony comes back and gets us all. The excitement always wears off, and eventually, you want a sense of normalcy, and you end up right back to the equilibrium of human life: paying your taxes, your mortgage, and asking your spouse what to do this weekend. Which is where me and that young guy (my now husband) ended up.
Battling Monotony in Your 30s
Looking back, I wasn’t necessarily unhappy happy at the time– don’t get me wrong – but the monotony eats at all of us. So, what do you do in your 30s to kill the monotony? Implode our lives on repeat, move to new countries. Quit our jobs? I did that. It works- but it’s temporary. Hobbies. Not just any hobby. Hobbies that push you mentally, physically, and spiritually. Hobbies that bring you together and never leave you wondering what’s on the agenda this weekend or when your next trip is. Because you can plan your weekends and trips around your hobbies. Hobbies you can talk about in your spare time, create a friends group and community around. Hobbies that occupy your mind and push you to always be growing and striving for personal growth.
The Benefits of Engaging in Hobbies
Then wait and see what happens afterward. Not only did my confidence increase, our relationship flourished, and our quality of life exploded, but our friends group also expanded. The characteristics it takes to really master a hobby and get good at something transfer to everything in life.
- My willingness to try new things
- My ability to accept failure
- My courage to laugh at myself when I am bad at something
- My risk assessment skills
- My health increased, both mental and physical
Everything around me just got better. I felt better. I looked better. I became more confident. My husband quit drinking, and we both quit all substances that made us feel bad, including drinking, smoking, and eating fast food. We got back to the gym consistently because staying physically fit to enjoy our hobbies longer became a priority.
Finding Your Passion and Purpose
For me, it was mountain biking that I started with, then I got hooked on snowboarding, then cross-country skiing, and trail running. We started focusing on eating nutritious food and ensuring we ate the right amount of food instead of considering coffee a meal and binge eating later.
I can’t tell you how much my world has expanded since picking up mountain biking. If you’re in your 30s, getting close to your 30s, or even over your 30s, it’s not too late to pick up an adventure hobby. And you have a lot of life left to live, so don’t throw in the towel now. Living another 30, 40, or even 50 years is a long time to never try anything new and feel the way you do right now for the rest of your life.
Prioritizing Hobbies in Your 30s
Put it on the calendar and go all in. I don’t care how selfish it makes you feel. If you’re living a life that isn’t inspiring you mentally or physically and you’re not working towards a goal – you’re not showing up in other areas of your life fully either.
Accept That You Won't Be The Best At Your Hobbies Right Away
You’re not going to be great at first – and I recommend taking lessons and checking out my “Are Lessons Worth the Investment?” article. So, make the investment in yourself and your relationships – and go fail through the process.
Conclusion: Take Action Now
Embracing hobbies and new adventures in your 30s can transform your life, boost your confidence, and enhance your overall well-being. Don’t wait – it’s your turn to take action and explore the thrilling possibilities that await you.