Each stage of your life is unique in its own way. Childhood is full of endless wonder and curiosity. Teen years are all about carelessness and freedom. The twenties are the introduction to adulthood. And thirties - thirties is when all the dust settles, and people have the confidence just to be themselves. Well, at least that's the poetic way of describing it.
And since many people around their 30s don't seem to be ready to be the adults society expects them to be, a new life stage has been named for people like that, and it's called emerging adulthood. This stage is not only prominent in the Millennials but has been seen for quite a while now. Anyways, now you can be the confused semi-adult you without feeling guilty about it.
Twitter users don't beat around the bush when telling what it really means to live in your 30s and, unfortunately, it's not all rainbows and unicorns. It's more along the lines of uneventful weekends, exciting pragmatism, mundane everyday problems and other similar paradoxes that are painfully accurate.
Scroll down to read the old folks tweets and tell us in the comments which one of these Millennial problems you relate to the most.
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My goal is to be the "bad one" in the nursing home. I haven"t made a decision on biting, but throwing things is a definite!
and if you have kids and get to go shopping on your own, it counts as a holiday.
In you 40s: #NetflixAndChill = Watching Netflix and falling asleep on the couch during a movie.
You're thinking too much... You are either in your early 20s, or you will never loosing up.
My 92 year old grandmother told me she's still trying to figure all this crap out-nothing changes except your pant-size.
Going to a new store for me is like travelling. So many cool new things to see, keep comparing it all to "home" and all the prices are usually surprising (for better or for worse).
I get excited about DST especially when we spring forward an hour which is coming soon (yay!). I HATE when we fall back an hour though.
Does anyone know what book this is? The eccentric chapter names make me think of the Johannes Cabal Necromancer series... Okay, I just found it. It's a YA series: "How to Betray A Dragon’s Hero" by Cressida Cowell. Looks like fun.
That's because our dopamine levels have settled down so we don't take risks without thinking about consequences (which is the reason why many teens and young adults do stupid things).
Mine usually involve doing my job much faster than expected and having time to chill, saving some money on groceries with discounts and actually getting any cleaning done.
Pretty sure those new things tried in 20s made to the list of "Problems and things I will never enjoy" in 30s.
Note: this post originally had 191 images. It’s been shortened to the top 50 images based on user votes.
Can maybe this ONE TIME, people understand that this is self-deprecating humor and people are making jokes... not actually whining and crying? Does anyone get that? Anyone?
This is such a great posting, because it shows just how much life and aging is mainly an exercise in trade-offs. Its an eternal exercise in 'youthful vigor' versus 'mature wisdom' on a sliding scale. The act of achieving both together is such an elusive goal. While some are more successful than others, it is best to enjoy every moment to its fullest. There will be time to look back and celebrate later on.
dare when you're 20: stealing a beer glass from a pub. dare when you're 30: assembling IKEA closet with your spouse without killing each other.
30-year-olds today seem a whole lot different than when I was in my 30s. Didn't like my 20s but loved my 30s. The biggest difference between being a 20something and a 30something is that you're not broke the next Monday after payday. If they feel old in their 30s they're going to feel like they've been dead for 10 years by the time they hit 50.
Meet the 90s kids/Elder MIllenials. No one has much insurance if any. Rich people live, poor people die of prevntable health conditions. We might be dead by the time we hit fifty, but if we dodge that we won't retire until we die in the groove of our three low wage jobs.
That may be your life Merlyn, but some of us who grew up poor worked hard are are doing just fine. I'm happy with the income mobility in the US, I just didn't expect anyone to hand it to me.
True
Unfortunately Merlyn, life isn't fair. On the bright side, it hasn't been fair since the beginning of time, so it's not just your generation that the fates poke with a stick. Minimum wage/low paying jobs have been around for a long time and for most of that time the people who had them didn't have the benefit of government subsidies to help pay for even crappy insurance. The best we can do is work hard, learn skills that bring more pay and do the best we can. Fortunately, most states have Medicaid programs for those who fall between the cracks and, while a far from perfect solution, there are clinics that do what they can to help. Also, a hospital. by law, cannot turn away anyone in need of emergency care. Again, not perfect but there is more medical care available to the poor today than in the past.
Man, I wish my life was like that. I am always skint, even after payday. Got student loans and massive mortgage to pay (thanks to the housing shortage where I live). I might be able to retire before I die 😂
You put yourself in that situation though. No one else. You decided you need to go to college, you decided you need to live in an area with overpriced housing. Meanwhile I'm 46, have a small mortgage on a 2600 square foot home on 4 acres and will be pretty much retired at 50.
Ok
I'm not even 30, but according to these posts I skipped my 20s...
I'm 31 and been living like I'm in my 30s since I was 20, and loving it!
Is this for real? The 30's are the new 60's? I'm 43 and having a ball, with responsabilities and all. Age doesn't define your way of life.
Umm. 53 and feeling really bad for these 30 year olds. Pretty sure I'm in better shape than them. And I'm not in super great shape. Just this guy, y'know. Really really boring post to slog through. So sad complaining is the new pasttime. I love hearing 80's music playing everywhere. And my apologies for the folks behind me in the supermarket when"Footloose" starts to play and I am pushing a cart. Would be youtube gold. But I'm too old... I guess. I think Berkely Breathed summed it up with "Thppptpttt" as the international and timeless description of "The Raspberry"
I was never a wild child, I was very domestic even as a teen, never a party girl. I've always been excited about household item discounts and staying in to read or watch movies. I'm 28 now. I think sometimes it's just the type of person you are regardless of age.
I never had much energy to begin with. I find breathing exhausting.
ME AT 20S: Drinks and party all the time. ME AT 30's: hand my kids to a baby sitter while im moonwalker to my car.
20's What's retirement that's so far off, 30's If I don't save like crazy I'm going to have to work forever, 40's are my balls in the toilet water?
While reading this at work, a lady here just gave me her "good housekeeping" magazine to borrow. Lmao ain't that a sign.
The main theme here is "I used to go out and party hard and now I'm responsible and boring." But, if most people spend the vast majority of our adult lives living within moderation, could it be because we learned quickly that the party lifestyle was a big, fat lie? Just a thought.
These are so depressing. I actually enjoy being in my thirties.
Same, but I did find some of it entertaining. I love it, but I also love being in bed by 10pm. Lol
Yes, 40 on the other hand...
20's: when you swallow painkillers to tolerate the pain of wearing your favorite awesome killer heels on a night out and take along comfy shoes for the walk home at 3am. Now: wear the damm comfy shoes to begin with and swallow painkillers to walk to the shops,
This is hilarious! Mostly cause I just had an epic weekend celebrating my 30th Birthday!
Haha yups
this "30" something people get creative at 3am in the morning...
Infell old after reading this … and im not even 20
I must be 20 years ahead of schedule!
29 year and 364 days old: "Nah, nothing will happen" 30 years and 1 day old: "Where did my hair gone? Where did this fat come from? Why does my back aches???"
Either those people aged terribly, or most of people I know live(d) their 30s like as a continuation of their 20s...
When I was in my mid 30s I wanted kids to call me by my first name. Now in my early 40s I get frustrated when I go somewhere and people don't address me as "Ms" and talk to me really politely :/
What a bunch of sissies! I didn't even start having the fun until I was in my mid-thirties and at 55, I feel great. When does the whining start?
I think people nowadays have a really twisted view of what "fun" is. They seem to think that if they're not going out to party and get wasted every night they're boring. They think staying in and watching your favorite series or reading a good book is sad. I'm not 30 yet, but almost there, and I'm way better now than when I was in my early twenties.
Jeez! In their thirties and already whining? You ain't seen nothing yet. This will seem like prime time in a few years. Better enjoy it while you can.
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Thank god there isn't another World War. This generation would curl up in a ball and sob in the corner.
Can maybe this ONE TIME, people understand that this is self-deprecating humor and people are making jokes... not actually whining and crying? Does anyone get that? Anyone?
This is such a great posting, because it shows just how much life and aging is mainly an exercise in trade-offs. Its an eternal exercise in 'youthful vigor' versus 'mature wisdom' on a sliding scale. The act of achieving both together is such an elusive goal. While some are more successful than others, it is best to enjoy every moment to its fullest. There will be time to look back and celebrate later on.
dare when you're 20: stealing a beer glass from a pub. dare when you're 30: assembling IKEA closet with your spouse without killing each other.
30-year-olds today seem a whole lot different than when I was in my 30s. Didn't like my 20s but loved my 30s. The biggest difference between being a 20something and a 30something is that you're not broke the next Monday after payday. If they feel old in their 30s they're going to feel like they've been dead for 10 years by the time they hit 50.
Meet the 90s kids/Elder MIllenials. No one has much insurance if any. Rich people live, poor people die of prevntable health conditions. We might be dead by the time we hit fifty, but if we dodge that we won't retire until we die in the groove of our three low wage jobs.
That may be your life Merlyn, but some of us who grew up poor worked hard are are doing just fine. I'm happy with the income mobility in the US, I just didn't expect anyone to hand it to me.
True
Unfortunately Merlyn, life isn't fair. On the bright side, it hasn't been fair since the beginning of time, so it's not just your generation that the fates poke with a stick. Minimum wage/low paying jobs have been around for a long time and for most of that time the people who had them didn't have the benefit of government subsidies to help pay for even crappy insurance. The best we can do is work hard, learn skills that bring more pay and do the best we can. Fortunately, most states have Medicaid programs for those who fall between the cracks and, while a far from perfect solution, there are clinics that do what they can to help. Also, a hospital. by law, cannot turn away anyone in need of emergency care. Again, not perfect but there is more medical care available to the poor today than in the past.
Man, I wish my life was like that. I am always skint, even after payday. Got student loans and massive mortgage to pay (thanks to the housing shortage where I live). I might be able to retire before I die 😂
You put yourself in that situation though. No one else. You decided you need to go to college, you decided you need to live in an area with overpriced housing. Meanwhile I'm 46, have a small mortgage on a 2600 square foot home on 4 acres and will be pretty much retired at 50.
Ok
I'm not even 30, but according to these posts I skipped my 20s...
I'm 31 and been living like I'm in my 30s since I was 20, and loving it!
Is this for real? The 30's are the new 60's? I'm 43 and having a ball, with responsabilities and all. Age doesn't define your way of life.
Umm. 53 and feeling really bad for these 30 year olds. Pretty sure I'm in better shape than them. And I'm not in super great shape. Just this guy, y'know. Really really boring post to slog through. So sad complaining is the new pasttime. I love hearing 80's music playing everywhere. And my apologies for the folks behind me in the supermarket when"Footloose" starts to play and I am pushing a cart. Would be youtube gold. But I'm too old... I guess. I think Berkely Breathed summed it up with "Thppptpttt" as the international and timeless description of "The Raspberry"
I was never a wild child, I was very domestic even as a teen, never a party girl. I've always been excited about household item discounts and staying in to read or watch movies. I'm 28 now. I think sometimes it's just the type of person you are regardless of age.
I never had much energy to begin with. I find breathing exhausting.
ME AT 20S: Drinks and party all the time. ME AT 30's: hand my kids to a baby sitter while im moonwalker to my car.
20's What's retirement that's so far off, 30's If I don't save like crazy I'm going to have to work forever, 40's are my balls in the toilet water?
While reading this at work, a lady here just gave me her "good housekeeping" magazine to borrow. Lmao ain't that a sign.
The main theme here is "I used to go out and party hard and now I'm responsible and boring." But, if most people spend the vast majority of our adult lives living within moderation, could it be because we learned quickly that the party lifestyle was a big, fat lie? Just a thought.
These are so depressing. I actually enjoy being in my thirties.
Same, but I did find some of it entertaining. I love it, but I also love being in bed by 10pm. Lol
Yes, 40 on the other hand...
20's: when you swallow painkillers to tolerate the pain of wearing your favorite awesome killer heels on a night out and take along comfy shoes for the walk home at 3am. Now: wear the damm comfy shoes to begin with and swallow painkillers to walk to the shops,
This is hilarious! Mostly cause I just had an epic weekend celebrating my 30th Birthday!
Haha yups
this "30" something people get creative at 3am in the morning...
Infell old after reading this … and im not even 20
I must be 20 years ahead of schedule!
29 year and 364 days old: "Nah, nothing will happen" 30 years and 1 day old: "Where did my hair gone? Where did this fat come from? Why does my back aches???"
Either those people aged terribly, or most of people I know live(d) their 30s like as a continuation of their 20s...
When I was in my mid 30s I wanted kids to call me by my first name. Now in my early 40s I get frustrated when I go somewhere and people don't address me as "Ms" and talk to me really politely :/
What a bunch of sissies! I didn't even start having the fun until I was in my mid-thirties and at 55, I feel great. When does the whining start?
I think people nowadays have a really twisted view of what "fun" is. They seem to think that if they're not going out to party and get wasted every night they're boring. They think staying in and watching your favorite series or reading a good book is sad. I'm not 30 yet, but almost there, and I'm way better now than when I was in my early twenties.
Jeez! In their thirties and already whining? You ain't seen nothing yet. This will seem like prime time in a few years. Better enjoy it while you can.
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Thank god there isn't another World War. This generation would curl up in a ball and sob in the corner.