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Many people in their 20s dread finishing their third decade of life, but is being in your thirties really so bad? You’ve likely landed a stable job at that point, and you might have some decent savings. Plus, your body is still in excellent shape. No back pain yet! …Right?

Unfortunately, our problems don’t magically disappear when we hit 30, and in fact, they might even become exacerbated. So below, we’ve gathered some of the most painfully relatable pics from Thirty Something Probs on Instagram that speak to the unique experience of being between your twenties and forties. Be sure to upvote the pics you can’t help but agree with if you’re a millennial who's tired of adulting, and remember that you’re not alone in having these issues!

#1

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Lauren S
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12 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Do you remember when you were a kid and had about 20-40 phone numbers MEMORIZED?? I have 2 now. Two phone numbers in my brain, and neither of them is mine.

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Many people romanticize being in their twenties. Finally, you’re old enough to make decisions for yourself and you’re likely out living on your own, but you’re still young enough to not have too many responsibilities. Lots of us who have plans to get married and have children aren’t quite there yet, so we spend the decade exploring ourselves and doing all of the things we won’t have the chance to do ten years later. Our thirties, however, often get a bad rap. Many people have a crisis around the time of their 30th birthday and dramatize their age, as if they suddenly can’t do anything fun when they’re no longer 29.

Of course, being in our thirties can be absolutely wonderful, and age is but a number. But if you’re among the millennials who realized that suddenly you couldn’t stay up past 11pm anymore and back pain has become a regular occurrence, Thirty Something Probs is the perfect place for you. You’re definitely not old yet, but you’re not quite as young as you used to be…

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Millennials certainly have not had it easy when it comes to the state of the economy and the pressure from older generations who don’t understand how times have changed. They’ve been berated for buying brunch and judged for not being able to afford homes far too many times. In fact, The Washington Post has even deemed them the “unluckiest generation in US history,” as they were never able to recover from the Great Recession before the pandemic hit the world harder than anyone could have ever imagined. So if you’re part of this generation that’s been beaten down time and time again, please understand that it’s not your fault. And if looking at funny memes helps soften the blow, be our guest!

“If people enter the labor force during a recession, and they get into lower-paying jobs, that carries forward for much of their lifelong working careers,” Ana Kent, a policy analyst at the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, told The Washington Post. “That’s going to have impacts on not only their income but their wealth and also their ability to save for a down payment and their ability to meet other lifetime goals.” Millennials are also getting married later and having children later than previous generations, due to the fact that they haven’t had the opportunity to save up financially. And contrary to what Boomers may believe, millennials do tend to spend within their means (something else they’re often criticized for: not contributing enough to the economy). 

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#7

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StrangeOne
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12 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That's probably the best way to really see how someone lives and takes care of things.

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As much as we can joke about the struggles of being a thirty-something, it’s important to note that being in your thirties can actually be the best time of your life. In fact, Anna Brech wrote a piece for Flash Pack breaking down the best parts of your fourth decade of life, noting that this is the time where most people start to finally “hit their stride” financially. Yes, you probably still have student loans, and you might not own a house yet. But you probably also have a steady, stable income that allows you to pay rent every month without wondering how you’ll afford groceries. Even if your desk job bores you to no end, it likely pays pretty well.

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StrangeOne
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12 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Last week I paused while working and asked myself "What am I doing this for?" after realizing everyone is scoping me out and monitoring me, co-workers included. No longer enjoy nor feel welcome there.

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Brech goes on to note that most of us stop caring so much in our thirties. “Not invited to a pal’s wedding? Shrug and move on. Can’t recall the details of a raucous night out? Hey, we’ve all been there,” she writes. “Life’s too short for beer fear, anyway. All that wondering and worrying about what people think – and who said what when – loses its edge in your 30s. You come to understand that people’s reactions and responses are rarely to do with you and almost always down to whatever is going on in their own lives.”

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Weasel Wise
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12 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yup! I am still baffled every day how at my age my parents had three children, owned a home, and a SHM who could afford to smoke like she was on fire, all with zero debt. I'm almost 40, no kids, no house, and suddenly in a fúck ton of debt simply to afford two vet appointments.

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Bonesko
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12 months ago

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According to Brech, many of us develop a new sense of resilience by the time we make it to our thirties as well. Our twenties are often filled with challenges that we have to face for the first time, but once we make it out of that decade, we’ve become pros at adulting. We know how to handle our next breakup, the next time a friendship ends, our next move and our next career change because we’ve finally been through it all before. “However bad these events feel at the time, deep down you know you can handle it,” Brech writes. “And you also become more adept at brushing off the smaller set-backs. Rather than questioning your self-worth, you merely accept that these things happen and move on.”

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Feathered Dinosaur
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12 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I wonder if Gen Z will start putting carpet over all of our hard won wooden floors again in the future

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“Perhaps the very best thing about hitting your 30s is the ability to know yourself inside out,” Brech goes on to note. “The third decade of life brings a degree of self-awareness and understanding that is difficult to capture in previous years. Armed with a deeper knowledge of who you are and what you like, you start interrogating the choices you never even thought to question before.”

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BatPhace
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12 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Take the phone and watch the thing while working out, kills 2 birds with one phone lol 😆

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While we should all enjoy our thirties to the fullest, there might be a few things you’ll want to focus on during the decade to prepare for the rest of your life. According to Nicole at GenThirty, your thirties are actually the perfect time to start saving for retirement, if you haven’t already. In the same vein, it’s wise to pay off any debts from your twenties while you’re in your thirties, to ensure that you don’t have to worry about them a decade later, when you may have children to pay for or investments that you would rather put your money towards.

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GEPowers
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12 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My parrot was alway confused that I would go away for 9 hours 5 days a week and not return with any food. Then on a weekend I would go away for 1-2 hours and return with BAGS of food.

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Shayne Randlett
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12 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I do this more and more often. I'll put something away, then spend so long looking for it I become convinced I must have thrown it away. It's always a nice little surprise when I find it six months later - like a little gift "past me" gives to "future me". *opens drawer* "Sweet! I could use a set of pliers like these!"

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Your body also changes quite a bit between your twenties and thirties, so if you don’t already have an exercise routine and a healthy diet, now’s the time to start taking care of yourself. Of course, not all health issues are preventable, but by nurturing your body with plenty of fruits and vegetables and keeping active at least a few times a week, your body will be better prepared to fight any infections or diseases that may crop up later down the line. It’s much easier to stay in shape than to have to get in shape later!

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Are you regretting blowing all of your savings on avocado toast and iced oat milk lattes, millennials? Just kidding, I’m Gen Z, and I’ve done exactly the same thing! We hope you’re enjoying these pics that might make you feel closer to your generation; don’t forget to keep upvoting the ones you find painfully relatable. Then, if you’re interested in checking out another Bored Panda article featuring memes that speak to the thirty-something experience, look no further than right here!

#30

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freakingbee (they/them)
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12 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

funny thing is i never had a bedtime but i still go to bed earlier than the rest of my family (who did have bedtimes)

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#31

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StrangeOne
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12 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I hate meal planning and not too eager to cook. I'm hungry when I get home. I just want to eat. That's what's keeping me broke, too. Spending any extra money I have on takeaway and restaurants because I can't be arsed to cook. And I regret nothing.

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Sleestak
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12 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wait for 54. You need pillow elves to fluff you up 4 times a night.

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#35

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Feathered Dinosaur
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12 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That's me, only I'm always too hungry to think straight, except when eating. No, I don't eat too little, I'm just breastfeeding a greedy dino chick and all the calories just go straight into it's hungry beak.

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Lauren S
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12 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Do you ever wave when your camera is off? Because I do that regularly.

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Geoffrey Scott
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12 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Or look at the clock assuming lunch is soon...it's currently 10o'clock

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Vasana Phong
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12 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Me literally right now in bed, with dog laying next my left hip and kitty in between my knees….help me

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Loverboy
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12 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My favorite childhood memory is happiness. Oh, how I miss serotonin and dopamine.

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#44

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I Am, In Fact, That Weirdo
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12 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I set 4 alarms, the first three are to assure myself I can go back to sleep and the fourth is…well, torture (I’m not kidding I actually do this)

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Loverboy
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12 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I see people starting businesses and buying houses, I feel good cleaning my room finally.

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#48

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Fish Fingers
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12 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Had several heavy arguments with wife about 'walking' holidays back in the day. I worked in a factory where I walked maybe twenty miles a day! My holiday will involve much and only sitting down, thank you very much.

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Note: this post originally had 129 images. It’s been shortened to the top 50 images based on user votes.