Thirty Lessons I Learned by the Time I Turned Thirty

I texted my siblings and let them know that if they want, I can be their screen saver. Offer stands. XO

I did it. I survived a decade into adulthood. Despite all kinds of struggles including years between couches and apartments and jobs and guys who were just not right for me, I did it. I made it to thirty. Huzzah!

What a ride! Let me tell you: that was tough. Twenties is a fucking hard decade. I’m still single. I still have roommates. I don’t own a home or even a car (Hello, NYC living). By those standards and some other ones (dun dun dun — I was trying to mimic the wedding march and realized I struck Law and Order instead) — anyways by the standards of insufferable American ageist society messaging, I should be miserable, right?

But I’m not. Thirty feels good. I feel it in my bones, a new settling tide. I’m going into this decade with far more survival and thriving tools than I had in my last decade. I’m going into this decade with more wisdom, more intelligence, and kindness, and love for myself and others than I’ve ever had before. So, what do I have to be sad about? I’ve learned a lot in the last decade.

THIRTY LESSONS I LEARNED BY THIRTY

Photo by the stunning and supremely talented Catherine LeComte

1. Empathy Is Important, But You Can’t Give Away Vital Organs
   When you…