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On 30

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By Zack ⋅ October 17, 2007 ⋅ Post a comment

Well, it happened. October 14th came and went. And with it, out went my 20’s. For the past few days I’ve been fielding questions like, “How does it feel to be old?” and “So, what is 30 like?” and “Are you depressed?”  And I answered:

“It feels sort of the same.” “It’s just like 29.” “Yes, I am depressed.” and “Please go away.”

I’m not sure why I’m feeling like this. It doesn’t have anything to do really with health or age or social interaction. For me, the pressure is this:

It’s time to get your shit together. 

Pay your cell phone bill on time. Stop living paycheck-to-paycheck. Get serious about marriage. Stop just keeping your business alive and grow it. Make sure your health insurance is the best coverage you can afford. Think about selling the motorcycle. Stop pretending that certain people you’ve called friends are actually friends. Have a plan. Quit smoking. Don’t eat fried food like a crackhead smokes rock. Have faith in yourself. Don’t just expect things to happen in your favor; make them happen. For God’s sake, just get your shit together, dude.

You’re all older and presumably wiser than I.  Any advice would help.

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Discussion

11 comments for “On 30”

  1. I’m pretty sure you don’t have to worry about any of that crap until you are 40…

  2. Don’t sell the motorcycle.

  3. Have a kid. All of those things you mentioned will magically fall into place.

  4. No, I’m pretty sure I have to worry about it now. At least, that’s the overwhelming feeling, anyway.

    The motorcycle is staying…..for now.

    No kids, thanks. I’ll leave the populating to you kids, for now. (And possibly, forever)

  5. I think the relaization that you need to get your house in order is plenty of progress for now. I’m proud of you for even making the to-do list. Now figure out which ones get marked off first and how long it will realistically take to get started.

  6. There’s something really funny about “I like corn on the cob” but I’m not sure what it is.

    And stop your whining. 30 is nuthin’.

  7. Man, this place makes me feel ancient.

    Just pick whichever ones are plaguing you the most (from the to-do list) and focus on those so you can get on with life and not worry about “your number” (as my three-year-old calls it.)

    I’d start with the smoking. I’m just sayin’.

  8. [quote comment="135102"]I’d start with the smoking. I’m just sayin’.[/quote]

    “You’re” just sayin”? Naw, I’m hearing that one from all sides. If I quit smoking, what would I do after meals/sex/coffee/waking up/drinking/breathing?

  9. Give up smoking, but take up obsessing about obscure bands. It fills the same gap in the brain.

  10. Wow Zack! For a moment there I actually felt sad for you. Turning 30 sounds scary and depressing and it sounds like you’re taking it pretty hard. Responsibility, accountability, leaving your juvenile mentality behind…
    and then my thoughts were interupted when you asked our cat, Goose, to pull your finger. I think you’re going to be ok hon.
    :)
    Happy 30’s baby.
    -Sara

  11. Dude, I’m 32 1/2 and all of the same shit started filling up my brain. (I’m right there with you on not having kids, BTW) And 2.5 years of being in my 30s has resolved very little of it. My therapist - I met her three weeks ago and I think she’s going to change my life - listened to my litany of self-disappointment, asked a bunch of questions about my family, looked elated and horrified in all the right places, and then said these words:

    “Honey (she’s Texan), this is the perfect time for you to be working on these things. Your twenties are over, which means your personality is only just starting to gel and you’re less and less affected by what others think of you. Now you’ll start defining who you are and what you’ll do.” Or something like that. I believe her. This is the perfect time, and not a minute before, for us to get our shit together, whatever that means. We’ll be OK, you and I.

    May I suggest pot as a viable alternative for tobacco? I know a guy…

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