To some, 30 is a big, scary number. A person in their 30s is no longer in their prime; their wanton behavior is no longer excused by their youth, and their conduct should speak to their maturity. As they rapidly approach middle age, 30-year-olds are expected to settle down and be a bit more serious — to worry about things like their diet, their finances and their alcohol intake. It isn’t a surprise that many loathe the idea of turning 30 and lie about their age for as long as they can.
The truth is that turning 30 is just another milestone in growing older — and with the right mindset, one’s 30s can be just as fun and thrilling as one’s 20s. In fact, you don’t have to try to fit all your life’s exciting activities into your youth; here are 10 things you can and should do after you turn 30 to appreciate the experience fully.
Go Skinny Dipping
Your body changes as you get older, but that doesn’t mean your body is any less worthy of love. Instead of punishing your body with crash diets and extreme cardio workouts — instead of trying to squeeze yourself into your clothes from high school — you should give yourself permission to celebrate how you look, however you look. Skinny dipping is a freeing experience; even if you swim nude with no one around, you will feel remarkably liberated from your misguided expectations to look a certain way. You might ask a friend with a pool for some alone time, or if you are feeling bold, you might plan a trip to a nude beach for your dirty 30.
Consume Cannabis
If you hadn’t heard, weed is legal now — at least in some parts of the country. If you were a goody-two-shoes for all of your youth and abstained from cannabis use for fear of criminal punishment, you no longer have any reason to fret. A trip to an Oregon dispensary is as easy as bringing your over-21 ID and a bit of cash, and with even just a bit of bud, you will feel the unique sensation of being high.
Then again, if you are already a regular at your local pot shop, you might consider dabbling in a different drug. A few cities around the U.S. are working to legalize psychedelics, like psilocybin mushrooms and LSD, which are also available in Amsterdam. Alternatively, you could travel to Central America for an ayahuasca trip or seek out some toad venom — though both of these are both potentially risky to your health and a bit legally dubious.
Get a Tattoo
One poll found that roughly half of all millennials have at least one tattoo — and it is high time you join your peers. Tattoos are a popular form of self-expression; they can tell your personal narrative, confirm your spiritual beliefs, celebrate your cultural traditions, provide motivation and more. You can get something small and discreet, or you can get an entire sleeve. You can look around your local tattoo parlors to find an artist whose style you appreciate, or you can take a trip to a more famous tattooist around the world.
Travel Solo
Speaking of taking trips, it is high time you take a trip by yourself. Traveling with friends, family and romantic partners provides all sorts of benefits, from enhancing your relationships to injecting much-needed fun. However, there is plenty to be gained by going somewhere solo. Adventuring on your own forces you to get out of your comfort zone and learn how to rely on yourself rather than others. You are more likely to reflect on your own likes and wants, and you are apt to make some interesting acquaintances during your trip. You can travel solo almost anywhere, and if you are nervous, you can follow these tips for a successful trip.
Go to Therapy
Just as you should be going to a healthcare provider regularly for preventative care to thwart the development of more dangerous disease, you should consider seeing a therapist, to keep your mental health in tip-top shape. You might not feel like you “need” therapy, but the truth is that therapy is exceedingly beneficial even when you feel happy and balanced. A trained therapist will help you stay in a good mental space regardless of what life throws your way — especially when you are facing a lifestyle shift like turning 30.
You aren’t the same person you were in your teens or 20s — and that should be a cause for celebration. You might not know the you that you will be in your 30s, but if you take the time to experiment with new life experiences, you will likely love who you become.