![Franky+Carl-114[1]](https://www.love-audrey.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/Franky+Carl-1141.jpg)
Today I am 30. Thirty. THREE. ZERO.
Far from filling me with despair, the prospect of entering a new decade has me brimming with excitement. My 20s contained some of the best {babies, marriage, university} and worst {cancer, death, depression} days of my life.
If you had taken me to one side way back in 2003, I couldn’t possibly have predicted how the next ten years were going to play out. Uncertainty can be terrifying, but it’s also kind of exhilarating. I don’t know what life has in store for me, but I can’t wait to find out. So I say ‘bring it’. Come on 30, show me what you’ve got.
Before we proceed though, here’s a brief overview of some of the wisdom I’ve acquired in the course of the last 10 years. Some of it’s pretty profound, but most of it really isn’t. Enjoy…
1. They lied. Algebra is not an essential life skill.
2. It’s possible that the guy you had a crush on aged 19 is the person you’re meant to spend the rest of your life with.
3. Good manners will take you far.
4. The things that bring the most joy cannot be bought.
5. But a pretty dress is good for the soul.
6. I am stronger and more resilient than I think I am.
7. Sweet potato is delicious, especially when roasted.
8. Moving house is definitely one of the most stressful things you can do.
9. Slowly turning into your mother isn’t so bad.
10. If you’re prepared to work hard, you can achieve anything.
11. Grief is not something you get over or move on from, it is something you carry with you forever.
12. Blondes might have more fun, but I look better as a brunette.
13. Friends and family really are the most precious things in the world.
14. The least popular kids at school generally turn out to be the most interesting adults.
15. Thailand is my favourite place in the world.
16. It is impossible to get bored of watching Breakfast at Tiffany’s.
17. It’s OK to make mistakes, as long as you learn from them.
18. You may never again be as fearless as you are in your early 20s. Embrace it.
19. It doesn’t matter how many people tell you you’re beautiful, the person you need to hear it from most is yourself. We could all be better at telling ourselves how fabulous we are.
20. Life is what happens while you’re busy making other plans. I stole that one from John Lennon, but it’s true.
Love Audrey xxx
Photography copyright (2013) Eliza Claire
Fantastic and very wise words. I have also never had to solve a quadratic equation (have I even spelt that right?!) or used a cosine (is that spelt correctly? Blimey not even used these words in s long time) since leaving school.
And yes, I definitely have found myself more fearful of things since being in my thirties.
Happy birthday. Being in your thirties is fab. You’re going to have a great time!
Happy Birthday lovely lady!
What a decade you’ve had and written so beautifully (obviously)! I too am excited to see / read what the next 10 years has in store for you. The start of your new chapter, in your new home 🙂
Have a fabulous day. Big love, Allie xx
Fabulous! Just what I needed to read this morning!
As I approach my final years as a 20-something, thsee things are starting to ring true. I just can’t wait until I finally get to 30 so I might start believing them for real!
I’m already firm in the belief that a new dress is good for you, and that I too look ridiculous as a blonde. I only use quadratic equations only to impress people, never for real life.
I can’t wait to build on what I already have.
Xx
Oh happy birthday!! I think this is such a great list- though I do have to disagree with the first one- my brother is an engineer and uses algebra all the time 😉 I particularly agree that the most interesting adults are those who weren’t “popular” in school- popularity REALLY isn’t everything. xx
Happy birthday dear, darling friend.
Sending you so much love,
Annabel xXx
What a charming post! Happy birthday!
I love this post! Happy Birthday xxxxxxx
Happy Happy Birthday! I was a complete wreck on my 30th, even worse on my 40th. Though honestly spiritually nothing much has changed! My 30’s on have definitely been the best time of my life! Glad to see you’re embracing your new decade! 30’s rock! Love your blog x
Happy Birthday! I hope you have had a WONDERFUL day 🙂 I love that you are embracing turning 30 and I hope in 4 and a bit years, I will be doing the same (and not cowering away from the world ;))
xx
Happy birthday Franky. I will be doing a “so this is 40” post next year!
Number 14. Yes yes yes yes.
Lovely post. I am loving my 30s even more than I loved my 20s. Happy birthday and welcome to the club! x
Happy birthday for yesterday, I hope it was a fabulous day!
I’d say those are all wise words, especially the bit about sweet potato 🙂
I loved this post, you are a wise lady and I shall listen to your wise words xx
What a wise 30 year old you are! 🙂 I couldn’t agree more with all of the above (except have you ever been to NZ??) Oh and your 30s will rock!! x