In seven months (22 October 2001), I’ll turn 30. I want to be adequately prepared for this milestone, so I’m asking for advice early. Please share with me what you’ve learned.
Here’s my approach: turning 30 is going to be great! The horrible 20s will be over!
Am I missing something?
In my experience:
I’m just a few months ahead of you, crowding 30.
I tend to agree with you about the 20’s. I had some good years in my early 20’s but lately life has pretty much sucked.
As a young man, I always saw 30 as a “do or die” milestone. I think I’m gonna have to give myself a few more years before I get too concerned.
BTW, I know more than a few older people who share our sentiment and are glad to be in their 30’s or better. I think a large percentage of people our age are content to get things going a few years later than our predecessors.
Maybe there is a grain of truth in all than Generation X crap…
Or, as I often tell my good friend Gazoo
The older I get… the less I fucking care!
It is rather amazing how the court of public opinion has less power the older you get. I’m pretty sure embarrassing my kids will be easy.
I will be turning 30 this August. The one saying that keeps me going…
30 years old: young enough to get college age girls and old enough to do their moms.
I’m coming up on 31, and I’ve got to say, 30 was the best year of my life. And I still don’t feel like an adult. I still eat Cocoa Puffs, listen to punk and techno, watch cartoons, smoke like a fish and refuse to exercise. But I honestly feel great. I think I’ll wait 'til 50 to cut out the Big Macs and take up jogging. Oh yeah, and my girlfriend just turned 22.
On a related note, absoul, you just provided me with my new motto.
Hey absoul, when in August? I’m turning 30 on the 17th.
I’m already getting buckets of teasing about it, and I’d be lying if I said it isn’t getting to me. What I try to tell myself is that it’s starting a new chapter of my life; that, even though I don’t intend to become a Serious Adult, hitting 30 sort of puts me into real grown-up land, in a good way. Nobody can mess with me, see, 'cause I’ll be 30!
And to my co-worker who suggested the “Over the Hill” balloons, if you’re reading this: I’ll kill you before you can say “helium,” buddy.
I thought I’d pop in and say that today (21st of March) is my 18th birthday.
Well, I’m getting towards thirty. 
I’ve gotta agree with the crowd, the 30’s have been the best (36 in June). My 20’s sucked, but somehow things changed once I rounded the corner into thirtyland. Then again, maybe I changed. Cared less, became more cynical, but in a good way. Yes, my body sometimes betrays me, but it’s there when I need it. My 30’s is also when my personal life straightened itself out, and having a spouse and kid evens things out.
Turning 30 was cool. My company sent me on a business trip so I got to spend my 30th on Waikiki Beach. Turning 35 was weird, but only because I had to start checking a different box on those surveys, no longer in the 26-34 range. I’m not entirely looking forward to 40. Prostate exams, hair issues, standing in line for the mid-life crisis ride (an E-ticket), but what the hell.
My advice, enjoy it. If you’re a guy, it means that you are no longer exclusively focused on sex. Mostly focused mind you, but there’s room in the brain for other things.
What I said about surviving the 1990s goes equally for surviving certain “milesones.” The whole key is dimished expectations. Try not to treat turning 30 as a milestone unless there are additional reasons for it being a milestone. In itself it really is just a number, and you can really psyche yourself out by imposing meaning on a calendar date where there is no meaning. Is there something you should have been expected to do by 30 (cringe)? By all means go out and party. Just don’t expect things to change suddenly unless you’ve been working for them to change.
40, t-shirt and jeans almost every day.
Leos are the coolest people. Rosebud, my birthday is on the 22nd. It’s the last possible day to be a Leo… whatever that means. All I know is that I shouldn’t date Capricorns… I tried… and failed… several times. 
It’s definately a way of life, woodstockbirdybird! I am pretty sure I’ll still eat pizza, play Unreal Tournament, and sleep as late as possible… I do hate the two day hangovers though.
When I approached my 30th, I gave explicit instructions to my wife, family, and friends: NO RECOGNITION OF THE MILESTONE. Specifically, no surprise parties, no jiberee, no angels, no cake, no presents, no phone calls, no cards, no letters, no nothing.
My 30th birthday arrived. I spent it alone. I rented some movies I liked. I bought a bottle of single malt scotch. I got some turkish cigarettes (I used to smoke). I pampered myself. It was glorious! Then, I went on with my life. (I saved my big party for when I turned 31. It was glorious, also )
While I did not hate my 20’s (they were great!), I find that I treasure my life now more than I had before. As I stand looking at the barrel-end of 32(egad!), I am glad that:
I apologize for babbling; however, I do believe that 30 is a great time to count your blessings, or good fortune, or random luck, or whatever turns you on.