It’s My Birthday: 30 Things I Learned Before Turning 30

Today’s a big birthday for me!! I’m 30!!!!

I can’t believe how quickly thirty years go by—I remember as a kid it felt like time moved so slowly and now BAM! I’m 30. Like a real deal adult—sorta.

While life can be pretty unpredictable, here’s 30 things I can now be sure of that I learned before turning 30.

1. 30 is not old
2. Glycolic acid is my friend
3. I may enjoy chicken wings a little too much
4. Always ask for more money
5. Wearing a bra at night does help
6. Getting into accidents totally makes you a better driver
7. I really did not need that skirt, jacket, lipstick, new foundation, or shoes I hyperventilated over
8. He’s a jerk
9. One day my prince will come. And if he’s really a prince, I’ll marry him.
10. Buy stock when the market is down
11. All the cool people turn 30 this year (Beyoncé, Kelly Rowland, Jennifer Hudson, Nicole Richie, Serena Williams, Jessica Alba, Britney Spears, Justin Timberlake, Alicia Keys, Natalie Portman, Rachel Bilson, Jonathan Taylor Thomas,
Me, etc.)
12. Watching the same episodes of “Martin” will never get old
13. You take the good, you take the bad, you take them both and there you’ve had the facts of life
14. Always go with your gut
15. The day will come when I won’t care what people think of me
16. It’s okay to be tall
17. Nice girls don’t get the corner office
18. How to tell if someone’s genuine within 60 seconds or less of meeting them
19. How to clean chicken and the best takeout to get when things go south
20. What mutual funds, variable whole life insurance, annuities, and bond funds are and how to sell them
21. Not to buy anything that needs ironing
22. All the required maintenance to get on my car so it doesn’t have me stranded on the side of the road
23. It’s really just hair—it’ll grow back
24. I will not grow to an even 5’10”
25. It was Colonel Mustard in the study with the revolver
26. Being kind opens all sorts of doors
27. It’s okay to start over to chase a dream
28. I will be one of those “old people” who thinks that music has gone way downhill after my teen hey days
29. No matter how old I get, I’ll still be the baby to my family
30. Everything in life happens for a reason. Even the not so good stuff and I’m grateful for it all because it makes me who I am.

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68 Comments

  1. Stephanie P.
    August 26, 2011 / 11:49 am

    Happy Birthday! I turn thirty next year, and I think what you’ve learned in your 30 years is right on point. Have a blessed day and year to come.

    • August 27, 2011 / 2:31 am

      Thanks so much, Stephanie!!! So happy to be a year older and wiser ;)

      Hope you have a great weekend!

    • August 27, 2011 / 2:48 am

      Thanks, Stephanie!!! Getting older and wiser is such a good feeling! Enjoy your last year of your 20s ;)

  2. August 26, 2011 / 11:55 am

    Aw this is so sweet :) 30 is not old!!! And YEY Martin – loved that show!

    • August 27, 2011 / 2:47 am

      Thanks, Kimberlee!!! Martin is THE BEST!!! lol. Hope Irene doesn’t get us too badly in NYC. Have a great weekend :)

  3. Monsurat
    August 26, 2011 / 12:13 pm

    Happy Birthday!!!!!!!!

    • August 27, 2011 / 2:47 am

      thanks, Monsurat! Hope you have a wonderful weekend :)

  4. August 26, 2011 / 12:14 pm

    Happy birthday girl, loved the things you mentioned especially the last one, the best is still yet to come!!

    • August 27, 2011 / 2:46 am

      Thanks, Lola!!! How are things in your neck of the woods?

  5. JD
    August 26, 2011 / 12:34 pm

    HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!

    • August 27, 2011 / 2:46 am

      Thanks, JD!!! Hope you enjoy your weekend ;)

  6. August 26, 2011 / 12:55 pm

    HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY DANIELLE!!!!!

    • August 27, 2011 / 2:46 am

      Thank you, Joanne! Did Irene pass through your area or did it skip your state?

      • August 28, 2011 / 5:17 pm

        Thankfully I’m back in FL now and it missed us! Thanks for asking!! How’s it in Queens, are you ok?

        • August 28, 2011 / 5:39 pm

          Thank goodness it missed you! I took a nap before the hurricane hit which was a bad idea because I was WIDE AWAKE once it hit…lol. It sounded very crazy but no damage in my neighborhood—just some fallen tree branches. I luckily live on the 8th floor of an apartment building so no flooding or anything. Some parts of Queens have tons of flooding, power outages, and fallen trees though :/

  7. Q
    August 26, 2011 / 1:07 pm

    HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!! I made 30 last friday…love the list… have fun tonight since tomorrow we’ll be washed away :(

    • August 27, 2011 / 2:45 am

      Woo hoo! 1981 babies rule!!!! Happy belated Birthday!!! Thanks—yep, this Hurricane Irene stuff is crazy. Grocery stores are completely bare and folks are going nuts…lol. Keep safe!

  8. August 26, 2011 / 1:19 pm

    Happy birthday! love your list…lol @# 11,8 ; soooo true @ #15,21,23; still working on #27, 30 and I am well past *clears throat* a certain age :D. celebrate and be blessed :)

    • August 27, 2011 / 2:44 am

      Thanks, Califabulous! The list was fun writing so glad you liked :)

      Girl, you look forever young—puhleeeze ;)

      Any plans for the weekend?

  9. Elle
    August 26, 2011 / 1:20 pm

    Happy Birthday! Many Blessings and Much Love! You have encouraged me to step out of the beauty box and not be afraid to try new things with your blog!
    I love the honesty of your list!

    • August 27, 2011 / 2:42 am

      Thanks, Elle! So happy to hear that! I never know if people always read my posts, so glad to hear some have helped you :)

      Enjoy your weekend? Is Hurricane Irene coming your way?

  10. Stacie W.
    August 26, 2011 / 2:33 pm

    Happy Happy Birthday!!

    • August 27, 2011 / 2:41 am

      Thanks so much, Stacie! Hope you’re out of Irene’s path :)

  11. August 26, 2011 / 3:35 pm

    Such awesome point!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!

    • August 27, 2011 / 2:41 am

      Thanks, Adrienne! Enjoy your weekend!

  12. August 26, 2011 / 4:05 pm

    RT @StyleandBeauty: It’s My Birthday: 30 Things I Learned Before Turning 30 http://t.co/h4eKiRl by @StyleNBeautyDoc

  13. August 26, 2011 / 4:07 pm

    Happy Birthday!! RT @StyleNBeautyDoc New Blog Post: It’s My Birthday: 30 Things I Learned Before Turning 30 http://t.co/NEKN1wo

  14. Temi
    August 26, 2011 / 4:36 pm

    Happy Birthday dear :)
    dont know if I agree with #5 but I do believe any trype of excercise requires a sports bra
    You need to tell me more about #10
    Have fun in AC!

    • August 27, 2011 / 2:40 am

      Haha! #5 worked for me and if I didn’t workout with a sports bra, I’d knock my eyes out…lol.

      Thanks! AC got shut down because of Irene. I did a South American themed night with dinner at Pio Pio (Peruvian restaurant) and then went to see Colombiana—which was excellent! Are you prepared for the hurricane?

      Oh—when the market is down, stock prices are lower. It’s like buying stock when they’re on sale. When the market eventually rebounds, you’ll make a profit (minus capital gains taxes). This is of course for long term investments.

  15. SoUthernBelle
    August 26, 2011 / 5:19 pm

    Happy Birthday! Such an swesome list!

    • August 27, 2011 / 2:38 am

      Thanks, Belle! Hope you have a great weekend ;)

  16. Nesh
    August 26, 2011 / 6:13 pm

    Happy birthday Danielle! Enjoy your dirty 30 xoxo

    • August 27, 2011 / 2:38 am

      Haha! Thanks, Nesh! Were you guys affected by Irene?

  17. Dee
    August 26, 2011 / 7:15 pm

    Happy Birthday!!! Loved the list

    • August 27, 2011 / 2:38 am

      Thanks, Dee! I had fun writing it…lol. Have a great weekend—any plans?

  18. Nikki K.
    August 26, 2011 / 8:03 pm

    HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DANIELLE! My big sis turns 30 this year, too! Enjoy it!

    • August 27, 2011 / 2:37 am

      Thanks, Nikki! Tell ur sis I said happy early bday! Hope you have a great weekend—anything planned?

  19. Sandy
    August 26, 2011 / 10:09 pm

    Happy Birthday Danielle!! You are awesome!

  20. Sandy
    August 26, 2011 / 10:10 pm

    Happy Birthday Danielle!! You are awesome!

    • August 27, 2011 / 2:36 am

      Awww! Thanks, Sandy! Any weekend plans (assuming you’re not in Hurricane Irene’s path)?

  21. Ijeoma
    August 26, 2011 / 11:38 pm

    Happy Birthday !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  22. Sherry Blossom
    August 27, 2011 / 5:05 am

    Happy birthday! I love this post! I have a handful of years before the big 3 0 but I see it’s something to look forward to. Good people age geacefully!

    • August 27, 2011 / 2:45 pm

      Thanks, Sherry! Haha—I hope to be snatched clean when I hit 55+ loo

  23. August 27, 2011 / 7:55 am

    This was the sweetest list, thirty is a milestone, but like you said it’s not old at all.
    xoxo

    • August 27, 2011 / 2:45 pm

      awww—thanks, Caprece!

  24. August 27, 2011 / 11:11 am

    Happy belated bday Danielle! Hope you had a great day, and tell hurricane Irene to “Hol’ her corna!” Lol!

    • August 27, 2011 / 2:43 pm

      thanks, Julie! LMAO @ hol’ her corna!!!

  25. August 27, 2011 / 5:12 pm

    Happy, happy birthday, Danielle! This post is lovely, very well written, and has me looking forward to 30! Enjoy :)

    • August 28, 2011 / 5:40 pm

      Thanks, Maiah! 30 is GRAAAAND—well, not that I’m an expert seeing as how I’ve only been 30 for two days now…lol.

  26. August 28, 2011 / 6:56 pm

    Happy Birthday Danielle, be safe out there. JTT turns 30 this year, hahahha…loved him!

  27. Fab
    August 28, 2011 / 7:13 pm

    Happy Bday! Welcome to the “Dirty 30s!” Congrats. This was a great list. I actually just read “Nice Girls Don’t Get the Corner Office” a few months ago. Good read!

    I totally agree with #27. Sometimes you have to move backwards to go forward.

    I still need to learn #s 20 & 22! Lol.

    I hope your 30s are tres Fab! Love ya!

    • August 29, 2011 / 7:16 am

      Thaaaaanks! I had to learn #22 really quick because being stuck on the side of the Southern State started getting old…lol.

  28. Dobe
    August 29, 2011 / 1:53 pm

    HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DANIELLE! CONTINUE TO BE GREAT! Love this site, and your personality! :)

    • August 29, 2011 / 3:59 pm

      awww—thanks, Dobe! :)

  29. dyshaun
    August 29, 2011 / 3:29 pm

    Awesome post @Danielle! Happy Birthday Girl! I turned 30 this year as well.

    ” Time and tide wait for no man, but time always stands still for a woman of 30…” Robert Frost

    • August 29, 2011 / 3:59 pm

      Hey dyshaun!!!

      Aow—happy belated birthday!!! Anyone born in 1981 is a-ok in my book ;)

      That’s a great quote—thanks sooo much for sharing it :)

  30. September 1, 2011 / 10:03 pm

    Can’t believe I missed this, but Happy Belated Birthday, lovie!!!!!!

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