[Jenn1fer82]

I am turning 30 yrs old in 10 days and I am feeling so discouraged. All of my close friends are at least 5 yrs younger than me. We've known each other for many years now. I don't know why it is but I am worried that once I hit the 30 mark, I won't fit in suddenly. I would get kicked out of the 20 something club. I start to think am I suppose to meet some sort of standards of what a 30 yr old person should no longer do anymore. I still enjoy happy hour and dancing. Would others look at me differently that I do that at 30?

My love life doesn't exist. Look wise I blend in perfectly with my friends because I still look very young. People still think I'm 21 yrs old sometimes. The problem is when I'm with my friends, which is all the time, we go out and they are young so the younger guys will approach me. I haven't had a guy close to my age approach me in so long.

Now I am not all about going out and having fun. I am in graduate school working on rehabilitation counseling. I have my ba in social work. I am a serious student and my life is dedicated to becoming a counselor.

I feel now that there will be this high standards I now have to meet when I am 30 yrs old and I should have already met some life milestones.

[Leed]

I think we place too much importance on age. What is a "number" anyway? Isn't it more important how we feel? And aren't your friends more important that how old you are? If you have fun with them and enjoy them, then that's all that matters. I doubt very seriously if they even THINK about how old you are.

And you ARE making progress in your lifes' work. You HAVE met some "milestones." You're not just sitting back and playing all the time! You are a student and you're serious about your future.

Don't worry so much about age. The people you "hang" with are getting older too. Are THEY doing anything with their lives? Or are they just having a good time? Regardless, if you enjoy each other don't sweat it. You know YOU'RE on the right path--and you WILL meet someone in time.

No one placed any "high standards" on ME when I turned 30. In fact I didn't let it be KNOWN when I turned 30, because I didn't look 30 either. The last time I got "carded" I was 39 years old!! LOL I'm 63 now and don't look my age now either. And STILL no one puts "high standards" on me -- I place them on myself.

Enjoy life. Don't sweat so much. God bless and take care. Hugs, Lee

[out of place]

I don't think it ever helps to compare your life to others. For me, it has only ever made me feel worse. It sounds like you are a driven person, with school and all, that is great. Try to focus on what you enjoy for your hobbies or try something new. Try a lesson of somesort that you have had interest in trying, but you haven't. Live for you, you are worth it!!

[Wants2Fly]

Oh, dear heart, 30 is a wonderful age! You are coming into the full bloom of your womanhood, smart, sexy, and better than ever.

If you don't fit in with the friends who are younger than you are, find new ones.

Oh my gosh, I was in my prime in my 30s. I wish the same for you. And happy birthday!