35 Things I’ve Learned in My 30s – It’s Mostly Boundaries, SPF & Fresh Air

November 4, 2025
No Comments

Your 30s are where everything finally makes sense – and also absolutely none of it does. Here are the things I’ve learned in my 30s so far: part gym routine, part peace, and part personality development via chaos.

You’ve swapped hangovers for hikes, nights out for skincare, and still occasionally spiral because someone replied with a “👍” and now you’re wondering what you did wrong.

It’s equal parts self-improvement and mild chaos. One day you’re meditating and meal-prepping, the next you’re crying because your leggings are in the wash. But somewhere in between all of that, you actually start learning things that matter.

things I’ve learned in my 30s lifestyle photo

There are so many things Ive learned in my 30s that no one really talks about – like how sleep, boundaries, and a walk can fix 90% of your problems.

Here’s what my 30s have taught me (so far). 🩷

💭 Things I’ve Learned in My 30s About Growing Up (and Realising Everyone’s Winging It)

#1. Not everyone will like you – and that’s okay.
You don’t like everyone either. Some people just aren’t your people, and forcing it is exhausting. Trying to get everyone to like you is like trying to get everyone to like coriander – it’s never going to happen!

#2. Everyone’s winging it.
No one actually knows what they’re doing – some people just wear linen trousers while they guess. Half of adulthood is walking into new situations like, “Hmm… I think I’ll just do this and hope for the best?”

#3. Life is peaks and troughs.
Life isn’t a straight line. It’s more like a doodle – or like trying to write your name with your left hand: chaotic, unpredictable, but still getting there.

#4. You can reinvent yourself anytime.
New city? Do it. New job? Why not. New hair? It’ll grow back – which brings me to…

#5. Get the haircut. Cut the bangs.
You won’t “ruin your life,” you’ll just have a fringe era and a funny photo to show for it.

#6. Learn how money actually works.
Financial literacy and investing aren’t optional — they’re survival. No one’s getting rich from saving alone. Make your money work while you sleep.

💅🏻 On Boundaries, Balance & Being a Grown Woman

#7. Boundaries are emotional SPF.
Protect your peace before you burn out. “No” is a full sentence – no need for a PowerPoint explaining it.

#8. Communication is everything.
Crystal clear communication and active listening will transform your relationships. “I hear you.” “How can I support you?” “What do you need from me?” will save every relationship you care about.

#9. Don’t over-explain.
You can just say, “I don’t feel like it.” That’s valid.

#10. Say no to stuff that drains you.
If you have to hype yourself up to go, that’s your answer. I love the quote “If it’s not a hell yeah, it’s a no”.

#11. People come into your life for a reason, a season, or a lifetime.
Let them come and go gracefully. Not everyone’s meant to stay, and that’s not sad – it’s just life doing its thing. You don’t owe anyone an eternal contract of friendship.

#12. Learn to sew.
It’s not nearly as hard as everyone made it sound. You’ll save money, fix your own stuff, and stop waiting three weeks for someone else to hem your dress.

🧘🏻‍♀️ On Health, Habits & Holding It Together

#13. Health is everything.
You can’t enjoy any of the good stuff if you feel like crap. Prioritise it. It’s the one thing you can’t outsource.

#14. Sleep fixes 90% of your issues.
Before diagnosing yourself with burnout, try eight hours and a litre of water.

#15. Meditation will change your life.
Annoyingly. You’ll roll your eyes at first, then suddenly be a calmer, glowier person who handles the hard times a lot better.

#16. Fresh air fixes more than you think.
Go for a walk, get outside, clear your head. It’s not a miracle cure, but it does make most things feel less intense.

#17. You’re probably just dehydrated
Headache? Tired? Drink a glass of water and add some electrolytes. Works 90% of the time. The other 10% just need a nap and a personality reset. 😌

#18. Find exercise you actually like – and do it.
If you hate it, you won’t keep it up. Find something that makes you feel strong, not punished. It’s not about looks – it’s about longevity, being strong and still being able to carry your own groceries at 80.

#19. Look after your gut.
Most of your serotonin — the stuff that keeps you happy — is made there. Harvard Health explains how much your gut affects your mood.

Eat your veggies, get your fibre, and stop pretending coffee counts as breakfast. Oh, and homemade sauerkraut is so delicious — nine days of fermenting is peak (according to my tastebuds lol).

✨ On Peace, Perspective & Letting Things Go

#20. Zoom out.
What you’re stressing about is usually not that deep. We’re literally hurtling through space on a floating rock. 99% of things we worry about won’t matter in a year.

#21. Embarrassing moments make for the best stories later.
That “cringe” thing you did? Or the “well I f**ked that up” thing – one day you’ll laugh about them.

#22. Confidence is a skill.
Nobody feels ready – they just do it anyway.

#23. Invest in yourself.
Courses, books, therapy, good coffee – it all counts. You are your longest investment.

#24. Rest isn’t lazy.
If you don’t schedule rest, your body will do it for you – usually with a cold or a breakdown. There’s no award for “most burnt-out.”

#25. Comparison is a scam.
Someone else’s “perfect life” is just better lighting and editing.

👗 On Style, Self-Confidence & Being a Bit Delulu

#26. Wear the clothes that make you feel good.
I never used to wear the cute summer dresses I loved because I thought they were too “holiday vibes.”

Now?

If the sun’s out and I’m going anywhere (that’s not the gym or a snack run), I’m in a dress.
Supermarket? Dress. Dentist? Dress. Brunch? Dress.

Wear what you want to wear and what makes you feel like your best self. Don’t worry about what other people think; they might think about it for 5 seconds, then move on.

#27. A break and fresh air fix more than you think.
If you’re about to snap, step outside before you send the text or quit your job. Fresh air is magic.

#28. Get rid of the “special occasion” mindset.
The special occasion is today. You’re alive. Wear the nice perfume.

#29. Romanticise your life.
The coffee, the walk, the playlist, the gym sesh – all of it. One day, this version of you will be the nostalgia.

💞 On People, Love & Letting Them Go

#30. Spend time with people you genuinely like.
Parents, loved ones, friends, whoever feels like home. They won’t always be here, and you’ll never regret the time you spent with them.

#31. Ask for what you need.
People aren’t mind readers. You’re not high maintenance for saying what you need – you’re communicating.

#32. Not everyone’s opinions deserve space in your brain.
You could be the ripest peach, and someone will still hate peaches. 🍑

#33. “If they wanted to, they would.”
The internet got this one right. Stop chasing people who can’t be bothered, or crying over people who do stupid shit. Energy is expensive — spend yours where it’s matched.

#34. No one actually cares if you don’t go.
You’re not ruining anyone’s night — they’ll be fine in five minutes. Don’t be peer-pressured into plans you didn’t even want to make.

💭 On Life Itself

#35. You don’t have to have it all figured out to be proud of yourself.
You can be improving and thriving and still have laundry on the floor. All of those things can exist at once.

🩷 Anyway…

If there’s one thing the things Ive learned in my 30s have taught me, it’s that no one really has it figured out – and that’s fine.

Your 30s are weirdly wonderful. You stop doing things for the plot and start doing them because they feel good.

You actually like early nights, magnesium becomes a personality trait, and “plans” now mean exfoliating and ignoring your phone. You care less about being liked, more about feeling peaceful, and realise that half the battle is just keeping your head above water while occasionally thriving.

Some days it’s calm, some days it’s chaos – but either way, you’re doing better than fine.

People act like 30s are ancient, but honestly? We’re just getting hotter, calmer, and have zero time for bullshit.