10 Reasons Why My 30's Are Better Then My 20's

Hello my dear Steemians!

Last weekend one of my best friends threw a big party for her 40th birthday... At first, I was a bit shocked to hear that big F word (no, not what you think, you dirty minded! :D) just in time to realise that in 3 and half years I'll be hitting the same road...

That kind of got me thinking what changed in last decade and I was happy to have this conclusion - I enjoy life now more then I (ever) did before and some things really did change, but in a good way.

So let me tell you how 30-something Matejka is different then 20-something Matejka!

• SELF-CONFIDENCE

Twenties are a big crazy journey and, yes, they are fun as hell, but the thing is - we are all little (or a lot) insecure at those fragile age. At least I was. You're still trying to find your place under the sun and you are a bit fragile and lost...trying to figure out "what you wanna be when you grow up". A decade later, you have already probably achieved something in your life and you sure feel more secure and confident.

• EXPERIENCE

And why do we feel more confident? Because we have more experience. We have already survived some of our worst case scenarios, been disapointed zillion times, got our heart broken several times, changed jobs, got and lose some friend (or what we thought friends were...) and, at this point of life, we are maybe finally ready for this rollercoaster called - life.

• I KNOW MYSELF BETTER

Logically, now - a decade or so older - I got to know myself better. I know my pluses and minuses and I recognise where my strength lies. I am also much better at pleasing myself and at feeling good with and by myself, I now I know - that is not called selfishness. It is a first step toward loving others.

• I CARE LESS ABOUT OTHER PEOPLE'S OPINION

That's true! Can I add - finally? Being twenty something, lot of us still try get people to like us. We care (too much) about what other people will think of us. Now we get aware of that mission impossible and we are cured from this silly disease. There will, of course, always be people who will dislike us and that is now perfectly acceptable. We are just too busy minding our own business.

• I CHOOSE MY OWN HAPPY BUBBLE

I like this change in particular. Before, I was laden with need to always be in centar of action: to be informed, to be present (in various situations and events), to be (more) active, but in the way that would only exhaust me. I don't watch TV or read newspapers anymore. I don't hang around people with whom I don't feel comfortable with. I have my own little world and my own little gang and, I can tell you, it feels good to live in a happy (pink) bubble as much as you can!

• I FEEL MORE GRATEFUL FOR EVERYTHING I HAVE IN MY LIFE NOW

Gratitude is also a new feeling that comes at this point in life, at least for me. I learned to appreciate little things - like sound of raindrops on my window, first spring coffee on a terrace with a sun on my pale skin, warm cup of coffee in early mornings, walks by the river (or the sea, preferably)... Once you stop being weighted with expectations (yours and even worse - other people's), you start really enjoying life.

• I HAVE MORE FUN

You think this one is a lie? Rethink. Realising your time on this little planet called Earth is not limitless, makes you enjoy more in almost every situation. I don't think it's a cliche - maybe I'm not queen of the dance floor like I was 10 y ago and, yes, maybe my hangovers last longer now, but I'm still living la vida loca every time I feel like it and... Go back to the gratefulness chapter. :)

• I CAN DRINK MORE WITHOUT GETTING DRUNK

And that's achievement as well ;) Now I know the rule: two glasses of alcohol - one glass of water. Why nobody tells you that when you're a teenager? Would save us a lot of dignity. Now I know my limits and can drink and stay on my feet from dusk till dawn - or the other way around.

• MY CHILD IS MORE INDEPENDENT NOW

Thank you, Lord! I guess that comes like advantage when you have child at 25. My son is eleven now and we are currently enjoying this - unfortunately short -phase in between he's not a little needy I need mommy 24/7 baby and he is still not adolescent giving me sleepless nights (all over again?!) and discovering adult path trough madness called puberty. I enjoy this quiet, before the storm phase to the maximum.

• I HAVE DISCOVERED STEEMIT

And I'm very happy to have a chance to share my thoughts and experiences on this growing and beautiful platform with all of you, guys! I got the chance to meet some amazing people from all over the world - and even better, to get to know some of them in person, thanks to Steemit (@flamingirl, @zen-art, @tonac, @positivity420, @arrados... ) and already looking forward to meet more and more and more! Let's make this platform vivid and better - just because WE CAN.

This is just my personal journey and experience. I will be more then happy if you share yours with me, as well!

Here are some of my favorite 20's moments (found on my computer). My truly favorite moments are probably not captured, but I have them in my heart.

College life. No money, no brain... Just: endless fun. Everyday.

My friend's wedding. First time I left my son for a couple of hours. Happy times when I had boobs.

Still taking photos in (just) a bikini. On island Brač, year 2006.

Acting silly. Just because I can.

Dance. Dance. Dance. Repeat.

So, today's question: 20's or 30's? What do you think?

Love from Zagreb (and happy first day of Spring to you all!),

Matejka