20 Things People Learn From the Biggest Mistakes Made in Their 30s
No matter how wise you think you are when
approaching your 30s, you are bound to emerge from the decade even more
enlightened. Just as your 20s bring unexpected twists and turns, your
30s most definitely come with surprising discoveries. Whether you want a
jump on these lessons, or just want to feel you’re not alone, these are
the top 20 things people learn from the big mistakes they made in their
30s.
Waiting too long to start saving
It doesn’t take a six figure income or
three degrees on your resume to have a secure retirement. The most sure
fire way to save for your future is slowly over the years. Even if you
feel like you’ll never be old in your 20s, the day will come when you
wish you had started saving a little earlier.
Rushing into marriage
Another one of the biggest mistake from
your 30s is to commit to marriage before you know everything about
yourself. Too often we jump head first into decisions because society
encourages them, only to find out a decade later that we’re painfully
unhappy. There’s nothing wrong with taking your time while deciding who
to settle down with, or if settling down is for you.
Holding on to the wrong partner
Similarly, once you realize you’re not
happy in a relationship, a big mistake is to force yourself to stay.
Regardless of your reasons, staying in an unhealthy relationship will
eventually take a serious toll. Knowing when to let go, even if you’ve
invested years, is a critical skill–one that sometimes only comes after
some wrong turns in your 30s.
Committing to the wrong career
Much in the same way, forcing yourself to
stay in a career that’s wrong for you will eventually be more than just
a bore. By your 30s, several years of performing unengaging daily tasks
will start to weigh you down, until you yearn for a new start. Just
like with an unhealthy relationship, cutting your losses at the wrong
career can actually help you move forward into a job that resonates with
you.
Ignoring finances
While many people in their 40s and 50s
wish they made more time for travel in their youth, many people also
regret paying no attention to their finances. Even if you don’t value a
retirement, a small savings cushion can make all the difference when
life grows unpredictable.
Only focusing on work
Another common regret for those leaving
their 30s is disproportionately focusing on work. All too often our
desire for financial stability eclipses our personal relationships, but
in your 30s, you become aware of the damage this can do. Since many
people also expressed regret over ignoring finances, a healthy balance
between work and relationships is clearly essential in achieving
a content existence for the rest of your life.
Ignoring your health
By the time you’re 30, you likely have
some energetic, carefree times behind you. While your need to party will
start to naturally subside as you age, try to work in ways to boost
your health too. Most people coming out of their 30s regret not getting
active earlier, as natural aches and pains come soon after this decade.
Not traveling enough
A common regret from your 30s is not
traveling enough. While a balanced approach to finances is best, you
will never have less responsibilities. Traveling while you can, but
within a balanced budget, can help you feel like you truly made the most
of this decade.
Rushing into home ownership
Much like sticking with the wrong partner or career,
roping yourself into home ownership before you’re ready can be a big
mistake. Remember, not only will you need to pay off this home, you will
need to stay in the same city until that happens.
Partying too much
Leaving your direction in life up to the
future can also be a mistake. Your 30s should be about discovery, but
too much carelessness is a recipe for an unstable, chaotic future. Many
people leaving their 30s regret getting stuck in jobs below their
potential, simply because they spent too much time partying in their 20s
to find something they enjoy.
Using a cheap accountant
Another critical lesson from your biggest
mistakes in your 30s is to find an honest, hardworking accountant with
your best interest in mind. You likely won’t be a financial wizard by
the time you leave your 30s, so you’ll want to have one on your side.
Ignoring responsibility
Much like never planning for the future,
failing to grow up where needed can cause some major mistakes when you
get older. Learning how to remain youthful, while still being able to
deal with reality, is valuable to your future.
Putting off spontaneity
Another big mistake people in their 30s
make is neglecting to seize the moment. By the time you’re in your 40s,
it becomes clear that time really is short, and it’s better to act today
than never at all.
Investing recklessly
Many people in their 30s also make the
mistake of investing their money recklessly. Even though you’re still
considerably short of middle age, it doesn’t mean you haven’t earned
your money. Avoid losing your earnings by familiarizing yourself with
any program you invest in. Generally speaking, if the returns sound to
good to be true, you’re better off keeping your money in the bank.
Neglecting your relationships
Much like growing hyper-focused on work,
ignoring the best people in our lives can be another big mistake in your
30s. As cliche as it sounds, as we age, relationships really are the
most valuable asset. Making time for those closest to you during your
30s is essential for a full life.
Valuing things too much
Another big mistake in our 30s is to
value things more than experiences. It may seem like physical
investments bring the most pleasure, but as your possessions grow out of
style and break, you will wish you had valued experiences more than
things.
Rushing into other commitments
With pressures to have life figured out by your 30s, many
30-somethings feel they rushed into responsibility. Housing and marriage
aside, it’s easy to rush into living arrangements, schooling or family
commitments you’re just not ready for. There’s nothing wrong with taking
a few extra years to work out whether you’re a family person, if you
like the single life, or whether or not you’re happy pursuing your
career.
Being too inflexible
Another common mistake from your 30s is failing to be
flexible. You might think you are pursuing the lifestyle you want, but
sometimes the reality of a job or career is different than you expect.
If you find yourself unhappy in your 30s, remember that you are free to
switch careers, partners or locations. If you find that you’re unhappy
with your life, there’s no need to keep pursuing it.
Ignoring mistakes
Another big mistake in your 30s is to
fail to learn from your mistakes. If you can’t learn from your mistakes
the first few times you make them, you are doomed to have a turbulent,
frustrating transition to your 40s.
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