So for those of you who hit it, how do you cope with turning 30 years old?

[CyberCubed]

So like a lot of people here, I'm one of those guys approaching the dreaded 3-0 in a few years. It makes me sad because once I hit 30 I'll officially feel like I'm not a young adult anymore, and thus a "real" adult.

Like a lot of people, I spent most of my 20's still feeling like a teenager. While I have my own job and graduated College, I still felt not much different than when I was in High School. I think a lot of people in their early and mid-20's still feel like that, when you're in that awkward phase between being a young adult for the first time but still not sure what you plan to do for the rest of you life.

But a lot of people here already hit 30, or are close to it. How do you guys cope with hitting 30? That's like the milestone you can never go back from.

I just can't believe that dreaded 3-0 number is approaching for so many of us. I just don't want to think about it. It makes you officially realize your youth is slipping away and have aged.

[Zulithe]

Gotta convince yourself that it's just a number and not let it define you. Lots of old people act way younger and sometimes look way younger too. Did you know Johnny Depp was born in 1963? You'd never know it by guessing. You gotta live life by your own terms not by the number of earth's rotations you've managed to survived

Now, when you start FEELING old and you can't fight the symptoms of age anymore that's different, those can be very impactful to how you life your life. But until that happens I say don't let it change ANYTHING!

[goodfellaray]

I'm turning 30 in August. I'm not sweatin' it. As long as I'm alive and well, and my family's alive and well, I'm content.

[Leo656]

Alcohol helps. Kidding. Sorta.

Hell, I'unno, it went by so fast I didn't really have time to let it sink in. Now I'm too busy worrying about how close 40 is to care about being past 30, and I've barely been 30.

It doesn't mean a person can't still do the things they want to do in life, but I do notice there's a societal pressure/stigma once you hit 30 that you're supposed to have "done more" with your life, for lots of us.

Most of my clients are between 35 and 60, and many of us collectively share a joke that we all stopped having Birthdays at 27. Not sure why that seems to be the "peak" age, but that's what we seem to prefer. I guess because it's an age that's old enough to be a "responsible adult" but far away from 30 to still be "hip". :lol:

As long as I have my hair, I don't really care. I just don't go out of my way to advertise my age. I'm not ashamed of it, exactly, it's just easier not to talk about it.

[Roseangelo]

Dreaded? Pu-lease. It's just a number. 30 was just another birthday. At 32 I started karate and am now in the best shape of my life. No complaints from me.

[Leo656]

I'm with ya on that one. One of the best parts of my job is putting people in the best shape of their lives at a time when they thought it wasn't possible. It totally is, some people just need a little push.

Like most people, the "best" shape of my life was probably in high school - aka, "the last time I had visible abs" - but I'm definitely stronger, more durable, and with a comparable body fat level to back then, so I'll take it. I also didn't manage to get into wrestling until around 28, when most of my contemporaries started around 15-18, and I've done OK with it, to the point where apparently only people who know me well are even aware how much older I am than everyone else involved. I take some pride in that, as after 25 came and went and I hadn't even started training, I kind of figured wrestling wasn't going to happen, as it's a very size and age-prejudiced business, but it worked itself out.

The fact I've managed to do alright with wrestling while getting myself into shape comparable with where I was at 17 also makes me feel pretty good since I manged to do it all with a cracked C6 vertebrae I unknowingly suffered in high school. I somehow never noticed it until I had a neck X-ray done in 2006 or somewhere around there. I'm kind of glad, because if I had known about it sooner, I probably would have taken fewer risks with my body; finding out about it years later, after already having done a lot of stuff with no ill effects, made me confident that it wasn't going to keep me from doing things. I do have to be a little more careful with lifting, and doing certain wrestling moves, but altogether, I think I'm doing okay.

But I certainly haven't let my age, injuries, or anything like that hold me back or slow me down. If anything, I just wish I'd gotten an earlier start on certain things. Like, my Dad got to see me wrestle, but he died before he saw me when I was any good, so that's kind of a bummer. But that's life, I guess.

[CyberCubed]

30 is the next big milestone. It's like when you hit 18 for the first time, you're like, "Wow, I'm 18 now!" or when you hit 21 for the first time.

But 30 is the first time you're actually sad to hit a milestone. And it only gets progressively worse from there.

[Leo656]

I'unno, 18 and 21 both sucked sh*t for me. Nothing changed. I don't even remember 18. My 21st Birthday I was doing a moving job in NYC until like 1am like any other day. It was the sh*ts. Two days later, a couple co-workers found out I didn't "celebrate" my 21st, so they "kidnapped me" after work and took me to do shots of whiskey at one of their houses. Hardly a day I look back on fondly. When you've been drinking since you were literally a child, 21 means nothing at all. And it's also frustrating, because I still can't buy beer anywhere without ID, which I find insane, because I seriously doubt I look that young anymore. I've found 6 gray hairs in the last two years, it's simply impossible for me to believe I look 19 to the lady behind the bar. Good on her for doing her job, but still, it's bullsh*t.

Milestones are what one makes of them. I find these particular ones - voting age and drinking age - to be pretty arbitrary, in truth. Neither one means anything meaningful; in fact, the part of your brain responsible for making decisions doesn't fully develop until age 25, so technically, biologically, a person isn't really an "adult" until then, so why isn't 25 a celebrated milestone? Or 16, the age most people can legally drive? Or even 14, when most people can obtain their working papers and get their first job? Those are more important parts of life in the "big picture" than being able to vote, which is meaningless, or drink, which is pretty cool but nothing special.

I'unno, don't worry about how old you are and worry about making the days count, that's the best advice I could give. I'm bad at it, but it's still good advice.

[pennydreadful]

Well for my part, I hit the big 3-0 last year and the part of it I struggled with was the physical side -- realising that my body is changing and trying to come to terms with still feeling attractive even if I've got a few stretchmarks and saggy bits.

Sure it's easy to dwell on the fact that you haven't accomplished XYZ, but I try to focus on how far I have come in other areas. Emotionally I'm in the best place I've ever been - my 20's weren't a happy time for me, but now I'm a much stronger and more confident person.

I think it just comes down to checks and balances - there are some bad parts to aging, but there are some good parts too. You just have to take the good with the bad and focus on making your life happy - because at the end of the day, that's what is the most important thing. Doesn't matter how much you've achieved if you're not happy while doing it.

[Discogod]

Once you hit it, you realise how meaningless it is.

Now, 40... that's not something I'm looking forward to...:lol:

[Leo656]

Same. There's nothing you can say or do to deny it at that point. You're "Middle-Aged". People can refer to you as "that older gentleman" and you kinda can't say sh*t because they're right. You may not be "old" yet, but you're definitely "Older". And that can be tough on the ego. At that point, it also becomes creepy to flirt with chicks in their 20s, in most folks' eyes, and that's pretty rough to give up.

Ultimately, I guess it all depends on how vain you are. I, for one, am very vain, and thus, face the occasional existential crisis about getting older. :lol: As long as my hair stays where it is, though, I'm sure I'll handle the rest of it just fine.

Well, maybe not visits to a proctologist. That's the part of my 40s I'm glad is still almost 10 years away. And who goes to med school so they can stick their hand up someone's ass, anyway? I mean, I know it's a valuable, necessary medical procedure, but doesn't it kind of say, I'unno, *some*thing about the doctor, that they chose to do this for a living?

Huh... well, that was random.

[joefsas]

It's just a number dude! I'm 26 now so getting there, but i still act like i'm 12 alot of the time lol. Having an 18 month boy helps keep me young. Good thing is, i can use him as an excuse to play with toys and act like a kid again :P
My mums 50+ and she drank me and my sisters under the table when England played their first world cup game. And she didn't go home till about 5am :lol:

You keep telling yourself your getting old, your gunna feel it...

[Mzx10484]

On the one hand, yes, you're going 30, the Spring of Youth fades numerically, more and more. Someone once said that the Fall of Youth ends at the end of 30 - so much for the classification, or the ideas about it.

I turned 30 this year, I had similar thoughts before, sad that this decade of 20 is over.

But as that is, I adapt to the circumstances. Whether and how to go about it is up to the person himself. I still have the same interests, the same will to do something. I'm still getting better in many ways, physical fitness, activities such as playing guitar. Also, I'm still studying two semesters, which makes everything else as old. In short: I do not feel the 30 in everyday life.

But every now and then, the 30-thought comes up, as a compulsive thought.

I guess it becomes more problematic when one day the physical powers wane - someday, in the Spring of Age...

[Prowler]

I still have some years before I hit 30 but I don't see why people dramatize so much over it. Life expectancy gets higher every decade or so with the advancement of medical technology.

40 would seem like a bigger deal since you'd be getting closer to middle age.

[BubblyShell22]

I'm 31 and really don't feel that different at all. Never cared about turning 30 last year and don't care about it now. I still have the same interests I had before, so nothing on that front has changed. It's just a number and nothing more. I didn't care when I turned 18 because I don't vote and never had the desire to be one of those people, and I didn't care about turning 21 because I don't drink. Turning 30 really didn't mean much to me. Just a number and nothing more. If you obsess over it, then it's not going to be pleasant for you. Just live your life how you are, and you'll be fine.

[Roseangelo]

30 is the next big milestone. It's like when you hit 18 for the first time, you're like, "Wow, I'm 18 now!" or when you hit 21 for the first time.

But 30 is the first time you're actually sad to hit a milestone. And it only gets progressively worse from there.

As usual, you are making up crap and applying your personal opinion as a universal truth.

[Prowler]

I'm 31 and really don't feel that different at all. Never cared about turning 30 last year and don't care about it now. I still have the same interests I had before, so nothing on that front has changed. It's just a number and nothing more. I didn't care when I turned 18 because I don't vote and never had the desire to be one of those people, and I didn't care about turning 21 because I don't drink. Turning 30 really didn't mean much to me. Just a number and nothing more. If you obsess over it, then it's not going to be pleasant for you. Just live your life how you are, and you'll be fine.
Back when I was a teenager, I believed I'd become very mature and responsible by the time I got in my 20s. While I'm obviously more mature and responsible than when I was 15, i still feel quite young and like things I did back then.

Maybe I'm still going through the phase of recently becoming an adult but I'm really loving it. It's great to be able to do whatever you want and having no one ordering you around or treating you like a kid.

[Refractive Reflections]

I would say not only your mental attitude but your physical health as well is a big factor. I'm sure we all know the benefits of good health, but how you treat yourself (nutrition, exercise, good sleep) will have a much more direct effect on you not only internally but externally as well in getting older.

One clear example of this is some of my high school classmates who are approaching the mid 20s, they are already having prominent "crows feet" after their noted binge drinking and smoking and already look 5-10 years older than what they actually are.

I'm not saying everyone should be an extreme health nut, but making an "investment" in your health makes a big pay off when you start to approach mid-age. In fact :P, the most common reason for erectile dysfunction (which seems to be the indicator to some of transitioning from being a young man to an older middle-aged man) is athersclerosis and diabetes (http://www.webmd.com/erectile-dysfunction/understanding-erectile-dysfunction-basics) (which are heavily related to diet and exercise).

Unlike being able to buy a new car, we only have this one body to deal with and how we treat it is eventually going to be revealed later on down the road. The last thing you want is to feel physically horrible in that "connection" from your mental thoughts to the interaction of the physical, external world and feeling hampered/restricted because of some health problem. I realized the importance of that early in life by having a few family members who's health was taken away from them, with no fault to their own, where they have disabilities/impairments.

...So that would a bit of advice I would give because as far as old age goes, it's inevitably gonna happen, and who wouldn't want a good quality of life especially during those approaching years?

[Sofistocat]

Anybody who sees their 30's as "dreaded" doesnt want to grow up... Personally the older I get, the more I get to clown on everybody who is too dumb or naive to realize they dont know sh*t about life or how the world works. That only comes with age...

So everybody keep telling yourself you dont want to get old and be responsible. Im sure that ideology will be a lasting one...

And Im 33 btw totally looking forward to 40.

[Netkeeper]

Anybody who sees their 30's as "dreaded" doesnt want to grow up... Personally the older I get, the more I get to clown on everybody who is too dumb or naive to realize they dont know sh*t about life or how the world works. That only comes with age...

So everybody keep telling yourself you dont want to get old and be responsible. Im sure that ideology will be a lasting one...

And Im 33 btw totally looking forward to 40.
I like this outlook! As far as I'm concerned, you're not "old" until you hit 60 or 70. I mean, I'm only 23 myself, so my view may very well change as I approach 30. But I've always viewed 30 as "still young".

[TMNT_Guy]

Heh, and to think I dreaded turning 16.

In my opinion, you don’t start getting old until you’re at least 80. Even then, it all depends, I know an 83 year old that’s younger then someone who’s 25. Age is a very subjective thing.

[Dirty Blond]

It's pretty much guaranteed that you can become a form of a slayer in the period of your life between 30-55 if you don't get married.

Obviously it sucks having missed out on prime aged girls, but you just gotta make the best out of your situation.

[Netkeeper]

It's pretty much guaranteed that you can become a form of a slayer in the period of your life between 30-55 if you don't get married.

Obviously it sucks having missed out on prime aged girls, but you just gotta make the best out of your situation.
http://37.media.tumblr.com/5ef8fb6bd49dc0c8a7f03a859e06ecc7/tumblr_n5tnw9EG3H1qbknvio3_250.gif
Uh, run that by me again?

[Redeemer]

So like a lot of people here, I'm one of those guys approaching the dreaded 3-0 in a few years. It makes me sad because once I hit 30 I'll officially feel like I'm not a young adult anymore, and thus a "real" adult.

Like a lot of people, I spent most of my 20's still feeling like a teenager. While I have my own job and graduated College, I still felt not much different than when I was in High School. I think a lot of people in their early and mid-20's still feel like that, when you're in that awkward phase between being a young adult for the first time but still not sure what you plan to do for the rest of you life.

But a lot of people here already hit 30, or are close to it. How do you guys cope with hitting 30? That's like the milestone you can never go back from.

I just can't believe that dreaded 3-0 number is approaching for so many of us. I just don't want to think about it. It makes you officially realize your youth is slipping away and have aged.

This song always cheers me up when thinking of how old I am getting (just turned 23 :lol:)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fY6L7YMkVhA

[CyberCubed]

It's pretty much guaranteed that you can become a form of a slayer in the period of your life between 30-55 if you don't get married.

Obviously it sucks having missed out on prime aged girls, but you just gotta make the best out of your situation.

When you're in your 30's you're expected to settle down and have 2.5 children. No more random flings for you.

[HotNunchuckFury]

It really isn't worth worrying about. Each year brings new experiences and opportunities, there is always something to look forward to, even if you don't know what that will be. The best thing for me about growing older is gaining confidence. I wouldn't turn the clock back even if I could. I've worked too hard to become who I am today and I wouldn't want to loose what I've gained. This is coming from a married, 32yr old mother of 2 ;)

[blindturtle02]

Aw it's not so bad. Just another number, really. I tend to think about what a relief it is to have put a tun of unpleasant miles behind me. There was a gal everyone told me I shouldn't date in college, and I was dumb enough to go ahead with it anyway. I think of being fortunate enough to be out of that situation and in a much better one these days. I don't have anything against my x. Not anymore. We weren't right for each other, and I was too bent on finding Mrs. Right to realize that at the time. I did find the perfect person for me, but it happened when I wasn't searching so strenuously. I think I learned allot in my 20's, but the main thing was patience. Another one was-- ironically enough, how to be a better listener and how to be content. Well I guess I'm still learning about being a better listener. Those, and you never really stop learning life's lessons. There's always room for improvement so I can be a better friend/partner etc. But you do that a step at a time. Life is similar to algebra, or at least that was what one of my teachers used to say. You handle things one step at a time because it's complicated enough. I don't think I'd like to relive my 20's again. Well, maybe the good parts. I'd rather not have to relearn this and that all over again. I still have a tun to learn as it is. Life's crazy sometimes. One minute, I feel like I'm 30, and then it has a way of reminding me that I'm still green.

[AT-Man]

When you're in your 30's you're expected to settle down and have 2.5 children. No more random flings for you.

I would like this very much.

[BubblyShell22]

Back when I was a teenager, I believed I'd become very mature and responsible by the time I got in my 20s. While I'm obviously more mature and responsible than when I was 15, i still feel quite young and like things I did back then.

Maybe I'm still going through the phase of recently becoming an adult but I'm really loving it. It's great to be able to do whatever you want and having no one ordering you around or treating you like a kid.

Yeah, same here. I mean, I'm definitely more mature and responsible than I used to be, and I have a better understanding that the world isn't all sunshine and roses like I did when I was younger, but that doesn't mean I've given up on things like TMNT or cartoons in general. Of course, I set goals for myself by this time like getting a job and moving on my own, which haven't happened yet, but that's because none of us saw the downfall of the economy coming when it did, and I was unfortunate enough to graduate college just when that was happening. And while I'd love to be out on my own, I still feel that I need to stay here as my parents are getting older and need me more than ever. I help Dad with work outside when he needs me, and he's learning that I can do things he never thought I could do before when I was younger. I help Mom with grocery shopping and anything else she wants me to do, and I'm glad to be here for them because my other siblings aren't around. I'm just happy to have a place to live and parents who care about me just as I care about them. I'm also in a loving relationship and while I don't want to get married because I don't believe in marriage, I'm still happy I have someone who cares about me and understands why I feel that way and respects it.

It's all about perspective. If you dread something, then when it comes, you won't be happy about it. I think I'm dreading turning 50 more than 40 because that's really when you'll be over the hill. But I'll deal with that when it comes. Just be happy for what you have and don't worry about what's to come unless you have to. That's the best advice I can give to anyone.

[spiderpumpkin]

How about hitting 40?

[CyberCubed]

How about hitting 40?

I don't want to even think about it.

[Metalwolf]

I wonder if the fear of getting older, is because society is slanted in it's preference towards youth?

If you're a woman, you're seen as less 'desirable' once you've reached a certain age (I'm not talking wrinkles here, just age) and the descriptions of you become increasingly more negative.

If in a job situation, there is a known tendency to want younger workers, even though the older ones have more experience.

For some jobs, even though they have older members, there is a 'cut off' age. Once you get past past that you can't get that job. US Police used to have this at age 35, but they took that away and you can get a job as one all the way up to 60-65 I think.

But the thing is, age really is arbitrary in most cases, but the way society sort of starts restricting you (sometimes to the point of it being sometimes being harder to get a job after say, age 40 due to age alone) makes it harder not to feel uneasy.

Is that a part of your fear, Cubed? That you will be made to feel useless and not worth anything as you get older? Or is it the fear of physical decline?

[T-U-R-T-L-E POWA!]

I just figured it was better than stopping at 29...

[Prowler]

When you're in your 30's you're expected to settle down and have 2.5 children. No more random flings for you.
Seems like you care a bit too much about what society thinks of you. So what if you're in your 30s and are still single and have no kids? I wasn't aware it was mandatory for everyone to settle down.

[CyberCubed]

Seems like you care a bit too much about what society thinks of you. So what if you're in your 30s and are still single and have no kids? I wasn't aware it was mandatory for everyone to settle down.

Well I'm just saying, its about the age where most people start a family. Its actually better to have your first kid in your 30's than the people who have kids young at like 22-25. You're finally older and mature enough to raise a child, and by then you should have a better job than you had in your 20's.

[Prowler]

Well I'm just saying, its about the age where most people start a family. Its actually better to have your first kid in your 30's than the people who have kids young at like 22-25. You're finally older and mature enough to raise a child, and by then you should have a better job than you had in your 20's.
Well yeah, I'd rather get married and have kids at 30 than in my early 20s. That being said, I have no plans in starting a family. Who knows if my mind might change in 10 years or so.

The biggest fears one should have about hitting 30 is their career and their health(that's always important). Health can be tricky but your career depends a lot on you. You just gotta study and work hard in your 20s to get a decent job and career later.

[pennydreadful]

When you're in your 30's you're expected to settle down and have 2.5 children. No more random flings for you.

Seems like you care a bit too much about what society thinks of you. So what if you're in your 30s and are still single and have no kids? I wasn't aware it was mandatory for everyone to settle down.

Hey, it's entirely up to you what sort of life you have - single or not single, children or no children, happy or unhappy. You shouldn't even factor societal expectations into your choices. I'm in an open relationship, have been for nearly ten years, neither of us have any intention of procreating and we're perfectly happy. I certainly don't feel that I'm missing out on anything.

I'm not doing what society expects me to do, but I couldn't care less - I'm happy with my life the way it is and I'm being true to myself. You need to think about what would make you happiest.

[Dirty Blond]

Well I'm just saying, its about the age where most people start a family. Its actually better to have your first kid in your 30's than the people who have kids young at like 22-25. You're finally older and mature enough to raise a child, and by then you should have a better job than you had in your 20's.

Not for love, for convenience. Good luck slaying at the age of 55 LOL.

Ideal life:
16-35: SLAY
35-55: Get married to a young girl (early 20s when you're 35), have a few kids and raise a family. Your first wife will help raise your kids. By the time your kids leave the house you and your wife will be sick of each other, so get a divorce at around 55.
55: Marry another young girl (early 20s if you have M+S, early 30s if you don't). Your second wife will look after you until you die.

[MsMarvelDuckie]

I had a minor bout of depression when I hit 30, but I got over it. Now I'm 37, and what I'm REALLY dreading is hitting 40. I am not where I wanted to be at this point in my life, by any means, and it's starting to feel like I've wasted half my life. Now THAT'S something to worry about.

[Leo656]

I'll never understand why some people feel pressure to have kids at all, regardless of when. Kids are a needless complication, and there's already plenty of 'em, they don't need anyone popping out more. Planet's full, people. Get a puppy, it costs a lot less and leaves a much smaller carbon footprint. Not to mention it'll never grow up to become a stripper, or waste all the money you worked your whole life for on a liberal arts degree, or put you in a crooked nursing home like the one on 60 Minutes. :lol:

I could never be half as self-centered, narcissistic, womanizing OR obnoxious if I had kids to worry about, and by that point, I think I'd just as soon not even show up. I don't need that hassle. I can get drunk at 11am if I feel like it. You can't do that when you have kids. Well, I mean, you can... but it's frowned upon, generally.

Don't worry about being in your 30s and not having any kids, as that's more of a sign you're way, way ahead of the game. And you can still pick up chicks once you hit 30, it's just a lot harder to pick them up at the mall, high school football games, or the bowling alley on a Saturday afternoon. At least without getting a lot of stares and whispers.

[pennydreadful]

I'm way too self-absorbed to have kids, I've got no qualms admitting it. Besides, I helped raise my kid sister (there's a ten year age gap between us) so the way I look at it, I've already done my share of semi-parenting. She turned out to be an exemplary human being, so it's best that I don't tempt fate any further. :lol: I'm better off just being a mama to lots and lots of cats now. :)

[Mayhem]

Thirty schmirty. You'll look back at 30 and smile in time. Now 40 on the other hand... where I'll be next month. Not married, no kids (that I know of... usually guaranteed a chuckle using that when asked), good job, good current relationship with the usual hiccups. So I'm as happy as one could expect.

Actually, when I was a lot younger, I was far more serious. The frivolous side of me has come out as I've gotten older. Maybe it's some sort of reverse Dorian Grey with my maturity? :lol:

[Refractive Reflections]

I'll never understand why some people feel pressure to have kids at all, regardless of when. Kids are a needless complication, and there's already plenty of 'em, they don't need anyone popping out more. Planet's full, people. Get a puppy, it costs a lot less and leaves a much smaller carbon footprint. Not to mention it'll never grow up to become a stripper, or waste all the money you worked your whole life for on a liberal arts degree, or put you in a crooked nursing home like the one on 60 Minutes. :lol:

I could never be half as self-centered, narcissistic, womanizing OR obnoxious if I had kids to worry about, and by that point, I think I'd just as soon not even show up. I don't need that hassle. I can get drunk at 11am if I feel like it. You can't do that when you have kids. Well, I mean, you can... but it's frowned upon, generally.

Don't worry about being in your 30s and not having any kids, as that's more of a sign you're way, way ahead of the game. And you can still pick up chicks once you hit 30, it's just a lot harder to pick them up at the mall, high school football games, or the bowling alley on a Saturday afternoon. At least without getting a lot of stares and whispers.

It's easier for us guys to say that :P, but for the ladies approaching their 30s :ohwell: they have to worry about the biological clock if they want children of their own.

[Leo656]

For some, I guess. My wife also hates the idea. Some people just don't see any point sacrificing half your life and all of your money for someone else, who may or may not turn out to be a complete screw-up when all's said and done. But that's a whole other ball of wax. :lol:

[HotNunchuckFury]

This seems to have turned into a debate about children, which is entirely down to individual preference. Everyone should do what feels right for them at a time that suits them.

Its actually better to have your first kid in your 30's than the people who have kids young at like 22-25. You're finally older and mature enough to raise a child, and by then you should have a better job than you had in your 20's.

Not for everyone. I know a couple who became parents at a very young age (19 and 21) and have done an admiral job raising 2 healthy, happy and well balanced children. The dad is now in his 30's and as a footballer he earns less now than 10 years ago.

Likewise I know another couple who waited to start a family until their mid-late 30's and really struggled to adapt to a different way of life. I'm not saying one age is better than another, just that it's a very individual choice which others shouldn't judge you for or pressurise you into.

Me, I had my boys at 26 and 30 and so glad I did. Jobwise I'm on a similar salary to what I was 10 years ago, but honestly that's because I do not want to climb up to the next rung of my career ladder, as that position brings with it alot of stress and responsibility which I can't be bothered with. Children require a lot of input and energy from their parents and I for one am glad I can keep up with them when chasing around the garden or (of course) engaging in ninja battles ;)

My main point is do what's right for you but don't presume to know what's best for others.

[CyberCubed]

When I have kids I'm going to make sure they like everything that I like. From about the age of 5 I'll make them re-live my childhood from the 80's and 90's.

My kids will be educated on Ninja Turtles, Batman, Spiderman/X-men, all the DC and Marvel cartoons of the 90's, Pokemon, Simpsons, and every classic cartoon I grew up. They will watch every episode of Ninja Turtles from all 3 cartoons and read every TMNT comic when they get to about 10.

I will also start them with Super Mario Bros. 1 on NES and make them work their way up through the entire Nintendo console history from there to whatever the newest Nintendo console will be by that time.

My kids won't leave the house until they've relived my childhood of everything Nintendo, TMNT, and DC/Marvel related from about 1985 to present day. It will be amazing.

[BubblyShell22]

So, let me get this straight, Cubed. You're pretty much going to force your kids to like what you liked at their age instead of letting them choose for themselves what they like and don't like? That's just stupid. And what if they don't like the same things you did when you were a kid? Are you going to force them to watch something they may not want to watch? If that's the case, I feel sorry for any kids you have.

As for me, I don't want kids and don't need them. I'm not a patient person, and I feel that having kids would be too much of a hassle for me. Same goes with getting married since it doesn't always work out anyway. I don't need some dumb piece of jewelery or to walk down the aisle of some courthouse (no church for me thank you) in some dumb dress I'd only wear once anyway. I'd rather have a common law marriage, and that's what I"m striving for. If my BF wasn't on the same page with me in that department, then I'd just break it off and stay single.

[CyberCubed]

So, let me get this straight, Cubed. You're pretty much going to force your kids to like what you liked at their age instead of letting them choose for themselves what they like and don't like? That's just stupid. And what if they don't like the same things you did when you were a kid? Are you going to force them to watch something they may not want to watch? If that's the case, I feel sorry for any kids you have.

Almost every kid will like TMNT, Nintendo, Batman, Marvel superheroes, etc. if exposed to a young age. I mean its what most kids like, superheroes. Its not that surprising.

[Whatswiththeheadbands?]

Almost every kid will like TMNT, Nintendo, Batman, Marvel superheroes, etc. if exposed to a young age. I mean its what most kids like, superheroes. Its not that surprising.

But, you will be forcing them to like those things at an early age, instead of them developing their own interests.

[Prowler]

I can see where Cubed is coming from. If I have kids or nephews someday, I'll introduce them to retro games and TMNT as well. But I won't force them to like them, obviously.

Despite being born in 1990 myself, I grew up playing NES and SNES games thanks to my older brother. Also reruns of the Fred Wolf cartoon made me a Ninja Turtles fan. That being said, most kids don't care much about older stuff and they most likely prefer cartoons and games of their generation which is perfectly acceptable.

I guess every parent, deep down, wishes their kids liked the same stuff they did when they were younger.

[Leo656]

Eh, it sounds twisted but it's not a big deal. Kids have horrible taste when left to their own devices. Kids enjoy Barney, and the live-action Chipmunks movies, and awful stuff like that. They don't know what good entertainment is. If I did end up having a kid, I'd probably turn him into a robot, too. :lol:

[TheBlueTurtle1]

I am dreading it, just a few months away for me:(

Like you say, there is something about 30 that hits a spark with people. Every time I talk to my parents, they are like, " your almost 30 now" and that sort of BS. I think the age process hits you harder, for example weight gain baldness all become a concern. Although personally I still hit the gym and keep my self in great shape, I feel it more now, than when I was 21!

I don't think it will change me much, I like to live for the "here and now" rather than what "might be" in 10 years, but I can't help feel a big sense of sadness and maybe I should re think priorities.

I still feel, young in spirit and mind and I hope that counts for something.

[Icebot]

I honestly don't know how it's supposed to feel as a normal happy person. I've been bullied at least 75% of the times since I turned 30 so I haven't been enjoying my 30's so far.

[BubblyShell22]

Almost every kid will like TMNT, Nintendo, Batman, Marvel superheroes, etc. if exposed to a young age. I mean its what most kids like, superheroes. Its not that surprising.

Yeah, but not all kids will be like that, and the way you're wording it is that you're going to shove this down your kid's throat without letting them decide for themselves what they like or don't like. It's fine to introduce them to what you liked when you were a kid and to see if they like it, too, but stating it like you're going to force them and they have no choice but to like it seems a little shallow to me.

[pennydreadful]

When I have kids I'm going to make sure they like everything that I like. From about the age of 5 I'll make them re-live my childhood from the 80's and 90's.

My kids will be educated on Ninja Turtles, Batman, Spiderman/X-men, all the DC and Marvel cartoons of the 90's, Pokemon, Simpsons, and every classic cartoon I grew up. They will watch every episode of Ninja Turtles from all 3 cartoons and read every TMNT comic when they get to about 10.

I will also start them with Super Mario Bros. 1 on NES and make them work their way up through the entire Nintendo console history from there to whatever the newest Nintendo console will be by that time.

My kids won't leave the house until they've relived my childhood of everything Nintendo, TMNT, and DC/Marvel related from about 1985 to present day. It will be amazing.

:lol: Oh Cubed, you're a card. I can picture it now, your kids sitting at the kitchen table having to complete exams on the content of the various iterations of your fandoms. Low marks result in having to rewatch it all until they get it right! :P

[MsMarvelDuckie]

That's just cubed for ya'. I do understand how others here feel about having kids, though. It's one of the main reasons I had never intended to do so myself, and when it DID happen, I knew myself well enough to realize that raising a child was not for me, in spite of already being 30 at the time and the whole biological clock nonsense that so many people make a big deal of, or how "having children of your own is so rewarding!" Bull-hockey. I helped raise three of my cousins for 3 and a half years (ages 9 to 14) and that was as close as I ever wanted to get to having any.

When I had my unplanned little one, one of the first things I did after learning she was on the way was start looking into adoption possibilities. Our financial situation has never been great- mostly we barely get by with just the TWO of us- and I knew that raising a child would cause more complications than we could physically or financially deal with. Coupled with my natural lack of patience and aversion to infants and toddlers (I'm okay with kids over 4, but anything younger just causes me anxiety attacks) I knew it just wasn't a good idea. I ended up giving her to a couple with whom I was friends, who wanted but couldn't have another child. I've never regretted that decision. And although I sometimes wonder what it would have been like to raise her ourselves, we still keep in touch enough that I can see just how much of us is in her, and it makes me proud to see how much like her birth mom and dad she is.

[Metalwolf]

I'm one of those ones that will likely not have kids either, and I'm 34. I think especially with females, having kids is really pressured onto you, especially if you aren't one of the types that desire to have them. Stuff like "You'll love it if/when you have one' 'Who will take care of you when you're old?' and 'You're selfish/being immature' and the ever classic "I thought I didn't want them either, until I had one" are often thrown at the person.

I think if having them was not set as the expected default and that not having or wanting them was seen as OK, there might be a few less unwanted and abused children. Or even if the person was knocked up and they didn't want the child, it is seen as OK to put the child up for adoption instead of people expecting and pushing her to keep it (the 'child is better with it's mother' guilt tripping.)

And not having a child for personal reasons isn't selfish.It's selfless, because you aren't bringing a child into the world to be your mini-me, fulfill your life in some way, take care of you when you're old, pass on some genetic/name/family 'legacy' that may or may not even get fulfilled and that is only your expectation (what if he/she doesn't want children?) No child should ever be born with a 'job,' but many times one is pushed onto them, and often they are punished for it if they don't live up to this expectation. Not all parents do this (in fact there are many that don't) but there have been horror stories from people who found out once they didn't be what the parent wanted.

As for this, I'm not saying that all parents do this or are like this, but many of them kind of look down on the childless and childfree for not having kids. Often there is a patronizing attitude towards them, as if these aren't 'real adults' and are little more then immature sods that do little more then party and have tons of money. Or that they couldn't find someone or are bitter infertiles and crazy cat ladies/creepy men.

So to anybody who doesn't have kids, don't feel ashamed if you don't have them by X age. Many people don't, and having kids isn't a 'sign' of adulthood or being mature. Even teens get knocked up, and it doesn't make them mature, it's just shows that they can do what every organism can pretty much do, even down to the lowly cockroach.

[CyberCubed]

The problem with not having kids is who is going to look after you when you're 75 years old? The great thing about kids is when you're old and gray your kids, who will be like 40 year olds themselves by then, can help you with medical bills and such.

Just think about how your parents sometimes rely on you. Don't you want some kids to do that for you when you're 70 years old? Otherwise you'll be on your deathbed alone and alone. And alone.

[Metalwolf]

The problem with not having kids is who is going to look after you when you're 75 years old? The great thing about kids is when you're old and gray your kids, who will be like 40 year olds themselves by then, can help you with medical bills and such.

Just think about how your parents sometimes rely on you. Don't you want some kids to do that for you when you're 70 years old? Otherwise you'll be on your deathbed alone and alone. And alone.Actually Cubed, that is one of the 'jobs' that people push onto a child before it's even born. "I only had you because you'll wipe my butt when I'm old" isn't something that you want to push onto a child.

What if you had one and he can't take care of you? What if he's special needs, and you are the one wiping his butt when you are 50? The child you have might be normal, but if could also have Down's, autism, severe mental illness, etc.

Plus Cubed, the folks that I've seen in the nursing homes, were often placed there by their children. Ask the nurses if you ever visit one. Rarely do the children come to visit. Sure, they visit like crazy during the first few months, then they... start... dropping.. off... until the older person hasn't seen them in ages.

And as a final mention for tonight, just because you're old, doesn't mean that you automatically get decrepit. Becoming decrepit enough to need care is often brought about a tiny bit by genetics, but more often by the person not taking care of themselves and becoming sedentary. That is when you start to 'rust' and get many of frailties, because your body isn't being used much and you just sit around. There are 75 year olds who are running marathons, and they aren't some freak exception, but just oldsters who decided that they weren't going to let themselves fall apart and then make somebody have to care for them.

[papa_smurf73]

This made me laugh a little. Turning 30 isn't a big deal at all my dude. Just another day wiser, and another day to be thankful for the time you're given. :) It's a great time to be alive. Enjoy it.

[Prowler]

The problem with not having kids is who is going to look after you when you're 75 years old? The great thing about kids is when you're old and gray your kids, who will be like 40 year olds themselves by then, can help you with medical bills and such.

Just think about how your parents sometimes rely on you. Don't you want some kids to do that for you when you're 70 years old? Otherwise you'll be on your deathbed alone and alone. And alone.
I understand what you mean, but not everyone ends up the same way. How can you be so sure you won't die of a sudden heart attack at 40? Does not matter if you have family or not in that scenario. Plus, several people don't get along that well with their parents or just put them in nursery homes and never bother to visit them. Doesn't sound like a nice way to die to me. It's either that or the hospital bed. And your future kids might not be near you in your last minutes of life. And even if they are, you might not be conscious anymore.

Man, this thread is getting depressing now.

[Refractive Reflections]

When I have kids I'm going to make sure they like everything that I like. From about the age of 5 I'll make them re-live my childhood from the 80's and 90's.

My kids will be educated on Ninja Turtles, Batman, Spiderman/X-men, all the DC and Marvel cartoons of the 90's, Pokemon, Simpsons, and every classic cartoon I grew up. They will watch every episode of Ninja Turtles from all 3 cartoons and read every TMNT comic when they get to about 10.

I will also start them with Super Mario Bros. 1 on NES and make them work their way up through the entire Nintendo console history from there to whatever the newest Nintendo console will be by that time.

My kids won't leave the house until they've relived my childhood of everything Nintendo, TMNT, and DC/Marvel related from about 1985 to present day. It will be amazing.

So to anyone in the future who reads this and if the Technodrome Forums are still around, prepare for CyberCubed 2.0 everybody. :lol:

[Prowler]

So to anyone in the future who reads this and if the Technodrome Forums are still around, prepare for CyberCubed 2.0 everybody. :lol:
I think it's more likely for his kids to end up hating Nintendo, superheroes and especially the Turtles.

[Refractive Reflections]

I think it's more likely for his kids to end up hating Nintendo, superheroes and especially the Turtles.

If CyberCubed is forcing it on his children, oh... the amount of therapy they'll need.

[TheBlueTurtle1]

Actually Cubed, that is one of the 'jobs' that people push onto a child before it's even born. "I only had you because you'll wipe my butt when I'm old" isn't something that you want to push onto a child.

What if you had one and he can't take care of you? What if he's special needs, and you are the one wiping his butt when you are 50? The child you have might be normal, but if could also have Down's, autism, severe mental illness, etc.

Plus Cubed, the folks that I've seen in the nursing homes, were often placed there by their children. Ask the nurses if you ever visit one. Rarely do the children come to visit. Sure, they visit like crazy during the first few months, then they... start... dropping.. off... until the older person hasn't seen them in ages.

And as a final mention for tonight, just because you're old, doesn't mean that you automatically get decrepit. Becoming decrepit enough to need care is often brought about a tiny bit by genetics, but more often by the person not taking care of themselves and becoming sedentary. That is when you start to 'rust' and get many of frailties, because your body isn't being used much and you just sit around. There are 75 year olds who are running marathons, and they aren't some freak exception, but just oldsters who decided that they weren't going to let themselves fall apart and then make somebody have to care for them.

I agree with you, I don't want children either, butI feel that underlying pressure from people. I think to have children just so they look after you when your old is a selfish reason to have kids.

I also think it's selfish to have kids knowing that you are only doing so because "it's what most people do"

Most 50 + years want to live the last of their good years, not be committed to looking after an elderly parent.

[HotNunchuckFury]

When I have kids I'm going to make sure they like everything that I like.

Why don't you read some of the posts in this thread to understand how people feel about having other people's opinions and expectations pushed on to them?

[Whatswiththeheadbands?]

The problem with not having kids is who is going to look after you when you're 75 years old? The great thing about kids is when you're old and gray your kids, who will be like 40 year olds themselves by then, can help you with medical bills and such.

Just think about how your parents sometimes rely on you. Don't you want some kids to do that for you when you're 70 years old? Otherwise you'll be on your deathbed alone and alone. And alone.

http://robmason.org/projects/the-rules-of-manliness-according-to-chuck-norris/images/5.jpg
^^
This Guy managed just fine

[pennydreadful]

Man, this thread is getting depressing now.

Totes. Maybe we should try to share some of the good things about getting older.

Like... you get to act superior about these kids today and their horrible music.

You know that if you break up with someone, you won't in fact die of a broken heart.

I don't know if this is true for everyone, but I'm a million times more self confident now than I was in my early 20's.

You have more perspective on things, and more life experiences to draw on.

You get to date more mature people.

You've had enough practice to be a dynamo in the bedroom.

:D See, there's good things in there!

[Prowler]

Totes. Maybe we should try to share some of the good things about getting older.

Like... you get to act superior about these kids today and their horrible music.

You know that if you break up with someone, you won't in fact die of a broken heart.

I don't know if this is true for everyone, but I'm a million times more self confident now than I was in my early 20's.

You have more perspective on things, and more life experiences to draw on.

You get to date more mature people.

You've had enough practice to be a dynamo in the bedroom.

:D See, there's good things in there!
I agree with the self-confidence thing.

Also, you'll be wiser and more knowledgeable about life and many other things(art, history, etc.). And ofc, the older you get the more mature you'll get as well, leading to better decision-making and better dealing with pressure and responsiblity.

[pennydreadful]

... better decision-making and better dealing with pressure and responsiblity.

Or at least more finely-honed procrastination skills. :lol:

[BubblyShell22]

The problem with not having kids is who is going to look after you when you're 75 years old? The great thing about kids is when you're old and gray your kids, who will be like 40 year olds themselves by then, can help you with medical bills and such.

Just think about how your parents sometimes rely on you. Don't you want some kids to do that for you when you're 70 years old? Otherwise you'll be on your deathbed alone and alone. And alone.

Sure some people may want that but it may not be possible for that to happen. My BF and I don't want kids because he's legally blind and has a seizure disorder, and we don't want to risk passing that on to our own children. That's not to say the kids couldn't take care of us when they're older, but there's always that possibility that they wouldn't be able to, so we're not going to risk that. We could adopt, but the truth is that I just don't see myself as a mom, so we're not having kids at all. And if you don't have kids to take care of you, you could always have other relatives who could do that. It doesn't have to be your children.

[HotNunchuckFury]

I hope that my children never have to look after me. That never even entered my head when deciding to have children. I had children simply because I wanted to spend a part of my life sharing it with children. I know I'm in the minority here but I just love kids. The thought that somewhere down the line they may have to spend part of their adult lives looking after me as an old lady is very depressing and I don't want that for them or me.

Anyway, back on topic. The confidence thing is what I was saying before. Yeah I had fun in my 20's, but I feel I wasted a lot of time avoiding situations and putting stuff off because I was too afraid of failure or what people thought of me, but I care less about that now and certainly feel more confident to try new things and follow my dreams. It's actually quite liberating. Yes I don't look as youthful, but is that really so important?

[plastroncafe]

Just sit back and remember that growing up, growing old, and being an adult are not all the same thing.

[Dawnatello Turtle Chick]

I have been so busy that my birthday this year snuck up on me and as I was driving to my birthday party at my In-laws (my Mother In-law insisted that she throw me one- everyone gets one....) I finally realized "Oh, my gosh I'm turning 30!" and then realized.... Eh, doesn't seem to matter! I have had grey hairs since I was 12 years old and I just seem to get more every year. I stopped counting at 10 white hairs... I'm not interested in white hair unless I can get a big white strip like Rogue cause that would be cool!!! My body seems to disagree that I feel young- I've got arthritis in my neck and bad knees and I've had 4 hand surgeries and my memory is abysmal.... But I still feel young because I choose to feel that way.

[sdp]

My problem with me hitting 30 in the next few years is that I don't feel like settling down yet. No offence but the 30+ people of course are going to say that "don't care for the social stigma or IT"S JUST YOU", because that's crap. Yeah life goes on in your 30s we're not denying that but your 20s are gone that part of your life is gone and you can't bring it back just how you can't bring back your teens. You are old now and just because I'll be 30 I won't be saying that it's the same as being in your 20s. And yeah what society thinks is important to a degree, do you respect a teenager who or guy in his 20 with a My Little Pony t-shirt or maybe a half naked anime girl? The whole "Don't care what people thing" has a limit. My main problem for me is I still want to settle down but just not now but I can't pause my life and i can't expect to have my first child in my late 30s, not to mention the older my wife is the more dangerous or the fact that my wife wouldn't want to wait that long. I don't want to be too old for my kid to do things, so yeah 30 is indeed a turning point in your life where you have to make decisions that will affect the rest of your life. It's not just a "number".

As far as forcing your kids like what you like it's just not going to happen, I remember trying that with my nephew and didn't understand how he didn't find the things I grew up with interesting, but it makes sense, I didn't find the things my dad grew up with interesting either, they want the new shiny stuff and while I'd like them to grow up from NES to current gen it's just not going to happen. He will have to choose what he likes and I'll be forced to watch it with him. Cybercubed actually makes pretty good points at times and is honest about many things people don't want to admit, the problem is the comment might already be "controversial" and then he posts some off the wall thing that helps disprove any good point he had and leaves himself open to ridicule.

[Leo656]

As far as not having anyone to take care of me when I'm old, I kind of never worried about it. For one thing, I try and take great care of myself so I can prolong the inevitable physical deterioration that happens as you get older. And secondly - not to be too morbid or anything - I always planned on punching my own ticket once I couldn't take care of myself anymore. A person only "Lives" for a certain amount of years, and then for the last few at the end, they're less "living" than "existing", usually as a huge burden on someone else. So I figured I'd just clock out on my own when I figured I was no longer physically capable. I've never liked other people "taking care of me" and I don't even like having to rely on my wife for driving duties (long story, please don't ask about it).

So yeah, once I can't climb stairs or feed myself anymore I figure I'll have done all the good I can on this Earth. I never wanted to be a burden on anyone else.

[CyberCubed]

A person only "Lives" for a certain amount of years, and then for the last few at the end, they're less "living" than "existing", usually as a huge burden on someone else. So I figured I'd just clock out on my own when I figured I was no longer physically capable. I've never liked other people "taking care of me" and I don't even like having to rely on my wife for driving duties (long story, please don't ask about it).

So yeah, once I can't climb stairs or feed myself anymore I figure I'll have done all the good I can on this Earth. I never wanted to be a burden on anyone else.

Stan Lee is 91, and he's still living life to its fullest. If I make it to my 90's I'll still be playing videogames and watching cartoons unless I become physically uncapable of doing so.

Also with lifespans going on longer, now many people are making it to their 90's or 100's rather than dying at 75 like they used to. Barring any medical issues of course.

[MsMarvelDuckie]

Cubed, I think Stan and those like him are more the exception than the rule. Yeah, people are living longer, but many are also forced to work for longer and postpone retirement due to the economy and other factors, and that takes a toll on the body. Obesity and other conditions also contribute, especially in this country. So thinking that you'll live to a ripe old age and still be capable of doing everything you could before- or even just staying active, is NOT guaranteed. Even healthy and physically fit people can still die relatively young, while guys like George Burns make to 100. It makes NO sense logically, it's just a matter of circumstance.

And like others said, don't count on your kids to care for you once you can't, because they may resent you, not get along with you, or whatever. And some kids simply don't want to interrupt their own lives to care for an aging parent. But as others have said, force-feeding them the things you love and enjoy is a sure-fire way to bring on that kind of resentment and disinterest. And that's assuming your kids don't have special needs of their own that keep them from taking care of you, or shorten their own lives.

[pennydreadful]

And yeah what society thinks is important to a degree, do you respect a teenager who or guy in his 20 with a My Little Pony t-shirt or maybe a half naked anime girl? The whole "Don't care what people thing" has a limit.

Not really - my lack of giving a crap about other people's opinions when it comes to how I live my life has zero limit. Seriously, it's actually impossible for me to emphasize how little I care. I used up all my f*cks for that sort of ish many years ago - it's a complete waste of time and energy. I mean, so someone disapproves of how I dress or something - so what? The sky's not going to fall. I'm not going to be ejected from the planet. Nobody's going to die. The world won't end.

And I couldn't care less if a grown man decides he wants to wear a bright pink Hello Kitty shirt five days out of the week - his body, his life, his business. Someone who's shallow enough to judge me based on whether I wear tshirts with children's cartoon characters on them isn't someone I want in my life anyway.

People only have as much power over you as you let them, dude. Life's too short to let other people make you unhappy.

http://25.media.tumblr.com/ce2931a48b27e3b7b8ccc37de66df197/tumblr_mved1iKomo1qlvwnco1_r1_400.gif

[Leo656]

Not to derail the thread, but I kind of see that whole thing both ways. There's a lot to be said about individuality and all that - god knows, it's not easy "rocking the mullet", and I've had to put up with a TON of sh*t just to NOT cut my hair, so I definitely think there's a lot to be said for the whole, "This is me, take it or leave it" attitude.

But that said, there IS a limit to how much you can get away with. It may be a sad fact, but it IS still a fact, that unless you're financially stable, and either don't care about finding a relationship partner OR already have a great one, that there's only so much of Yourself that you're "Allowed" to be.

Just a few personal examples. I have a few tattoos. I want a lot more. I'd have them going up and down both arms by now if it were entirely up to me. BUT, that's simply not going to happen until I either hit the lottery or am retired from the work force. Because visible tattoos are "Not Allowed" in 99% of jobs, especially those that actually pay, you know, more than minimum wage. So, if I wanna eat, I have to keep a lid on my individual expression.

Likewise, I've had long hair since 1993. Not a day goes by without me being asked, "So when are you gonna cut that sh*t?" I never PLAN to, and have gone through a lot to keep it, but even I am well aware, it's cost me a lot of opportunities in life and I kinda wish I wasn't so stubborn about it. It's objectively stupid to hang onto something like that when it's cost you jobs and money. Every interview I've ever had, the first question has always been, "So, would it be at all possible for you to cut your hair?" But I like it. But the truth is, if I didn't have it, I would absolutely not be as poor as I am, and that's another sad fact of life.

Manner of dress is another issue. I, personally, cannot stand wearing long pants or sleeves, and outside of work, I never do. But even though I work in a gym, I can only wear shorts or cut-off shirts when I'm working out on my own time. Even in wrestling, you'd think showing up a few hours before a show to help set up the ring wouldn't require a "dress code", but it does. The general rule is, "Business casual", or, "Like you're going out to a club." I never thought it mattered, but at one point a veteran pulled me aside and said, "Not for nothing, but the boss thinks it looks bad when you show up looking like a bum. You'll get more work if you dress a little more professional, not just here, but other places." So I adapted, even though it "wasn't me".

Basically, the most important thing in life IS money, after all, and that being the case, other people and their opinions of you DO control your life, to some degree, like it or not. Because if you aren't lucky enough to find a boss, or a boyfriend/girlfriend, looking to placate your "personal style", then you're pretty much S.O.L. Being single isn't so bad, but having no job definitely sucks, and sadly, most bosses won't hire certain "types" of people.

So, I say, be "Yourself" on weekends, and the rest of the time, just accept that you're a victim of other people's perceptions and prejudices. Unless you're rich, in which case, you already won the game and can do anything you want.

I frankly get a little annoyed with the "I'mma be Me no matter what" attitude, because that's exactly what got my wife fired from every single one of her jobs. :ohwell:

[CyberCubed]

I frankly get a little annoyed with the "I'mma be Me no matter what" attitude, because that's exactly what got my wife fired from every single one of her jobs. :ohwell:

Merely out of curiosity, what exactly did she do? Get into fights with the supervisors?

[Jester]

So for those of you who hit it, how do you cope with turning 30 years old?
I'll let you know in a little over a month...

[Leo656]

No, she's just generally kind of goofy and puts her foot in her mouth a lot. She's just the kind of person that people in general get sick of rather quickly. She also has a hard time turning off the "funny" side of her personality when it's time to be serious. You don't have to do anything "wrong" to get fired from a job, sometimes people just get sick of you.

From the person who knows her best, I can say, a little of her goes a long way and while I don't agree with it, I totally understand it.

[pennydreadful]

Fair point Leo - my comment was meant more in a non-work context but yeah... some sacrifices have to be made for work purposes unfortunately. I think it's more about picking and choosing your battles, and what's more important to you - money or being able to have lots of facial piercings.

In my case, I chose money.

On the other hand, if I had to work one of those jobs where women were expected to wear makeup and skirts... I'd just find another job. I wouldn't care if I had to get a job cleaning toilets, if that's what it meant. Everyone has their own limits.

[Leo656]

I hear you. I just get annoyed because a lot of times people act like what other people think matters a lot less than it really does. Objectively, what other people think of you can have a HUGE affect on your life. It sucks, but it's true.

I mean, in my own case, even though I don't do anything wrong, people in my wife's family HATE me. They hate me mostly because I'm not rich, which is directly related to the jobs I'm "allowed" to have with my long hair and tattoos. So, other people in the family get helped out in hard times, but we get "Well, it's your own fault." One of her cousins got pregnant by a heroin addict who abused her, but the family was supportive of them because he had a job with AT&T that paid five grand a month, so whenever they needed help, be it money or anything, they got it. But when my wife and I were homeless, or even just needed a couple hundred bucks to get the car fixed, it was "Tough sh*t. If that assh*le 'applied himself', cut his stupid hair and got a 'real' job, you wouldn't have these problems." :roll: Yes, I'm considered to be lower than a drug addict, because society says long hair isn't allowed. Some world, huh?

So, it goes beyond just work. Depending on a person's individual circumstances, sometimes your entire LIFE is controlled by other people and what they think. It isn't fair, but I definitely think that we set kids up for future frustration when we tell them as kids "What other people think of you doesn't matter," when it absolutely, totally, definitely does. How MUCH it matters depends on your own individual standards of happiness.

[CyberCubed]

I don't get it, Leo, I thought you were a wrestler full-time so why does it matter if your hair is long? You have another job when you're not in the ring?

[pennydreadful]

So, it goes beyond just work. Depending on a person's individual circumstances, sometimes your entire LIFE is controlled by other people and what they think. It isn't fair, but I definitely think that we set kids up for future frustration when we tell them as kids "What other people think of you doesn't matter," when it absolutely, totally, definitely does. How MUCH it matters depends on your own individual standards of happiness.

For my own part, I actually have very few people in my life (which doesn't bother me) so I'm probably at an advantage there.

Sometimes I just get frustrated with the stupidity of it all - and if I'm being honest, this is probably a contributing factor to why I have few people in my life - dealing with other people is a lot of hard work, and I made the choice to opt out of it. I'm happy left to my own devices, so for my part, it hasn't been a difficult trade-off.

[Leo656]

'Cubed: Oof. Nobody who isn't in WWE is a "wrestler full-time", and even half of those guys would drive 500 miles for a free meal and then stuff as much as they can in a bag for the road. Pro wrestling is the absolute worst job a person can have as far as work put in vs. amount you get paid. I've had a few $100 nights... very few. And unless you're on TV, it's only a weekend gig anyways, because indy promotions can't afford to run shows on school nights. Makes no sense to run a show on any night when 90% of your audience has to be in bed by 8.

I'm a personal trainer 5-7 days a week to (barely) pay the bills. There's another sh*t job. I mean, as far as personal satisfaction, it's great; people thank me every day for helping make their lives better, and I love that. But the money's terrible, and if people are being f*cking lazy, you don't get paid, because it's all commission. I've had days where I was *scheduled* to train 8 people and make a decent amount of money, only to have 6 of those people come down with a case of "I don't feel like it". My average pay is $20-25 an hour, but that's IF people show up. The only good thing about it is the personal satisfaction and that the hours are super-flexible.

It's frustrating because it's all I ever wanted to do for a living and, like most jobs, when they're trying to hook you into it they seriously over-inflate the upside. I was told it was a job that paid $30,000 a year to start and only went up from there. Yeeeeeeaaaaaah. :roll: You CAN make good money, but you kind of have to know people and get in at the right place.

[Turo602]

I feel as young as ever. :)

[Peanut]

I feel as young as ever. :)

And then you become us and get mad when younger people say sh*t like that, SO SHUT UP, KID!

God...I'm so angry I could have a nap...right after I get some fiber in my system, because age.

[Dawnatello Turtle Chick]

On the other hand, if I had to work one of those jobs where women were expected to wear makeup and skirts... I'd just find another job. I wouldn't care if I had to get a job cleaning toilets, if that's what it meant. Everyone has their own limits.

Oh my, yes! I have run away from those types of jobs faster than a fat kid toward cake. I've had several good job offers that required a certain dress code and I pass. In fact I took one job and according to the wording of the dress code I could wear things I was comfortable wearing but once I started, it was made clear to me by higher ups that what I was wearing wouldn't work- so I told them the job didn't work. You can't hold a woman to a different standard than a man and me be okay with it... Turned out to be a good decision.

[Prowler]

My problem with me hitting 30 in the next few years is that I don't feel like settling down yet. No offence but the 30+ people of course are going to say that "don't care for the social stigma or IT"S JUST YOU", because that's crap. Yeah life goes on in your 30s we're not denying that but your 20s are gone that part of your life is gone and you can't bring it back just how you can't bring back your teens. You are old now and just because I'll be 30 I won't be saying that it's the same as being in your 20s. And yeah what society thinks is important to a degree, do you respect a teenager who or guy in his 20 with a My Little Pony t-shirt or maybe a half naked anime girl? The whole "Don't care what people thing" has a limit. My main problem for me is I still want to settle down but just not now but I can't pause my life and i can't expect to have my first child in my late 30s, not to mention the older my wife is the more dangerous or the fact that my wife wouldn't want to wait that long. I don't want to be too old for my kid to do things, so yeah 30 is indeed a turning point in your life where you have to make decisions that will affect the rest of your life. It's not just a "number".

As far as forcing your kids like what you like it's just not going to happen, I remember trying that with my nephew and didn't understand how he didn't find the things I grew up with interesting, but it makes sense, I didn't find the things my dad grew up with interesting either, they want the new shiny stuff and while I'd like them to grow up from NES to current gen it's just not going to happen. He will have to choose what he likes and I'll be forced to watch it with him. Cybercubed actually makes pretty good points at times and is honest about many things people don't want to admit, the problem is the comment might already be "controversial" and then he posts some off the wall thing that helps disprove any good point he had and leaves himself open to ridicule.
Obviously it matters to some degree, but being in your 30s and not wanting to settle down is not the same thing as being a grown man wearing a MLP t-shirt.

I can see why you'd be worried about having a family before it's too late. That's not really due to society pressure but it's just human(and animal) nature to keep the species alive. Nothing wrong with that.

I'm still fairly young, so it doesn't cross my mind getting married and much less having kids, but who knows if that might change in a few years if I happen to fall in love with someone and have a long-term relationship with that person.

You can't bring back the past, but as you grow older, you'll gain other interests and lose other ones. How many things that you liked when you were a kid still grab your interest? Not many, I'd bet. And even if you look back fondly on your childhood and teenage ages, would you really want to relive them? Because when I look back at mine, I kinda feel a bit embarrassed remembering how immature and annoying I could be at times:lol:.

When I was a kid, I used to fear a bit the idea of being an adult, but you don't just change physically as you grow older but mentally as well. At the moment, I have no idea what being 50 years old is like, but I'm sure i'll find it normal once I hit that age.

[Leo656]

I, for one, can't wait until I get my Rainbow Dash shirt. F*ck everybody. :P

[pennydreadful]

Obviously it matters to some degree, but being in your 30s and not wanting to settle down is not the same thing as being a grown man wearing a MLP t-shirt.

Not seeing the problem with being an adult and wearing an MLP shirt... I've got a cupboard full of shirts with unicorns on them. They're just clothes - who cares what someone else wears? Seriously, I don't get it. If you like it, wear what you want.

I, for one, can't wait until I get my Rainbow Dash shirt. F*ck everybody. :P

Post pictures when you do. :D

[Leo656]

Oh, absolutely. She's my hero.

[pennydreadful]

That's because she's 20 percent cooler than other ponies. ;)

[Leo656]

20% cooler than damn near everyone, from where I sit. Dash don't f*ck around.

[pennydreadful]

I really like... her mane? :P

[Leo656]

Her mane is pretty striking. She rocks shades fairly often, also neat.

I completely lost my sh*t that one time she referred to a stray storm cloud as "This punk cloud..." :lol:

FiM and Archer are the two shows my wife and I laugh at the most consistently. And boy, ain't that an odd counter-balance? :P

[pennydreadful]

All this talk about Rainbow Dash has now gotten Somewhere Over The Rainbow stuck in my head...

[Katie]

Man. So much anxiety over a dumb number. I guarantee that you pretty much feel exactly as you feel now.

If you are a perpetual live at home with the parents, 30 isn't likely to change that.

If you aren't motivated to be a grown up in you 20's, 30 won't change that.

If you think that having to get married and have babies is a mandate of being in your 30's, get over it. All you are doing is making yourself reek of desparation.

I like what was said earlier. Growing older and growing up are two separate things.


On that note, all you 30 somethings out there....if you are still living at home and can't support yourself, I'm disappointed in you. :P

[CyberCubed]

On that note, all you 30 somethings out there....if you are still living at home and can't support yourself, I'm disappointed in you. :P

That's actually more common now than you think. Some people even did move out in their 20's but had to move back in with their parents in their 30's because of financial issues.

This isn't the 90's, its a lot harder to live on your own unless both you and your boyfriend/girlfriend both have good jobs to pay the bills.

[BubblyShell22]

Uh, Cubed, she was joking. Didn't you see her smiley face?

In any case, I'm glad I live at home because my parents need me more than ever. I'm afraid if I move out, they'll end up killing each other because they just can't get along at all, but I know it'll have to happen eventually.

[Leo656]

It's good if it was a joke, sometimes text doesn't translate well. Still, it's a refrain I hear a lot, and some people actually DO mean it. Mostly people in my family who have lots of money and expect it'll come as easy to everyone else as it did to them.

We had a place and then lost it when work completely dried up at the old job. A LOT of people I went to school with are back "at home". One of my best friends was out for over ten years, moved to a different state, went to college, had several well-paying jobs, everything going great... then at 30 had to move back in with his parents and take a job at a movie theater when things suddenly went south. Or my poor sister, who at 37 had to move into her car with a 13 year old and a 5 year old after my father died and she couldn't financially support herself because the kids' father was a deadbeat who couldn't hold a job or give her any money. That was in no way her fault. Especially when she went to try and get homeless assistance from the state government and they told her that living in her car with the kids would be "good enough, in a couple of months you should be able to get another place." Eventually, a friend let her stay for a few months, and they were able to get another place, but the kids' father recently passed away and they're all back to only scraping by and will almost certainly be homeless again at some point. She does everything she can, but frankly, nobody wants to hire a single mother with two kids because employers know all the baggage that comes with that. She's lost a ton of jobs just because her kids were sick and had to go to the doctor. It's not her fault she's struggling, and a ton of people are in the exact same boat.

Bottom line: Things aren't getting any better for lots of people, only worse. Great for people who can "make it", but I've learned not to judge people. Standards have changed completely from even ten years ago. People who are doing well should just be happy that they are, and not cast judgment on people who are struggling. Nobody WANTS to live that way, after all. That said, I am happy for people who can get by. It's rough out there.

[CyberCubed]

It's a stigma from the 80's and 90's, that if you're over 18 and still living with your parents you were considered a loser.

Obviously this is no longer true. A lot of people in their mid to late 20's are still with their parents. Its not that they chose to be, its that they just can't get a good enough job to live on their own.

It really goes to show you how much society has changed.

[Dawnatello Turtle Chick]

I think I've said it on here somewhere before, but my husband, son & I moved in with my folks after my youngest sister almost financially ruined them and we pay most of their bills in lieu of rent. It helps them out and if we need a babysitter we have 2 trusted sitters close by. We "rent" out the upstairs and share common areas downstairs, many days I don't even see my parents all day (unless I go looking....) so we all do a good job of respecting each other's space. It's also nice to know that we have great landlords, lol. After we moved in my mother was downsized out of her job and a few years later so was my dad, so if we hadn't been here, I don't know what they would've done. I feel like it's kind of my duty as the oldest child to make sure they're taken care of, but that's never really a thing that was put on me, kind of just a self-assigned duty I felt is a part of honoring my parents.

[Leo656]

I hear you, I was already kind of in a spot from a long time ago, because I never got to move out from my Dad's place after high school because a combination of his health issues and addiction issues really took a toll on his health. All his other kids abandoned him, so even though we barely got along, I felt like I couldn't just leave him to his whims and his "friends". He would've been dead in a year. But the years in between before he finally had to go into a home, and then finally with my sister, took a big toll on both of us, financially. It might've been a mistake, I don't know, it definitely wiped out my savings and set me back by many years, but... he's my Dad. None of his other kids even came to his funeral, and one posted on FB that he was glad he was dead (pure class). I still struggle with it, because if I had just left when I turned 18, my whole life might've been different for the better, but... I mean, what was I supposed to do? :ohwell:

[Dawnatello Turtle Chick]

I still struggle with it, because if I had just left when I turned 18, my whole life might've been different for the better, but... I mean, what was I supposed to do? :ohwell:

Yeah, I hate getting punished for doing the right thing.... seems like the old saying "Doing good is it's own reward" is not quite right- "Doing good is it's own reward, cause life and people around you will screw you over and laugh in your face or just plain ignore you if you're doing the right thing..." But hey, I guess I'm a masochist, I just insist on doing it. Or is it insanity since I keep doing the same thing, expecting different results? :twink:

[Peanut]

F*cking seriously talking about My Little Pony in here? Jesus Christ, Internet. Stop trying to kill me.

[Raphael32183]

I agree with its just a number. Im 31 with a wife and about to have my second daughter (i know, no boys lol but luckily my daughter watches the cartoons with me). But tmnt, drawing, comics, and other pop culture stuff will always keep me feeling like a kid at heart. So no worries its not that bad.

[Mona_Lisa]

Still 29, I will be totally bummed on my next Birthday!:cry:

[CyberCubed]

I wish there was some way to be immortalized at 28.

It's kind of funny that in real life people mistake me for being much younger than I am. Some people think I'm only like 20-21 years old as if I'm some young kid. I look about 10 years younger than I actually am.

I remember my boss asked me how old I was once and I told him I'm going to hit 30 in a few years and he was shocked...he thought I was like 22. I must be aging well!

[Katie]

I still do not understand your aversion to 30.

Is it that you are afraid of having to grow up? Or a fear of aging? A fear of death?

By most accounts your 30s are better than you 20s because most people become financially stable, you kind of come into your own.

Sounds pretty good to me.

[Prowler]

Nothing lasts forever and there's a time for everything. I wouldn't want to be in my 20s forever, let alone being immortal.

[BubblyShell22]

Yeah, same here. Growing old is something that just happens, and if you dread it, then it won't be good for you. Like I said, I'm in my 30's now, and I'm not upset about it at all. Wasn't upset that I turned 30 because I didn't feel the need to. It's just a way of life. Now, I might dread 50, but 30 is still young. And I relate on looking younger. Most people think I'm in my 20's because I look that way, but I'm not of course. Looking younger can have an advantage though in the long run. At least that's what people tell me.

[CyberCubed]

I still do not understand your aversion to 30.

Is it that you are afraid of having to grow up? Or a fear of aging? A fear of death?

By most accounts your 30s are better than you 20s because most people become financially stable, you kind of come into your own.


When you are 30:

1. You are expected to settle down and have a family. If you have kids too late you won't be able to see them grow up as you would when you were younger. This is the decade you're expected to get married, have kids, and your life is set.

When you're in your 20's you can still do whatever you want. Whatever boyfriend/girlfriend you have at the time is not permanent, having kids can still be put off for a few years, etc.

2. Your career has to be final. Again, when you're in your 20's you can have a number of jobs and not be truly sure what you want to do yet. If you don't have a high paying job by the time you hit 30 then you're pretty much screwed to have a mediocre income for the rest of your life unless you win the lottery.

3. Less time for yourself. For those of us who spent the majority of our years watching TV, cartoons, videogames, comics, etc....this all has to be cut down. I am never giving up my childhood fandoms. I plan on playing videogames and watching cartoons until I die.

4. Health issues. When you hit your 30's this is when you have to start looking after yourself. In your 20's you didn't have to worry too much about what you ate, you could drink, do whatever, it didn't matter too much. But once you hit your 30's if you don't take care of yourself you're screwed.


There's probably some other stuff I'm not thinking of too.

[Blossombrooks]

I'm enjoying being 30, I've finally embraced who I am. By the time you reach 30 most people have the self possession to be themselves and I wouldn't trade that for a lifetime of being in my 20's.
I've treated it as a time to do everything I wanted to but held back from before. Now I just think sod it, if I don't do it now I never will.
30 isn't all doom and gloom cubed. Bring on 31! :D

[BubblyShell22]

Okay, let me respond to these points:

1. Not really. I'm 31 and am not married and don't have kids, and I don't plan to do either. It's not something you have to do as not everyone gets married or has kids. It's a decision that everyone has a choice in whether they want to do it or not. I'm not going to get married because my BF is on disability and if we marry, he'll lose money, so I don't want to do that to him at all. He understands that and that's it. If people want to judge me, they can. I don't care what anyone thinks of me or my choices, and neither should you.

2. Again, I don't have a job right now because of the economy, and I'm honestly not going to worry about it as it's beyond my control. It doesn't mean I don't want to ever work because I do, but right now, it's just not possible. Besides, my mom's been having health issues, and I just feel like I need to be there for her right now rather than worry about getting a job at the moment. Once things get sorted out, I'll focus back on getting the job I want to get. But not everyone is going to get that job right out of college as it's just not possible. As long as you have a job, why should you worry about whether it's final or not?

3. What do you mean by less time? Don't you still have spare time even after work? If so, then I don't see what the problem is. Sure, it's like that for people who have kids, but if you don't, I can't see why time for yourself is a factor here as you can make time for yourself after you work.

4. Yes, your health changes as you grow older, but that's just the way life is. Just go with the flow and if you're worried about it, just get your checkups as you should. I'm a relatively healthy person, so I don't really have to worry about getting sick all of the time. The only problem I really have is my sinus headaches, and that's due to weather anyway, so I can't really do much about it.

Seems to me you're worrying over nothing. Forget about marriage and kids and stop acting like you have to do this or that. The only thing I feel I have to do is get a job and eventually move out of my parents' house, and that's it. Screw the rest of it. I think you just need to calm down and take a good look at your life now. Do you have a job? If so, then I don't see the big deal. Do you really want to get married and have kids? If not, then I wouldn't worry about it. I don't care about what other people think of me or what I choose to do. At the end of the day, Cubed, the point of being an adult is that you get to choose your destiny on your own, and that's what you need to do instead of worrying about what others want for you. That's all I can say right now.

[Katie]

When you are 30:

1. You are expected to settle down and have a family. If you have kids too late you won't be able to see them grow up as you would when you were younger. This is the decade you're expected to get married, have kids, and your life is set.

When you're in your 20's you can still do whatever you want. Whatever boyfriend/girlfriend you have at the time is not permanent, having kids can still be put off for a few years, etc.

2. Your career has to be final. Again, when you're in your 20's you can have a number of jobs and not be truly sure what you want to do yet. If you don't have a high paying job by the time you hit 30 then you're pretty much screwed to have a mediocre income for the rest of your life unless you win the lottery.

3. Less time for yourself. For those of us who spent the majority of our years watching TV, cartoons, videogames, comics, etc....this all has to be cut down. I am never giving up my childhood fandoms. I plan on playing videogames and watching cartoons until I die.

4. Health issues. When you hit your 30's this is when you have to start looking after yourself. In your 20's you didn't have to worry too much about what you ate, you could drink, do whatever, it didn't matter too much. But once you hit your 30's if you don't take care of yourself you're screwed.


There's probably some other stuff I'm not thinking of too.

All these points are pretty laughable to anyone who has lived 2 minutes in the real world.

#1) in the United States the average age for the first child has been getting older because people are waiting longer. Do you realize 40 years ago all this stuff would have been expected out of highschool? No laws saying you even have to get married. Who cares?

#2) People can and do change careers through their entire lives. Staying in one job or "locking it in" in you 30's is boring and will cause more financial weakness than testing different things.

#3) only you control what time is yours or not. Age has nothing to do with it. If you choose a job or lifestyle that lessens your "alone time" that's your choice. People of all ages can make this choice.

#4) Jesus. Decisions you make in your 20's do affect your health. Fat ass couch surfers can also get up and decide to get fit in their 40's and beyond and completely turn their health issues around.


Its pretty obvious that you live a very sheltered life and don't have a lot of real world experience.

[Davetello]

It's just a number. That myth that with age comes experience and wisdom isn't actually true for many people. The years fly in quicker than we realise and, to be honest, there's not really that much time to mature in the grand scheme of things. In between life issues, general interests etc, most people don't spend a ton of time pondering existential questions so it's not like we all become Yoda-like characters as we age.

Very happy to see many open-minded people posting. I am 32 and have moved back in with my mum, mainly due to financial problems. I don't view it as 'living with my parents' as essentially I am independent but just staying with a parent for company (I don't like living alone, which is another factor). I just view it as living with a good friend.

It's easy to say all that stuff i.e. "by 30 you should be married, have kids etc" but life doesn't always work out that way. I'm a lot like Cubed though in that I am pretty baby-faced so nobody really thinks of me as someone who really should have moved on with life by now, as they don't think I'm older than early twenties anyway.

[Netkeeper]

The idea that if you don't have kids young you won't get to watch them grow up is hilarious. My mother had me when she was 40, and she's still strong. Probably the strongest person in the house! :lol:

[Davetello]

The idea that if you don't have kids young you won't get to watch them grow up is hilarious. My mother had me when she was 40, and she's still strong. Probably the strongest person in the house! :lol:

Aye, it's pretty mental. As medicine and science improves people are living longer so this nonsense that people have to have kids early really is bizarre, as you say.

There's a biological cut-off for women, but men could easily father a kid in their 50s and see him live into his 30s or even 40s.

[Hannurdock]

I'm 36 and turning thirty was a blessing. No more evil twenties.

[BubblyShell22]

Meh, my twenties weren't that bad for me and neither are my thirties, though I have noticed my memory is slipping a bit sometimes. I've had gray hairs since my twenties, so I don't let that depress me either. It's all about perspective and what you want to do with your life. Worrying about it is going to age you faster, so my advice is to just calm down and go with the flow. Be thankful for what you have now and don't worry about things that are beyond your control.

[pennydreadful]

Pffft, grey hairs? That's what hair dye is for! :D Or you can just be a fabulous silverhair, or rock the salt and pepper.

[BubblyShell22]

Yeah, I'm rocking the grey hairs, and I don't care at all.

[Dawnatello Turtle Chick]

Pffft, grey hairs? That's what hair dye is for! :D Or you can just be a fabulous silverhair, or rock the salt and pepper.

Yeah, I'm rocking the grey hairs, and I don't care at all.

I've been working on the salt & pepper since I was about 12... I have several relatives who went white headed very early. I like it! I can't see me ever using hair dye.

[Parabellum]

So far my 30's have the best time of my life. Don't sweat it brother.

[pennydreadful]

Yeah, I'm rocking the grey hairs, and I don't care at all.

I've been working on the salt & pepper since I was about 12... I have several relatives who went white headed very early. I like it! I can't see me ever using hair dye.

Awesome - the way I see it, you've got the sort of hair that people like me spend an entire year bleaching their hair to try to get to! (My end-of-year goal is to be a white enough base that I can dye it silver; til then, I'm a purple nurple. :P )

[Netkeeper]

A friend of mine dyed his hair silver once -- but never again after that tbh. It was expensive and the dye didn't last. It was INSANELY pretty, though.

[pennydreadful]

Totally - keeping pretty hair is way high maintenance. But really worth it. I blame Tumblr's many pics of pastel-haired cuties!! They gave me hair envy, and now that I've joined the ranks of the unicorn-haired, I can never go back to natural shades again! :lol:

[Netkeeper]

Pffft. The most I've done is dye mine a natural-ish red (http://31.media.tumblr.com/16b667402b58b157689109c02bb6765c/tumblr_mkdrhdnX5z1rblle2o1_500.jpg) since it looks nice on me. I've been told I'd look good with some darker colours, though, but I wouldn't know where to go except maybe blue and blue fades to an ugly colour.

[BubblyShell22]

I tried blonde highlights once, but that didn't work for me. Since then I've just kept to my natural brown and rocked the grey. Nothing wrong with that. People still tell me I look younger than my age.

[Dawnatello Turtle Chick]

Pffft. The most I've done is dye mine a natural-ish red (http://31.media.tumblr.com/16b667402b58b157689109c02bb6765c/tumblr_mkdrhdnX5z1rblle2o1_500.jpg) since it looks nice on me. I've been told I'd look good with some darker colours, though, but I wouldn't know where to go except maybe blue and blue fades to an ugly colour.

A good friend of mine died her hair blue once and then decided to get white highlights, but it didn't go right and she ended up with the highlights going from pink to white the further it got from her scalp. She totally looked like a rainbow trout! Lol, but it looked cool.

[pennydreadful]

Pffft. The most I've done is dye mine a natural-ish red (http://31.media.tumblr.com/16b667402b58b157689109c02bb6765c/tumblr_mkdrhdnX5z1rblle2o1_500.jpg) since it looks nice on me. I've been told I'd look good with some darker colours, though, but I wouldn't know where to go except maybe blue and blue fades to an ugly colour.

Depends on the brand of dye - some of them have a lovely fade. Seriously, check out http://haircrazy.info/ and http://www.hairdyeforum.com/ - they've got great galleries, reviews of the different brands, and have been an invaluable reference for me over the years for cut and color inspiration.

The purple I use is actually more of a blurple, and it fades to silver which is really lovely. I think you'd look adorbs with blue hair, FWIW. :) If you want a brand with minimal touch-up, I hear that Pravana is the longest-lasting; you could dilute it if you wanted a more pastel shade. I'm actually considering going turqoise at some point, but as you've said, the fade isn't very pretty so I've got to think about it. Though I basically touch up my hair color every time I wash it as it is, so I've got it down to a fairly quick process...

(Side note... if someone thinks we should start a thread for hair/makeup/fashion discussion... go ahead; between all the touchy feely threads that I've made lately, I don't want to push my luck. People probably already think I'm turning these forums into Tumblr as it is. :lol:)

[Netkeeper]

Hm. If some of them actually fade to a decent colour [and ftr the blue I'd want would be darker, not lighter] I might give it a try! My hair might even be naturally light enough to dye it without bleaching which would be nice.

[pennydreadful]

If you didn't want to do a full bleach, you could just do a light bleach bath to take your hair up a few shades, but that'd only be if you wanted it to be a "brighter" dark blue instead.

This thread is a pretty good guide to the colors that different brands will fade to: http://www.hairdyeforum.com/index.php?topic=812.0

I love living vicariously through other people's hair changes, so pay no attention to my shamelessly egging you on. :P

Your backup plan for when you get tired of it could just be to A) fade it out, B) shave your head and just let your hair grow back or C) dye your hair back to a more natural color - whatever you think might suit you best. Over the years, I've tried all three methods so I can't say I really have a preference (though having a shaved noodle is sooo comfy, not to mention low-maintenance as hell). As vain as I am about my hair - whatever you do to it, you can always grow more. 8)

[DarkFell]

Turning 30 *currently 32 btw* ain't so bad. I *about* feel the same way now that I felt in my twenties.

[pandaderek]

I'm past 30 and I still get treated like a teen. I go to the casino, often, and always get carded at the door.

[CyberCubed]

The thought of turning 30 is terrifying for me. It will really make me feel old.

[BubblyShell22]

Nah, 50 will be that way for me. I still felt the same way when I turned 30 as I did when I turned twenty. As long as you have your health, I don't see what's so terrifying about it. Could you maybe elaborate a bit on why it terrifies you so much?

[Gorilla Grodd]

I turn 29 next month. I'm not really sweating 30. For me everything from 27 on has been great since I feel like I've hit a certain level of experience and maturity while still being in my physical prime. It's surprisingly been a lot of fun being in my late 20s. I should be able to stretch that deep into my 30s. I might start worrying a bit when 40 is approaching.

[XERO]

Eh, I turned 30 in March. Besides my hairline obviously receding, nothing's that different.

My bones creak more, I guess. Haha.

[Jester]

I'm a little grey (which is a family thing. My dad's been salt and pepper to pretty much white for as long as I can remember.), but other wise feel the same.

[CyberCubed]

When you guys turn 30 that's when the "fun" disappears. Man will I feel weird watching cartoons and playing videogames when I hit 30.

I remember when I was a teen and in my early 20's everyone use to tell me I was too old for cartoons and videogames. And this was from people I used to go to school with or in College, not just family members.

Imagine being 30+ years old and watching cartoons for kids and playing videogames with Mario hopping around.

[Jester]

See..what you do is you have kids. They keep you young (and allow you watch cartoons with impunity.)

[Icebot]

The youngest member of my family turned 30 today so I guess I'm gonna start getting used to this now.

It's making me realize how short life is and you gotta be happy!

[DarkFell]

A bit of fun wisdom is needed here. Growing old is mandatory. Growing up is optional.

[Gorilla Grodd]

When you guys turn 30 that's when the "fun" disappears. Man will I feel weird watching cartoons and playing videogames when I hit 30.

I remember when I was a teen and in my early 20's everyone use to tell me I was too old for cartoons and videogames. And this was from people I used to go to school with or in College, not just family members.

Imagine being 30+ years old and watching cartoons for kids and playing videogames with Mario hopping around.

No one cares even a fraction as much as you think they do in your head. You're building things up that aren't necessarily accurate. In your mind you think, "Oh such and such thinks this about me. So and so thinks that." When the reality is that they honestly don't think about you much at all. So go ahead and do whatever you want.

[Jester]

Indeed...in this setting MOST of us probably do those childish thing like playing Mario and watching cartoons.

[CyberCubed]

No one cares even a fraction as much as you think they do in your head. You're building things up that aren't necessarily accurate. In your mind you think, "Oh such and such thinks this about me. So and so thinks that." When the reality is that they honestly don't think about you much at all. So go ahead and do whatever you want.

How many of your co-workers play videogames, (outside the generic Call of Duty or Madden), or still watch cartoons?

If I ever said I still watch cartoons at a public job you would get weird looks. You're looked down upon if you still enjoy things intended for kids. The only thing that's socially acceptable as an adult is watching sports or various big movies in theaters, but nothing else.

[Jester]

Most....
I have a co-worker who makes custom action figures and his desk has toys on it, too. He's not quite 30, but he's not that far from it. heck one guy is yo-yoing as I type.

One even brought a PS4 up here and played during the down time.

[Machias Banshee]

We've got Hello Kitty stuff and ninja turtle balls all over the place at my work... and we've definitely got 30+ people... there's even a 40-something filipino woman who watches the cartoon with her boyfriend, and we discuss the show. :lol:

I've got white hair, but I just say it's blonde highlights... :cool: Turning 30 is not the end of the world...

[MrPliggins]

Turning 30= not a big deal. Heck, I was more bummed about turning 20. Currently I'm 4 years away from 40 and I say bring it on. With age comes wisdom and maturity, and you become happy that you're that age, and have matured and lived though your immature years. (Although there are some over-30s I know who have never matured past their teenage years). I wouldn't want to be 20 again. Been there, done that. I can still watch cartoons and read comics.

[Gorilla Grodd]

How many of your co-workers play videogames, (outside the generic Call of Duty or Madden), or still watch cartoons?

If I ever said I still watch cartoons at a public job you would get weird looks. You're looked down upon if you still enjoy things intended for kids. The only thing that's socially acceptable as an adult is watching sports or various big movies in theaters, but nothing else.

I think you're living in a bit of a bubble and working off of a lot of confirmation bias. This may be true at your workplace, but it's just not the case everywhere. You're also overrating how much attention people actually place on that.

I have an old fogey that I work with that I can say, "Yeah I still read comic books." and he will scoff and be like, "That's kid stuff." and then five minutes later he's forgotten about it. Because he doesn't care. People do not actually care about what you do in your off time as long as it's not something really shady. It sounds to me like you are taking a momentary strange look and building up the anxiety in your head. "OMG everybody is talking about that nerdy thing I do and making fun of me behind my back." when they're actually not.

My ex-girlfriend really liked Nightmare Before Christmas. She had a bunch of memorabilia. Her dad walked into her room and saw it once and made some snarky comment, "You need to grow out of that kid stuff." Then literally walked into his room and began unpacking his collection of Hot Wheels toy cars.

Those are the people that are giving you funny looks. They are projecting their own insecurities. It's not something you should let affect you.

[DarkFell]

My ex-girlfriend really liked Nightmare Before Christmas. She had a bunch of memorabilia. Her dad walked into her room and saw it once and made some snarky comment, "You need to grow out of that kid stuff." Then literally walked into his room and began unpacking his collection of Hot Wheels toy cars.

Couldn't help but get a chuckle off of the dad that plays with toy cars and yet rags on his daughter for liking Nightmare before Christmas. My folks are sorta like that as well. Maybe it's a parent thing...although there are some parents can be really cool and relaxed towards what their grown kids still enjoy.

[XERO]

Who the hell should care about what you watch or like at a certain age? They're probably the same hypocrites who call themselves "bronies" or something like that. I know, I have close friends that like MLP, and I love them to death. We all respect what each other like and still like to this day.

I'm gonna be a TMNT fan until the day I die or my brain shuts down on me. People are just gonna have to deal with that. It doesn't matter what you like, as long as it's not physically harming anyone, especially yourself.

Express yourself to the fullest, however as long as you can.

[ssjup81]

How many of your co-workers play videogames, (outside the generic Call of Duty or Madden), or still watch cartoons?

If I ever said I still watch cartoons at a public job you would get weird looks. You're looked down upon if you still enjoy things intended for kids. The only thing that's socially acceptable as an adult is watching sports or various big movies in theaters, but nothing else.All of my coworkers know I watch Ninja Turtles. I don't give a crap what they think either and find it amusing. Every job I've had, I've mentioned being a turtles fan here and back home. I also went to NYCC once and was open about it and that I collect things like Hello Kitty merch. I like what I like. As long as I don't act like a kid, then no prob.

I don't watch many animated programs not because of my age, or that I'm over 30, but because a lot of it doesn't interest me, be it something American or Japanese. Probably because I'm not the target audience, so something that's supposed to appeal to like preteens probably won't appeal to me as much. If I had kids though, I probably would watch more.

I will say this, seeing an animated movie as an adult feels weird unless you have a kid with you and I blame the stigma attached to that when growing up.

As for gaming, I'm not as big a gamer as I was when I was a kid, and the interest dropped some once I turned 18 and had to start buying my own, but with no job I couldn't. With me, if I don't get or do something when first interested, I lose interest. Many games I wanted but couldn't afford. Because of the gap, my attention span isn't as long as it was when I was a kid.

To answer your original question, though, I thought nothing over becoming 30. Didn't bother me at all. As you get older you don't really think about it much.

[MsMarvelDuckie]

I'm well over 30 now, and my only regret is that I still haven't achieved my main goal in life of getting a book published. Now, 40, on the other hand, is starting to look kind of scary. I'm only a little more than two years away, and it's starting to bother me a bit.

As for getting weird looks from people or having them look down on my hobbies or interests, I don't sweat it. Everyone at my old job knew I loved comics and cartoons, especially Spider-Man and TMNT. A few of them even brought things to work for me to add to my collection, or simply because they knew I was into that stuff. One co-worker even brought me the shell from a on old Ninja Turtle costume her nephew's mom had found while cleaning out their closets. I wore it at work the rest of the day, and no one said a word about it other than that hey thought it was funny. Even some of my customers thought it was cute, and I wore it on my last day there, too. Haven't done anything like that yet at the new job, but I already know that the son of one of the girls I work with now likes TMNT, and that his favorite is Leo. So I can use my interest to talk to people, and even get to know the people I work with better because of it!

I even have an older customer with whom I'm on a first-name basis that asks me about how my writing is going- though I haven't told him yet WHAT I'm writing about. He just knows I write a lot of comic-book type stuff....

[CyberCubed]

Look at this article about turning 30:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/02/20/turning-30-12-signs-youre_n_2724609.html

[Jester]

Um...okay.

[Machias Banshee]

A lot of those 'signs' can happen at any age. Those are just signs of 'Life'.

[ssjup81]

Look at this article about turning 30:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/02/20/turning-30-12-signs-youre_n_2724609.htmlSince when do you have to be 30 to experience those symptoms? :-P

I sometimes wonder if you read what people actually post. ^^

[Seedkiller]

It's all numbers bro. 30 don't mean ****. Everybody gets there. Even the people that tease about your age. Just make your years count and all of that other stuff doesn't matter.
I lost 9 years off of my life (no I'm not a convict. It's a little more complicated). Gone just like that. I want those years back, but living in the past never allows you to move forward.

[ssjup81]

It's all numbers bro. 30 don't mean ****. Everybody gets there. Even the people that tease about your age. Just make your years count and all of that other stuff doesn't matter.
I lost 9 years off of my life (no I'm not a convict. It's a little more complicated). Gone just like that. I want those years back, but living in the past never allows you to move forward.Adding on, be grateful that you even made it to 30.

I just found out yesterday, that an ALT (Assistant Language Teacher) near me from El Salvador (or her family was) just suddenly died. The reason hasn't been given yet. She was pretty young. Under 30, I'm sure.

Another ALT in another prefecture and city from the US is now on her deathbed here and only 24. She has a few weeks to live, the doctors said. She developed a very rare cancer.

I think they're taking donations for both. To send their bodies home.

[BubblyShell22]

Cubed, you're looking into this way too much. I don't care what people think of what I like. My family knows I like TMNT, and they're okay with it. My dad sometimes teases me, but it's not in a mean way or anything like that. He watches The Three Stooges and has been an avid fan of them for years and he's 67! So there you go! Some people probably would look down on him for it, but he doesn't care, and he shouldn't. Age is just a number and as long as you do the things you enjoy, why should you care what people think of you? Hell, my grandpa's in his late 80's and he likes The Simpsons, though I don't think he watches it as much as he used to. He would always joke that Grandma never likes it when Bart swears though, but we've watched it together a few times when I used to go over there. Now it's harder for him since he's gotten sick, but he never cared about it before.

I think you really need to just relax and enjoy your life instead of worrying about the small stuff.

[ssjup81]

I'm still in the hospital. A friend of mine from Tokyo sent me a gift via another friend of mine. She was visiting Tokyo. So when coming back up here she brought it with her. EVERYONE knows I like TMNT.

They went to a vintage shop in Harajuku and bought me this...it's a mirror, but the photo for some reason is sideways. I even have a 1990 TMNT trading card.

I even openly declare how much I like the new series. I'm over 30. lol

[BubblyShell22]

That's awesome, ssjup. Say it loud and say it proud!

[Davetello]

It happened to me in May 2012. I can honestly say that it didn't really bother me. I mean I do have a sense that time is slipping away from me as every year goes by, but at the same time most people go through life never really accomplishing anything substantial so it doesn't bother me.

[ssjup81]

That's awesome, ssjup. Say it loud and say it proud!When first being admitted, a coworker and friend came by. The first thing he jokingly said was, "Sorry I couldn't find any turtles stuff. The ninja store was closed."

[pannoni1]

I turn 30 next February. Understand that there's still a long life ahead since the youngest OT voice actor (Cam Clarke) had just turned 30 when the OT started, and all four still look good today! I felt the horror of that one Friends episode back when I was still in my mid-teens that someday (even if seemed far away) it will happen and we must eventually fulfill our destinies and leave all of our trollness and crudeness behind since we need to be good guardians for the next generation. Recently, I've always thought that I'm as old as I feel. My mom will turn 60 on Sunday, and is looking forward to retiring since that means more freedom away from work and enjoying more hobbies, and the first few years after retirement can be a honeymoon period in life. The thing that scares me about turning older is the acceptance/tolerance of the afterlife in a religious/spiritual sense since I feel the view is getting murkier compared to the stronger beliefs I had as a child based upon scientific theories. Even though I don't have a high-profile job, I'm still pretty well off financially and enjoy the entertainment that comes along.

For that Three Stooges fan, I find 67 actually to be fairly young since it was initially popular in the 1930s and would be akin to a TMNT fan who first joined during the Nick era, meaning that the original fans are either well into their 90s or have passed on.

[BubblyShell22]

That's the best way to look at it, Pan. Life is what we make of it and how we live it is up to us. If we spend our lives worrying about getting older, it'll just happen faster. And as far as death goes, I don't really care about any of that stuff and whether there is an afterlife after I die. I'm just going to live my life as long as I can and the heck with it.

[Warhorse]

Eh, I'm 36, and I still don't feel any more different than when I was 21. It's just a number for me.

[BubblyShell22]

Yeah, same here. I mean, I do have bones that crack more than they did when I was 20, and I do find myself having lapses in memory at times, but other than that, I'm good.

[Warhorse]

Yeah, same here. I mean, I do have bones that crack more than they did when I was 20, and I do find myself having lapses in memory at times, but other than that, I'm good.

I've always had a bad memory, so no losses there for me!:P

[DarkFell]

Still don't get what is so terrible about turning 30 or going past it. Maybe it's because I didn't want to stay 29 or even 19. The best thing to do is make your years count by enjoying the good stuff that comes along.

[Warhorse]

Still don't get what is so terrible about turning 30 or going past it. Maybe it's because I didn't want to stay 29 or even 19. The best thing to do is make your years count by enjoying the good stuff that comes along.

Same here. The worst years of my life are over. To me, that would have been the teenage years.

[BubblyShell22]

Gotta agree about the teenage years. Wasn't too fond of that time in my life. I love being in my thirties because it's so much easier.

[Whatswiththeheadbands?]

Don't worry about years to come. The Future can change, as it hasn't happened yet. If you spend all your time worrying about the future, you will waste the present.

[Katie]

I also gotta weigh in on the work discussion. I'm a VP of a fortune 500 company and pretty well respected in my company. I have Ninja Turtles and Mario and Avengers and wrestling stuff on my desk in plain view. No one cares. Most think its fun. Has not affected my career.

Also....be happy to make it to 30. I had a boyfriend who died at 29. One month from turning 30. He always said he'd never live to be 30. He was right. He was always right. He even called his own death. (High risk hobbies....he died in a motorcycle race)

Age is nothing.

[ssjup81]

Yeah, same here. I mean, I do have bones that crack more than they did when I was 20, and I do find myself having lapses in memory at times, but other than that, I'm good.I started having lapses in memory when I was about 16 or 17. No idea why.

[BubblyShell22]

Really? Wow. I know my dad jokes around that he has acute CRS or Can't Remember Sh*t. His memory seems to be getting worse though, and I've noticed that a lot.

And I agree with Katie about the work thing. When I worked in the writing center in college, all of my co-workers knew I liked TMNT, wrestling, The Simpsons, and so many other shows, and they didn't care. They thought it was awesome. That's the good thing about getting older. People don't care what you like and accept you for who you are regardless of that. Anyone who doesn't isn't worth bothering with, but don't change who you are just because of some preconceived notion about getting older. It's all nonsense to me.

[CyberCubed]

You know none of the older people in my family play videogames. I think I'm the oldest person in my family (and I'm including uncles and cousins in this) that still plays videogames and watches cartoons.

Everyone else in my family grew out of cartoons/videogames in their early teen years and never went back.

[DarkFell]

Really? Wow. I know my dad jokes around that he has acute CRS or Can't Remember Sh*t..

I've got the reverse version of the syndrome above; it's called Doesn't Want to Remember Sh*t. *at least for those certain past events.*

But I feel for your dad there Bubble; my dad occasionally deals with that too.
He says that's what happens when you're a old fart *and my dad is an old fart.*
That and he tends to try to get 10,000 things done before the end of the day and maybe accomplishes three of them.

But for my dad being an old fart, he still is very much a big kid at heart and that is why I'm looking forward towards Halloween and the holidays because we're gonna decorate the house and yard yet again.

[ssjup81]

You know none of the older people in my family play videogames. I think I'm the oldest person in my family (and I'm including uncles and cousins in this) that still plays videogames and watches cartoons.

Everyone else in my family grew out of cartoons/videogames in their early teen years and never went back.Who cares and why should you?

[Netkeeper]

I started having lapses in memory when I was about 16 or 17. No idea why.
For me that started at around 12. :( I've had a terrible memory for so long now.

[BubblyShell22]

You know none of the older people in my family play videogames. I think I'm the oldest person in my family (and I'm including uncles and cousins in this) that still plays videogames and watches cartoons.

Everyone else in my family grew out of cartoons/videogames in their early teen years and never went back.

Well, that's them. You're your own person, and that doesn't mean you have to stop being who you are. As long as you play video games in moderation and don't do it all day, why should it be a problem? I still watch cartoons and I'm 31. Hell, my dad's 67 and he still laughs at Looney Tunes whenever they're on and The Three Stooges (I know they aren't a cartoon, but still it's something he never stopped liking as he got older). My point is that you're only as old as you want to be, and that doesn't mean you should change things about yourself just because others have done it. You really need to gain perspective.


I've got the reverse version of the syndrome above; it's called Doesn't Want to Remember Sh*t. *at least for those certain past events.*

But I feel for your dad there Bubble; my dad occasionally deals with that too.
He says that's what happens when you're a old fart *and my dad is an old fart.*
That and he tends to try to get 10,000 things done before the end of the day and maybe accomplishes three of them.

But for my dad being an old fart, he still is very much a big kid at heart and that is why I'm looking forward towards Halloween and the holidays because we're gonna decorate the house and yard yet again.

Yeah, he's been getting worse about things sometimes. I attribute it to the alcohol, too, as that has a tendency to mess with the mind and rot the brain cells, so I think that's part of the problem.


For me that started at around 12. :( I've had a terrible memory for so long now.

Wow. Well, I guess it can happen at any age then. I know my sister has had memory problems ever since getting diagnosed with epilepsy at fifteen. It's become worse over the years, too.

[CyberCubed]

Where does the time go?

[Prowler]

Where does the time go?
...this thread is already slightly over 2 years old? :teek:

And man, this thread makes me miss Penny, Davetello and Leo. This place hasn't been the same without them.

[CyberCubed]

...this thread is already slightly over 2 years old? :teek:

And man, this thread makes me miss Penny, Davetello and Leo. This place hasn't been the same without them.

I posted this in 2014 when I was 28. WTF.

Where does the time go indeed? Goddamn, they weren't kidding when they said your 20's just fly by.

[Prowler]

I posted this in 2014 when I was 28. WTF.

Where does the time go indeed? Goddamn, they weren't kidding when they said your 20's just fly by.
I'm turning 26 in November and 2010-2011 feel kinda ancient by now. But any year post 2013? No, not really.

[sdp]

Well everyone here is 2 years older and as we reach our 30s those in their 30s giving us advice are reaching their 40s. Most of the advice here seems more like personal ways of coping with it by saying "things aren't different", but they are.

I can also see it around me, the people I considered "young" whether in real life or celebrities now visibly look like old people. People refer to the 90s as something ancient. I even had a teenager tell me I was not a millenial because I was born before the 2000's. Most of my High School friends are married and have children but that's been true for many years, there isn't much to do in rural America after all :lol: I'm starting to not understand what teenagers like, I see Snapchat as something stupid and Facebook is seen as something ancient, which makes sense I switched AIM for MySpace without a question, I don't even like FB but I can't "get" some of the new technologies if my friends don't use them and the content posted in those services are not interesting to me.

I hope I can never stop relating to young generations, I don't want to be the equivalent of the racist great uncle at Thanksgiving dinners in 30 years. I don't think it's that hard but it does become harder, I can already see my older sister talk about how "things were better" in the past like all adults did when I was a kid.

Some of my fears I had which I posted on this thread are not as big anymore but others still are, my main one is to be more financially stable.

[Prowler]

Well everyone here is 2 years older and as we reach our 30s those in their 30s giving us advice are reaching their 40s. Most of the advice here seems more like personal ways of coping with it by saying "things aren't different", but they are.

I can also see it around me, the people I considered "young" whether in real life or celebrities now visibly look like old people. People refer to the 90s as something ancient. I even had a teenager tell me I was not a millenial because I was born before the 2000's. Most of my High School friends are married and have children but that's been true for many years, there isn't much to do in rural America after all :lol: I'm starting to not understand what teenagers like, I see Snapchat as something stupid and Facebook is seen as something ancient, which makes sense I switched AIM for MySpace without a question, I don't even like FB but I can't "get" some of the new technologies if my friends don't use them and the content posted in those services are not interesting to me.

I hope I can never stop relating to young generations, I don't want to be the equivalent of the racist great uncle at Thanksgiving dinners in 30 years. I don't think it's that hard but it does become harder, I can already see my older sister talk about how "things were better" in the past like all adults did when I was a kid.

Some of my fears I had which I posted on this thread are not as big anymore but others still are, my main one is to be more financially stable.
Not being able to relate to younger folk? Eh, there's a lot of things I don't like/care about my generation, just like i'm a fan of things that came out or were popular before I was even born, like per example lots of 80s heavy metal.

Millennial is such a strange definition. At first I thought it referred to people born in the late 90s and after, but turns out you're a millennial if you're born 1981? Come on now, a person born in 1981 is not of the same generation as one born in 2001. These labels feel so pointless.

[CylonsKlingonsDaleksOhMy]

Newsflash:

CyberCubed continues to age. In other words, nobody has killed him yet. Good news, I guess?

[MsMarvelDuckie]

Two years later and he is still fretting over getting older. Some tbings NEVER change. And here I'm only four months away from 40. Now THERE is something to worry about.....

[ToTheNines]

You ****in bore me, cubed.

Newsflash:

CyberCubed continues to age. In other words, nobody has killed him yet. Good news, I guess?

Lol.

[CyberCubed]

I can also see it around me, the people I considered "young" whether in real life or celebrities now visibly look like old people. P

All the actors/music people from the 90's and early 2000's are all so old now. Its really surprising to think about because when we were kids/teens they were already in their 20's, so obviously now they're in their late 30's or 40's. Remember how big Buffy the Vampire Slayer was? Now Sarah Michelle Gellar is nearly 40. Look how old Britney Spears and Christina Augilera are now.

All the shows we watched in the 90's and early 2000's like original TMNT, 2k3 TMNT, Batman: TAS, Superman, Batman Beyond, Teen Titans, Justice League, X-men, the original Pokemon anime, when Dragonball Z was dubbed, etc....its all so old now.

Can you believe the PS2, Gamecube and Xbox generation is now 16 years old? Can you believe the PS2 is now a "retro" game console? Holy crap.

God the early 2000's were the best time to be a teenager. What a time to be alive.

[Prowler]

All the actors/music people from the 90's and early 2000's are all so old now. Its really surprising to think about because when we were kids/teens they were already in their 20's, so obviously now they're in their late 30's or 40's. Remember how big Buffy the Vampire Slayer was? Now Sarah Michelle Gellar is nearly 40. Look how old Britney Spears and Christina Augilera are now.

All the shows we watched in the 90's and early 2000's like original TMNT, 2k3 TMNT, Batman: TAS, Superman, Batman Beyond, Teen Titans, Justice League, X-men, the original Pokemon anime, when Dragonball Z was dubbed, etc....its all so old now.

Can you believe the PS2, Gamecube and Xbox generation is now 16 years old? Can you believe the PS2 is now a "retro" game console? Holy crap.

God the early 2000's were the best time to be a teenager. What a time to be alive.
Yeah, you got me at the video game thing.How is SSB Melee so old now?

[Jephael]

I must be one of the few fellas who is looking forward to being and old geezer. I work with a few elderly gents at Wal-Mart and they're top notch dudes! I'd take them over any of the b*tchy little millennials we put up with in the back.

[Cure]

You're a millenial.

[MrPliggins]

I just turned 38. It's all relative. When you're 60 you'll think 30 is young and wish you were 30. Just enjoy it while you're there because honestly the 30s seem to be even shorter than the 20s. The older you get, the faster time goes.

[Prowler]

I just turned 38. It's all relative. When you're 60 you'll think 30 is young and wish you were 30. Just enjoy it while you're there because honestly the 30s seem to be even shorter than the 20s. The older you get, the faster time goes.
My grandmother considered people in their 40s and even 50s "young".

[thundermaster612]

Whats so bad about being thirty?

[CyberCubed]

Whats so bad about being thirty?

Because you're officially an adult.

When you're in your early 20's and you can still mostly fool around and live carefree. When you're 30 you need a career and you're expected to be settled down with 2.5 children and have a mortgage on a house already. If you don't have that you're considered a failure among modern society.

[Cryomancer]

In my experience it isn't the age that's bad. It's the loss.

The horrible, terrible, sudden and unjust loss.

[IndigoErth]

I just turned 38. It's all relative. When you're 60 you'll think 30 is young and wish you were 30. Just enjoy it while you're there because honestly the 30s seem to be even shorter than the 20s. The older you get, the faster time goes.
Entirely agree. 30s have been faster than the 20s... that's getting a little scary. o.O


I'm well over the feeling of "turning 30," its the next one I'm now terrified of and edging a bit too close for comfort to.

[Jephael]

You're a millenial.

*Google searches term* oh wow, I wasn't aware of that. I thought the term only meant people born after 2000.

[Cure]

Glad to help someone realize they are what they hate.

[plastroncafe]

I just turned 38. It's all relative. When you're 60 you'll think 30 is young and wish you were 30. Just enjoy it while you're there because honestly the 30s seem to be even shorter than the 20s. The older you get, the faster time goes.

Quoted again for truth.

[CyberCubed]

My god that's scary. I guess in about 10 years time from now I'll be posting a thread titled, "For those of you hit it, how do you cope with turning 40?"

I hope everyone here is still around on this forum 10 years from now. We can all grow old together.

[IndigoErth]

We don't speak of that number, it does not exist. I refuse to recognize that. At least until I'm far past it enough that it no longer sounds so bad. :tlol:

What I probably hate more is the thought that I'm only 23 years away from 60. I've already plowed through much of the 30s, how fast can I do 23 more?

I just want to go back to the days where Christmas felt like it took two years to get here. Should have appreciated how painfully slow life was back then. If we only knew how it turns out later.


But yeah, keeping in mind that friends, family, etc are all in this together is a little comforting at least. Including the fact that the Turtles are really 32, no matter how they may be portrayed. Come, Turtles, join us. We have so much old-Turtle fan art to look forward to. :lol:

[ToTheNines]

Cybercubed be like

http://vignette4.wikia.nocookie.net/batmantheanimatedseries/images/f/f6/TCK_42_-_Temple_Fugate.jpg/revision/latest?cb=20160423192719

[CyberCubed]

Isn't it weird to think some people have been reading my posts on this forum for like 12 years since 2004? Granted, there aren't many people still active nowadays who have been here for over a decade like I have, but just think of it.

I came to this forum when I was only like 17. I was a teenager in High School. And here I am more than a decade later at the big 3-0. Just think that some people could have seen my life go by before their very eyes.

Its weird to think that some people like snake were like 3 years old when I first came here. :lol:

[ToTheNines]

Have you ever seen a therapist? Not even being a dick. It'd be great for you.

[TheCanadiandrome]

I'll be 33 soon so I'm three years into my thirties and it ain't bad

[CyberCubed]

Have you ever seen a therapist? Not even being a dick. It'd be great for you.

I've never seen anyone for anything. Also, thankfully enough, I'm also not diagnosed with anything and have never been since I was a kid. Kinda makes you think.

[ToTheNines]

It certainly does.

[CyberCubed]

When you hear of all the people in real life and online who are diagnosed with aspergers/autism or whatever, it makes you wonder. Thankfully I don't have that and have never been diagnosed with it, so praise the gods for that.

Kinda makes you wonder since I've never been depressed in my entire life either. Somewhat concerned for my future, but never depressed. I may very well be a strange case indeed.

[plastroncafe]

Kind of hard to get a diagnosis if you've never seen the kind of doctor who could give you one.

Everyone could use a checkup now and again.

I'm with Nines, you should seriously look into it.

[BubblyShell22]

My grandpa lived up to ninety but just recently passed away. I'm thankful he reached that milestone because after he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, we didn't think he would live up to a year and he lasted five years. Just shows how amazing things can happen at any age.

[Prowler]

Even if CyberCubed loves to mess with us and troll us, I think therapy wouldn't be such a bad idea for him. You seem to spend an awful lot of time on the internet, man. That can't be good for you.

[CyberCubed]

The thing is most people are online from either work or their cell phone. Its not like we're all sitting home when we're on the internet all the time. Although we do that too.

[ToTheNines]

Even if CyberCubed loves to mess with us and troll us, I think therapy wouldn't be such a bad idea for him. You seem to spend an awful lot of time on the internet, man. That can't be good for you.

Everyone would benefit from therapy. The world would be a much better place if we all saw someone once or twice a week.

[CyberCubed]

Everyone would benefit from therapy. The world would be a much better place if we all saw someone once or twice a week.

I'm pretty sure therapy sessions cost money, as least as far as I know. Not everyone wants to pay someone just to tell them your troubles.

[ToTheNines]

No its free

[snake]

It's good to have friends that help you with sh*t too

[Netkeeper]

I'm pretty sure therapy sessions cost money, as least as far as I know. Not everyone wants to pay someone just to tell them your troubles.
They do, yeah, idk where Nines is coming from. I get mine free because its offered on a sliding scale and I make almost nothing, so I get mine for nothing. People with insurance probably get it free too.

[ToTheNines]

It's good to have friends that help you with sh*t too

Right, and I don't mean literally everyone. I meant like, imagine the world if Putin and bin laden and Kim Jong Cartman had therapists growing up.

Not so bad.

[CyberCubed]

I wonder if I'll ever find a job outside the airport. I've switched jobs 3 times inside JFK with different companies, but I've never left the damn airport itself.

I feel like I'm stuck here forever. Working at the airport isn't as glamorous as it sounds.

[snake]

Right, and I don't mean literally everyone. I meant like, imagine the world if Putin and bin laden and Kim Jong Cartman had therapists growing up.

Not so bad.

I'm afraid someone else would just take their place. But yeah, talking to people is great.

[IndigoErth]

My grandpa lived up to ninety but just recently passed away. I'm thankful he reached that milestone because after he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, we didn't think he would live up to a year and he lasted five years. Just shows how amazing things can happen at any age.
Agree. Old folks are sometimes tougher than we give them credit for.

My grandmother had been a frail woman for a long time and not the best of health. But I've always been impressed how, though she was already on hospice, she was determined to try to eat dinner with us the Christmas before she passed, as well as open some gifts for a little while until she was too tired and needed to go lay back down the rest of the day. She only lived 10 more days after that.


Hey, btw. :) Not seen ya for a while.

[ssjup81]

I wonder if I'll ever find a job outside the airport. I've switched jobs 3 times inside JFK with different companies, but I've never left the damn airport itself.

I feel like I'm stuck here forever. Working at the airport isn't as glamorous as it sounds.What kind of job at the airport do you have? I've been curious ever since you mentioned working there. You said you've had 3 jobs there. Maybe you could find a job outside of the airport. Have you tried by chance?

[ssjup81]

The thing is most people are online from either work or their cell phone. Its not like we're all sitting home when we're on the internet all the time. Although we do that too.Ironically, I use the Internet most when at home. I'm too cheap to bother with using it on the phone. I keep it on airplane mode while out, and only take it off while out if I have to send out a quick message whether to work or my roommates. Unless I have access to wifi, I don't use it much (Japan). I use my phone mostly for music and is also the main reason I've only bothered with Pokemon Go twice. Stateside, I've never had one so, I would probably do the same here. I'm stateside now, but I haven't used the phone for the net outside of my parents' house because they have wifi.

[BubblyShell22]

Agree. Old folks are sometimes tougher than we give them credit for.

My grandmother had been a frail woman for a long time and not the best of health. But I've always been impressed how, though she was already on hospice, she was determined to try to eat dinner with us the Christmas before she passed, as well as open some gifts for a little while until she was too tired and needed to go lay back down the rest of the day. She only lived 10 more days after that.


Hey, btw. :) Not seen ya for a while.

Yeah, it is amazing how resilient some people are. Glad to see you too.

[Zak The Neutrino]

I wonder if I'll ever find a job outside the airport. I've switched jobs 3 times inside JFK with different companies, but I've never left the damn airport itself.

I feel like I'm stuck here forever. Working at the airport isn't as glamorous as it sounds.

Every since I found out you work at JFK I picture you as Stainer from She's out of your league.

[Jephael]

Glad to help someone realize they are what they hate.

I never said I hate young people. It's judgmental @$$hats with big egos and no sense of empathy that tick me off! I just used the term millennial because I was referring to this kid who's been arguing with me at work.

[TheCanadiandrome]

My grandpa lived up to ninety but just recently passed away. I'm thankful he reached that milestone because after he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, we didn't think he would live up to a year and he lasted five years. Just shows how amazing things can happen at any age.

my condolences

[PangolinFeets]

I'm 30 on November 27th. Considering I'm actually starting to hit my career milestones, I'm feeling pretty good about it. I just wanna get in better shape now.

[BubblyShell22]

my condolences

Thank you.

[Cryomancer]

In my experience it isn't the age that's bad. It's the loss.

The horrible, terrible, sudden and unjust loss.

Here let me expand on this for the sake of perspective.

My girlfriend of a great many years just died on the 2nd. When we were first getting together, the following now-very-dated things were true for us:

The photos we took were mostly polaroids
To chat online we had to use dial-up internet
To talk on the phone we had to use phone cards, because calling long distance was expensive.
The first time she came to visit my house, we played the then-current N64.

[CyberCubed]

I can't believe I posted this topic 3 years ago back in 2014 already. Jesus Christ.

[Prowler]

I can't believe I posted this topic 3 years ago back in 2014 already. Jesus Christ.
Yeah time does fly, indeed. But it's like you're aksign for your thread to get locked/disintegrated lol

[CyberCubed]

Yeah time does fly, indeed. But it's like you're aksign for your thread to get locked/disintegrated lol

LOL, we're literally at the end of the 2010's decade already. I feel like 2010 was just yesterday.

[Prowler]

LOL, we're literally at the end of the 2010's decade already. I feel like 2010 was just yesterday.
Still a bit far. It only ends on December 31st 2019. That's over two years from now, and by then I'll be 29. Don't rush it, man! :P

Dunno about 2010, but 2014 feels like yesterday as does 2012 to some degree.

[CyberCubed]

I actually look through some of my older posts/threads on forums like this one and others on IGN, then I look at the date and it says "2011" or "2013" or so...and I'm like, "What the hell? I remember making this topic like it was just a few months ago or something."

Forums are making me feel old as hell.

[Prowler]

But really, man, when did you start getting so obsessed with the passage of time? You weren't like this back when I joined this place. It wasn't until you made this thread that you became very obsessed about time and ageing. It's been 3 years already so that's a little too long for a shtick ain't it? I'm starting to believe that you're actually worried about the passage of time. Are you going through some quarter life depression or something? You're always telling us about how good your life has been and how you never had any major issues yet turning 30 seems to have affected you a lot. So what is it, man? What is the big deal, exactly?

[CyberCubed]

But really, man, when did you start getting so obsessed with the passage of time? You weren't like this back when I joined this place. It wasn't until you made this thread that you became very obsessed about time and ageing. It's been 3 years already so that's a little too long for a shtick ain't it? I'm starting to believe that you're actually worried about the passage of time. Are you going through some quarter life depression or something? You're always telling us about how good your life has been and how you never had any major issues yet turning 30 seems to have affected you a lot. So what is it, man? What is the big deal, exactly?

It's as they said, 30 is a huge milestone. When I was here years ago I was still in my early and mid 20's like yourself, so I didn't really think about it much.

It's once you near 30 and pass it, the "alarm bells" start ringing off and you realize 1/3rd of your life is over already, so you better get a move on with whatever you intend to do for the rest of your life. Trust me when you get close to 30 you'll be worried as well.

[Prowler]

It's as they said, 30 is a huge milestone. When I was here years ago I was still in my early and mid 20's like yourself, so I didn't really think about it much.

It's once you near 30 and pass it, the "alarm bells" start ringing off and you realize 1/3rd of your life is over already, so you better get a move on with whatever you intend to do for the rest of your life. Trust me when you get close to 30 you'll be worried as well.
Early/mid 20s? I'm 26 and turning 27 in November, so wouldn't mid/late 20s be more appropriate? It might be mid but it sure ain't "early" anymore hahah

Well I do worry about possible health tolls and if I'll have a decent career by the time I'm 35-36, sure. But again, you seem to be fine with your life overall and I'm guessing whatever job you have pays you well enough to buy all of those games and DVDs/Blu Rays and comics you own. So I don't know what your problem is exactly.

[DarkFell]

It's once you near 30 and pass it, the "alarm bells" start ringing off and you realize 1/3rd of your life is over already, so you better get a move on with whatever you intend to do for the rest of your life. Trust me when you get close to 30 you'll be worried as well.

https://66.media.tumblr.com/ff9aa25b1b1bb5bd60512b1c3495104f/tumblr_n6b1vgX0th1sodo64o1_400.gif

[CyberCubed]

I thought it would be worse for women, because if they want to have kids, you better do it before you hit 40. For men, you can basically produce kids at any age with a partner.