The Big 'Three - Ohhh'

In just under two weeks I will be turning the big 'three-zero', or the big 'three-ohhhhhhh', as I like to call it! (Yes, that big 'ohhhhh' is meant to be read like a groan!) Over the last year I have been dreading turning thirty. It sounded so old, and the end of an era as my twenties gradually faded away and the dawn of The Thirties loomed upon me.

I was facing the reality of, 'Where has that time gone?! How can my thirties almost be upon me already?!' And I'm not going to lie, it scared me somewhat. My mind began to race with the concept, 'Well if those years sped by, how quickly will the next thirty?!'

When you're a child, thirty seems so far away. Even when I turned twenty, the big 'three-zero' was a comfortable distance away - a mere number in the remote future that could be blissfully ignored for a considerable time. Not so now!

I am pleased to say, that the closer I have got to thirty, the more the fear of approaching this intimidating digit has lessened. I have been doing a great deal of thinking about it, this past year, and the more I have pondered and meditated on it, the better I feel. Let me share my little secrets with you!

1. It's Just A Number

The more I dreaded thirty, the more I realised I was making a fuss over nothing. Thirty is simply a number. It's nothing to be afraid of! You're as young as you feel, and quite frankly, I still feel eighteen. Yes a little older, and hopefully, a little wiser! But I certainly feel like a young spring chicken, and not someone in my 'summer years', that's for sure. Let me encourage you, if you are feeling a similar way. Don't let a mere number disconcert you. Embrace being young at heart. I certainly do!

2. Plan Something Special

If you're approaching your thirtieth, like me, then make sure you organise something special to celebrate. It will give you something to look forward to, and take the gloominess away from the mindset of, 'Another year older!' Maybe do something extended to make it that extra bit special. I'm looking forward to celebrating my thirtieth in three stages: a) A visit to my family in Plymouth for a few days, and enjoying a meal out with them one evening. b) A three-day visit to London over my birthday with my amazing husband, and we're also going to take in a show in the West End. Woohoo! c) An evening out with my girlfriends for celebratory drinks the following week. Tom and I even have a spa day to look forward to in November, which is our joint birthday treat this year from his parents. Turning thirty definitely doesn't seem so bad now, with all these treats to look forward to!

3. It's All About The Mindset

I can't stress enough how important it is to gain control over your mind, and not let your mind control you. Instead of fussing about entering a whole new 'age-era', I realised it was time to gratefully reflect on all I have enjoyed leading up to this moment, to be thankful for all I have now and to get excited about what is to come. Don't let turning thirty dominate your mind - just look forward to enjoying another birthday, and make plans for this exciting new age that is to come. The important thing is to make it count, so don't waste it!

So, if you were to ask me now if I'm dreading turning thirty soon, I can confidently say, 'Absolutely not! Bring it on!'