The 30 diaries
Table of contents for The 30 diaries
I started the 30 diaries three months back because I couldn’t wait for the answers that I hoped would come to me with the big Three-O. I turned thirty yesterday and guess what? There are answers. Just waiting for the right questions to be answered. Just like 42 is the answer to Life, the Universe and Everything. It’s difficult to explain without sounding weird and really, why bother?
I feel good. I don’t think 29 was ever an age I was at. It was just a period of waiting to be 30 and now that 30 is here, it feels like I’ve been here for a long time now.
I’ve had friends saying things like ‘Life begins at thirty’ and ‘30 is the new 20′. Well, I wouldn’t know and for a fact, many of them aren’t 30 so how would they know? Funny, no?
All I can see that it is considered a big birthday, the way ten, thirteen, sixteen, eighteen and twenty-one are. Thirty in comparison, doesn’t bring you any additional powers or rights that the aforementioned numbers do. Or perhaps it does but it isn’t determined by your parents or your hormones or the law.
Thirty is when you have been you for long enough (and perhaps a few other people too) and you can decide to go on being who you are or change if you like.
Thirty is when you realize that it isn’t about generation gaps or world crises or deprived childhoods or unhealthy lifestyles or abusive relationships or failed career decisions. Shit happens and that’s all it is about.
Thirty is when you’re a little older than the average age at a disco or a birthing class. You’re also a little younger than the typical age for mid-life crisis, death or depression. But you’re also lucky to still have your figure and just as fortunate to have had as many experiences as you have. Thirty is when the arithmetic goes out of the window and you realize that there are no patterns except the one your own life follows.
Thirty is resigning from being a time-accountant and collecting your feeling-pensions to get you started on whatever the rest of your life is going be about.
I was asked after one of the earlier posts whether I was happy with the way life has turned out. I am okay with my body, my family, my talents, my deficiencies and my career. I have a few issues but none that overwhelm me. I am really okay with everyone who has been a part of my life, the good and the bad. And thirty, that’s okay too. In fact, the next ten years look like a lot of fun, compared to the twenties. That’s peace of mind and hope both in one. If that isn’t the definition of happiness, I don’t know what is.
Thirty is just an number but a lovely one it is.
The song that’s playing on my list and in my head right now is Yehi Meri Zindagi Hai. Happy birthday to me. 
Jennifer on 
Anu on 
Lemony on 
Prolific Dyslexic on 
1roy
wrote on 15 July 2009 at 12:37
happy birthday!
.-= roy´s last blog ..Age =-.
2Chronicus Skepticus
wrote on 15 July 2009 at 15:32
Happy birthday gorgeous!
May you be showered with alcohol and chocolate cake.
*sprinkle, sprinkle; crumble, crumble*
3Kalpana
wrote on 16 July 2009 at 0:32
Aah…welcome aboard to ze thurtee..It gets better, if i may say so! Many happy returns of the realisations and the peace within..
.-= Kalpana´s last blog ..Validation =-.
4Ranjan
wrote on 16 July 2009 at 11:22
Thanks for pointing out that 42 is the answer to Life, the Universe and Everything. I turn 42 this year!
Happy B’day, once again.
.-= Ranjan´s last blog ..Have you got your Financial Health Check done? =-.
5Rashmi
wrote on 16 July 2009 at 12:58
Happy Birthday
,your thirties diaries give me hope,when i begin to question all my choices and worry abt my life 
6Ms Taggart
wrote on 16 July 2009 at 15:34
Belated Happy Birthday to you!
Beautiful song it is, one of my fave ones, and I agree with you said about 30 as a number.
And yes.. I feel anything after 28 is just a temporary age.. you waiting to turn 30.
Strangely, I feel excited to be turning 29 so that I can be 30 soon.. and yes.. I am cribbing to turn 30 too..
.-= Ms Taggart´s last blog ..Aging – Part 2! =-.
7Ms Taggart
wrote on 16 July 2009 at 15:35
And oh yes.. *high five to a fellow H2G2 fan*
.-= Ms Taggart´s last blog ..Aging – Part 2! =-.
8DC
wrote on 17 July 2009 at 12:55
Forever young
Love lots and love always.
Hope it was good.
9Dharini
wrote on 17 July 2009 at 18:51
Hey happy happy birthday! I ve been an avid reader, but couldnt stop myself from wishing you today! You fill me with hope! I wish and pray you have a great life ahead!
.-= Dharini´s last blog .. =-.
10Poonam
wrote on 17 July 2009 at 21:47
Belated Happy birthday, dear girl!
11anand jeyahar
wrote on 2 January 2010 at 4:19
what the heck… 14th july is your birthday?? I’ll be damned… had a guess/hunch you were a cancerian..but..
hmm.. i gotta ask…. i couldn’t guess where you visited in Europe from your blog… France.. and if france did you visit “The Bastille”?? if so mind writing a post on that for me??
12anand jeyahar
wrote on 2 January 2010 at 4:27
Ah my diary entry right after that comment…
Hell.. ideasmithy is born on 14th july… either i have no idea… or was that another reason i subscribed and then forgot…. hell…i don’t know..
13IdeaSmith
wrote on 23 January 2010 at 19:45
@anand: I was born on the 13th of July. I seem cancerian? Not as much in real life. And my Europe trip was to Greece (and some Turkey). France I’d love to but haven’t seen as yet.