30 Reasons Your Thirties are Better than Your Twenties

Chris in Inspiration

4/24/15

[updated: 1/5/21]

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They say a fine wine only gets better as it ages. Guess what? So do you. Being a young adult is awesome. It’s all about setting yourself up for success, and forming yourself into the kind of man you want to be.

But, at some point, you actually get to live out those commitments and really embrace the kind of grown-up you want to be. Whoever said “never trust anybody over thirty” must have never gotten there, cause being in your thirties, if you do it right, is freaking awesome.

No one knows this better than Murphy-Goode Winery, who are enjoying their 30th anniversary this year. To celebrate, we’re sharing all kinds of good thirty-related content, such as our list of thirty essential things every guy should own by the time he’s thirty. And today, we’re proud to show our age with these thirty reasons your thirties are better than your twenties. For you youngsters, there’s lot to look forward to. And, for those already past your thirties, we can’t wait to hear what life has taught you.

So, we’re sharing the first twenty reasons below, and the final ten will appear on the Murphy-Goode blog. Check them out here!

1. Goodbye, overdraft fees. It’s not you, it’s me.

Long past are the days of crossed fingers, doing the balance-low, deposit-held, checks-barely-didn’t-bounce dance. All your financial goals might not be met, but at least you have a buffer large enough to avoid taking out high-interest, fee-heavy micro-loans when the first of the month rolls around.

2. No more red Solo cups.

You might come across one at a summer barbecue, but by this age, you realize real drinks are served in glass glasses. And glasses that are designed to make the experience of said drink as enjoyable as possible. Hopefully this also means the environments in which you enjoy those beverages have matured a bit as well.

Oh, and bottles are okay, too. Beer bottles, we mean. Don’t drink out of whiskey bottles.

3. The snooze button wins no wars.

Mornings aren’t improved by the fitful, worry-filled sleep “gained” by staying in bed for ten more minutes. Snoozing isn’t sleeping, anyway. It just makes you more tired, and your morning is worse off because of it. Know what time you need to be up, set your alarm, and commit to it.

4. You’re feeling comfortable in your career.

Maturity is all about understanding timing and picking battles. Know when to ask for a raise, and when to keep your head down and work.Promotions are nice, but it’s really about finding work you love that improves the lives of others, and helps you and your family accomplish your dreams. Instead of focusing on your title, concern yourself with living out your vocation. That sort of confidence and commitment can’t be missed by those who pay you, and you’ll get the compensation you deserve.

And if your boss doesn’t get it, her competitor will.

Oh, and no one is impressed by not taking every day of your paid vacation. Real mentors who will help you grow in your career are not impressed by your sacrifice. They’re impressed by your ability to integrate your job into who you are, and to have a rich life outside of work. Take time off so you have something to talk about during coffee breaks; your boss already knows what you do during the workday.

5. Your furniture and your taste are finally lining up.

In your early 20s, simply having a place to sit and eat and store your T-shirts can feel like an accomplishment. As you age, nixing the mismatched hand-me-downs and the busted IKEA furniture means investing in quality pieces, and filling your home with the things you love. Things that are actually worth moving from home to home.

6. White tube socks improve the appearance of no man.

Grey, blue, black, or brown will do just fine. Even with sneakers.

7. You get to pick which rules to follow, and which to bend.

Having a code to live by is a great resource in times of stress. But you know what’s a greater source of strength? Your relationships with others. Never pick principles over people.

8. You have a retirement plan (with money in it!).

When you can barely pay your bills, the idea of dumping another 10% into an account you can’t touch for forty years seems impossible. But for some reason, around age thirty, you finally understand that the person who’ll be making those withdrawals is you, and you gotta set your future self up for success.

Plus, starting with a little as early as possible is better than saving boatloads later in life. Use the power of time, and the magic of compounding interest, to your advantage.

9. Grey hairs are okay; ear hair is not.

There is no shame in aging. But you do own a mirror, and it’s 2015, and they make things like trimmers and scissors and tweezers. You may twinge a little when you discover them, but it hurts more when someone else does. Take care of that stuff.

10. Giving time and resources to issues you believe in shouldn’t only come from what you have left over, but be an integral part of who you are.

In your early twenties, it can be easy to say, “Oh, I’ll donate to that once I’m not living paycheck to paycheck,” or “I can volunteer when I get my career established and have more time.” Guess what? That time is now. Incorporate charitable giving into your family’s budget, and donate to the folks who entertain you for free (looking at you, podcast listeners).

Our partner, Murphy-Goode Winery, lives out this commitment with their Operation Homefront non-profit and their Goode Deed efforts on their web site. Cheers to that.

11. You understand that forgoing sunscreen isn’t “being tough,” it’s “being stupid”.

Look, no one wants to delay heading outside to cover themselves with oily, coconut-smelling goop. But your skin is your biggest organ, and your most visible one. Find a solution that works for you, especially if you regularly work or exercise outside. And stick to it (and avoid the coconut-scented ones).

12. Three words: no more roommates.

Except that cute one that sleeps next to you.

13. You’ve learned your DVD collection is for watching, not for living room decor.

Books are beautiful, and if you’ve got LPs, by all means, show them off. But a bunch of little plastic cases lined up around your TV is not a “design feature.” I’m as big a film buff as anyone, but DVDs crammed into discount store shelves just screams dorm room. Put them behind doors, or file neatly into organizers.

14. You believe travel is not a luxury; it’s a pathway to personal growth.

It’s expensive, but exposing yourself to new sights, cultures, and people is integral to becoming a better man. Relaxing vacations are one thing, but exploration is the stuff maturity is made of. You don’t need to make six figures to see the world; even one trip every five years is better than no trips at all. Make travel a priority, and it will reward you immeasurably.

15. You drink for pleasure, not for excess.

Human beings haven’t been fermenting and distilling beverages for thousands of years just because they ‘getcha messed up; it’s because they actually taste good. Drinking is an act of celebration, not one of escape. Find something you enjoy and embrace it. Drink because you have something you want to toast to, not something to avoid. Your friends aren’t impressed by how much you can put down. And, if they are, you might want to reconsider who you spend your time with.

16. Appearances matter, except when they don’t.

The word here is confidence, not vanity. Leave the house every day feeling like a better version of yourself, not because people will be looking at you. True style comes from the way you interact with the world, not what’s actually on your body. And sometimes, you just gotta go to the grocery store in pajama pants. Treat it like an exception, and try to wear something with belt loops next time.

17. Strength is more than a six pack.

If you’ve got the time to devote to serious lifting and body fat measuring and toning, take full advantage. But do it for your health, not because you want to impress others. For the rest of us, embrace full body exercises that focus on fitness and strength, so that you have the ability to do what muscles were designed for: climbing mountains, picking up your children, moving heavy objects around, and helping others. Take care of your core, and concern yourself with being healthy and strong, not looking like a reality show competitor.

18. Hair product is a privilege, not a right.

Start with half as much as you think you need. You can always add more later.

If you haven’t learned how to simply add a bit of hold and style by the time you’re thirty, we will take that hair gel away from you.

19. You know how to have sex, and so does the person you’re having it with.

You know how you just seem to get better at finances, and freaking out less, and picking your battles in your thirties? That’s true for getting busy, too. And thankfully, it’s also true for your partner.

20. You embrace the pure enjoyment of every day good food and wine.

Wine is not how classy people get drunk. It’s how classy people make any given evening an awesome experience. Ernest Hemingway once said:

“In Europe then we thought of wine as something as healthy and normal as food and also as a great giver of happiness and well-being and delight. Drinking wine was not a snobbism nor a sign of sophistication nor a cult; it was as natural as eating and to me as necessary.”

Who could disagree with that? Seriously, enjoy a chilled bottle of The Fume Sauvignon Blanc or a spicy Liar’s Dice Zinfandel on any given Tuesday evening. That’s what being an adult is all about.