This is why your thirties are better than your twenties

When you're a teenager, you can't wait to hit twenty. And when you're in your twenties, turning thirty feels like a really scary thing.

Because that's really old. And then you have to have a lot of things in order. Savings. A job. A house. A car. A child's room. A wedding. Hallefuckinglujah. Because, uh, how then. Suddenly those years fly by and you're no longer at the pub on Monday, but hosting a dinner for friends-couples on Friday and that's it. And then you're hungover for three days. Yet researchers say I have nothing to fear, just before my thirtieth birthday. Because: your years as a thirty-something are better than your years as a twenty-something. And here's why.

In your twenties, you're still a bit more uncertain about everything in life. Choices are flying at you and they cause stress. Whether or not to study, whether or not to travel the world, whether or not to do volunteer work in Swahili, and whether or not to settle down with that one guy. And then whether or not to get married right away and whether or not to start with the pacifiers and diapers . It's not surprising that more and more twenty-somethings are struggling with burnout.

Ta-da: peace and quiet

And as a thirty-something, everything suddenly becomes easier. You're no longer searching. You now know who your real friends are and you spend your free time with them. You also know that you need to make time for yourself and you no longer feel guilty if you don't plan anything on Tuesday night, just to recharge and binge-watch Netflix. And: you look better. You take better care of yourself. Less alcohol, healthier eating, more exercise: it pays off. Plus: you know what you're looking for in a relationship and you don't settle for less. You also don't have to wander around to boost your self-confidence: been there. The bond with your brother, sister, and parents becomes stronger. You know exactly what you have in each other and you seek each other out with more and more joy. You finally know which career path you want to take and only choose jobs and gigs that truly make you happy. Your life is on track, in order. That's nice, after all that twenties chain and chatter.

Who I thought I would be as a child when I was almost 30 and who I actually am now that I'm almost 30:

I would already have at least two children.

That spiral is still lovely.

I would have bought a house. Yes, with a mortgage, which I would get from the bank because I would have a fat job in employment somewhere.

I live wonderfully in my boyfriend's house and I'm a successful freelancer.

I would have my own dog. A Labrador puppy with a pink leash.

I have two cats. And they belong to my boyfriend. And their names are Gin and Tonic.

I would take a long trip every year. Africa, America, Australia: see the world.

It turned into a weekend in Rotterdam. Just, do something crazy, as an Amsterdammer.

I would have saved quite a few zeros . For a car, for a new couch, for a tax setback, or to invest. Or to invest in bitcoins, to build wealth.

I bought a Stella McCartney bag. Oops.