Friday Five: Five reasons Why Thirty-Something is Awesome.

Happy Friday! My favourite day, filled with promise- and this particular time of day is special because it is the longest stretch of time left before Monday morning.

Not that I don't love my job. I have the second-best job in the world (I always wanted to be a tomb-raider, like Lara Croft) but I still enjoy my weekends.

This weekend is my birthday weekend (woop!) and it started off well when someone asked me today if it was a Big One. I was chuffed to bits when they followed up by saying they thought maybe it would be my 30th! (I'll be 33, but I clearly don't look it- it must be all the tea I drink).

Rather than bemoan the passing of the years, I'd rather focus on the benefits of (supposed) maturity that aging brings. I'm actually quite looking forward to 50, as I've heard rumours of a "Diamond Club" where you get discounted meals at certain restaurants- assuming you can eat it without getting heartburn, of course. And don't get me started on bus-passes! (I love a freebie!)

Anyway, Tempus Fugit, and all that- here are my five reasons why thirty-something is awesome.

1. I can go to Tesco without spending 20 minutes getting ready.
Yup, the crazy lady with no make-up wearing jogging bottoms and muddy trainers- that's me. If I suddenly realise I've run out of bread, I can whip up the road and be back in 10 minutes, without all the worry of making myself look presentable first. As long as I'm wearing enough clothes not to get arrested, and don't look so bad that I'll scare small children, I'm happy to step out my door. Liberating!

2. I don't do things I don't want to.
In my teens, I worried about pleasing my friends. In my 20s, I worked myself into the ground trying to get ahead, scared to say no in case people thought I couldn't handle it. Now, I please myself- most of the time. If I'm too busy, I say no. If it's not my thing, I say no. If I have something else I'd rather do, I say no. My time is precious, and I guard it. Unavoidably, there are times when I have to be unselfish and spend my time helping others but, on the whole, I'm in control of what I do and what makes me happy. There's nothing wrong with saying no once in a while- I'm not Superwoman!

3. I can walk into a pub on my own.
No more hanging around outside for me! At thirty-something, I am confident enough to stroll into a pub and order a drink, snug and warm, rather than shivering and waiting for my late friend outside. I also go to the cinema on my own, if it's something I really want to see but my friends don't. I don't worry whether people are staring or wondering why I'm on my own- it doesn't bother me like it used to. They're just people watching, the same as I do. Sometimes, random and brief conversations with strangers are fun too- I've made many new friends that way.

4. Staying in doesn't make me sad.
I remember when, on the odd occasion when I wasn't out on a Friday night, I'd be bored and worried that I was missing out on life. There is an unwritten rule that, in your 20s, you MUST be out every night, or else be condemned as a saddo. I'm glad I don't have to worry about that any more. I'm never bored now; my life is so busy that staying in feels like a treat! I can curl up and watch a film, get stuck into some writing or simply have a bath and cwtch up in bed to read. Me time. I like peaceful nights in like those, so long as they're balanced with a regular wild night out! It doesn't do to get stuck in a rut, after all.

5. I know my strengths, and am comfortable with my weaknesses.
At 33 (nearly) I know a lot about myself: I work better early in the morning, but my brain gives up by about 5pm; I'm good at writing, but I'm rubbish at sports; I make great puddings, but I can't cook proper meals. I don't beat myself up about what I'm not brilliant at; I work out a strategy to cope and get on with life. In fact, my strategy for dealing with my natural tendency towards procrastination and chaos is so good, that most people who know me think I am very organised.

Growing older (and wiser) has its advantages and, as a wise man once said, "It's better than the alternative, which is being dead". I wish I'd known in my 20s the things I know now, and maybe in my 40s, I'll be looking back and shaking my head at my thirty-something self, thinking she had it all sussed. Who knows? I'll find out when I get there. Until then, I'm going to enjoy the day I have today.
It is Friday, after all.