Girl’s Life

Since I’m turning 30 in a matter of weeks (OK fine — days), I’ve become hyper-aware of when I do and say things that might prove that I am, in fact, actually growing up and acting my age for once. The other day at work, with no irony or giggling at all, I actually told a designer that “size doesn’t matter” regarding a new letterhead we’re working on. For real. I said that to a man, and I was completely straight-faced and businesslike and didn’t even snicker about it to myself until I remembered it much later.

Can the fact that I’m laughing about it now make up for getting old and losing my sense of humor? Or maybe it is time that my humor grows up a little.

Also, I’m starting to realize that my celebrity crushes are morphing from the likes of Johnny Depp and John Cusack and Ewan McGreggor (don’t worry, I still heart them), to new crushes that are reflecting my age and nerdiness place in life: Sen. Barack Obama, economist and former Secretary of Labor Robert Reich, public radio story-telling extraordinaire Ira Glass. Seriously — these guys rock. I’m so old.

These are small things, I know. And I joke about it. But it’s been interesting to see my life slowing transforming and maturing and taking shape to get me ready for my 30s in a way I never thought possible. In ways that say, don’t be scared to grow up because growing up does not automatically mean getting stuffy and uptight. I’ve always held onto a very dorky and immature youthful spirit (youngest child syndrome, perhaps?). I don’t think I could ever not have friends 10 years younger than me. (Right, Bec and Nat and all the rest of you lovely ladies?)

Even with all the talk of growing older and facing a new decade, I’m actually really excited for my 30s. I had a blast in my twenties, but I’m ready for this next stage. I’m really ready. But ask me again in a week and a half and I will most likely have a completely different take on life. I’ll let you know.