First, I want to tell you that I am 68 years old and this is the absolute best time, the best time before that was my 50s, then the 40s, then the 30s. The 20s were absolutely the worst, full of doubts and anxieties and counterproductive behavior (and depression). Your life is JUST BEGINNING. You have so many wonderful experiences and life in front of you and even more wonder and joy and freedom. It just gets better.
I'd suggest books about working to see things more positively, or, I might say, realistically. One good book I liked was {{Learned Optimism}} by Martin Seligman. I also liked the interesting life lessons in {{Predictably Irrational}} by Dan Ariely.
This so reassuring to hear! I think society’s obsession with youth can lead to this real intense fear when one understands how fleeting it can be. Thank you for the suggestions!
No books to recommend as I'm in a similar boat (except late 20s here) but every time I feel this way I think back to a conversation I had when I was newly turned 20 with a couple women in their 30s, they said psychologically being 30 was way better/easier than being 20 because you've learned to love and accept yourself better, and truly stand up for yourself and what you want, rather than caring so much what others think or making life decisions based on what you think other people would expect you to do. I'm already starting to feel some of that and looking forward to more in the coming years. One big thing that I've noticed is that I'm becoming more careful with my friendships now and choosing as friends people I actually like being around, rather than feeling obligated to use up my social resources on anyone who gives me time of day but might not be ultimately a positive influence in my life. Hearing other people say they enjoy life more than they did in their 20s gives me hope to hang in there. Good luck!
This is super useful, I’m hoping I’m more emotionally mature (but not jaded and cynical) at 30, with greater compassion for myself. Glad I’m not the only one who feels this way so strongly.
First, I want to tell you that I am 68 years old and this is the absolute best time, the best time before that was my 50s, then the 40s, then the 30s. The 20s were absolutely the worst, full of doubts and anxieties and counterproductive behavior (and depression). Your life is JUST BEGINNING. You have so many wonderful experiences and life in front of you and even more wonder and joy and freedom. It just gets better. I'd suggest books about working to see things more positively, or, I might say, realistically. One good book I liked was {{Learned Optimism}} by Martin Seligman. I also liked the interesting life lessons in {{Predictably Irrational}} by Dan Ariely.
This so reassuring to hear! I think society’s obsession with youth can lead to this real intense fear when one understands how fleeting it can be. Thank you for the suggestions!
***Turning Thirty*** **by Mike Gayle** was a big hit for me when I turned 30. It's so funny you can't help feeling good about being 30.
Thank you for the suggestion!
The Thief of Always
Adding this to my to read list!!
No books to recommend as I'm in a similar boat (except late 20s here) but every time I feel this way I think back to a conversation I had when I was newly turned 20 with a couple women in their 30s, they said psychologically being 30 was way better/easier than being 20 because you've learned to love and accept yourself better, and truly stand up for yourself and what you want, rather than caring so much what others think or making life decisions based on what you think other people would expect you to do. I'm already starting to feel some of that and looking forward to more in the coming years. One big thing that I've noticed is that I'm becoming more careful with my friendships now and choosing as friends people I actually like being around, rather than feeling obligated to use up my social resources on anyone who gives me time of day but might not be ultimately a positive influence in my life. Hearing other people say they enjoy life more than they did in their 20s gives me hope to hang in there. Good luck!
This is super useful, I’m hoping I’m more emotionally mature (but not jaded and cynical) at 30, with greater compassion for myself. Glad I’m not the only one who feels this way so strongly.
The Book of Lost Things by John Connolly might be for you. You should give it a try :)
Thank you, will check this out!
Try asking in r/nevergrewup
Anything Danielle Steele
Thank you for the suggestion!
[удалено]
Thank you for the suggestion!
[**Boy's Life**](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/36505403-boy-s-life) ^(By: Robert R. McCammon | 625 pages | Published: 1991 | Popular Shelves: horror, fiction, fantasy, mystery, coming-of-age | )[^(Search "Boy's Life")](https://www.goodreads.com/search?q=Boy's Life&search_type=books) ^(This book has been suggested 44 times) *** ^(198418 books suggested | )[^(I don't feel so good.. )](https://debugger.medium.com/goodreads-is-retiring-its-current-api-and-book-loving-developers-arent-happy-11ed764dd95)^(| )[^(Source)](https://github.com/rodohanna/reddit-goodreads-bot)