I’m turning 30-years-old this month. A Pisces whose birth date conveniently follows the unofficial holiday of Super Bowl Sunday where celebrations include tailgate parties and excessively drunk football fans screaming at the television screen. Then comes Valentine’s Day; a date reserved for couples to shower each other with affection and gifts in the shape of hearts and rose petals. Then comes my birthday – right before the madness ensues for upcoming St. Patrick’s Day featuring parades, a plethora of green attire, and more drunk people lining the streets and packing bars than any other day of the year.

Not to get lost in the shuffle of the excitement this time of year brings, I make sure my birthday is acknowledged as a special occasion. Finalizing plans weeks in advance, confirming reservations, and blasting a newsletter to all my friends to mark off the day on their calendars. It’s the one day a year specifically designed to celebrate me, and I never let it go unnoticed.

I wasn’t sure how I would feel about turning 30. Would I still want the celebrations to continue? Announcing my age like I proudly did to the bouncer at the bar checking ID’s on my 21st birthday. Eagerly getting into the driver’s seat of my sister’s Volkswagen beetle ahead of my driver’s test the day I turned 17. Is 30 the milestone year that I would be excited to share with my friends and family like I did in the past?

Honestly, I’m excited about turning 30. Leaving my confused and rebellious twenty-something-year-old self behind. Embarking on a new decade filled with different challenges and real-world problems. Call me crazy, but I’m looking forward to worrying about finances, and taxes, and homeowner’s insurance. Facing career moves, mature decisions, and lifestyle changes that could affect the course of my future.

I’m not saying that in my 20s I did not have similar worries and lived the same care-free lifestyle of my college days, but my 30s brings about a whole new sense of maturity, at least in my mind. It makes me feel more grown-up. Like worries hold more weight than they did the previous decade. The coming years could potentially mean a family and kids to support rather than just funding my bar tab on the weekends. The thought of settling down begins to creep into my mind like the number 30 has some magical powers making me consider a broader view of the world. One that doesn’t include galivanting with friends while my responsibilities are left at the wayside.

My selfish days are behind me almost instantly once another year of my life begins. A time that I thought I would be sorry to say goodbye to my 20s. A decade that included some of the most fun and exhilarating years of my life. A time when I met the most important people in my life and had experiences that molded me into the person I am today. I am going to miss my 20s for the memories that it gave me.

But as I approach my 30s, the excitement and anticipation persist. Almost like a fresh start accompanying more knowledge that I gained over the years. My 20s were like a trial period. The time where I was able to make mistakes and learn the lessons that I needed to prepare for the future. To teach me how to fail and recover, and probably fail again. To get better at this thing called life that will progressively challenge me every day.

By no means does entering my 30s mean that I have everything figured out. Not even close. Even when I approach my 40s, and 50s, and beyond I will still be learning new things and will continue to make mistakes. But entering my 30s means I’m passed the hump of my confusing 20s. I am beyond the point of knowing absolutely nothing about life and carrying on my journey with a new set of wisdom and beliefs. I have an exciting future ahead of me and I couldn’t even imagine what’s in store.

All I know is that I’m no longer afraid of my 30s. I’m no longer sad to say goodbye to my 20-something-year-old life because I’m about to conquer a whole new chapter in my life. And I couldn’t be more grateful.

They say the best years of your life are in your 30s. I’m excited to find out how true that is.