Who Runs the World? GIRLS.

Reason #1 that your 30's are actually awesome: 

Women support other women

I cannot tell you the overwhelming support that I feel from the women in my life. Like, they have my back. When I feel like I am failing as a friend, mom, wife, counselor, whatever, the women in my life are so encouraging. They normalize my feelings. When I declare that life is hard, they empathize and sympathize. There is no shame in being vulnerable. Either we’ve been there, we’ll be there soon, or we’re actually in it together. We are a strong, united front. We’re a freakin’ tribe.

In my 20s, I did not feel this sense of unity. There was an unspoken competition in the air. All.The.Time. Who has the better job, the first to get married, the nicest house, the most money, the skinniest, the cutest clothes. It was a game of comparison. Gag me. There was a bit of affirmation in knowing that you are better off than someone else in one particular area. Like, “hey, I mean, at least I’m not _______ like Susie.” Bump that. Comparison is the thief of joy, and also the #1 way to lose your friends...and your mind.

I think we all crave connection. We want to belong. We want to have the sense of security that comes with “your people,” your lifers. To be connected and to belong, you have to be vulnerable. You have to show your true self. Unfortunately, your true self isn’t very impressive when you’re in your 20s. You’re fresh out of college. Nothing in this life has prepared you for #adulting. You don’t want people to see that your life is actually in shambles and you have a one-way ticket on the Hot-mess express.

Approaching 30, we are still just trying to figure it out, dude. Life is so cray. But, we lose the shame that is associated with not knowing. We don’t know how to do life. That is ok because we realize that no one else does either. Rather than having some secret competition, we can just hold hands and drag each other through the mud. Then, we can drink wine and laugh about it until 9:30pm and then it’s lights out. You begin to realize what is important. It’s not your image, it’s your journey. Journeys are more fun with your tribe.

I’m almost 30 years old and I can say without a doubt that my current friends are the best friends that I’ve ever had in my entire life. They know ME. I know THEM. We love US.

If you're interested in reading/hearing more about the importance of good girlfriends. Let me recommend everyone's FAVORITE girlfriend: Jen Hatmaker Check out the 'For The Love Podcast with Jen Hatmaker'. Her first series is titled "For the Love of Girlfriends." Such a treat! She also has two books great books that I enjoyed SO much-  "For the Love" and "Of Mess and Moxie"