30 Pieces of Life Advice for Turning 30

The Oolong Drunk
Sep 17
4 min read

Hello hello!

Today is my 30th birthday!

30 years ago on September 17th, Sunday at 12 noon, I entered the world. My mom and dad debated on naming me either Cody or Preston, and when my grandfather was asked to be the tie-breaker, he picked Cody.

From there, I have lived quite the life. I have survived a massive car accident, watched my father die, come out as gay, launched an extensive career in tea, written 2 books and a novel, moved from Texas to Missouri, and moved from Missouri to Colorado.

Over the past 30 years, saying I have learned a lot would be an understatement. However, for my 30th birthday, I’ll go over 30 pieces of advice that everyone should know by the time they turn 30.

Let's dive in!

There’s no such thing as saying 'thank you' too many times, but there is only a limited amount of time you can say ‘I’m sorry’.
Family is not always thick as blood. After coming out as gay, I’ve seen many family members write me off. While not everyone is unfortunate enough to know what that feels like, it is always good to remember that family is the people who show up for you, regardless of whether you are blood-related to them or not. Also, chosen family is the best family.
Read more books. Make time for it, and do it regularly.
Journal more. There is no greater joy than self-reflection, and self-reflection is made so much easier when you leave yourself a paper trail.
Photos say a thousand words, but hearing someone’s voice speaking those words is priceless. Somehow or another, save audio-recordings of loved ones.
As someone who has battled mental health struggles on and off in life, I will attest that going outside and looking at the sun and breathing in fresh air does actually help.
Know how to make at least 1 cocktail drink, or 1 mixed drink, and know the difference between each wine type.
Listen to a different genre of music at least once a week. It’s easy to stay in our own bubbles, and social media and technology have made it much easier to stay in an echo-chamber. Listening to music of someone else from a background other than you, will help expand your mind and imagination.
Don’t get news from social media. Ever.
Make a habit of phone-calling people. I was young enough to remember when you had to hang up the phone to go on the internet, and when you had to remember people’s phone numbers to call them. Cell phones have taken away the ability to connect with someone on a more personal level. With that, keep the bridge open. Talking on the phone is a skill that’s quickly getting lost.
Twitter is never on your side.
Learn how to cook 1 soup recipe by memory.
It’s never too late, and it's never a bad time to tell someone what they mean to you. If there is someone in your life who is special to you (either a friend, family member, co-worker, etc.), it’s better to tell them now, rather than never telling them at all. And also, make a habit of telling them.
Give people grace, and give people 2nd chance. We all mess up. We’re human, after all.
Learn how to public speak. Whether at a company function or with a group of friends, learning how to talk comfortably in front of other people is a huge personal upgrade.
Brush and floss your teeth. Go to the dentist regularly and make it a priority. We only get 1 set of adult teeth. Once they’re gone, they’re gone.
When talking, make a habit of talking about the things you love more than the things you hate. It’s better to be remembered for the love we possessed, not the hate we spread.
Go see an opera LIVE, and even an orchestra, at least once.
Turn off your phone at least 30 minutes before bed.
Some friendships are meant to be in 1 season of your life, and that’s completely okay. If people want to go, then let them.
Don’t accept the love you think you deserve. Don’t settle. We all deserve better.
Disassociate from politics from time to time. Letting political outrage consume your personality will create toxicity within you. Stay up to date on what’s going on, but also know when to draw a line in the sand so it doesn't consume you.
Invest money in anything that separates you from the ground. Good supportive shoes, a supportive bed, a good desk chair, etc.
Road rage never helps anything. When driving, let it go. Being mad at that Sudan who cut you off will only age you. Road rage does nothing for the other driver.
Go out in nature without music or your cell phone. Enjoy nature for what it is. Nature doesn’t need a soundtrack, and nature doesn’t need to be experienced through a phone’s camera. Go out in the trees and just simply exist.
Clean your sheets regularly, and switch out your pillowcases at least 2-3 times a week.
Delete TikTok.
Our lives are not our own. Make sure your actions are not only pro-you, but also pro-those who exist around you. It’s always good to put your own self-care first, but it’s also a good reminder that our actions also affect others. Try to leave a lasting impact wherever you go.
Don’t judge people who are different than you. Rather, love someone who is different than you. This includes trans people. Instead of using hate to justify your viewpoints towards someone, use kindness. It takes less energy to love and support someone than it does to hate someone.
Drink a good cup of tea from time to time. You’re not just drinking a cup of tea, you’re drinking a gift from Mother Nature and hundreds of years of another culture. Tea warms the heart and warms the soul.