New Year's Eve has a way of promoting self-growth and making us feeling enlightened and ready to face a new year. Simultaneously, age has a way of altering our perspectives on life. That's why New Year's Eve in your 20s vs 30s is so different, because you're literally welcoming a clean start with new perceptions that just come with the territory of what age bracket you fall in.
Don't get me wrong, there isn't some magical makeover you sign up for once you're exiting your 20s. The changes you undergo happen over time, and almost without you even noticing them. Call it maturity or a humbling understanding of the way you want to perceive yourself and life, but it's coming with or without your consent.
I mean, you don't want every new year to be the same, do you? There's nothing exciting about that. Think about it like this — you're allowing time and age to do what it's supposed to do. And in the process, you're letting yourself grow in ways you never even thought that you could. It may not be super apparent at first, but your New Year's Eve is bound to differ in a few ways depending on whether you're in your 20s or your 30s.
In your 20s: In our 20s, our resolutions usually revolve around finances and overall stability. Don't blame us, because it's the first decade we actually combat adulting.
In your 30s: By now, your resolutions most likely have a lot to do with interpersonal growth. You're ready to strengthen bonds with people who are going to be there for the long run. You want to be the best you can be, starting with your mindset.
In your 20s: A kiss seems mandatory for some reason. Honestly, the idea of not getting one can seriously stress us out. Last-minute decisions might be made so we can fulfill that self-made goal of smooching when the ball drops.
In your 30s: No kiss? No problem. Yeah, you're a tad more focused on the people you're bringing in the new year with... but you aren't dedicated to kissing one of them.
In your 20s: Damn, we sure do give YOLO a completely new meaning as we wait for that ball to drop. Drinking is usually a huge part of the night. Many of us are no strangers to popping multiple bottles of champagne with our friends.
In your 30s: You're OK with a good buzz, but ultimately, you want to take in every moment. If that means swerving away from the Patron shots or planning a night that doesn't even involve drinking, so be it.
In your 20s: I'm not saying that people in their 20s don't have a lot to look back on, but again, you're sort of just getting started. You know you haven't even reached the person that you're supposed to be yet in the whole adulting game. So, you're sort of just riding the tide for now.
In your 30s: Decisions, decisions. You're thinking about all of the ones you've made this year and figuring out what worked for you and what didn't. Every second of that countdown, you're ready leave the year for what it was, and work on yourself into the new one.
In your 20s: As much as Christmas is a reasonable excuse to shack up with the parentals, New Year's Eve might not be one of them. You love em and all, but it's party time. No offense, Mom and Dad.
In your 30s: You're realizing that your parents aren't getting any younger. Chanting in a fresh year by their side is just another memory you can create with them. Besides, it beats stressing yourself over making plans last-minute.
In your 20s: Last-minute doesn't even describe the path your plans trek on New Year's Eve. Honestly, you may even end up in more places than one. Your "plans" are harnessing the same thing as you — a free spirit.
In your 30s: Making plans in advance and sticking to them gives you one less thing to worry about. Why scurry around look for plans when you can sit back, relax, and head to one designated place? The ease is so real, and the headache is nonexistent.
In your 20s: A vodka cranberry, Patron shot, and some champagne? Bring it on. A drink is a drink when you're celebrating to the max.
In your 30s: You have no problem sticking with one drink, because by now, you know what you like. Surprisingly, you can get all you're looking for from one kind of beverage. Cheers.
No matter how old we get, we will always appreciate New Year's Eve for hyping us the hell up for something new. We could all use a fresh start.
