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In an interview with Vogue, Emma Watson said she has made the decision to "self-partner" herself in her thirties. Indeed, after entering this decade, you stop obsessing about what friends, neighbors, colleagues, and relatives might think of you and start picking and choosing who you hang out with and what for, preserving your energy and time for yourself because, let's face it, accumulating responsibilities is exhausting.

Nothing illustrates this period of life more vividly than the Instagram account '30 And Tired.' Whether you aren't yet part of the club, already belong to it, or have moved on to other ones, scrolling through its hilariously honest memes should help you get a better understanding of this hectic era.

More info: Instagram

#1

Speaking Of

Speaking Of

30.and.tired Report

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Ample Aardvark
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

During the night pee. I go to the toilet once or twice during the day and three times+ at night if I drink anything past 8pm!

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#2

Don’t Say These Things To Me

Don’t Say These Things To Me

30.and.tired Report

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Lunaofthenest (She/they)
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This. But then I'll just need to pee a bunch so best I stay sitting upright and re-watching The Labrynth with the late, great David Bowie for the 1213th time.

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You shouldn't feel bad if you relate to these memes, too.

When you're in your twenties and fresh out of college, you might be in some form of debt (from student loans or blowing an entire paycheck on rent) and perhaps you're also struggling to find a meaningful career. But this decade is made for mistakes, and the confusion, disappointment, and ego-bruising that come along with them. 

But when you're in your thirties, you might feel as if you're in the "adult camp", and begin to pressure yourself to figure everything out.

#4

I Regret Nothing

I Regret Nothing

30.and.tired Report

#5

We’re All Pretty Cool Tho

We’re All Pretty Cool Tho

30.and.tired Report

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Lunaofthenest (She/they)
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Don't dress the same, fo sho. Work me has earrings, mascara and cute blazers. Home me has jam on her cheek and a mysterious stain on her sneakers.

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As writer Julia McVeigh pointed out, the permission to fail seems to have been stripped away and now is the time to reach all the traditional milestones that we associate a successful life with.

This includes — but is certainly not limited to — an impressive title to update your LinkedIn page with, a fulfilling relationship, an incredibly fun wedding; cute but undemanding children, and a house with multiple bedrooms for all of them.

Those who fail to meet these ambitious milestones may feel inadequate, especially during their class reunion where people often measure themselves against each other.

#6

Just Gonna Set It To Delicate And Hope For The Best

Just Gonna Set It To Delicate And Hope For The Best

30.and.tired Report

#8

This Post Is Brought To You By My Wife

This Post Is Brought To You By My Wife

30.and.tired Report

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Mason Kronol
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

LOL I can so relate. My husband;s butt is glued to the couch until I'm in the kitchen and then suddenly he has an important story to tell me that he must make eye contact with me and grab some ice tea. GET OUT!

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#9

Do Try To Keep Up

Do Try To Keep Up

30.and.tired Report

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Chihuahua Mama
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm very guilty of this. I frequently am informed that the 'other day' I'm referring to was over a year ago

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Annie Wright, LMFT, who is a licensed psychotherapist and relational trauma recovery specialist, said that she has heard some iteration of the question "Why does life feel so much harder in your thirties?" nearly a hundred times now.

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According to her, being alive in a mortal body, loving other people in mortal bodies, all the while making our way in a world that requires money to pay bills and so on and so forth is hard as it is.

But she suggests that life might be even harder in your 30s for those of us who come from relational trauma backgrounds.

#10

Being In Bed At 8pm Sounds Glorious

Being In Bed At 8pm Sounds Glorious

30.and.tired Report

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sbj
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I hate that now when I speak I can hear my mothers voice, Aaaarghh!

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#11

Ah Yes…. That’s The Good Stuff

Ah Yes…. That’s The Good Stuff

30.and.tired Report

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Lunaofthenest (She/they)
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

A true moment of zen. Bonus points if you've got a pet somewhere nearby, equally excited to be doing nothing.

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#12

If I Hear A Song I Can’t Remember Might As Well Make It A Good 2-3 Hours

If I Hear A Song I Can’t Remember Might As Well Make It A Good 2-3 Hours

30.and.tired Report

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troufaki13
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I hit pause, then go to google to search and then be on my phone for an hour before resuming the movie 🙄

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#13

Oh Look It’s 11pm, Time For Bed

Oh Look It’s 11pm, Time For Bed

30.and.tired Report

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veveve
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If I don't set the alarm I'll be anxious, and then I cannot sleep at all, worrying if I'll overslept

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To illustrate her point Wright gives this example: if life is a proverbial house, built upon a proverbial foundation, those of us who come from relational trauma backgrounds nearly always have cracks in our proverbial foundations that others who come from non-trauma backgrounds do not have at all (or in greatly reduced ways).

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And cracks in the proverbial foundation can make the proverbial house less sound, less stable, and more difficult to live in (so to speak).

#14

Rise And Take It Easy While I Complete All My Tasks In A Timely Fashion

Rise And Take It Easy While I Complete All My Tasks In A Timely Fashion

30.and.tired Report

#15

My Precious

My Precious

30.and.tired Report

#17

I Still Expect An Invite Though

I Still Expect An Invite Though

30.and.tired Report

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DJR
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Pick up religion. Then you can "pray about it" and "see how the spirit leads me"

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"A relational trauma background, as I define it, is trauma that results over the course of time in the context of a power-imbalanced and dysfunctional relationship (usually between a child and caregiver) that results in a host of complex and lingering biopsychosocial impacts for the individual who endured the trauma," Wright explains in Psychology Today.

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#19

How Dare Y… What The Fu… Imma Need A Minute

How Dare Y… What The Fu… Imma Need A Minute

30.and.tired Report

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Taryn Bailey
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yup...... I got teased HORRIBLY for my f***y pack back in the day, and now they're all over the place

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#21

Bro When Have I Ever Needed The Ingredients For A Remoulade?

Bro When Have I Ever Needed The Ingredients For A Remoulade?

30.and.tired Report

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Lunaofthenest (She/they)
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Also, the me who cooks dinner on Monday isn't the same me cooking on Friday. Dinner? It's called a big heaping plate of figure it tf out.

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The psychotherapist said that these biopsychosocial impacts stemming from a trauma background can and often include:

  • Maladaptive beliefs about yourself, others, and the world around you. For example: “I’m too broken to be loved, no one will ever love me.” Or, “No one can be trusted; everyone always leaves me," or "The world is out to get me. I have to be on guard.”
  • Maladaptive behaviors to cope with intolerable feelings (feelings of vulnerability, loneliness, fear, etc.). For example: developing an eating disorder, engaging in risky sexual behaviors, becoming obsessive about work, or using substances to numb out.
#22

I Had My Realization That I’m Old When I Looked At A Pair Of Dr. Scholls Shoes And Thought “Damn Those Look Comfy As Hell”

I Had My Realization That I’m Old When I Looked At A Pair Of Dr. Scholls Shoes And Thought “Damn Those Look Comfy As Hell”

30.and.tired Report

#23

Oh Shit My Exam! Wait.. I’m 33.. I Haven’t Been In School For Over 10 Years

Oh Shit My Exam! Wait.. I’m 33.. I Haven’t Been In School For Over 10 Years

30.and.tired Report

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Taryn Bailey
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Then you check, and you got so much freaking time, but your brain won't shut the eff back up so you can go back to sleep!

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#24

Shhhhshshsh! Do You Hear That??

Shhhhshshsh! Do You Hear That??

30.and.tired Report

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Shannon Hawks
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

i can just picture all the neighborhood kids getting shoved to the ground while adults are running to the corner

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As well as:

  • Challenges with emotional regulation and appropriate emotional expression skills. For example: feeling easily triggered often, experiencing explosive rage, feeling a lack of feelings altogether, and being unable/unwilling to share your emotions with others.
  • Attachment wounds. For example: developing an avoidant, anxious, or disorganized (as opposed to secure) attachment style in response to the non-secure relational experiences endured.

And most of us only realize how faulty our proverbial foundation is once we arrive in our 30s (and sometimes 40s).

#26

I Don’t Have A Problem. You Have A Problem

I Don’t Have A Problem. You Have A Problem

30.and.tired Report

#28

What’s Your Late Night Snack Of Choice? I’ve Been On A Mini Kitkat “Unwrapped” Bender For A Week And A Half With No End In Sight

What’s Your Late Night Snack Of Choice? I’ve Been On A Mini Kitkat “Unwrapped” Bender For A Week And A Half With No End In Sight

30.and.tired Report

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This is because when we’re young and growing up—as a teen and young adult—our proverbial house of life, built upon whatever foundation we have, is usually a single-story house, not a multi-level house, and thus we don't feel the cracks in the foundation quite as much.

#30

Sh*t I’m In My Thirties And I’d Still Do This Over Being On My Phone

Sh*t I’m In My Thirties And I’d Still Do This Over Being On My Phone

30.and.tired Report

#31

I Remember When Movie Tickets Were $4.25

I Remember When Movie Tickets Were $4.25

30.and.tired Report

#32

First Question. How Good Are You With Directions By Landmarks?

First Question. How Good Are You With Directions By Landmarks?

30.and.tired Report

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troufaki13
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm pretty sure I have something to do with some of the people that are on the missing person list 😬

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#33

Pizza And I Just Have A Longer History

Pizza And I Just Have A Longer History

30.and.tired Report

If you're still adapting to the higher stakes, check out Bored Panda's earlier publications “30 And Tired”: Instagram Account Explains Millennials In 50 Memes and 40 Funny And Painfully True Memes That Anyone Who’s “30 And Tired” Might Understand.

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At least they will reassure you that there are many, many more people in the same predicament.

#35

Carnival Avocado Sounds Like Something Super Questionable But I’m Gonna Eat It Anyways

Carnival Avocado Sounds Like Something Super Questionable But I’m Gonna Eat It Anyways

30.and.tired Report

#37

Why Didn’t I Think Of That?

Why Didn’t I Think Of That?

30.and.tired Report

#38

Me Staying Out Past 9

Me Staying Out Past 9

30.and.tired Report

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Dianellian
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I can barely party like I did in my 40’s. (Shhh, close to 60 now) why do I feel like I’m still growing up?

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#39

And Instead Of Infinity Stones, She Collected Pig Tails

And Instead Of Infinity Stones, She Collected Pig Tails

30.and.tired Report

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juliana
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

ok wait..... MS TRUNCHBULL?!?!?!? edit: how and why did y'all upvote me for being dumb LMAO and TY

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#40

*snaps Picture*

*snaps Picture*

30.and.tired Report

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#42

Me With Stovetop Knobs

Me With Stovetop Knobs

30.and.tired Report

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Lunaofthenest (She/they)
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This isn't getting old, this is OCD, friends. Getting old is "Eh, I've got insurance. It'll probably be fine."

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#44

2am, 8am, Noon, 2pm, 5pm? What’s The Difference Really?

2am, 8am, Noon, 2pm, 5pm? What’s The Difference Really?

30.and.tired Report

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Margaret H
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

2 AM.The hour when you believe you will die because you have a paper cut.

Andy Cran
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

great tip,try randomly wriggling your toes (just toes not feet) and focus on that when the "thoughts" start,it distracts the mind,for about 10secs a time, you'll be surprised how effective it is (,takes a bit of practice,but once you get the hang of it...it works wonders) ,I think it comes from a technique used to combat jetlag. alternatively, there's a visualization technique...in your minds eye picture/imagine yourself getting out of bed and slowly getting dressed all the while seeing yourself doing every little action,then "when dressed,go out for a walk in the cold dark night" can also do a similar exercise but picture yourself going very mundane tasks, repeat if necessary ie: washing up by fans,vaccuming etc....they do work, have used them for years when really struggling to sleep....good luck 👍

Margaret Weaver
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Monica bang! God I loved that show. All nine seasons. The fanfic they tacked on after that was attrocious, but then fanfic is always overwhelmingly cringe-inducing.

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#46

I Know What I Must Do But I Don’t Know If I Have The Strength To Do It

I Know What I Must Do But I Don’t Know If I Have The Strength To Do It

30.and.tired Report

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Will Cable
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It took a lot of energy to eat all the cake, so it is null and void......well that is what we should be telling ourselves

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#48

And Now We Play The Waiting Game

And Now We Play The Waiting Game

30.and.tired Report

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#50

I Asked My Wife And This Is 100% Accurate.. Wait… What?

I Asked My Wife And This Is 100% Accurate.. Wait… What?

30.and.tired Report

Note: this post originally had 106 images. It’s been shortened to the top 50 images based on user votes.