International Youth Day 2023 was on Saturday, August 12. To celebrate, I asked some newly inducted 30+ members how they feel about arriving on the third floor of their youth.
These individuals still feel youthful at heart even though Nigeria’s National Youth Policy restricts youths to those aged 18-29 years.
“Something about beans doesn’t agree with me anymore” — Adeniji*, 30
Because of the 30-plus jokes flying around, it registered in my subconscious that I should pay extra attention to my health once I turn 30. I don’t know if I’m overthinking it, but it’s weird that my stomach can’t hold down beans anymore. I noticed this about two months after I turned 30. Once I eat beans, it’s the toilet straight. Until now, I can’t remember ever worrying about toilet troubles whenever I ate beans.
“I feel the same as I felt when I was 20” — Divine*, 31
I’m here now and nothing feels different than it did when I was in my 20s. I roll my eyes when I read the 30-plus banter on Twitter. Or maybe it’s too early to tell but even my friends and family think I don’t act or look my age.
“I’ll stay 29 for a while” — Kenneth*, 30
I turned 30 in February, but no one really knows, apart from my family members and close friends. I didn’t celebrate it. There’s just something about turning this age that rattled me, like I’m running out of time. By 30, I was going to have my own house, car, a steady paying job, and just have my life together, but none of that has happened. The only way to keep my sanity is by blatantly refusing to accept this age. So, I’ve pressed pause and will stay 29 for a while.
“It’s only on the inside I feel like something has changed” — Lynda*, Early 30s
My body hasn’t changed much. My face hasn’t aged since I clocked 25. It’s only on the inside that I feel like something changed. My knees are annoyingly weak now; they keep giving out whenever I attempt to dance, sit for a bit or stand for long. I’m also taking my health much more seriously now, taking supplements and sleeping early.
“I should’ve been vocal about my work in my 20s” — Dimeji*, 30
I’ve realised that there are things I could have done better in my 20s. I should’ve been more vocal about my work. I envy the Gen Zs who find it easy to carry their work on their heads. I think some of us grew up with the mentality that you’re being unnecessarily proud if you do that, but these days, you have to speak for your work before it speaks for itself. Meanwhile, the statement about 30+ people wanting rest with lots of peace of mind is true. The best time of the day is when I lay on my bed to sleep.
“A new kind of horny I can’t explain” — James*, Early 30s
Why didn’t anyone say anything about the random boners and urge to have sex almost every day once you turn 30, or is it just a me thing? My wife actually noticed first. Usually, we’d go at it twice a week, and it wasn’t because we had a schedule, it was just something that worked for us. This pattern has changed a lot since I turned 30. It’s like I just want to ejaculate every time. It’s so bad that I’ve had to help myself sometimes because I didn’t want to disturb my wife. Hopefully, it passes soon sha because I’m getting worried. I didn’t use to be this crazy about sex and orgasms.
“Every conversation with my dad now leads to marriage talk” — Bidemi*, Early 30s
My dad used to be patient with me, but e be like say the man don dey taya, cos pressure don dey. Every conversation with him now leads to marriage talk. I’m not bothered by it because I know how to handle him. There was this particular year I didn’t go home for eight months. He had to beg me to come back. However, even I can’t wait to be married, and I’m hopeful that it will happen this year, in Jesus’s name.
