I have turned 30

I recently turned 30. To be honest, it wasn’t the easiest feeling, suddenly leaving behind the youthful 20s and stepping into a new stage of life. Somehow, it feels like I’ve crossed an invisible line where I’m no longer considered young. One piece of evidence? I now struggle to understand Gen Z’s jokes, trends, and slang :D

Lessons I learned

I’m 30 now, not nearly old enough to know everything, but old enough to have picked up some lessons that have shaped who I am today.

Health is the most important thing in life This is the single most important lesson I’ve learned. Nothing matters more than your health. Not money, not love, not fame, not even family. Because without health, you won’t have the foundation to enjoy any of those things. If you disagree, let me ask you this: If you had to choose between a million dollars and waking up tomorrow, which would you pick? Everyone would choose tomorrow.

If you’re in your 20s and reading this, please take care of your body. Exercise. Swim, run, hit the gym, hike, whatever works for you. Quit smoking. Sleep enough. Drink water. Your future self will thank you.

EQ » IQ Growing up in Asia, I was taught that science subjects were everything. Math, physics, chemistry. If you scored well in those, you were “smart.” If not, you “sucked,” no matter how good you were in literature or languages. I bought into that belief and excelled in those subjects. I thought I was cool. My parents did too.

But now, after more than 20 years, I realize IQ isn’t the main predictor of success. In fact, I’d say IQ is overrated. Emotional intelligence (EQ) is far more important. Think of leaders like Bill Gates or Mark Zuckerberg. Yes, they’re smart, but what really brought them success wasn’t just raw intelligence. It was leadership, communication, negotiation, and the ability to inspire people.

So here’s my advice: don’t spend all your time buried in books. Go out and talk to people. Practice public speaking (I’m still working on this myself). Write to express your thoughts. Learn to communicate both casually and professionally. These skills will multiply the value of your career and your life when you hit your 30s.

Start investing early One of my biggest regrets is not investing in my early 20s. Why? Because money compounds over time, not LINEARLY, but EXPONENTIALLY. The earlier you start, the sooner you can reach financial freedom.

Most young people skip this for two reasons:

A. “I don’t have enough money to invest.”

B. “I don’t know anything about investing.”

I get it. I’ve been there. I used to think the same. But here’s the truth: you do have money. It doesn’t matter if it’s a little or a lot. What matters is prioritizing. Even if it’s just 5–10% of your monthly income (or allowance, or part-time job salary), invest it first, then live on the rest. Average people spend first and invest what’s left. Wise people do the opposite.

And investing isn’t as complicated as it sounds. You don’t need to be Warren Buffet. You don’t need to analyze companies or read financial reports. The simplest way is to invest in index funds, like the S&P 500, on a consistent schedule. Just set up automatic purchases every month (a strategy called “dollar-cost averaging”), and don’t worry about market timing. The key is consistency and patience.

It may sound boring, but it will change your future. You don’t want to be financially struggling in your 50s.

Never stop learning The world changes fast, especially these days with the intervention of AI. What’s true today may not be tomorrow. To keep up, we must keep learning. School only scratches the surface, but life demands much more.

Lifelong learning equips us with the tools to make better decisions, and good decisions compound over time, setting you apart from those who remain stuck in the status quo. Learning doesn’t have to be limited to your career either. It can be history, politics, economics, anything that makes you wiser than you were yesterday.

Know how much is enough One of the most underrated mental models is knowing what “enough” means for you. It motivates you to work toward your goals, but also reminds you to step back and enjoy life.

Say X is your monthly expenses. Here’s a simple formula I use to estimate financial freedom:

(X × 12) ÷ 4%

Where 4% represents the sustainable amount you can spend each year without depleting your savings, even after accounting for inflation.

Run this calculation with your own X, and you’ll have a rough idea of how much you need. But remember, this isn’t about obsessing over money or living frugally to the point of misery. Don’t skip family dinners, friendships, or your health just to chase a number. Instead, live simply but generously. Spend on things that bring you joy. Invest in high-quality food. Cherish relationships. Happiness isn’t a destination, it’s the journey.

Things I Wish I Could’ve Done Better

Along with the lessons I’ve learned on my way to 30, there are also things I didn’t do well. If I could relive my 20s, I’d definitely spend more time and effort improving in these areas:

Maintaining friendships I have to admit that I’m terrible at this. I had many good friends during high school and college, but after graduation, I moved abroad for further studies and have now been living overseas for six years. Between working, studying, and making new friends, I neglected my old friendships. Our conversations and quality time together gradually faded.

Now, many of the close friends I once had are just names on social media. People say that in today’s fast-moving world, we refresh our friend circles every five years. Maybe that’s true but I don’t want to leave behind the people who shaped my memories. They’re part of who I am. I’ve promised myself to make more effort to reconnect with those unforgettable friends and keep those relationships alive.

Personal branding Personal branding is how the world knows who you are, what you do, what you stand for, and what you can contribute. The stronger your personal brand, the bigger your impact. A well-built personal brand also creates opportunities such as collaborations, career growth, and recognition within your field.

I haven’t done well here. I’ve mostly kept my head down, focused on my work, and stayed behind the scenes. But now I realize that increasing my visibility is important. I want to share more of my ideas, my values, and my work so that others can connect with me, and maybe even learn from or collaborate with me.

Public speaking I’m still afraid of speaking in front of a crowd. As an engineer, my job doesn’t give me many chances to practice public speaking, and I haven’t made the effort to actively improve it. But deep down, I know this is a weakness holding me back. The ability to stand up, articulate your thoughts clearly, and inspire people is a skill that can change careers and open doors.

Turning 30 feels like closing one chapter and opening another. My 20s were full of mistakes, growth, and priceless experiences that shaped who I am today. Looking back, I see both the lessons I’m grateful for and the things I wish I’d done better. And honestly, I think that’s what life is about, not being perfect, but learning, adjusting, and moving forward with more clarity.

As I step into this new decade, I want to live a meaningful, well-lived life, do what I love, with the people I care about, while continuing to grow as a person.