Making Friends In Your Thirties: The Hard Truth No One Told Me About

Making Friends In Your Thirties The Hard Truth No One Told Me About

I’ve always been somewhat outgoing. I’ve always been able to easily strike up a conversation or find something I could relate to the other person. My my has stories of me making friends with other kids on the McDonalds playground or just about anywhere else we went. As I went through school and into my 20s, I had no problems finding friends and people to hang out with. But I didn’t realize how different it’d be once I hit thirty. 

The biggest thing, I think, was the realization that it’s SO much harder to find a solid tribe as you get older. 

One thing I’ve learned, after the many friendships I’ve held, is that I have become more selective in who I bring into my tribe. Sure I have a lot of acquaintances but there are few I let into my life. And even though I’m more selective, I’ve found that the friendships I make are stronger and easier. On a recent trip I was invited on courtesy of Kia, I was able to strengthen some of those friendships I hold dearest to me. The unexpected ones. 

Making Friends In Your Thirties - girl time

I packed my new luggage up with cute outfits and a band t-shirt – Sublime of course – and headed down to the Hardrock Hotel San Diego to spend a few days with Kia and a few girlfriends – old and new. Now I thought I was just heading down to learn more about Kia and their brand, but what I also learned was how important I hold these relationships I’ve forged online. And how much girl time really means when you work full time and care for kids full time. Those two days saved my sanity when I needed it most. 

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Even though we hardly ever see each other in person – sometimes only every few years – each time we meet up it’s as if we’ve never been apart. I don’t have to censor myself, I don’t have to think about what I’m going to say next. Because these friends I’ve formed bonds with get me. They get my world. 

Finding friendship in my thirties has been hard but it’s also been the most rewarding.

So as I headed out to tour my dear city in a Kia Sedona with friend and fellow blogger, Heather Reese, I got to enjoy the smooth ride, adaptive cruise control, and heightened visibility while we talked about everything from our childhoods to our futures. We were able to simply relax and be ourselves even when we were sharing in a brand experience. Because that’s Kia. Down to earth, easy, and fun. Not to mention very, very comfortable. I may or may not have seen myself as a converted minivan mom. Can’t wait to see how the carseats fit in the back! 

Making Friends In Your Thirties - Kia bringing us together

Making Friends In Your Thirties - new adventures

Making Friends In Your Thirties - Horton Plaza Park

When we arrived back to the hotel after driving around and experiencing a bit of everything San Diego has to offer – from sea to mountains to desert – we spent a little more time with Kia. We enjoyed the Harman Kardon sound system as we rocked out and watched the talent that was around us. Live band karaoke and amazing videos created by the influencers as they cruised around in the various Kia vehicles available to us to test drive. 

If there’s one thing that can bring friends together, it’s music. We belted out tunes together and enjoyed the talent of those around us who took to the mic. I may or may not have also stepped up on stage. After, we were able to chat more into the night and simply enjoy time together as friends. And it was exactly what I needed. 

I know how important it is to carve out time for friendships. To continue growing those friendships and focusing on the good people around me. While I don’t have as many friends as I once did in my teens and twenties, I know that the friendships I do have are stronger than ever. And I’m already planning my next girls night…

Making Friends In Your Thirties - firsts in singing karaoke

Have you found it difficult to make friends as you get older? What are the changes you’ve seen? 

While at The New Kia event we were introduced to two new vehicles from Kia to hit the market soon. The new Kia Niro and Kia Cadenza. The Kia Niro is a hybrid utility vehicle – the first of it’s kind and the first Kia to be built from the ground up as a hybrid. We cannot wait to test drive it once it hit’s the market. This is exactly what my husband’s been looking for! 

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Thanks again to Kia for inviting me to The New Kia event! 

My Favorite Things Spa Party with NIVEA

My Favorite Things Spa Party

As a mother, one thing we often forget to do is pamper ourselves. We spend so much time making sure everyone else is being taken care of that we forget to take a few moments for us.

This weekend I decided to take a few moments for myself. And invite a few friends over to enjoy themselves as well.

One of my favorite types of parties to throw is a My Favorite Things party. Each guest brings their favorite item to share with the others; 5 of the same thing $6 or under in value. Since we’ve already shared our favorite thing, our favorite baby item, and our favorite children’s activity, I thought that we could spin the theme a little differently this time.

A My Favorite Things Spa Party!

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5 Great Ways for Moms to Get Out in San Diego

Being a mom doesn’t mean that we can’t get out and have fun anymore. It just means that we need to get a little creative to do so. Lucky for me, I live in a city filled with entertainment and a never-ending list of places to go and things to do.

Since my time away from the family is much valued but short lived, I need to make the most of it and really create great memories to hold me over until the next time I get out.

Here are a few ways I like to enjoy my time away from the kids and family while enjoying the city I live in.

5 Great Ways for Moms to Get Out in San Diego

1. Happy Hour – 

Now happy hour is not the same as it was pre-kids. No longer are we heading to an upscale bar after work for a few drinks, appetizers, and some girl time that goes late into the night.

Happy Hour has now become any time the girls get together at a place with food without the kids. Drinks may or may not happen but all we know is that we’re eating a whole meal without having to feed another being.

We also will be able to eat our meal while it’s still hot and won’t have to worry about asking for it to-go because of a tantrum. Meals away from the family means chit chat and girl time at its best… un-filtered!

And if there is booze involved… watch out! Cause moms are usually quite fun when tipsy (but always safe)!

2. Networking in Disguise – 

One of the best things about my life as a mom is the fact that I get to hang out with other cool moms all the time. And sometimes we get to network with each other finding out that we might be able to help each other more than we thought!

And one event that brings moms together to do just that are the SD Mom’s Night Out events. They are an absolutely amazing way to relax, reconnect, and network with other moms in San Diego who you might not have known about. From Momtrepreneurs to bloggers to stay-at-home-moms looking for a great way to get out and explore. Each event is different and has something else to offer.

The next event is their one year anniversary and it isn’t to be missed! Not only is it being held at Kin Spa, it also includes some amazing perks and goodies! To read more about the SD Mom’s Night Out Anniversary Event, check out my post here.

Click here to purchase tickets for the event.

3. My Favorite Things – 

Every few months my mom friends and I get together for what we call a My Favorite Things party. We each bring 5 $6 items that we’ve dubbed as our favorite thing and we pass them out to each other (drawing names to choose who gets what). We eat and drink our favorite things too!

I love this type of event because it’s low maintenance and it’s a way to learn about things I might not have known about in daily conversations with my friends.  Our last Favorite Things party focused on our favorite kid items. And as you can imagine it was pretty hard to chose one item for $6 or less to share. But I was amazed again at the products that were shared and have fallen in love with a few new awesome things!

4. Playdates – 

Yes, I know. This technically is not getting away from the kids but my friends are awesome. And when we get together, we are able to mingle and chat while our kids play around us. Most of the time I’ll host playdates at my home and just rope the kids off into certain parts of the house and yard. That way the moms can sit in one central location and chat without having to worry about what trouble our kids are getting into.

This option does require a little bit of work but the reward is much worth it. Not only do we each get to sit and enjoy adult conversations, we also get to tire our kids out so that when we do go home they (hopefully) take nice, long naps. Win-win!

Now these adult conversations aren’t always just about us. Usually one way or another we end up talking about some pretty fun topics. Bladder control, birth, and a few other wonderful mommyhood moments having to do with poop usually come up.

5. Shopping – 

Whether it’s for groceries or for clothes… shopping alone is always considered a great way to get out in my book. Not only do I get to enjoy some peace and quiet, I get to participate in one of my favorite activities… spending money!

While I love time with my kids, I don’t love having to worry about my kids breaking everything within reach while we’re out and about. I’ve learned that I’m a lot less stressed when I can go to a store alone and actually consider it relaxing to shop knowing that my kids are elsewhere having fun and not asking if they can have every.single.thing they see at the store.

What do you do for your mom-time without the kids?

Disclaimer: This post is sponsored by SD Mom’s Night out. I received two tickets for their SD Mom’s Night Out Anniversary event in exchange for this post. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. 



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