It’s no secret that the majority of men avoid change.

In fact, most men will avoid doing anything that might force them to move out of their comfort zone.

But when a man reaches the age of 30, something starts to shift.

Men in their 30s go through a transitional stage. They experience internal and external changes, and many 30-year-old men, are surprised that they feel the desire to change.

What Causes a Man to Change After 30?

Young men in their early 20s and late 20s see their lives as a place for fun, discovery, self-indulgence, and instant gratification.

For young men in their 20s, chasing single women, friendship, physical activity, travel, making money, and enjoying life are most important.

To some extent, chasing pleasure and fun can be enjoyable, especially your early 20s and late 20s.

For a 30-year-old man, the hedonistic treadmill starts to become less fulfilling. Men in their 30s tend to see that contentment requires some life changes.

Despite what toxic male role models like Andrew Tate might suggest, there is an emptiness that comes from trying to make the world revolve around you. Being driven my your sex drive, or making money becomes empty after a decade or so.

Excess drinking, casual sex, financial instability, and total freedom start to have bigger repercussions as a man grows to age 30 especially towards 40 years old.

Turning 30 for men is a milestone that usually marks another chapter of life. And as a result, most men begin to change. They start to take life ‘seriously’ and start to look at ‘settling down’.

This change in desire is what causes a men in their 30s to desire change.

In this article we look at lifestyle changes that happen for a 30 year old man, and the ways that men benefit from making positive changes in their 30s.

What Age Does a Man Fully Mature?

Amazingly, even as a 30-year-old man, you may not yet be considered fully mature.

In general, men reach full physical maturity around age 25 when their brains are fully developed.

However, that fact does not mean they have reached full emotional maturity.

In fact, researchers suggest that the average man will typically reach full emotional maturity between the ages of 40 and 43.

Of course, emotional maturity can be influenced by many variables. Childhood experiences, social influences, personal relationships, societal culture, and other factors all can determine when a man fully matures.

Despite full maturity taking a long time, there is a jump in rationality and inner development for most men around the age of 30.

Why Do Men Change When They Turn 30?

As a rule, men aged 30 and beyond begin to look at life differently, and often seek out ways to become a ‘better man’.

While the term ‘better man’ is subjective, it usually denotes taking more responsibility, having a committed relationship, choosing a viable career, and making sensible decisions for finances and health.

Some men will begin to make changes earlier than age 30, but typically most younger men begin to let go of their immaturity and short-term thinking from their early thirties onwards.

There are many reasons why men change after age 30, but often it comes down to wanting a better quality of life.

Nobody who lives with a short-term, instant gratification mindset will achieve anything worthwhile in life.

As a man grows toward 30 years old, he will desire a committed relationship, buy a home, progress in his career, and earn more money. He may also desire to have children and be part of a family.

Typically, at age 30 most men will observe their friends starting to make similar decisions and changing their behavior to be more rational.

What Does Turning 30 Mean to a Man?

For many men, the age of 30 means that their sense of youth is starting to fade, and they are moving into true adulthood.

Before the 1960s and 1970s, it was common for most men to start to become more responsible after the age of 21. However as the world has changed, so too have the social norms around maturity and what is normal behavior for a 30-year-old man.

After turning 30, a man may consider himself as ‘getting older’. Even though most men will live until their mid to early 70s, for a 30-year-old man it can feel like the clock is ticking.

While not considered middle age, the landmark of turning 30 is one that most younger men see as the time to make positive life changes.

What Happens in Your 30s as a Man?

Most men will notice that alongside their physical changes, there are also emotional changes and lifestyle changes.

Emotional changes for a man can include desiring a committed healthy relationship, wanting more stability in home life, work, and career, and also valuing financial success.

Lifestyle changes for a man can include many friends getting married, not going out or socializing as much, and often a change of interests and hobbies.

Many 30-year-old men will lament the fact they don’t have as many friends as they used to, or that they don’t seem to be having as much fun in life.

While these complaints are common, they are also able to be remedied by making positive changes.

Common Life Changes for Men After 30

As men enter their 30s, they will often experience a range of physical, emotional, social, and lifestyle changes. While many young men may consider that life only gets more difficult as we get older, the reality is that many life changes for men can be positive as well.

Physical Changes for Men at 30

• Easier increase in weight gain
• Hair loss or thinning
• Reduced muscle mass
• Slower metabolism
• Increased risks of chronic diseases (heart disease, stroke, and diabetes)
  

Emotional Changes for Men at 30

• Desire for a committed, healthy relationship
• Seeking more stability in home life, work, and career
• Valuing financial stability and success
• Feeling more confident and self-assured
• Increased sense of responsibility
• Greater appreciation for family and friends
  

Lifestyle Changes for Men at 30

• Many friends getting married
• Not going out or socializing as much
• Change of interests and hobbies
• Increased focus on health and fitness
• More time spent at home
• Greater financial responsibilities
• Desire to spend time with older men
• Increased involvement in family and communities

The actual changes that take place for each individual will vary, but overall many 30 year old men will experience a range of these changes in a similar way.

Is 30 a Good Age for Men?

Obviously, each man is different both in temperament and the way they live their life. However, there does seem to be a lot of consensus among mid-life men that 30 is a good age.

At age 30, it is commonly agreed that you begin to care less what people think of you. You are also more likely to have some sense of direction and stability in life. Often you will feel like a more confident man after the age of 30.

On top of this, you will likely have deeper relationships, and a sense of importance in your career.

In short, life for men in their 30s is both exciting and challenging. It takes a change in mindset, and learning new skills. It also takes more patience and persistence to create a worthwhile life as a man in your 30s.

While there are no rules or standards that any modern man must follow, there are societal and biological norms that can change how a man lives after age 30.

You don’t need to make drastic life changes as man in your 30s. You simply need to look at your personal life, professional life, relationships, and life purpose to see if you are fulfilled.

The key is to be aware of what can change, embrace the changes as part of your life journey, and ensure you are gaining as much positive benefit as you can.

Life as a 30 year old man can be just as exciting but in deeper, more rewarding ways.

It’s up to each man in their 30s to choose how his life will unfold, and what he chooses to do with time and his energy.