MerakiDublin: 20's versus 30's

Three years ago when I turned 26, I thought the world was coming to an end. "Because next year I'll be 3 years away from 30. And that's old! I'd grimaced over a glass of wine to anyone who would listen. A year later and I realized it might be the best thing ever. If I made it through my twenties; through the bad haircuts, the crappy jobs and rotten relationships. On the downside, I'm halfway to collecting my pension, but them's the breaks.

Watching HBO's Girls - about 24-year-old Hannah and her three friends - it all came flooding back. All the twentysomething trials and tribulations that you have to chalk up to experience. Surrounding yourself with people you think are cool, but in reality make you unhappy? Mistake. Wearing tops so tight that it looks like your stomach is about to escape? Too curl. Being overlooked at work and letting it happen? Bad. But that's what your twenties are for. For realizing that people who aren't there for you do not deserve to be your friend.

For rolling into work with last night's make-up on, still a bit boozy, and realizing it's not such a great look. It's for getting 'it' out of your system - whether 'it' is a string of bad boys or simply putting to much trust in the wrong people. Whatever it is, once you've figured it out, you'll be in control.

69% of you feel bad about your diet and (lack of) exercise

95% of people compare yourselves unfavourably to other women

Worse still: half of you do this every day. "Being envious eats me up," admits a friend. Compari-syndrome can strike in every aspect of your life, from body image to career success.Why Your Twenties Matter And How To Make The Most Of Them Now, believes that self doubt sneaks in after school. "We don't know how we are doing because we don't get grades anymore. Instead we compare ourselves to others. But social media gives us a skewed view of our (and others') achievements. It's no coincidence that the biggest regret is: I wish I had believed in myself, and sooner. "The second I stopped trying to be perfect, a huge weight lifted - along with my confidence.”

72% of us regret at least one person you dated in your twenties

The crappy ex you went back to. Twice. The safe guy who made you slightly die inside (even with your clothes on). 28% of you regret staying in a relationship because it was comfortable, 24% for sticking despite the signs he was bad news and 21% for not having more sexual partners. "I wish, wish, wish I'd realized my self-worth in relationships sooner," says friend 1. "I stayed with guys because I thought no one else would love me. But settling for second best is a waste. As is having no confidence in the bedroom".

77% regret a one-night stand

61% of readers spend more than they earn

During my twenties, I had times when I barely had two baked beans to rub together. I couldn't save to buy anything like a house or a car, and a pension plan came a sorry second to a new outfit for Friday night(yet to get that pension started). 69% of us feel pressure to be financially independent - 16% of us have our credit card maxed out, 38% rely on your overdraft to live and 46% have no savings. "Spending is fun and debt is easily available - from store cards to overdrafts," explains friend2.It's no wonder people get into trouble, panic and then start lying about it [that's 23% of you]. If you find yourself in debt, there is always a solution. Cut up your card, YES REALLY.

20% of you have tried to do your job whilst drunk

In fact, 75% of you have done something drunk that you wouldn't do sober. Vomiting in a taxi. Falling head first into the cat litter tray.

So...we've all been there - or are still there. Walking home at seven in the morning, false eyelashes dangling. We could all do with saving a bit more money, and we could all spend less time in the bar. But "your twenties are a good time to make mistakes - because you can learn from experimentation, and trial and error,The biggest mistake you can make is spending too much time on the mistake. I see women who know their relationships are unhealthy or who know their jobs aren't right, but because they feel their twenties somehow don't count and there is plenty of time later, they stay stuck in situations they know are bad. So, if there's one thing to do now - whether your 20, 30 or any age whatsoever - it's to be confident and trust yourself. Because all that stuff that happens (even the embarrassing bits) makes you who you are!!

OMG, they said what?

If you haven't done it the girls from Girls have

On dating the good guys

Marnie: "He's, like, so busy respecting me, you know, that he looks right past me and everything that I need from him."

On alcohol

Hannah: "Last time I got drunk, I ate all this brie and threw up on my cell phone."

On STIs

Shoshanna: "Jessa has HPV, like a couple of different strains of it. She says that all adventurous women do."

So as I fast approach the big 30 I say this, yes I have made some major mistakes, yes I have let boys break my heart, walk all over me, I have drank way to much wine,beer,whiskey,cocktails…I have regrets on even who I allowed into my life, but as I sit here sober as a nun a year now, not one boy messing with my head and happily paid all my bills….. 30 brings?

I dance however I want….