Turning 35 can feel like a major milestone.
You’re no longer in your early adult years, and yet you’re not quite “over the hill” either. It’s a unique time where experience, curiosity, and a sense of urgency can combine to create powerful changes in your life.
Some people worry about the boxes they haven’t checked off yet—like owning a home, getting married, or earning a certain salary.
But I’ve come to realize that what really matters are the deeper, more intrinsic achievements that can set you apart in terms of personal growth and overall life satisfaction.
Here at DM News, we like to focus on those inner wins that shape your mindset and your future.
So today, let’s talk about six things that, if you’ve achieved them by 35, put you on a whole different level.
1. You have built self-awareness
Knowing who you are—the good, the bad, and the in-between—is huge. It’s not just about understanding your likes and dislikes, although that’s important.
It’s also about recognizing your triggers, your patterns, and the subconscious habits that influence your decisions.
Self-awareness means you understand how you come across to others and how to manage your emotions in challenging situations.
This isn’t some mystical quality that only “enlightened” people have. It’s a skill that anyone can develop through journaling, therapy, mindfulness practices, or even just honest conversations with friends who call you out on your blind spots.
One quote that always reminds me of the importance of self-awareness is from Dale Carnegie, who famously said, “When dealing with people, remember you are not dealing with creatures of logic, but with creatures of emotion.”
Recognizing this fact about ourselves—and about others—helps us become more empathetic, more strategic, and frankly, more human.
If by 35 you’ve honed the ability to look inward and spot your emotional patterns before they hijack your decision-making, you’re already on a trajectory most people never truly embark on.
2. You’ve achieved financial stability (or at least have a plan)
You don’t need to be a millionaire by 35 (though if you are, awesome!).
The key is having a solid financial foundation and a sense of control over your economic life.
This could mean having a decent emergency fund saved, paying down high-interest debts, or simply knowing where your money goes each month.
Personally, when I was still knee-deep in my digital marketing career, I spent years chasing gigs that felt lucrative in the short term but never gave me the stability I craved.
It wasn’t until I made a plan—clearly outlined my expenses, projected my freelance income, and automated my savings—that I started feeling less anxious about money.
I remember reading somewhere that financial stress is one of the biggest causes of sleepless nights, not to mention relationship tension.
According to a study from the Duke University, finances consistently rank as one of the top sources of stress among adults.
When you overcome that stress by establishing a reliable financial cushion or at least a strategic budget, you free up mental real estate.
That space can then be used for creativity, personal development, and bigger life goals. If by 35 you have a steady handle on your finances—or are actively implementing a plan to get there—you’re definitely leveling up.
3. You nurture meaningful connections
Have you ever noticed that the people who seem happiest and most grounded in life usually have a solid inner circle? Meaningful relationships, whether romantic, familial, or platonic, are a game-changer.
By the time you hit your mid-thirties, you’ve probably said goodbye to the energy-draining friendships of your twenties.
You begin to realize there’s less time for drama and more desire for supportive, engaging bonds. It might mean having just a couple of close friends who truly get you rather than a giant social circle of casual acquaintances.
This isn’t just about emotional support either. Strong relationships can lead to collaborative opportunities, career insights, and overall happiness. As social creatures, we thrive when we feel like we belong.
When you find those people who genuinely celebrate your wins and stand by you during your low points, you’re operating at a different frequency.
You’re also likely a better friend and partner yourself because you’re invested in reciprocity, not just what you can get out of others.
If you’ve cultivated a meaningful support system by 35—people you can laugh, cry, and debate life’s big questions with—you’re elevating your social capital in the best possible way.
4. You prioritize your mental and physical health
I used to think of “health” as hitting the gym a few times a week and avoiding too many late-night burgers. But the older I get, the more I’ve come to see that health is a holistic endeavor.
It’s not just about physical strength or staying in a certain weight range. It’s about feeding your mind with positive inputs, learning to manage stress, and treating your body like the vehicle you’ll ride in for the rest of your life.
When I was traveling a lot for consulting projects back in my digital marketing days, my routine got chaotic. I’d eat on the fly, skip workouts, and push myself until I was burnt out.
A friend finally intervened, reminding me that I could either invest in my well-being now or pay the price later. That simple truth stuck with me.
By 35, if you’ve made your health—both mental and physical—a non-negotiable, you’re definitely on a higher level.
You recognize that your energy and longevity directly impact your ability to show up for work, relationships, and personal passions.
5. You’ve found (or are creating) your sense of purpose
Not everyone wakes up at 20 or even 30 with a crystal-clear sense of purpose. Most of us stumble around, try out different roles, or follow the well-meaning advice of others before we figure out what really drives us.
I’ve mentioned this in a previous post but it’s worth repeating: discovering your purpose often comes down to stepping out of your comfort zone.
That could mean pursuing a side hustle that excites you, volunteering for a cause you care about, or immersing yourself in a new culture just to see how other people live.
If by 35 you have an idea of the impact you want to make—beyond just paying your bills and collecting a paycheck—you’re ahead of the curve.
This doesn’t necessarily mean you must run a non-profit or become a social media guru. Purpose can manifest in how you raise your kids, how you mentor junior colleagues, or how you create art that uplifts others.
Gary Vaynerchuk once said, “Skills are cheap. Passion is priceless.” If you’ve discovered that priceless passion and you’re channeling it into something meaningful by your mid-thirties, you’ll find a level of fulfillment many people chase for a lifetime.
6. You embrace lifelong learning
It’s easy to assume that once you’ve got a decent job, some life experience, and a few achievements under your belt, you can cruise. But anyone who’s truly hitting their stride by 35 is usually someone who keeps learning.
Lifelong learners are curious, open-minded, and excited about the world around them.
Whether it’s picking up new skills for your career, reading about psychology studies to understand human behavior, or simply exploring hobbies like photography or cooking, you keep stretching your mind.
Cal Newport, known for his work on deep work and focus, frequently talks about the value of deliberate practice—where you push your cognitive abilities to their limit.
The more we challenge ourselves to learn deeply, the more doors we open, both professionally and personally.
Embracing continuous learning keeps you adaptable. It helps you stay relevant in a constantly changing world, from evolving tech trends to shifting cultural norms.
If by 35 you’re still soaking up knowledge with the enthusiasm of a wide-eyed college freshman, trust me, you’re operating on a whole different playing field.
Putting it all together
So, there you have it—six key achievements that can put you on a completely different level by the time you hit 35.
These accomplishments aren’t flashy, and you probably won’t get a trophy for them. Instead, they show up in the quality of your decisions, relationships, and overall life satisfaction.
It’s worth noting that this isn’t a strict checklist. Life doesn’t always go in a straight line, and we all grow at our own pace.
But if you recognize yourself in these six areas—self-awareness, financial stability, meaningful connections, holistic health, a sense of purpose, and a commitment to learning—take a moment to appreciate how far you’ve come.
And if you’re still working on some of these, consider it an ongoing process rather than a deadline. After all, every day is a chance to fine-tune who you are and where you’re going.
That’s what we’re all about here at DM News—helping you stay informed, inspired, and empowered as you navigate these milestones.
By prioritizing these core aspects of life, you’re not just coasting through your thirties. You’re leveling up in a way that goes far beyond checking the usual “adulting” boxes.
You’re creating a life driven by authenticity, resilience, and meaningful growth.
Keep going—you’ve got this. And chances are, if you keep building on these foundations, your best is still yet to come.
