Remember when Halloween [1] was simple? All you had to do was wear a pair of cat ears and show some cleavage. Then you turned 30 [2], and suddenly nothing made sense anymore. Does turning 30 mean you have to start renting expensive costumes? Or not dressing up at all? What exactly is the proper grown-up balance between fun-size candy bars and cocktails? Sure, your 20s were all fun and games [3] — as they should be — but becoming a 30-something comes with some faux pas. Here's what you should quit doing on All Hallows' Eve once 29 has come and gone.
- Going out just because your friend's text says you absolutely have to.
- Getting sloppy drunk.
- Wearing a costume [4] that is impossible to sit down, stand up, or move in.
- Eating tons of candy [5] all night.
- Forgetting to take off your costume makeup before going to bed.
- Feeling obligated to go to more than one party. Or any party.
- Doing something just for the Instagram photo.
- Taking the next day of work off.
- Spending too much money on an event ticket.
- Clubbing.
- Being annoyed that someone is wearing the same costume as you.
- Skipping out on Halloween if you're a parent [6].
- Dressing like a sexy nurse [7] if you don't want to.
- Trick-or-treating.
- Taking Jell-O shots.
- Feeling like you have to coordinate a group costume [8] with 20 of your friends.
- Wearing shoes you have to take off halfway through the night.
- Taking part in elaborate pranks that will inevitably come back to haunt you.
- Snapchatting your entire night.
- Drinking any beverage that's an unnaturally vibrant color — or uses dry ice.
- Feeling guilty for staying home passing out candy.
- Stressing out about not having the perfect plan.
- Throwing your own epic party that trashes your house.
- Doing anything you don't want to do. Make it enjoyable!