Congrats! I kinda wanted to do this when I hit 30 originally.
I've fluctuated up and down since peaking at level 32 (I may have hit higher, but I forget). However, I think I play a lot better—or at least have a greater understanding of the game—(as a level 28) than when I was ranked that highly. My play style has changed drastically since then, though. Primarily because I had some epiphanies regarding end game strategies, and engine building, but the learning process often involves trying out new things and then losing with them, which dropped my level significantly. When I want it I still have a strong big money game (which is what got me to 32 originally), but rounding myself out and learning how to switch between strategies and gauge when engines will beat big money and vice versa is more fun, and I think more useful to developing myself as a player overall.
Edit: I guess the advice I'm giving is keep yourself open to learning and don't worry too much about protecting your level. In the end it's just a number (and besides these numbers will be wiped and we'll all be starting from scratch soon anyways)