34 Lessons From 34 Years

I love my 30s. I feel like for the first time since college I've hit a new burst of energy for life that I'd lost for a while and I'm learning again. I feel like so much of the first 3 decades of my life were based on learning skills and tasks. Things you have to learn but for the first time in my life I'm learning simply from a place of desire, not requirement and it's so freeing and inspiring. So as my birthday approached (July babies! Woot Woot!) I was thinking about some of the things I've learned in my life that everyone should know. So here they are in no particular order, my stream of consciousness. Family is everything - but you also get to pick some of your family and it's okay to end relationships with family members who hurt you. Real friends accept your flaws and inspire you to be your best. Jealousy is a wasted emotion. Avoid mixing liquors. And always drink water before, during, and after when you're drinking booze. Having a positive mindset is essential but you're allowed to have bad days just don't stay in them. Most things are easier to do than we think they are. The real challenge is making yourself do them. It's good to have goals you're working towards but sometimes it's good to have a season of contentment where you enjoy where you are. We live in a world and if you're in the U.S. you know everyone seems to be working towards something until retirement. A diploma, a degree, a family, a house, a job, a promotion, a raise….and on and on. But we also need to sit in our victories the same way we do our losses and appreciate how far we've come and what we've accomplished. Give people their flowers. Telling some random woman at the store her dress is cute might not mean much to you but it might brighten her day. Spread love. Be aware of the type of content you're consuming. I enjoy true crime but I limit it. The world has some dark stuff in it and I think it's good to be aware but not consumed. Always carry water and some kind of snack. No is a complete sentence. You don't have to have all the answers, Before you ask a question to someone else, ask yourself if you could google this. It's okay to ask for what you want or deserve. It's sometimes the only way you'll get it. Instead, the person is waiting for you to ask or they can't give you what you need and then you can open space for someone who can. This goes for business and relationships. Never stop learning. Sign up Wondrium, Use your vacation days. Even if you're the next Derek Sheppard, someone else can fill in for you. Don't make promises you can't keep. Naps aren't just for kids. Check yourself and check in with yourself often. If you have always wanted to xyz then figure out how you can do it. Hire people to do things when you can't. -Experts, people who will charge you less an hour than you make an hour. Trust your gut AFTER you learn how to read it. Cry. Tell people you love them every chance you get. Forgive yourself. You are always going to be the only person you can 100% say you'll have, forgive yourself. It's hard to live with someone you're mad at or don't trust. Go on dates. With your partner, with your friends, and with yourself. You are complete on your own. Anyone who comes into your life and improves it is just a bonus. Get out of bad situations as fast as you can. Pay attention to not just what people say but what they do. Everyone gets embarrassed. Everyone has fears. If they say they don't they might have more fears and embarrassment than us all. If a movie is terrible, you don't have to watch the whole thing. Laugh, it's the best medicine. Spend time with the people who make you laugh. Find that stupid thing that you might be embarrassed about that makes you laugh and enjoy it. Don't buy cheap foil… It's not worth it. You use more of the cheap stuff and it rips easily. Age is just a number.