I don’t know if it’s because this is my first birthday being a mom or just age in general…but I woke up very “in my feelings” this morning. I sat down with a cup of coffee and started making a list of everything I wish I could have told myself when I was in my early 20s. Here’s a list of 30 things I’ve learned in 30 (ish) years.
- Use the fancy China every chance you get. I heard a story about an old lady who passed away. When her children came to clean out her house they found her wedding China unopened in its box after 60+ years. She never thought there was an occasion that was special enough to use it. That’s always stuck with me.
- Go all out for celebrations and milestones (and take pictures). You never know when it will be someone’s last.
- Make sleep a priority.
- Using a red lightbulb at night is life changing.
- You know that feeling when someone is talking and you think of something to add to the conversation, so you just sit there waiting for them to stop talking so that you can speak? In that moment, stop and really listen to what they are saying, then ask 2 follow up questions before you add what you want to say. This will literally change your life.
- Related to #5 , read “How To Win Friends and Influence People” by Dale Carnegie. You will feel like the smartest person in the room.
- Red wine from Austria is the best tasting wine on the planet.
- Be grateful for where you are and how far you’ve come. You may think “I’ll be happy when___ , or I’ll be less stressed once I have a certain amount of money, or this job title, or this many children. Life is a series of obstacles and you will only be content when you can be grateful right where you are.
- Celebrate the ordinary moments. These are what make up most of our lives.
- You are not a victim. Life is a series of decisions. Your circumstances today are a result of decisions you made yesterday. If you don’t like something, change it.
- You will feel better if you cut down on processed foods.
- Run towards fires and not away from them. Aka if there is a problem- take action immediately. Procrastinating things that give you anxiety or seem scary will just make it worse.
- Call your grandparents often.
- Spend time with your parents, they’re getting older too.
- Don’t get stuck with analysis paralysis. Pray, guess, and go.
- Don’t wait until everything is perfect to get started on that idea. Start now and learn along the way.
- Get your eyebrows micro bladed. It will change your whole face for the better.
- Stop worrying about what other people think, they are so busy worrying about their own lives that they really aren’t paying that much attention to you anyway. Google the “spotlight effect.”
- Learn the serenity prayer. You cannot change anyone’s mind, make someone take action, or force someone make a different decision. You cannot want it more than they do. This is especially hard if you have a loved one making destructive choices.
- Protect your peace. Don’t spend so much energy trying to help others to the point of it affecting your mental health.
- Get a fancy coffee cup that you love. It’s a little spark of joy to kickstart your day.
- Nature is healing for the soul. Get outside if you’re feeling down.
- Always leave earlier than you think you need to, being on time is important.
- Write down your prayers. When you look back on them you can see clearly how the Lord has answered.
- Invest in high quality skincare. You only get one face!
- The days are long but the years are short. Everything has a season and is only temporary.
- There is nothing sweeter in life than a baby falling asleep on your chest.
- Making your bed every morning is the fastest way to make you feel like you have your life together.
- Forgive. Let it go. Bitterness, anger, and resentment don’t serve you. They only eat you alive. It’s drinking a vile of poison but expecting the other person to die.
- Don’t waste time worrying about things you cannot control. (Matthew 6:34)
Cheers to another year. Thanks so much for reading!
Xo – Lo
