It’s Friday night. I’m sitting on my couch (in my PJs) watching Shark Tank, and drinking a glass of champagne. All while Marshall tries to bite my computer screen. That’s pretty much my life these days, and I can’t say that I hate it.
Turning 3o this week has me reflecting on this past decade of my life, and all that I’ve learned. It’s crazy to think how far away my 20 year old self seems! It’s hard to remember that person sometimes. Since I tied the knot two years ago, it’s like all of a sudden I’m a grown up. In the blink of an eye, I’m married to my best friend, have a successful career, a mortgage, a dog, and LOTS of responsibility. It’s crazy! I finally feel like I’m becoming the woman that I always knew I could be, and that woman is a strong, smart, and compassionate. An independent soul, who just wants world peace. For real. Today I’m sharing the 30 most important things I’ve learned in my old age (ha), in the hopes you’ll take just one of these and apply it to your own life in some way. Let’s get to it!
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30 Things I Learned Before 30 (in no particular order)
- Always be a kind human. This is most important. You never know what people are going through and kindness can go a long way.
- I like sitting in the front. No matter if it’s school, a work out class, or a work presentation…sit in the front. No need to hide.
- Have the guts to change.
- Be ruthless for your own well-being.
- Say no. It’s OKAY to say no!! This was a hard one for me to learn but it’s been vital to my health and sanity.
- Stop worrying, it’s not productive. I’m a huge worrier, and I mean I worry about everything. What if our roof collapses, what if we lose our house, what if I lose my job, what if…….STOP, STOP, STOP! Try practicing mindfulness or doing yoga once a week to ease your mind.
- Quality over quantity. For real though….one thing I’ve learned over the years is that I rather buy the more expensive, really nice jeans that will last me a long time over the three or four cheap ones.
- Keeping up with the Jones will kill you. It’s normal to always want what other people have, but your life is just as great. Appreciate what you have.
- Love that you’re a work-in-progress. What’s the fun in being perfect? Accept that you’ll always being aiming for something better because it makes the journey getting there, much more fun.
- Work is what you do, NOT who you are. If you know me, you know I work A LOT. Just recently, I realized as important as my career is to me, it’s not who I am as a person. I work to live, not live to work.
- Be a great friend. My friends mean everything to me and I wouldn’t be half as confident without them, so be good to them.
- Treat yourself.
- Try something new. Keep yourself on your toes. Don’t get comfortable.
- Make date night a priority.
- Nothing good happens past midnight. It took me a long time to realize my parents were right – ha!
- Accept your path. More than ever before, I’ve needed to remind myself that whatever will be, will be. Do your best to accept that and you’ll be happier.
- It’s okay to feel lost. You will find yourself.
- Stop with the excuses. It’s so unbecoming.
- SAVE your money. Okay, yes, I said to treat yourself in #12, but that’s only once and a while! The rest of the time you should be saving your money for retirement, a house, or a grand vacation. One day, we’ll all be old and we’ll thank our young selves.
- Let it go. No matter if it’s a person, an argument or grudge, you have to let it go. Life is too short and you’ll regret it later on.
- DANCE like nobody is watching. An old saying, but truly life-changing.
- A perfect diet does not exist.
- Don’t be afraid. I spent a lot of my twenties constantly being afraid of what people thought about me. I was also afraid to speak my opinion at work. I feared that people would think I’m stupid, but that’s just not true at all. People don’t judge you as much as you think, and everyone brings a different perspective to this world.
- Take care of the environment.
- Never go to sleep angry. Andrew and I have a pact (it was his idea) that we will not go to sleep if we’re mad at each other. Apologize and say I love you. You’ll feel better in the morning.
- Pretty is as pretty does. One of my favorite quotes ever. You are only as pretty as your actions.
- If you get tired, rest.
- Don’t apologize if it’s not your fault.
- There is no secret to success. Just a lot of hard work and determination.
- Fall in love, but don’t lose yourself. <3
Learn more about me here. xoxo – lauren