30 Things I Learned Before Turning 30…

So this year is my last year in my 20s….I have learned A LOT in this decade. There is definitely a difference from when I turned 20 until now. All I can say is THANK GOD FOR GROWTH!!

1. It’s ok to say NO – I learned to stop spreading myself thin around 26ish. Trying to go to every event you’re invited to or doing something you really don’t want to do just to spare feelings. You will drive yourself crazy!

2. It’s ok to say YES – opposite from number 1 right? I got into the habit of saying no so much that I stopped myself from having fun. Sometimes I have made myself go places I did not want to go and actually ended up enjoying myself. So, saying YES can be a happy ending.

3. You need BALANCE – Hence the previous two. Say yes, say no; eat healthy, have some junk; spend a day doing nothing, spend a day doing everything. Routine gets pretty boring, so mixing things a little will do you some good.

4. Listen to the UNIVERSE – I don’t know if it’s a gut feeling, women’s intuition, or just God speaking to you, but we all get that feeling where something isn’t right, or something feels good. I’ve learned to listen to that voice a little more. It’s been working in my favor.

5. PROTECT YOUR ENERGY. It is important to cut all negative ENERGY, even if that includes family. Some people just want you in their lives based off what you can do for them. The relationship is only beneficial for them and not for you. Cut it!

6. SELF-CARE is important. Whatever self-care means for you, do it! Whether that is calling out of work (even if you’re not sick), taking a trip by yourself, or pampering yourself. No one will take care of you like you take care of yourself.

7. You don’t have to wait for PERFECTION to start something new. Start whatever you have in mind. Work with what you have and everything else will fall into place.

8. PLAN your work and WORK your plan. I’ve learned I can hope, wish, and dream all day but until I actually put forth some effort, I will always be hoping, wishing, and dreaming.

9. Ignoring your problems, does not make them go away. I am guilty of this. Usually I will say something like, “I will take care of it on my day off.” You can definitely use the “plan your work” line for this one. Problems may not go away in a day, but you can always work on the solution.

10. Don’t be afraid of new EXPERIENCES. It’s ok to go somewhere you’ve never been, taste something you’ve never had. Invite new things into your life. Remember, it’s ok to say yes.

11. TRAVEL – I am the happiest when I am traveling. Especially, when it is somewhere I have never been. Go see what’s out there! The world is a much bigger place than the state you live in!

12. You don’t need a huge circle of FRIENDS. If you are lucky enough to have a huge circle of friends, then great! But really, you only need a good 2-3 that you can always count on.

13. It cost nothing to be NICE to others – a few kind words goes a long way.

14. Do not let others DEFINE who you are. You are your own person. Don’t let anyone change you. If so, it should be to enhance you.

15. Do whatever makes you HAPPY! And I do mean whatever! I’ve learned that I should not let anyone control my happiness. I am in control of that!

16. Your 30 year old Body Is Not Your 20 year old Body! Speaking of happy, FOOD makes me happy. But I have learned I cannot eat the things I used to when I was 21! Bodies start to change around 27ish lol

17. INDULGE in something you love! You may not be able to eat the things you use to but that doesn’t mean you should not indulge in some of your favorites. I had a college professor that once said, “people are the happiest when they are eating the things they love.” I believe it!

18. TAKE CARE of yourself. Sun, Sleep, Exercise, Vegetables, and Water is the best thing you can do for your body!

19. MOISTURIZE! The older the you get, your skin becomes tricky. Find a good moisturizer for your face and skin.

20. Moderation is Key! Also, I have learned, binge drinking Until your head is over a toilet is no longer my idea of “turning up.” 2 glasses of WINE and I’m turnt! So find a nice wine that you like. (Chateau Ste. Michelle Riesling is my favorite!)

21. SLEEP! Bedtime definitely gets earlier and earlier every year. I’m at 10pm now.

22. MUSIC is Therapy! I’ve also learned that rap music is becoming my least favorite genre of music. I get headaches and sometimes can’t decipher the lyrics. Give me some jazz music any day!

23. KNOW YOURSELF. Learn your likes, dislikes, personality, and your flaws. Accept what you can’t change and be open to changing things that will make you a better person.

24. CHANGE is good! Whether you change yourself, change your environment, even changing your hairstyle. It feels good to do something different.

25. LOVE those who love you! No one is perfect. Especially, when it comes to relationships. We all have this list of everything we want in a partner…sometimes those imperfections in a partner are what we need.

26. Compromise. I don’t have much to say about this one because honestly, this is something that I am still learning. I can be stubborn. But it is healthy for any relationship.

27. It is ok to VENT – Just make sure the person you’re venting to has the mental capacity to listen. Not everyone is in the mood to hear your problems, especially when they have their own.

28. There is nothing wrong with seeing a THERAPIST! NOTHING! MENTAL HEALTH is just as important as physical health. I’ve been recently struggling with anxiety and I am learning what works best for me.

29. PRAYER WORKS! If you grew up in church like myself, then you probably knew how to pray at an early age. As we grow older and move on with our busy lives, we might stray away from a simple little prayer. But it definitely helps!

30. LEARN from your experiences. Everything that has happened in your life was suppose to happen! There is nothing you could have done to change what has already been written. Take those experiences, learn and grow from them to be the best person you can be!