First things first, I have been writing this post for M O N T H S, I have put my heart and soul into it. I wanted to give my followers/readers/friends something that was meaningful and not just another simple fashion or info post. So here goes nothing....
Ahhh I can not believe I have made it to 30 years old!! This has been such a bumpy ride but a rewarding ride nonetheless. And over the past 30 years I have learned SO much, from love and marriage, to mistakes and triumphs, and from freedom wild life to mommy life. I want to highlight what I've learned so far.
1. LIFE GOES BY SO DANG FAST. I still have moments where I can not believe I graduated high school over 11 years ago. There are even brief moments where I feel 21. If there is anything I could go back and do it wouldn't be to change ANYTHING but to stop and enjoy moments a little bit longer. Every single second of life, embrace it! I can not stress this point enough, the next time you are laughing around family or friends or the next time you are enjoying your favorite food, stop for a brief second and embrace that moment. And since learning this, from this moment on I will do just that.
2. HOLD ON TIGHT TO YOUR LOVED ONES. Life is so short - don't hold grudges, you will regret it! Check in on your family and friends - send a weekly text, let them know you are thinking about them and you are there for them. My biggest regret is not talking or holding on to my friends and family who have passed away. I would give anything to go back to that last moment I talked to them and tell them how much I appreciated them.
3. NEVER SKIP OUT ON LOVE. Love is scary and its hard but don't turn your back on it, you will never know where following your heart may lead you.
4. READ READ AND READ AGAIN. Read everything and anything. Reading is the only way you will ever gain knowledge and learn new things.
5. NEVER DRINK AND DRIVE. I have seen and personally experience this and after learning from others and their misfortunes - I never drink and drive... that's what Uber and friends were made for.
6. LOVE YOUR PARENTS. I remember being in my teens and thinking my parents didn't know anything about life. Then in my early twenties I thought how my parents never understood me. NOW I realized I was the one who didn't know anything and they understand more about me than I know about myself.
7. BLARE THE RADIO. I have had the best jam sessions after a bad or sad day in my car with the radio blaring and the windows rolled down.
8. ALWAYS BRING A HOST GIFT. People tend to go above and beyond when hosting, the smallest gift is such a huge gratitude in exchange.
9. BEING A MOM IS THE BEST JOB EVER. I have gone through so many jobs.. associate, teachers aid, waitress, bartender, admin, and there is no job better than being a mom. The minute you hear the first cry, your whole life changes and you have someone who will love you forever.
10. COOK. I remember teaching myself to cook and being so terrified of messing up, but some of my wildest recipes have turned out to be my favorite.
11. LOVE WORKING OUT. Not everyone "enjoys" working out but find your niche and learn to love moving your body. Walks, yoga, weight lifting, just move!
12. NEVER EXPECT ANYTHING IN RETURN. There are countless times when I would do and give and give and never get anything in return and would feel crushed. Now I give and never expect anything and I am satisfied with knowing that I did my part.
13. INDULGE IN FOOD. Yep I said it, if you want the cupcake or cookies... EAT IT! You only live once and you deserve to indulge in your cravings.
14. VOICE YOUR OPINION. There were so many moments in my life that I allowed people to talk down to me and I stayed silent. If only I would have voiced my feelings and stood up for myself - things would have been different.
15. DON'T EVER JUDGE. As the saying goes... you never know what someone is going through or have been through so don't ever judge someone else for what they wear, what they do, or how they speak.
16. NEVER TELL A SECRET. If someone tells you something personal, always keep it to yourself. You don't want to break that trust.
17. DONT KEEP GOING. Yeah you read that right.. being successful and happy means giving yourself a break and relaxing.
18. TAKE CARE OF YOUR MARRIAGE FIRST. My parents taught me that you choose your spouse first before anyone and anything. When everything is said and done you spouse will be the one standing by your side, even when your kids grow up and leave, you spouse is the one who stays with you. Grow your marriage daily and love all over daily.
19. DON'T WORRY/DON'T STRESS. Anytime I stress out or worry my husband always says 'what is worrying going to get you?' 'is it going to make your life easier or better?' Stressing and worrying will never get you anything or get you anywhere.. so breath and relax.
20. WAKE UP EARLY OR GO TO SLEEP LATE. Take some time for yourself, by yourself by waking up early or staying up late.
21. START EACH DAY AS A NEW DAY. I have lived by this for a very long time. Anytime a bad day happens or an arguments creates a bad day, I go to sleep at night and let everything go, and wake up with a new mindset and forget about the worries from the day before.
22. TAKE ALL THE PICTURES. Someone once told me that they had way to many pictures of their kids. IMPOSSIBLE. Take all the pictures. PRINT THEM OUT and remember every sweet moment.
23. CHOCOLATE AND WINE is the best combo ever invented.
24. SHARE. Share your most inner thoughts with the world.. I know if I didn't I wouldn't have this blog today. Ok I understand it may not be easy to share your feelings with the world but share it with someone, someone you trust.
25. WRITE. If you can't share your thoughts - write them! Jot everything down and go back years later and read how far you've come.
26. BE READY TO BAKE. Someone once told me to have cookies ready (even if its the refrigerator cookies) when guests come over. You never know when guests will pop up so always be prepared.
27. WHEN LAYING IN BED AT NIGHT. COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS. There are so many times when I am laying in bed restless or tossing and turning or I cant turn my brain off. So I start to count my blessings and become satisfied with life and fall asleep instantly.
28. FRIENDSHIPS DON'T LAST FOREVER. My mom once told me that people come into your life for a purpose and once that purpose is over the friendship ends. It doesn't mean that the friendship wasn't valued, it just means its time for a new chapter with new people.
29. HAVE FUN!! Seriously just enjoy life and have fun - as my husband says 'no one comes out alive' so enjoy your life and everything and everyone in it.
30. LASTLY... and probably the most important LOVE YOURSELF. Gosh I can't believe it has taken me so long to truly love myself. Who I am, what I look like, how I act, the person I see in the mirror. I can honestly say I love the person I have become. I have overcame so many emotional and mental obstacles that shaped me into the person I am today.
If you have made it this far, WOW thank you so much! I appreciate you reading and letting me share my thoughts... now to go celebrate me turning the big 3-0!! Ahh!!
Love a 30 year old
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