I always love reading blog posts where people reflect on what they’ve learned right before a milestone birthday. Hearing what impacted someone’s life can be life changing in and of itself. Without further ado, here are the top things I’ve learned in my 30 years!
I’ve learned a lot in my first 30 years.
Today, at 7:47pm on the nose, I will turn 30 years old. WTF. 😳 I remember being in middle school hating that I wasn’t an adult yet. I couldn’t wait to be older – to make my own choices, and be independent. It always felt like I wasn’t taken seriously enough because of my age, but now that I think back, I can’t fathom how quickly time moved to get me here. This is the first birthday that I feel I am really stepping into the age I am turning, if that makes sense. I joke that each birthday I am getting closer to my true mid-forties age that I’ve always been.
I recently sold my first home, moved to a different city, have lots of plans for travel, and with all of that, I feel I am becoming a new iteration of myself. It’s brought a lot of deep thought, gratitude, and reflection. Rather than do a whole “30 things I’ve learned by age 30” post, I thought I’d share a few key takeaways from my first 30 years on Earth.
Mindset
This one is rather simple, but arguably the most important. What you think is what you create. If you think the world is evil, you’ll find evil. If you think that people are good, good people will surround you. Reminding myself of this, especially when things get low or tough, has helped create hugely positive shifts in my life! If you’re a little woo like me, this ties into manifestation and alignment so beautifully.
Money
Money and people should be treated equally. If you suffocate them, stay angry with them, and talk shit about them, they aren’t going to want to hang around you for very long. But, if you love on them, value them, and make them feel important, they’ll show up for you in big ways. To be honest, I didn’t realize or implement this practice until very recently – and it’s amazing how quickly I’m reaping the benefits. When you start to treat money kindly and with joy, especially in conversations, you’ll see how negatively most people talk about it. I’ve had several friends and family members bring up how positively I speak about money, and how they’re trying to do the same – best compliment!
Life
There are quite a few takeaways I have in this category!
- Leave space for people to surprise you. I think it’s also important to note that how people (including you!) show up online isn’t necessarily how they are in person – and that’s ok.
- 99% of the time, a persons negative reaction towards you has nothing to do with you, and everything to do with them.
- The version of life that you have envisioned for yourself might not come true. It’s a hard truth, I know. The silver lining? It might be even better than what you imagined.
- You can always go back home. With that in mind, take the risk, lean in to what’s calling you! I know it’s corny and over-said, but this life we are living is the only version of it we get to experience… so have some fun.
Choice
Each one of us has a choice in how we react, how we speak to ourselves and others, and how we show up. We are surrounded by choices, and we can always always always choose a different option or direction if the first choice doesn’t work out. In the last decade alone, I’ve moved around to different cities, jobs, friendships, the list goes on. I am just now beginning to feel confident in my ability to choose, and I am trusting myself more each day. I don’t have steps or a how-to on getting to this point, because it just kind of happened. All I can say is learn how to get quiet enough to hear yourself over everyone and everything else – and know it takes a hell of a lot of patience and humility.
A few parting thoughts as I enter my 30th year; my third decade of life…
Up until recently, I have spent a lot of time focusing on my career, and not a lot of time spent concerned with romantic relationships. I don’t have regrets – I love that I took time to focus on what I wanted for myself. What I am recognizing now is that I feel older, but so new to the concept of dating. It’s an interesting and uncomfortable place for me to find myself, but I’m taking my own advice and trying to lean in.
I’ve identified as a people pleaser for, well, forever. I’d make jokes about it and tell myself how it was “so terrible” and “ruining my life”, yet not do a damn thing to mitigate the problem. Over the past few months I’ve begun to feel myself have less and less energy to go out of my way to please others. It’s not to say I’ve become jaded – I’ve just realized that spending my time and energy people pleasing isn’t adding value to my life or goals, and that’s the number one priority.
I hope this post brings up some new ways of thinking, allows you to reflect on your own journey thus far, or at least was entertaining for you to dive into today!
Lots of love 💜