I’ve always loved these types of blog posts and I knew that I wanted to spend some time on my birthday to write some of the things I have learned in my life so far for myself in my journal basically as a reminder to carry these lessons into the next phase of my life. I realized about halfway through that I would want to share these, so I hope you enjoy reading them as much as I enjoyed writing them.
The timeline of your life is your own. Build it how you want it to look.
No is a full sentence that does not require explanation. Setting boundaries isn’t rude, it’s self-care.
Always wash your face before going to bed. Your mother wasn’t just telling you this for no reason.
Sometimes friendship is only seasonal. That’s ok. Enjoy the season and then move on while wishing them well.
Move your body in a way that feels good to you. You don’t need to follow any particular exercise trend. Everyone has a different body that likes different types of movement. Find your own and let go of the guilt when it doesn’t look like routines of those around you.
Invest in a comfortable bed. You spend a lot of time there.
Tell the people you love that you love them. Tell them often.
Keep a journal. It’s amazing what you can learn about yourself when you go back and read old entries.
Some parts of your career you will chase money and some you will chase happiness. Both are ok to chase.
Don’t save things only for special occasions. Every single day you are alive is a special occasion.
Spend time telling your body that you’re grateful for it. You don’t have to like your body every day but you should always be grateful for lungs that breathe, a heart that beats, hands to hold, and legs that allow you to move.
No one has it figured out. Experts are always learning. You don’t need to strive to be the expert in the room, you should just strive to constantly be open to learning.
Do things outside of your comfort zone, but if you feel deep down in your gut that you shouldn’t do something. Listen. Don’t do it.
Some people are just toxic. You don’t need to interact with them. If they cause you stress and anxiety it’s ok to remove yourself from situations that would put you in contact with them.
Don’t shrink yourself just to make someone else feel bigger. Your ideas are valid. Speak them.
Celebrate your successes. If the people in your life are unable to celebrate with you, realize that their inability to do so is caused by their own insecurities.
Love your pets hard. They have a short life span and deserve to be spoiled with love the whole time.
Clean your house for yourself the way you would if you had company coming over. You are worthy of living in a beautiful clean space.
Buy bras that actually fit. Not just the cheapest ones.
Not all people are good. Don’t expect the best from everyone. Not all people are bad. Don’t expect the worst from everyone.
The stress you cause yourself over food choices is worse for you than whatever food you think is ‘bad’ for you.
Eat for nourishment and to feel good, not to look a certain way.
Find routines that make you happy. If you hate waking up early, don’t. If you hate journalling at night, don’t. Routines are to help bring joy to your life. Don’t spend time doing things you hate just because you think you’re supposed to.
Dance parties in the kitchen are always a good idea.
Marry someone who makes you laugh. It can help you get through the most stressful moments of life.
If you didn’t go through moments of heartache and sadness, you wouldn’t recognize moments of true joy and happiness.
Stop saying you’re busy. Say that life if full. Life is experienced by your perspective.
Create a list of things that help you when you feel really down. Some things on my list are: drink a big glass of water, have a bath, watch You’ve Got Mail, dance around to one of my favourite songs, sleep, etc.
Kindness should be practiced towards others, but also yourself.
All your feelings are valid. It’s ok to be sad, angry, jealous or whatever else you feel. Don’t let it consume you but let yourself feel it all.