10 Life Lessons After 27 Years

Happy birthday to me! While 27 is still pretty young in the grand scheme of things, I’m feeling a bit old as I inch closer to 30. The good thing is that I still feel so young at heart. I hear that never goes away, which I hope is true. 

Along the journey I’ve learned a thing or two about life. Ready for some birthday musings?

What made you uncool when you were younger will give you character later. 
My role model used to be Michael Jordan. I wore basketball jerseys every day and would practice layups day in and out. This led to the title of being co-captain of a 7 girl varsity basketball team in high school. The entire season I think I made 3 baskets. 

While I know you’re impressed beyond belief, not many other people agreed. Not very cool, right? But from all that I learned the importance of going with the flow and perseverance. And I look back on that gangly high schooler fondly for having kept trying. 

The best relationships stand the test of time. 
People change and so will your relationships. Whether it’s your best friends, parents, or significant other, a relationship is a living, breathing thing that takes effort and time. As you evolve, so do others, and your relationships will evolve as well. You’ll get closer, you’ll grow apart, you’ll realize the importance of some people, and you’ll realize that others are not. Time is oh-so telling. It’s the relationships there through thick and thin that are the most important among any others. 

Let go. 
I used to have this odd thing about letting people go. I remained in toxic relationships for far too long and held onto people that brought me down and fueled insecurities. I eventually learned that it’s okay to let go of those that bring you down or ones that don’t put an equal effort into your relationship. In fact, it’s a really healthy thing to do. 

Embrace change. 
Change can be really hard, but whether it’s personal evolution or uncontrollable circumstances, I’ve found in life that it’s usually for the best. 

Be nice to others and to yourself. 
People are human and will make mistakes. The same goes with you. Forgive, and have a short memory. Both will act in your favor. Look upon others, and yourself, in a kind light and you will never be short of a friend. 

In short — mean people suck. Don’t be one of them. 

Getting older is a good thing. 
You will not be the same person you were last year, 5 years ago, or 10 years ago. You aren’t supposed to be. Embrace getting older and do it gracefully – with every year comes wisdom and growth, which are both things that can only come with time. Those who look back on past years thinking that they were the best of their days, are the ones who make the future less than it can be. 

Wear sunscreen 
Back when Britney & Christina made belly shirts cool and tan bodies the standard, I would go to the tanning bed and bake my skin until I was brown. I kick myself looking back on that and think about how dumb that was. Spoiler alert: No matter how much I tanned, my skin went right back where it started. It’s a fruitless pursuit. Why not embrace paleness and spare your skin the agony? It’s prettier to be healthy. 

You’re worth the effort. 
Make sure you know that and require others to uphold that. Especially men. 

You CAN be what you want to be. But you have to be willing to work. 
There’s no way around that work part. Good things come to those who make good things happen. So get out there and do good things. 

Relax. 
Literally and figuratively. Looking back on all the times or situations that I felt were the “end of the world”…they weren’t. Everything has always turned out okay. The universe has an odd way of naturally working itself out, and I firmly believe that everything happens for a reason, so don’t sweat the small stuff. Also, travel as much as possible.