I recently celebrated my 36th birthday, so I thought I would share 36 lessons I learned so far in the years I have spent on this earth. I am feeling particularly wise today, so here we go:
1- Regret is a waste of time and energy.
2- A good bra makes all the difference.
3- You don’t need a ton of friends. It is not a competition. All you need are a few good friends.
4- Don’t let life experience change you for the worse. Learn from it, but hold on to your qualities.
5- You can never have enough shoes …
6- … or clothes, or purses, or accessories … until it’s time to move. Just, don’t ever move.
7- Love will cross your path, but if your heart is not receptive to it, it won’t find you.
8- Selfish is not a dirty word. It’s healthy to take care of yourself.
9- Spend as much time with your parents as you can. You never know …
10- … same goes for your loves ones.
11- Own up to your mistakes. Then don’t look back; move on.
12- Embrace what you don’t like about yourself, whether it’s curly hair, freckles, or curves. You do have admirers, no matter what.
13- Spend time outside, as much as possible.
14- Laugh to your heart’s content.
15- Tell people you love that you love them. Often.
16- Go ahead, enjoy that piece of cake already …
17- … but don’t forgo the gym. You only get one body.
18- Learn new skills, whether it’s life skills (swimming, riding a bicycle) or ones just for fun (painting, playing the guitar)
19- Listen to your teachers. Respect them. Thank them. Teaching is not limited to the classroom either.
20- Laugh before you sleep. Every night.
21- Take your vitamins. Wear SPF. Allow daily time for self care.
22- Make major life decisions early on, but be open and flexible. You never know.
23- It is never too late to start over.
24- Don’t be so hard on yourself. You have far more qualities than you give yourself credit for.
25- Nothing happens on your terms, so learn to be patient.
26- Be authentic. Be genuine. You don’t have to please anyone but yourself.
27- Allow yourself to fall. Get up, dust yourself off, and know that the broken bones will heal stronger than before.
28- Don’t ever apologize for crying. You are one of the fortunate ones who are able to feel emotion.
29- Not everyday is going to be exciting. Routine days are when things get done, so embrace them.
30- Good friends are like diamonds: valuable, forever.
31- Find something to be spiritual about, whether it’s a religion or a way of thinking. Your soul needs nurturing just as much as your body.
32- Read. Get lost in a good book.
33- Travel. See the world. Shake hands with people who are nothing like you, then buy them a cup of tea and have a memorable conversation.
34- Lipstick is as necessary as air. It just is.
35- Let go of three things: Judging. Controlling. Being right.
36- Love like there is no tomorrow.
Feel free to add your own life lesson.
Meena McBride 