In honor of my 34th birthday, I wanted to share some lessons learned, 34 to be exact! Between you and me, I certainly don’t feel my age. I still feel like 26-27. I now know why my grandma always said every birthday was her 29th. With each year, I am grateful for the learning and growth. So here are my lessons (in no particular order):
- Be unapologetically you. Don’t worry about what others think. (I know easier said than done.)
- Take the risk. It could be the greatest reward.
- Don’t have a timeline. You can’t make life milestones happen just because you want them to.
- Trust your gut and instincts.
- Work to live. Don’t live to work.
- Money isn’t everything, but having it does take away some stress.
- Travel. Travel. Travel.
- Go to the doctor! Don’t follow my example.
- It’s okay to let people phase out of your life.
- Invest your time into relationships who invest back in you.
- It’s okay to have regrets, but don’t make the same mistake twice.
- The older you get, the more effort you have to put into relationships.
- You are going to be in different life stages than your friends and it could change your friendship.
- You can change your job and industry as much as you want.
- When making a decision, make sure it is the best for you and not the best for everyone else.
- Learn how to be alone. Go to the movies, go to dinner, grab a drink. It’s only going to help you learn yourself.
- Change doesn’t happen over night. It takes persistence and consistency.
- Put your health first. It’s never going to get easier as you get older.
- Time is the most valuable asset. Make the most of it.
- Don’t compare yourself with others. We were made different for a reason!
- It’s okay to feel your emotions and you never need to apologize for having them.
- Sometimes, the most unexpected occurrences can lead to the greatest gifts.
- Call your grandparents as much as you can.
- Treat people with kindness. Who you are on the inside means more than anything else.
- The best things usually don’t come easy.
- Hard times make you a stronger person and appreciate the good times.
- Set goals for yourself. Being complacent won’t change anything.
- Your attitude is a choice.
- There will be a lot that you won’t be able to control. Focus on what you can actually do.
- Give back where you can. There is always someone who can benefit from help.
- Be grateful and humble for what you do have.
- Quality over quantity. This could be friends, followers, things, you name it.
- Live life according to your values. What you care about doesn’t have to match anyone else.
- Everything happens for a reason.
I hope you found my lessons learned to be valuable or inspiring. One bonus lesson is to celebrate your birthday and always take that day off. I already went to RPM Italian with my friends, had dinner with my family, and I am looking forward to a day off.
Xoxo
Janelle
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