Tomorrow is my birthday. It’s weird to be turning 28 because I feel like I was 18 or 22 or even 25 just last week. It’s weird to say I’m 28. I’m not bothered by it, I’m just confused about how I banked 28 years of life and where the past decade went…
But anyway, here are 28 things I know:
- Avocados are delicious. It took a while for me to acquire the taste, but YUM.
- You need to be passionate about something, even if it’s not what the cool kids are passionate about.
- There are no “cool kids.”
- Be friends with people you trust and love and want to succeed. It’s ok to not like or not get along with everyone, but when you find your people hold on to them tightly and lift them up and cherish those relationships.
- Horses are still terrifying.
- Sometimes it’s about who you know, but it’s always about how you treat them. Always.
- Kindness costs nothing but you’ll pay dearly for anger or hatred.
- No means no, silence means no, and walking away/resisting means no. And you are allowed to say no whenever the hell you want.
- Kids do not equal success. Owning a home does not equal success. Traveling all over does not equal success. YOU get to define your own success. Don’t hand that power over to society.
- Facebook sucks. If you have the willpower to quit it, you should. I don’t yet.
- Read more. Learn more. Talk with people from different walks of life. Educate yourself about what’s going on around you.
- Practice empathy, but don’t internalize all the world’s drama. It will 100% destroy you.
- Find role models. And change role models if you need to. Inspirational quotes actually go a long way.
- Meditation, prayer, yoga, exercise, gratitude journals… they all work. Get in the habit of doing something that works for you.
- Don’t let your fears control you. I’m still working on this one.
- Pay attention to who is excited to see you and to see you succeed and to share in your special days. Return the favor and love them completely. (This includes pets.)
- If you’ve ever thought about getting a dog, DO IT. And adopt from your local shelter.
- Pay attention to what you put in your body and on your body.
- But also, eat dessert whenever you gosh darn please.
- Cake and pizza are suitable breakfast foods. I don’t like pizza or (most) cake, but I’m giving you the go ahead to eat it for breakfast.
- Spend your money responsibly. I don’t mean save it- I mean research where your money goes when you make purchases and know who or what you’re supporting with the swipe of a credit card.
- LaCroix is gross. Sorry, but it is. (Hahaha. If you like it that’s ok, too.)
- You don’t need to find a life partner, but if you happen to meet “the one” make sure that person fully respects you & encourages you.
- I know it’s a popular phrase right now, but “self-care” is a real thing. It’s as easy as taking a bath, sleeping in on the weekends, or pouring yourself a cuppa tea and reading a few chapters.
- Go freakin’ vote. And don’t ignore politics. These things are happening in your world and they will eventually effect you. Stay on top of them.
- Learn the difference between effect and affect, who and whom, then and than, their they’re and there, etc. I’m still working on that first one.
- If you partake in the drink, know what cocktails you love and learn how to mix them correctly.
- Be unapologetically yourself. If you love Harry Potter or Disney or superheroes or fantasy or baseball or the beach or whatever. There is NO normal. There really aren’t any rules when it comes to being you. Identify what colors or things or people or places make you happy, and then invest in them wholeheartedly.
And that’s all I’ve got. Off to eat ice cream & donuts because I really don’t like cake that much.
