An Unabashed 30 by 30

I selfie-ed to mark my 30th. Go ahead. Judge me.

One of my fellow bloggers (who doesn't blog often enough anymore, hint-hint...*ahem*) did a blog that I adored with this exact title. I'm stealing it - shamelessly - along with her idea to express my own life discoveries upon reaching this glorious age.  You can read her awesome reflections here.

Like her, I wasn't freaked out about this milestone.  Sure my life isn't exactly how I'd imagined it would be at 30 - but the thing is, it's better. And I've learned sooooo much along the way. So here it is, in no particular order, my life wisdom:

30 by 30

1.    Life TRULY is too short not to do what you love. Find what speaks to your soul. Then, find a way to make a career out of it. Seriously.

2.    Drink more water. When you think you've drank enough for the day, drink some more.

3.    Heartbreak – the real kind – cuts your freaking soul in half. It causes physical pain. It makes your eyes cry tears you never knew you could cry. That kind of heartbreak doesn't come from losing some great romance either. It comes when 5 grandparents breathe their last breath in a single 12 month period, and the absence of so much love disappearing from your life too swiftly overwhelms your heart and deflates your lungs.

4.    You NEVER need a brand new car.

5.    The real, honest, true, lasting romantic kind of love isn't what you see portrayed in the movies.  It’s what you see when you read poetry: it’s work, it’s hard, it’s something that takes time, it takes effort, and it takes dedication. You know what though? It is also wonderful, and fun, and fulfilling, and uplifting, and the greatest gift from God, and SO VERY WORTH IT.

6.    Eat the last piece of dessert.

7.    Dogs are emotional companions, cats are loving ass holes. Choose wisely.

8.    Every girl needs a handful of girlfriends that are there through thick and thin.  You probably won’t find them in your teen years. You may not even find them at college. But by 30, you’ll know who they are.  They will be less than 5, and their importance if your life will be mighty.

9.    Everyone on this earth could benefit from a little bit of therapy.

10. Pay your bills. On time. Take good care of your credit.

11. Relationships – of all kinds: family, friends, spouses – should all be a two way street. If you are giving all the time, it’s not a relationship worth maintaining.

12. Leggings are not pants.  If you wear leggings, you must wear a shirt/skirt/dress long enough to cover the better part of your bum.  Crop tops and baby tees with leggings are not acceptable.

13. Eat more fruits and vegetables.

14. But also, eat bacon.

15. There is absolutely no rush to live all of your live in the decade between 20 and 30. Live some of it. Live the exciting parts: travel, go to fancy dinners, spend stupid money, but don’t try to also have kids, buy a house, build a career, get married, pay off your students loans, and solve world hunger all in those 10 years. Or do, but don't also try to travel, go to fancy dinners, spend stupid money, and hitchhike the U.S. while you're building a family, home, and career.  I'm saying don't try to do it all in that decade.  You still have plenty of time. The big three zero is not that old, people.

16. Except when you get to 30, you do need to sleep a little more. Your body doesn't quite bounce back like it once did.

17. And also, your boobs aren’t 20 anymore either.

18. It’s ok though, because the wrinkles showing in the crow’s feet at the corner of your eyes tell a story of decades of laughter.

19. Stop. Whining.

20. Being right is not always what matters.

21. People who say they are busy off “finding themselves” are full of bull shit.  You aren't lost.  You don’t need to find anything.  What you do need to do is KNOW yourself.  What do you love? What can’t you stand? What makes your heart race? What makes you laugh so hard you can’t stop?  Fine, know yourself.  But don’t find yourself. People can see you in front of them you idiot, you aren’t lost.

22. Learn to drive a manual transmission.

23. Keep a clean house. Seriously.

24. Relationships of any type that result in changing yourself are never, ever healthy. Don’t give yourself up for anything or anybody. You just go be you, you’re rocking at that.  Dr. Seuss said it best, “Today you are YOU, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is Youer than You.

25. No one really cares what size your ass is. Only you do.

26. Learn a foreign language. It will forever remain invaluable.

27. It’s nice to have a man around to change your tires, get the oil changed, fix the house, and take the garbage out. BUT FIRST, you better damn well know how to do it yourself.

28. When someone tells you that you are beautiful, believe it, and thank them. Don’t be the idiot that says “You’re too kind,” or “I didn't even do my hair!” Be gracious, say thank you, and believe it.

29. THIS LIFE IS A GOOD LIFE!

30. “If ye have faith...nothing shall be impossible unto you.” Matthew 17:20