30 Years Old and 30 Life Lessons

I have been through some highs and lows over the last 30 years. I have done things I am not proud of but I have no regrets. I am also really proud of my accomplishments. But I would be lying if I said I am exactly where I thought I would be at this age. If you asked me 10 years ago where I would be at 30 years old, it would go something like this. Married with a couple kids working in the corporate world of amatuear sport. I don’t believe in long term life goals...perfect example; My girlfriend Dani and I will laugh about this until the day we die- the last time I renewed my passport I got a 5 year one (instead of the 10 year option) for the sole reason that I thought I would be married within that time. I was FAR from it and have since got a new 10 year passport. Take life as it comes, you never know what will happen next. Did you ever think we would be NINE months (and counting) into a global pandemic? With people still losing jobs all around you and businesses shutting down.

Here is the 30 life lessons I have learned in my first 30 years of living on this earth:

1. Be yourself, damnit. And own it. I went on a date this summer with no makeup on for the first time ever. I normally don’t wear makeup so why should I make myself look like someone I’m not?

2. Move your body! This is what they are meant to do and they break down when we don’t move them. We do a LOT of sitting these days, especially during this pandemic. Get up and move everyday!

3. Drink water. Shut up and just do it.

4. Wear the damn sunscreen. Your old-ass-self will thank you someday.

5. Take time for yourself. Time to just be with your thoughts, to breathe, to meditate, to do something important to you.

6. You CAN cut people out of your life that aren’t serving a positive purpose in your life. And you should. Just because you were friends in high school or college doesn’t mean you still need to be.

7. Have some fricken fun. Let loose. Don’t take life too seriously. Laugh with friends until your belly hurts. It feels good.

8. Get a grip on your finances. AND SAVE FOR YOUR FUTURE.

9. Read books. I wish I learned this sooner. It builds your vocabulary while broadening your perspective on life.

10. Use what you have. As my aunt would say- If you got the fancy CHINA. Use the fancy CHINA...and toss it in the dishwasher while you’re at it. (this also goes for your expensive leather jacket, shoes, perfume, etc.)

11. Invest in your wellbeing. It has a great return on investment. Gym membership, massage, skin care products, or life coach...these are all things that may seem like a splurge but in reality are great investments in yourself.

12. Dress the PART. Forget Dress to Impress (heck - I wore sweatpants to school on the daily). Though it has a time and place. It’s okay to wear joggers, sneaks and a raincoat to the grocery store. You can still make this look cute in case you run into your future husband.

13. Journaling with an old fashion notebook and pen is the best way to clear the mind.

14. Time is a valuable thing. Stop wasting it doing things you don’t enjoy or don’t serve you.

15. Sleep. Stay rested and you will have productive days with clear and focused thoughts.

16. Don’t overlook hygiene; it says more about you than anything! Shower, brush your teeth, do your laundry, take a lint brush to your clothes, buy some deodorant and trim your friggin’ toenails.

17. Make time for the important people in your life. Have lunch with Grandma, pedicures with Mom and coffee with that friend you haven’t seen in a while.

18. You don’t need to live in a MILLION dollar home for it to be your dream home. Make a house a home, however that may look for you.

19. Travel. There is so much to learn about the world and yourself when you travel.

20. Don’t sweat the past. You can’t change it, but you can learn from it.

21. Keep a calendar. Stay organized. Figure your shit out.

22. Spend money on good quality, timeless clothing pieces. They look better and they will last longer and you will wear them for many, many years.

23. Live to your own expectations of yourself, not the expectations of others.

24. Create horizontal relationships. This is where the most honest conversations happen.

25. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. But also be prepared to lend a helping hand.

26. You learn from doing, not from planning.

27. Do what makes you happy. And if someone doesn’t understand why you spend so much on it, they don’t deserve to be part of your life.

28. Eat your vegetables. You may not enjoy them at the time, but they will make the day far more enjoyable.

29. Show GRATITUDE. For people, for experiences, for opportunities and for life in general.

30. Do things that scare you. Get out of your comfort zone. This is where we grow.

31. Forgive yourself. You will make mistakes, but that’s part of life.

OOPS, that's 31. But now that I am in my 31st year...it works right?

Everyone learns different life lessons at different points in life because of different experiences. I hope you can take something away from this whether you’re 19, 30 or 63.

- Kate