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Today is my 30th Birthday. I honestly expected much bigger feelings about this, (maybe they'll come up later?) but I actually feel so excited about all the things I am learning and working towards. Of course, I haven't achieved all the things on my list that I made when I was 20-- I haven't gotten a patent yet or written a book (I'll add those to my "Things to do in my 30s" list :) But man, I have been blessed. I have learned a whole lot... most of it the hard - i.e. the "less preferred but more effective" way. I always love reading other people’s goals and lists (is that creepy?) so I wanted to share (and document) 20 things I learned in my 20s. Buckle up!
1. I found true love -- corny, but true.I married Colin pretty early in my twenties and found out that true love means it's true regardless of the circumstances. Whether we are happy or sad, agreeing or disagreeing, healthy or sick... true love says "I choose you, independent of my feelings at this moment". I am so thankful for that
2. I learned what it was like to love somebody (well, somebodies) more than yourself. I have been blessed with 3 beautiful girls who I love so much it hurts. Being willing to give up literally everything (your body, your sleep, your health, your hobbies, your time) for them willingly because they are YOURS and they are worth it. That was a big lesson. Oh, and that you can love multiple people with that 100% kind of love!
3. Good habits take time to form.Just because I "decided" I was going to start doing x doesn't mean I would instantly be able to commit 100% from day 1. It takes practice (aka time) to consistently stick to a goal... and it takes a good reason to keep choosing to stick to that habit.
4. I like salad. I didn't really believe that fully until I started eating lots of a wide variety of them :) And fruit + nuts really help salad acheive next level.
5. Friends are like gold. When life gets heavy (and man, it does!) friends are the people who sit with you in the dark so you aren't alone and remind you of the light. Friends help carry those heavy burdens.
6. Friendship is about quality not quantity. It's ok to only have a couple deep friendships. And it's impossible to keep every friendship at the most intense level at all time. Enjoying the friends you have in certain seasons is such a blessing!
7. Life is full of seasons. Embrace that. I won't always have to leave most events at 8pm because of bedtime. I won't always get to cuddle little people in the am. I won't always be woken up in the middle of the night because someone was dreaming of a giant duck chasing them (yes this a current reoccurrence...)
8. Black is always in style. I stand by this 100%.
9. You can do anything you want to do, just make a plan— and make sure that plan starts with where you are! (or else it just isn't doable).
10. Reading will always be a gateway to anywhere you want to go. I do go thru seasons of fluctuation on how much I read, but reading is always part of my life (whether for learning or relaxation) and I am so thankful for the gift of books.
11. Cleaning up isn't as big a deal as I make it out to be. This is a more recent discovery, but it doesn't actually kill me to wash all the pots after I finish cooking.
12. God made all of us ON purpose WITH a purpose. There are no accidents and no gifting is ever wasted! I have learned A LOT about that in the last 3 years especially with work. My background in Special Education with writing long range plans and doing specialized research, a love of art/design, and a rigorous academic past all have contributed to my current business.
13. I can pray about anything. Period. Big or small. God is fully capable of taking care of everything.
14. Wedges are the most comfortable fancy shoe.
15. I still enjoy wearing baggy sweats instead of jeans.I doubt this will ever change.
16. If I want to remember something, I have to write it down. If I want to actually do something, I have to schedule it-- like in the calendar with an actual date and a reminder, haha.
17. Having a close family is a choice.We work at relationships we want to strengthen (and family is so worth the effort).
18. I can do hard things!This is probably the biggest lesson. In my twenties, I had 3 very difficult pregnancies (hyperemesis gravidarum), 3 births, my husband having cancer, sleeping for only 2 hours at a time for months at a time, starting a company while being a stay at home mom to a 6 mo old and 3 year old, had my life plans rearranged numerous times.... but nevertheless, I made it. I can do hard things because of Christ who strengthens me. Marriage is hard. Motherhood is hard. Family life is hard. Friendships are hard. Business is hard. But they are worth the work!
19. I love white backgrounds. It's true. I just love a clean look.
20. Business can be boiled down to connecting with people and using your products (or service) to serve them. There is no magic algorithm, no "secret sauce", no big break that will fix all your business woes. Business is one step forward at a time. And guess what, you will get there <3 Being kind and truly trying to help people is never in vain! And yes, there will always be thieves, creepers, and haters but you cannot block them/stop them all. You can choose to just keep stepping forward.
Congrats to you for reading this far (Hi, Mom!). I hope you are encouraged. God is good. Here is one of my favorite verses right now
“I sought the Lord and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears." (Psalm 34:4).
Life is full of fears, but God hears us and he is able to deliver us.
