Thursday, March 17, 2016

32 Life Lessons in 32 Years

Well, it’s almost that time! I cannot believe my 32nd birthday is around the corner. Where does the time go? Considering the next few weeks will be jam packed with travel, I decided to sit down and give some thought to life lessons I’ve learned so far in my {nearly} 32 years. I posted something similar last year – if you haven’t read it yet, check it out! As always, I'd love to hear from you. Any words of wisdom you've learned in your life thus far? Let's hear it!
On Life:
1.    Whenever possible, choose kindness.
2.    Do more of what scares the shit out of you.
3.    Worrying is like praying for something you don’t want to happen. Have faith and be patient.
4.    Stop playing the victim to the circumstances of your life. You have the ability to shape the life you want – so if you don’t like where you are, do something about it.
5.    The only constant in life is change. Get good at change.
6.    Live simply. Unsubscribe from junk promotional emails. Donate the clothes you haven’t worn since college. Stop collecting things simply to have them.
7.    If you’re the smartest person in the room, you’re in the wrong room.
8.    Don’t allow yourself to stumble on something already behind you.
9.    If you want something, but are overwhelmed with how long it’ll take to accomplish it – GO FOR IT. The time will pass anyway.
10. Be proud of your life. If you’re not, be courageous enough to change it.
11. Practice forgiveness. To yourself and to others. Just because you forgive someone doesn’t mean you need to keep them in your life – but forgiveness is one of the fastest ways to inner peace.
12. The way people treat you usually speaks more to who they are then who you are.
13. There is never a “right time” and there is no sense in waiting until you’re ready. You want something? Go after it with all you have.
14. When someone shows you who they are, believe them.
15. Never underestimate the power of a hand-written thank you note.
16. Abandon destination-addiction. Stop wishing for the future and start embracing today.
On Self-Love/Self-Awareness:
1.    Forgive yourself as easily as you’d forgive others.
2.    No one can “make you happy.” That’s an inside job.
3.    Invest in timeless fashions. Quality over quantity always.
4.    Believe you can do it and others will believe it, too.
5.    Get good at saying no. Martha Beck said “When it comes to saying yes or no to something or someone, choose the answer that feels like freedom." If it feels like a burden, just say no.
6.    Pretending everything is perfect does not, in fact, make everything perfect.
7.    Focus on your strengths while nurturing your weaknesses.
8.    Take pride in your appearance, but realize that NO amount of physical beauty will be as valuable as a beautiful heart.
9.    The only way to let love in is to be vulnerable. Let down your walls so love can flow freely.
10. Speak your truth – even if your voice shakes.
11. Being OPEN is just as important as being honest.
12. You can be the juiciest peach in the whole world. And there will always be someone who doesn’t care for peaches.
13. Learn to cook wholesome, healthy meals. Eat the rainbow. Savor your food.
14. Start a gratitude journal. Begin and end every day with a grateful heart.
15. Whether it’s strength training, yoga, running… find a workout regimen you love and make it a part of your daily routine.
16. Trust the timing of your life.
XO,
Jenn

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