Dear Younger Self: 33 Life Lessons

Last week marked my 33rd year of this amazing thing called life. It is always interesting to me to reflect back on the years. What has changed. What hasn’t. Lessons learned. Laughing at my silly teenage self and seeing how crazy, different my worries then were compared to my worries now. I do believe with age comes wisdom, so younger self: here is what I would tell you now…

1. Just because you loved someone and didn’t receive that love back, does not mean you are unlovable.
2. Just because a loved one didn’t show you love the way you wanted them to, does not mean you are unlovable. You’ll learn that sometimes people love in the best way they know how, even if it doesn’t make sense to you.
3. Making mistakes does not mean you are unlovable. Sensing a pattern here? You are worthy of love as you are. For WHO you are. Not based on what you do. Or don’t do, for that matter.
4. Try new things. Often! It brings zeal for life!
5. Don’t be afraid of the unknown. God will give you the strength and courage you need to walk it out. And there is this thing now called Google – it can show you the “how to’s” on just about everything.
6. Stop looking in the rear view mirror as a definition of who you are. You will wreck. Look back only for lessons learned and keep moving forward.
7. Here is one that will sting a bit… don’t focus on trying to be liked by certain people. The in crowd, per se. Quality is better than quantity in terms of friendships. The number of friends you have should never be more important than the depth of your relationships.
8. Waking up early is so rewarding. Sleeping in daily becomes overrated.
9. Being alone is not a bad thing. Don’t confuse it with being lonely. You will covet your alone time one day, believe it or not. And yes girl, you will go out for coffee and meals several times by yourself and not die!
10. Quit trying to rush everything. Time rushes itself. Be where your feet are and find joy in the present.
11.  Skip the expensive name brand possessions and save up for an awesome experience that will leave a lasting memory. You’re going to find it humorous (and a bit embarrassing) that you made such a fuss about having to have that JanSport backpack for years.
12.  Fill your cup up daily. I’m not just talking coffee. Although you will basically live off of that, too.
13.  More books. Less TV. Now that you can actually choose your own reading material, you will enjoy it. And there are audio books now – game changer!
14.  Time is truly your biggest gift. Treasure that above anything money can buy. Be choosy with it.
15. Celebrate all your wins! No accomplishment is too small.
16. Celebrate the wins of others, too. There’s enough to go around for everyone!
17. Give yourself grace because there is no such thing as perfection. And honestly, nobody wants to hang out with a perfectionist, anyways. There’s no wiggle room there.
18. Don’t waste a single moment more of life comparing yourself to someone else. You have gifts that only you can offer the way you do. Start focusing on how to use those for the good of others. Being caught up in comparison will rob you of the joy you can bring to others and rob them of receiving it.
19. Be heavy in relationship with your Creator. He will be the only constant through all the changes in your life. And He will supply peace that you will never be able to gain on your own.
20. I know you think this phase will last forever, but trust me. It won’t. Two years will fly by like two months.
21. It is okay to change your mind. Let me repeat this one… you’ll need it hammered into your head. It is okay to change your mind! There is a season for everything.
22. Don’t wait until the end of the wedding reception to get the courage to dance. You will totally regret only having danced to two songs!
23. The 30’s are totally not old. In fact, they are better than your 20’s in ways you will only understand when you get here.  
24. Give your momma a great big, fat hug. She is cooler than you think she is and raising you was not easy. One day you will see all the sacrifices she truly made for you. 
25. Trust that you can make good decisions. You don’t have to seek out the opinion of everyone in order to operate. Know you have a good head on your shoulders. And don’t be afraid to fall a few times. That’s where the best growth happens.
26. Hurt people hurt people. Remember this in times where you feel hurt and don’t understand why. It doesn’t always mean you did something wrong (though, don’t be too proud to take ownership when you do) See others through a different lens.
27. People think about you way less than you think they do. So free yourself from worrying about their opinions. It’s not all about you.
28. Never say never. You will surprise yourself at the way you will change. For example, you now say “y’all”. All the time. Oh, and you listen to country music. Oh yes. Shocker.
29. Don’t buy the lie of “I’ll be happy when…” You will never have every duck in a row and that’s okay! That’s what makes life a wild ride. Happiness is a choice and one you better learn to make sooner than later.
30. Get ready for this one. You will leave your house without makeup and a ball cap on. And what’s best- you will do so with confidence. See I told you to never say never.
31. Don’t deprive yourself of things you love to do just because they might not produce a paycheck. If you wait on the perfect amount of money to start doing what brings you joy, you will probably never start. And you’ll be miserable for a long time.
32.  And while we are at it, a paycheck doesn’t always equal peace. You will learn most of the things that bring you the most joy, are in fact free. Don’t miss out on those in the process of making a living.
33. Love BIG. Love yourself when you don’t feel you deserve it. Love others when you don’t think they deserve it. After all, He loves us all when we don’t deserve it and isn’t that the goal – to be more like Him? Love is the BEST gift you can give somebody and you can never give too much of it!