30 Things I've Learned in 30 Years

 It’s my birthday! Im feeling so incredibly grateful for my wonderful life and sweet family today. I thought it would be fun to share 30 things I’ve learned these past 30 years:

1. Getting to know yourself is hard but important work.
2. One of the best feelings in the world is having a baby fall asleep on you.
3. There's nothing better than pho when you're not feeling well.
4. Seriously, just drink your water.
5. Find and use your local libraries. 
6. Respect is earned, no one is entitled to it--not even you.
7. Good friends stick around no matter what coast you live on. You'll know they're good because it feels like no time has passed at all any time you talk to them.
8. Don't ever do anything you don't want to do. (But try to do the things you said you would.)
9. Working out matters but for more reasons than fitting into the next size down. 
10. Read a book every now and then, even if you have to make time for it. 
11. Learn how to say no and say it often.  
12. Take your makeup off every night no matter what. 
13. Invest in relationships where you get something back. Walk away from ones that drain you.
14. Go to bed early whenever you can. 
15. But stay up late sometimes. 
16. You get to pick what your life, your marriage, your family looks and feels like. 
17. Kindness is the most important.
18. Don’t wash your hair too much.
19. It’s okay to be more excited about the food than the football. 
20. Sweating your ass off in pants is better than getting eaten alive by mosquitos. 
21. Always have garlic, olive oil, and some pasta in your kitchen pantry. 
22. Also maybe a bottle of sparkling wine. 
23. You matter and you deserve good things. 
24. Worrying is a huge waste of time. Do your best to deal with things as they come. Nothing is ever as bad as you make it out to be.
25. Labor and delivery is the craziest and coolest, most insane ride. 
26.  Expensive liquid eyeliner is overrated.
27.  Good leggings are underrated.
28.  You’ll look back one day and laugh at the things you thought about, cared about, and worried about. You’ll barely even be able to picture the boys who broke your heart.
29.  Work hard but give yourself a break every now and then.
30. You don’t have to be like anyone but yourself. 

PS I’ve been blogging for 10 years! Thank you all so much for sticking around through it all—you’ve truly changed my life for the better.