28 Things I’ve Learned in 28 Years

It’s my birthday! I am 28-years-old today. I love a good birthday post, so today I’m sharing 28 things I’ve learned in my 28 years. Some lessons are funny and some are more serious, but I think they are all important lessons.

Let’s dive right in:

It takes very little effort to be a good person. Smile, show kindness to others, don’t be a jerk, hold doors, don’t cut people off in traffic, don’t be stingy with your tips in restaurants, show love and acceptance. It’s not hard. Be kind to one another.

Invest in your skincare and don’t sleep in your make-up. Listen. I have definitely come home from a night out full of Taco Bell and tequila and passed out in my foundation and eyeliner. As I get older, I’ve learned sleeping in my make-up isn’t a thing I can do anymore (not quite ready to part ways with tequila and Taco Bell.) You get one face and if you want to keep it young and healthy, wash your face every night before you go to bed and invest in some great skin care. At minimum, get a great cleanser. I love this one.

Always ask your server for their favorite item on the menu. This has never steered me wrong and I always discover some of my favorite dishes by asking. They know their stuff, trust them.

Marry someone kind. When you make your “checklist” of the ideal person, make sure putting “someone kind” is at the top. Kindness is something you can’t teach and it will make all the difference in your marriage. You can teach someone everything from how you like to be kissed to how to organize the dishwasher…you can’t teach them how to be nice to the UPS delivery man.

Wear your sunscreen. Wrinkles are no joke and getting older sucks. SPF is your friend.

We don’t deserve dogs. There is no other creature in the whole world who will love you unconditionally. Their greatest source of joy is being with their human. I’m about to cry because I love how pure and perfect dogs are. We don’t deserve them.

You prioritize the things that matter to you. Whether that be your relationships, your business, exercise, whatever. Pay attention to your priorities and make sure you have them order.

Be generous. My favorite quote in the whole world is from Dr. Greene on ER. He tells his daughter on his final episode, “Be generous…with your time. With your love. With your life. Be generous. Always.” It may be slightly nuts to base your decisions off a television character’s final words, but this is how I chose to live my life. I want people to remember me as generous and kind.

It’s ok to take a mental health day. Life is hard. Sometimes you just need to check out completely and watch Netflix for the day. Take a sick day and a nap and it can fix so many problems. (To be fair I’ve only done this once, but I was desperate and it was one of the best days of my life lol)

Friends and Gilmore Girls can help you make it through the through days. They can be your best friends when you need them. When I was lonely after college and missed Stephen and my friends terribly, my “friends” in Stars Hallow and at Central Perk seriously got me through.

It’s ok to get off your “timeline.” In my “life plan” I was going to buy a house in 2018 and start having babies in 2019. I am not nearly ready for either of those things and that’s ok. I’m doing just fine in my rental with my fur-babies.

Always have a student mentality. Never, never, never stop learning. People become incredibly boring and stupid when they stop taking the initiative to learn new things.

It’s like really ok to eat carbs. Seriously, kale tastes like garbage and life is short. I mean balance is key, but eat the pizza. You’ll be happier for it.

It’s fine to change your dream. It doesn’t mean you failed your previous dream, but with time dreams adapt and change. Sometimes life will change your dream for you. It’s ok to change your dream and work towards something else.

Do your monthly self-breast exams. It’s so easy and could save your life. Just do them. I actually wrote a post on it. Do it today if you haven’t this month.

You can’t change people. When people show you who they are–believe them. You can’t change people, so either learn to love them as they are or move on with your life without them. Thank U, Next.

When sitting down in photos, cross your ankles not your knees. Trust me. It’s more flattering–thank me later.

Don’t talk about politics. I don’t know when this rule got thrown out the window, but nobody wants to hear your opinion. They have their own. Fighting over politics is the stupidest thing I’ve ever seen on the internet. Nobody is going to change their mind on an issue or a candidate over that article you posted. Instead it ruins years of friendship and relationships with one push of the “share” button. Educate yourself to make an informed decision, then make your voice count and go freaking vote.

Love isn’t enough. If “love” doesn’t come with commitment, respect, and unwavering support, then it’s just an empty word.

Don’t fight dirty. Low-blows and cheap-shots will literally never get you what you want. You might as well flop on the floor and bang your fists like a toddler. Fighting dirty is so mean and not worth it if you actually want a resolution.

Buy tequila with Blue Agave. I know tequila has made more than one appearance on this list, but I like tequila. Blue Agave helps prevent you wishing for a mercy killing the next morning. ALSO, in college we used to drink the kind with the sombrero on top. Learn from my mistakes and don’t drink this. I don’t care how poor you are in college, it’s not worth it.

Buy a video camera and record the every day. When I visit my parents, my favorite thing to do is watch old videos of my siblings and I growing up. I love the videos of my brother dressing up in costume on a Tuesday and my sister choreographing dances to Shania Twain in our kitchen. Yeah, record the performances and soccer games, but also document the normal day-to-day. I’m so thankful my parents did this.

Get a job in high school. My favorite job ever was working at Club Libby Lu at the mall. It’s like a right of passage to get a job in high school. Plus it teaches you responsibility early in life which is good in the long-run. Also, if you work in the mall you make friends with other employees at the mall and can score some free things–I highly recommend the Great American Cookie crew because those cookies are legit.

When you need a pick-me-up, buy the person’s coffee behind at Starbucks. Instant mood booster. Try it!

When one door closes, open it again. It’s a door. Don’t give up on the things that are important to you. You may hear no a thousand times, but keep working until you get the yes. **I’m speaking in the professional sense here. If someone says “I’m just not that into you.” Move on. Don’t keep chasing them or you’ll end up with a restraining order. *Cough* Bachelor Colton *Cough*.

Do not just take a bunch of pictures of places on vacation. We were behind this woman on the Ruby Falls tour who, I am not exaggerating, took a picture of every. single. rock. in the cave. She is not a geologist, just a mom with her kids and husband on vacation. We watched her take a bad picture of a rock on top of a rock that had no significance whatsoever. Here’s some quick tough love, nobody wants to see that and you are going to be disappointed that those are the pictures from your trip. I’m not saying don’t take any pictures of places, but focus on taking pictures of the family and friends you are with. I promise you can Google better pictures of places and rocks.

Wait a few days between your wax and your spray tan. I just feel like this isn’t taught in maintenance 101. If you get a wax and then get a spray tan without proper time in between, it will look like you have an STD. I say wait 48 hours minimum…

Finally, if you don’t shout the words to “Mr. Brightside”…you’re probably a serial killer. I just can’t trust you if you listen to “Mr. Brightside” silently.

If you’re still with me, thank you! I’m off to celebrate 28 with my husband at The Optimist–I’m so excited for seafood I can hardly stand it. It’s my favorite! I guess that’s number 29…always ask for your favorite food on your birthday?

What is the most valuable lesson you’ve learned so far?