35 things I’ve learned from my time on earth

35-things

It’s official. I’ve been on earth for 35 years now. The only comparison I really have is my mum and dad, and when they were 35 I was 15 and totally hormonal and temperamental. I can’t imagine having a 15 year old right now.

I thought I’d share what I’ve learned so far in life, in all the wisdom I’ve gained from this time I’ve existed on earth. There has been a few…

1. Life is better with a dog. It just is. You’re the best person in the world, and they don’t hold grudges {like when you get cranky or forget to feed them… they don’t even care}.
2. Life is better when you’re in love. Whether it’s in love with another person, or yourself or with life. Life is better when you’re knee-deep in love.
3. You’ll always have more than you need. You don’t need 5 jumpers or two potato peelers or 20 pairs of shoes. You only have one body. Only take what you need.
4. Having more than you need only causes stress later. Because space is limited. It’s good to purge now and then. But don’t have a moment when you think it would be good to throw out all your momentos and things from childhood. You’ll regret that.
5. There is a space in your brain where you remember the words to songs from your younger years and things you don’t know why you know them. Like that babies don’t get knee-caps until they’re two, and every single word of Horses by Daryl Braithwaite.
6. Life is better with cake. Not every day, but every now and then it’s good to bring out a cake and invite the people around.
7. You need to move more. I wish that I’d been part of a family that were intrinsically geared to move each day. We were a very dormant family. I’m changing that with my family now.
8. You’ll never use algebra in your life, but it wouldn’t hurt to have paid attention in geography or history.
9. All those things that you thought were a BIG deal in high school? They weren’t such a big deal. When you finish school, that’s when real life begins.
10. Life is better with friends. It’s good to have mates to talk about the little things, and to support about each other through the big things. And to drink wine together.
11. Sleep will at times of your life consume you. Get as much as you can before the children come along.
12. There are moments in life when the problems seem so big and insurmountable and life-changing… but there will actually become a time when you can’t even remember having those problems or feeling so heavy with them. This too shall pass.
13. Wearing sunscreen is something worth doing, every day.
14. As is wearing eye cream and taking care of your skin.
You’re not going to be some freak who gets through life without wrinkles and aging. Do what you can when you can.
15. Life is better with kids. I mean it’s the hardest, often thankless, thing you can do… but there are moments that you just wouldn’t want to live without.
16. Travel is good. Seeing the world, meeting the people and exploring can make you feel alive. It’s such an awesome feeling.
17. Fashion is fickle, roll with it. You will wear neon, and you might love it when you do so… but there will be a time when you look back and think, “WHAT WAS I THINKING?” This is life. Wear the neon.
18. In life there is death. And it can be the most heart-aching thing you ever experience. Losing someone never makes sense, and it will forever change you but you have to remember that it’s better to have loved and lost, than never loved at all.
19. There are also bad things happening. There are bad people in the world. And if you watch the news you can lose faith in humanity… but there will always be bad things happening, you just have to chose to see the good. It totally outweighs the bad.
20. Cereal dinner is perfectly acceptable. Because I say so. Sometimes.
21. Life is better with sisters. Yes, there were times in childhood that you annoyed the heck out of each other, but man… life is so much better with them.
22. Learn how to use your core muscles, and do your kegel exercises. You’ll thank yourself later.
23. You should NOT cook steak in the oven. I once threw a t-bone steak straight in the oven in hopes of impressing Hubby when we were dating. It did not impress and it did not taste like anything except rubber.
24. You can probably survive without learning to drive a manual car, but you should definitely know how to ride a bicycle {thankfully I do}.
25. All those things you want to do, you should go do them. Including learning how to ski, traveling the world {nannying in NYC}, having fun, dancing all through the night, and calling your mum. You should always call your mum.
26. Your parent’s problem are their problems, not yours. You’re a product of them, but you are not them. Let them sort it out.
27. Always read the book before seeing the movie.
28. You can do anything if you put your mind to it. You can. Anything is possible, except flying unaided. Don’t try that.
29. Your childhood is magical, and pure and beautiful, but once it’s gone… it’s just a memory. With adulthood comes great responsibility, and not very much sleep.
30. Money isn’t everything. I’ve worked for very rich people, and some of them were the most miserable people I’ve ever met. The happiest people are the ones that have love, and the ability to find joy in the simplest things.
31. You deserve love right now. I spent too many days of my life, looking to the future and thinking that I’d love myself then. The time is now.
32. People who are generous {with their time, spirit, and sometimes money} are the best people in life. Those are the people you want to have in your life.
33. There will always be things to be busy doing, but it’s much better to be busy living. Strip back your to-do list and get on the floor and play. You won’t remember that blog post your wrote or that bill you paid on time, but you will remember that joy you had with your children.
34. Having said that, it’s probably a good idea to pay your bills on time. And save a little money. Spending your bill and rent money on partying… well that was fun, but not the smartest thing to do.
35. Life is what you put into it. I’ve been through periods of my life when I didn’t want to be here, and I was so miserable. But you have to make a conscious decision, despite your circumstances to make the best of it. Happiness is a choice that you have to make every day. Sometimes it’s bloody hard, but if you persevere it’s worth it and a little more. Trust me.

What’s one thing you’ve learned?

37 thoughts on “35 things I’ve learned from my time on earth”

  1. Mine came from a saying from my great grandma which was to “never regret anything you do – because at the time you had a good reason to do it” and it has stopped me holding onto and worrying about things that have already been and gone.

  2. 35 things… I thought yeah… there might be a couple I agree with. Nope. Loved all of the list! Thank you. Just what I needed when feeling ‘unmotivated’ on a Monday! Just get on with life and love it all!

  3. 3,6 & 35 are gold! I’ve learned lots like watching too much television doesn’t give you square eyes but it might give you a fat arse, and what other people think of me is none of my business. Happy birthday beautiful x

  4. I am resonating with the last 6 tips from 30-35. Number 33 is something I’m working on everyday. x Happy Birthday gorgeous. I hope you had a blessed day. That chocolate cake looked divine. x

  5. Having done some WWOOFing and CouchSurfing, I’ve learnt you can do anything for a week when you know it’s not a permanent situation. Just get the best out of it at the time.

  6. I really love this list, you’re totally right at some point. One of mine : Life is better when you love yourself exactly like you are now.

  7. Happy b-day!! Great idea to make a list like this. It’s a great inspiration, thanks for sharing.

  8. Never regret what you do…only regret what you don’t do… I never think to myself “I wish I hadn’t done that”, instead it’s always “I wish I had done that”. There is always a reason why you did something but rarely a satisfactory reason for missing out on an opportunity… Carpe Diem and all that.

  9. Great post and a good reminder to make the most of life now by living the moment and being grateful.

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