It’s my birthday!!! Right now I’m sipping on a jalapeño margarita in Maui, celebrating this huge life milestone with my best friend and hubby, Keal. I honestly always dreaded leaving my 30s behind, but now that I’m here, I couldn’t be happier or prouder of myself. I even did this whole self reflection and went down memory lane trying to figure out what I was doing each year of my 20s (which you can read about here).

The thing is, I feel like there is always so much pressure building up to your 30s, like you have to have life figured out or have certain things. I had this vision of myself as a 30 year old, partly constructed by Jennifer Garner’s character on 13 going on 30 and the other part by Emily Blunt’s character in Devil Wears Prada… I imagined myself to be flirty, thriving and so fashionable kicking ass in the design world of NY with heels. Well I gotta say, that while I am not where I imagined I would be, I think that where I am at right now is magical. So here’s a roundup of 30 things I have learned in 30 years! (In no particular order)…

1. Be Kind & Have Compassion

Even if you’ve been wronged, kindness goes a long way. You never know what other’s are going through and you don’t want to put more negativity out into the world, so have courage and be kind 🙂

2. Love Yourself First

Self love is the secret ingredient for everything! You want success? Love yourself first! You want to find your other half? Love yourself first! Want to make that dream real? Love yourself first. Because you need to believe in yourself above all else.

3. Trust Your Gut!

It is never wrong! It will keep you from going down threatening paths, save you from hostile environments, keep you from signing on with a bad client and lead you towards great opportunities. Let your intuition lead.

4. Perfectionism is Overrated

Stop trying to achieve perfection. It is not real and you’ll only keep pressuring yourself with unrealistic expectations. Not to mention it’s a huge waste of time.

5. Never underestimate your impact on those around you

Your words matter. Your message matters! And even if you can’t see it, you are making a mark on other’s journeys.

6. Your Parents Are Awesome, Call Them More

They are also human and make mistakes. Make an effort to keep them in your life, have your boundaries but also find the joy of having them be part of it. After all, they love you!

7. Failure is Only Re-Routing you Towards Bigger + Better Things

Every time something doesn’t work out, it’s because something bigger is coming! Failures are lessons and the Universe nudging us in a different direction.

8. Practice Gratitude!

Because when you do, you’ll see that your life is abundant. This makes you live in the now and opens your eyes to all those dreams that have come true — so far!

9. Take Care of Your Body

You only get one! Work out, eat healthier and get moving. The sooner you start, the sooner it will become a habit!

10. Take Care of Your Mind

Mental health is just as important. Invest in a really good Therapist and really heal those old wounds. Work on your mindset free yourself from unwanted beliefs that are holding you back.

11. You don’t have to like everyone, and not everyone will like you

You are not Nutella. Save yourself hours of misery and just let things go. Sometimes people won’t like you and that’s ok. That unfollow was a blessing.

12. Put Yourself Out There, No One is Judging

People don’t think of you as much as you think they are. People are self-absorbed and worried about their own things… so put yourself out there! No one is judging you — and if they are it has nothing to do with you, and everything to do with them.

13. Save Money, Stop Getting Take-Out

Save money right now. It’s time to do the responsible thing and stop eating out 4 times a week and instead saving (and investing) in your future. Become more responsible with your finances — it’s time.

14. Living a mindful life is rewarding

Be present and really think through what you want. No more acting on impulse, simply letting yourself be in the moment and feeling what you really want will improve the quality of your life.

15. Your life is here and NOW

Stop worrying about your past. Stop regretting certain things or events… you can’t change them so let it go. Stop focusing so much on the future and just focus on your life in this moment.

16. Saying ‘No’ is Healthy

Get comfortable with saying ‘no’, and start choosing yourself above things you really didn’t want to do.

17. Realize That You Are Beautiful

Yes you are! Stop doubting it.

18. Everything gets better once you stop trying to change yourself

Accepting yourself will open up your life to more magical things. Because you really are the only you that will ever be! So embrace that and be unapologetically YOU.

19. It’s OK to not be doing what everyone else is doing

While it may seem wrong to be the only one walking on the other side of the street, in the end it will lead you to your own personal success.

20. Eat your vegetables

You gotta nourish to flourish!

21. Someone else’s success doesn’t diminish yours!

Just because other’s have already done what you kind of want to do, doesn’t mean that you can’t make it as well. No one has your exact brand of magic. You’ll thrive your own way.

22. Stop Waiting For Something to Be Happy

There will be no perfect time in your life when you’ll ‘finally be happy’. There is no amount of money or situation that will bring you that joy. Find joy in your life right now.

23. The world is just one giant mirror full of lessons

Every situation and person in your life is a mirror. The Universe places these people or situations in your life to reflect the things you need to work on, accept, forgive or let go of — everything has a lesson.

24. There will be good days and bad days and that’s totally normal

One day you can feel like you can conquer the world, and the next all you wanna do is stay in bed. That’s ok and totally normal. Don’t beat yourself up about it.

25. You deserve to drop $200 on high-quality adult bedsheets

Listen, it’s time. No need to keep your old college or Target sheets. You deserve quality sleep for a quality life. Take the plunge and invest in bedding that you love and will help you have a full night sleep.

26. Accept that compliment!

You deserve it! A simple thank you and a smile is enough. Stop fighting it.

27. Travel As Often As You Can

Because it enriches your soul and there is not time like the present.

28. Don’t Be Afraid of Dreaming BIG

Because anything you set your mind to, you can make a reality — with careful planning, goal setting and hard work, but it’s totally possible!

29. Patience really is a virtue

Even though we live in a world of instant gratification. Slow and steady wins the race, plant the seed, be patient and stay joyful while you wait for the flower to bloom.

30. Age is nothing but a number

It’s an attitude!

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I’m so excited for this next phase in my life and I am more than ready to just live and let go. Now, don’t mind me, I’m off to Google the best bedsheets for an amazing sleep.