Filling my passport with family, travel and bliss

I’d like to take a moment out of our regularly scheduled program for this brief announcement:

I’M TURNING 40 IN 10 DAYS!

Every year around this time, the days seem to fly by, & before I know it, I’m a year older!  This year, it’s going by at an almost illegal speed.

I wish someone would pull “40” over…or just give it a warning to SLOW DOWN!

But alas, time stops for no one, not even the birthday police.

But before I change decades & age brackets {40-49}, I’ve decided to take this time to write about what I’ve learned in this decade and possibly dispense some pearls of wisdom (or not!) to you young (or young at heart) whipper snappers out there.

So without further ado, here are 10 things I leaned in my 30’s:

10.) Toss Out the Life “Checklist.”
You know what I’m talking about…

Yes, I had a very similar checklist in my 20’s.  I envisioned so much for myself  & had it all planned out…but as time marched on, it became clear that things weren’t going according to plan.

I saw friends, family and co-workers check off their “life event” boxes at increasing speed while my boxes remained BLANK.  Although happy for them, I oftentimes wondered if I made a wrong turn on my journey through life.

And then there were the “well meaning” people who would make comments like:

“You DO want to get married one day, right?”
“Do you have a boyfriend yet?”
“Your eggs aren’t getting any younger…”

No pressure, right?

At the dawn of my 30’s, I decided to release the undo stress I placed on myself, toss out that timetable & just go with the ebb and flow of life.  My priorities and ideas of what would make me happy changed, and the big life events on my checklist weren’t my priority anymore.

I discovered that life was better well spent when I just ENJOYED it and not worried about whether I owned a house or had a ring on my finger.  Sure, those were all wonderful things to strive for, but I realized that big life events happen at different times for everyone…so why stress over it?  My time would come, and so I lived the best life I could knowing that things would happen when they were supposed to.

And wouldn’t you know it…they eventually did!

Sure, there’s 1 or 2 things I’m still praying will happen, but what keeps me going is knowing that God is in control, and everything that is meant to be, will be.

Life is too short, so if you are feeling the pressures of life and the ever progressing hands of time, my advice to you is to STOP STRESSING over that checklist, LIVE your life to the fullest, DISCOVER your passions and the unique person you are and ENJOY your life!  Big life moments will happen soon enough.  Have a little fun in the meantime! 😉

9. When in doubt, get out!
Whether it’s a questionable relationship, toxic work environment or uncomfortable situation…when you have doubts, listen to your gut and head toward that exit!  In my experience, it usually DOESN’T get better with time.

8. Expect the unexpected.
I’m talking about the good and the bad.  My 30’s have been such a roller coaster ride of emotions!  From the highs of getting married, having amazing travel adventures and becoming a home owner…to the lows of being laid off of a job I absolutely loved, experiencing my first physical setback and enduring the biggest struggle of my life.  But I guess that’s what shapes us into who we are.  (I just hope there are more good things than bad in my next decade!)

7.  Travel when you can!
Whether solo or with someone, get in that car, train or plane and go!  Travel is such an enriching experience.  I wished I started traveling the world in my 20’s, but alas, the 30’s were my decade.  When you travel, not only do you learn a lot about the world around you, but you learn so much about yourself too.  My first solo trip changed me in so many ways, and it opened my eyes to what I’m capable of and who I want to be.

6.  Don’t dwell on the “Should’a Would’as”
What’s in the past is in the past.  You can’t change it, so why torture yourself with those questions?  Sure, it would be nice if I could rewind time, correct the wrongs and make better decisions, but instead, I like to look at those moments as learning experiences and head into the future a little wiser!

5.  Life begins when you step out of your comfort zone.
Don’t you just love that quote?  I literally stepped out of my comfort zone in New Zealand in my early 30’s and never looked back!  Sometimes taking that first step into the unknown is all it takes to come alive…or discover something new about yourself!

4. Every age is a gift.
Last year a high school classmate died of cancer at the age of 38.  We were all stunned by this tragic news, and it made me thankful for each age I’ve gotten to experience.  So as each birthday rolls around, I might joke about wanting to slow down the hands of time, but in all seriousness, I really do thank God for letting me experience a new age (or decade in this case!)

3. Don’t compare your life to others.
Maybe you know someone whose life seems so together compared to yours.  They have the perfect family, career, house with white picket fence, etc…  Things might appear amazing on the surface, but who knows what’s really going on on the inside?  Maybe they’re dealing with an illness in the family, or maybe the happy couple isn’t so happy.  They might be looking at you thinking that you have the perfect life.  So be happy with where you are in life!  (It took me awhile to learn this.)

2.  Sometimes dreams do come true!
In my early 30’s, I resigned to the fact that there would never be a prince charming or sparkly ring to match, and I was OK with it.  I had since tossed out the time table and was enjoying each day as it came.  I filled my early-mid 30’s with enjoyable work, solo travel and adventure.  And then when I was least expecting it, I met the man of my dreams who I eventually married. My hubby filled my life with everything I hoped for and more.  So never give up hope on those dreams!

1.  Enjoy life!
I’ve said it before, but it’s so true.  These past 10 years have FLOWN by!  I still can’t believe it!  It just made me realize that every day is a gift to enjoy and to make the most of.  I want to look back on my life when I’m 100 (God willing!) and smile knowing that I had a great life with happiness, love of family and friends, adventure and minimal regrets.   🙂

What are some things that you’ve learned in life?