33 Things I’ve Learned in 33 Years

1. Travel if your wallet allows it. You don’t have to leave the country… or even the state. Some of the times I’ve learned the most about myself happens by being in a different environment-even if it’s just for a long weekend away. You’ll meet new people, experience a different lifestyle, try new food, and find new adventures. You’ll come back home changed no matter where you went.

2. Always help others. Help your elderly neighbor with their outside work. Open the door for somebody with a smile. Pay for the person behind you in the drive-thru. There are fewer things greater than helping others and knowing you made a difference in their day. It might also encourage the person you blessed to pay it forward to someone. This is an amazing way to continue to spread love.

3. You’ll have your heart broken. Don’t break hearts in return because of the heartache someone else caused you.

4. It is okay to have a cry fest, eat the ice cream, and not leave the house. There’s also probably an Adele or Taylor Swift song for that.

5. Keep notes, cards, and pictures you have received from loved ones over the years. My biggest treasures are pictures of me and one of my dear friends who passed away after college. I love coming across these reminders of her and the fun times we shared.

6. The grass is not greener on the other side. It’s actually probably brown.

7. Just because you’re offended by something somebody did or said doesn’t mean you are right. This might be the time to look within, especially if you are constantly offended by the same things.

8. Not everyone is going to like you. Instead of wondering why, keep in mind that maybe they dislike you because of the way so many others like, love, and respect you.

9. Never search online articles when you aren’t feeling well. You’ll be told your headache is probably strep throat. Seriously. Just call your doctor.

10. If you have anxiety after a big purchase, try to decide if it was really a need or a want and don’t be afraid to return it if necessary.

11. There’s a 5% success rate if you get back together with an ex. I also made up that statistic, but you know what I mean.

12. 90% of anything you used in Math class you’ll never use in the real world.

13. Sometimes it’s okay to shut down your social media accounts to focus on more important things.

14. To all of the nurses, doctors, teachers, social workers, those serving overseas, and anyone in an occupation where they are helping others— You’re the real MVPs.

15. Stay humble.

16. If you’re not able to get closure in a situation that hurt you, sometimes the other person’s behavior in the end and after everything is over might be all the closure you’re going to need.

17. To quote Louis C.K: “When a person tells you that you hurt them, you don’t get to decide that you didn’t.” Really take this one in, folks.

18. Starting your morning watching the news can be the most depressing part of the day. Maybe don’t watch the news before bed either.

19. Never prove your worth. To anybody. Because anybody that is truly worth your time will never make you feel like you have to.

20. Space bubbles get so much worse with age.

21. It is 100% okay to be unapologetic for sticking up for yourself if you feel you aren’t in the wrong.

22. It is also 100% beneficial to say “I’m sorry” when you are wrong.

23. Never tell a pissed off female to “calm down” if you want to live to see another day.

24. When you hit your 30’s, all teenagers look like they’re ten, and all college kids look like they’re 16.

25. Missed opportunities are the worst. If you’re scared of rejection, determine what’s worse: rejection or never knowing what could have been.

26. After being single for a while, you become so certain in what you look for in a potential partner that you are strong in your ability not to put up with any bullshit. That doesn’t make you an asshole. It means you respect yourself enough not to settle.

27. Even the most educated people lack common sense and social awareness.

28. True colors come out when you are put in situations that are doing you a disservice. Slow traffic. A bad day at work. Poor service in restaurants. Be aware of how you treat people in these situations. Your behavior speaks so much more than any inconvenience ever could.

29. Not everyone wants a marriage and kids. Respect these people. Also respect those people who would love a marriage and kids and are still waiting on one or both. Comments hurt.

30. That boyfriend or girlfriend that you took for granted? Yeah. You’ll totally search for them in the next person that comes along. Appreciate what you have.

31. No matter how cool, calm, and collected a person is, I truly believe everyone has been pissed off enough at least once in their life where their inner Carrie Underwood from the “Before He Cheats” music video comes out. Maybe before you take it to her level, ask yourself if taking a “Louisville slugger to both headlights” is worth the jail time.

32. Strawberritas are a drink that you’re not meant to have more than 2 of if you plan on enjoying life the next day. Trust me with this one.

33. Do at least one thing a year you’d never do otherwise do. This makes for some of the best stories, and you may find you really enjoy something you didn’t think you would.