I'm about to turn 30. I'm not where I thought I'd be (want to make God laugh? Tell him your plans), but I've learnt a few things along the way. So here are 30 life lessons from a gal who's still figuring it out:
- The only people who deserve your unconditional love are your children. Your happiness should always be a condition of your love.
- Travel. It forces you to be an outsider, and this can only make you a better person.
- Know the difference between compromising and being a doormat.
- Save money. Savings give you freedom.
- Own a signature scent. People who love you will be reminded of you when they smell it.
- Have an ill-advised love affair. Broken hearts remind you to be grateful for good partners.
- The world doesn't owe you anything.
- Dress well. If you can't be bothered to take care of yourself, how can an employer expect you to take care of your work, or a partner expect you to take care of your family?
- Have good manners. They are always fashionable. Write thank you notes, hold doors and give up your seat for old people.
- Learn to cook. There's nothing cool about an adult who can't feed themselves.
- Have alone time. If you don't like your own company, you can't expect anyone else to.
- Love someone who believes you are the greatest thing that ever happened to them. The view from a pedestal is wonderful.
- Love someone you believe is the greatest thing that ever happened to you.
- Walk places. It's good for the environment and it's good for you.
- Recycle. It's the least you can do for your kids.
- You can know everything about a person by what they like to read.
- It only hurts as much as it is worth.
- When everything seems dark, or envy creeps in, remind yourself you won the lottery. Only 1% of people don't worry about where their next meal is coming from.
- Sleep. Your body (and your mind) need it.
- Learn CPR. It saves lives.
- Live simply. (Travel reminds us how little we need to live.)
- Life isn't a single endeavour. Even if you work hard, someone needs to promote you, support you, whatever. Be grateful to these people.
- Love your reflection. You are what you tell yourself you are, and goddamn, you're beautiful.
- Know what you'd take if your house was burning down.
- Floss. Those teeth need to last a lifetime.
- Never ask someone to do something you aren't prepared to do yourself.
- Believe in magic. The very fact you exist is proof.
- Have regrets. They make the best stories.
- Buy welfare meat. Eating animals is part of the food chain, making them suffer is sadistic.
- People may not remember what you said, but they always remember how you made them feel.
