Today is my birthday!
It marks the beginning of my last year as a 30 year old woman.
My plan was to write something heartfelt and emotional about my last year as a 30 something year old woman.
Only, I don’t really feel that heartfelt or emotional about it.
In fact, it kinda feels like just another day, beginning just another year that I am blessed to be facing.
Instead of forcing it, I cooked a Mother’s Day breakfast for my family, painted a chair I’ve been wanting to paint for years, planted flowers in my garden, watched two of my kids play sports, and rounded out my day with some leftover Easter candy that I enjoyed on my couch while watching Supernatural with Dude 1.
When it comes down to it, there is only one thing the last 38 years has definitively taught me anyway: I know nothing and, just when I think I do, the universe likes to smack me back to reality with proof to the contrary.
I know that sounds a little dreary, especially for a birthday post, but more than anything I feel like it’s empowering!
Instead of spending all of my days thinking I’ve got this, I spend them knowing I don’t, appreciating the days when it feels like I do, and preparing to face the ones that spiral out of control in that crazy way that leaves you sitting in your empty bathtub with a stack of Resse’s Cups and a glass of sweat tea (I don’t drink wine, okay? I sugar hydrate).
So, while I don’t have any deep emotional reflecting to share with you, I do have some life lessons to impart.
15 Life Lessons I Learned Before My 40th Birthday
Live in the moment.
It’s scary how quickly things change.
Know your strengths and respect your weaknesses.
We aren’t all blessed with killer upper body strength.
Give yourself a break, even when no one else will.
Guilt is a total waste of time and naps are life.
Kindness is the most important character trait to have.
But, it’s not always easy to maintain.
Courage is important too.
In the face of struggle and imminent danger, you will need it.
When you fall, get back up.
Laying there feels amazing, but then everyone is watching and that feels like trash.
You don’t have to listen to other people telling you how to live.
You can just live.
If you want to dance, do it like no one is watching.
Because a celebration is not to be passed up. And kids need to learn not to interrupt a personal dance party.
Being right isn’t always the most important thing.
Besides, when you’re a mom, it happens so often that it’s cool to accept it when it you’re not.
No one in your family will ever be able to find anything without your help.
They’re blind. TOTALLY BLIND!
Hard work pays off.
You know, after the pain subsides.
Self care is not selfish.
And that includes hiding the chocolates in your Tampon box so your kids and husband won’t find them.
Love the skin you’re in.
Because the idea that your bikini body will be here by summer is just really, really never, ever happening. And also tacos.
Good girlfriends are more important than good jeans.
Like, you want both, but if you have to choose, go with the girlfriends.
The best things in life are free.
But you can also buy some really fabulous things that will make the 10lbs you gained since your last birthday feel less evil.
Kids have life lessons too! Check out these Life Lessons from the 8 Year Old if you really want to be inspired.