In honor of turning 28, I’m sharing a list of 28 things I have learned. Every year, right before my birthday, I like to take a moment to pause and reflect on all the moments that have shaped me. This year, instead of just celebrating the day, I wanted to celebrate the journey and the growth that got me here. This list of 28 things isn’t a how-to guide, but rather a snapshot of the wisdom both big and small that I’ve collected. Here they are, the things I’m happy to know!
- Rest is productive. Burnout is real, and sometimes the best way forward is to pause.
- Protect your time. Your time is valuable, spend it wisely and do things that fill your cup.
- Failure is feedback. Embrace mistakes, learn from them and grow from them.
- You don’t need permission to evolve. You’re allowed to change your mind, your style, and your entire direction in life.
- Protect your peace. Recognize what drains you; if an obligation or person consistently takes more energy than it gives, it’s time to reevaluate and set a boundary.
- Move to feel good Find movement you genuinely enjoy, because consistency comes from enjoyment, not obligation.
- Consistency beats intensity. Small, steady effort over time yields far better results than massive, sporadic bursts.
- Always stay curious. Spend time learning new skills or hobbies it keeps your mind sharp and your life interesting.
- Good communication is about listening, not just waiting to speak. Truly hearing someone changes everything.
- Not everyone is on your team. Be your own greatest advocate and pay close attention to how people act, especially during your successes or struggles
- Your inner circle should be small, but mighty. Prioritize deep meaningful connections.
- It’s okay to outgrow people. Not all relationships are meant to be forever, and letting go can be an act of kindness to both parties.
- Cheer people on even if it’s from a distance. Success isn’t finite; celebrating someone else’s win doesn’t diminish your own.
- Family is everything. Cherish the time you have together, it’s not unlimited.
- Sleep is your superpower. Prioritize good sleep, proper hydration, and nourishing food; they are the foundation for everything else.
- Be confident in yourself. Even when you don’t feel confident, act confident in everything you do; teaching, cooking, reading, driving, traveling, hosting, etc.
- Nature is the ultimate reset button. Get outside and feel the elements daily; it provides perspective, peace, and natural energy.
- Comparison is the thief of joy. Focus on your own lane and your own timeline
- “No” is a complete sentence. You don’t owe anyone an explanation for setting a boundary.
- Trust your gut feeling. Your intuition is often right; learn to listen to that quiet voice.
- Understand your money to control your future. You don’t need to be an expert, but grasping the basics of budgeting, saving, and investing is essential.
- Travel, travel, travel. Invest in experiences, the memories you make enrich your life.
- Don’t let anyone stop you from doing what you want. Protect your ambition from small minds. Ignore the noise, take negative feedback with a grain of salt, and do the work anyway.
- Invest in quality, not quantity. This applies to everything from clothes to food to experiences.
- Celebrate every milestone. No matter how big or small it may be.
- Master the mundane, and the extraordinary will follow. Success is less about grand gestures and more about showing up and doing the daily, often boring, work. Discipline is choosing what you want most over what you want now.
- The space between stimulus and response is your power. You can’t control what others say or do, but you always control how you react. Breathe, pause, and choose a productive response over an emotional one.
- Be present. Put the phone down, look up, and fully experience the moment you’re in, because you’ll never get it back.
