Hi friends! My intention was to post this the day I turned 30… 30 days later. How fitting?? LOL

I originally had a recap of my 20’s and a list of 30 golden nuggets combined, but I want this one to shine on it’s own. I gained a lot of wisdom through my twenties, especially in my late twenties. I truly believe I found my voice and identity. I am confident in my shoes, who I am, what I believe in and where I am going. What a fun ride it has been so far and we are just getting started!

Here’s the list!! Enjoy!

1. You always get more with honey than vinegar. “Can you help me?” goes a long way! 99% of people want to help and are willing to help. Don’t be afraid to ask. The answer is always no, if you don’t ask.
   
2. No is a full sentence. No need to explain yourself!
   
3. Most people are struggling whether it be mentally, physically, financially, spiritually… we are all battling something. Be kind. A lot is hidden behind closed doors people don’t know about or talk about.
   
4. Small acts of kindness can change someone’s life. Hold the door. Smile. Give the compliments. If you think about something nice, say it. If you think about someone, text them to let them know. Everyone wants to feel important and be seen. Everyone will always remember the way you made them feel.
   
5. You can lose everything, start completely over and it will be better than it was. You gained some wisdom in the end. I say you fail forward. Every time I lost something, it was always replaced with something better.
   
6. You marry someone’s family. It’s a package deal. You need to look at everything and everyone. No one is perfect, so figure out what you are willing to tolerate and what you aren’t. The most repeated advice I have heard from couples that have been married for a long time is, “Marry someone that will make you laugh. Laughter can get you through just about anything.”
   
7. Don’t EVER be too afraid of what people will think when it comes to the decisions of your life. Don’t be afraid of the hard conversations. People will ALWAYS have an opinion. Live your life. Stand firm in your decisions. Regardless which decision you make, you will always end up right where you are supposed to be.
   
8. Invest in your friendships… time is the currency!
   
9. Vision boards really do work. Dream BIG!
   
10. Don’t be afraid to make a mistake. You learn WAY more from making a mistake than you do from always being perfect. It’s better to mess up than to never start at all. Be brave my friends!
    
11. Perfection is not real or obtainable. Progress is everything. The journey is the fun part! The end result is never celebrated or feels the way you thought it would. The middle part is where the juicy character building moments are. Those are the days you reminiscence on and talk about. Enjoy your journey! Soak up the little moments.
    
12. Shoot. your. shot. Just go for it! Figure it out on the way there. Just take the first step!
    
13. People are in your life for specific seasons or a lifetime. If God calls on you to help someone, be there. That is a gift when God calls you to be someone’s angel. We all need people! Life takes a village!
    
14. Always do the right thing even when it is hard. You will never be able to “get someone back” like karma can. No need to put any negative juju in your world. Karma is a bitch. Let her work!
    
15. When you have a hard day stop and smell the roses. The roses are a roof over your head, food in your belly, A/C or heater, gas in your vehicle, people that love you, and whatever else. Stop and look around at the blessings. It will change your perspective real quick. It is also important to acknowledge you are having a tough day and some days just suck. Most of the time tomorrow is better. Never forget there is always good in every day some days you just have to look a little bit harder.
    
16. Schedule all the big rocks in your life first. Work everything else around that. You can’t pour from an empty cup. Faith, family, friends and health should come before your job. Money is great, but is money going to be standing next to you on your death bed? That would be a no. If something happened to you tomorrow, your “job” would find someone to replace you and do the work. Too much of anything is bad. It’s all about balance. Nothing is ever fully balanced… just do your best and remember you are an important person in your life too. Quality over quantity any day!
    
17. Learn when to rest. Not to quit. Stress is a silent killer. Have an outlet.
    
18. When someone criticizes you, they are giving you the opportunity to be better/fix the mistake. With that said, OWN YOUR MISTAKES!!! Make it right with the person. Do not be too prideful to say sorry. We all mess up! How are you going to argue with someone that says, “I messed up. I am really sorry. I am going to make this right and be better next time.” That’s right… you can’t. Just make sure you keep your word and actually be better. Don’t be the asshole that keeps doing the same thing over and over again.
    
19. Hang up and hang out! Put your phone down at times. Look up at the life around you not what is on your screen. You are watching other people live their life.
    
20. Your life can change in seconds. God also answers prayers the second it is meant for you. He sees and hears everything, so be grateful for unanswered prayers too. What is meant for you, will be. Move forward with childlike faith and watch him work.
    
21. Don’t feel the pressure to get married, have kids, buy a house, etc. by a certain age. F Society!! You do what you think is best for you. No one knows you better than you know yourself! Everything will come right when it is supposed to.
    
22. Counseling is incredible and worth every single penny. It is good to go even when you feel good. Also, if you aren’t vibing with your counselor get a new one. You aren’t married. I just got super lucky with mine!
    
23. Take pictures. Journal. They will be treasures to look back on.
    
24. 95% of the bridges you think you are going to cross, you never will. Face the bridge when you get there. Worrying doesn’t do anyone good. Someone once told me worrying is like sitting in a rocking chair. You are moving, but aren’t going anywhere. It’s a complete waste of energy.
    
25. In a relationship, you need hobbies of your own. It’s important to keep your identity. It’s healthy to have some separation.
    
26. You cannot be mad at someone for not meeting your expectations if you do not clearly communicate them. Don’t beat around the bush. Just be straight up! I need _____ from you. Now when you clearly state your reasonable expectations and they are not met. Well go on with your mad self.
    
27. Drink H2O. Take care of your skin. Exercise. Sleep. Take care of your body!! You only get one.
    
28. You will walk away from the relationship, job, friendship, etc. when YOU are ready! Until then, no matter what anyone says to you, you won’t. Quit being so hard on yourself for it. Enjoy the process, look for the lessons and keep putting one foot in front of the other. Time will reveal everything.
    
29. When people tell you about things in their life, good or bad, set yourself a reminder or add it into your calendar or however you remember stuff to check in/encourage/celebrate with them. People want to feel important. Everyone has a lot on their plate, so no shame in my reminder/calendar invite game. Also, when someone pops in your head, shoot them a text or call them. Just let them know you are thinking of them. You don’t know the impact a simple text can make on someone.
    
30. No one is perfect. Grace is necessary for every relationship in your life and for yourself!

This list was originally 60 nuggets plus long. I shortened it and did my best to include the top 30. There is an opportunity to gain wisdom every day. What a gift to learn! As much as you look for the lessons, look for the blessings! so far 30 is great! 30 is more grey hairs (still holding out on coloring my hair). 30 is true friends. 30 is confidence. 30 is still figuring it out and having a better idea of what to do and where to go. I have a feeling my 30’s are going to be a great decade for me! I am excited to soak up every adventure this life will take me on. Until then, we will continue blogging and living each day to the fullest!

Have a great week!

Until next time,

Amanda