I had been promised by many of my older friends that once I reached the magical age of 30, somehow overnight I’d become this more confident, carefree, and improved version of myself  —  exhibiting an overall kick-ass attitude about life, relationships, work, and everything in between.  I couldn’t wait and so I spent most of my 29^th year in anticipation of 30.  Yet, I felt no discernible difference when I woke up the morning of my 30^th birthday.  I was the same person I was just the day before.

Although it didn’t feel like it then, now that 30 has come and gone (and I’m the oh-so wise age of 31), I have to admit that I learned a lesson or two.  Here is a list of thirty of those lessons…. I’d love to hear what you’ve learned along the way….

1. Sometimes the best things happen to you when you have no plan.
2. You are MORE than ok.
3. You have to work out twice as hard and eat half as much just to look the way you did at 24. Yet, at the same time you learn to embrace the cellulite and grow grateful for having good health and body that can walk, run, hike, dance, and skip you through the rest of your life.
4. No matter how old you get, it’s never too late to find new friends who make you feel like you’ve known them for a lifetime.
5. If you’re single, you revel in the fact that you can sleep in the middle of the bed, watch countless episodes of Real Housewives, eat popcorn for dinner every night, and flirt with anyone you want.
6. Act like an adult when you must, but never forget how to play like a child.
7. Spend as much time with babies and puppies as possible. Simulatenously if you can. They are instant mood-lifters.
8. Take the time to do the things that you loved as a child.
9. Make a concerted effort to try something new on a regular basis.  If you don’t like it, it’s ok.  You won’t know that unless you try.
10. Take care of your things, and they’ll take good care of you. Tailoring your clothes and fixing your heel taps are worth the investment.
11. Find a hobby. Learn a new skill. Your education doesn’t stop just because you have a fancy diploma hanging on your wall.
12. QUIT is not a bad four-letter word.
13. Learn to make at least one finger-lickin’ good meal and always have those ingredients on hand.
14. Surround yourself with people and things that make you happy.
15. Despite what it might seem like, NO ONE has it all.
16. Most people are too busy feeling insecure about what others think of them to take the time to judge you, so just chill out.
17. Surround yourself with people who fill you up rather than drain you.  Clean out your friendship closet if you must.
18. If you’re in the dating scene, stop putting up with B.S. behavior.  (And ladies, you know deep down when you’re getting less than you deserve).  If someone wants to be with you, they will not let distance, money, time, too many texts, or anything get in the way of that.  Expect no less.
19. Live is a verb.  So every once in a while, get up from behind the computer screen and LIVE.
20. Trust your gut. Always.
21. Do no approach life with fear.  Most people would rather put up with unhappiness than deal with uncertainty.  Don’t be one of them.
22. Try to talk to three new people a week. It’s amazing how many interesting people are out there just waiting to be discovered.
23. It’s better to be alone, than to wish that you were alone.
24. Be grateful for all that you have right now. Time passes quickly and you don’t want to look back on your life only to regret that you spent too much time wishing that your thighs were smaller, you had a boyfriend, or that you got that promotion.
25. A smile is your best accessory.
26. Keep a journal and take more pictures. You’ll be happy you did. Especially when your memory starts failing you.
27. Travel. Then travel some more.
28. Let go of material things.
29. Invest in some quality lingerie, a stylish haircut, a handsome handbag, and a sexy pair of heels.  Although what truly matters is who you are on the inside, it doesn’t mean you need to let yourself go on the outside.
30. Stop creating artificial limitations for yourself.  Give yourself permission to be the amazing person you truly are.

(c) 2013 Simply Annette