Tomorrow is my 31st birthday.
Last year, when I had my big 3-0, it didn't hit me as hard as 31 is. I don't know why, but I feel so much older, and wiser in a way. When I turned 30, I felt like I was still figuring out who I was, and wasn't still completely comfortable with myself. This year, I feel like I'm finally at peace with myself, and my direction in life. It has made me so much more confident, and I've really tried hard to put myself first in everything I do.
Here are a few things that I'm lucky to have learned by the age of 31:
1. Love comes in all forms, and you are allowed to feel love for others in any way your heart wishes to. You possess endless amounts of love, and just because you love one person, doesn't mean it takes away from loving others just as much. There is no limit to how much love you can give, in any way you choose to give it.
2. Your body is perfect just the way it is, and never let anyone make you believe otherwise. There are things you can always change about it, but make sure you are doing this for yourself, and no one else. There may be things that you can't change, and that's okay, too. Regardless of your shape, size, weight or height, learning to love your body is the most important thing. When you accept your body, your paradigm shifts, and you start to accept other parts of yourself just as easily.
3. Not all relationships end because you stopped loving someone, or they stopped loving you. Sometimes circumstances change. Sometimes that person changes, or their values change. Sometimes goals get in the way, or distance. You can still be head over heels in love with someone, and things just don't work out.
4. There is a difference between having family, and having relatives. Family can be blood related, or people you have only known for 6 months. Family is surrounding yourself with people you love, not because of obligation.
5. Never apologize for putting yourself first, or standing up for what you believe in. You are a person that matters, and your opinions and thoughts are valid. You do not have to say sorry for speaking your mind. Words such as "Sorry, but..." should never exist as the beginning of a sentence.
6. Comparison is a time and energy waster, and is extremely harmful to the way you feel about yourself. I used to compare myself to other people all of the time. I also compared my relationship with others as well. It took a toll on my self worth, and made me feel so insignificant to others. Something in my brain finally clicked one day, and I realized that I needed to focus on all of the wonderful things I had in my life, and not to worry about what others were doing with theirs. If you can do the same, I guarantee that you will be amazed at the amount of wonderful things you have to be grateful for.
Last, but not least:
7. It does not matter what other people think of you. You were not put on this earth to fulfill other people's ideas of who you should be. I cannot stress this one enough. You will meet people that will project unrealistic expectations of where you should be in your life, and what you should be doing. You do you, and if who you are supposed to be doesn't match their ideal "you", then forget them. You deserve to be the most authentic (insert name here) that you can be.
Thanks for reading!
xo
