35 Things at 35

Tomorrow is my birthday. When you're little you can't ever imagine being old enough to be a grownup. I'm officially a grownup. No turning back. The great thing about having kids, though, is that you get to live everything all over again. I got to watch 2 Disney movies this past weekend and I get to blame it on my 1 year old!

In an effort to look on the bright side of getting older, I've compiled a list of 35 things that I have learned in the past 35.

1. Being a mom is hard.
   Not in the way I had once thought. Yeah, it's a lot of work but I knew that. What I didn't know was how hard it is to figure out if you're doing everything right..or doing enough. Parenting is a delicate balance that is easily judged and questioned.
2. Good cookware is worth the money.
   When I registered for my wedding, I just scanned one of those boxes with the pot/pan assortment. They are not lasting, lol. I covet my few Le Creuset and Caphalon items. They DO make a difference. As do nice cutlery.
3. Church is important.
   My family recently starting going again and it has changed us for the better.
4. Take care of things you love and they will take care of you.
   This goes for things, people, jobs and pets.
5. Take time out for yourself every day.
6. READ
   Reading is so important. Read magazines, books you love, the newspaper. Read to your kids.
7. Save your money.
   If you do not have savings, start today. Even if money is tight, put away $5, $10, $20. You will need it one day I promise. 
8. Exercise
   You don't have to be a gym rat. Go for a walk or ride a bike. Play outside with your kids.
9. Grow something.
   I've learned so much from gardening. It's such a rewarding hobby whether you grow food or just pretty flowers.
10. Make car maintenance a priority.
    Take care of your car. It's a huge investment.
11. Let people know how you feel about them.
    I've got so many people around me that have lost loved ones lately. It reminds me to take a step back and remember to let those I love know how I feel about them.
12. Be passionate.
    Find something you love to do and be passionate about it. Even if it changes from month to month. I'm really into hot yoga right now. I love going and getting better each time.
13. Let go of perfectionism.
    Everything can't be perfect all of the time. Let go once in a while. Just because you have an idea of how something should turn out, doesn't mean it will happen that way.
14. Embrace change.
    I'll be the first to admit that I hate change. Unfortunately, change is inevitable. If you let go, you will find great things on the other end of change.
15. Let go of toxic relationships.
    Sometimes there are people in our lives that inspire us and make us want to be a better person. If they are the opposite of that, let them go. People can and will drag you down with them if you let it happen.
16. Have a signature dish / appetizer / dessert.
    Have a go to recipe that you know you do well. Then when something pops up, you don't have to worry about what to make! I have a standard casserole I make for friends when they are sick or have a new baby. It's quick, easy and I know the ingredients off hand.
17. Take vacations.
    I know people that literally do not take vacations every year. I think it's important - at least for us - to get away every now and then. A week, a weekend...camping, beach... No excuse to not get away with the ones you love and recharge you battery!
18. Take pictures often.
    Especially if you have kids, but even if you don't. Things change so fast, one day you will really enjoy looking back on your life and the memories.
19. Enjoy everyday.
    I struggle with this sometimes. We live in a world of "waiting for the weekend". STOP IT. Make Tuesday movie and pizza night, take yourself shopping on Thursday... find ways to make everyday great.
20. Keep a journal.
    I don't write in mine everyday and I swear that when it's full I'm going to burn it so no one can read it, lol. But, it's amazing how writing can help you get through a tough time, or document good times. There are so many different ways to write: gratitude journal, prayer journal, sketch journal...
21. Buy good sheets and pillows.
    I've wasted money on cheap ones. I complain about the cost of good sheets but they are worth their weight in gold. They feel better and last longer. I'm all for saving a buck, but don't do it here!
22. Go outside... a lot.
    Walk though the grass in bare feet. Sit on the porch while it rains. We live in an indoor society and suffer the effects. It lifts my mood to walk outside. Remind yourself that we live in a beautiful world.
23. Be grateful.
    No matter what you have going on right now, stop and take a moment to be grateful for everything you do have. No matter what, there IS someone who has it worse than you. If you're sad, make a list of what has got you down. Then make a list the same size of things you can be grateful for. It will make you feel better.
24. Slow down.
    If you're like me, you eat fast, walk fast, drive fast, clean fast.. SLOW DOWN, haha. If you find yourself running out of time in the morning - get up earlier. Take more time for lunch and enjoy your food. (I eat WAY too fast. It's not good for digestion!) Along the lines of #19, take a minute and stop rushing your days away.
25. Keep learning new things.
    Never stop learning. I read something online earlier that said we are hardwired to crave information. I believe that. Pick something you've always wanted to learn and DO IT. Cooking? Knitting? Fishing? DO IT.
26. Drink lots of water.
    This one is a little silly, but it's so important for your health. Go to Target, get the neatest cup you can find (I prefer the insulated ones even though they are pricy) and fill it up with water every day. Even if you're not thirsty. Get you're glass and fill it after breakfast. I promise, if it's sitting there by you, you will drink it.
27. Be a good friend.
    Good friends are hard to come by. Take care of those relationships.
28. Send thank you cards.
    Along with sending them for gifts, if someone really goes out of their way for you, mail a thank you card. A text will not suffice. They will appreciate your appreciation!
29. Give everything 100%
    Washing dishes, mowing the lawn, doing a project for work. It's easy to cut corners, but the feeling you get when you know you've done your best is worth the extra effort.
30. Volunteer every now and then.
    It fills your soul.
31. Don't compare.
    True happiness comes from loving what you have and who you are. Remind yourself of that. You never know if the people you are jealous of are really just jealous of you.
32. Make lists.
    Ironic that this IS a list, haha. I learned list making from my mom. Don't expect yourself to remember things, it's too much pressure. Keep paper all around the house to jot things down on that you don't want to forget, or use your phone. Grocery lists, to do's, to remember, etc.
33. Throw things away.
    Every now and then, go through your drawers and closets and get rid of things you don't love or need. Don't be afraid to get rid of stuff, it's just stuff. Don't hang on to it because you 'might' need it 'one day'.
34. Let go of expectations.
    Especially when it comes to people and relationships. Expectations lead to disappointment.
35. Getting older is not that bad!
    Making this list has helped me to feel that way. Assessing what I have learned and hopefully passing it along is worth the journeys ups and downs for me!