30 Things I Learned in My 20’s

Holy mother of elephants, I’m 30! Let’s all take a moment and recognize that it’s a Friday the 13th haha. I’ve learned so much in the past decade, and to be honest, I’m not upset one bit to leave my 20’s behind. They were actually pretty great, but I think my 30’s will be even better. I really want to share the 30 things I learned with you guys because something on this list is going to resonate with someone. Something on this list is going to inspire or motivate someone to be the very best version of themselves. Shall we begin?

1. Live without fear

Even when something makes me uncomfortable, I do it. Be comfortable with discomfort. Take chances, take risks (don’t jump off bridges), chase your dreams. I literally want a tattoo that says “no fear” because this has been such a significant part of my 20’s. I even wrote about it here.

2. Hating someone is like drinking poison, and waiting for the other person to die

This Sicilian saying has given me peace and preserved my overall energy. Think about how much energy you waste hating someone…it’s extremely negative and draining. Stop it.

3. Your mindset matters

Always flip the script. Positivity is the best way to face the day, and I even saw it help one of my closest family members beat cancer. If they had been negative, I don’t think they would have done as well. You can always find the silver lining, guys.

4. Know your worth

You are enough. Whether you’re in a relationship or you’re an entrepreneur, never settle for less than you deserve.

5. You don’t have to be who society tells you to be

I could write a book on this. Oh, wait……I am! Not everyone is meant to work a 9-5 corporate job. The meaning of success is SUBJECTIVE! It is not what society dictates it should be, and you get to decide what makes you happy and fulfilled.

6. You can outgrow relationships and friends

This is normal and it’s okay. We do this as we figure out who we are.

7. Your first love isn’t always your last love

Can I get an amen!? Thank God I didn’t marry that guy. My best friend is literally dying as she reads this right now, I know it.

The clichè saying that everything happens for a reason is pretty true you guys. Cain was definitely the better choice, and I never would have met him had I never had my heart broken.

8. Failure is part of success

Do not fear failure. It’s a necessary part of success. When you fail, you get back up, figure out what you did wrong and fix it. You’re not even failing, you are learning!

9. Life never turns out as you expect

I’m such a planner! I knew exactly what I would be doing 10 years after I graduated from college. Newsflash, I’m not doing anything I thought I’d be doing 10 years after graduating from college. How the hell did I get to be a stay-at-home dog mom who is writing her first book?

10. There is no normal family

I struggled with this for years. I always felt wrong. My family isn’t normal. But you know what…whose is? Everyone has their own story and their own journey.

11. Someone else’s opinion of me is none of my business

I’m sad I only learned this at 29. This has been the most life-changing lesson of my 20’s. Let this sink in. OTHER PEOPLE’S OPINIONS DO.NOT.MATTER!

12. You can make money work for you

Investing and the fact that money wants to grow is still mindblowing to me.

13. Forgiveness takes time

My 20’s were great but also rocky. Forgiving isn’t easy, and we don’t necessarily forget. Time definitely makes things better though and relationships can be repaired.

14. I will never do a diet

I’m all about lifestyle changes and non-processed/real food. Thank you Evolve Studios for literally changing my lifestyle and showing me how to eat healthily.

15. Working out is important for my mental health

When I get into my cycles of depression or anxiety, it’s because I’m not working out. I learned that working out, even if it’s just a short walk on the tread, is super important for my mental health.

16. I need a morning routine to thrive

You can read about my morning routine here!

17. I love my body and my height

In high school, I was bullied and called the jolly green giant. I was always insecure about my body and height and never fit in the right clothes. Now I don’t care. I literally love my body: scars, rolls and all.

18. Travel hacking is a way of life

This is literally how we travel all the time for free and it’s uh-mazing. Read about it here , here and here!

19. I can successfully be a fitness instructor (or whatever I want to be)

I never thought I’d be able to teach or inspire others about fitness. Y’all, I’ve been a Pure Barre instructor since 2016 and I get to inspire people on their fitness journey every time I teach. If you want to do something, do it!

20. I do not want to be a mother

This is something Cain and I get a lot of ish for. I do not want to have children and neither does Cain. We figured this out shortly after getting married, and no, we aren’t changing our minds. Our dogs are our children.

21. It’s okay to get help for my anxiety

I struggled with anxiety for a long time before I felt comfortable getting help. It’s okay to get help! You know what else is okay? Talking about it. I’ve never felt healthier mentally or physically and I’ve been seeing a therapist now for over a year.

22. Say NO to other’s priorities, and say YES to my priorities more often

Take care of yourself. Take care of your priorities.

23. Always embrace my inner child

I love Disney movies and I love to act like a child because it makes me happy. Trip to Disney anyone?

24. I am the most massive, biggest dreamer

Dream big and keep on dreaming. Create dreams that are so audacious that people look at you like you’re crazy.

25. I actually do like olives and beets..who knew?

26. You can’t always control what happens, but you can control how you react

In life, stuff happens. Even though you can’t control it, be aware of how you react to situations. Try to keep that positive mindset and make life happen FOR you, don’t let life happen TO you.

27. I have Endometriosis

Everything happened so fast with this, I learned what it was at the same time I needed surgery. I have scars that represent my struggle, and I know what the pain is like. You aren’t alone, girlfriend.

28. I want to be motivational and inspire others.

I was telling Cain the other day, the NUMBER 1 thing I want my brand to represent is inclusivity. Wait, is that a word? You get the point. I want to inspire others to be the best version of themselves because I know what it’s like to be excluded and made fun of. Everyone is welcome no matter who you are, what you believe or who you love.

29. Success is making the person while he/she makes the money

You may not make a lot of money, but the person you are becoming, the person who is working hard, going to school, dropping the kids off, whatever it may be…that is a success. You are a success.

30. Always appreciate people and show your appreciation

I always tell people, “I appreciate you.” When I say that, it makes them feel amazing and it’s because you acknowledge everything they are doing for you. People need to be appreciated and treated well. You don’t know what’s going on in their lives and how much impact your comment of affirmation will have on their day.

So there you have it. 30 things I learned in my 20’s with a little extra commentary from yours truly. Cheers to 30 y’all.

xoxo