Turning 30 List

Some notes to myself, so I don’t forget

I’m turning thirty in just over a month (yikes!), and I could say it dawned on me just now. But that would be a lie, because I’ve been thinking about it for months - especially how I want to celebrate this milestone. For the way it looks now, it will involve dancing, a cake, and maybe a ping pong table. But along with all the fun planning, I’ve inevitably found myself reflecting on all that I’ve learned in these past (almost) 30 years. And here are some life lessons I jotted down in my notebook earlier this year, which I thought I’d share.

So here you go - make of them what you will.

Live an active life. Make it a habit and prioritize it. It will take discipline, but it will be worth it. You’ll feel better, stronger, fitter, and it will teach you to be organized (which is not to be underestimated). Try to find a sport or activity that actually makes you happy. When you make it non-negotiable in your days and weeks, you won’t go back.

Get to know your true self. This isn’t something you do once: it’s a recurring exercise, and it’s best to start early: get in touch with your goals, dreams, strengths, and flaws. Understand how your mind works, what gives you energy, and what drains it.
Go to therapy for a while - it can be uncomfortable at times, but it’s often worth it.
This way, you’ll be more confident in your life choices (among other things). If you know yourself, you’ll be less influenced by others: we each have our own story, and you should decide what works for you.

Make plans, reach out, and find time. As you grow older, you’ll find it harder to see your friends, have a phone call, or even see family. Adulthood and independence come with responsibilities, work, plans, and, oftentimes, the sacred need for some alone time.
But time will pass anyway, so schedule that coffee date with a friend, call your sisters, and show up at the family event.
No need to make this mandatory (we each have our own priorities and relationships), but you won’t regret the extra game night with your people.
And if someone needs to take the lead and plan, why can’t it be you?

Eat well and learn some basic cooking.
Like with sports, this takes discipline, practice, and a bit of fun.
If in doubt about how to eat well, see a nutrition specialist - it’s an investment that will likely pay off more than online diets, supplements, or anything too restrictive to last.
Understand your goals, and accept that they might vary over time: at some point you might want to lose weight, build muscle, or maybe change nothing at all - just feel good and stay healthy. Learn the building blocks of nutrition, and you’ll be able to live a healthier life without breaking the bank or overthinking every meal. It will help you in all phases of life and in all circumstances: at home, at work, on holiday.

Master a sustainable skincare/haircare routine.
Take off your makeup, be gentle, use good products (for you and your skin). Keep over-the-top makeup and hair for special occasions.
You want to look at yourself in the morning and feel okay - even before makeup.
There will be days when you’re happier (maybe after a week at the beach) and others when you’ll feel a bit washed out. That’s normal, but consistency helps, and the better days will come more often (and you won’t feel the need for extreme fixes later on).

Enrich your life beyond work.
Find what makes you happy and, most importantly, make time for it. Try weird new things just for the sake of it - you never know what might click.
Creativity, learning, and experimentation are so important. It’s not about becoming an expert, but about staying open to all that life has to offer and breaking your routine from time to time.

Be grateful. Say it, write it, remind yourself of it.
There will always be someone who would love to be in your shoes. Practicing appreciation for what you have and the people around you will make you happier in the long run (and if you tell someone you appreciate them, they’ll be happier too).
Being happy is also an exercise: a mindset, a choice.

Don’t take decluttering too far.
At times (e.g., when moving), you’ll be tempted to throw many things out out of frustration. It’s important not to give in to that feeling completely.
There will be things, letters - postcards, movie tickets - that will take you back to happy times long after they’re gone. And they are worth more than you think.

Take chances, even if the pro-con list suggests otherwise.
Be mindful, but sometimes you can be your own saboteur, and it’s important not to be.
Get the dog you want (provided you can care for it) - I did, despite a very convincing “con” list. And it has been one of the happiest decisions of my life.

Choices will always come with consequences, but if those are ones you can handle, go for it. If you’re honest with yourself about what you want, you’ll see there are more chances you can (and should) take. Life is not always about sticking to the bare minimum and avoiding consequences. With that mindset, you risk stripping yourself of joy, fun, and opportunities.

To be honest, it was refreshing to reread these - even if I only wrote them three or so months ago. It was a very inspired moment, and now that, for some reason, I’m not, I appreciate revisiting some of my own wisdom.

I guess I’ll keep adding to the list.

EleGu 💕