38 Things For My 20 Year Old Self

Hi friends and happy Monday!! Today is my 38th birthday! On my 30th birthday, I wrote this original post. It was a letter to my 20 year old self. Just things that I wish I had known back then and things that I wish I could go back in time a tell myself as a youngster. Life is so full of lessons, ups, downs and all the in-betweens and I feel like each year has one big lesson to share. This year, I feel like there were lots of lessons, as usual, but one stuck out to me and it’s one thats been on my heart and mind for sometime now. I truly feel blessed and grateful for another year, regardless of the fact that it may not have been my best one, because hey, life is life and this is a pretty darn good life that I lead. I wake up today feeling thankful for everything that I’ve been given, even the hard things, because those are the character building things that help mold you into who you are supposed to become. So, on my 38th birthday, here are my 38 things for my 20 year old self!

Here is my Letter to my 20 Year Old Self:

Dear Me,

1. Don’t worry so much because, I promise you what lies ahead is way better than you could ever imagine.

2. Do what you love. Even if no one supports you. The people who love you and believe in you will support you in every endeavor.

3. You will be set up on a blind date and you will end up marrying that amazing godly man.

4. He will be your biggest supporter and your best friend. When I say biggest supporter, I mean it. He will cheer you on in anything you chose to do.

5. Dance like no one is watching. Ignore the people who laugh at your dance moves. Just enjoy yourself and have fun. That’s all that matters.

6. Pray without ceasing.

7. Always follow YOUR dreams.

8. Never let anyone bully you and guilt you into staying in their life. If it’s not working for you, then it’s just not and you don’t owe an explanation.

9. True friends are just that, true friends. You will only get a few in your lifetime, but they will be there for you always.

10. Do the things you want to do. The time wasted sitting around making excuses as to why you can’t do them, is time that could have been used doing said things.

11. Being a mom will be the hardest and most rewarding job ever. It’s never easy but it will be the best thing you’ll ever do.

12. You will do nothing with your college major. You will spend lots of years wondering if you should have and that’s okay because you still can.

13. You will move all over the place in the next ten years and you will have some great experiences and meet some amazing people.

14. You will teach yourself lots of new skills that you’ve always wanted to learn.

15. You and your sister will have kids around the same ages and this will be one of the greatest things. Seeing them all interact with each other and seeing how they love each other so much will be priceless.

16. Do not put so much stock in what certain people think of you. There will always be certain people trying to bring you down. Hold your head high and “keep on keeping on.”

17. Lots of amazing things will happen and also lots of tragic and tough things will happen. Remember to hold onto your faith. It’s hard at times, but knowing there is someone out there with a plan for YOU and YOUR life, will get you through.

18. You will always love pink and glitter. (duh)

19. You will begin watching the show Frasier and you will watch it every night and it will be key in helping you fall asleep.

20. You will always laugh a lot…even through the hard times.

21. You will always struggle not taking things to heart, whether it be an attack on you personally or an attack on your business. It will always be hard for you, but remember that you have lots of people cheering for you. They are who matter.

22. ALWAYS trust your instincts. More often than not, they will be right.

23. Always trust your mom’s instincts too. She has been right about soooo many things!

24. It’s okay to cry. Most times, after a good cry, you’ll feel better.

25. Eat dessert. Eat cheeseburgers. Life is too short to count calories constantly.

26. People will let you down. That’s just part of life.

27. Even on the hardest day when you think you can’t take anymore, remember to be thankful for ALL your blessings.

28. Always take lots of pictures even if it makes your hubby crazy! 🙂

29. Treat each day like a special occasion.

30. Don’t let fear control you.

ps…Wear sunscreen. Seriously, get in the habit now…it’s a good one.

Added August 23 2014 

31. Moving is hard. Duh. You will realize (and remember from when you were growing up) that no matter where you are, what city or state you live in, as long as you are with your immediate family (though you’ll miss the parents, sibs, friends and grandparents like crazy), you are home and you’ll be okay. Some days will be harder than others and you’ll wish you were somewhere else, but take heart, better days are coming.

ps…read number 16. and number 21. like a million times. There will come times that you’ll need that advice a lot.

Added August 23 2015 (two this year) 

32. Make time for friends and family. Community is one of those things that everyone needs. You might not think you need it at times, but you do. You really do. Even when you’re not feeling your best, these are the people that love you no matter what. They love you through it all. Let them be there for you through the good, but also the bad, because that is when you need it most.

32.5 It’s okay to admit that you made a mistake and move on from that. Do NOT worry about people’s opinions about it, either. In the end, you and your husband know what’s best for your family and that is what really matters.

Added August 23 2016

33. You may not understand or even comprehend the reason for your season and the path you are walking, but eventually, it will become clear and all the difficulties and struggles will be understood. It could take days, months or even years, but in the end, you just have to trust that God has your path completely planned out and that you are exactly where you are meant to be at this exact moment. Hard to do, but just try to trust that you are where you are meant to be.

Added August 23 2017

34. Each thing, good or bad helps you to learn and grow and helps to transform you into who God has planned for you to be. Sometimes its easy and sometimes it’s hard, but, you are truly always in the exact place that you are meant to be. I can’t remind you of that fact, enough! Never forget Jeremiah 29:11. That will always be one of the verses that you repeat in your head on a daily basis. “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” -Jeremiah 29:11

Added August 23 2018

35. Life is what you make it. Sometimes, no matter what the circumstances, no matter what you’re feeling, you just have to look for and choose JOY.

Added August 23 2019

36. Life is so full of ups and downs and that is actually one of the beautiful things about life. It’s not always going to be amazing, but it’s always amazing to be alive. I think there is a notion that life needs to be awesome 24/7, but after lots of reflection this year, I don’t think it’s true. I really do think that it is okay to just be “okay.” Not terrible, not amazing, but just good and just a-okay. So, if you’ve ever wondered this like I have, let me tell you, it is definitely okay to just be “okay.”

Added August 23 2020

37.

Life can be happy, hard and all things in-between. Just remember, your family are your main people and you will be grateful you have each other.

Added August 23 2021

38. Sometimes you just have to hold your nose and jump in. My mom said this to me the other day about some looming big decisions and while there are so many reasons something could go wrong, there are also so many reasons that something could go right. Is it worth the risk? You never know at the time, but each time, we’ve gone out on a limb, we’ve learned lessons and grown, whether good, or bad.

Love,

Me