While 31| Nuggets of wisdom

Well hello there! 

I recently turned 32, and while reflecting on the past year, I wanted to share some (31 to be exact) of what I have recognized and/or had to tell myself this past year.

(heads up: this is a long read)

1 It is OK to be comfortable where you are... So long as you are have no complaints.
For a long time I was beating myself up because I didn't stick to the list of goals that I created for myself when I was in high school. I have had this talk with both my husband and sister and realized that at the end of the day...I'm happy and that is all that matters.

2 You're stronger than you thought.
Year 31 was a bit rough around the middle. There were days when I was so upset and distraught that I didn't know what I could do if anything. Looking back I'm still stunned at how I managed but, I did and it was so worth staying motivated and positive.

3 Pink is [secretively] your favorite color...
Yeah, I was so against pink for so long with it being seen as a gender specific color but at the end of the day...I love how I look in pink; clothes and nails...I still will not claim it as my official favorite color though...

4 You actually can cook!
Thanks to Pinterest, YouTube and listening to my mother, I noticed that I can cook a meal that doesn't just keep us from starving BUT taste great (lol). I have even been so bold to create my own dishes.

5 Some things in life require "winging it".
We all know that there isn't a true manual to life so a lot of times we're just calling audibles.

6 You can't hang like you use to! Face it!
Maaaan... lemme tell you that I am not a spring chicken (even though I look great *wink*). I am tired ALL THE TIME so when I'm asked to "hang out" or "come chill", ! have to know how late we we'll be out and where we'll be.

7 Giving yourself "Deadlines" really helps in getting things done.
Need I say more? Keeping on track is key in some situations.

8 With all this technology,  you are not weird for still writing your To-Do list.
I still write down my grocery list, at home to-do list, work agenda and anything else I can think of. It feels good to cross something off of the list with a pen.

9 You will make mistakes...And it is OK so long as you learn from them
I know I'm not perfect, although I try my hardest go be however, if I make mistakes at work or in my everyday life, I own up to them and make note to avoid it happening again.

10 Sleep is [still] an awesome thing.
I've come to the realization that I am tired ALL THE TIME. And though I have had an understanding since junior year in college that sleep is great, I still didn't appreciate it. I now try to nap every chance I get in hopes to catch up (lol).

11 Parenting is a team effort...Keep it that way
Often times I'm trying to be Super Woman because I like things done my way however, this leads to me spreading myself too thin so, have to step back and allow hubby to lend a hand or tell let him know that I need his assistance.

12 Speaking positivity into your day makes a world of difference.
There are plenty of days where I'm just not motivated to start on my to-do list or go to work, or make my rounds outside of the house. These days require a lot of music and mantras...which honestly keep me fueled.

13 Cry if you must.
A good cry is like a detox sometimes. Whether it be a happy, sad or mad cry, I step away to be to myself and have at it.

14 You need a passport.
That's it...I have no plans in the near future to travel outside of the US however, I have decided that a passport may be a gift to myself very soon. 

15 It is hard to live without bread... In my opinion.
So, I love carbs and while I know it may be best to do without... I can't drop bread. I have tried but it ain't happening. 

16 Parenting requires the use of instinct.
Refer back to "winging it". 

17 Never lose integrity in your work (no matter what is going on around you).
It is so easy to get discourage with all the negative that is around but I have learned, especially while on the job, that I will still do my job to the best of my ability because at the end of the day, there is no excuses I can give to explain why I didn't or wouldn't.

18 There are people watching you...Let 'em look.
I never thought of myself as someone that others would admire...I'm just in my world doing my own thing but I have had few people come to me and say that I inspired them to go natural, cut their hair, shop for certain clothes and I was shocked and honored at the same time! 

19 Coffee is soooooo good
I was not a coffee drinker until a little over a year ago and I love...That is all.

20 Continue to let your creative juices flow!
I start so many projects then get nervous about them and defer them, just to start something else. At one point I thought that maybe I was giving myself too much credit as being "creative". But I saw a post online once using the analogy of a web browser with 2000+ tab opened all at once being the mind of a creative person...THAT IS ME!

21 It isn't being selfish when you want time to your self.
Everyone needs time to themselves whether it be to groom, read, meditate, whatever. I have gotten use to telling hubby when I need some me time and I feel so much better when I return.

22 Dollar Tree has stepped up their game (another haul coming soon).
#Random but... I LOVE DOLLAR TREE! from home decor, books, to healthy snacks, I swing into some of the DTs once a week to take a look at what is new.

23 Did I mention sleep is a great thing?
Just wanted to drop that one more time because again...I'm always tired.

24 Kids songs are way too catchy.
I have had Button watching/listening Big Bugs Band since she was a little baby doing tummy time (which wasn't that long ago) and we still use these videos to get her to crawl around however, there have been plenty of moments when I am NOT with her...Or even at for at home that matter and I'm humming these tunes. I often have to think to myself "what song am I humming?" lol. Hubby has even admitted to humming them while at work.

25 You are willing to make a complete fool of yourself for entertainment purposes.
I sing, dance, make faces and funny noises to entertain Button. I even attempt to freestyle...AND I CAN'T RHYME (this is something I've know for a long time). It cracks me up thinking about the silly things we do to amuse her.

26 You really need to commit to the eyebrow ministry once you start.
I have been filling in my brows for a few years now and even get compliments on them (wow!). With that being said... I have to commit because when I don't, there is always someone that says "there is something different about you today...".

27 Being a minimalist can be rewarding.
We recently moved and after living in the previous location for 10 years, we were able to see how much CRAP we accumulated. A lot of things were donated, sold and/or trashed (if it was not salvageable). Now that we have settled in to our new place, we are still running Operation: Minimize. We are more mindful of what we buy and keep better track of items that we haven't used in a while as it helps make the decision on whether we should keep it or not. We still have a long way to go but at least we're trying.

28 You do not have to take everyone's advice.
People will always give advice on your life and in some cases it is really informative however, you don't have to take notes on every piece of information given. You'll go crazy trying to do everything "their" way.

29 If you are going to be anything in this world... Be kind.
The world is so full of negativity as it is, why not be positive and/or kind during moments of ciaos? This doesn't mean that you are being naive to what is going on around you. In my opinion, this is somewhat taking on a role of leadership [even if it is just for you] to keep pushing.

30 It is OK to look and be a mess...
Hey, we all have those days where we don't look and feel like the fabulous people that we are... And that is OK. Going back to the eyebrow ministry; usually on my "rag-a-muffin" days I don't have on brows, my puff may be dryer than usual and I'm not wearing the best outfit in my closet....meh!

31 Life is remarkable.
In those moments of "Me Time" I sit back and think about all the positive things going on in life and I can't help but smile because it is progress and in some cases there are things that I had never imagined happening.