20 things I’ve learned in my Twenties

OH MY GOSH YA’LL! I can’t believe I woke up this morning officially a THIRTY year old, what?! Where does the time go…

I have been thinking and reflecting about turning 30 for a few months now. This birthday has just hit me a little bit different than all the others. I’ve been thinking about all the things I’ve learned and how far I’ve come from that 20 year old version of myself. I strongly believe that your twenties are what shape you into the person your are meant to be. They are hard and messy and I learned some tough life lessons, but through it all, all the hard days…I grew. And that’s what made me realize, I never want to stop learning and growing and trying to be the best possible version of myself no matter what age.

So I thought it would be fun to share with you guys some things that I’ve learned through my twenties, some more recently than others!

1. Don’t put so much pressure on yourself.  Your entire life doesn’t have to be figured out just because you are turning a certain age. Boy, have I struggled with this one lately. There is no rule book or timeline that states that because you are turning a certain age you should be in a specific phase of your life. Trust the timing of your life. Don’t worry if you’re not exactly where you want to be or expected to be, focus on progress not perfection.
2. Find a skin care routine. Never, ever, go to sleep with a face full of makeup! Take some time to learn about your skin type and what it likes and doesn’t like. A good skin care routine is just as important as your favorite make up routine. There is honestly no better feeling than taking off your makeup after a long day in my opinion. 
3. Marry your best friend. I don’t say that lightly either. Life is hard and messy and can sometimes overwhelm and knock you down. Find someone who makes the hard days that much easier. Find someone who makes you laugh, every, single day. Find someone who RESPECTS the heck out of you. I met my husband 12 years ago & I feel like I’ve grown up with him, looking back…he’s the best thing about my twenties.
4. Travel. Highlight this one, bold print, underline, and repeat! Travel wherever you can, whenever you can, however you can. Looking back through the years, most of my absolute favorite memories are from random road trips and traveling to new places. I feel like a little piece of everywhere I’ve been is somehow a small part of me, and that makes me happy. Take the trip. You won’t regret it.
5. Don’t play the comparison game. Comparison will do nothing other than steal your happiness. I learned that comparing yourself, your life, your home, etc does nothing but dim your own inspiration, motivation and ambition. One of my favorite quotes is “Don’t let your ice cream melt while you’re counting somebody else’s sprinkles.”
6. You can NEVER watch New Girl too many times. Like, ever. “ALL DAY” “29….29” “Gave you cookie, got you cookie” “youths” OK I’m done quoting it for it now! HA
7. Start thinking about your future. It’s never too soon to start thinking about future plans, finances, savings, retirement…This one makes me feel like I’m entering my 30’s down to my core. LOL but it’s so important to not just live for the now and in the moment but to be smart about saving for the future too. This is something I’ve really started to think about in my later 20’s and I wish I would have started sooner.
8. Be confident in who you are. We have all struggled with this at some point in our life I’m sure. But it’s so important to realize the beauty in being and owning who you are. You are unlike anyone else on this planet and that’s okay! Embrace who you are and love yourself. You were created to be exactly who you are.
9. Moisturize. Now for some this might seem obvious, but your girl over here struggles to remember to put lotion on and I am making an effort entering my thirties to make this a priority. My scaly dry elbows and knees deserve better! Ha
10. Be grateful. Don’t let a day go by that you aren’t thankful for something, big, little or anything in between. There is always something to be grateful for and we often take the smallest things in life for granted. Our health, the roof over our heads, our favorite song coming on in the car ride into work, the beautiful sunset on your drive home. Every day is a blessing and we should start acting like it. I’ve learned to always, always be grateful for what you have and continue to work for what you want.
11. Take pictures. The most beautiful things in life are not just things. They are people, and places, memories and pictures. They’re feelings and moments and smiles and laughter. Every picture tells a story and brings me back to that exact place in time. I never regret taking extra time on trips or vacations to take pictures. Dustin and I always take a ton of pictures everywhere we go, and it’s my favorite thing to look back and remember exactly how we felt in that moment. But after you get your pictures, put your phone up and enjoy it, soak it in. As important as it is for me to get pictures, it’s just as important for us to soak it all in and live in the moment and appreciate exactly where we are.
12. Have goals for yourself. Dream that dream. Take that chance. Don’t be a product of your circumstances, be a product of your decisions. Set your mind to something and decide to DO IT.  I’m guilty of letting the “big picture” overwhelm me. But I’ve learned to take it one day at a time. Just show up everyday and do something that moves you toward your goal. Consistency is KEY.
13. Show up for the people in life you love. It’s SO easy to get caught up in your own “busy” life that we often times forget to make time for the people that matter. Randomly text someone you are thinking about them. Write a letter. Send flowers, just because. It’s the little things in life that mean the most. And everyone in your life that shows up for you, deserves the best possible version of yourself.
14. Life is what you make it. I love that quote that says your life is 10% what happens to you and 90% of how your react to it. This could not be more true, your attitude and your happiness is a choice.  You can chose to let things piss you off and stress you out and wreck your day or you can chose to take a couple deep breaths, and move on. A good day starts with a good mindset. A positive mindset is everything. Everything is up to you. Your emotions, thoughts, perceptions and reactions.
15. Take care of your body and health. This is a big one because there are so many factors to think about. Being healthy is so much more than just eating veggies and working out, which is important too lol there is just more to it than that. Take care of your body mentally and physically. Drink more water, take vitamins, move your body, find ways to cope with stress.
16. Read more books, and listen to more podcasts. The older I get the more I want to continue to learn and grow. I loved reading books growing up, so I think it’s important to continue to find time in the busy days to do little things that make you happy, like reading a good book or listening to your favorite podcasts.
17. Wear sunscreen. Your 60 old face will surely thank you.
18. Don’t let stress steal your happiness. Stress and anxiety are real my friends and I have experienced them so much more in my later 20’s than at any point of my life. And guess what I’m learning….no amount of anxiety and stress can change the future and most situations are stressful because we choose to make them that way. Your life is a reflection of the choices you made. Your life doesn’t change because you stress out and have panick attacks about things. It changes when you make the decision to change it.
19. Embrace the season of your life you are in. Each season brings new lessons and challenges but they also bring new joys and growth…these days, these moments, treasure them. They will only come around once. Stop worrying about tomorrow and the next day and the next year. Be present and embrace this chapter of your life.
20. Life is short and everyday is a gift. It’s so important to stop waiting for the “good ole days” and realize that you’re are already living them. Enjoy the simple joys in life and remember that each day is a blessing and another opportunity to be better than you were the day before.

That’s a wrap on this list & my twenties!

I hope you guys enjoyed this! The list could honestly go on and on, I learn something about myself and life every single day!

Till next time, I’m off to go eat all the chocolate cupcakes and binge watch New Girl…my perfect birthday night! Lots of love, friends! Thank you for being here!

Paige || My Perry Tale Home