30 Things I Wish I Knew at 21 (Now That I’m 30)

I recently turned 30 and like any large milestone, my brain automatically reflects. I have very few regrets in my life.

I choose the mindset that if I would have made different choices, my life would be completely different and I like my life the way it is. I’m currently reading Midnight Library by Matt Haig, whose main character enters a library and each book is about a different life she would have if she made different choices. I’m intrigued to read on and see how her mindset shifts about her current life.

1. Save your tip money and put it right in the bank. You probably make more tips than your hourly rate.
2. Make sure to do what is best for yourself, but don’t hurt people in the process.
3. Stretch — every single day. Your 30-year-old body will thank you.
4. Take pictures with your friends. Shit, have them take pictures of you and love yourself & what you look like.
5. Love yourself even when you don’t. Realize that you are important and beautiful.
6. Be nice to your parents; especially if they have given you everything and still support you every day.
7. Take the trip to visit your grandparents…they aren’t going to be around much longer.
8. Ask your family members questions about their past. You’ll learn a lot about yourself when they share stories.
9. Stop using straws, plastic bags & single-use plastics… And then make every single person who will listen do the same. They are horrible for the environment.
10. Avoid having a car payment as long as possible even if you have to dish out money every once in a while for your POS car.
11. Don’t waste your time with anger. It’s exhausting and doesn’t benefit anyone.
12. If you aren’t completely obsessed with it, don’t buy it.
13. Make connections to help you get a job. Networking is everything.
14. Smile. Or don’t. Either way, don’t let whatever is bothering you ruin your day. Or your life.
15. Prioritize relationships that mean the most to you.
16. If social media makes you feel bad about yourself, delete it. You aren’t missing anything.
17. Sunrises are worth getting up early for.
18. Sing in the car. And leave that music up at stop lights and don’t let other people’s looks stop your happiness in that moment.
19. Value your sleep because as you get older, it will be harder and harder to get a good night’s sleep.
20. Don’t mix your liquors…it’s a nasty hangover the next day
21. It’s okay if you don’t want kids or to get married.
22. Pay attention to your classes in college; it will pay off.
23. Experiment with your clothes and style. Who knows what you’ll find in your journey.
24. Don’t let how you feel about your body stop you from wearing a bathing suit.
25. To elaborate on #24, don’t let the opinion of others stop you from wearing something you feel amazing in.
26. Write down all of your ideas.
27. Book vacations; you will never have as much free time as you do in your twenties.
28. You are going to change every day; it’s a good thing.
29. It’s okay to outgrow friends.
30. Age is just a number and do what makes you happy. There is more than one way to live.