As I’ve recently started my 33rd trip around the sun, I wanted to reflect on 33 thoughts that made me the woman I am today. Yes, I’m starting to see subtle changes on my face that make me look like a woman in her thirties, and yes, I go to bed a little earlier and move a little slower. But so far, my thirties are absolutely my favorite decade and I think the thoughts here helped shape that for me. Below are 33 thoughts, in no particular order:

1. Life is too short not to say “I love you.” Loudly and often. Romantically and platonically. If you’re reading these words, I love you.
2. I’ve heard it said people are too caught up in themselves to worry about what you are doing, so be authentic. In this case, I’d like to counter that every person is wrapped up in their own story– which is as deep and rich as your own, with as many sub plots, side characters, and quests. Be authentic anyway.
3. Never pass up a chance to pee, particularly when on road trips.
4. Never pass up the opportunity to embrace a loved one.
5. Never let go first if the person you are embracing is a child, or is grieving.
6. Leave home. Move to a city where you don’t know anyone, at least once in life. This will be the biggest lesson in self reliance.
7. Bad jobs can make for great friends.
8. Take the time to get to deeply know and love yourself before selecting a partner. I’d have saved myself a ton of heartbreak.
9. Whatever you aspire to be good at, do it badly first.
10. Money comes back, missed memories do not.
11. Don’t read your friend’s birth chart unless you are emotionally prepared to find out that three of their planetary placements suggest they may like pretty feet. I’ve been just casually sitting on this knowledge for years. I cannot forget it.
12. Don’t put your mental and physical health at risk for a job; learned that the hard way.
13. Spend some time with the elderly. They are so full of special.
14. Talk to children like they’re people. They are.
15. Beards are fantastic for putting your entire face in.
16. Learn to set boundaries, and to hold them.
17. Family isn’t always blood.
18. If you wanna be a truly non-judgemental person, you have to stop judging yourself so harshly .
19. Cooking is an art, not a science.
20. Make friends with people who see the world differently– echo chambers are no good for anyone.
21. Finding your soulmate feels like coming home, truly.
22. One of the best things you can do for yourself, is to create a rule amongst your friends that you don’t talk badly about yourself. Nothing like a “don’t say mean things about my friend,” to make you smile when you’re down in the dumps
23. Exercise is an antidepressant
24. I’ve never regretted a cup of tea.
25. Bras weaken chest muscles. Free the nipples.
26. Every girl should do a boudoir shoot at least once in her life.
27. Make peace with your body.
28. Eat your damn vegetables, take your damn vitamins.
29. An education will never wake up one day and say it doesn’t love you anymore.
30. If you have anxiety, it’s okay to be unorthodox to support it– I once carried my curling iron in my purse for three weeks so I’d stop panicking that I left it on.
31. Life is too short for bad food and bad sex.
32. Therapy is important, but you gotta show up ready to do the work
33. Surround yourself with art that inspires, music that delight, and people who bring joy into your life.

That’s all I’ve got for now.