28 Things I Learned at 28

In three days I turn 29 and start my 30th trip around the sun. While it’s crazy to think about the fact that I’m entering the last year of my 20’s, I’m so grateful for the lessons I’ve started or continued to learn in the last year of my life. So today I wanted to share some of them with you. Some are serious, some are funny, but all helped me have the best year ever.

1. One of the greatest gift you can give yourself, is learning how to create healthy boundaries. It is possible to say no kindly and put yourself first.

2. Not all mashed potatoes are gross. When you whip them with a hand mixer they can actually be quite tasty.

3. You can be the happiest you’ve ever been in life and still struggle with anxiety. For me this was the turning point in knowing that I needed to talk to my doctor about medications.

4. Harry Potter is really as great as they said it was. Scratch that, it was better and it changed my life.

5. Writing a cookbook is hard, but that doesn’t mean it’s impossible. If you have a goal that you’ve always wanted to go after, start.

6. Speaking of starting, it’s never too early or too late to start something.

7. Game of Thrones is also as great as they said it was. Thank you Mikey for this and Harry Potter.

8. While I thought being an aunt to two nieces was the best feeling in the world, being an aunt to three is in fact EVEN BETTER!

9. The proper anxiety medication for you will not change your personality. You will feel more you and it is great.

10. Friendships are sometimes meant for a season of life and that’s ok.

11. While you may think it’s impossible love your significant other any more than you already do, every day will continue to surprise you and you will find ways you didn’t even know existed (i.e. when he becomes an uncle, your heart will swell each and every time he looks at that baby).

12. You can survive without caffeine…but you don’t have to. haha I did it for 6 months but am happy to have it back.

13. You can weigh the most you’ve ever weighed in your life and feel the most beautiful you’ve ever felt. Caring for your body and being active is a privilege and we should treat every opportunity to move as a gift. Shifting my focus from how much I was working out to just being and moving, changed my life.

14. Injuring your tailbone is really painful and you will cry a lot and feel defeated, but you are stronger than you realize.

15. It’s ok to ask for help.

16. It’s really fun to go to bed at 9 pm on a Friday and wake up refreshed for the weekend.

17. Relaxing without feeling guilty is possible.

18. Buying less and from smaller woman-owned businesses is a phenomenal way to add more joy to your life. Surrounding yourself with carefully crafted items from strong and smart women is amazing.

19. Support your friends and never stop expressing the gratitude you have for those around you who support you. We all need each other.

20. Oreos can fix pretty much any kitchen mishap. They make a great appetizer, main course, or side dish when life throws you for a loop.

21. Social media doesn’t have to be a negative black hole of comparison. You are in control of who is in your feed, so CHOOSE WISELY.

22. You don’t have to make a lot of money to pay off your student loan debt, save money, etc. It’s not about how much you make, but how you spend what you make. Budget and make great choices and you can become debt free. This WILL be my last birthday with student loan debt. I am almost FREE!

23. Cancel the plans. If your mind and body are telling you to rest and say no, say no. Again boundaries. Those who matter won’t mind.

24. Being vulnerable can be really scary, especially when you’re sharing on the internet and you don’t know who’s reading. However, by being vulnerable, you have the ability to connect with others and help them by seeing they aren’t alone. This is so worth it!

25. Mikey is still the greatest human and I am the most grateful person ever to get to call him mine. Not a day goes by that I do not thank God for his patience, strength, support, & love.

26. Your business will have seasons, just like life does. It’s ok to be extremely productive one week and unfocused & slower the next. You are human and as long as you are still moving in the right direction, you are moving. Rest is ok.

27. You don’t need one hundred friends.  Just a couple of REALLY great ones who will always have your back, and tell you which bathroom is best to poop in....

28. Aging is the real greatest gift.  I love myself more at 28 than I did at 27 and I am so happy to be living this beautiful life that was given to me. I can’t wait to see how I love myself at 29.

Thanks for being so great to me 28. See you on the other side at 29  friends.

I love ya,

Andrea

9 Ways to Practice Gratitude

This post is going to be short but sweet. Gratitude is usually the word of the month when it comes to November and I’m all about practicing it. However, I wanted to give you some non-conventional ways to show others gratitude and encourage you to not forget about them after the holidays are over. Be sure to practice gratitude daily and I promise you will find more happiness in your life.

1. Random Act of Kindness: There are so many ways that you can do this. The classic pay for the person behind you in line’s drink and so much more. But the reason I’m listing it is to remind you that practicing gratitude can also mean helping people you don’t know.

2. Send Virtual Goodies through Venmo: This is one I do all the time to friends. I send money for drinks, coffees, donuts, etc. It’s my favorite way to surprise friends that don’t live close by. Tell them that you love them and that it’s specifically for a donut.

3. Write a special person a long hand written note: When was the last time you wrote a hand written letter to someone just because? We don’t do it enough, but it’s so special to get one of these randomly.

4. In difficult situations where somebody wrongs you, remain grateful that you know not to treat people that way: This is a tactic I use more than I wish I had to, but it’s my way of changing my perspective in situations when people treat me unfairly. You CANNOT control other people’s actions. But you can control your gratitude for yourself and being able to be the bigger person. You’d be surprised how quickly you feel better when you are grateful that you are the person being wronged and not doing the wronging.

5. Look in the mirror and spend 5 minutes thanking yourself: You have so many qualities that make you, YOU! All of your talents, quirks, skills, passions, beauty and more should be appreciated by you. Take the time to be grateful for the strength of your body or your ability to empathize with others, etc.

6. Cook someone dinner/drop a meal off at someone’s house: This one is really important for those people in your lives who have a lot on their plates. Whether they are sick, have a new baby, just moved, or simply have a lot going on and feel overwhelmed, you never know how a meal could change their attitude that day. Be sure to throw in a note about how grateful you are for them. If they live out of town, send the money through Venmo like I mentioned earlier. Seriously, Venmo is a great tool that is for more than just splitting the drink bill at brunch.

7. Leave a present on the doorstep of a family member/friend: Play some adult ding dong ditch and leave people presents! This is so easy and it doesn’t have to be a something huge. Just surprise friends at random times.

8. Gratitude Journal/5 Min Journal App: This one is really important to try if you’re trying to incorporate gratitude on a daily basis. The 5 Min Journal is great for spending a few moments each morning and night in self reflection. They also have an app if you prefer it on your phone. You don’t need a fancy notebook though if you don’t want to spend money. Simply find an old notebook and start jotting down what you’re grateful for every day and you’d be surprised how much it can change you.

9. Compliment random strangers more: This is one I try to do as much as I can. When I see something I like, I tell a stranger. It cost $0 to compliment someone you don’t know, but it could mean the world to them that someone noticed it and interacted with them. You never know what someone is going through and you could be just the smile they need to be propelled in a positive direction.

Spread kindness. Practice Gratitude. Be a decent human being. It costs no money, but can be the difference between someone having a great day or a bad one. The choice is yours!

Have a wonderful day and don’t forget…

I am grateful for you.

-Andrea