32 Things I’ve Learned in 32 Years: Part I

No 2. of 32: Cultivate and nurture your female friendship

I read a blog post recently by Leo Balbauta called 20 Things I Wish I Had Known Starting Out In Life.  It got me thinking about how most of us probably don't realize how much wisdom we collect over the years.  Whether we are 16 or 65, we have had experiences that have shaped us and help guide us through new life experiences.  It inspired me to sit down and think about 32 things I've learned over the 32 years of my life.  I am sharing them with you - you may agree with some and disagree with others.  But hopefully it will inspire you to think about your own bits of wisdom.   

1. Find something you love to do and do it as much as possible.  Some of the times I feel the happiest is when I'm throwing myself into something I love to do, whether it is designing jewelry or writing this blog. 
2. Cultivate and nurture your female friendships.  My female friends are like gold.  They are extremely valuable, a lifetime investment, and light up my life  (cheesy, but true).  Always make time for them! 
3. Don't say "never" or "always" when communicating with your partner.  It is a surefire way to start (or escalate) an argument! (Um, I know this from experience.) 
4. Being aware of your weaknesses is a strength in itself.  Being aware of your weaknesses (or development areas, if you will) can help you understand why you react to something a certain way, which can help you evaluate a situation more objectively.  
5. Forgive your parents for not being perfect.  Get to know them as people - they are quite interesting when you see them as someone beyond "mom" or "dad".
6. The more you smile, the happier you'll be.  So simple and so true.
7. Take good care of your skin.  Find a routine that works for your skin type and stick to it, tweaking it as you age.  Spend as much as you can afford on quality skincare products.  And moisturize, moisturize, moisturize!
8. Money does not equal happiness.  Although financial security is an important measure of happiness, I know that the happiest times in my life were not directly related to the times I had a higher disposable income.  That is a good reminder for me at times when a new handbag is not in my budget!
9. Walk a lot - it is great for body, mind and spirit.  Walking is one of my greatest simple pleasures.  Why do I love it so much?  I breathe fresh air, observe the world around me, move my body, and think.  If you feel stuck or down, go for a walk!
10. Do as much as you can on your own.  I learned this from my Dad, who never let me get away with not doing something because I was a girl.  I shoveled snow, painted rooms, put together furniture, fixed things around the house.  Now I am undaunted by most tasks and can hold my own!   
11. Friends that inspire you are friends for life.  When you have a friend that inspires you and makes you feel excited about life, hold onto to them!  They will be your natural pick-me-up when times are tough. 
12. Shop for clothes alone, for shoes with a friend (or sister!).  Shopping for clothes is a personal experience - in order to be efficient, it is best to shop on your own.  With shoes, on the other hand,  it helps to have a friends objective advice. 
13. No one will take care of you better than you.  At times in your life that you wish someone would come save you, know that ultimately that person is you.  Give yourself time, ask for help if you need it, and save yourself!
14. Think very hard before buying a home.  And do your homework.  Buying a home is a major life decision that cannot be easily reversed.  Make sure you are at the right time in your life and you understand what you are getting into it.  There is nothing wrong with renting to put a roof over your head!
15. Older doesn't always necessarily mean wiser.  I have learned that those older than you don't necessarily have the right answers for you.  It is better to ask for advice from someone who sees the world similarly to you or from someone whose way of living you admire. 
16. There is life beyond high school (and it rocks!) If there is one thing I would tell my 15 year-old self, it would be that life gets SO much bigger (and better) outside of high school.  Whatever your persona was then, your true self doesn't emerge until you are free from high school's social constraints.

Part II of this post will be posted on Tuesday, September 30th.

Share This Article With Your Friends

Close Bookmark and Share This Page

Save to Browser Favorites / Bookmarks

Ask backflip blinklist BlogBookmark Bloglines BlogMarks Blogsvine BuddyMarks BUMPzee! CiteULike co.mments Connotea del.icio.us

Digg diigo DotNetKicks DropJack dzone Facebook Fark Faves Feed Me Links Friendsite folkd.com Furl Google

Hugg Jamespot Jeqq Kaboodle kirtsy linkaGoGo LinkedIn LinksMarker Ma.gnolia Mister Wong Mixx MySpace MyWeb

Netvouz Newsvine oneview OnlyWire PlugIM Propeller Reddit Rojo Segnalo Shoutwire Simpy Slashdot Sphere

Sphinn Spurl Squidoo StumbleUpon Technorati ThisNext Twitter Webride Windows Live Worlds Movies Yahoo!

Email This to a Friend

Copy HTML: 

 If you like this then please subscribe to the RSS Feed or Email Feed.

Powered by Bookmarkify™

More »