Happy Birthday! Oh, wait, it’s my birthday today, not yours (or is it?). Today I turn 45 years old. Twenty years ago I dreaded the thought of turning 30. In fact, turning 30 was the hardest birthday of all. I’m not really sure why, but I can remember crying and being a complete basket case when I hit that number.
But now, I feel blessed at 45. I have my children, my husband, my health, my career, my dog, and of course family and friends. Oh, and I have you guys, my loyal readers and greatest motivators!
Here are 45 Things That I Have Learned in the Past 45 Years In No Particular Order
- Say I Love You
- Floss (every day)
- Clean the dishwasher filter or it will break
- Never leave clothes in the wash overnight
- Learn how to cook before you have kids
- Go on more vacations as a family
- Don’t be shy – shy people don’t exist in today’s society
- Read more non-fiction than fiction
- Don’t do shots
- Remove toxic people from your life
- Visit with your parents as much as you can
- Cut up the strawberries or they will mold in the container
- Eat an avocado every day
- Take care of your skin – you don’t get another chance
- Dust the baseboards at least once a month
- Buy a good sweeper – don’t be cheap, it doesn’t pay
- Own a pet
- Face your fears
- Take more pictures with your kids instead of just taking pictures of your kids
- Start a blog or keep a journal (or both)
- Use a dryer sheet to clean your shower doors
- Start saving money when you’re young (like just out of the womb)
- Don’t buy a restaurant unless it can run without you
- Do your Christmas shopping before November (I’m still trying to learn this one)
- Do the dishes while you’re cooking, not after
- Use fresh vegetables
- Don’t smoke that first cigarette
- Grow your own basil and parsley
- Fill up before you run out of gas
- Don’t wait until your birthday to get your car tags renewed (yep, that’s me)
- Install hardwood floors, not carpet
- Learn to take criticism
- You can be a parent and then a friend, but never the opposite
- Hug your spouse at least once a day
- Never leave food on the counter when you have a boxer
- Don’t put things in the basement that you don’t use – get rid of them
- Never use cheap dish soap – Dawn is the only way to go
- Research companies before you rent a car
- Keep an address book (no, like a real one, not one on your phone)
- When you fail, get back up and try harder
- Don’t be judgemental, we’re all dealing with something
- You are who you run with
- Freeze leftovers
- Use root concealer between salon visits
- Crate your dog. PERIOD.
I hope you enjoyed this list, and I would love to read your life lessons. Comment below on what valuable lessons you have learned in life.
Until next time, stay happy, stay healthy, stay beautiful.