30 things my 30's taught me

THIS IS 40!

As the sun sets and I blow out the candles to my 30s, I’ve come to the conclusion that something beautiful comes from this decade of life. 

An awakening. 

A birth of your true self seems to come. You come to an age where you realize other people’s opinions don’t matter and you bloom into the person you were meant to be.

So here’s my list of advice that my 30s taught me:

1. It’s okay to stand up for yourself. It doesn’t make you a bitch. It shows you respect yourself
2. 4 quarters > 100 pennies. A small group of friends is wayyyy better
3. Set boundaries. 
4. Love your body
5. Love yourself. Comparison is truly the thief of joy!
6. Laugh. Often. And until it hurts
7. Don’t take everything too seriously 
8. Travel
9. Find perspective 
10. Trust your gut
11. Compliment strangers- put smiles on faces
12. Call that person.
13. Enjoy the moment
14. The things that seem hard now… will be a blip later
15. Enjoy time with yourself. 
16. Shine. 
17. Take care of yourself. Inside and out. You only have this one body and life.
18. Wear sunscreen and moisturizer 
19. Be yourself
20. Put the credit card down.
21. Read
22. Take naps
23. Be a kind human
24. Don’t be selfish 
25. Mental health is important 
26. Take days off and remember it’s just a job
27. Growth comes from failure
28. Say no
29. Ditch the toxic people
30. Be true to your moral and ethical compass

Don’t be mistaken. 

This is a journey. Not a race. 

There is no finish line. 

It will be messy. You will cry. 

But you will also smile. 

You will laugh. 

You will love. 

You will bloom. 

You are embarking on a beautiful new beginning to your true self. 

Enjoy the ride. 

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One Word

Last year my school was a “One Word” school. At the beginning of the year we sat in our professional development (wishing we were in our classrooms) learning about this book

I was very skeptical about this PD and thought is was another typical PD that was a waste of time. 

I also wasn’t sure what I wanted my word to be. I was trying to unplug. I was trying to open my heart. But it was the week before school started!

I was on a deadline. I had an assignment. I blindly chose the word Shine.

However, oddly enough, just like the book says, once you choose your word you start seeing it (or signs of it everywhere). On my Coke can. In a song. I seemed to get signs everywhere that hinted my word was the correct one to choose.

This word gave me focus and drive throughout the year without me knowing.

Until now.

As with every New Year approaching we all start thinking about our resolutions. I started doing some sole searching because let’s face it,

2015 sucked.

I was reflecting on the year that had gone by and how I wanted things to change for the year. During this process I realized I didn’t have my One Word. It’s silly to think of the power behind One Word, but it truly is bigger, stronger, and more powerful than any other silly resolution that I’ve ever tried making and failing at.

So, I sat down. Reread the book. And opened my heart.

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My word for 2016

CONTROL

And that one little word has already given me power. I’ve seen it pop up in things around me. Whispering me encouragement. Letting me know I have chosen correctly.

I highly urge you to read the book and choose your One Word. I promise it won’t let you down!

2016 is going to be amazing!

~Jenny~

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