This is 34

On Friday, I turned 34! I didn’t do a whole lot of anything–we had the day off of work and the kids didn’t have school. So we spent my birthday at home, all cozy. Which is totally fine by me.

Being in your thirties is awesome. I don’t miss my 20s at all. 

In your thirties, you’ve learned a few things, but you still have time to change and grow. You have solid footing, but so much possibility and opportunity in front of you. 

Here’s a few things I’ve learned along the way.

1.Just be you.

Who else spent way too long in your earlier years trying to be something you weren’t just to be cool? I’m so not cool, but I desperately wanted to be. For a really long time, I didn’t know it was okay to just be me. I didn’t realize that one day, my husband and my kids would think that I was awesome, just as I am. I didn’t know that the people who actually mattered wouldn’t care that I’m an introverted bookworm just longing to be in my pajamas. 

2. Don’t wish your life away.

I also spent a lot of my life wishing for the next phase. In middle school, I wanted high school. In high school, college. In college? Yep-I was ready to marry Brandon and “start our life.” But what I missed what the fact that my life was already in progress. I can still be guilty of this today–on the hard days of motherhood, sometimes I find myself wishing my kids would outgrow the days of tantrums and 4:30 AM wake ups. But when I do that, I miss the beautiful moments that make up these early years.

3. Don’t sweat the small stuff.

AHHHH! I am a worrier. I am a perfectionist. And until Brandon’s “don’t worry about it” attitude started rubbing off on me a little, I worried excessively. Thankfully, 16 years of this guy has me breathing easier these days. I am able to (usually) realize that the dumb things I am stressing about either 1) won’t happen, EVER or 2) will happen, and it’ll all be okay anyway. 

4. You are in control of your thoughts and actions. 

This was the longest to learn. Actually, it’s only been about a year of truly understanding this one. I used to have a very negative outlook. I thought that everything happening was just the WORST (and it wasn’t even bad stuff 99% of the time!). I’m SO GLAD that I have opened my eyes and seen that I can control how I think and feel. I now realize that even if I can’t control what is happening, I can control my response. 

I’m so excited for this upcoming year!! It’s going to be a great one.