39 Things I’ve Learned Before Age 39

My birthday is tomorrow!  Yay!  I’ll be 39 years old.  And while my 6-year-old may say that’s super old, I’m pretty happy about this birthday.  I’ve been making positive changes and I’ve got a lot to be proud of in my life.  So rather than sitting and wallowing in self-pity over wrinkles and varicose veins, I’m taking a look back and focusing on some of the best things I’ve learned – life lessons, of you will – in my 39 years on this lovely green planet, in no particular order.

1. You really do reach a point where “today’s music” sounds like noise.
2. You’re never too old to learn something new.
3. Be grateful for the little things.
4. When you declutter, even your mind feels more spacious.
5. At work you can be replaced, with my family you can not.
6. The word “No” can be liberating.
7. Some people will never be satisfied. That’s their problem, not yours.
8. There is always a way.
9. Few things are as essential as a comfortable pair of shoes.
10. It’s just as important to have a partner with whom you can sit in comfortable silence as it is to have one you can talk to.
11. Christmas is even more magical as a mom than it was as a kid.
12. There’s no such thing as done, especially as a parent or a homeowner.
13. Mistakes are the best teachers.
14. All women should know how to jump start a car, drive a stick, and do basic household repairs.
15. Sometimes standing still is worse than moving backwards.
16. You can’t argue with crazy without going crazy yourself.
17. Trite cliches like, “God never gives you more than you can handle,” are never helpful.
18. Don’t spend more than you make.
19. Use the good dishes.
20. Practice undeserved forgiveness.
21. Dress for the life you want.
22. Always read the fine print.
23. Save as much as you can, as early as you can, for as long as you can.
24. Your dreams don’t just come true, you have to work for them.
25. Anything worth doing is worth doing right.
26. One thing at a time.
27. Let yourself be photographed.
28. You have 2 ears and 1 mouth so you can listen twice as much as you talk.
29. Treat the janitor with the same respect as the CEO.
30. You may never know the full impact you have had on the world.
31. It’s okay to not know.
32. Trust your gut.
33. Do it scared.
34. Bitches get things done (pardon my French).
35. Put the phone down.
36. Just because it’s right, doesn’t mean it’s easy.
37. If given the opportunity to make someone happy, do it.
38. You are enough.
39. The best is yet to come.