It was my birthday yesterday!!!! And I’ll reveal my new age here: 28.
Last year I put together a list of 27 life lessons learned thus far, and now I’m continuing on with 28 different lessons. I apparently have gotten more opinionated and reflective this past year π Here are my lessons thus far. I hope I still have a long journey ahead of learning.
1. Patience is a virtue and I have not yet mastered it.
2. Bigger doesn’t always mean better. Sometimes the best things come in small packages.
3. If I quickly judged half the people who have come into my life, I would’ve missed out on some amazing relationships.
4. There’s always going to be good days and bad days. Don’t rant about the bad ones too much on the Internet — nobody wants to hear your debbie downer story.
5. The best of friends are ones who are willing to share a piece of them with you. Secrets are not fun among friends.
6. Babies are a ton of work. Don’t let anyone pressure you into having one until you are 100% ready. {For the record, I’m very happy with my decision to have a baby, but I know a few who rushed it and then aren’t happy.}
7. Breastfeeding is a ton of work. Don’t let someone tell you it’s easy. It’s the ultimate sacrifice for your child, but is so worth it in the end.
8. If you don’t agree with a mom’s parenting style, keep your mouth shut. Her child is NOT yours. There’s no room for judgement when parenting.
9. Wear clothing that makes you comfortable and happy.
10.Β Work/life balance is absolutely crucial for me. Family will always be #1 in my book.
11. Live with this quote in mind:
Be thankful everyday. You’re breathing. You’re alive. Don’t take those things for granted.
12. When you need to get out the door fast, try to plan ahead. Baby poop always happens at inconvenient times.
13. It’s so important to have faith in something. Don’t let people judge you because of it.
14. If you need to cry about something, do it. Letting it out makes you feel SO much better.
15. Try as hard as possible to not say “no” when friends ask you to do something or go somewhere with them. You never know what memory you could make by tagging along.
16. Saying you don’t have time to read is ridiculous. Make time. It will free your mind and help you sleep better.
17. Have small talk with people everywhere you go. You can meet the most interesting folks this way.
18. Go with your gut instincts about people and things — it will never lead you astray.
19. Never ever ever ever take a healthy pregnancy or baby for granted. Each one is a MIRACLE.
20. Family isn’t always perfect, but try to not sever relationships. Family may be the only people you can turn to in the end.
21.Β The saying “When it rains, it pours,” is absolutely true. But don’t just stand there waiting for the flood; push onward and think optimistically.
22. Volunteering brings so much joy to your heart. No matter how busy life gets, make time to help others where you can.
23. Hugs rock! Hug people as much as possible.
24. Getting married is amazing. Having a baby together and holding him/her for the first time is amazing times infinity.
25. Stop and hug and kiss your significant other daily.
Photo by Sweet Memories Portraits
26. Having a monthly budget is so important, no matter how much money you have. Seeing where you spend your money can be a big wake-up call.
27. When you’re tired, lie down. When you’re hungry, eat. Otherwise, you’ll just be grumpy and take it out on an innocent bystander {or spouse} later. – I’m so guilty of this.
28. Make the best of each day because you never know what tomorrow will bring!
What are some of your favorite words of wisdom you’ve really learned during the past year?
Dianna says
A belated Happy Birthday, Lauren! I didn’t realize that our birthdays were so near.
I love your list. At first, I was thinking that I would mention the ones that struck a chord with me…but almost all of them did. Especially #15, 17, 19, 23, 25, 28… Like I said, I can relate most of the items on your list!
Great post!
Mrs. Weber says
Thanks so much and happy birthday to you too, fellow June bug π
Alison@Mama Wants This says
Hope you had a great birthday!! Wonderful lessons here π
Mrs. Weber says
Thanks so much, Alison! I did have a wonderful day despite the 90 degree heat (that’s above normal here)! Just trying to stay cool these last weeks of pregnancy π
Kimberly says
I hope your birthday was amazing! Love this list. I agree with some many and am still working on a few of them myself! π
Mrs. Weber says
Thanks so much, Kimmy!
Marian says
Hi Lauren!
I love and and agree to your list here. It is right to give Him thanks and praises everyday.
Belated Happy Birthday..wish you all the best in life! By the way.. I love your photo, so sweet!
Jackie says
I hope that you had the most amazing birthday!!
All very good life lessons for sure! What have I learned… you can’t change people no matter what. If they want to change then they will do it.
Mrs. Weber says
Ohh, GREAT thought and you are SO right. People don’t change, but your perspective on them may over time (for better or worse)!
Erin says
Happy Birthday!
You are right on the money with #7. I remember going to classes before my son was born and the nurses talked about how easy it was . . . um they LIED!
Thank you for sharing #11. I LOVE this and totally agree with it.
And my final thought #12, oh my goodness, it’s like there is some sort of sensor or something in their heads, ‘Mommy is running late. I need to have blowout so instead of being on time or a little late, she looks like a fool and is super late!’ Poop never fails to happen at the worst times! Even when you’re potty training.
Such a great picture of you and your hubby! Hope you had a gread birthday!
Mrs. Weber says
Glad you’re with me on these…And I am SO scared about the poop part of potty training…AHHHH!
Alysia George says
I love this list. Maybe I’ll copy you, if I can remember, which is doubtful π I agree with every one.
#7…if I had known it was going to be so hard the first time around, I probably wouldn’t have been knocked off my axis so severely…a good friend did tell me it was really hard, but I was in no way prepared for the PAIN!!
I love #15 & #16, and I struggle with #17 because it doesn’t come naturally to me but it’s something I want to be better about.
I am also majorly guilty of #27…except sometimes (most times) I can’t lie down when I’m tired, so I need to focus on getting more sleep at night!
Thanks for sharing π
Mrs. Weber says
Yes, I didn’t even mention the pain of nursing…I must have erased that! Hope it goes well now for baby #2.
Glad you agree with many of these! I hope you do make a list in the future – I’d love to see it!