Where I Hope To Grow In My 30s {Happy Birthday To Me!}

Today is my 30th birthday and despite a surprise pregnancy altering my view of how exactly I would celebrate, I am determined to live it up in the decade ahead!

I have grown SO much during the past 10 years and I look forward to continuing to refine myself more during the next 10 to create Lauren: Version 3.0.

With that said, I have some advice for myself on where I hope to grow in my 30s:

• Stop working for free. You are worth it! With that said, know when to say yes because sometimes it pays in ways you’d never expect.
• Don’t keep putting effort into dying relationships. If a friend isn’t going to meet you halfway, it’s not worth your time…You’re too busy to waste time with lame excuses.
• With that said, always make time for those friends who have been there for you. Kids are an infinite source of joy, but they are not your only joy. Never lose sight of your girlfriends.
• There are few things that make you cry harder than hearing about cruel people. Do less clicking on the morbid stories.
• Don’t get your panties in a twist over ignorant things people post on Facebook or news stories that are meant to ruffle feathers. Learn better word vomit control in the next decade. It is not worth an argument where people can hide behind their computer screens.
• Dishing out truth can be incredibly valuable, but don’t dish it out too harshly. It’s not worth hurting someone’s feelings. Especially remember this with your daughters. Be helpful; not critical.
• Keep making an effort to know your neighbors. Have beers together and help each other where possible.
• Continue to improve your health. Eat the rainbow, pay attention to labels, and exercise. You won’t ever regret a sweaty run or workout.
• Keep being frugal. While your income may be increasing year-by-year, your spending should not increase. It’s time to kick up retirement and college savings accounts a notch. Also? Longevity is in your genes, so don’t forget that. You are going to need a lot of money if you ever want to retire.
• Cut the drama from your life and focus on what matters most to you — family, friends and spirituality.
• Read more. Yeah, you are going to be busy raising kids the next decade. Put them to bed, do your work and read — even if it’s 15 minutes. It’s a fine example for your kids and the knowledge/escape from reality you gain with a good book is worth it. Related: Don’t read anything with less than 4 stars on GoodReads. No time for mediocrity.
• A lot of stuff is going to start happening more often — people are going to divorce, parents are going to die. It may be rough at times. Be that person a friend can call for help or a shoulder to cry on, and make sure you surround yourself with people who support you for when it’s your time to grieve.
• Don’t be afraid of failure. It’s the only thing that has created the best sorts of changes for you.
• Don’t ever think someone has it better than you. You truly have no clue. Live your life as best you can and don’t compare. Nobody has it all.
• Always fight for things that matter — your kids, spouse, career, etc. Never lose hope.
• You are going to be taking care of people a lot in your 30’s as kids grow and parents age. Embrace it and don’t let it stress you out. You were born to serve others.
• Continue to work hard at marriage. Keep an open, honest and loving relationship until the day you die.
• Overall, just be the absolute best person, spouse, friend, family member you can be.

Cheers to the big 3-0. Can’t wait to see what the next decade has in store!

Pretty much my entire world at age 30.

What piece of advice would you give yourself for the next decade?