34 Trips Around The Sun and Lessons Learned This Year

Today is my birthday! I’m celebrating 34 trips around the sun. I love this day because it not only is the best excuse ever to do what I want, but also because it’s the perfect time to reflect on who I am, where I’ve been, and where I’m going.

Truth be told, I’m still not sure where I’m going. But I do know life is a ride and I’m not in charge of the direction it goes. All I can do is love, live well, and enjoy the journey.

As always, this year has been full of plenty of learning opportunities that I am incredibly grateful for. Here are some of the lessons that have been learned {or re-learned!} the past year.

1. Authenticity is my word of the year. I strive for it in all areas of my life, including this blog, and on social media. What you see is what you get!
2. “You can’t please everyone. You aren’t pizza.” #TRUTH
3. Being perceptive about people is definitely a blessing and a curse. But what a fulfilling life I have to be able to connect with people of all walks of life.
4. If a stranger is friending you on Facebook, they are probably are selling something. You don’t need “friends” like that clogging up your newsfeed.
5. I dislike conflict and avoid it like the plague. With that said, some battles are worth the fight.
6. Never judge someone with a case of RBF. Those people are usually the most fun!
7. Those that seem the most unlovable need the most love. This is especially true for children.
8. I’m very blessed to have married the yin to my yang. There’s no way I would make it through parenting without him as my partner. 10 years of wedded bliss indeed.
9. Being an ENFP combined with being a Gemini makes me a lot of fun, but also a bit scattered at times. My brain has 100 tabs open at all times, so I apologize if it takes me a bit to get back to you if you call/text/message me.
10. I rock at daily life mundane tasks {laundry, cleaning, picking up/dropping off kids}, but I secretly hate them. Unfortunately, reality is that going-with-the-flow is not conducive to child rearing.
11. My life essentials at 34: Coffee, water, Fitbit, chapstick, phone, camera, and booze.
12. Working out is less about losing weight and more about what you gain. Grateful for the energy, happiness, and strength my gym membership has provided me.
13. Being busy makes me happy. With that said, I’ve learned being busy does NOT make everyone happy, so gotta respect those boundaries with others.
14. Family days with the five of us exploring are my absolute FAVORITE. Schedule them as often as possible.
15. Don’t feel guilty for wanting to do things solo. As much as I love people, time alone is essential to my mental health.
16. Life isn’t fair. One day we will all know why there has to be so much hate and suffering in this world. Until then, keep loving, even when it’s hard.
17. I’m that person that LOVES a whole lotta Facebook posts. Seeing people I care about happy makes me happy.
18. Somewhat related: I love exclamation points! I can’t shake my over-use of them. I just enjoy them and they make me happy!
19. Praying and talking to girlfriends is the best way to sort through mental road blocks.
20. Less Taco Bell, more veggies. Focus on more healthy food, girlfriend.
21. Do NOT apologize for saying no to things. You cannot do it all — period.
22. Being an optimist creates chaos at times. Keep trying to train your brain to be a bit more realistic of what you can really accomplish.
23. Don’t paint your nails five minutes before you need to leave. Lauren, when will you learn not to do this?
24. Be there for family. Take time to visit relatives and help them when you can. They won’t be around forever.
25. Remember this: “If you laugh, you think, and you cry, that’s a full day.” If you do that seven days of week, that’s going to add up to be a full life. Feelings are a GOOD thing.
26. Travel as much as possible with the kids. They are getting to the age that family trips — even local ones — are their favorite memories.
27. There’s never a perfect time to make a life change. If you want to do it, make it happen.
28. Experiences > Material items. Keep thrifting and living your best life through food and travel.
29. TV sucks. It doesn’t fulfill me in any way. OK, except documentaries or PBS 😉
30. Read more. Reading fills my soul, helps me relax after a long day, and shares a new perspective I hadn’t considered before.
31. Keep advocating for your babies. Nobody knows their struggles like you do!
32. Start everyday with a grateful heart. You’re breathing. You’re healthy. That’s more than a lot of folks can say.
33. Put the phone down. Leave it at home. Don’t ever let your children say that your favorite possession is a phone. If they do, you have failed them.
34. Be present. Be grateful. Love rampantly. Live wildly.

Cheers to 34 years! Here’s to the next 34, and maybe even the 34 years after that.

Thank you, friends and blog readers for following along on my journeys. You all make me smile and laugh daily, and I appreciate every one of you!

What is your favorite lesson you’ve learned this year?