50 Things I’ve learned in 50 Years

Today is my 50th BIRTHDAY! In some ways, I have been looking forward to this birthday and in some ways, I have been dreading this birthday. 50 – holy crap that’s old…Well, at least it was when I was 15. It’s not old now that I am 50. But boy oh boy, this birthday is different and is my birthday of reflection…Being that I’m in marketing, I decided to make a checklist – We all love checklists right? LOL! So, here it goes – the 50 Things I’ve learned in 50 years (in no particular order)

1. Love with all your heart. Never be ashamed to express or show your love. Even if it’s not reciprocated. We were made to love and to be love. Never apologize for that.
2. Baskin Robbin’s Chocolate Chip ice cream is just the best around.
3. Moms + Daughters will fight, even when you are 50. Love your mom. No one knows you better or has your back more than your mom. Tell her you how much you love her. Show her how much you love her. And above all else. Call her often.
4. Make amends with those who have wronged you. It’s not for them. It’s for you.
5. Smile. It will make them wonder what you are up to.
6. Laugh often. It’s just good for the soul.
7. Show your heart. Even for those who don’t deserve it.
8. Crap happens in life. Experience it. Learn from it. Move past it.
9. Love hurts, but better to have been hurt than not loved at all.
10. Find the good in every bad situation.
11. You can’t escape your mind, but you can control it.
12. Never make excuses for what feels right for you. You don’t have to explain yourself if it makes sense and works for you.
13. Make the most of today, you will never get today back.
14. Stare fear in the face and then give it a swift kick in the ass.
15. My new favorite expression: “That is not helpful”
16. When you fuck up – apologize.
17. The only person that you can please is yourself – so stop trying to please everyone else.
18. Stand up for what you believe in; no matter how big or small.
19. Go to the college of your choice, no matter how much it costs. Find a way.
20. Tell your daughters how smart they are. How beautiful they are. How worthy they are. They will have enough people trying to bring them down in life, so start building them up when they are young.
21. Eat what’s good for your body. No matter how against the norm it may be.
22. Never be ashamed of your story…it has shaped the person you are at this moment. Embrace it.
23. If you are short – date a tall man – you will always look “small” (a.k.a. little, thin, skinny – insert your choice here) in his eyes.
24. When someone criticizes you, it’s never about you, it’s about them, so just let it go.
25. The key to being happy is to just be happy.
26. Stop overthinking everything and just do it.
27. Read the 5 Second Rule by Mel Robbins. It’s a game changer
28. When you are confused, sad, stuck, frustrated…get back to the basics and what works best for you.
29. There is no shame in asking for help.
30. There is no shame in asking for what you want.
31. Tell people how you feel.
32. Exercise does not take time. Exercise creates time.
33. Don’t wait for tomorrow. If you are passionate about something, do it today. We don’t know what tomorrow holds so live for today.
34. Always have a full tank of gas.
35. Find pleasure in the little things. They will make the most impact and are the most meaningful.
36. Listen to your body. You know your body the best. If something is off, don’t accept it as normal. Find out what’s happening. You deserve to live the healthiest life possible.
37. Life is better barefoot.
38. There is nothing greater than being Daddy’s little girl.
39. You cannot change other people, so stop trying. You can only change yourself.
40. Take pictures.
41. You are never to “old” to start something new. I never thought at 48 I would start my own business.
42. Your greatest years just might be in front of you. Never stop living.
43. You are smarter than you give yourself credit for.
44. Stop wasting time thinking you are not worthy enough. You are enough. If someone tells you that you are not enough, guess what? they are not enough. Let them go.
45. Eliminate what doesn’t serve you. And sometimes that what is really a who.
46. Don’t make major decisions in your life to please other people. It’s not their life – it’s yours.
47. Medication can be avoided – find holistic alternatives first before resorting to medication.
48. Do what you can to fix your mistakes. We are all human
49. Don’t stay in a bad relationship, even if it’s “for the kids.” Oftentimes, kids really thrive outside the bounds of a toxic relationship.
50. Life goes by really, really fast. Live each day so that, in the end, you’re reveling in how amazing your life was, not regretting all the things you did or didn’t do.