30 Things I have Learned in 30 Years!

This September I turn 30! Yay and Yikes all in the same sentence. I am looking forward to my 30's, but also can't believe they are here already. Growing up, I thought I'd be somewhere completely different when I hit 30. In all honesty, I like this life lots better than what I thought and planned. It's been so fun exploring new states, spending so much time with just my hubby, and we have made some big life changing choices that wouldn't of happened if my planned out life was reality. Here are thirty things I have learned and lived by in the last thirty years. 

1. Christ is always with us. Throughout the years I have learned that God is aware of all of us. He has showed up so many times in my life. 

2. Treats make everything better. If you are sad, get ice cream. If you are happy, get ice cream. Treats really do make life way more fun. 

3. Service is the best. I would rather be the one serving others then getting served. 

4. Workout as often as you can. It is amazing what a workout can do for your brain. I look forward to my workouts. 

5. Listen to your body. Our bodies are amazing! They will tell ya when to slow down and when to keep going. 

6. Set a routine. Routine is key in my life. If I don't have a routine I'm usually in a slump, but if I keep on track it goes way smoother. 

7. Write things down. Journaling is my favorite thing! To-do lists are my favorite, too! 

8. Take pictures! It's the best looking back through your years of all the things you have done and all the loved ones you have around you. 

9. You are only in charge of you. This one is a tough one for me. I want to take care of everyone and make all things right, but in the end I can only be in charge of my actions. 

10. It's okay to say no. Sometimes you can't do everything and may need to say no to things. 

11. There are seasons for everything. It's my favorite when you find out why something happened or didn't happen. Doesn't happen often, but it does remind me that there are reasons for everything in this life. 

12. Find your person and love them. Let love creep into your life and then work really hard to keep that love alive. It takes work, forgiveness, compromise, laughter, service, and in the end is so worth it! 

13. Talk things out as soon as possible. Not just in marriage, but in work, in families, in friendships-all are important to communicate your feelings. Don't let it sit on your shoulders, talk it out. 

14. Travel! If you aren't travelling, you aren't living. Okay that was a strong opinion... but really, travelling feeds the soul and shows you the beauty of this earth. 

15. Read Scriptures Daily. I tell ya I have way better days when I start my morning off in the scriptures then days I forget. Plus, you get to know Christ way better when ya read! 

16. Grocery Shopping is way more fun when someone else pays. lol Really, that is the truth. We buy boring old stuff now and it comes out of my bank account. Way more fun when your mom comes home with a trunk full of groceries. My cute hubby does surprise me with fun things when he shops by himself! 

17. Budget. This is a tough thing to learn and stick to, but if you do you will be less stressed about money. We have been budgeting for quite some time now and have found that it keeps us from buying things we don't need, allows us to have savings for fun things and the not so fun things. 

18. Celebrate Holidays! You are never too old to celebrate any of the holidays! Even with no kiddos we make sure to make traditions and things to look forward to during the holidays throughout the year. 

19. Family is important, but also take care of you. There was a time I took every decision of my family members so personal. In the end it just hurt me and I learned that sometimes we have to step back and let others make choices and then be there from a distance praying for them and loving them. 

20. Take work off on your Birthday! No one should ever have to work on their Birthday! That's my rule and I'm sticking to it. 

21. Make a bucket list and check things off. We all need to have some bucket list items to check off in our lives. The world is too beautiful to not explore. 

22. Move out of state at least for a minute. I have moved away from home a few times now and something about it just reminds you of the important stuff. 

23. Find a hobby. I'm still working on this one, but I know it is important to find things we love. It gives us something to look forward to in life. 

24. Date nights weekly with your spouse. Date nights are the best! Make them a priority. 

25. Prayers are heard and answered. I have had countless of prayers answered in my thirty years of life and expect many more in the years to come. 

26. Life is unfair both ways good or bad. I use to think life was unfair only when things would go wrong, but I have found that I don't deserve any of the good stuff in my life and so therefore it's not fair for the good stuff or the bad stuff. 

27. Pumpkin Spice Season is the best season. Well I have found a love for everything pumpkin in this life. I would suggest to not try anything pumpkin so you don't get addicted to fall like me. 

28. Get out in Nature! Being outside just lifts my soul. I love the sun, the rain, storms, wintery snowy days, hiking, falling leaves, the smell of the seasons, all things outside feed the soul. 

29. There is always more to learn. Well, I don't know about you, but I learn something new everyday! I use to think you'd know everything by thirty, but nope still learning. 

30. Love life! If you aren't happy, fix it. Start a new routine, eat healthier, focus on gratitude, change your path, reach out to Christ, read uplifting books, exercise, find a new hobby, mend relationships, find beauty in the world and most of all love yourself , forgive yourself, and be proud of where you are at in life. 

What are your things you live by today? What have you learned in your lifetime?