29 Things I’ve Learned in my 29 Years

It’s MY BIRTHDAYYYYY! I’ve been trying to come up with an appropriate post for my birthday — something super important to me to share with y’all. I had a hard time thinking of something, but I came up with this — 29 things I have learned over the last 29 years. This list is vv random and in no real order of importance, but I wanted to share them with you anyways & hopefully you can take one solid nugget away from this list. So let’s get to it.

1. Family over EVERYTHING. This one is very self explanatory, but it can sometimes get lost.
2. Your marriage is 100000% worth investing in. Divorce might seem like the easier option, but don’t do it.
3. Speaking of, date your spouse. You cannot grow in your relationship if you don’t date each other. Dates can be free (I have a whole post on this), but you still need unplugged time together.
4. Set phone boundaries. No phones in the bedroom. No phones an hour before bed/first thing in the morning. No phones while taking a walk together. Whatever boundaries you set, stick to them.
5. Get outside as often as you can. Go to the beach. Lay out at the pool. Take a hike. The sunshine is good for your soul.
6. Pursue your dreams. You don’t need a 9-5 job that you work for 50 years until retirement anymore. You can work from your phone. You can do your own thing. Don’t get caught in the box of expectations.
7. Instagram is not reality. No one has their life all together. Everyone is struggling. Put your phone down & stop scrolling.
8. Buy the plant & then set a reminder on your phone to water them. And if they die, just dump it out and buy a new healthy plant to fill the pot. Plants make you happy. Don’t stare at a dead one. Just try again.
9. Laundry & dishes may seem to never end, but be thankful that you have someone to share your home with.
10. Having babies is a lot tougher than they make it sound in HS health class. You’ll never be ready for kids, so just start trying when you think you wouldn’t stink as a parent.
11. Do one thing that scares you every year (at least). If your dream isn’t scary, it’s not big enough.
12. There should be one day a week (or atleast once a month) when you don’t wake up to an alarm. Let your body wake you up naturally. Cuddle your pups. Enjoy a slow morning.
13. Drink a lot of water. It’s good for your insides, too.
14. Adult friendships are hard. They take a lot of work. Put in the work for those who are a blessing in your life. ACTUALLY SCHEDULE THAT LUNCH you keep chatting about. Friendship is good for the soul.
15. You can never have too many dogs. Some days I might tell you that 3 is enough, but honestly if I had a bigger house, I wouldn’t stop adopting pups. They’re the best.
16. You’re not as agile as you once were. Don’t try to stand on a ball to deflate it. You’ll end up with a broken elbow. Just don’t.
17. It’s okay to say no. Say no to a toxic social situation. Say no to another drink. Say no to a questionable friendship.
18. It’s also okay to say yes. To an opportunity that scares you. To a new relationship. To a new adventure.
19. You don’t have to make Pinterest dinners to be a good wife. Trader Joes has bomb freezer meals that can basically pass as homemade.
20. Don’t let other peoples opinions keep you from doing what you want to do. You’re a big girl. You can make your own decisions & your own mistakes.
21. Move your body every day. Take a walk. Play tennis. Swing at the park. Swim a few laps. Sunshine + movement = happy body.
22. You’re never too old to dance on TikTok. Yes, the kids will poke fun, but if you had fun making the video, that’s what matters the most.
23. Dogs know everything. Bad day? Sick? Sad? You need a dog in your life to give you all the licks & cuddles. If you don’t have one, go to a friends house and let their puppy love on you.
24. Buy a house if you can. Apartments are shredding money every month. But you also have to fix things when they break instead of calling your super so maybe stick with the apartment thing.
25. You can save a lot of money if you don’t have your credit card saved on your phone. You’re too lazy to get up and get it out of your purse.
26. Call your mom often. Or your dad. Or your grandma. I know you are an adult & you don’t have to tell them everything going on in your life, but you should. Or atleast a lot of it. It’s important to them, which should make it important to you.
27. Be real with people. Sometimes your true life struggles can scare people away or turn them off, but honestly, we all want to feel like we aren’t alone. Share what you’re comfortable with & you will find a community of like minded individuals. This is important.
28. No one can put in the work for you, especially when growing a business. You have to show up. You have to put in the work. It falls on you, boo.
29. Love Jesus. When all else fails or you can’t figure out what comes next — He’s there.

XOXO,

Hil