10 Things I've Learned With Age

I'm one whole month into the final year of my 30's. I feel like lately, I've been experiencing life differently. This isn't to say that I feel like I have life figured out, I totally don't, I just realized that there are some things that I just don't have time for anymore. Maybe I'm falling into the groove of adulthood or maybe I'm just becoming more comfortable with who I am. I'm not quite sure, but today, I pulled together a list of 10 things I have learned with age. Maybe you can add something you've learned too.

Photo by Maria Shanina on Unsplash

10 Things I've Learned with Age

1. Not all doctors are good

I was in a pretty major car accident and in the first year after the crash, I had over 100 doctors appointments. I saw chiropractors, massage therapists and physical therapists as well as neurologists and pain physicians. Not all doctors are good at practicing medicine. In fact, some of them make things worse. Go with your gut and trust your instinct and don't be afraid to speak up or switch providers. You are worth it.

2. Kids really do grow up too fast

I launched a kid off to college and all of a sudden I became that person who would say to the young mom "they grow up so quickly." I didn't believe it when other parents told me, but now that I'm on the other side, I am that person. If you have little ones, you won't believe me either. 

3. I no longer have time to buy what I don't like

This is a new thing and my budget may prove otherwise, but last year, I bought a couch for our living room and I've hated it ever since. It wasn't even remotely close to what I was looking for. Really, the only thing it had going for it was the price. But now look, I want to replace it with what I really want when really what I should have done is replaced it with that I wanted in the first place. I have no idea why I do this, but I'm stopping right now.  

4. You are responsible for how you spend your time

I find that the older I get the more I value the time that I have. We all have the same number of hours in a day... that we can't control. What we can control is how we spend those hours. For us, it's being intentional with our family time. We guard that time closely now, mostly because of number 2.

5. Your metabolism really does slow down

Again, people told me this and I did not believe them. But it's true. Be aware. Start eating smaller portions now or you are going to think that your pants are shrinking in the wash. True story.

6. Hire things out that you hate

This goes back to valuing your time. Think about the things that you don't like to do. It could be ironing, cooking, deep cleaning or painting. Bless someone else who has those skills that you just don't have. It's OK to outsource those chores and things you hate to do. You may have to release some control over having something done differently than how you would do it, but getting the time back to do something you would rather be doing is worth it.

7. It's OK to slow down

I realize how fleeting time is the older I get. I've seen a lot of life and my perspective has changed. I take the time to ask questions, to get to really know someone and to drop everything if a friend needs help. Give yourself permission to slow down and enjoy the life that you have.

8. Get to know yourself

I don't know if it's getting older that has made me more aware of who I am, or if I am just settling comfortably into my own skin but I know more about my personality and what I need and don't need and how to ask for it. These revelations usually come to me when I have time to quietly reflect on life. Take the time to get to know you. 

9. Social media isn't real life

This one is hard for me. I have a love/hate relationship with social media because as a blogger and influencer, I have to have a presence there. I hate to break it to you, but social media is not real life. Smiling kids in pictures get bribed with candy or money. A clean room that you see a glimpse of may be the only clean room in the house. A caption or hashtag may say best day ever, but behind the scenes there may have been hurt feelings and words that went unsaid that were crushing to the soul.  
As a creator of social content, I know more of the behind the scenes glimpses. Just know that while I pride myself on being as real as can be, it's not all real all the time.

10. Spend the money on a good haircut

I'm cheap. Which is probably why number 3 and 6 have been new revelations for me. However, getting a good haircut is worth it. I spent years going to the walk-right-in places and I look back on pictures and wonder what I was thinking. I only go twice a year to my hair stylist, but it's worth it. Spend the money.
I would love to hear from you. What lessons have you learned with age?