15 Lessons to Learn by 30

This month I turned 30.

For me, birthdays are usually not too different from any other day. I'm not sentimental about them and, since I prefer to avoid being the center of attention, I'm perfectly fine with letting them go by with little to no fanfare. Except this one. When I reached 30 it hit me hard. Much harder than I thought it would.

I've been married almost seven and a half years and it really doesn't feel that long. In the next seven and a half years, I'll be nearing 40. The realization of just how fast time goes now that I'm older, the pants that fit tighter than they did last year, a week of sick kids plus sleep deprivation, all added up to one bad day.

So I started doing what I normally do when I'm stressed. I made a list. A list of 15 lessons that I've learned in 30 years. I filled in with posts from my Instagram account because I was lazy for something different than my usual photos. Just for fun.

1. It's ok to start a project or hobby and then quit if you fall flat on your face. You learned something about yourself even if all you learned was that you weren't good at it.

2. How to make my own phone calls and schedule appointments.

3. Coffee is amazing. I'd also like to add that I began adoring coffee before it was cool. It's better hot anyway.

The best part of waking up is seeing this every morning. And every afternoon. At night it's just cruel. #coffeelove #drinkallthecoffees @realinspired

4. It's possible to outgrow friendships, especially as you get older and your interests and values change. You may always be friends and love each other deeply, but you might not be as close. It is sad but it is also ok.

5. You don't ever have to give up on your ideals or quit hoping for their realization.

The Sherwin Williams guy took pity on me and gifted me with this. It's a dream come true! I was sqealing over it for the rest of the day! #colornerd #ilovepaint by @realinspired

6. Public speaking isn't the end of the world(but I'd still rather jump in a pit of nonvenomous snakes).

7. It's ok to be introverted. If someone thinks less of you because of it then it's their problem, not yours. You are not broken; our culture is.

8. Read anything and everything. Never stop.

When #bookworm loves #harrypotter and #cslewis. Oh, the irony...@realinspired

9. Broken hearts heal. They might not forget, but they do stop hurting.

10. Trust your intuiton.

11. Perfection is impossible. Strive for it but be ok with falling short.

12. You have to make your kids do things themselves. It's so hard to implement in real life and I still fail at it, but I know I have to allow them to fail or fly on their own.

13. Marry your best friend. Someone with similar interests that understands you and loves to let you be you.

I don't usually get all sappy and share this kind of thing, but this is my Valentine gift from hubby. I share it because it made me cry and gifts usually don't do that. This one did because this man encourages me to pursue my dreams and try scary things. He's the reason that I'm finally finding my voice and writing the daydreams I've carried in my heart my entire life. He makes me feel brave enough to try. I'm so glad I married my best friend! by @realinspired

14. You have to be that kind of person for the person you marry too. It goes both ways.

15. Listen. Listen when people talk. Listen when they're hurting or disagree with you. Really listen. Sometimes that's all you can do or all anyone needs. You might learn something in the process too.

When I was little, I thought home improvement stores looked like places where dreams came true. That's still what I think at 30. by @realinspired

Here I am at 30.

Do you have any lessons you have learned that you could add to the list? Want to follow on Instagram? Follow this link to the Real Inspired Instagram account!