I always thought I would dread turning 30. Like thats SO old right? I feel like there is a lot of pressure on us to have certain milestones accomplished before we turn 30, and it’s considered that everything goes downhill from there.

What’s funny is that I feel like I am the happiest and most content in my life as I approach the big milestone! As I’ve gotten older, I’ve made taking care of my body a huge priority and feel better than I ever have. I also feel like I have finally learned to stand up for myself and walk away from toxic people, relationships, and situations.

Through the ups and downs, I’ve learned a few thing that I wish I could tell my 20 year old self!

1. Always stand up for yourself, even when its hard and scary.
2. Make taking care of your body and your health a priority. You only have one body.
3. Find a way to stay active that you actually enjoy doing.
4. Make your friends feel valued and special. If your friends don’t make you feel valued and special, find new friends.
5. Making new friends is hard, but being genuine and putting yourself out there will attract the right people.
6. Have the confidence to be yourself, even if other people don’t like it. It’s better for you to like you than someone else.
7. If people hurt you when you have done nothing to them, it’s because they’re hurting inside.
8. Trust your gut, it’s always right.
9. Listen to what people do, not what they say. You’ll learn a lot more about them that way.
10. Wear sunscreen every day.
11. Invest your money before you spend a dime of your paycheck. Every paycheck.
12. Owning the cheapest house on the block is still better than renting the nicest one.
13. Don’t worry about what other people are buying, driving, or doing with their life because you never know their whole story.
14. You will be disappointed by things that happen in life, but find a way to channel it into something better.
15. Make goals for yourself and keep working towards the promises you made yourself.
16. Don’t let your job become your life.
17. Do what you say you are going to do.
18. Don’t live on excuses when you could have made other choices. Accept the choices you make.
19. Genuinely network with people and build relationships. You never know when a connection will help you out.
20. Don’t settle for anything or anyone that doesn’t feel right.
21. Don’t listen to the negative comments of people who aren’t living your life.
22. Try things that scare you. You can always leave if you don’t enjoy them.
23. Tell the people in your life that you appreciate them.
24. Make sleep a priority.
25. Treat yourself when you have worked hard.
26. Social media should be fun. If it isn’t fun, stop using it.
27. Be someone who makes other people feel good about themselves.
28. Always over dress.
29. Learn how to say no.
30. Learn to be proud of yourself.