4.3.17 32

33 Things I’ve Learned in 33 Years

Today is my 33rd birthday! GULP. It’s hard for me to believe that because it truly doesn’t feel any different than the last 4 birthdays. Biggest difference this year is the handsome fella I’m spending my day with! My baby boy! Oh and the husband is pretty handsome too 🙂 Last year on my birthday we started IVF. Yep, my start date was April 3rd and we took it as a good sign. I woke up and Andrew gave me my first injection. To celebrate, we got donuts. HA! This year my birthday looks a bit different in the best way possible. For my birthday I wanted to share with you guys 33 things I’ve learned in 33 years. I’m not going to elaborate a ton on them as they are all pretty self explanatory. Nevertheless I hope you enjoy!

33 Things I've Learned in 33 Years

33 Things I’ve Learned In 33 Years

  1. Little said is easily mended. I feel like I relearn this every year.
  2. You are only as strong as your weakest moments.
  3. You can and will get through things you think you can’t.
  4. Everything truly is a season and seasons change.
  5. True friends stick around. Don’t waste time or energy on the ones that don’t.
  6. Sometimes, more often than not, it’s really NOT about you
  7. Family is the MOST important. Everything else comes second or even third or fourth.
  8. Take as much time with things as you need. There is no right or wrong way to get through something.
  9. Me time is just as important as time you spend with others.
  10. Putting yourself first is NOT selfish. Sometimes it’s necessary.
  11. It’s REALLY OK to ask for help. Even if you don’t want to.
  12. You are always learning. It never stops.
  13. It’s OK to admit you’re wrong.
  14. Choose your battles with everyone. You don’t always need to be right.
  15. Saying NO is OK. You can’t do it all.
  16. As long as you’re doing your best that’s all you can do.
  17. You can’t be all things to all people. But you can be all things to the people who matter most.
  18. Compassion is necessary.
  19. Sympathy and empathy are NOT always going to go together.
  20. Always be honest.
  21. Stand up for yourself, no matter who’s on the other side.
  22. To get a new perspective, change your surroundings.
  23. A nap can make a day a lot better.
  24. Good exercise will put you in a good mood. Remember what Elle Woods says “endorphins make you happy”
  25. Treat yourself every now and then, you do deserve it.
  26. Nothing nerdy about being smart with finances.
  27. When making a purchase ask yourself would you still want it tomorrow? If you don’t know then wait.
  28. The number doesn’t matter, what matters is how you feel.
  29. Even putting on mascara can make you feel better.
  30. There’s very little that a talk with mom can’t fix no matter how old you are.
  31. It can be stressful to choose your child’s name!
  32. Say I love you over and over and over again. You can never say it too much.
  33. You make the choice every day to be happy or sad. Choose happy.

So those are the 33 Things I’ve learned in 33 years. Sure I’ve learned more. But these are the ones I feel are most important!

Also 33? How!

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32 Comments

  1. Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog wrote:

    Thank you for sharing your wisdom. Have a great day with your handsome fellas!

    Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog
    http://charmainenyw.com

    Published 4.3.17
    Reply
  2. Divya wrote:

    Happy birthday to you!! This is all wise advice that I need to remind myself of over and over and over again.

    How are you all celebrating today?!

    Published 4.3.17
    Reply
  3. Kate wrote:

    Love love love this, Neely! Posts like these are some of my favorites – so full of reminders for living the best life. Thanks for this, and have a very happy birthday!

    Published 4.3.17
    Reply
  4. Sarah wrote:

    Happy Birthday!!!! Love this list! 🙂 Agree that family is the most important thing ever, and life is short. My husband just lost his best friend to a heart attack. I’ll be living each day a bit differently moving forward.

    Hope you enjoy your day today!!

    -Sarah http://www.thefrugalmillionaireblog.com

    Published 4.3.17
    Reply
  5. Jessica Lawlor wrote:

    Happy, happy birthday! Love these life lessons — such important reminders <3 Thanks for sharing!J

    Published 4.3.17
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  6. Jennifer wrote:

    23….Yes! Funny, how when we’re young, we truly don’t appreciate and don’t want to take a nap. It’s only when we get older and rarely get to take one that we truly understand their importance.

    Published 4.3.17
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  7. Erica @ Coming Up Roses wrote:

    Elle Woods was onto something! I’m totally revamping + reviving my fitness journey now and it feels truly amazing.

    Coming Up Roses

    Published 4.3.17
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  8. Jaime wrote:

    Hope you’re having a happy birthday! I love these things. The one about true friends? SO TRUE.

    Published 4.3.17
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  9. Courtney wrote:

    Happy birthday! Hope 33 is a great year for you. These are great lessons and I’m all about naps!

    Published 4.3.17
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  10. Carly @caffeinatedcarly.com wrote:

    Happy birthday! What a great list. I couldn’t agree more with the fact that you can never say “I love you” too much. After losing my dad I say it all the time to those dearest to me.

    Published 4.3.17
    Reply
  11. Kristina Paché Ferency wrote:

    Happy Birthday! I turn 30 this June and I agree with your list. We learn something new or different about life, ourselves and others and we will continue to learn. I agree most with being honest and ask for help when needed because sometimes we just can’t do it all. It’s also important to be honest with not only others but ourself as well.

    Published 4.3.17
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  12. Jolina wrote:

    Happiest birthday to you Neely! I lost count of how old I am after I turned 30 so needless to say I agree with it’s just a number, it’s how you feel haha. And yes, picking your battles is so important. And naps, of course 🙂 Enjoy your day!

    Published 4.3.17
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  13. Lauren @ Oh Hey! I Like That! wrote:

    Happy 33rd birthday!! I love love LOVE this list!

    Published 4.3.17
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  14. Rhonda Swan wrote:

    33 great tips here. Cheers to an unstoppable birthday!

    Published 4.3.17
    Reply
  15. Elizabeth Ann wrote:

    Happy birthday! I hope you are being spoiled on your big day! Oh my goodness! It’s like you listed all the things I needed to hear today. Seriously! This post is fantastic and so very true! Also, number 33 – YES! Choose happiness! Also, love me Elle Woods! 🙂

    Published 4.3.17
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  16. Liz Mays wrote:

    I hope you have a happy birthday with your son! The lessons we learn through experience seem to stick in our minds!

    Published 4.3.17
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  17. Kim wrote:

    One of my co-workers told me #6 many years ago and I have to remember that!!!!!

    Published 4.3.17
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  18. Jenny wrote:

    These are all so important! Happy 33rd Neely!

    Published 4.3.17
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  19. Kendra wrote:

    Happy birthday Neely!! These are great life lessons, taking them to heart.

    Published 4.3.17
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  20. Barefoot Warrior wrote:

    To get a new perspective, change your surroundings.
    YES! YES! YES!
    Advice I shall take to heart today.

    Published 4.3.17
    Reply
  21. Kiara wrote:

    Loved this! Definitely a lot of awesome lessons here, especially your one about compassion!

    Published 4.3.17
    Reply
  22. Mistle wrote:

    Cheers to 33!!! I agree that family is first! Admitting you’re wrong may not be easy but sometimes it has to be done. I love naps and working out always improves my mood. Love these lessons!

    Published 4.3.17
    Reply
  23. Adriana Lopez wrote:

    Happy birthday! You have given me such a great idea with yoru post. I am over 50 so I have a lot to tell in terms of my life learnings =)

    Published 4.4.17
    Reply
  24. Amanda Kruse wrote:

    Happy belated Birthday! I need to ask myself question #27 more often. Impulse buying gets me every time.

    xx,
    Amanda || http://www.fortheloveofglitter.com

    Published 4.4.17
    Reply
  25. Jessica wrote:

    I absolutely love all the things..the lessons– and this post! I needed this 🙂 I plan on looking at this list every day to keep me going! All the best! and Happy Birthday!!

    Published 4.4.17
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  26. Julie @ Running in a Skirt wrote:

    I love this so much! There is so much to be grateful for in this world and you’ve nailed it with your lessons. Happy Birthday!

    Published 4.4.17
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  27. Janella Panchamsingh wrote:

    All the lessons you have learned shows that you have also grown into someone amazing

    Published 4.4.17
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  28. Corinne Rodrigues wrote:

    19 and 32 really resonated with me!
    Love the look of your blog. Glad I stopped by from Blog Share Learn.

    Published 4.4.17
    Reply
  29. Corinne Rodrigues wrote:

    Oops! I can’t believe I didn’t wish you a happy birthday! A tad late, but I do hope you had a wonderful day.

    Published 4.4.17
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  30. Toughcookiemommy wrote:

    Always being honest is a huge one for me. I try to always tell the truth, even if it sometimes gets me in trouble.

    Published 4.4.17
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  31. Kelsie wrote:

    I love those so much! Hope you enjoy your day with your baby boy 🙂

    Published 4.5.17
    Reply
  32. Meghan wrote:

    17, 30 & 32 are my favorites!

    Published 4.6.17
    Reply