30 things my 20’s taught me.

Dear Avery,

In a few months, I’ll be 30. To some that sounds so old, to others that sounds young. To me, there are days it sounds scary. How could I be 30 already? Wasn’t I just 21 celebrating in Vegas? I must have just blinked. Other days, I’m excited to think about this new decade – the abundance of joys and the new challenges that will come.

Reflecting on my twenties, here is what I know:

1. Your body starts to become a little more fragile.
2. Social drinking changes drastically from the start of your 20’s to the end.
3. Time moves fast — if you don’t stop to look around — you just might miss it.
4. Friends become family, and your family become your friends.
5. If personal space wasn’t an issue before, it’s an issue now. Get out of my bubble people — and take 3 steps back. Please and thank you.
6. Pets are just as important as people.
7. Love changes — in good ways and in bad.
8. Being outdoors is natural medicine — for soul and body.
9. Weekdays don’t need to be dreaded. Find a place of work that makes you excited to come into.
10. Weekends don’t need to jam packed. But it’s OK if they are. I happen to love them.
11. Taking a day to rest and relax is actually a lot harder than it used to be.
12. Sleeping too much might actually not be good for you.
13. Judgement of other people becomes harsher. At times, you’ll need to force yourself to empathize.
14. Being kind and thoughtful goes a really long way.
15. Actively engaging in relationships with your friend’s spouses/partners is good for all of you but can be hard to maintain.
16. Good poetry finds you at the right time.
17. …A meaningful song will do the same.
18. A one-on-one dinner or lunch date with a close friend is so very vital.
19. No marriage is perfect. In fact, it’s a lot harder than it appears (even on Facebook).
20. Your career should never hold you back, if it does, push back and make it move forward. Only you have the power to make that so.
21. The world can be a cruel place — but paying attention to news will bring perspective to your own life.
22. The world can be a magically beautiful place — acknowledging when you find that beauty and sharing it — is something we all need to do more of.
23. The universe gives us so many small signs and signals to a greater story. Paying attention will bring you unexpected joy.
24. Themed parties will never go out of style.
25. The most wasted of all days is when you haven’t laughed.
26. You’ll look at teenagers and think “Why are you dressed like that?”
27. You’ll look at older generations and think “Why do you think or believe that”?
28. Getting lost in a good book is so enjoyable when you finally find the time to dedicate to it.
29. Year 29 of life is a harsh realization that you can’t say “I’m in my twenties” soon.
30. At 30, you are an official adult (according to me). But that doesn’t mean your sense of childish wonder, discovery, and fun ever have to end.

Oh, and also — in my twenties, I learned to really love creating lists. Can you tell?

(Here’s another fun little list of mine from 2012: What to expect in your 20’s ).

Avery, I hope your twenties bring you joy, suspense, curiosity, exploration, the travel bug, a good true love, a wealth of fantastic friends, pain that is followed by learnings, a love for the earth, poetry that speaks to you, and something or someone that inspires you to write (like you do for me).

OK, 30 — I’m finally ready for you.

With love,

Aunt Megs