11 Dec 6 Things I Learned Over the Past 33 Years
This past week I celebrated my 34th birthday. Gotta love those December birthdays … lol
I am not a huge birthday party, ALL the things person. (If you know love languages, gifts aren’t my #1 language). I appreciate gifts, but am more practical about it, not just more stuff. Words of affirmation and quality time in smaller groups are what really light me up!
What is your love language?
If you haven’t taken the quiz before or learned about this, let me know and I’ll send it to you! It’s really helpful to know for yourself and relationships. Because often times we give our love languages to others, but it’s not what they really value. It’s helpful to know both sides!
What I really love to do during my birthday is to take time and reflect on the prior year.
What did I learn?
What I did a fail at?
How did I grow as a person?
The more you start checking in with Yourself, what you actually Want and Value, it just makes life SO much more enjoyable.
Who says birthdays have to be Only cake and presents? If you love that, awsome, do it up! But start to get more curious about what things you actually ENJOY. Not what other people tell you enjoyment or success looks like.
Wanted to share with you 6 things I learned over my 33 years as a human in this crazy world 🙂 and Constantly seeking to learn and grow as person!
1. Figure out What You Actually Want
We have been conditioned to have other people tell us who we are. Even from a very young age you were given a label.
“I was always the chubby kid growing up.”
“I was the class clown.”
These labels can really stick with us and our identity.
But these are surface level.
How do you define yourself?
Yes, you are a mother, sister, friend etc, but WHO are you?
Get crystal clear about what You actually want for yourself, and start acting like the person that has those things.
What is that person doing on a daily basis?
How does she show up in the world?
What time does she go to bed 😉
2. You always have a Choice
You have the ability to choose what you want. Often times the decisions we need to make in order to grow are hard, scary and we are afraid of failing or disappointing others. These are real and normal feelings to have. But don’t let them stop you.
3. Fear of Failure is the Biggest Limiting Factor
Once you learn failure is necessary for growth, it’s all feedback, and it opens Everything up! Failing and falling never gets easier, you just get stronger and can bounce back faster. It is ultimately what breeds success! Get use to failing. But always learn and identify what you could do differently next time.
4. Growth Can Feel Like Loss
In order to continue to evolve, we have to shed layers that are no longer in alignment with where we are going. Shedding these layers can feel like tremendous loses that we have to give ourselves time to grieve. Feel it! Talk about it. Once you allow yourself to feel sad and grieve this, it gives you space and freedom to keep moving forward.
5. Someone Is Always Going to have Something to Say
This is a big limiting factor in making change. We don’t want to “hear about it” from other people. Everyone is entitled to their own thoughts and feelings. But don’t let this deter you from staying true to yourself. You can respectfully redirect the conversation. Once you develop confidence within yourself and what you actually want, this shines and people don’t question you!
6. Lead by Example
Be the contributor of inspiration. Do the things that support you and your goals.
Be the person that brings a healthier option to the party.
Be the person that wakes up early on the weekends to take time for yourself first.
Be the person that takes time to prepare feel good foods on the weekend vs going to brunch – when you know this is ultimately going to help you feel your best.
When you just do the things, without pressuring anyone else to do or act in a certain way. They will be inspired by you and it’s amazing the changes they will start to make by you modeling these behaviors!
Reach out if I can do anything for you.
XO
Jennie