What I Learned After a Year of Being 30

I usually sum up my yearly learnins in a series of seven posts over the course of the week leading up to my birthday, but since I had other shit going on, I decided to combine them all into this one. So, ya know... deal with it. 

Sorry, internet. I'm in a mood today. 

So without further achoo, here's what I've learned in my 30th year...

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WAITING FOR YOUR LIFE TO BEGIN IS STUPID.

Your life begins when you become sentient enough to acknowledge the world around you. Putting off what you want until it's perfect is not waiting for your life to begin; it's pretending you're going to do something when it doesn't scare you anymore. Which brings me to my next lesson...

IF IT SCARES YOU, THAT MEANS YOU CARE ABOUT IT.

Trust me, as a woman attempting a career in the arts, when you're afraid it means you care. If something can rile you up enough to give you anxiety and a stomach ulcer, it means it's important to you. Even if it's something trivial. Take chances. We're all gonna die someday. Especially those of us who are about to be 31. 

YOU'LL NEVER GET WHAT YOU WANT IF YOU DON'T ASK FOR IT.

I'm still working on this one, but at least I'm finally working on it. I spent my whole childhood repressing what I needed emotionally from people and believe me -- that shit follows you into adulthood. I'm slowly but surely learning how to just say what I feel and demand what I need... and the results are so much better than letting things fester (I hate that word) inside of you. Seriously, the word "fester" sounds like a goddamn oozing sore and I want it to eject itself from the English language. Could I have used a different word? Sure. But this isn't about me. Yes it is. No it's not. I should really start taking the medication.

KEEPING A VEGAN DIET IS EASY.

I spent many years wanting to start eating a vegan diet. In the beginning for the ethical reasons and now I do it for both the ethical reasons and for my health. Don't get me wrong, you'll miss your fat ass cheeseburgers and soft serve ice cream and you'll be a fucking nightmare when you go out to eat, but all in all, it's an easy task. It requires more time and more thought and the ability to read, but ultimately it's worth it. Probably. Who cares? We're all gonna die someday.

LIVE YOUR PASSION.

This year I'm working on living my passion. I created a list of goals for myself for the year and I want to meet them all. I'm not a goal-oriented person. I never have been. However, right now I don't want to be working a shit job that I hate to pay bills and wear myself down to nothing. So I decided that one of my goals this year is going to be to quit my job and be able to work for myself as an independent content creator. I keep wishing to stumble upon career opportunities every time I pass a clock that reads 11:11. A few days ago, I was informed that my staff and I would be forced to take a two week unpaid leave from our job due to maintenance that needed to be done to the building. While I'm not thrilled about not being paid for this, I see this as an opportunity. This is an opportunity to create and get myself on track. To prepare for the year ahead. To prepare to be working for myself. To prepare because we're all gonna die someday.

PUT THE GODDAMN PHONE DOWN.

I am so sick of having conversations with the Apple logo on peoples' phones. 

QUIT GIVING A FUCK.

I've never been one for giving too many fucks. I've always just done what pleases me and left the crowd mentality for the other needy fucks of my generation. I care not what's on trend or what songs reverberate the true reality of my soul, especially when croaked out by One Direction. Are they still a thing? I don't know. I'm 30 and I don't have kids; I shouldn't know. Anyway, I wear significantly less makeup, I enjoy enormous sweaters and the same pair of leggings until they are begging to be washed. I don't give a fuck.

TAKE BETTER CARE OF YOURSELF.

This kind of aligns with the veganism thing, but I've learned there is great value in taking care of yourself. I've always walked the fine line between caring about my well-being and being super cool and not caring about my well-being at all. Now, while I will never go see a doctor unless I am dying and I don't believe in taking medication - just a personal choice. If you need it, please take it. I do, however, wash my face before I go to bed. I also properly moisturize. And I brush my teeth multiple times a day as opposed to just before bed. I'm also a pro at exfoliating now. Maybe don't have all the pieces of cake. But do it once in a while, just so you don't forget how cool you once were.

DON'T WORRY SO MUCH.

The universe pretty much always works things out as they're supposed to be. So when faced with change or hardship, look it in the face, accept it and move forward.

So there ya go. I learned some shit this year and now you've maybe read the things I've learned. 

I don't really care if you did or not. After all, we're all gonna die someday.