Today, I am 34.
And, like any person who is facing a birthday, I believe myself to be overflowing with acquired wisdom.
I am simply bursting at the seams with knowledge.
…or, at the very least, I’m bursting at the seams with thoughts.
So here are 34 thoughts, written mostly stream of consciousness…
- Nobody really knows what they’re doing.
- There is no “right” answer to a lot of questions (this is going to be a recurring theme).
- Almost everyone is ultimately doing things with good intentions. Impact matters, but so do intentions.
- Creativity is a skill that requires practice–it’s not just something some people have and others don’t.
- All jobs (and all companies) have their shit. And, most of the time, it’s that nobody ever documents anything in the right place.
- Fish rot from the head. If you look up the ladder from where you are and don’t like what you see, get on a different ladder because those problems won’t change.
- You don’t have to do one thing. You don’t have to be one thing.
- Changing your mind (hourly, daily, weekly, annually, with the seasons) doesn’t make you fickle. There isn’t inherent virtue in stick-to-it-ness for the sake of it.
- Yes, exercise and eating nutritious foods will make you feel better.
- If you’re also in your thirties, look up mobility exercises. Do them.
- Always have more umbrellas than you think you need.
- Knowing the things you need to do to feel like a happy, healthy, productive human being is much easier than doing the things.
- It’s ok to not do the things you feel like you should. The important part is making a choice–don’t just slide into oblivion. Choose to rest or to not rest. Choose to cook or order in. Choose for yourself and don’t assign morality to the choices.
- Copying other people when you’re starting something new is a good way to learn. And everybody does it.
- It is hard to come up with 34 things all at once.
- Disliking something just because it’s popular or liking something just because it’s not is not the same as having a personality.
- It’s easier to complain, finding little cracks to poke at in the world around you. But, it’s rewarding to do the work of thinking positively.
- Not everything has to be an enriching, thought-provoking, active experience–sometimes a rom-com can just be a rom-com and you can enjoy the lack of depth.
- If something interests you, go for it, even if 1,000 other people have already done it. You can add to the conversation.
- We are all the same and we are all different. You can find examples of other people going through whatever you’re going through and you can bring a unique perspective.
- Parents are just human beings who are also doing their best (most of the time).
- Most of the people, out there in the world, are nice and looking for connection. They are rooting for you. And they are too busy thinking about their own flaws to dissect yours.
- If someone is the type of person who is going to hone in your flaws and be mean, it’s because they are hurting in some way. But, it’s not your job to fix them or abide their shit. Kick them out of your life.
- We are not each other’s competition. As you rise, lift others.
- You can find numbers or “facts” on the internet to support whatever argument you are trying to make. Step outside of your bubble.
- It’s incredibly easy to relate to (and befriend) people with different beliefs when you are standing face to face, looking them in the eye.
- It’s incredibly easy to vilify (and dehumanize) people with different beliefs when you are separated by the internet.
- Depression can manifest in surprising ways. Routine is a buffer.
- Do things that are just for you–not for your friends, lovers, colleagues, the world, etc. Something that you enjoy just because you enjoy it.
- Wash your face for a full 60 seconds. Your fancy face wash doesn’t work if you don’t fully count to 60 seconds.
- There really aren’t stupid questions. Just mean people who will make you feel stupid (but remember, we don’t need those people). Ask whatever you want to ask.
- You don’t get what you don’t ask for. Ask your boss for more money. Ask the person you fancy to go out. Ask the bartender if you can taste the beer first.
- Time is your biggest asset. Start taking care of your body and your finances now so you don’t have to panic about it later.
- If you just start writing, eventually you will finish the thing you’re trying to write, even if it’s crap.
Go. Live your life. Start your anti-aging regiment. Make lists. Force them upon your loved ones.