27 Lessons I've Learned at 27

Mixed emotions flood me. Apprehension, excitement, achievement, doubt. An unusually long state of reflection. Self-conviction that I do not have “enough time.” Then persuasion that I am exactly where I am supposed to be.

I am a few weeks from 27 — Slow me down…

My 20s are slipping away and my 30s are drawing nearer — a time I thought would never come…

Although my 20s are now slipping into the past and slowly settling into the foundations of memories, they have given me the time to explore, develop, experience, grow and move into my 30s with confidence about the things I do and do not want.

When I look back to when I entered my 20s, I can reflect with a great sense of accomplishment and growth from a naive 20 year old to a 27 year old now with a library of lessons, self-knowledge, and an unbreakable desire to settle for nothing less than amazing.

Life

1. You have the greatest gift to create your own life, one that you love and one that makes you proud.

2. When you make the decision to be better than average there will be moments of loneliness and doubt, but trust yourself.

3. Who you are speaks louder than what you say.

4. Some people just won’t ever understand you. Don’t waste too much time trying to convince someone who is never going to understand.

5. Make time to do things that make you happy. It’s easy to forget the small things that bring joy. Remembering your inner child will help with this.

6. Every second is a chance to go from where you are to where you want to be. You are not stuck.

7. Things just have a way of working out. You are always going to be ok. Follow your own truth.

8. Treat everyone you meet with kindness. You don’t know their story. We cross each other's paths for a reason.

9. Embrace who you are. Get to know who you are and celebrate your uniqueness.

10. You are your own worst critic. Don’t be too hard on yourself. Self-care is principal.

11. Hard work will get you what you want. Just make sure it is going to all the right areas. Your job at the end of the day isn’t going to give you the security you need. Make sure the hard work goes into the things that will give you a secured future… not your boss's.

12. If it doesn’t “feel” right it probably isn’t. Integrity will lead you a long way. Trust your inner compass.

13. Life is a playground. It is there to experiment, experience and taken lightly. Everything is temporary

14. Have compassion for everyone. They may not be a blessing to you, but you might be to them.

15. Sometimes the hardest things and the right things are the same.

Love & Relationships

16. You have to love yourself and feel worthy before you can let someone in to love you.

17. Let kindness and friendship be the starting pillars of all relationships. When everything else falls apart it will keep you from bitterness.

18. Time is the most magical healer.

19. Settling will never complete you.

20. Work on becoming the type of person you would want to marry and one day that perfect match will show up.

21. There is a difference between being ready and thinking you are ready.

22. You get what you tolerate.

23. Letting go is not giving up.

24. Sometimes you have to drown out the opinions of others to move forward.

25. Listen

26. It is ok to need time on your own. Being in a relationship doesn't mean you have to lose your independence.

27. Communication is absolute key. Break down in communication can lead to unnecessary falling out.

I am armed with lessons and experiences — bring on 27, I’m ready for you!