36 thoughts on the way to being 36
Yeah, I made one of these lists..
Today I turned 36 and I think overall the last year has been a year of growth. I spent a lot of time trying to understand myself and who I am—probably for the first time in my life really.
As such I wanted to make a list of what I’ve learned in the 36 years I’ve been alive. Some of these words are my own and some are quotes from others that I’ve collected. If you’re curious about the source of one of these, please let me know down below in the comments and we’ll unearth it together.
Above all, be kind to yourself.
You do not have to be good; perfection doesn’t exist.
Think before you speak.
Put your everything into your work.
Always be patient.
Choose love over all else.
You are the person you are when no one is looking.
Consistency is important.
Your parents aren’t as invincible as you once believed.
There is nothing permanent except change.
Take care of your body whilst you still can.
Community is important and seems to become more difficult to foster as you get older.
Passion is a good driving force in life.
A life without curiosity can get quite empty.
Get out of your head whenever you can.
Remember to breathe.
Stretch every day.
Order is as important as spontaneity.
Your to-do list will never be in a state of completion.
People like to be heard.
Measure twice. Cut once.
Don’t fret over what you have no control over.
Treat your life in the same way a craftsman treats their craft.
Naps are beneficial.
Some people show their love in ways that aren’t immediately recognisable.
Don’t get caught on the hedonic treadmill.
It’s possible for your parents to have given you the best childhood they could whilst still leaving you with some scars that need to heal. Those two things can both be true.
Life = continuous improvement.
Love is not gazing at each other, but looking outward together, in the same direction.
Let the improvement of yourself keep you so busy that you have no time to criticise others.
If you don’t use your time well it will be gone and you won’t be able to get it back.
Choose not to be harmed—and you won’t feel harmed. Don’t feel harmed—and you haven’t been.
Taking care of, and strengthening your emotional immune system is just as important as strengthening your body’s immune system.
Tranquility comes when you stop caring what they say. Or think, or do. Only what you do.
An emerald is not flawed simply because no one is there to admire it. Genuine beauty doesn’t need praise.
Fatigue is often caused not by work, but by worry, frustration, and resentment.
I quite enjoyed making this. Please let me know your favourites in the comments.
Take care and please do share your list of lessons.
SJF x
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Happy birthday 🥳🎉