5 Things I Would Tell My Younger Self

I recently turned 30 and could not help but think what would be some of the things I would tell my younger self. It is true what they say- turning 30 can certainly trigger some thought and reflection as to how far you have (or haven’t) come and what you should have achieved in life.

I used to be so intimidated by the mere thought of turning 30. I always thought it was this monumental milestone in life which would determine my success across career, health, relationship status, money, and the list goes on. Whether I was going to be successful or not successful in life all came down to my personal and professional achievements by 30.

There are so many things I thought I knew in my teens and twenties, but I guess it is true what they say- wisdom comes with experience and age! In the spirit of turning 30, I thought I would share my thoughts on the things I would tell my younger self…

1. DON’T SWEAT THE SMALL STUFF

A little stress can be a good thing because it can help keep us motivated and engaged in our work and drive us forward to help achieve our goals. However, it is easy to get caught up in the moment, feel flustered, stressed and overwhelmed. We are only human and from time to time we need to remember to stop, take a deep breath and not lose sight of what’s really important in life. Some of the things I stressed about a day, week, month or years ago have been wiped from my memory bank and no longer have any emphasis or affect on my life. Keep moving forward.

2. SAVE, SAVE, SAVE!

If I could rewind the clock, one thing I would tell myself is to appreciate the value of the dollar and save, save, save! Don’t get me wrong- I am glad I enjoyed life in my twenties, was able to travel and see the world, and build the foundations of a great shoe and handbag collection, but I would have told myself to be a little more frugal with my finances and really map out my financial future. You cannot change what has happened in the past, however you can certainly start being more careful with your money, and start saving from TODAY!

 3. LEARN WHO YOUR REAL FRIENDS ARE

Your twenties are often a time for figuring out who you are as a person, and becoming the type of person you want to be.  Choose your friends wisely, and don’t be afraid to break up with ‘friends’ who will only pull you down or who will not have your best interest in mind. As Jim Rohn once said, “We are the average of the five people we spend the most time with. This relates to the law of averages, which is the theory that the result of any given situation will be the average of all outcomes.” Are the five people you spend the most amount of time with a product of who you want to become?

4. BECOME A ‘YES’ PERSON

Learn to become open minded and trust your intuition. Start by focusing on the small things that excite you each day. These things will ultimately lead you to your path, passion and purpose in life. Learn to say yes to new opportunities, you never know what doors may open up to you.

5. TRUST THE TIMING OF YOUR LIFE

In my twenties, I used to think to myself “How is it that Jane is younger than me, but making more money than me or more ahead career wise? How did Sarah afford to buy an investment property before me? Why did she Megan engaged before I did?” One thing I have learnt is to stop comparing myself to others. Focusing on what others are doing is a complete waste of energy- energy that could be better exerted on yourself and achieving your own goals. Learn to trust the timing of your life. What’s meant to be will always find a way.

THINGS I WOULD TELL MY YOUNGER SELF

If you make the most of the opportunities presented to you, live your life and embrace your age and all the amazing things that come with it, turning 30 is not so bad! Do you have any thoughts or experiences around turning 30 or any other significant number? Leave your comments below!