27 things I know for sure

A friend asked me to try this exercise for a book he’s writing, so even though it’s not my birthday, here are 27 things I know for sure (after 27 trips around the sun).

Photo from my actual birthday.

1. Say “yes” as much as you can.
2. There is an abundance of opportunity in this world. Your lizard brain tells you that if she got the promotion, or if he got engaged, that there is less of that good shit in the world for you. That is simply not true.
3. A juice cleanse is never a good idea.
4. Being a woman in this world is harder than I expected. We need to help each other.
5. If it’s comfortable, you’re not learning.
6. Debating ideas > debating people.
7. Add a gratitude practice to your mornings, living through a lens of gratitude will change everything. (Thanks Jen Gonzales)
8. Explore new cities by yourself.
9. People will show you who they are through their actions. Believe them. (Thanks Mom, and Maya Angelou.)
10. Go on the second date.
11. “It’s better to have ideas than beliefs. You can change ideas, changing a belief is tricker.” Dogma
12. Be compassionate with yourself. You are doing the best you can.
13. Hangovers change after 25.
14. Give as much of yourself as you can, but protect your time. People will over serve themselves on your generosity. Learn to say “no” to people and activities that don’t add value to your life.
15. Not everyone you were friends with in university will be your friend as an adult. That’s OK.
16. This is not a race.
17. Collect stories. Listen to older people, subscribe to podcasts, and read.
18. Joy comes from human connection.
19. Someone is coming after you, try to make it better for them.
20. Learn to love being alone. The relationship you should work hardest on is the one you have with yourself.
21. Strive to be useful every day.
22. Graduation is the beginning of your education.
23. Don’t be complicit in your own subjugation. When someone says or does something sexist (or racist, or homophobic, or shitty), call it out.
24. ^ When you inevitably call it out, be compassionate. We’re all learning.
25. Stretch.
26. Never ever (ever) settle when it comes to who you choose to spend your life with.
27. Not everyone is going to get it. Spend the most time with people who do. #tribe