33 Reflections at 33
I looked at my husband and said, “How old am I turning again?” I guess that’s the stage of life I’m in. I can remember to order my daughter a snowsuit six months ahead of a season but forget my own birthday. Today, I wanted to reflect as a gift to myself… something (if I’m honest) I deeply miss about my 20-something self. The ability to go so deep so easily. These days, I find it harder to get there because of the responsibility I carry and the pressure to filter my words. Maybe it’s because I feel like, at this point in life, I should know what I’m talking about. Have more wisdom to share. Be a more polished version of myself. I’m a “mom,” after all. But then I remind myself… maybe the most important thing I can show them is that I won’t always get it right. I won’t always say the perfect thing. I’ll make mistakes. But it’s how we get back up that matters.
Being true to yourself… something I have learned over the years takes a lot of courage to execute on. To stand in your own values despite what your social feed is showing you. To have conversations with friends and not have their views impact yours. To take criticism from your work and not let it mold you into something you’re not.
Today, I wanted to reflect on some reflections from 33 years of life. I’m calling them reflections, not lessons… because lessons feel set in stone. And honestly, the only constant in my life has been change.
Having one friend you can be your full self with and deeply trust is worth more than twenty you have to filter for.
Time has definitely helped ease the pain of certain situations in my past. However, when it comes to grief, time has not healed. I can still feel just as sad years later as I did on the very first day.
The fanciest house with an ocean view didn’t feel like home. I longed to be close to family. That season taught me: home is wherever my people are.
You’re not being judged by people at your level or above. You’re being judged by people who never had the courage to stand in your shoes.
Society’s version of success left me confused and empty. After working with dozens of high-achieving women, I can say with confidence… most of us are craving something deeper. Define success for yourself before you get too lost chasing someone else’s version.
Working on the courage to be your truest most soul-giving self also means having the courage to accept that some people won’t like you.
My top 2 favourite journal prompts are: “How are you feeling?” and “What is your intention today?”
Who you marry is one of the most important decisions of your life. I’m so grateful I chose the most steady and strong man I know.
I used to be embarrassed by previous versions of myself, roll my eyes at my past decisions. But as I get older, I have learned to love all the versions of myself. Each version has played a very important role in how and why I am the way I am today.
Nothing in my life has given me peace like finding God at 28 years old.
Making your first 7 figures is an absolute grind… making it after isn’t.
Becoming a mom is the best joy in the world. I also feel like your identity gets rocked to the core.
Nothing a run can’t fix. Run until you let it out.
Happiness is simple for me: a run, a coffee, and deep chats with a good friend.
I still have a hard time holding small talk conversations. I always want to know who someone really is.
When your clothes don’t fit, just buy bigger ones… even if it’s for a season.
I’m deeply impacted by the spaces and people around me. Being intentional about who and what I let in has become non-negotiable.
I hope I make more mistakes in my life, which shows I am growing. Only the people I admire the most have walked through very hard seasons of suffering.
I’m a homebody… until someone forces me to travel. Then suddenly I’m a world-class adventurer who never wants to come home.
A packed calendar stresses me out. I’m not someone who thrives with 100 things on the go… I often over-commit and then have to pull back. I’m working on noticing it before I get there.
Creating a minimalist business has been the most freeing move I’ve made… but it took years of hustle to earn the simplicity.
Being remembered is more meaningful than being relevant.
People forget what you said, they forget what you did, but they never forget how you made them feel.
No matter how much wealth I build, I choose to save and to live below my means.
We never truly know everybody’s story. Be kind and gentle to others.
Your past doesn’t define you. You’re allowed to outgrow who you used to be.
Having gratitude or spending time worshiping with God is the best way for me to overcome being anxious.
The older I get, the harder it feels to access that baseline happiness that once came so easily.
Seasons of waiting are still so painful for me. They haven’t gotten easier with age. The waiting is often harder than the outcome itself.
I’m so thankful for the childhood and parents I had. I was such a happy, carefree kid.
I let people in with ease. But if my values are crossed, I’ll walk away just as quickly. I’m not sure if that’s self-protection or self-respect… maybe it’s a bit of both.
More than anything, I want my children to feel free… free to be exactly who they are. It sounds simple, but my biggest hope is that they always follow their heart.
I am so thankful for my life. Sometimes it doesn’t seem fair.
