This is it. The end of an era (at least for me). This summer, I will say goodbye to my 20s and hello to my 30s. I got to thinking about how different I was 10 years ago and what I’ve learned, what I’ve experienced and how I’ve changed over the last decade. There is an emphasis on leaving your 20s behind, but I don’t see it as a negative. I look forward to my 30s and all that life has to offer. I still feel young, maybe not 20-years-old young, but still young enough. I have many more milestones and so much life ahead of me (that is if I don’t die prematurely…just kidding). In honor of the next decade, I thought I’d share 29 life lessons I’ve learned so far that that might be useful or nice reminders to others. Here they are:

1. Live each day as it were your last.
2. Music is everything. Dance to it, sing to it and live to it.
3. Travel as much as you can while you can.
4. Live your life for you and only you (sometimes think about other people, but don’t let it rule you).
5. Love without regret even if it hurts later.
6. It’s okay to make mistakes.
7. No matter how old you get you still don’t have everything figured out and you may never.
8. Knowledge is power. Never stop learning.
9. Trust yourself. You know what is best for you.
10. Read as many books as you can get your hands on.
11. Don’t take any wooden nickels (thanks grandma)!
12. Eat a cupcake just because you want it.
13. Road trips are always epic with best friends in tow.
14. Listen to life advice from a child. Sometimes it is that simple.
15. Change is hard, but keep your head up, keep swimming and you’ll make it.
16. Celebrate the little accomplishments along with the big.
17. Always say “please” and “thank you.”
18. Answer: To get to the other side.
19. Jumping out of an airplane is quite fun. You should try it.
20. Friends are your family, too.
21. Take care of your body because you are only getting older.
22. Have no regrets and take chances even if you’re afraid.
23. Say “I love you” when you mean it and always say it to loved ones because you never know when it’s your last goodbye.
24. Be kind to other people.
25. Coffee. Coffee. Tea. Coffee.
26. The mouse gets the cheese.
27. You are guaranteed to experience death, disappointments and dicks (aka assholes) in your life.
28. The movie is never as good as the book.
29. Cherish even the small moments because life is short.

Until next time.

-AM