20 Things I Learned In My 20s

On Saturday, I'm turning 30. T-h-i-r-t-y!

How is this possible? There are some moments when I close my eyes and feel 16, newly licensed and cruising around Hinsdale in my dad's car. And other moments when I'm 21 again, building my real estate business from the ground up.

I've watched many of my friends arrive at this milestone birthday, yet my 30th always felt so far away. It's finally right around the corner, and I thought I would spend some time writing down 20 things I have learned in my 20s:

1. Get your eyes checked!
2. Buying a new candle spur-of-the-moment *just because* is one of life’s little pleasures.
3. If you're on a really good first date, head to the bar across the street for one more drink.
4. Turn off likes on Instagram.
5. Trust in the Lord. Even when it's the night before your wedding and everything is not going according to plan. Even when you're 7 days overdue with your first baby and terrified of labor and delivery. Even when interest rates soar and the real estate market feels tougher than ever.
6. When it comes to lighting, lamps over recessed, always.
7. Throw out your food scale and delete MyFitnessPal from your phone.
8. Having children with your best friend is the greatest and wildest adventure you'll ever go on.
9. A trip to Trader Joe's for fresh flowers can turn your day around.
10. Comparison -- comparing your sales volume, comparing your postpartum body, comparing your life -- is the thief of joy.
11. If you want to grow deeper in your friendships, make the first move! Inviting an acquaintance to go on a walk or to happy hour is scary, but relationships need water to grow.
12. Also on the topic of friendships, there is a season for everything in life... and if you're in a season where you simply have no free time and haven't seen your friends in way too long, that is okay and not forever.
13. Whatever you do, do not pop that pimple. It's not ready yet.
14. Date your spouse, whether it's a cocktail at home or a night on the town.
15. As for homes, bigger is not necessarily better, and living in a small one as a family of three during a pandemic is a beautiful opportunity to grow even closer.
16. There are few things better than reading a handwritten note from someone you love.
17. Work with your friends and it won't feel like work.
18. You can never have too many coffee table books. Or Zara dresses. Or blue-and-white.
19. Your heart really does grow when you welcome your second child.
20. The One who calls you is faithful, and He will do it! (1 Thessalonians 5:24)

I know that there will be so many lessons to learn in my 30s, and I thank God for another decade to grow in grace.