What would I change ?

Next week I will be celebrating my 37th birthday. I am on the up slope towards 40 and it has me thinking quite a bit. I am very happy with my life. I married a wonderful man who is my rock. I am blessed to have parents and siblings who I love with all of my heart.

But I started to think if I could go backwards, is there anything I would have changed? Wouldn’t it be great if we could run into our teeny bopper self back in high school and offer up some advice?

First I would tell myself not to have a serious boyfriend, not that I regret the one serious one I had, in high school. He was sweet, kind and good to be around, but I just think a young woman in high school should enjoy life without any boundaries.

I would also tell my younger self to not worry about what other kids thought. So much easier to say than do, but honesty I spent a lot of time worrying about what my friends thought and what other kids in older grades thought………… and the truth is, that none of it matters today. Not one opinion from one other person in high school matters today. None of them pay my bills, none of them picked out my amazing husband, none of them help me with my life. I think about how much time I wasted that could have been so much better spent doing other productive things.

I would have told myself not to wait by the phone. How much time did I spend sitting by the phone waiting for a boy or friends to call. I would tell myself to make my own plans. Get out and do something else.

I would have told my younger self to face the bully who bullied me in grade 9 & 10. I would have told myself, to approach her and to not take her crap, and that if I had to fight and get a black eye it would be worth not having to hide in bathroom stalls and avoiding the hallway where the bully’s locker was. I wasted a lot of time worrying and stressing when I could have handled the situation a lot better.

I would also tell my younger self to stop and smell the roses. I was so busy playing sports and hanging out with friends……. I am not so sure we have the ability at that age to take a step back and really take in the moment like we do now.

In my 20’s I did the typical university trek and bar hopping. Buying beer for a twoonie on Tuesday nights, wearing tight tops and Doc martins, circling the clubs checking out hot guys. I think….. and don’t think less of me for saying this ……but I think I would have told myself to have more wild one night stands. Safely! And well protected! But to just let loose, to just let it go and to live in the moment and be spontaneous!

I have to say being in my 30’s is great. For anyone who is on their way into the dreaded number, don’t sweat it! Its fun! And you really start to see things in a different perspective. I think you really find yourself in your 30’s. You start to like yourself and get to know the real you. What you like. What you don’t like. Who you like. That names brands aren’t always better. What your favorite wine is. Who you will tolerate and who you won’t. What traits are important in friends. How valuable trust is. That runners are the most comfy shoes to wear. Your family is the most important company you can have. What direction you want your life to go in.

I can only imagine that entering my 40’s will be even better! I will be older & wiser! And I hope to have an even better perspective on life. I look forward to that time.

I leave you with a few quotes:
And in the end, it's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years.
Abraham Lincoln

Age is something that doesn't matter, unless you are a cheese.
Billie Burke