45 Lessons in 45 Years

Happy Birthday to me...a little gift for you.

It’s my birthday today and I’m now 45 years old. I started ‘The Beauty Breakfast Club’, on 13th August 2023…which is also when I started writing ‘45 lessons in 45 years’. It’s been sitting in my draft folder and every few weeks I added a line. Although this publication is only around two years old, I’ve been slowly adding the life lessons I’ve learnt before this space was even an idea. These are lessons, experiences, and do’s and don’t’s that would have been great to know before I started this thing called life, but even so, I don’t regret a single painful experience I’ve had because it’s shaped me into a person I’m proud of today. Hopefully, some of these lessons either help you or at the very least, make you feel like you’re not alone.

I can honestly say that I am the most content I’ve ever been in my life. I live a boring life…but I love it. My mornings are quiet and spent with Nico. My days are filled with working on my business, learning, reading, creating. My evenings are mostly spent in, with the love of my life, best friend and husband, Bobby, and my little bestie, Nico. It may sound simple and boring to you…but that’s what makes it so special to me.

So what have I learnt in my 45 years? These 45 lessons are only a fraction of what I’ve learnt…but also the ones that stand out the most to me.

1. Trust your gut feeling. Most of the time it knows when something doesn’t feel right and most of the time it’s right.

2. Most people don’t see the insecurities ‘you’ see, so relax and stop thinking about what others think about you. I’m well aware this is easier said than done, however trust me…it gets easier with age.

3. Choose your life partner carefully. Most of your happiness will come from this person.

4. Savour the time you have with the people you truly love. You never know if you’ll see them again.

5. Goals are important, but what’s more important is the journey before you’ve even achieved the goal.

6. Failure is not a bad thing. It teaches you to learn from mistakes and how to overcome obstacles. It teaches you more than you may realize.

7. No-one has a right to make you feel unworthy, insignificant, unappreciated or less than. Don’t allow people like this to have access to you. You’ll be happier.

8. You truly are what you eat. Processed food, alcohol, smoking…will all make you feel bad from the inside…if not now, then eventually.

9. Count your blessings. Some people never get to experience the things you take for granted.

10. Be proud of your age. Aging is a gift…not everyone gets to experience getting to your age.

11. Be comfortable with saying No. Don’t let anyone push you into decisions when you clearly don’t feel comfortable with it. Saying No isn’t rude. It’s clear and decisive.

12. Always try. If it works out - great. If it doesn’t, then at least you tried.

13. Be kind to waiters and anyone serving you in any way. They will remember and appreciate your kindness.

14. Don’t compare your life to anyone else. There is so much of other peoples journey that you don’t see.

15. Get rid of clutter - it weighs you down and keeps your mind messy.

16. Keep your circle small and real. You’ll have less problems and more likely to have real support.

17. Forgive, but don’t ever forget.

18. It’s never too late to do the things you planned to have already done by now.

19. Wear the nice clothes, jewelry, shoes and anything you usually keep for occasions that never come around.

20. What other people think of you, is their problem…not yours.

21. However bad you may think a situation is, it will change and it will teach you something.

22. Make the most of what you already have. Don’t waste time on the things you ‘think’ you need.

23. Don’t let your age stop you from doing anything.

24. Feed your brain. Exercise it regularly by reading, and doing anything that keeps it healthy.

25. Spend at least 1 month of clean eating. No alcohol, no sugar, no processed food. Then make it a lifestyle…will change your life for the better.

26. Don’t become so consumed in your physical insecurites that you miss out on embracing the parts of you that you love.

27. Be extra kind to the people that clean streets and pick up after us. It’s the least you can do.

28. Be thankful for each new day you get to wake up to.

29. Be comfortable with being alone…it’s liberating and gives you a deeper understanding of yourself.

30. Focus on building muscle…not to get bulky, but to increase your strength. You’ll realize how important this is later in life.

31. You don’t have to be as opinionated as others. If being a certain way doesn’t come naturally to you, don’t do it.

32. Be grateful for everything you have. No matter how little it may seem, it’s more than some people have.

33. Address every goal with commitment, consistency and persistence.

34. What you do today is a reflection of who you will be tomorrow.

35. Journal everyday. It’s a free form of therapy that will help you understand yourself better.

36. Surround yourself with people who uplift you, inspire you and have kind hearts.

37. Set boundaries. It’s a form of self-respect and protection that only you can give yourself. No-one is entitled to a relationship with you, regardless of who they are.

38. Time becomes a lot more valuable than you’d ever imagine. Make money to buy yourself time and freedom.

39. Everything does not need to be announced.

40. The hardest and most painful times in life are lessons that teach you strength, awareness and resilience.

41. It’s better to make memories than collect ‘things’.

42. Don’t wait for ‘when the time is right’…it’s just a silent excuse. Just start.

43. You get to a point where you longer care if people like you. You care more about if you like them.

44. No-one is comes to save you. Your life is 100% your own responsibility.

45. Put your partner first…but make sure they put you first too.

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