Today is my 40th birthday. A couple weeks back I tossed out the idea or writing a "life advice at 40" post, cause why the fuck not? I think I give pretty sound advice, perspective, whatever. So, without further ado....
Twisted's 40 Pieces Of Life Advice At 40*
Drink more water. The older you get, the more vital it becomes.
No, coffee and/or Diet Coke don’t count as water.
Listen to “Everyone's Free (To Wear Sunscreen)” by Baz Luhrmann at least once every decade.
Don’t make permanent changes for temporary problems.
If you wait for the “right time” to make a change, you’ll spend your life waiting. You are more in control of your life than you realize. Take the leap. Even if it scares you. Especially if it scares you.
It’s not your job to fix a person determined to stay broken.
You will be faced with obstacles in your life. Some will be small. Some will try to consume you. Either way, it’s gonna fucking suck. Don’t give up. You will make it to other side.
The world can be a harsh place, but kindness can still be found if you look for it.
GET. YOUR. MEDICAL. SCREENINGS. GET. THEM. ON. TIME.
Looks fade. Find a partner you can be your unmasked, awkward, true self with.
Challenge yourself to do something that scares you.
Don’t be afraid to play your video game on easy mode. There’s nothing wrong with wanting to enjoy the story without struggling or frustrating yourself. Life is usually set on hard mode anyway. Give yourself a break.
You aren’t required to participate with family members that ignore your boundaries.
You’ll never win a battle of wits against an unarmed opponent.
Do the things that make your tail wag.
”Take chances. Make mistakes. Get Messy!” Ms. Frizzle, The Magic Schools Bus.
Run your own race.
Always keep track of whose peace you’re keeping.
Never let “cringe” stand in your way of true happiness.
Only a Sith deals in absolutes.
Apologies and promises without action are meaningless. So are ones that include the word “but”.
Keep your favorite seasonal/holiday decorations as long as you want.
Be a menace. You deserve it, as a treat.
Fill your inner circle with people who hold space for you as you hold space for them.
Having a hobby doesn’t have to be about progression or improvement. Just do the thing because it makes you happy.
That hobby doesn’t have to be profitable, either. Do it because you enjoy it. That’s what makes it a hobby.
A good vacuum can change your outlook on life.
If “one last drink” sounds like a good idea, it definitely isn’t. You will regret it within five minutes.
Tylenol (acetaminophen) is processed by your liver. Advil (ibuprofen) is processed by your kidneys. Aleve (naproxen) is processed by both, but will fuck up your kidneys first. Choose your pill wisely.
Clean the filter in your dishwasher at minimum a few times a month.
The laundry will never truly be “done”. The sooner you accept this, the better.
You will be faced with things that scare you. Do it brave anyway.
Embrace ‘dopamine decorating’ to bring enrichment to your enclosure.
You are allowed to say “no” to your family without causing an issue.
You are not required to forgive anyone who has wronged you.
Forgiveness does not mean keeping that person in your life. Never let anyone convince you otherwise.
Never trust a fart.
If a friend suddenly crosses your mind, reach out to them. Something as simple as a “Hey, how have you been?” can make a huge difference.
Embrace change. Its the only thing you can truly count on in life.
Live your life with your whole heart every day.
*The content of this list are entirely my own opinion based on my own experiences and is meant for entertainment purposes.
