My friends...

I’ve asked my friends to send me thoughts on what they’ve learned in their 20’s….and I was NOT expecting the responses I got! I was expecting to laugh & tear up at the stupid/funny/lets try not to remember stories they would send me. However, to my surprise,  I got real genuine answers about life, love, growing, family and friends. Who knew! These girls took the time to think hard about what they’ve learned and it goes to show, that a lot happens when you move through your 20’s. You grow up. You’re a different person at age 25 than you were at 21, and even more so from 28 to 21. 

Here are a few of their thoughts on what they’ve experienced in the last 10 years (or so). I love my friends dearly and am grateful that their words, from their hearts, that made me slow down to think and take a breath. They remind me that life is a journey, every day you face new challenges and you grow, it’s a learning process and its "ok" to make mistakes along the way.  And there’s a lot more mistakes to come in my 30’s…so watch out!  

“I have learned what is truly important in my life...my health, my family and my friends.  

Career: I have learned that you will never get anything handed to you - its all about your hard work and dedication.

 

Dating: I am probably at the same point that I was at 20.  Dating guys in San Diego will probably be the same forever since the guys in San Diego never seem to mature"

“In my 30’s I have learned to be more comfortable in my skin and confident about choices in my life. In your twenties it is still a time of exploration with career, relationships and self. For me, I felt like it was a new chapter to take everything I have learned and worked so hard for and start enjoying life more. I have learned that it is important to prioritize what is most important in life such as family and friends, passions and then career. 

In terms of relationships in your 30’s, it is easier to know what you want and have learned through previous relationships how one should be treated. I have learned that a good relationship entails compromise, open communication, selfless loving acts and humor! Before my 30’s I was more focused on myself and have gotten to a place now where it is about helping others with what I have learned. It is also important to slow down and enjoy each day. 

It is important to never lose one’s passion and make sure to make it part of every week.” 

"The most important relationship I have is the one I have with myself.  In my quest for love, I have discovered that the more I love myself and treat myself as I would my best friend, the more I attract healthy companions.When I started meditating regularly, nothing in my life was different but my perception changed everything.  All the "big deals" don't seem to exist anymore, and most of the time I live in faith and know everything always works out as it should. 

Never pass out in cowboy boots.”

I think this last night speaks to it all :) 

When will I learn to Cook…

I really admire the people in this world who know how to cook… especially the ones that just look in their cupboard, see random items, and can make a meal out of it. Who does that?! When and how do these people learn to do this? Are they born with this gift? Did Groupon send out a deal for cooking lessons that I missed? Include me on these emails people, I am one who needs this, not the million spa packages I get daily!

Where are the websites that tell you how to make basic things like just grilling chicken? Because I can not do this.  I tried the other night, and granted this chicken was still mostly frozen when I put it in the pan, but still, it took almost 40 mins to cook. And it wasn’t really good. But, yes, I still ate it. I can steam vegetables, cook rice, make a mean bowl of cereal and lets not forget salad, cause really who can’t make a salad….but chicken, no.

Thus, adding to my list of things to do before I turn 30…I will learn to cook chicken. This list currently includes Swedish school, photography classes, massage school, more yoga seminars, and how paint my right hand with my left hand (i'm right handed). 

That’s right! I’m gonna be smarter in my 30’s!...I hope.  

Start of the list...

I’ve been doing a bit of thinking over the last few days about what’s really consumed my 20’s. Please don’t take this as being shallow, but one word seems to be ever present in my sorry attempts at diary writings = boys.  Yes, in these attempts there have been inclusions on friends, work, family, and traveling….but those were usually surrounded by situations related to boys. i.e., guys at work I’ve dated, guys I’ve meet while traveling, guys I’ve been setup with by family members & co-workers, and the list continues…. Note to self, start reading the newspaper.  

Before digging down deep into the experiences a girl is subjected too from the time she is finally legal in a bar, to the time she realizes she can’t just eat whatever she wants… I thought to put together a list of generalizations on what many think a 20’something girl’s life consists of:

1. Boys & Men – yes there is a difference, lots of factors are taken into consideration when determining which one of those two you are dating.
2. College- and life after college- i.e. "the real world"
3. Coming to terms with your real tolerance of alcohol. And, the effects of said alcohol. Girls, hangovers do get harder as you age and late night dialing/texting/crying is never cute no matter how old you are.
4. The dawning of the little cocktail dresses matched with 5 inch stilettos… worn during winter (this may start in high school, but really takes form when your mom cant tell you to go change)….This leads into the bigger picture of girls sense of fashion and how it changes over the years.
5. Making girlfriends that hopefully last a lifetime.
6. And more boys

Maybe you can resonate with one or two, or maybe not. If not, deal with it.  I can resonate with all (duh). Probably enough said. It’s ok, I’ll be smarter in my 30’s….I hope.

Figuring This Out...

Before I go any further, I did some research on blogging this weekend and found two quotes that resonated with me.  Both are Penelope Trunk - http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/penelopes-guide-to-blogging/  I was sent her info from a girlfriend at work who reads blogs regularly. Quick shoot out to my coworker Jen T ….thanks my big sis I never wanted, great advice for a beginner!

Penelope Trunk says:

 “A blog is a great way to figure out what you want to do with yourself because writing regularly is a path to self-discovery. And a blog is a great way to build a network of people who respect you for your ideas, so it is the perfect tool for helping you to attain your goals and dreams, when you know what they are”

“Pick a topic — you can change it when you know what you're doing. This is like dating. Pick something that seems good, and if it isn't, try again. Don't get hung up on topic. As in dating, you'll know when you've found one that's the right fit.”

Please note, neither of these have I fully figured out yet – blogging and dating. BUT, these two quotes helped me calm down about both. Now I can take a deep breath and go on about my day.

Ending my 20's...

I've decided that since I'm entering the last year of my 20's, I would write about all the things I've learned over the past 9 years....plus this gives me a year to reconcile or come to terms with things I've done... and also do things before it's too late and I can't say, "oh well, it was in my 20's"!

Let's not kid ourselves, this isn't to say that ALL things will be exposed... but many memories, facts, thoughts and experiences will be shared. I've asked my girlfriends to help in this by sending me a few thoughts on things they too have learned. This should make for some fun email exchange as well! Some of these girls are still in their 20's with a few years to go, while others have moved into their 30's and are happy to be there! 30 is the new 20, right? Or something like that!

I welcome feedback on all posts...comments, questions, complaints (hopefully not many of these).