$pent Millennial

This coming weekend, I turn 31. Tomorrow actually, from when I write this. By the time it posts I will be 31. A year ago as I entered my 30’s, I was told by many people that your 30’s is one of the best decades. And I have to say, it hasn’t disappointed this first year. 

For this week’s post, in honor of my first year in my 30’s, I am going to share 3 lessons I have taken from this year that have made my first year of being in my 30’s one of my best years yet- and a few examples from each. 

1. Take care of yourself
   1. I bought myself a new pair of (much-needed) running shoes- okay, actually my partner bought them for me because I am spoiled. Still, I picked them out specifically for my sciatica issues and ordered them. 
   2. I have integrated care practices that are important to my mental and physical well-being including meditating, taking short walks on my lunch for brain breaks, and actually eating lunch to fuel my brain and body to get through the day. 
   3. I practiced listening to my body & giving it what it needs. For example, tonight I am supposed to attend a film event for work (one that I really wanted to attend), but I am sick. After (almost) 31 years on this earth, I know that pushing through and going with a scratchy throat and a potential low-grade fever is only going to make me feel worse. Sure, I could do it and could push through. In the past, I would, but instead, I am at home resting, hydrating, and taking care of myself- and others by not spreading my germs to them. 

2. It is all hard, pick your hard
   1. I left a job that, while its own kind of hard, was comfortable. I liked the work and liked the people I worked with, but I knew I was ready for a change and a new challenge. Adjusting is challenging, as changes always are, but I am proud for the hard that I chose. 
   2. Waiting is hard. There are so many times I wish my partner and I could be the ones packing up a U-Haul and hauling our lives into a forever home. But, we know that waiting, being patient, and playing the long game is the right kind of hard that will be worth it in the end. 
   3. Saying ‘no’ to temporary pleasure and immediate wants is hard. Recently while walking to the polls my partner and I saw a Jeep Wrangler- just like one I always wanted- for sale. We joked about getting it. But there was a moment when he looked at me and said, “Do you want me to buy it for you?”. My partner is a good financial role model and is generally more practical about money and spending than I am. But I have a feeling that if he has a weak spot, it is probably me. So, for that reason I know it is important that I am able to say ‘no’ to myself in situations like this, so that he doesn’t have to. 

3. You really don’t need all those subscriptions.
   1. As my finances freed up a bit, I had some room that I could have used for a Spotify premium account. I gave it a try for a month and then realized I would rather allocate that guilt-free spending to something else. 
   2. I no longer have access to Hulu or a bunch of other subscriptions to watch various things. And it is fine. I pay an annual fee for HBO Max- or I guess just MAX now. It is my favorite streaming platform and for the most part, it is enough. I also am lucky enough to have access to Netflix, which my partner and I enjoy watching some things on, but other than that we can watch YouTube, Tubi, Freevee, and other free options, or we can buy or rent a la carte as they say. I don’t feel like we are missing out, and it, actually, makes it more meaningful when we do find things to watch. 

So, that is it, 3 lessons. I am sure there are more. But, as I mentioned, I am sick, and I am going to take care of myself. 

Here’s to my 30’s, so far so good!