I Have A Feeling About 2015...

It's been a long while since I have blogged, because let's just say during and after the Holiday's time just got away from me. I've been working on other creative outlets (including physical journaling, creating vision boards, and making time for myself). I need to get back to blogging weekly because I need to focus on being more consistent, and it is definitely something I love. Maybe since I don't really do new year's resolutions, this one can be it :)

I seriously cannot believe the new year is here, and as 2015 is off to a solid start, I cannot help but have a strong feeling that this year is going to be a game changer for me. I am starting to jam pack my year with dirty thirty birthday celebrations, travels, and a game plan of how I am going to ensure that I connect with the nearest and dearest in my life.

I recently came across an article by Mark Manson, titled "The 10 Most Important Life Lessons to Master In Your 30's." I'm a sucker for a good list, and this one definitely delivers. Mark, like myself, recently turned 30, and realized that after he reflected on his 20's, he wanted to be proactive and seek advice for the decade he was about to embark upon. So he sent an email out to all of his subscribers asking readers age 37 or older for advice of what they would tell their 30 year old self.

He received over 600 emails, and received some amazing advice. In the article he goes on to talk about finances, health, relationships, and investing in yourself.

Here are a few of my favorite quotes from the article (contributed from the Mark's readers):

Don’t settle for mediocre friends, jobs, love, relationships and life.

If I've learned anything, it's to not stand for mediocrity. DO NOT SETTLE. If something is negative or doesn't feel right in my life I am fine ending that friendship, looking for another job, and making sure that I'm not in a relationship just to be in one (even if 50 million people always ask me where my boyfriend is - I know what I want, and I haven't found it yet). One thing is for damn sure...I'd rather be single than settle.

Show up with and for your friends. You matter, and your presence matters.

This is a tough one, and don't believe anyone that gives you excuses. Where there is a will, there is a way. When one of my best friends told me she was getting married in London last year, I almost had a meltdown because I wondered how I was going to afford that AND the World Cup trip to Brazil I had also planned within a few months of each other. It took quite a bit of work, but I managed to figure out the details. Nothing compares to the amazing friendships I have been lucky enough to have in my life. <3

While by age 30 most feel they should have their career dialed in, it is never too late to reset. The individuals that I have seen with the biggest regrets during this decade are those that stay in something that they know is not right. It is such an easy decade to have the days turn to weeks to years, only to wake up at 40 with a mid-life crisis for not taking action on a problem they were aware of 10 years prior but failed to act.

Life is too short to not follow the dream your heart holds, and even if it took me moving to a couple of countries and a few states, I am one step closer to realizing my "personal legend". That is a reference from "The Alchemist", and if you haven't read it, you should. I've come to the realization that I would rather have a mediocre paying job I am passionate about, than have a high paying job I will hate in 10-15 years.

Despite feeling somewhat invincible for the last decade, you really don’t know what’s going to happen and neither does anyone else, no matter how confidently they talk. While this is disturbing to those who cling to permanence or security, it’s truly liberating once you grasp the truth that things are always changing. To finish, there might be times that are really sad. Don’t dull the pain or avoid it. Sorrow is part of everyone’s lifetime and the consequence of an open and passionate heart. Honor that. Above all, be kind to yourself and others, it’s such a brilliant and beautiful ride and keeps on getting better.

Value your experiences, and value the situations that have created who you are as a human being. I sometimes envy the people who don't feel their emotions as deep as I do, but after reading this, I would rather feel every emotion that walk through life numb. Oh, and believe there is a rainbow after every storm.

This is an amazing read, and no matter what age you are it has some great advice from the life experiences of so many people. To read the entire article, click here: "The 10 Most Important Life Lessons to Master In Your 30's."

Is there anything you would add??