36 Things I’ve Learned in 36 Years

A few weeks ago, I turned 36 and began to jot down things I’ve learned so far in my lifetime. Here’s my completed list:

1. The Office and Frasier reruns will never get old.

2. If you are waiting in line, give the person in front of you space to do their thing. Just let me finish emptying my cart, guy breathing down my neck behind me.

3. Don’t tell anyone on social media that you will unfollow them because of something they’ve posted. Go ahead and unfollow, but recognize they have the power to post what they choose on their platform. You are not guardian of the inter webs.

4. If you are a parent, someone will disagree with your parenting style. It’s fine. If your children are cared for, consider another’s point of view and do what seems right.

5. Never, ever assume a woman is pregnant unless she tells you so in no uncertain terms, or if you are in the delivery room with her.

6. Your kids won’t love crap like Caillou if you never show them Caillou.

7. If you live alone, rejoice in the fact that you wield the power of thermostat control. (I miss you, glorious, quiet, warm semester of college).

8. Don’t watch the news. Read news from a variety of sources, from your partisan heroes to your nemeses, and think critically before you agree with either.

9. Travel as much as possible. Experiences are worth at least twice as much as stuff. (But I’m currently selling stuff, so it’s okay to buy that).

10. Don’t cut someone out of your life arbitrarily. Maybe they’ve been distant because they are dealing with their own baggage. There’s a lot to be appreciated about a friend who doesn’t expect constant contact but is there for you when you ask.

11. Speaking of asking, admit when you need help. There’s no shame in that, and people can’t read your mind and know what you require.

12. Food is best when you approach it without heavy expectation. That can be said of many things, actually. Expect nothing, appreciate everything.

13. Murphy’s Law is real. I’m Murphy. It’s fine.

14. Husbands can’t be trusted unattended in store electronics sections.

15. Cuddling babies is the best. If you don’t have one, volunteer to help in a church nursery or daycare or something. That isn’t creepy advice at all.

16. Get a library membership and read all the things. And if you’re kind of a germaphobe like me, spray all the things with Lysol before you read.

17. Go to concerts. They produce memories you won’t soon forget.

18. My Granny, who is 88, always tells me she would rather wear out than rust out. She is always working on something, from cooking and making jelly to tending her garden and selling her produce. But she also stops everything and sits to talk with me when I visit, and always has. Work hard, but take time for your people.

19. Always consider how someone else might feel. Always.

20. Be kind, especially to anyone and everyone in the medical field. You could not pay me enough to do their jobs. (Also, could one of you check out this weird mole? Just kidding. I don’t have any weird moles).

21. Kids can always help with the laundry. This is easy for me, though, because it looks like a kid processed the clothes when I’m finished, too. #cantironwontiron #whatfittedsheet

22. Dad always tells me not to borrow trouble. I’m trying not to take out too many fear loans. The interest rates really suck.

23. Speaking of interest rates: credit cards are the worst.

24. I’m an idealist, which sometimes makes for a painful existence. “This is going to be just like this, and I’m excited!” I think, picturing a perfect scene. And it is rarely like that and why was I excited?

25. We’re always waiting on the next thing. It’s easier said than done, appreciating the here and now for whatever it is worth. But it seems worthy of a good college try.

26. Set 90 day goals. If you succeed, it didn’t take long and it’s super rewarding. If you fail, try it again for another 90 days, because that really isn’t very long!

27. You don’t have to be the same person you were five years ago. You’re allowed to grow and change.

28. Pepperoni is disgusting.

29. Fear is the worst tour guide.

30. Write thank you notes. No one has time for them; do it anyway. Do it even if you think it is far too late to ever send them. The receiver likely didn’t owe you anything and decided to bestow kindness on you, so return the favor in a small way.

31. I grew up with conservative Christian parents who always recycled (which, I’ve found, is incredulous to some). Our nearest recycling center is 25 miles away and trash pickup does not grab bottles and cans from the blue bin at our curbs. We separate items and haul everything to the center ourselves, because it is prudent. Stewardship of our resources shouldn’t be taken lightly.

32. Assume the best of others. Unless they are left lane drivers, and then you already know everything you’ll ever need to know, don’t you?

33. Buy flowers, especially in winter. Aldi roses help pull me through Midwestern weather weirdness.

34. Make your own family traditions. My extended family has always had fun customs. As my own little family grows, we’ve adopted fun things like cinnamon roll Saturdays and family movie night. It’s something simple to strengthen a bond.

35. Gummy candy is a food group.

36. There is always hope.

Tell me a few items that make your own list!