40 Things I've Learned -- Advice from a Chronic Pain Warrior
I don't toot my own horn often but I look damn good.
I don't look 40.
I would like to thank my mom for telling me how to use moisturizer (specifically Roc), and Botox. If you want to look like this then I say start moisturizing heavily in your 20s, morning and night, wear sunscreen religiously and start with small Botox sessions maybe once a year in your 30s.
I am grateful that I don't look 40.
I started this list when I turned 30 on Facebook. I like to add to it every few years or so...with the brilliant information I have been forced to learn, usually the hard way...LMAO.
The last time I updated this I was 36. That means I haven't updated this list since I learned I herniated my L4/L5 the summer of 2015.
I hadn't my life-altering medical procedures of lumbar myelogram or back surgeries, plural.
My life was, hindsight is 20/20, less complicated and less painful (physically, emotionally, spiritually) than it is now. Oh how much I've grown and realized my trivial issues in the past are child's play with what I have to deal with now, physically and emotionally. HA! Let's just say No. 16 is so beyond true.
40 Things I've Learned -- Advice from a Chronic Pain Warrior
1. Moisturize
2. Mom's always right
3. When you're in your 30s don't dress like you did in your 20s
4. Go to college, it's waaay better than high school.
5. Learn something new every day, every week, every month, every year
6. Laughing is better than crying, but sometimes you do need to cry
7. Make mistakes, but learn something from them
8. Don't be passive aggressive with your friends
9. See the red flags and actually heed them
10. Use your power for good, not for evil
11. 100%, 100% with your significant other and...
12. Never be too tired for your significant other
13. Protect your brain: don't do drugs
14. Go outside, get some nature
15. Failing lets you appreciate your success
16. Life is hard; kick you in the teeth hard.
17. Say you can do it, believe it in your body and soul, and you can
18. Sleep
19. Me time
20. Call your family or "family"
21. Get a hobby, your kids don't count.
22. Thank God, literally, that it didn't work out
23. When there's nothing left have faith
24. Everyone has problems, be understanding
25. Get to know your parents as an adult, as a peer
26. Don't put yourself in a situation (if you can avoid it).
27. Don't let it fester but don't beat a dead horse
28. Dry your wet head in the winter
29. Fight for the one, no regrets
30. Go to the doctor
31. Watch what you put online
32. Wash your face before bed
33. Say I love you to the people you do love as often as possible. You never know when could be your last.
34. Get back on the horse. Who cares if you fell?
35. Be okay with letting go of the negative people in your life. Frienemies aren't worth your time and frustration--no matter if you have known them forever or not.
36. It is good to be hopeful and expectant but ALWAYS have a backup plan.
My new pearls of wisdom...
37. God is not a superhero who is going to fix your problems but He will mourn with you.
38. Iyengar Yoga is one of the most powerful, beneficial, and transforming things you can do for your body.
39. Get a dog.
40. Don't throw in the towel on your life until you've exhausted every single possible option.
