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If you followed me way back in my blog days, you might remember I wrote a post titled “23 Things I’ve Learned Since Turning 23.” It was my most popular post by a longshot, and I love reflecting on my past years, so I’ve decided to share 27 things I’ve learned since turning 27 now that I’ve taken another trip around the sun. 

Now, this past year has been insane. Erik and I moved across the country to a state that we knew absolutely nothing about, we lived in 3 different apartments, rescued another pitbull, I got laid off from my job, and started my journey as an entrepreneur. It honestly blows my mind what can happen in 365 days. 

I wouldn’t change any of the ups and downs because I’ve learned so much. And now I want to share those learning with you. 

#1. Never say no to a bagel. 

Unless your gluten-free, then please get a gluten-free bagel. Life is too short to say no to these slices of heaven. 

#2. Sunscreen is your friend. 

If you told me this in college I would have laughed at you. I tried to find a picture as proof but I recently deleted all of my Facebook pictures, so no such luck. ?

#3. Be an active listener.

Do you notice that sometimes we are listening to people, but we’re not really hearing what they’re saying? I encourage you to actively listen. Especially to your partner, I had a horrible habit of not actively listening to Erik.

#4. Don’t plan too far in advance.

You never know what’s going to happen, or when a pandemic is going to start. 

#5. Call your parents at least once a day.  

They are getting older just like we are. 

#6. Rejection is redirection.

This Bryant McGill quote stumbled across me one day and I haven’t forgotten it since. I just so happened to read it a week before I got laid off. Please write this down and tape it somewhere so you never forget it. 

#7. Save your money.

You never know what curveballs life is going to throw at you, be as prepared as possible. 

#8. Do something every single day that challenges you. 

How are we supposed to grow if we stay comfortable? What can you do today that challenges you, even the slightest bit? 

#9. What you do first thing the morning makes a big difference in how to take on the day.

Take the first hour or two of your day and dedicate it solely to yourself. Move your body, shower, and blowdry your hair, make a healthy breakfast, journal. Do something that makes you feel strong and powerful, it will make the world of a difference in how you tackle your day. 

#10. Make your bed every day. 

Your mom wasn’t kidding when she used to make you make your bed when you were little. What beats jumping into a nice cozy bed after a long day? 

#11. Wash your sheets once every 2 weeks. 

Ok now imagine jumping into a cozy bed after a long with newly washed seats? It’s my favorite. 

#12. Travel to a place you’ve never been to before.

Don’t plan a schedule for the trip. Just go there, explore, and see where the journey takes you.

#13. Truly over White Claw any day of the week. 

Don’t @ me. You know it’s true. 

#14. If it’s not a hell yes, then it’s a hell no. 

Ever been invited to plans with people and there was something that felt kind of off? You were trying to think of any excuse to not go even though you couldn’t pinpoint why. That’s your gut, listen to it. 

#15. If something sparks your curiosity, explore it. 

You never know where it can lead you.

#16. Make fear your friend. 

It’s not going anywhere, but it will certainly stop you from getting where you want to go. Flip it on its side and befriend it. 

#17. Put an extra set of tools in your car, you never know when you’re going to need it. 

Like that time you’re trying to drive from Utah to Vegas and get a flat tire in the middle of nowhere. Lesson learned. 

#18. Find the best place closest to you to go stargazing.

You won’t regret it. 

#19. Don’t tell people what to do. 

Nobody likes it. People only do what they want to do, not what they need to do. 

#20. Ask yourself if it’s really worth getting upset over something someone said to you.

Nine times out of ten, it won’t be. Remember to look at the source and if it’s not someone you look up to in life, they can kick rocks. 

#21. Maya Angelo wasn’t kidding when she said: “people won’t forget the way you make them feel.” 

Go out of your way to be kind to people, you never know how much it’s going to mean to someone. Especially remember this when you go out to eat. 

#22. Treat yourself every year on your birthday.

You worked hard this year, and you deserve it. 

#23. Be your biggest cheerleader.

Not everyone is going to support you, but it’s up to you and only you to get yourself where you want to go in life. 

#24. Stand up for yourself

Especially in the workplace. People will try to take advantage of you and they’ll be shocked when you stand up for yourself. You owe it to yourself.

#25. People judge you because they see something in you that they wish they saw in themselves.

Take it as a compliment. 

#26. Put what you want out into the universe. 

Make a vision board, speak out loud during a walk, do what you have to do to put want you to want in life out into the world, and watch it come to you. Make sure to be vigilant because it doesn’t always come in obvious ways. 

#27. ALWAYS and I mean ALWAYS listen to your gut, even if it’s not easy.  

Trust me on this one, your gut is not lying to you.