THE BIG 3-0: WHAT I HAVE LEARNT

THE BIG 3-0: WHAT I HAVE LEARNT

Yes, that’s right. Today marks the day of my big 3-0. Surprisingly, I’m actually feeling really good about it – I feel ready for the next chapter of my life, stepping into a new decade and embracing my thirties (still feels a bit weird saying that!). 

Not that I ever thought much about how I was planning on feeling when hitting my thirties – but I am exactly where I want to be. I couldn’t be happier with my life right now (and I am not ashamed to say that). I have worked hard to get where I am career-wise, I am more confident and content (gone are the days of my insecure early twenties) and emotionally I am much more present and aware. Most importantly though, I am blessed with the most wonderful husband, family and network of friends.

olympus-2

My father once said to me: “Follow the path you enjoy the most, as the goal is not the end – the goal is the journey” – something which has stuck with me ever since. So to mark the beginning of my thirties – I wanted to dedicate today’s post to 10 things I have learnt up until now, which I will be taking with me into the next decade…

1 0  L E A R N I N G S 

Trust Your Gut Instinct – It never fails (ever). Don’t follow others, do what feels right for you – and not only will you remain with your integrity intact, you will stay true to yourself and your beliefs (which is the most important thing in the end of the day).

Life Is Too Short For Regrets – Don´t Dwell on The Past – This is something I have personally struggled a lot with, and I am continuously working on looking ahead to the future with no regrets, learning from my mistakes and getting stronger (and wiser whilst at it).

Invest In Your Health – What is a good life, without good health? A nurse once gave me some good advice; every year around your birthday, make it a habit to book yourself in for a general health check up, dentist and any other relevant appointments. Make it a priority – your health is everything. 

Pamper Days Are Musts – Sure, they aren’t essential and they (sadly) don’t fall on the top of our lists of priorities – but make time for yourself. Be it a massage, pedicure or facial (or all three) – book in one day every month to just look after you. 

Do It For Yourself, and No One Else – Whatever it is in life – be it a career change, a new hobby, a personal development challenge… You name it. Don’t just follow the norm, a trend or the mass – unless its 100% for you, and what you want.

Stop Comparing Yourself To Others – Another thing I am guilty of, but continuously working on – being happy in your own body and self. Personally, learning to love myself and accepting who I am, has been my greatest challenge of my twenties.

You´re Going To Lose Friends – …and that’s ok. Friends will come and go, but true friends will stay by your side no matter what, through ups and downs. And if they don’t? They weren’t really that good friends in the first place. Realising that in my early twenties, would have saved me a lot of heartache down the line.

You Are What You Eat – Love your body and fuel it with wholesome goodness! Drink lots of water, focus on eating clean foods, limit your alcohol intake and refined sugars – all key things to a happy and nourished body.

Don´t Beat Yourself Up – …If you go off-track every now and again! Focus on living a healthy and active lifestyle 80% of the time, but don’t punish yourself if you have a few days (or weeks) of indulgence! In the end of the day, just keep everything in moderation, and focus on a healthy balance in everything you do.

Stop Up & Remember to Breathe – I am definitely guilty of being on my phone and computer far too much, not always taking in my surroundings. Living in London is wonderful and exciting – but it can also be incredibly draining and tiring. Every now and again, stop up, look around and feel your breath and body – appreciating the moment of now.

anneli

M Y  M O T T O  F O R  T H E  T H I R T I E S 

“BE: to exist; to live.
HERE: in this place; in this world; in this life.
NOW: at the present time; at the present moment.”

–Eckhart Tolle

be

 Now I would like to take this opportunity to thank all you lovely readers who have been with me for the past 3 years. There are a lot of changes coming soon to the blog, and I hope you will continue to stay with me into my next chapter!

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17 Comments

  1. July 10, 2015 / 16:05

    Amazing learnings – super inspiring! Hope your day is just perfect!

    • July 16, 2015 / 02:29

      Thank you Natalie! :)

  2. Serena
    July 10, 2015 / 16:51

    What a lovely post Anneli, very thought provoking. Hope you have a happy birthday! x

    • July 16, 2015 / 02:27

      Thank you! So glad you enjoyed it xx

  3. Holly
    July 10, 2015 / 22:47

    That is so lovely (and true!)

    • July 16, 2015 / 02:27

      Thank you Holly :)

  4. Claire
    July 11, 2015 / 00:09

    HAPPY BIRTHDAY !!!!
    Inspiring post, thanks for sharing your life with us, I enjoy both your blogs, they have become part of my daily online ritual!!
    Follow you on Instagram too & I hope you enjoy LA, I look forward to all your posts :-)
    Enjoy your birthday celebrations, Cant wait to hear all about THAT Chanel box on the blog in the coming weeks :-D

    • July 16, 2015 / 02:26

      Thank you so much Claire! So happy you loved it, and that you follow both my sites!! L.A is great thank you :)

  5. Luisa
    July 11, 2015 / 09:32

    Happy belated Birthday Anneli :-) Great post, I might print it out and put in at my fridge to remind me of these things. Btw, may I have a wish for a blog post? I loved this post you did a while ago about the renovation of your previous apartment (with the before/after pics). Could you do another one like this as you moved into a new apartment ?? I know it’s a very personal thing but I’d very happy about it :-) Cheers from Germany

    • July 16, 2015 / 02:26

      Thank you Luisa! So glad I inspired you with this! Since your comment I actually posted about my home – hopefully you saw it? Anneli x

  6. KOSTANCA
    July 11, 2015 / 11:44

    Hi Anneli, hope you had a happy birthday!
    Today it’s my birthday, just turned 32. Always on this day I make some reflections and your post was perfect for me, I found myself in each of your learnings. Thank you. Regards from Albania

    • July 16, 2015 / 02:25

      Thank you so much! Happy Birthday to you too! Glad I could inspire you.. Anneli x

  7. Sophia
    July 12, 2015 / 15:26

    So beautiful! X

  8. July 13, 2015 / 20:47

    HAPPY BIRTHDAY! I turned 30 at the end of May and it’s amazing how much more comfortable you are with yourself when you hit your thirties, you start to appreciate what is important to you and let the small things go. In the 6 months leading up I knew I wasn’t happy in my job and turning thirty motivated me to completely change careers and I am now a million times happier. Wishing you many successes in whatever you do xx

    • July 16, 2015 / 02:21

      Thank you, and happy birthday to you too! That is really inspiring to hear, well done you! Wishing you all thefts in your new career :) Anneli xx

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