44 Birthday Thoughts...

As I celebrate my 4??4??th birthday . I’m sharing 4??4?? lessons and gratitudes that I’ve gathered and are engrained in my ??. 

1. Having children does change your life inexplicably and within a nano second of having them you wonder how you spent your time before.

2. There is no such thing as ‘no choice’, not so long as you’re breathing.

3. Truly loving someone is indescribable.

4. Losing someone is more indescribable.

5. You can be multi passionate and it doesn’t mean you lack focus.

6. If you don’t want to do something, say “no”. No explanation, no drama.

7. Life is too short to accept or settle.

8. Don’t compare your journey to anyone else, they may be on chapter 15 whilst you’re on chapter 2.

9. You can pivot and reinvent yourself at anytime.

10. Don't focus on the people who don’t like you, there’s many more that do.

11. If you want to eat the burger or drink the wine - do it.

12. Words will never speak the same language that action does.

13. You deserve to be happy. 

14. Putting yourself first isn’t selfish.

15. Don’t wait for the perfect time to do or say something. If it feels right, go for it.

16. Social media is (typically) what people want you to see. Don't believe the hype.

17. Don't regret anything that’s happened. There’s always a blessing or a learning.

18. Remember the good times and smile because they happened.

19. Be careful of rose tinted memories and never go back because it was ‘ok’. (See lesson 7.)

20. If it’s not adding value to your life, why do it.

21. If you get an opportunity don’t turn it down out of fear.

22. Wear the lipstick, the heels whenever you want and wherever you want - even if it is to Asda!

23. Life is about balance, accept that it’ll tip every now and again. 

24. Self care isn’t a buzz word or a nice too, it’s essential. (See lesson 14.)

25. Other peoples opinions don’t pay your bills.

26. Smile at strangers, compliment them - it’ll make their day and yours.

27. True friends are the ones that you can speak to anytime, with long gaps, and you know they’re always there.

28. You can recover from the toughest trauma, hurt or disappointment. I promise.

29. Choosing your attitude each day goes a long way to what happens and how you react.

30. Being a ^%$￡ and purposefully lying is never acceptable. Ever.

31. You can smash all your career goals without crushing others and being a ^%$*.

32. Watching your children grow is both the hardest and most amazing feeling in the world.

33. Creating a vision board can be transformational.

34. Intention without action means nothing, no progress, nada.

35. Find time to move and make it something you enjoy (hate running = don’t run).

36. Clean sheets for the weekend are like climbing into a cloud.

37. Watch the sunset, the sunrise and smile.

38. There is no such thing as too many decorations on a Christmas tree.

39. Book trips, adventures and days out. Fill your diary with experiences and things to look forward to.

40. No job is ever worth more than your life, your family or your sanity.

41. Never drop your personal, moral or ethical boundaries for anyone. 

42. Loyal people take things personally because they would never do that to someone else.

43. Having two lockdown birthdays means you can knock two years off your age. Joking ...

44. Age is just a number. 

Maybe you agree with these, maybe you don’t and that’s ok. Writing these made me pause and smile. Grateful for 4??4?? years, the adventures, the highs and the lows because they got me here. 

Much love, 

LJ x