Thoughts on Being in My Early 30s

Every birthday is a blessing. Truth is, I feel much younger than what I imagined 32 to be.

Here are some of my thoughts on what I’ve learned being in my early 30s.

32 years young. It’s been said that you are the average of the 5 people you spend most of your time with. So make sure you spend time with people who are full of life and inspire you.

Looking younger. Wearing less makeup really helps. I’ve noticed that I look much younger if I wear less bold lip colors, though I love a deep red lip. I don’t dress very conservatively. I like to keep my outfits casual chic with some sass.

Take care of your skin. This should be my number one. Truth is, keeping my skin super hydrated does wonders. I avoid direct sunlight for long periods of time, especially if I’m not wearing sunscreen. I drink LOTS of water each and every day. I’m thinking of sharing my 32 beauty secrets in a few weeks!

Stress less, feel younger. Stress takes years off your life, but you could be adding years back by taking responsibly of controlling your own actions and learning when to let go. Forgiveness is power and resentment is poison. Listen to your body, it’s never wrong. My best way tip to shake off stress is to get exercise. Gym, yoga, jogging are some of my favorite go-to stress relievers. Over the years I’ve noticed that my body needs regular physical activity (every day) to feel my best.

Fine lines. These are proof that I smile and laugh a lot! But in all honesty, I really only have a few around my eyes, and they appear while I smile.

Know when to say NO. This has become much easier with age. NO to uncomfortable situations, societal or peer pressures, and I know when and how to remove myself without feeling guilty.

Memories = Happiness. Creativity, taking time off, working less so that I can create more memories is what drives my happiness levels waayy up!

Spotify 24/7. Ever since my teens years I’ve been a music addict but now it’s more soothing to my soul, like lighting a candle or taking a warm bath with sparkling juice. Haha.

I won’t be a “young” mom. And I’ve always been fine with that, even though my mom had me by age 30! It’s a different world we live in now, everything is in God’s hands and will happen when it’s meant to.

Love where you live. Truth is, there’s no such thing as the “perfect place” in which to live. All cities/towns/villages have pros and cons. You just have to find the place with the ones that suit you best and call it home.

Plan less, enjoy more. I used to be a big planner, and now I barely plan. I’ll only do it if it’s absolutely necessary for things such as projects, deadlines or trips.

Love what you do. We live in a world where we can be creative to find ways to work outside of the typical corporate office setting. I was in that once, and I knew it wasn’t for me. Followed my gut feeling, trusted in God’s plan and here I am. Happy with what I do and where I do it from.

Take care of your body. I started when I was in my mid twenties. So glad I started then. Keeping my body healthy is crucial if I want to be able to have good consistent energy throughout the day, everyday.

Get your 7-9 hours of sleep. I feel my best when I sleep about 8 hours. Though these days I don’t always have the opportunity to get enough every night.

You are what you eat. I eat a paleo diet for the most part but I don’t really eat much meat. If I eat any meat it’s grass-fed or free-range. At restaurants, often times I go for chicken or fish, and always choosing the best quality available. I rarely eat gluten-free baked goods, and on occasion I eat pasta, but I like to make it myself.

Stand your ground. I don’t follow the majority. If it’s a Netflix show that’s amazing, and everyones watching, then that’s ok, lol. There’s so much marketing pressure these days to try botox and fillers (is that the same thing?). I don’t allow the pressure to get to me. I don’t let it bother me.

Adulting. It can be tough, but it can also be really fun. Once you gain some life experience after college and truly experience ups and downs, you have the power and perspective to make your 30’s be the best decade of your life!

My closet is refined. It has taken me years to get to this point, and it’s still got a ways to go. I go for quality fabrics over quantity or something I’ll only wear once. I shop for basics and classics, pieces that will always be good to wear (even if they go in and out of style).

Interior space matters. I want my home to look beautiful and be comfortable for everyone. I have extensive experience in fashion design, and it’s something of an addiction to me. Love seeing my ideas and work come to fruition, plus I’m more productive in a clean, well-organized space.

Projects always take 2-4x longer than you think. It can be so frustrating. I’ve learned to budget 2x longer for all projects. That way I feel way less stressed. Now, just don’t procrastinate on getting started!

I’m a “new” blogger. I struggle with how to tie this into my Instagram feed sometimes. The blog is a great outlet for creative topics and I’m gonna work on posting more here in 2019!

Go with your gut feeling. It’s so true when they say that women have a sixth sense. I believe it because I use it all the time and it works great.

Regret is poison. Have no regret. Once an event is long gone you can’t beat yourself up for it. It’s best to learn from it and know how to face it next time around.

You are the product of your decisions. You are also the product of your experiences and the people you surround yourself with. Choose wisely and stick to your guiding principles by following your moral compass.

Confidence is sexy. Believe in yourself, let go of any fear or insecurity. You, as you are is beautiful and unique. That’s a superpower we each have. So use it!

Illustration: Alessandra De Cristofaro