I’m Turning 38-Years-Old & 38 Things I’ve Learned Along the Way

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This weekend, I’m turning 38.

Thirty-eight.

Let’s put that into perspective.

That’s two years from 40…

…12 years from 50…

…and a quarter of the way to hot flashes, gray hair, and saggy boobs.

(Oh, wait–I’ve already got the saggy boobs. I’ve nursed three babies. Riiiighht.)

Thank God I’ve made it this far. Some people aren’t so lucky.

So as I sidle up to 38, I wanted to reflect on 38 things I have learned along the way–things that have come from this teacher called life.

I can only imagine what more wisdom shall be bestowed upon me in the next 38 years…!

 

I'm Turning 38 Years Old - 38 Things I've Learned Along the Way - ThriftDiving.com

38 Things I Have Learned in My 38 Years

  1. Figuring out what you want to do when you grow up is as easy as remembering what you loved when you were a kid.
  2.  Stay friends with at least a couple people from your childhood so that you always remember where you came from.
  3. Exploring a new city without anywhere to be or anything to do is the ultimate freedom.
  4. Families should get together more often than just weddings and funerals.
  5. Even if you do your best, sometimes it’s not good enough. You just have to try something different. Or work smarter. Or both.
  6. Your worse feature sometimes becomes your best asset (can we say Jennifer Grey Dirty Dancing??). Learn to love it.
  7. How you carry yourself and how others perceive you will matter more than the words coming out of your mouth.
  8. Write letters to the important people in your life, at least once. They’ll appreciate it more than an email (and they’ll save it).
  9. You can’t eat the same way you did when you were 21. You just can’t. (sob, sob)
  10. Sometimes you don’t discover your best talents until later in life.
  11. Never be afraid to leave the familiar and go somewhere new. Even if by yourself. You will survive.
  12. Just because something makes you nervous doesn’t mean you can’t or shouldn’t do it.
  13. Everyone has a purpose in life (mine are to create, inspire, and teach).
  14. The older you get, the less you care about the way you look and care more about being comfortable, even if you’re wearing Mom jeans and Sketchers.
  15. Not every moment of parenthood is warm and fuzzy. Sometimes you’ll wish for that 1-bedroom condo.
  16. Your children are the only people that think you’re a rockstar (at least until they learn you’re really not that cool).
  17. Take lots of pictures! When memories fade, you’ll have proof they really happened.
  18. You won’t ever be able to get on the swings or rollercoasters again without feeling queasy (how did we do that at age 10?!?!).
  19. You’ll never believe that your best friend from high school is now a grandmother.
  20. Say “yes” when a friend invites you somewhere unexpected. You’ll have the best time and meet new people.
  21. Learn to love your house. You’ve got a roof over your head, for Godsake.
  22. If you keep staring at a person when they stop talking, they’ll start talking again. It’s very unnerving.
  23. Losing a job is life’s way of kicking you in the butt to move forward.
  24. Never be afraid to talk to other people. You never know what you’ll learn from them.
  25. Sunshine and laughter are the best anti-depressants. Oh, and Netflix. Definitely Netflix.
  26. You speak everything into existence.
  27. Wake up early before everyone is awake and work on your most important tasks first because the day will eventually get in your way.
  28. Everyone loves to talk about themselves more than other people.
  29. Never stop learning. The exciting part of life is learning new hobbies and interests.
  30. The skinny kids from high school grow up to be normal weight at 40. The normal weight kids will get fat. Would have been good to know this as the skinny, quiet, unpopular senior.
  31. Start a retirement fund before you even know what a retirement fund is. Invest in riskier stocks the more time you’ve got on your side.
  32. It costs a lot less to decorate a house than you think. One word: thrift stores.
  33. Stick with your spouse even if you want to kill them sometimes. It’s better than coming upstairs to a cold bed.
  34. Take a family vacation at least once a year, even if it’s only 2 hours away.
  35. Do what you’re passionate about for long hours. Even when Dream Killers call you crazy.
  36. Say thank you to everyone. Everyone should be appreciated.
  37. Going to college is about the experience of transitioning away from home, not about picking a life-long career.
  38. Life is like a roll of toilet paper: the closer you get to the end, the faster it goes.

 

I’d love to know what are the things that you have learned in all of your years, too?

Leave a comment below and share your truths with all of us!

 

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17 Comments

  1. Eugene Murphy says:

    I regret not believing in myself and not being strong enough when I was in my late teens/ early twenties. Today at 38 years old, I see the damage that that weakness has caused me and how its affected all aspects of my life. I lost my father at 21 years old so today I just have my Mother and she’s aging. I fear losing her. I also fear not being able to properly care for her in her later years. I am learning that the best form of self care and self love is to forgive people that hurt you and most importantly to forgive yourself for all the mistakes you made along the way. Life really has a way of beating you up…. don’t beat yourself up. I feel that though my life was crazy and rough for some time, I am grateful. I thank God for the experience because I don’t think I would have this strength and understanding that I have today had I not gone through those hardships. I am learning to be grateful for the little things. Prayer does work. Sometimes its okay to feel down and cry… just make sure you get back up and keep pushing forward. These are just a few things that I feel now at 38. I pray that everyone out there is safe, having fun and are living your best lives.

  2. Hi Serena,
    I realy like your advise, its nice to read from a smart strong women who has lived, all tho i have lived my life much like Dave i have had my struggles. I grew up pretty fast living a great life up till about 26 then its started to slip, i have a respect for ladies but i find it very hard to start a connection, i recently have acted on some of your advise before i even read your post. I have found challenging my nerves and fears of introducing myself to nice ladies has been quite a exciting journey for me handling rejection can ve tough but i just think dust off n try again. Be creative. Be the clown be the nice guy be the rebel be the brains be the listener be the ironman. When you stick to something work at it great things happen for you. I find more rewards the more i looking after myself but it would be so nice to reciprocate care with a nice lady.

  3. Lmao. I guess that’s what us single 38 year old gangsters tell ourselves to feel better. Though I feel happy that I’m not tied down to a person I married 12 years ago. Personally I have a tough time being around the same person for a month, can’t imagine for however long I live. I still smoke on the occaysh too. Tbh, I prefer beer nowadays, strippers, and pool. I’m a toys r us kid I guess, but that’s ok.
    No anger, no jealousy, lots of regrets tho lol. I’ll settle down when I go over the hill. I’m too old to get bothered about how everyone else lives. Life sucks for everybody I guess. Except me, cuz I am awesome.

    1. HAHA, Dave, what a fun comment to read–unexpected! LOL. Hey, “do you” man. It’s about whatever makes YOU happy. And yes, being with the same person can be a pain in the butt. But there’s also some comfort in it, too. As long as they don’t annoy you more than they make you smile or laugh. Be well and thanks for commenting!

  4. Your gonna learn at 38 that most of your life chasing women is a waste of time bc they are gonna marry scumbags and prick and live the American dream of raising kids named jaiden and kyler as they all cram into that minivan to go to Starbucks looking like a godd**n advertisement for GAP. So go roll up that joint and forget for a few that God forgot about YOUR dreams…all those years ago.

  5. serena such a beautiful name. i like your hair anyway you do it. just make sure you’re doing it for yourself. you asked me one time how did my husband and son die and i wrote back but it must have got lost, it was right after your grandma died. just saying try to be with the people you love and like. don’t associate with any negativity and be true to your self.

    peppi

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