37 things I've learnt in 37 years*

I recently turned 37 and it’s always nice to take stock of a few lessons life has taught me over the years… Some are lighter than others but all important.

1. Eat something green or live every single day. Your body will thank you for this immesurably.

2. How and where you spend your money counts. Whether is €5 or €500 what you buy has an impact - seek to support brands you want to be around in 20 years.

3. Any investment in your mental health is a positive thing. Whether it’s a session with a counsellor, a weekend retreat, a yoga class or taking time to do a meditation, it’s time and money well spent.

4. Don’t throw out your jeans… The trends are cyclical and trying to find the perfect pair of ‘90s 501’s would have been much easier if I hadn’t gotten rid of them twenty years ago.

5. Invest in good sunglasses. Even if you’re just wearing jeans and a TShirt, a good pair elevates the look to current immediately.

6. Get a good hairdresser and build an honest relationship with them. They will hold you back from Breakup Bobs and other things you might regret.

7. Start using natural cleaning and beauty products as quick as you can. Your home, sinuses and the environment will thank you.

8. Find what suits you and ignore trends and fast fashion as much as possible..

9. Relationships and friendships will continue to evolve… In the words of Frank Sinatra ‘The Best is Yet to Come’ If something or someone is leaving you it’s because there’s something better in store.

10. Take the best possible care of your skin. Your face is how you face the world and being confident in it is so important. Since it’s launch in June 2019 I’ve used Codex Beauty products. I adore the range and the environmental causes it supports. My skin feels glowy, nourished and healthier than ever.

11. Develop some sort of spiritual practice. Praying, yoga, meditation or even long walks can all be so comforting. Life has weird and wonderful things in store for us all and having some semblance of faith can really help bridge the gap between tough and happier times.

12. Value your friendships, invest in them and don’t take them for granted.

13. Adopt or rescue a pet… They are the kindest companions.

14. Celebrate other people’s joy. God’s delays are not god’s denials, your good is on it’s way.

15. Building a morning routine sets the tone for your whole day. Mine is: wake up ideally before 7 naturally, have a probiotic and sit with my to-do list and do some ‘morning pages’ or journaling for 15 to 20 mins to plan my day, scheduling everything from calls I want to make, work that’s on deadline, and food I need to buy. Have a large glass of warm water with some lemon or apple cider vinegar followed by a green juice. Jump into the shower after body brushing and end it on a cold blast. By 8 am I am ready for whatever life brings.

16. Know your worth, but don’t overcharge. It took me a while to grasp concepts such as negotiation that go with freelance life but whatever rate I charge I always have to feel I am worth it and can explain why. Occasionally I have paid for a service and felt it wasn’t worth it. There’s a happy place in the middle where everyone’s needs are met and I try and aim for there always.

17. Be as organised as possible. We live busy lives and there’s so much joy and fun to be had, but also a lot of work to be done and time can run away with itself. I keep a diary, write lists every day and schedule all my work on Ical. It makes life feel less overwhelming when it’s scheduled.

18. Only take advice from someone who is exhibiting a standard you aspire to in the area you are asking them about. I only seek relationship advice from someone who I feel has the kind of relationship I would love to have or health advice from someone who is aspirational to me.

19. Use, but don’t be used by social media. Follow what inspires and elates you. Delete, mute or block what’s bringing you down.

20. Avoiding caffeine, refined carbohydrates and sugar is the key to a good night’s sleep for me. For more on how I eat see >here<

21. If you’re not using something pass it on or sell it. I donate a lot and sell my clothes on my Depop and love to think of dresses going off to have more adventures. I don’t believe in hoarding. It creates space for new and beautiful things to come into my life.

22. Enjoy the sun when it shines. I mean this metaphorically. In Ireland what’s great is that when the sun spontaneously shines we tend to all embrace it, knowing full well it might disappear for months on end. Equally there have been happy moments, brief flings, spontaneous dinners and days that just randomly turned out perfectly. I have to admit thinking they would last longer stopped me enjoying them in the moment which I regret.

23. Wait 10 minutes before replying any charged work or personal texts or emails… This is learned the hard way.

24. Go to the hygienist at least twice a year… Teeth problems are no fun.

25. Donate to a charity you want to support. I have monthly direct debits to the ISPCA and My Lovely Horse rescue. The work they do is incredible although it’s tragic that people can be so cruel to animals.

26. Live in the faith that the whole world is on your side provided you’re true to the best that’s in you.. and trust the process of life. It knows more than any of us.

27. Going vegan and adopting a plant based diet is the single best decision I have ever made and stuck to. For more on why I made the choice see >here<

28. Learning how to apply make up in a way that made me feel like myself, just a bit less tired and more glowy was time well spent. For products I love see >here<

29. Decisions can feel very isolating. If we could pay people to make them for us we would… Sadly we can’t outsource the most important elements of our life. Don’t expect every decision you make to be supported by everyone and know that making the right decision can be a lonely place.

30. Compost as much as you can and look for sustainable options wherever possible. For what I’m doing see >here<

31. Make peace with your family if there’s anything lingering. It’s never worth holding a grudge.

32. A blow dry and a manicure is one of life’s simple pleasures that can feel so renewing.

33. Try and be kind to people, and if you can’t maybe you’re better off avoiding them altogether.

34. Champion the right to be yourself, dare to be different and follow your own star. It will work out

35. If in doubt, walk it out. A long walk, a salt bath and an early night are so healing.

36. Learn what foods your body, not necessarily your eyes, likes and seek to nourish it as best you can.

37. Use your voice and words wisely ensuring your intention matches your actions so you are conveyed to the world as you want to be. Honesty is powerful.

*Special thanks to Codex Beauty for Collaborating with me on this post.

Images - Sean Macnamee.