It’s my birthday, I’ll blog if I want to | A list of 44 things

This month I am celebrating another year around the sun – my goodness how time flies!

When I was younger it seemed that people who were more seasoned in their years would tell me to savor every moment because it will go by ever so quickly and I would reply with okay or thanks then go on about my day.

But I think they were on to something. 😉

So I thought I would put together a list of 44 things, or 44 reminders per se, to commemorate my 44th year.

Some of the items on this list are completely random. Some have taken me 44 years to soak up and carry within my heart (eg: #1), some of the items are things I vowed to do with my kiddos (eg: #7), some are things I needed to tell myself prior to being diagnosed with a chronic illness (eg: #21) and some are things I have to remind myself of because as an over-thinker I tend to analyze everything (eg: #31).

1. You are not responsible for saving others from the repercussions or circumstances of a situation that has resulted from their behavior and/or addiction.
2. People pleasing will only hurt you in the long run (it’s also an attempt at controlling how others perceive you).
3. Make an intentional effort to be present in the moment
4. You have every right to live life and not share details with others (codependency/enmeshment can be untangled)
5. Wear what ever clothing/jewelry/accessories/shoes you want to – even if none of it matches
6. Decorate your space how ever you want to – even if none of it matches
7. Teach your kids how to support themselves after leaving the nest (laundry, meals, budgeting, saving, etc.)
8. God is always steady even when emotions are not. Life is messy, but God is certain.
   
9. It’s okay to change your life/job/church/city/house/hair if you want to
10. Absolutely admit to your kids you’re not perfect and apologize to them when you make mistakes – bonus points for sharing the lesson learned.
11. Be real and authentic – drop the mask. Those who attempt to project a perfect image do so to hide their struggles (it’s also an attempt at controlling how others perceive you).
12. Your best effort may not be flawless (or even good) and that is OKAY, at least you attempted to do the thing
13. TRUST YOUR INTUITION!!!
14. Your loyalty should lie where it’s safe – love others but be select with whom you let into your circle of influence
15. When people throw red flags at you don’t ignore them
16. Don’t take things personal – most people relate to others through a lens of their own struggles
17. You are doing just fine!! Don’t be so hard on yourself.
18. What you have to say matters. Use your voice in love – even when it’s hard.
19. People who aren’t ready to hear truth may say you’re lying. Tell the truth anyway.
20. Please be accepting (& not judgemental) of people who aren’t just like you – we can all learn something from each other
21. Rest if your body needs it – you are not lazy for needing to rest your body
22. Pretty words aren’t always true and true words aren’t always pretty.
    
23. Tough love is hard but extremely necessary at times.
24. There is a such thing as toxic positivity – to be human is to have a variety of emotions
25. Guilt trips, gaslighting, passive-aggressiveness and shaming are all forms of manipulation.
26. God knows the truth of what you’ve gone through. Don’t worry about those who play victim to pain they caused, to gain pity from others and skip out on accountability. Be okay with your side of the story not being known by those other people.
27. Mental illness comes in many forms and NONE OF THEM mean you’re less of a Christian
28. God wants you to love and forgive those who hurt you, but He doesn’t ask you to be a doormat
29. Just because you’re an introvert doesn’t mean you are flawed
30. You can absolutely, at any time, change your life trajectory by making different choices
31. Prayer is always the answer to every question and emotion
32. Don’t compare your life to others’ highlight reels
33. You are worthy of love and belonging, regardless of where you’ve been and regardless of where you’re going
34. As an INFJ and HSP, it’s not your job to absorb the deflections of emotions from those around you.
35. Don’t reshape who you are so someone will like you. The right people will adore the real you.
36. Be true to who you are, but always keep growing
37. It’s okay to stay IN your comfort zone – you know if “stepping out” of it will do more harm than good so listen to yourself
38. You’re not lazy for needing down time or time alone
39. Don’t settle – by settling you may be missing out on what God has planned for you (or for generations that follow you)
40. Enabling bad behavior/addictions can look and feel a lot like unconditional love
41. If you have to remind a grown adult how to behave like an adult, it’s time to step back and reassess the relationship
42. Someone who always judges others and gossips about them to you is probably doing the same about you to others
43. “Teasing” is not an excuse to say something mean – it still hurts and should not be tolerated
44. Don’t be afraid to walk away from that which hurts you. It could very well save you.
    

Again, this list is not all inclusive nor is it finite. And I’m pretty certain this list will entirely change by the time I’m 88. 🙂

Do any of these things resonate with you? What would you add to your list when reflecting over your life?

Love you, Friends. Praying you’ll have a fantastic week! ♥ Make sure to visit me on IG, FB or Pinterest.

XO – JB

JB Photo and Design, LLC | Jenni Blake is based out of Leavenworth County, Kansas and proudly serves the areas of Lawrence KS, Tonganoxie KS, Basehor KS, Eudora KS, Leawood KS, Mcclouth KS, Spring Hill KS, Gardner KS, Eudora KS, Lenexa KS, Olathe KS, Bonner Springs KS, Leavenworth KS, Overland Park KS and surrounding areas.  We love to capture images of seniors, families, children, events, landscape, maternity, and macro. However, we also love to bake homemade items with love from our kitchen and create fun prints which are sold on Etsy but also given away for FREE. Be sure to follow us on social media for these FUN and FREE items.

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