29 life lessons at 29

I've learned a lot so far

Technically, I am still 28, but I turn 29 in two whole days, so I felt old enough to share this a bit early. I’m entering the last year of my twenties. And in these nine years, I’ve learned a lot. I’ve lived in four cities and seven apartments. I graduated with two degrees and traveled to over a dozen countries. I’ve lost a few friends and made a lot more. I’ve fallen in love with myself, become a sister-in-law, an aunt, and a childless cat woman. I’m a completely different person from who I was at 20. To honor the many ups and downs of this decade, I am sharing the lessons I’ve learned so far.

1. Quit your job if you really hate it and do it before it drags you down.

2. Preventative health care is the best health care, go to the doctor!

3. Reach out to your friends, like really do it, call them, text them about the little things, send them a love letter 💌

4. Make your coffee at home, it saves a lot of money, gives you a cute morning routine, and is just as good as at a coffee shop.

5. It’s so special to have your parents spend time with your friends.

6. Tidy up around your home every single day - this is a lesson I’ve yet to put into practice, but maybe at 29 I will.

7. Sometimes dupes of makeup are just as good as the expensive brands, you don’t need to spend a lot of money to put on a fantastic face.

8. Holding hands is one of the most romantic things to do.

9. Read a chapter of a book before bed!!

10. Train travel is the best kind of travel.

11. Shutting up sometimes is the best version of self care.

12. Take photos of everything 📸

13. You don’t have to buy all the furniture for your apartment the second you move in. Take the time to curate a home worth loving.

14. It’s okay to love watching TV 📺

15. Holding a baby is the best way to spend a lazy Sunday.

16. Go for a walk a day, even if it’s just around the block.

17. Girly things are good things, don’t be ashamed to enjoy them 🎀

18. TikTok is addictive and it’s better to not watch it at all, but it’s also fun to scroll, so do it in moderation.

19. Being creative doesn’t mean making something big, we can all do little creative acts daily.

20. A good pair of jeans is the best piece of clothing in anyone’s closet.

21. If a man doesn’t ask you any questions on a first date, don’t go on a second date with him.

22. SSRI’s are magic and taking them is brave.

23. Remember the little things about your friends and acquaintances, and tell them, it will make both you and them feel good.

24. Stovetop popcorn is the best type of popcorn 🍿

25. You don’t need to buy a new dress for every wedding you attend.

26. No one thinks about you as often as you think they do, or as often as you think about yourself.

27. Therapy can change your life if you find the right therapist.

28. Being friends with yourself and learning to love being alone is one of the best things you can do with your time.

29. Losing friends is part of life, choosing to remember the good parts of those friendships is difficult but worth it ♥️

😌😌I’m in love with a Slime Pig😌😌

A few weeks ago, as I sat on my brother’s couch, my sister-in-law handed me what looked like a piece of toast. With a childish delight in her eyes, she said, “Squeeze it.”

The toast was sticky, soft, and squishy. I never wanted to set it down.

Lael O

was introduced to the slime world by her eight year old niece and went on a slime purchasing rampage. As their children’s nanny, I benefited from these purchases. Lael gave me what I call my “slime pig.” It’s a pink, gooey slime ball shaped like a pig. I play with it during calls, while I watch TV, and while I read books. My slime pig moves about the apartment with me as I travel from room to room. I love her and know I soon will be purchasing slime friends for my slime pig.

🏘️🌴☀️Selling Sunset is the best show on TV🏘️🌴☀️

Selling Sunset, the Netflix reality show in which women “sell” houses in impractical and skimpy outfits is one of my favorite things to watch. Even though I’ve never been to LA, and I logically know that the city is nothing like the show, I have to believe that every real estate agent wears towering heels and booty shorts to show multi million dollar properties to the rich and famous.

I finished the most recent season, released just last Friday, how God intended, in one weekend while holding my slime pig. This season’s drama was focused on Chelsea, a British real estate agent with the one of the fakest accents I’ve ever heard, learning her nerd ass husband cheated on her from her arch nemesis Bre, one of Nick Canon’s many baby mamas. I know that sentence was a lot to take in, but bear with me. Aside from that delicious storyline, there was a very serious dog funeral, a trip to a town in Joshua Tree that a new agent “owns??” and a fight about whether it’s appropriate or not to wear booty shorts to a broker’s open.

Selling Sunset is many things, but to me it’s iconic. Hilarious. Jaw dropping. Magic.