5 Empowering Things Every Person Should Do Before They Turn 30.

“The block of granite which was an obstacle in the pathway of the weak, became a stepping-stone in the pathway of the strong.” Thomas Carlyle

We’ve all been there. We feel stuck with feelings of self-doubt and inadequacy. Sometimes we blame Mercury Retrograde. Either way, these feelings overwhelm us, leaving us feeling out of control, and even hopeless. I’ll be the first one to admit it- there is not one individual on this planet who has things all figured out, but we can learn how to empower ourselves, strengthening our foundations for lifelong success.

1) Practice being mindful.

Being mindful doesn’t mean you need 45 minutes to disconnect from the universe. Often, we go through daily life on autopilot, not fully aware of the present- and that’s where I’m asking you to dial it back for a minute. How do you expect to live while dwelling on the past, focusing on your future, all while continuing forward? This is where I ask you to take a moment out of each day, to slow down and appreciate things.

Acknowledge and congratulate yourself for what you’ve accomplished, take a few deep breaths, and move on to the next day. 

2) Understand the power of choice.

We as individuals are not in the world. The world is in us. You’re not just somebody with a mind and a soul in it. When we broaden our perspective to consider our power to choose who we will be – to choose how we will show up to our situation or circumstances – the possibilities immediately open. 

You have the power to choose your own attitude on life, to choose from what perspective you will view certain situations, to choose the position you will take. In essence, you will have the power to choose the quality of your presence on this earth. To progress in your life, you need to become mindful of your decisions. If something fails to bring you a spark to your life, stops progressing, does not bring you an answer — then you need to move on before you waste any more time. Seeking your passion does not always come from your dream life. Fulfillment can come from any part of your life, as long as you’re looking for it.

3) Cook yourself a nice meal, at least during your work week.

It’s no secret that cooking your own food meals benefits our bodies, but there’s also evidence that the act of preparing meals can benefit our minds as well. Getting into the kitchen more frequently builds confidence, and learning to cook for yourself easily brings a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction. Cooking also allows one to engage the side of our brains-sparking creativity- and passion for things, other than daily stress. 

I get it, with a boss-babe lifestyle it’s hard to slow down. Instead of relying on DoorDash to keep you consistent- start meal prepping. Not only will this guarantee you having control over your health, but this will also teach you skills to improve your cooking abilities- and maybe even find a new passion! Think about your favorite meals when you dine out — what are some of the dishes you would like to eat repeatedly? The possibilities are endless.

4) Stop worrying about your age.

With each chapter ending, there are new beginnings. You’re a REAL adult by now, even if that means making your own doctors’ appointments. Be sure to take matters into your own hands and make whatever changes you feel are needed, because you have two thirds of your life to go, with any luck.

Sure, we all eye-roll when we hear ‘AGE IS JUST A NUMBER’ shouted at us our entire lives. They aren’t necessarily wrong though. Every year you are here on earth is a milestone, and each decade takes as a chapter ending. Who is to say 30 isn’t the new 20? Not us, that’s for sure.

5) Step out of your comfort zone.

Feeling comfortable is fine and dandy, until it stagnates you from growing. When you choose safety and comfort over risk, you aren’t living at your maximum potential. 

Break yourself from your average routine, and find something new to give you joy. It can be as simple as taking yourself out to dinner and a movie- or as adventurous as going on a solo-backpacking trip. Whatever gives you a new spark- do it. Use this year as a year to find yourself, and make it a challenge. Do the things you WANT to do, but be sure to keep an open mind to see what you can accomplish.